Well, don’t things happen quickly at this time of year?! I’ve just been reading the last blog I wrote and things have changed very quickly. The ducklings are massive and have been outside for a while now and the raised beds are full! I’ll put a picture up. In fact, the ducklings are so big that I’m thinking of putting them in with the lone adult duck soon.
So, how are you all? I pulled my back a week or so ago, my lower back, it’s almost back to normal now but it was dreadful. I only got down on the floor to do the fire and it just went and was spasming for quite a while. A friend gave me some exercises to do and I just tried to keep going (it was better than sitting) and asked for prayer and praise God it’s just about better. I actually had to ask Chris to do some of my jobs, which I’m not very good at, I usually just get on with stuff, so in that way it was probably very good for me (actually asking for help). But anyway, I’m very pleased that it is so much better, it’s mainly when I get up from sitting, it’s still very stiff, I have to bend backwards to loosen it off. I haven’t been able to get down to pull weeds or garden or anything, which was both a frustration and a relief. I’ve sorted one side of the front garden a while ago, but the other side, whilst looking lovely because the daisies have gone absolutely nuts, is also totally full of weeds amongst lovely plants as well. It’s mainly the horsetail that bothers me (and buttercups, they spread like mad), but ah well! such is life. It does actually look like a meadow.
Chris is in the midst of putting a door on the barn (shed) at the moment, I’ll put pictures up once he’s done. He’s been working really hard because he wants to get it done as quickly as possible. It’s starting to take shape and will look really good (and keep things safe inside). when it snows or rains, when it’s really hard, it goes inside and this will prevent it (obviously).
I’m trying to grow more and more produce at the moment, being self sufficient is actually really hard I think, unless you put a lot of work in and we really are not nearly self sufficient, but I’m trying and it is so rewarding to eat food that you have actually planted or brought up (such as chickens) and I’ve recently discovered that I actually really like raw kale, which is a very good thing, seeing how I really like crisps too. (I like them a lot. Need to be healthier). The weather’s been pretty dreadful up to today, it looks great today and I’ve even been hanging clothes up to dry in the polytunnel instead of using the drier, as I don’t want to use the electricity in that way unless I have to. As everyone knows, it’s getting a tad expensive! The weather does look extremely lovely at the moment, through the window as I’m typing.
We’re going shopping in a bit and then I’m hoping to mow and plant some seeds after. We’ve already done the formal home ed bit today, so we’re freeeeee! Free anyway. Speaking of which, we went to a library the other day and someone actually said to me that if the kids are at home being ‘home schooled’ they can get a ‘one sided view’…. It never fails to surprise me what people feel they can say when you say you home school/educate. Someone else in a playground a while ago told me that if they were in school they’d have an Irish accent, as if that is a reason to put them in school…
On the positive side, eggs have been selling well and people keep dropping in extra egg boxes for us to use, which is a real blessing, thank you! And! If you’re ever in Belcoo, which is just over the border, fairly near where we are, the spar shop does amazing cakes, buy one! And! They push your car down the road when you need a bump start. Our car wouldn’t start last week and I was parked facing the shop with the kids in the back. I didn’t know what to do. I asked the fella there if he had jump leads and he came back out with the postman and someone else and they pushed us out and then down the road! Gave me good instructions too on what exactly to do. And was very patient with me when the steering wheel locked because I hadn’t switched the ignition on. Haha. Amazing people.
Anyway, God bless ’em and God bless you, totally, utterly and completely. May He brighten your day and light up your life with His love, compassion and mercy. Open our eyes to you Lord!
Ta ra!
Cathy.
The Shepherds Adventure 