Blogger Recognition Award

Blogger Recognition Award

        I was nominated by my dear friend: Reyna Nicole

for this lovely award! Thank you darling! <3

  

RULES AND REGULATIONS:  

Attach the award.

Thank the person who nominated you. Provide a link to the original post on A Peace Of The Past

Give a brief story of how your blog got started and a piece or two of advice for new bloggers.  

Select 15 blogs to nominate.

Comment on each nominee's blog and let them know that you've nominated them.

      

Well, let me think here, I believe it all started with me drooling over several gorgeous homestead blogs. I just loved what they posted, their pictures, basically everything about them! I finally decided to take the plunge and thus Texas Rebel Girl was born. I've never regretted it since. I've met so many gorgeous people in the blogging world, and have made countless friends among them who are like-minded kindred spirits. I count it as a blessings, actually. For it truly is!

Advice for new bloggers? Blog and write about what you know, what your passionate about. Being a complete introvert, I know it can be hard to stick your neck out in the wide waters of the blogging-sphere, but trust me, once you do, you will meet so many wonderful people, and yes..it's just amazing!

I nominate:

Sarah 

Angelina

And I'm afraid I cannot think of anyone else at the moment...I know I am (unintentionally) slighting someone(s).

Thanks again for the lovely award, Reyna dear!

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

New Year's "To-Do-List"

New Year's 'To-Do-List'

January (just overlook the fact that I'm posting this on January 31st) is full of people making resolutions for the new year (most of which they will not keep..but whatever).

So here is my short "To-Do-List" for 2015.



~~~~~~~~

In no particular order:

• Raise Meaties again in the fall - You may remember I raised Meaties last spring/summer. Their meat was scrumptious, and we really enjoyed it, however I would do a few things differently if/when I raise them again. Mom and I decided we would pressure cook all the breasts/legs instead of keeping the legs separate and such, as so much of that meat got wasted. Also I want a different housing system. Possibly looking into chicken tractors; that way they can free range and eat bugs/grass, their droppings will compost into the ground and thus fertilize it, AND it will put less work and strain on me to not have to clean out their house every. single. day. I also would like to do their diet differently. I started out adding raw ACV (apple cider vinegar) to their water, and had zero problems with pasty rear-ends, or other problems that Meaties seem to be prone to. However, once they got older I slowly got lazy and stopped adding it to their water, thus causing some issues that I hadn't had to deal with before. I want to have a good fodder system going, and have about 50% of their diet be fresh wheat-grass. Then I want to try fermented feed (that's a whole post in itself), but basically you put X amount of pellets/and or whole grains into a big bucket, cover it with water, adding a bit of AVC and put a top on it, with a few air holes. You stir it once or twice per day, and in several days it will start to bubble and smell sweet/fermented. Think sourdough starter. Why on earth would you want to feed your chickens fermented feed you may ask? It's easier for them to digest, their bodies pull more nutrients from the fermented feed/grain than they would if you fed it to them dry, a little goes a long way, and since it's a wet-mash-consistency, they get full faster, and thus eat less, and save you money. So yes, it has many benefits, but on the con-side of things, it's more work than just throwing out some dry feed, and it takes some preparation, BUT that's why I want to raise Meaties in the fall, as I plan on slacking down on my gardening so I will have time to raise them properly. Fall is also going to be a much better time for us this year, because my sister's baby is due about the time we'd be needing to put them in the freezer (this spring), and last year we let them go too long and ended up butchering in..July I believe? Yeah, not so fun! In the fall, many days are nice and cool and would be perfect for doing the job, and it's easier on me and the Meaties, because we are both very heat-intolerant! So yes, Meaties in the fall is the plan. I will spend the spring/summer working on housing for them, so I will have everything ready for when they arrive.

 . . . . . .

• Big, productive garden - This is my main goal this year. I've dabbled in gardening in the past, but this winter I really got bit by the bug. And I was given permission to run wild with seed ordering this year, and yes, I won't tell you how much we spent on just seeds! But yes, I'm going to have my hands full! I'm turning every available space into a garden plot. I've been busily repairing fences, building new ones, cleaning out raised beds, as well as lots of DIY gardening projects. Currently, the green house is full of tiny seeds that have yet to sprout, despite my checking on them like 45409 times a day, I've yet to find a single. sprout! *sigh* Yes, I'm a little impatient!

. . . . . .

• Put excess harvest up for the winter - this goes along with the above^. If my plans work out correctly, we will have lots of produce. I plan on mastering the art of canning and preserving food, oh yes I do indeed! By this fall, I want to see our pantry cabinets shock-full of homemade pickles, tomato sauce, hot sauce, and other dainties of that sort! And our freezers full of beans, radishes, greens, carrots, and every other good thing! As well as that I hope to put up lots of onions, squash/pumpkins, and potatoes. I am going to try very hard to put up enough food that we can eat on it all winter long, and enjoy the harvest of our garden despite there being snow on the ground.

. . . . . . 

• Try rabbits again - We started out with four, adorable Dutch rabbits last year, but things happened and we ended up loosing all of them. They were solely for pets, but they were very helpful pets and such wonder little composters and veggie-eaters! And, considering my huge plans for this year's garden, they will be very helpful in eating up the excess/spoiled produce. Something else I will mention is whilst I was hoeing up the raised beds in our main garden, one of the beds that I had composted rabbit bedding/droppings into, had the most dark, moist, amazing soil! Just another reason that this garden-savvy-person want to get rabbits again! I want me some rabbit compost, and lots of it...don't judge. ;) I see you judging! AND, I would like to attempt to raise some rabbits solely for meat, and possibly their hides. So yes, lots of plans for the rabbits! I plan on doing another post that goes in-depth on this topic, so more on this subject later.

. . . . . .

• Get milkcows bred - If you remember, Belle (my main miler) lost her calf in the fall of 2014, and recently we preg-checked Bessie and she was without a calf. So neither of my precious milkcows are expecting at this moment. I attempted to order some miniature jersey semen so we could AI (artificially inseminate) them, but our vet said he wouldn't do it, so that kind of went out the window, AND the semen I wanted was $75.00 a straw, with a min. order of 4, with shipping of $100.00. Ouch.Then we ended up buying a new yearling bull to put with our pasture cows, but he is currently penned with the milkcows, so there is a pretty good chance he will be the sire of their calves, which I am OK with, as his breed (I forget how to spell it, so I will leave that blank!) are a good dual-purpose breed, being good meat producers, as well as good milkers, and as an added plus they have a great laid back personality. Which I can already tell, as this little bull is very sweet and gentle. And since I'm rooting for some heifer calves this time 'round, a good, sweet personality is a good trait for a future milker. Trust me, we've had some pretty vicious milkers in the past who would kick and put up a fight when it was time to be milked. Not fun. Another possibility was a Holstein bull that someone had locally, but that didn't work out, so I suppose I'll have to be happy with Mr. Sweet Tempered Bull.

. . . . . .

• Composting worms - Now, I can see you staring at disbelief at the word "worms". Why on heck would anyone actually want worms? Now, hold onto your horses there 'hoss! Worms are a gardener's best friend. They play a major role in helping you build up your soil quality by, you guessed it, eating compost and vegetable scraps, and giving you worm castings (poop). These castings are equal in value to gold, in gardener's eyes! So yes, for that reason alone they are worth raising. However, that is not their only pro. They also make tasty, high-protein snacks for poultry. And last, but not least, they eat quite a few kitchen scraps that the chickens and other birds turn their beaks up at. Such as, coffee grounds, egg shells, and the like. So yes, worms (thinking about Red Wigglers) are defiantly on the "to-raise" list this year. 

. . . . . . 

• Quail - A dear friend of mine raises Jumbo Coturnix quail, and other people I know of raise them for their little-bit-bigger-than-a-bantam size eggs, as well as their tasty meat. They are fast growing, great layers, easy to keep, very calm, and all 'round a great little bird to raise and have around.

. . . . . .

• Wildlife Rehabitor's license - This is something I've looked forward to doing for years now, ever since I found out about it. The reason I've waited so long to take the plunge is because you have to be 18 to apply for this license, so I plan on getting this license this fall. Basically what this license gives you liberty to do is: to raise and release wildlife. People bring you all sorts of injured, abandon, or baby wildlife to raise and tend to. Then if they are able to be returned to to the wild, they are released. Otherwise you can humanely put them down (which I doubt I could ever do unless it was a wild, adult animal that would further injure itself or me, being in captivity), or keep them as educational animals (pets, basically). So yes, I'm very excited about this!!!  

. . . . . .

• Herbalist license -  I found out about this Herbal Academy of New England last year, and instantly wanted to sign up and take their online course. However, it's a little bit pricey and I'll have to save up in order to take it, but it's something I think will help grow my knowledge of herbs, and their many benefits. As well as how to apply them to my daily life, that and I think it will come in very useful in the future if/when I have children. I want to avoid going to the doctor's if at all possible, so this Momma is gonna have to know what to do when baby gets sick. That and the fact that I just adore anything to do with nature, and nature health-care.

Another possibility I'd thought about is doing workshop classes on herbs (as once you finish the above course, they send you a certificate saying your an Official Certified Herbalist, etc). This would open the doors to me teaching others about herbs and sharing my knowledge.

. . . . . .

So there you have it! My (not so short) "To-Do-List" for 2015!

So tell me, my dear readers, what are some goals/"To-Do-Lists" you've set for yourself this year? I'm all ears....

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

 

Excuses, & A Guest Post

Excuses, & A Quest Post

I promised to post soon, and often..didn't I? Well, I unintentionally lied. 

Life has a way of filling up your schedule and only leaving room for..you guessed it..work. But, on the bright side of things, I am slowly but surely knocking out the pre-spring cleaning lists I keep making for myself, as well as getting some DIY projects done (more coming up on those soon!) and lots of garden and yard work. So excuse the lack of posting, my dear followers! Be patient with me, I beg you. ;)

All that beside, my dear friend Reyna, most graciously asked me to do a quest post on her lovely blog. So be sure to go check it out and leave her a lovely comment while you're at it! ;)

Blessings - 

~ Aspen 

 

DIY: Archway

 

 Whilst browsing Pinterest looking for ways to beautify our sad little garden plot I happened upon a very simply archway. I instantly thought to myself, "Yep. I can totally make one of these!" So the next morning I did.

You will need:

• 4 T-Posts
• 1 16ft hog panel (or shorter, just whatever you have handy)
• Wire cutters
• Bailing wire
• T-Post driver
• Measuring tape
• Assistants

Spot out where you want your archway to be, then measure your hog panel and space it accordingly. Pound your T-posts into the ground, two on each side. Be sure to space your posts a little shorter than your panel is wide, so your posts won't be sticking out farther than your panel. Next, have your assistants fold the panel over, while you wire it to the posts. Once you've secured your panel, your done! 

We added two small raised beds (re-purposed shipping crates) on either side that we can later plant with a crawling vine that will cover our archway, making a shady, green oasis! Bring it on baby! 

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

Drizzly Days

Drizzly Days

*sigh* Not much can compare to 'drizzly' days. 

The sky is overcast, and the weather..is..well drizzly!

I have always been fond of such days, something about them makes me feel alive and full of life. Perhaps it's just the cool air that twirls around in the air, blowing the trees and sending a shower of leaves to the ground. Or perhaps it's just a refreshing season after a long, hot summer. Whatever the case, I enjoy them thoroughly! 

They are perfect for catching up on a good book, doing some baking, or just lazying around with a cup of tea, enjoying the peace and solitude of the day. Unless of course you have a large family like I'm blessed with, then peace and solitude are a rare treat indeed. But yes, when they are all combined together, it's wonderful thing. Aha! I can already see some of my extrovert followers rolling their eyes at this very much introverted blogger. Alas, so is the way of the world, if all of us were the same, it would be very dull indeed! But yes, back to drizzly days...

 I count drizzly days curled up with a good book (or doing other delightful things) a pleasant rarity. Unfortunately, not many of my days are spent in this manner (insert laundry, dishes, housework...), they being few and far between, but when they do come, what a simple pleasure it is!!

Who else among you loves drizzly days?

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

Reflection

Reflection

Has another year really gone by? Wow. Truly, time does fly! 

I have great hopes for this new year, I'm sure it will be filled with it's trials as well as it's delights. So here's to a splendid new year!

Goodness I have SO MUCH to tell you all! I apologize for my long absence, but it really couldn't be helped. My dear sister and family came down and stayed with us from Thanksgiving till after New Years. Then my dear cousin came and spent some time with me. Things have just started to slow back down and return to normal, for which I am very grateful.

I have many blog posts coming in the (hopefully) near future, as well as some new ideas for the blog, so keep an eye out for those! 

I haven't much time now, but I wanted to drop in and tell you all that no, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, and to expect to hear from me very soon!

Love and Blessings - 

~ Aspen 

P.S. Check out my dear adopted-sister's new blog!