Bread & Butter Pickles and an Update....

Hey Everybody!  I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July.  We ended up staying inside and eating sweets instead of going outside because the whole evening kept threatening rain with lightning and wind, but we never did get rain.  We did get to see some fireworks the neighbors put off though.  Anyway, it was a nice relaxing day.  I'm already looking forward to staying home Monday even though I have to clean all day! 

Ok, you ready for an update?  Alright then, let's get started!

Above is a picture of when I prepped some cucumbers to make Bread & Butter Pickles!  I did these once year before last and they were so good.  I sliced these thinner though, so these will be easier to get on a burger or hotdog or even to eat straight off  a plate.  I want to do some dill pickles  that will be thicker slices.  I did these pickles this past Monday.  I was so busy, but these cucumbers needed to be dealt with or they would go bad.  I got them from the fella that does a big garden every year and sells his extras.  Only 3 miles away.... not bad!  The picture below is of the cucumbers and onions mixed with pickling salt and ice on top.  I had to soak them for 1 1/2 hrs.  The last picture is of the finished product.  I got so involved in the canning process that I forgot to take pictures!  I did a water bath canner for 10 minutes... now we need to wait a few weeks before we try them.  I have a feeling they won't last long! 

Ok, so onto other topics. 
The garden.  I really need to take more pictures because I've actually cleaned out another bed and I'm slowly but surely finding things to fill it in with.  I've used the bags of soil that I had there already, dead clippings, newspaper, more dead clippings, and some soil from some beds that just weren't working.  I would like to work towards having all raised beds.  The slope makes it difficult to keep erosion from washing away the soil.  Tonight though, I'm going to plant some bush beans in one prepared bed that isn't raised.  It's never been raised and I have had some good luck with plants there.  I read on a blog that she always plants a second round of bush beans in July after her spring crops have been harvested.  Well, since my first round was killed by frost, I'm gonna give it another shot!  I'm gonna go for broke and try to have 6 plants.  Exciting!  We had a pretty bad storm come our way and broke a branch off our tree (did I tell you that already?)  anyway, that branch is still in our back yard.  We're waiting for it to give up the leaves so I can put them on my newly cleaned raised bed.  I'll then top it off with some compost and I think we'll be good.  I may even be able to plant something in it. 
I'm gonna stop rambling and just do a whole post on it.  Lots of pictures.... maybe even video!!

Business:  Business is going really well.  We did over 5k in sales last month and was able to bring home a descent paycheck.  Still not enough to cover everything, but we're definitely heading in the right direction.  We're getting more and more customers and we actually sold out of things this past weekend!  Luckily we got a new shipment in on Tuesday.  We're excited because business is starting to flow, but we're still not really "busy" all the time, so the numbers can only go up!  I think the part I like most is meeting all the different people.  We met an amazing man this past Sunday.  He is a Vietnam War Veteran that did not one, but TWO tours of duty there!  He is the sweetest most laid back guy I think I've ever met.  He talked to us like he had known us his whole life.  He is a back to basics kinda guy and I would love to spend the day with him on his property just to soak up his knowledge of homesteading!  I have to say Business is Good.

Family:  My son is loving summer and we had a great time Monday at the waterpark.  We had a "camp out" in our sitting room Tuesday night, so we are having a good time on the cheap so far. I feel blessed to be able to be with my son and hubby everyday.  I hope that when my son grows up he will look back at this experience and be happy with it.  He's such a good kid. 

Money:  We are still hanging in there!  We have earned half of the expense money for August and we are hoping that July sales will have us earn the other half.  We are proud that the paychecks we have written to ourselves have actually been what we have truly earned.  Maybe we will earn a enough money in August to cover all of our September expenses.  We are working the budget like nobodys business.  We are looking at the quality of food we are buying though.  We are considering buying meat from a local free range farm instead of the stuff at the store. The quality is much better not to mention that it is encouraging local business.  We may need to skip meat everyday of the week, but it will make those meat meals much more special. We'll have to see what we can do.  Hopefully my garden will produce some food to help us with that goal.  So, we will keep moving on. 

Kitties:  Oh my kitties.  How I love each and every one of them.  My old girl DiDitv.  I can't believe my little kids are turning 4 this year!  Lita and Harry!  and their mom named "momma" will be 6.  And yes, I bought special kittie treats to celebrate the occasion! I am sad though because one of my feral kitties has disappeared.  Delilah.  I had her spayed and she is a sweet kitty.  My heart breaks thinking that she may be dead.  Hubby says that she is so sweet she is probably laid up in someone's house! 

Alright everybody, I'm headin' home.  See you next time!

Happy 4th Everybody!

Hey Everybody!  Today you will find me at home, believe it or not!  We are home and have been ALL day!  We closed the store to have a day of rest and to celebrate.  We did a whole lotta nothin' today and are planning to continue this pattern into the night!  We're just relaxing.  It's looking a little cloudy right now, but I'm hoping that we'll get to go out back, build a fire in the firepit and get into some s'more making!  We also have some sparklers and I'm 98% sure that a neighbor close by will have some kind of fireworks for us to watch from our back yard.  I hope your day has been as relaxing as mine and enjoy the fireworks! 
Until next time friends!

Staring down a long road....

Hello All,  I'm at work again.... so is the life of a business owner.  But, while I'm here, I can't help but think about my little wanna be homestead.... :)  At least I'm at work while still enjoying the company of my hubby and little guy.  Ok, so let's get started!

This is my oldest kitty Di-Di.  I just had to show you her.  She's my sweetie!  She is 16 1/2 and still going strong. Although, she needs some meds! 

Here it is.  The dismal, empty sad back yard.  This is a view from my back sliding glass door.  Don't you just love the uninterrupted view of the neighbors yards?  Yea, I sooooo love being in my back yard and not have ANY privacy whatsoever!  All I can say is I will like it better when we have a FENCE!  My neighbors are nice, but sheesh!  At least I have an empty canvas to work with. 

Here's one of my new lima bean sprouts.  I have 3 total.  As you know, I have a 0 dollar budget this year, so this evening I'll be going into our crawlspace to see if I have any materials I can use to get these little guys a trellis to climb on!  I'm so excited though!  I've never grown limas before and I am hoping they will bring lots of beans to eat and to store away for winter. 

Here's lots of squash sprouts!  I'm excited for these guys.  There are easily 10 plants and I will probably need to thin them out.  They are Queen Acorn Squash.  If you've never had roasted acorn squash, you are missing out!  I'm hoping to get a lot of squash for fall and winter.  I'm going to try different recipes.  Maybe even a pie???  Hmmmmm.... that sounds interesting....

Lastly, here's my blackberry bush.  The berries are starting to ripen and I have harvested just 2 little berries so far.  I had some berries last year, but they all shriveled up in the heat before ripening. This year I have read that you gotta water water water to get them to ripen properly.  I've done that and already it's been better. 

So there you have it.  The only picture I didn't get was the onions and garlic that I have already harvested.  Trust me, it was nothing to write home about.... but it's one more step in the right direction.  So now you understand how I'm staring down one really long road.  The road ends at a beautiful, lush backyard garden and will hopefully also be surrounded by a fence.  I've already taken the pressure off myself and keep saying I'll get it done bit by bit. 

Thanks for coming along on my gardening journey!

Until next time friends!

Getting my mojo back....

Hello All,
  Today you find me at work, I know, again.... but I'm a happier girl.  I think I've found a good balance between the business me and the wanna be homesteader me.  Here's a picture of my flowers in the front of my house.  I know, I promised you pictures of my dismal veggie garden, but now that I think I've figured out how to put pictures on my blog.... I can do that!  I get out in the garden when we get home in the evening.  It has been so nice.  I've got a goal, but I'm not running a sprint here.... I know that it will take a looonnnggg time for me to complete my vision, but I'll get there.  One step at a time. 
I recently re dug and re weeded an over grown raised bed that used to house tomatoes or potatoes.  This time I laid down our used cardboard boxes that our shipment came in under the soil to deter the weeds.  I'm still not sure how to build up the soil.  I've got some beds that aren't working out being ground level (rain washes the soil away) so I think I'll harvest the garlic and onions from those and put that soil in my raised bed.  I've got some compost as well.  I have to make do with what I have for this year... so it's been kinda fun watching out for free stuff on craigslist and freecycle. 

We're still hanging in there on the business.  We have already beaten last months number, so slowly slowly we are getting there and eventually we will arrive.  But, hey, a girls gotta have some fun in the meantime.... and being self sufficient or at least partially will never hurt.  I've even had some thoughts on growing mushrooms...... hmmmmm..... no one else around here sells mushrooms at the farmers markets..... maybe, just maybe.....

Anyway, I better get back to work.... I'll do another post and get those pictures for you soon!

Keeping it real....... simple

Hello All,  I hope today finds you with warm beautiful weather as it is here in my neck of the woods.  Beautiful Blue skies, warm with a gentle breeze.  Simply Heaven. 
Today you find me at work.  Hubby is out back teaching his very first class from our store!  I'm excited to say that business has picked up and I think we will beat last month.... but God has taught us to not become cocky or too confident, because she will teach us quickly to not get too comfortable.  We'll have wonderful days for most of the week, but barely anything on one day... we have given up on trying to predict or say why this happens.... we are being taught patience and to go with the flow.  But all in all, on the business front we are doing well.  The store is not supporting us yet, but I think it will within the next few months. 
On the homefront, I'm back into attempting to grow something in my garden.  I am taking advantage of the long days and getting out back as soon as we get home.  Even when I'm tired, it seems to calm me to get out there and play in the dirt.  The quiet, singing of birds is so soothing.  I got a "cleaning checklist" off pinterest this past week and have used it.... let me tell you what a lifesaver!  It makes everything go by simply and complete.  Adding in all those little chores that tend to be forgotten... like organizing the fridge or wiping out the inside of the fridge.  (at least in my house they tend to be forgotten!) 
I have taken out all the lettuce.  It had become over grown and bitter.  I'm happy to say that I still have carrots, onions, garlic and one wee little fennel growing....oh! and spring onions!  I had forgotten that I had even put those seeds out.  Also, there is one wee little tomato plant coming through!  I also have some red raspberries on the bush, but they aren't ready to pick yet.  I just hope I get to them before the birds do!  I put out some Lima bean seeds and some "queen squash" seeds.... they reminded me of acorn squash.  We'll see how they do.  Fingers crossed.  When it gets cooler I'm going to do lettuce, peas and possibly broccoli for fall.  Maybe even try beans again. 
I've decided that I'm spending so much time watching tv or on the internet that I need to get back to my world that I enjoy.  A simple life.  Yes, I own my own business with my hubby and it takes a lot of my time... but I do have the capability of doing things here in the slow times.  Instead of surfing the net, I can read books or read blogs that inspire me.  I feel better already.  I will take some pictures of my pathetic little plot so you can watch my progress.... I'm not giving up my dream.
On the financial front, we are still hanging in there.  We have enough money to finish June and money for July, but August is still sketchy.  We are hoping for a good paycheck at the end of this month to help with August.  But as it stands now, we only have $300 for August. 
Hubby and I talked about the possibility of selling a guitar or dropping internet and our land line.  We are dropping our disc through Netflix, we don't have cable.  We'll see.  Honestly, I wouldn't mind if we got rid of the internet or land line phone.  But my hubby and son, well, lets say they wouldn't like it to put it lightly!  :)  Ok guys.... thanks for walking this journey with me.... I will put pictures up soon...
Very Simply Yours,
Homemaker Kim

First check and summer fun

Hello All!  I'm home today finishing up some much needed cleaning and lawn care.  Hopefully the internet won't tank out on me this time! 

Anyhoo, I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the weather.  It is officially summer here in my neck of the woods, but with the temp. only reaching the low 70's today, it feels like spring! 
So lets get going.... so much to tell!
On the financial front.... we got our first paycheck from our business!  Not enough to cover our home expenses yet, but we're getting there.  We are still working our budget to the max.  We budget every dime and are looking for summer fun on the cheap this year.  SUPER cheap if at all possible.  A couple days ago I took my son to the local museum and we had a great time.  It has an awesome civil war exhibit with an interactive game type exhibit which my geeky game playing son loved!  It has all sorts of fun hands on activities and exhibits for kids, but interesting things for adults as well.  Also, they have beautiful gardens to walk through (and run through if you are an energetic 10 year old!)  It was Sunday afternoon, so we practically had the whole place to ourselves!  The best part was that the whole adventure was FREE!  I asked for a membership to the museum for christmas this past year and my sweet mama got it for me.... this means for one year, we can go anytime and not pay a thing.... this includes myself, hubby and little guy!  I totally recommend this if you have a museum that does this in your area.  The rest of the summer we'll take advantage of free movie times at the theatre, smores out in the back yard, playing in the creek and "camping" out in the back yard..... The one thing I need to find a deal on is the water park my son REALLY wants to go to..... at $7 a person it doesn't sound so bad, but since we're the crazy, self employed, not sure when we're getting our next paycheck kinda family, we need a discount.... we'll see what we can find. 
On the home front, I'm still trying to figure out a good balanced way to run a household and a business.  I tried doing a chore when I got home in the evenings, but honestly, I was so tired from working 9+ hrs a day the last thing I wanted to do is more work.  Hubby and I are still searching for what works so that we are both happy.  So, truth be told, if you come to my house, you will most likely find dishes in the sink waiting for their turn in the dishwasher, laundry that needs to be washed and bathrooms that need to be cleaned.  It's not horrible, but it's not pretty either. 
On the garden front, the bigger lettuce plants are becoming bitter, so we are using the younger sweeter ones... but they only have a bit more time till they will be done as well.  Carrots are still plugging along and I have one itty bitty basil and just one itty bitty fennel that are doing well.  I have some berries on my blackberry bush that are ripening, garlic is plugging along and some onions are managing to stay alive.  We have had a good bit of rain... so I think that's good.  I think I may put some beans out and see what happens.... if I have time.  My sweet neighbor noticed that our yard was getting away from us with the grand opening of the store and all, so he came to mow it for us while we were at work.  Part of me was relieved to see it done, but part of me was embarrassed to not have done it myself.  Oh well, it was a blessing.  I still need to do a small patch in the back and some trim work, but that's no big deal. 
On the business front, we are doing pretty well.  We had a really slow week, then a better one and now we're getting back to the full steam we were having.  Things are looking good this week so far. 

Thanks for hanging in there with me guys!  Have a great day!

Darn Internet!

Ok guys.... so I did another post, the internet tanked and I lost it all!  I will re-write it another day.  For now, know this.... we are pluggin' along and even earned a paycheck and we are doing a summer of fun, but on the majorly cheap! 
Until the re-write friends!