Saturday, August 31, 2013

Helping With The Harvest

Home Ec

If you are familiar with the schedule over at Mrs. Redd's Classroom, you know that Saturdays are dedicated to Home Ec and organization projects around the homestead.  This week's Home Ec is participating in the harvest and preservation of our garden goodies.


Puddin' n' Peanut Preppin' Peaches

The girls were a big help during this all day task! They learned about blanching, discoloration, making syrup, and the whole process in general.  I'm sure the free access to fresh, delicious peaches had something to do with their eagerness! 


Peaches and Tomatoes

We traded some of our peaches with the neighbors for those bright red tomatoes.  It was worth it!  




After trading and eating approximately a bushel of peaches, we ended up with around a gallon and a half in the freezer.  We weren't sure we would get any by the looks of our poor peach tree this year.  I'm pretty sure I heard a sigh of relief when we relieved it's branches of the weight!


Funky Tomatoes

Not sure why, but we grew some wacky shaped tomatoes.  I had to snap a picture of the heart shaped slice, especially since fried green tomatoes are a favorite for all of us.

 The basket in front of the window is full of apples the girls have been gathering.  The basket on the table is full of tomatoes, mostly green.  We have been blessed with red ripe tomatoes from our neighbor so I'm freezing green tomatoes to have this winter. (If they last that long!)




And this one is just funny...



Aw, Shucks!

Here's Peanut shuckin' sweet corn. 


A Family Affair

If you visit often, you will find that we learn together.  This is the first year we have had a garden and really followed through.  We have all learned quite a bit, and next year we will apply those lessons.  

Let's Chat

How did your garden grow this year?



Happy Homesteading!
Mrs. Redd

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Under Construction

Staying Afloat


Wow! This past two weeks have been a trial.  BUT I am overcoming.  With the  How Do I Teach For Mastery blog series out of the way over at Mrs. Redd's Classroom, I am going to tear into the homestead this week.  Specifically, our temporary work space.

Under Water

Our kitchen flooded.  Fortunately it wasn't a complete disaster, but trouble enough for sure! We almost lost our fridge and deep freeze.



Getting Organized

I've been organizing my blogs too.  I've got a schedule penciled out for this one that looks like this:

  • Monday - Cooking
  • Tuesday - Cleaning
  • Wednesday - Kids in the Kitchen
  • Thursday - Gardening
  • Friday - Decorating
  • Saturday - Organization
  • Sunday - Inspiration 

Stayed Tuned

I'm cooking up some delicious content so don't be a stranger to my kitchen!

Mrs. Redd





Saturday, August 3, 2013

Confessions of a Cluttered Kitchen: Admitting My Faults

Hello, My Name Is Rachael And I Am...

Impatient.  A workaholic. Unrealistic.

The Proof

I simply cannot justify nor can I accept that the house is going to be messy just because I have a (deserving) husband to dote on, 3 homeschooled children, an ailing mother to care for, an income to build from scratch, a garden to tend, and we just merged two households.

There is also absolutely no reason why I cannot get up at 4 AM every day so that I can get more work done.  It is a matter of choice.

The kids should be as fast and efficient as I am at chores even though they have less than half the experience.  I have taught them all they need to know to accomplish this.

The Results

Stress. Disappointment. Frustration.  Strained relationships.  Fatigue.  

What Works, What Doesn't

I happily stopped detailed menu planning because it wasn't working.  That was easy.  Obviously, some other things need to change.  Ahem...I...need to change.  

Homestead Hang-Ups

Much more complicated is the task of changing one's habits and perspectives.  Which 
is why I will be breaking all this changing down into blog segments called Homestead Hang-Ups.

I have dedicated August to figuring out what works and what doesn't around here, and to finding solutions.


Feel free to leave some advice. I know I'm not alone ;)