What a crazy summer and fall on the homestead! Michael was gone quite a bit this summer for different military trainings, so much of the work of the homestead fell to the kids and I. It is so nice that the kids are older and they really proved to be a great help, especially in our huge garden. The above pic is of Hailey's happy face as she saw her day for the first time after one of his absences. She sure is a Daddy's girl! Here are a few projects we worked on this summer/fall.
Under Michael's supervision, the kids helped him make lead bullets for his black powder deer hunt he has coming up in November. Michael got his first elk with a bow this fall. He was very excited! It was a young cow and the meet was the best I've ever tasted.
Got this pillow at yard sale and sewed buttons on it in the shape of a "W" (first letter in our last name). Put it in our vintage/retro the camper.
The previous owner of this place had a friend stop by and give us all the owner manuals for the appliances in this place. Does this manual date our range or what? Crackin' me up! It even matches my table.
This was one of the concepts we really have been working on in our home. Our two fiery redheads can get on each others nerves pretty quickly. I wrote this out on our scripture board so we could get this phrase memorized.
We got to go camping with my in-laws, and a niece and nephew, at Olive Lake. The kids caught crawdads until their hearts were content. Josiah had a great time teaching his cousin, Jacob, how to hold a crawdad without getting pinched. He got it figured out pretty quickly ;)
Hailey was catching them like crazy, too. Gorgeous place to camp! Hailey even swam in this frigid high mountain lake. Crazy!
My niece, Layla, sharing her watermelon with a very happy Champ.
I made 10 lbs of haggis for the Celtic Festival. Turned out better this year, but I still want to make some adjustments in the flavor.
This is part of our huge garden. Unfortunately, I got it in late and it frosted early, so didn't get quite as much from it as I would have liked, but definitely got enough to get us through the winter. I freeze almost everything. The kids and I would go out and weed about 30 minutes five times a week in the mornings before it got hot. Michael worked fast and furious whenever he was home to put up a deer fence around it. Very necessary for around here.
Champ and Hailey's cat, Cuddles, have come to an easy truce. Champ is patiently waiting for the cat to throw his ring for him. I don't think Cuddles got the memo ;)
Some garden produce. Had good luck with the watermelons and broccoli at our new place. The broccoli and cauliflower were huge! Watermelons were sweet and super juicy. Lots and lots of zucchini as well.
The biggest garden bummer was that the Armenian cucumbers I planted were just coming on when it frosted. I only canned 13 jars of pickles when we normally do somewhere around 50. Oh, well. I just HATE store bought pickles!
We were blessed with free tickets to see the Pendleton Round Up this year. What a treat for our family!
The kids enjoyed their ride on the mechanical bull.
Josiah's 11th birthday happened in Sept. He insisted on make his own camo cake. It turned out really cute. He made a battle scene on it and then took it to Latin class to share with his classmates. It was a hit!
Michael has been busy with trying to get the deck railings sanded and stained before winter. The difference is astounding! The part closest to the camera is what he has left to do, the rest is done. He took the whole railing apart to do it right. Wow, what a big job! He has also been working on wiring and insulating the shop when we have money for materials.
We thought we'd try to sell some of our pumpkins, gourds and milk soap by putting a sign up on the busy road at the end of our driveway. I guess this must not work very well in this day and age because we've had zero customers so far. Going to have to think of something else next year. Oh well, you don't know until you try, right?
Things are settling down outside and we are starting to look to indoor projects that don't cost a lot. I really want the flooring replaced even though this is an old trailer. It will be awhile before we start building our house and in the meantime I don't like the health risks associated with this 40 year old carpet.
Hope all is well with everyone and that you are having a wonderful autumn!
God Bless,
Jackie
