I know I don't have to look back at all the old pictures, but what we have accomplished in almost 4 years is worth a pat on the back. That is because in the process of trying to make this little plot of land home... we have endured many more setbacks than we ever imagined. Russ and I are like that Disney Train on one of the old cartoons.. maybe Dumbo... "I think I can, I think I can"...
So here are a few before and then after of the property...
Below is what they used for their goats... I wish you could see the roof... its tarps with tires... lol We have since then re-roofed it with recycled metal roofing, repaired the sides with new plywood and one of these days I will paint it. Really... I will... one of these day.
The back yard now. One of the apple trees remain, but the rest are gone or about to be taken out because they are mostly dead at this point...
This is actually our front yard now. That little chicken shelter is gone... and we have built a wood shed.
Ahhh... the shop. The last frontier. Its still a mess... but nothing like that! LOL
And the garden. We moved the greenhouse out to the front of the garden so it got some sunshine. It opened the garden up. That area is now full of Iris and more recycled projects...
All we could see past the 'junk' and overgrown neglected trees and yard, was flat land, that as we aged would be more and more important. We could see potential, but we also knew our elbows would be worn beyond belief. As time passed, we have taken out more trees that could not be saved, and still have more to remove. The neglect was just too long and too hard. We have removed the old mobile and redone the septic system, the well house and soon decks will be added. I think we own stock now in the dump,but we have also recycled so much!
Recycled (or upcycled...lol That term cracks me up!) Rain gutters... We have created the Strawberry Wall! The bottom is recycled dresser drawers. It is netted in so the deer and birds will leave us something to eat. By next year, it should be very full of berries... although the girls seem to be snacking on them daily now!
Turning around from the Strawberry Wall is the back yard. To the left is apple tree and a swimming pool... our trailer we are filling with more 'junk' is in front of the shop...
We are going to plant Kale under the trees... to see if it will grow there.. might as well.. I would hate to see good dirt go to waste! ;)
The kids chalkboard and the neighbors blackberries coming over the fence. We don't mind... makes for easy pickin'!
Our "We Tired" Wheelbarrows. They are partially rusted out, the bottoms broken, handles gone... ancient... now planters... works for me! And I don't have to really bend over to pick beans! LOL
From the 'back corner pocket"... the well house... looking out at the garden... what started a few years ago as potato towers... became the ever growing recycled raised beds... add a dresser on its side and some more squares that I just keep adding... we have planted cucumbers to trail over and up... and other little things in the dresser drawers. :)
We have taken container gardening... and combined it with companion planting and vertical gardening... the black pots to the right are drought resistant Hopi Beans (from the Hopi Indians) that once the "TeePee" is up... will create a shaded area for the kids once summer really hits. There are actually five pots to make the TeePee. I am just not very good at taking pictures!
Recycled cinder blocks into Keyhole gardens. Peppermint is growing along the edges... with some miner lettuce... but soon enough there will be squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, loofahs and I can't remember what all the girls and I planted.
Rhubarb and Currants... what's left of the currants after the deer came in and feasted! They are netted and I hope to have a little for some jelly this year.
The "Bed O Beans"... recycled cattle panels looped over a bed for pole beans like Asparagus beans, Chinese noodle beans, Hopi pole beans, and maybe some Lima Beans. Miranda is at the end leaning against the Bed frame... lol Thus making it a true Raised Bed!
Most of the herbs are here in the herb garden... the girls put their bench that is about 10 years old and in need of repair there. It looks cute.. but I think I need to fix the seat... Its only a matter of time before the inevitable happens...
We use straw to mulch things out alot... so there is usually a couple bales hanging around... and there she is... kicking it. The hoop house is producing lettuce like crazy and kale and swiss chard. Love our greens!
From the far end of the garden. This was green a week ago. Its going to be a dry dry year!
I don't know of too many dogs that let a renegade duck hang out with him. I need to catch her and clip her wing so she will quit getting out of the poultry prison! lol
The woodshed and the septic "elephant grave"... We planted some roses that we saved and are recycling old tarps with holes in them to keep the weeds down as we slowly gather the rocks from the chicken yard to fill it in. We are on an old river bed, so there are plenty of rocks... I just never seem to get them all raked up and moved as fast as I should.
The playhouse. (The recycled chicken coop that was here when we bought the place) The girls have decided to paint it red... so this summer we will. We put in a patio with recycled pavers... and Miranda wants to plant some flowers in the old tire... They do enjoy playing out there and a couple of swings from the trees just got bumped pretty high on my to do list.
The old goat barn that we converted into a rabbitry/haybarn/ and presently a calf barn. I am very sad to say 'Bar' did not make it. We have 'B' and 'Q'. I am still extremely traumatized over losing a calf. That has never happened to us before... and I don't think I will ever recover! As soon as I know they are 100 percent 'well' I will move them to the calf pen on the other side of the building that attaches to the smaller of the two front fields... but its been a rough go with calves this year. The wall came from recycling Rebel's old dog pen we had on the coast. It will work to keep them contained and then we will continue to convert that area into "Death Row" for our Fryer rabbits. To the right is "Conjugal Court"... where the breeders are kept... but for now... 'B' and 'Q' hang out and I 'think' are finally on an upswing. On a side note... we have purchased a Steer already 5 months old... that will replace "Bar"... but it's just not going to be the same... he will be delivered the first Saturday in June.
From the calf area looking into the chicken yard. I haven't raked all the rocks up yet from the front area... but one of these days I will. And one of these days I will paint them both. I hope by this fall... it really is a goal.. REALLY! LOL
Miranda took a picture of this old guinea hen laying an egg. They are ferocious beasts! And did I say OLD... how long do they live anyway???
So Mom... there is your update on life on the farm. School is pretty much done for the kids... and we are looking forward to coordinating time to see all of you this summer. Love and Miss everyone... Tell Dad I love him... and until next time... know we are "Happy Homesteaders"... LOL
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