Best Laid Plans - Fifteen Weeks

Okay, so we had our "plan".  Our plan was that Hubby would work from home doing his design and engineering and we would renovate the farm house and upstart a small farm at the same time.  But today Hubby started a job in town.  When he wasn't even looking he was offered a job!  And it is one he will enjoy with like-minded folks!  Who knew?  Now I am certainly grateful for his job, which is a miracle in itself in this economy- but I find myself wondering how I am going to get into a livable house anytime soon.  It has now been fifteen weeks in the camphouse and counting.  When will I be in my own bed?  Have a working kitchen?  Build the rabbit hutch, the chicken coop?  Prep the soil for planting?  And SO much more.  I must say I am feeling incapable, discouraged, and concerned regarding these many things.  Then I remember His Word and His promises. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."  "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  "I lift up my eyes to the mountain - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD,  the Maker of heaven and earth."  And once again, I rest in Him.

Oh, Deer.

Warning.  This may be offensive to some.  I was party to the killing of a deer.  I did not shoot it.  But, I did encourage the hunt and when some of us women folk saw the men walking back to the house with the deer slung over a set of shoulders, like a woman would wear a mink stole, I cheered and ran out to greet them.  Yes.  I did.  And as they were dressing the deer outside that cold wet foggy late afternoon into cold bonechilling dark evening I took Catkid out for a "science" class. (We find many everyday opportunities to learn here.)  Later we were blessed with some of the venison and we are planning to make deer jerky with our dehydrator.  We've made beef jerky from a most excellent beef * before which turn out five star, so we'll see.

The country life is different indeed.  And we are really lovin' it!

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  I Thessalonians 5:18

* http://www.docscows.com/

Going Gray or Grey

Yes, it is time for me to  be "a la natural" with my hair.  It just makes sense NoT to color it anymore.  I think I am ALL grey without the color, but I've never gone there so I don't know.  My lifestyle has changed drastically.  It will save money and time.  And the fewer chemicals in my life, the better.  It not only makes sense but it will be an adventure and exciting as the silvery grey, the natural color for such a time as this in my life, continues to emerge.  I've been debating this in my mind for quite awhile.  Then yesterday Catkid and I were standing in the sun and he pointed out that my grey hair was sparkling in the sunshine.  I decided on that day to "go all the way" gray/grey. 

Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me

Okay, now I'm a fairly clean person, I think.  I mean, I'm not anal or anything, but I like clean and decluttered spaces.  Well, we'll talk clutter later.  I'm beginning to feel icky.  Flies everywhere in the camphouse.  Just swatted and killed, yes I kill flies, six in about thirty seconds.  I actually noticed a graveyard beginning to form  on the floor.  And they BuG me so. And they occasionally BiTE.  I just don't want to take it anymore.  It is an exceptionally still, warm, humid, rainy, and nature-ally quiet day and the flies seem to multiply in this climate.  But we've had trouble from them for a while.  We got our first ever flypaper earlier.  They seem to avoid it.  They are everywhere but on the flypaper.  MaDdEninG!   Heard that if you eat more garlic they stay away.  We already eat LOTS of garlic.  I've read that mint or peppermint oil will repel them.  Will give that a try next.  Also read something about keeping a duck on the farm.  Hubby said he saw about half a dozen ducks down on the pond after the rain.  But I assume we need a farm duck for around the house to control flies in the yard.  I have much to learn about living in the country.  Will talk to some people.  For now, I'm a'shooin' and a'swattin' and a'sweepin'.

The Skinny

Okay so I've discovered a sure-fire way to shed some pounds without depriving yourself of good food!  Move to the country, prep the land for farming, and renovate an old dilapidated farmhouse!  That's right.  Got proof.  We found our weight scales in a storage room and since Hubby and I have noticed that our clothes are beginning to hang and sag on us we decided to check it out.  Hubby has lost 35 pounds since the first of September!  And I have lost 15 pounds since August!  The only problem with this new found weight loss program is we have to buy new clothes.  But since our work here has only begun and we have a lot more work ahead to have a livable house and productive farm we hesitate to replace our clothes.  Who knows how skinny we may get?  Stay tuned.

Horse Apples and Longhorns

I have adorned our camphouse stoop with a galvanized bucket of bright green and bumpy horse apples and a Texas Longhorn cow skull and horns.   Horse apples aren't for eatin'.  For horses only.  They are the fruit of the bois d'arc tree which we have several of in the pasture and therefore apples aplenty.  I heard that if you cut them and place them in your home they act as an insect deterrent.  I tried it.  The ANtS came. Read they can be dried and used as ornaments.  Maybe next year.  But,they are beautiful to behold.  http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Bois-d-arc-fruit-Horse-Apples_vq364.htm

Jaws Attack

So from the camphouse to the main house is thirty-seven steps for me.  In the main we now have a utility sink with hot water in which we can wash our dishes, instead of outside with the water hose for the first several weeks on the ground, and do laundry the more convenient way, instead of under the carport hooked up to water hose and drying on the line - while I quite enjoyed the hanging-clothes-on-the-line part.  The refrigerator and food storage is also in the main carport.  Since we mostly "cook" and live in the camphouse I make MANY round trips daily toting stuff back and forth.  Have I mentioned our overgrown puppy, Lulu?  Frequently, and out of the blue I feel a tug on an item and there's Lulu in a galloping attack!  Reminds of "Jaws".  And many times she'll run up from behind, get in between by legs and feet and trip me up.  I must be aware as I walk along my path.  Are you aware?  Our enemy in this world comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  Is he coming at you trying to steal something of yours?  Your peace?  Your joy?  A relationship?  Is he trying to trip you up?  God says we can resist our enemy and he will flee.  Do you have God's Power in your life to resist?

                                        Lulu attacking a tumbleweed.

Souse (Head Cheese)

They sell Souse locally.  I've never tried it.  Then I did.  Last night.  Hubby liked it.  I didn't.  That part of the "local flavor" I will leave alone.  And in case you're wondering.... it is hog head and ears with spices. 

Garlic and Pork Neckbones

Today Youngest who wants to be called "Catboy" and I were able to plant five varieties of garlic.  Since we haven't had to time to prepare a garden plot I used large containers which I've been told work just fine.  They are all out in a sunny spot. Now we get to have a garlic tasting to enjoy the garlic left from the bulbs.  Four of the five varieties were from a creole/cajun mix.  Which will work just fine with the pork neckbones I purchased at the local grocery for .79 cents a pound.  The locals with which I discussed the neckbones with all agree that if you simmer for a couple hours in a dutch oven with spices of your liking they are delish!  And for a bonus our oversize puppy will enjoy the bones!  What a deal!