How great it is that I have not got caught up in the rat race but have gotten caught up in our home, our land, our garden, our adventures, our love! But, in the same breath it is so awful that I have forsaken this blog. I love hearing from everyone... all around the world who have adventured out of the rat race and simplified their lifestyle. I want to hear more. I want to learn more. I want to see what YOU are doing!
As for me....
The weather got cold and we decided to take a break from our Tiny House (House of Atlas) and move our work to the barn! We started preparing the barn for chickens, goats, our new dog, and maybe even a pig! Boy, we took on a new task that had a few surprises. We ended up getting several chickens, 2 goats, 32 rabbits, 3 peacocks, turkey, pot belly pig and a new Great Dane puppy. Having all of these animals around really started to give us a feel of homesteading! We were learning about vaccines, milking, raising babies, butchering, eggs, etc.
Once spring arrived and the rain came... we soon realized that our barn would need a lot more work before our animals could live in it. Rain came in all directions of the barn and soon flooded the land. It was literally a swamp that the animals were living in and it was not healthy! Sadly to say... we parted ways with most of the animals and focused on our garden. Gardening was such a learning curve! The kids learned to work the garden.. they learned the differences in herbs and what a few vegetables. We had always talked about cucumbers and which cucumbers would be the best for canning. As we studied and came across different plants... our cucumber selection turned into 14 different crops.
TJ and I have NEVER been in a position where we could take the kids on a vacation. Both of us had been to New Orleans previously. We fell in LOVE with the culture, the people, the environment, the music, the food, the smells (good and bad) and the weather! A few weeks before the schools spring break... we decided this was our chance. Our chance to show the kids what we love! Sure enough, we took a little getaway to New Orleans.
Summer came and the sun was HOT! School was out and the roads stayed HOT! We were running here to there and back. We decided to continue a few project that winter had placed on hold. Insulating under our home as well as finishing the underpinning and trim. We put the kids to work this summer building our fire pit also. We dug a huge 6-7 foot square hole about 5 feet deep. We laid concert blocks along the bottom and used clay and rock to form the sides and ring. As school was approaching we found ourselves getting busy with the kids and attempting to reinstate a routine and pattern. :)
What else can I say? School started back. The garden died away. Days started getting shorter. Our bodies started talking. TJ was diagnosed with RA and had a Gout flareup as well as a few stomach issues. Gastritis and acid reflex was not a welcoming sign. Antibiotics and several trips to the doctor and we are still fighting it. I, myself, had an Echo and EKG that showed a leaky valve... just something to watch as well as a total hysterectomy. Followed by Christmas!!!! What can I say? We have a wonderful family and our children are safe. We are loved and more than we can imagine! It has been a wonderful year and I promise not to wait this long for the next blog!!
