Garden Update

We had great weather this weekend to get out in the garden.  Things we got planted:  lettuces, radishes, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, spinach, peas, and a few flower seeds as well.  We had a few garden helpers too...one shown in the picture above.  He was pushing his toy mower, following as Daddy tilled in the garden.  So cute.  We also started our dwarf tree orchard... 9 trees planted so far... 2 peach, 2 apple, 2 plum, and 3 pear.  I can't wait until they produce fruit; we'll be one step closer to a self-sufficient life.    

Baking Day

Today we decided to make some homemade bread (and cinnamon rolls as a treat), and it was delish.  We currently buy our organic wheat berries from Azure Standard, then grind the wheat into flour.  It has been hard for me to be consistant in making bread for the family because of the time involved, but it tastes so much better and is healthier, too.  I need to stop making excuses though and just make it a habit...every week.  We have talked about trying to grow a plot of wheat this year on the farm and see how it goes...it would be kind of neat to be able to grow our own.  We are going to try to preserve as much as we can for our family out of the garden this season for next Winter.  Rising food prices, plus the fact that you can't trust how safe food is at the store, are fueling this decision.  We'll be canning tomatoes, salsa, spaghetti sauce, fruit sauces (apple and maybe pear), and jams.  We'll also try freezing broccoli, green beans, and strawberries (along with the sweet corn we already do every year).  If other things are abundant in the garden we'll try preserving those as well.  Just another step toward self sufficient living.