Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Thursday, July 19, 2012

from the Homesteading Journal. . .

Another hen appeared to be egg bound.  We lost one hen this year due to the issue.  We think we caught it in time.  We have given her two baths so far, and her tail is now up.  


I had enough cucumbers, green peppers, and onions to can 4 pints of Sweet Pickle Relish.  I had to use store bought organic carrots, as mine are not ready to harvest yet.

We finally got a few days of rain.  Our green peppers are so small right now, and we are not getting enough squash.  The rain should help.

(before)
(after)

(This is just one of the vegetable/fruit gardens)

The rain brought up weeds.  Somewhere in the top photo is a watermelon plant. I've been doing a lot of weeding.

We finally got the goat fencing.  Next, we are saving up for the poles.

The heirloom pumpkins are starting to produce, despite lack of rain this summer.

The heirloom squash is producing, but our acorn squash died. 

Staked 37 of the tomato plants, and have been spending at least 2 hours weeding every morning, and prior to that, picking whatever is ripe. 

Spotted this hawk while out watering the garden one day.  He turned around just as I took the photo, then flew off.  Good thing my chickens were not out yet.    However, I was glad to see them.  We have mice, rats, and snakes they can help reduce.







7 comments:

TxFarmhouse said...

I've never had an egg bound chicken..hope I don't! I had only a few veggie plants out and have nothing produce..just blooms. I finally gave up and planted some flowers. I think it has to do with the crop dusters around here this year.
I've lost way too many chickens to hawks..don't like 'em!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

I think the hawks have helped out with the mice this year... we've not had so many.
That sweet relish looks good.
I haven't made any of that...
still waiting on a pepper. I'll just take one pepper.
I've never ever grown a pepper. Not sure why.
We've had some rain...and our garden is starting to come to an end.
Hope you get some rain!

Oh, and I've not ever had a bound up chicken, I heard the warm bath is supposed to help.
I hope I recognize the signs when it happens.

...talk to you later, Pat

Unknown said...

I hope your girl is ok! Great shot of the hawk :)

City Chick said...

You've been very busy.

The hawk is pretty cool.

Margie said...

your relish looks DELICIOUS! i hope your hen is ok!

Candy C. said...

I hope the warm baths helped your hen. Can't believe you are canning already, I'm soooo far behind this year! :)

Tania said...

Oh hawks are bad news for chickens! Cant say we have ever had any trouble with our hens being egg bound, must be terrible for the poor chicken, hope she recovers soon.

Your relish is looking very yummy. I made some green tomato pickles the other day and have been enjoying them with our lunch...

I hope your garden gets some more rain soon. We live in a dry area in Australia and dont get much rain, especially over summer :)