We've...

gone camping...

Vintage Homesteading

While we're not living out there yet, we have made steps to make such a notion somewhat comfortable...I've even started 'nesting', so to speak. My sewing machine is glad, as it's been well loved, the end of which is not soon to come (note the curtains).

Sorry I don't have a before picture, but here's the outside & imagine all the cushions covered in the lovely 'before' upholstery. Not the worst I've seen, but there was a lot of unidentified staining....ew.

thoughts on what should replace the hunter green? goldish yellow? off white linen? avocado green (the color of the "appliances")

A 31st Birthday.

Drew is 31 as of yesterday. We spent the day doing things he likes & enjoying a laid-back day. I have a tendency to go overboard but this year I decided to try his request for a simple celebration--I think he really did have fun, I know I did.
First we had a breakfast of Guilford Mill Yellow Grits, eggs & blueberry chicken sausages & then he opened his gift (a little silly, but he's wanted them for years. It's a 'status' symbol that he got as a joke.)

Then, we visited Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in search of something that might work for a worm bin bathtub, or any other useful items for the property. We scored some adorable vintage books & purchased a little Step 2 play set for the girls (mainly Leviah) entertainment at the property. The tree swing is just a bit much for a 1.5 year old.

Then home for some napping while I whipped up this, per Drew's request:

& back out to the 'homestead' to meet the well guy & discuss placement options. A quick run through the dairy for some ice cream & back home for another nap.

Drew & I went out alone, thanks to my sister, to a restaurant we've wanted to try for some time. A fancy but out of this world meal at Printworks Bistro. Someday we'll getaway at the hotel for a weekend...

Then home for some pie (recipe to follow), which I could barely eat after finishing my meal & partaking in some beignets! It was an indulgent day.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (rough measurement estimates b/c that's how I roll, & not my Aunt Ethel's recipe exactly, I couldn't find it, but thanks to my sweet cousin it WILL be used next time. This pie did turn out quite well, however--so the eaters say):
Pie Crust for one 9" double crusted pie. This is the recipe I always use.
Filling:
1 pint strawberries sliced
2 cups rhubarb sliced
2 cups sugar
1 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla
3tbsp quick cooking tapioca
1 tsp lemon juice
Mix all the above ingredients together::Place in pie crust & dab with 1-2tbsp butter::Cover with top crust (don't forget slits!):: bake*::slice & serve!

*Bake at 400degrees for about 30 minutes, until it looks a little brown around the edges & filling is bubbling, cool & eat. Brushing the top crust with egg & sprinkling with sugar would have added a little pizazz, but I skipped this step...

The Weekend in Pictures

Although we did fit in some extra nice napping, it's been a CRAZY weekend. There'll be more about what we accomplished at the land here, but we're a tid-bit sunburned & ready for a slower day tomorrow.

note: There's a great new local blog, up & coming. Follow it for upcoming events, local artists, great articles & more.

Marriage brings people together.

Weddings do anyway.

I had the distinct pleasure of being in an old friend's wedding this weekend. A true honor, as has been our friendship. I'm so happy for her (& him), happy to have made new friendships, & am also happy to be finished making her present, which has been opened & I can now share a little pic with you to brag & simply point out how my hands have been occupied for the past few weeks. It's hard not to share, but i didn't want to reveal the surprise!

It's been a few days & perhaps, with the wedding weekend as a new & wonderful memory, I'll be able to focus on the other plans in my mental notebook. Of course, there's always the land. Give us 2 hours to steal away to that tick infested acreage & we're gone! (an issue we are more optimistic about--it seems to be a bad year everywhere, our piece may not actually be plagued alone. Also, encouraging ideas from you folks help A LOT!) The girls are learning how to entertain themselves while we weave fences, cut down framing materials, & clear out underbrush. While things won't happen nearly as quickly as we'd anticipated, we have a place to turn cartwheels to our hearts content--who could ask for more?

Did you hear I was on the local news a little over a week ago? I can't find a link to share the video, but it was short & the article sums it up nicely. Gist: Certified Professional Midwives & the women of NC deserve better. Glad to help the effort in our area in any way possible. LICENSE CPM's NC!

Our lives have been hectic & will probably remain so through the 'lazy' days of summer. In many ways I'm grateful to the blog world for giving me a place to keep tabs on what has actually gone down...although, it can be hard to keep up.

And the winner of the May 2010 Playtime Bundle Give Away is: Twig & Toadstool Enjoy!! Thanks everyone. Keep your eyes peeled for another give away soon.

& shameless promotion. My sister has been helping me keep up our Etsy Shop (gremlina.com) & there are LOADS new great items--you may want to take a peek.

At it & feeling a smidge rejected.

furrowed & sweaty brow. post-tick removal.

We were at the land all day on Sunday & had family there to help us remove some underbrush & really just introduce them to what is our future! There were chain saws, machetes, laupers & gloves. There were also ticks. Ticks galore. These wretched little buggers are living in grape vines & underbrush all through the wooded part of the property. They are round demons that come in a myriad of sizes and colors. They're devious--up to no good.

Natural lemongrass & garlic based repellents stand no chance against these vile beasts who have made it quite clear that we are the best meal they've seen in a while. We've found them everywhere. EVERYWHERE. The terror that a creature no bigger than the tip of a pencil ensues is ridiculous. I hate to fall victim, but the danger of Lyme disease & Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is real & finding these little suckers on the innocent bodies of my children is troubling, to say the least.

I'm not here to complain. I'm here for a dose of reality. We are up to the work, we are up to the grunt-nature of working the land. We are game for letting our kids run wild in a natural environment full of brambles, snakes, poison ivy, lizards & toads. Ticks, in the quantities we've discovered them, are unwelcome. So, do you know the remedy? Is there an alternative to Deet & peremthrin that the internet otherwise doesn't know of?

we marked off corners with posts for a garden plot & planted some left over tomato seedlings

We have considered introducing a flock of Guinea hens, but aren't sure the neighbors will love having free-birds roaming around, surely crossing into their property from time to time...

& the kids romped & picked wildflowers (dandelions) for crowns & bracelets.

So, our immediate goals are changing a bit. While we manage to enjoy ourselves out there, it's difficult to really relax. We were putting off shelter options in favor of tent camping, but it seems without a retreat from the ticks we will never get comfortable. Hm...that is what we're thinking about. But, we are so optimistic about the possibilities, the only REAL problem is choosing what direction to take.

don't forget the giveaway!

we HAVE it!

For those of you on the edge of your seat with regards to our future...we've got land!
With the help of my inlaws, we are the proud caretakers of 24 acres just south of Homeland Creamery in Liberty, NC. What a real secret I have kept. This little parcel has been in the works for a little over a month, but to avoid the ups & downs of getting too stoked, we kept it to ourselves. Well, no more. it's official & we are anxious to have everyone out for a little extravaganza. The closing was today, it's official. (the banner pick was a sneaky way of sharing before papers were signed). This weekend will be play-day/clearing out a spot for campsites day/more thanking the Creator time.

Are vision for our future farm is broad, but we hope that the community at large will be interested in visiting, helping, creating & offering ideas. We are certain that without the support of the local folks we won't be successful, so--here's our plea! (even if that just means you'll buy honey or tell your friends!)

An open 'land' party will be planned, hopefully about 4 weeks out. Keep your summer schedule clear ;)
There's not much there--a field & some forest, but we have visions full of potential. Of course, I'll give more details later, but we're tuckered out. It's been a fun & exciting day. Our very first order of duty, after thanking the Lord for such an amazing prayer come true, was to hang a swing in one of the very old Oak trees at the tree line. Here are a few shots of that excitement--purely blissful.

don't forget the give away!

In Search of...

recipe below.

What a few weeks we've had. I haven't shared much on the day to day & I'll get back in that habit soon. But, for now I'll make a short list.

1. we met some friends at the Zoo for a great day. Even at 18months Leviah seemed to really enjoy seeing all the animals, of course Lion, Elephant, Ostrich--they're all puppies. & Naomi's favorite event was seeing this ostrich with an egg:

2. We've had friends of days-gone-by visiting this season. What a joy it is to catch up & find out that though years have soared by we still have many things in common. The downside? The longer you've known someone the older you are & farther from the youthful days of Summer Camp & Youth Group, & now even college campus adventures seem long ago.

3. We've been looking hard. Our search for our 'land' feels like the Oregon trail. No, we haven't hunted wild Bison or forded rushing rivers, but there is something very draining about hoping & having to move on. But, even yesterday we hiked a property with great potential, is it the one we were dreaming about last month? no, but there are new & different possibilities here...

4. We've been outside. Whether driving in the country or maintaining the garden beds, swinging on the swing set or exploring lands that could be ours, we have been soaking up countless amounts of sunshine & blue skies. It's as if rain doesn't exist & the scorching days of July & August plan to take it easy this year. I'll take cool mornings & medium afternoons that frame evening bonfires perfectly any time of year.

5. We've been learning. While formal study time has taken a back seat to just being out doors, visiting the zoo, independent exploration & imagination, we have been baking a lot. We made Roly Poly Pudding according to our curriculum & to go along with this story. (more accurately they'd be described as personal pies). & over the weekend we whipped up some cookies a-la what we had. They're not healthy, but they are delicious & because the recipe has been requested I'm adding it here.

Chocolate Cookies with Peanut Butter Chips:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 package peanut butter chips
• 3/4 cup dutch press cocoa powder

PREHEAT oven to 330° F. (we use convection, so without make it 350)

COMBINE flour, baking soda, cocoa and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 7 to 9 minutes (I undercook all cookies. They continue baking on the pan & I like them soft). Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; cool & enjoy! (great for dipping in coffee or milk!)

Exploring...

chicken mischief.

apple blossoms.

old homesteads.

baby hikes.