Snowmageddon

So I have lovingly entitled this winter as snowmageddon because it is never ending and crazy.  In the four years we have been living in the Bear Lake Valley I have never seen a winter like this.  We have always been told of the "Bear Lakers" but even those that have lived here all their lives haven't seen a winter like this in quite a while.  I thought you might like to see our totals for the year so far.....plus this will give you a good indication why we aren't quite ready to be getting the garden ready yet.

After seeing this don't you want to move to our valley???  Hope you are all looking forward to spring and playing in your gardens soon.  What are you planting this year?

A wrestling match that comes down to the last second

So let me put out this now....this has nothing to do with homesteading, prepping, gardening, minimalism, or anything like that.....it has everything to do with me being one proud mama.  Last week I had the pleasure of watching one of my sons compete at the Idaho State Wrestling Tournament.  This is his second year to go and as a sophomore we expected an improvement from last year but he did more than just improve.  He finished 6th in the 2A division in the state of Idaho for his weight class.  If there is one thing that I try to teach my kids it's that it doesn't matter how it finishes but you have to give it everything you have, always.  In life sometimes you win and sometimes you loose but as long as you do everything you can you will look back with no regrets.  This is what I hope they always remember.......and on this day he did.  He fought until the very last second....and in this match it was that second that mattered the most.  The VERY LAST ONE.  Click the link below if you would like to watch and share in my joy with me.


https://youtu.be/CgDTV8p9gFs

The Great Purge of 2017 Continues...my adventure into Minimalism

Something that my husband and I have been struggling with is the idea if it is possible to be a minimalist and a prepper at the same time.  Although we may not view it the same yet, I think it is not only possible but necessary.  Having a surplus of items incase of extreme situations can be beneficial but not when it comes to the extreme and resembles a hoarder, which so many preppers do.  So we are making baby steps in order to be semi-minimalist homesteaders.  Below you can see some progress I have made in the kitchen and other areas of the home.

This is the pile of clothes that were donated from my two teenage sons room.  Crazy the excess amount of clothes they had in their room.

This is the before of one of the kitchen drawers

This is the after of one of the drawers.  Still lots of stuff but for a family of 7 it looks much better!

This is the donate box.  One of about 10 that we took in our last trip to the hospital thrift store.  The profits for all the items they sell go to help fund the local hospital.  A very worthy charity we like to donate to.

Well the Great Purge of 2017 will continue.  Especially since our weather is still super cold.  Once it warms up here we will be spending most of our time in the garden.....as always.  I'll keep you posted!

The Great Purge of 2017

So in my previous post I mentioned how I didn't know there was an alternative than having a crazy amount of things in your lives, well the past few months I have been doing a lot of research and discovered that I am a Wanna Be Minimalist.  I have spent my whole life being suffocated by things and taking my all of my time to tidy and organize things I didn't really like or even want.  I have neglected the people that were important to me and given it to these things.  In the past year I have two "episodes" where I can't breathe and feel like I am literally being suffocated.  There hasn't seemed to be any rhyme or reason to them but now I wonder if it's not the stress of the stuff and all the things I need to do because of that.
So I have had some inspiration to help me realize it can be done.  First I listened to the book "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up"  It was a good book and gave some practical tips and tricks on how to simplify.  But I'm tired of tidying.  I want to figure out why I've done this to myself (and my family) and how to never, ever think this is acceptable again.
Next I watched a film on Netfix.  Honestly I don't remember how I stumbled onto "The Minimalists" but I can't be more grateful that I did.  The film is entitled Minimalism and is amazing.  It's direct and thought provoking.  I highly recommend it to everyone.......even if you never want to be a minimalist I guarantee this documentary will at least make you think about how we perceive life and why we are driven to act a certain way.
Then I started following their podcast.  Then I searched YouTube and that's where I found Darci Isabella's channel and I love it.  As a fellow mother of a large family it is nice to see someone who is real.  Dealing with a family and being a minimalist.  So inspirational.  I highly encourage everyone to go and take a look and subscribe.  From all of this I have realized that this is a journey.  I won't be an orderly and beautiful home tomorrow but if I spend the year as a wanna be minimalist I might be one step closer to a peaceful, less stressful, more organized life.  I hope that you'll join me on this journey.

Check out The Minimalists here:

www.theminimalists.com or click above

Check out Darci Isabella here:

Search Mama of 10 on Youtube or click above

Picture recap of 2016

Here's a few pictures as a recap of the CityFarmin garden in 2016.  Big plans are already underway for 2017 as we have a greenhouse this year.  Seeds orders will be going in soon, even though we have had 108" of snow.  I'm already dreaming of sunny days, warm weather and lots of yummy goodness growing in the garden.  This year I'm embracing my goals of becoming a wanna be minimalist.  I have always felt like I am suffocated by the "stuff" around me but didn't know there was an alternate way of living.  Well this year that is all changing.  Along with things around the garden I'll also be featuring our overhaul of our life, the stuff in it and hopefully the peace and happiness that I find along the way.  I hope to hear of the things you are doing this year.

Year in review

Life has been crazy and I can't believe that 2016 is coming to a close.  We have had high school graduations, a DD got married and a new greenhouse on our city farm.  I love life but I hate how fast it goes.  It's cold and snowing here and I'm dreaming of next years garden already.  I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season and that you continue to grow and plant and love life!

The last of the plums

Well that time of year has come where I'm processing the last of the plums. I always hate it because it means winter is on its way. These will become plum jamBut the Jerusalem artichokes are still in full bloom and loving every ounce of sun they are soaking up. I'm already drooling over soup with these yummy tubers on cold winter days.There is still so much to do in the next couple of weeks.  I never realized when I was young how fast time really does go.  Here's to enjoy the last few beautiful weeks of fall......then the snow comes.

A cold and wet kind of day

It has been one of those days today....cold, wet, and miserable!  All I want is to be playing in the garden. Sunshine on my face.  Dirt under my fingernails but alas it is not one of those beautiful days. So I thought I would take a moment and catch you up on what happening on the CityFarm.

A few weeks ago we picked up some more bees.

Here they are. All tucked inside their box for the 2 hr. ride home.  They did great and are adapting well. We are hoping for a very productive year for our bees as they had a head start with the unseasonably nice March weather.

We also just spent some time as a family. Enjoying Easter together.

I hope that you had a special day as you remembered the beautiful and meaningful gift the savior gave each of us.  

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day so I can snap some pictures of all the things growing and put some radish seeds in the ground!!

Things are growing!!!

So many things are coming up in the garden. Rubarb, strawberries, garlic and so much more.

We also spent Saturday afternoon planting onions. It's crazy weather...in a good way....so we're going to take advantage of every second.

Our walking onions are starting to come up as well.

And when it gets dark or a little too cold I get to come inside and dream more about my garden while quilting

This is by far my favorite time of year!!!  Happy spring!!!

The Garlic is Growing

In SE Idaho we should normally still have snow on the ground but not this year.  We have had unseasonably warm weather and the plants are loving it.  Over the past few years we have been working on creating a yard that features edible landscaping. 95% edible is my goal.  People have looked at us like we are a little crazy as each year we remove more and more of our lawn. But it is moments like these that make it all worth it for me. Watching the beauty of edible plants come to life.  Knowing that in some small way we are producing something amazing and delicious for our family.  This week the majority of the garlic that we planted last fall peaked thru the wood chip covering. I love fresh garlic!  It really does taste so much better!  I'll keep you updated on its progress and other things around our little homestead as things spring back to life.  What is growing at your home?

Challenge Today: Clean your Refriderator

Something that we often ignore but desperately needs our attention is our Refriderator.  Here you can see a picture with everything pulled out to review.  Some to save, some to trash, and some for our chickens.  This is definitely not the funnest job but it is so nice when it's all done.  We took out a broken drawer and added some new bins for organization.......and the end result 

Clean.  Organized.  But most of all STRESS FREE!!!  I hope that you take this challenge for the day and March into Spring Cleaning with me!

Taming the closet monster

Our front hall closet has always caused us problems with clutter and chaos.....until now. For years I had been searching for an organized way to store gloves, hats and masks. Living in the North you need to have these things on hand because it can get very cold.  I had tried little totes but the always just ended spilled in the bottom of the closet as kids were trying to find matches.  Not any more.  Now they are organized and easily accessible. Even our 4 year old can now get her gloves and hat and know exactly where to put them away when she's done.  I'm so excited for this system!!!!  Hope that you all are enjoying "Marching into Spring Cleaning". Another post will be coming soon!

Marching into Spring Cleaning

For the month of March I'm going to be "Marching into Spring Cleaning". I got this idea from a gal I love to watch on YouTube called "She's In Her Apron" (it's a really great channel.  You should check it out!!). Three times a week I'm going to post featuring a project I have completed to clean and get ready for spring. Some will be big projects and some will be small. Hopefully no matter the size of project it will serve as inspiration to help you do the same. Let me know if there is something specific you would like to see!  Happy Cleaning!!!

A Happy Heart

There are a few things in life that just make me happy.....Quilting is one of them.  On a monthly basis a group of about 50 ladies get together in my home town for Quilt Guild.  We laugh, cry, learn new skills, eat yummy food, find inspiration and celebrate each others accomplishments.  I LOVE this time and I LOVE these amazing women.  Each one teaches me something new and I am so grateful for them.

No matter what makes your heart happy....find it, love it, live it, and enjoy every moment doing it!  In the past year I have seen way too many examples that life is short.  We all need to find a little more joy in the little things of life.  Make your heart happy today!

Sunday Inspiration

As Sabath days come around I like to record little inspirations.  Today we sang this wonderful song entitled "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief".  It is a song with lyrics that will touch you to the core.  

"A poor Wayfaring man of grief hath often crossed me on my way, Who sued so humbly for relief That I could never answer nay.  I had not pow'r to ask his name, Where to he went, or whence he came; Yet there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not why"

How often have you passed those who, usually on the side of the road, are humbly asking for relief?

"Once when my scanty meal was spread, He entered; not a word he spake, Just perishing for want of bread.  I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, and ate, but gave me part again.  Mine was an angel's portion then, For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste."

No matter what religion you believe I know that when we love others more than ourselves and give what we can to those in need our Heavenly Father will fill our soul and heart with what we truly need.  We have had a few beautiful instances where those we helped blessed our lives more than we ever helped them.  Clarence was an angel for our family.

I hope as we go forward this day that we look upon others as Christ would look upon them. With love, compassion and service.  Because in the end drawing nearer to our savior is the most important work we have in this life.

Young Women's Fence Post Plaque

A few posts ago I showed you a card I made as my attempt at getting creative for an event we were having.  Well here is my follow up......the gift I made for the girls at the event.  I cut down an old fence board at about 12".  Then I sanded any rough edges before applying the scrapbook paper and quote.  I inked the edges and then applied a light sprinkling of glitter with the last layer of glue.  After it dried I added the ribbon, flowers, button and hanger.  Now the young women in our ward will have something fun to hang on their wall and be constantly reminded of how we should live our lives.  Hopefully they liked it as much as I liked making it for them.  They are a special group of girls and have touched my heart!

Spice Rack - Supersized

 For years I was trying this and that to find something that worked well for me and my spices.  Nothing worked.  Nothing fit the space, stored enough, and kept my spices fresh.  Until I saw a blog post from Dehydrate2Store about using Mason Jars.  A light bulb click on......this was amazing.  So......above you can see what we now use at our home as a super sized spice rack.  What is nice is that you can make a rack any size to fit your home.  This rack is skinny enough that it goes down a hallway next to our kitchen.  
I love it!
Functional and beautiful!

Our future garden site

Just wanted to post a before picture of our future garden site and the pile of wood chips that we acquired (thanks to some awesome neighbors) that we will use in our garden with the Back to Eden method.  (You can read more about that below)  Since we are starting from scratch it will be a lot of work this year but I know it is worth every tear, pain, and bead of sweat.  What I am excited to see is how many pounds of food we can produce with a first year garden.  What is your guess????  I will be giving a prize to the person that has the closest guess.....so leave yours below.  

How are your garden plans coming?

A New Way To Garden...

Recently we were introduced to a new idea or way to garden.  At first we struggled with the idea as it is complete contradiction to the way my husband was raised....tilling and weeding to keep a wonderful garden.....but after much studying we honestly believe it is a superior way to produce some of the most essential things for our families....our food.  The film that we watched that started this gardening revolution for us is called "Back to Eden".  The video is free to watch online....so please take a few minutes.  Watch the video.  Think about it.  Study it.  You will be able to watch our progress as we turn a piece of land into our own little eden.  Click the link below for more information.

http://backtoedenfilm.com/

Canning like CRAZY!

Although we are still settling into our new home we have realized winter is on it's way and are rapidly trying to can some beautiful produce that was given to us by friends and new neighbors. Take a look at some of our adventures.

Washing carrots.....the little hand you see is my youngest trying to be a big helper.

The finished product.  Washed, sliced, and canned.  Yummy goodness.

Strawberry Jam.  Simple.......anyone can make their own jams.

Canned chicken.  My first experience with this and it turned out great.  Canned with some chicken bouillon to add some extra flavor.

Hope you are all putting something away for winter as well.  Hurricane Sandy should have been a wake up call for everyone......you don't have to be a prepper to put away a few jars of food.  It is just the smart thing to do.......financially, physically, and emotionally.  Leave me a message and let me know what you are canning or preparing.