Homestead Maintenance

Wow... I am tired! Today the boys and I worked outside most of the day. We weren't working on any great project but we did get a lot of little things done.

First, we fixed a couple of rabbit fences. They are little circles of wire that we sit on the ground and put the rabbits in during the day. This allows them to forage fresh grass and feel the ground. I think they'll be much healthier rabbits for it.

We got a car ready to junk. It's been a yard ornament for about two years because it was purchased for a "parts car." Well, we've taken most of the good parts off and I'm tired of mowing around it! The junk man will be here later this week and we received a little money for it too!

We also fixed a water line in our well house...courtesy of our 16-year-old son. He did a great job. We set the water hose thingy my dad made for me so we'll have a place to hang the hose instead of it laying all around the yard.

We don't have raised beds build yet but we planted a few pepper plants in containers. We plan to put a few more things in containers this year and hopefully we'll have beds built by the fall so we can put in some fall tomatoes or something.

We're also hoping to get our clothesline poles set sometime this week and build a chicken tractor.

What is a "chicken tractor?" It's a mobile chicken coop and pen. You can move it to a new area when needed so the chickens can forage for fresh grass and bugs. We're already all lined up to get some hens that are already laying so we'll have fresh eggs.

We're so excited about finally getting around to setting up a "homestead" or "mini farm." Eventually, we'll have honey bees and goats! :)

Stay tuned to follow the adventure!

Have a great day!

Mavis D.

Wordy Wednesday

Lighthouse on Galveston island in Texas.

Potatoes Au Gratin

Potatoes Au Gratin

4 cups cooked, diced potatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups medium white sauce
2/3 cup American cheese grated
1/4 cup bread crumbs
Salt & Pepper

Oil baking dish with oil to prevent sticking. Make white sauce using basic sauce recipe (below). Add cheese to sauce, stir until well blended, and cheese until completely melted. Layer potatoes and onions in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour white sauce and cheese mixture over the potatoes and onions. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until hot and bubbly.

You may also substitute diced hash brown potatoes from your freezer section of you local grocery store.

Optional: You can add cooked and drained ground beef to add a meat and make a nice casserole dish.

Basic White Sauce

2 Tsp butter
1 tsp salt
2 T flour
2 cups milk (or half water and half milk)

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour and salt to make a smooth paste. Stir in milk gradually (I like to use a whisk). Heat on medium high heat until thickened.

Putting on a New Face

Hi Everyone....well, it's been a few days since I wrote but as you can see I've been working on something.

How do you like the new face? Darcy over at Graphically Designing did a wonderful job...don't you think?

Thanks Darcy!

Have a great day!

Mavis D.

Super Savings Saturday 4/26/2008

I made a trip to Walmart and did pretty well. Some of our prices were a little different than others have posted but here's the breakdown.

Sunsilk shampoo 4 x 3.23 = 12.92
Clean Team Wipes 2 x 1.64 = 3.28
Bic Razors 2 x 4.45 = 8.90
Red Zone Body Wash 6 x 0.97 = 5.82
Tabasco 2 x 1.18 = 2.36
Bush Grillin' Beans 3 x 1.25 = 3.75 (this were on rollback at our store)

Total 37.03 plus tax
Total coupons and rebates 24.96

Total OOP 12.07 plus tax

When our first son was born, we were very careful with him...like most parents. We didn't want him to get dirty and cleaned him as soon as their was a speck of anything on him. My dad was really into fixing cars and often covered with car grease. No way was he holding the baby like that! There were so many things the first wasn't able to do or play.

Well time changes, right? By the time our 5th son was born we were almost tossing him under the car with grandpa! Grandpa had got used to our complaining about touching the baby with greasy hands with the first one that he was a little shocked with the later additions to our family. We always were allowing them a little more freedom...I guess it happens to all of us. I'm not sure if it's laziness or just lack of energy to chase them as much...we're not going to mention age, right?

Oh...another difference, when the first child fell...we rushed to help him up and soothe his crying. When the last child falls...we laugh, check for blood and tell him to get up and try it again.
Interesting, isn't it? It's not a lack of love or concern for the last one but rather we know more. Kids need to get dirty sometimes, they need to have a little freedom within the confines of safety and they need to know that although they fall...they must get up and try again.

This phenomenon usually appears when a couple has 3+ children. For some reason, it doesn't happen in families with only two children. Hhmmm, maybe we are just tired!