BarredBuff's Homesteading Shenanigans

The seedlings and chicks are looking great and Daisy is

One of my raised beds with white and yellow onions and broccoli at the end. Still have another bed of onions to do once I can get more soil.



Carrot bed with cabbage at the end. Need to do another carrot bed once I get the second load of soil.



My concrete block raised bed. I planted green onions, spinach and lettuce in it tonight. Not a big quantity, but should be enough to eat on.



My cabbage and broccoli patch in the main garden. Only one plant did not make it. I think the gander stepped on it. I do have some that have a purple tinge on their leaves since they have been set out. I think it is probably stress.


My seedlings are coming along nicely.

My garden is looking good so far. Potatoes are sprouting under the soil. I expect they will be up in a few days.

"I cannot bring them back, but I can go to them" This is a line in an old gospel song I heard on Sunday, and it has just blessed me so well. Has anyone ever heard this song before? Its an old mountain song I think. I know a few dear friends that will soon be going home to heaven. It's a joy to know that I might not be able to keep them here, but one day I'll make that journey too. Cancer is an ugly, ugly disease. A dying saint is a joy and sorrow at once. You're happy they are finally getting to rest with Jesus, yet you mis them and wish they were back with you. Once again, "I cannot bring them back, but I can go to them".

That's a LOT of work! Congrats!!

The garden stuff looks great, thanks for sharing.

I don't have words for your loved ones

Your garden looks amazing!

I get what you mean about losing loved ones. When my grandfather passed I felt that mix of sadness for losing him and also joy, because he was reunited with loved ones (my gran and father) and relieved of the pain he suffered here. And knowing one day I'll see them all again.

Some of the most awe inspiring hours I've spent have been at the funerals of dear brothers and sisters in Christ. When my time comes, I want to exit with a party like none other: There will be rejoicing!!!


As an aside: Lovely gardening going on. I've had an other 10" of snow dumped here in the last 36 hours.

Well, considering this will likely be our safest form of socializing over the next few months, I am going to try to journal again. I've been terrible at it over the years, but now we all have time to enjoy it. I've been working the last few days to get ready for Spring, and with more urgency than usual. We really don't know what the future holds just yet with the current events going on now. However, while I was still able I have gotten all of the necessities to start gardening hardcore when the weather clears up.

As of this evening, I have got my seed potatoes and onion sets to set out as soon as it dries out enough to disc and then till the garden. I'm stocked on pest management supplies, and fertilizers. My Broccoli and Cabbage is coming up in the Greenhouse.

I stocked up all of the feed I will need for next few months. I have a batch of broilers that shipped today and will arrive on Wednesday. I have also brought back a few rabbits to breed later and to help provide manure too. They're young now, but will make some nice animals to breed in a couple of months.

On Sunday, we continued with our regular worship service. I don't know how long that will continue, but we did have church on Sunday. I was able to preach a message from this passage:

Acts 17:23-28

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

There are several applications from this scripture, but probably the best for this present or any time are these three:

1. God is sovereign (reigning over and around everything) in all situations. (v. 24)
2. God is ultimately self-sufficient. (v. 25)
3. God has foreknew all that would ever happen in our lives. (v. 26)
4. God is not far from us, and ever present and knows our every need. (v. 27)
5. God is the sustainer, and giver of our lives. (v. 28)

A week ago today, I was at a funeral for a friend's mother. Never would have I imagined the world a week would create, but God did. God knew about it, and knows the ends of it. As we continue through a time of uncertainty, know that in the throne room of heaven, God is in control. It's good to prepare and be wise with our resources, but God is the one that must bless it to bring to fruition. I feel like we each have a duty to do our best for our families while being generous and loving to all. I am a worrier by nature, and times like these I must myself repent and look back and say "God, all of this is under your control. Give me faith to trust you in the hard times too."

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Numbers 6:24-26

God bless you all!!

Our church cancelled services last week. I am thankful that we are equipped to provide service via FB, though the quality is amateurish compared to the professionals. So... the only people who are going to church now are the music team (of which my hubby and son are both a part) and the pastoral team. My son is a pastor and will be speaking next week. We're in the middle of a 3 part series on Haggai. Timely application. But, of course, God knew that! We will be doing church via FB for the future until this time passes.

Here is a photo of my new rabbits to grow out to breed this summer. In the meantime, they'll provide plenty of manure to make manure tea and scatter in the garden. The black one is the male.

Today, I finally got the fertilizer injector fixed for my greenhouse. I have had a terrible time with it this year, but hopefully the plants will take off now. My kale, cabbage and broccoli are sprouting now too. I'm concerned that soon I won't be able to go and tend to the plants as this situation changes. I'm starting a back up plan to get all of my garden plants started if I can't.

My broiler chicks arrive tomorrow morning. I have fixed a brooder up in my spare chicken coop. I have always brooded them in the garage, but these chicks will stink bad. So, I have fixed them up down there. I hope it works well. I have 25 coming. Now, I won't be doing any moving. I'll be sure to share photos tomorrow.

Tomorrow is also my first day doing remote teaching. It's going to be challenging as all of my classes are hands on at this point. I have some pretty basic work for the next ten days, but if the schools do not reopen then I'll have to get creative. My hope is to also use this time to write and work on some articles to publish. A magazine contacted me last Fall about writing again, but work was so hectic. Now, I'll have plenty of time and material as I devote more time to projects.

This evening, we had a virtual prayer meeting for the nation. It was on Facebook Live, and had about 600 people that were part of it. I believe prayer is our best hope.

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Numbers 6:24-26

God bless you all!!

Broiler chicks are settled in and doing well. Brooding them in the building has been much nicer so far. Only had to add an extra heat lamp to keep them warmer since we are still have cooler weather. I think I have 26 or 27. They won't stay still long enough to count!

Hope you all are doing well today!