For those interested in the house updates…

I’ve been working on the backyard whenever it’s been warm (and dry) enough.  It didn’t even get close to finished last year since 1) I focused mainly on the front yard and 2)  Any time I did spend back there was usually spent ripping overgrown brush and dead bushes out before there was any chance of putting anything in.

Here are the before pictures.

This is by the shed. The broken concrete led to a handy dandy gas grill, complete with wasp nest.

To the right a little, with more broken up concrete.

And, moving further to the right. Notice the lovely (broken) air conditioner unit hidden behind the (ugly) fence section.

And even more to the right..

Beautiful.

Now, the after pics. I used the unbroken cement squares and made a checkerboard pattern. Weird, but the kids like it.

I extended the bed to go all around the tree.

Late last fall, the Green Stewards guys got rid of the air conditioner unit and put in the patio and little walkways. I’m wanting to plant espaliered apple trees along the brick wall.  I’m also thinking I’ll plant tomatoes and peppers under the windows, or maybe bush cucumbers, since it gets lots of afternoon sun there.  I can envision containers of strawberries too.

We found tons of patio stone and bricks half buried and covered by grass, brush and ground cover. I reshaped the beds (managing to save some groundcover) and re-laid a small patio edged with the found bricks. On the center stone, I want a fountain. I left some dirt to plant flowers or something around the fountain, again using leaf compost to build up the soil.

About a decade ago, we began changing our lifestyle, our diet and our homelife.

This wasn’t a fad, nor was it a result of some great new epiphany.  It wasn’t even really a single life-changing decision born from chasing a dream or seeing a vision.  No, nothing that interesting.  It was more like simply taking a series of small steps, that would lead us to yet another series of steps.

We were full partakers of the consumeristic mentality, grappling with children becoming school age, and on top of it all, we were both were experiencing health challenges to which conventional medicine gave unsatisfactory answers.

As we gathered information and began making changes, there were a couple of themes that seemed on the surface to be admirable and beneficial, but with further scrutiny proved to be defective and even dangerous.

One was the “self-sufficient” idea and other was the “separatist” idea.  They are connected, in that each holds the premise that a family should seek to be an island of sorts.

Self-sufficiency is lauded by many who seek to educate and inform those who are seeking a simpler lifestyle.  While looking for information regarding small farming, gardening, using less resources like electricity, water and just consumer goods, you will likely run into the whole mindset that it is preferred to have the ability to do it all yourself.  Make your own soap, grow all your own food, raise and butcher your own animals.  Basically, you should build, grow, repair, maintain and create everything yourself.

The other idea, separatism, is the idea that home should be a refuge.  The world “out there” was to be feared and rejected, while the family should keep themselves holed up in their fortress, safe within their sanctuary.

The problem is, we aren’t designed to do everything ourselves independent from others, and were sure weren’t created to be isolated.

Practically speaking, seeking to possess the skills to do everything on one’s own is not only ridiculous, it is a kind of twisted pride.  There is nothing holy about living in a vacuum, but there is great joy and wisdom in sharing skills with others while being blessed by theirs.

Further, while our homes should be the center of our lives in the sense that we value marriage and children, it is not the be-all and end-all.  While it is a source of productivity, it should not simply benefit family members.  The gifts we possess aren’t meant to be kept to ourselves.  Home is meant to have an 0utward effect.

As a wife and mother, I can attest to the harm that self-sufficiency and separatism can have on families, and particularly on young mothers.  All too often, the principle of “home” means that she disconnects herself from most outside relationships while spending her entire waking moments on her children and household tasks.  Add to this the burden of trying to live up to some homesteading ideal, and it isn’t long before she’s pushed to the end of her limits and beyond.

• Nurture and build relationships with encouraging friends.  Make time for them.  Pray with them.  Bear each other’s burdens.
• Find others who possess skills, resources, and knowledge you desire.  Barter, share and trade with them.  Join forces with them.
• Invite into your home people who hold different worldviews, lifestyle, religion, politics, etc.  Listen to what is on their hearts.  Learn why they believe what they believe.

Matt 5:14-16   You are the light of the world.   A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.   Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Rom 12:5-6   so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them

Gal 6:2   Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We broke open a jar of homemade pickles today and were so pleased to discover that they were absolutely scrumptious!  I can’t claim the credit, as Skylar and our sweet friend Grace are the ones who made them.  She just sent me the recipe, which is a family recipe of theirs.  (Thanks, Aunt Myrt!)

Pickle recipe for 1 quart size jar:

Sterilize jar and heat lids in hot water.

While still hot, fill jar with

• 2 cloves of garlic
• cucumbers (whole, spear or sliced)
• 1-2 heads of dill
• 1 Tbs of canning salt.

Boil 1/2 cup a.c. vinegar. Pour into jar and fill to top with boiling water.

Screw on lid and ring and water bath 15 minutes

(And now for the really hard part.)  Let set for 4-5 months before eating.

Looks like we’ve got some rogue TPers ’round these parts..

Our gardens did so well this year, even though we had a late start.  We planted only two zucchini plants, but we still have more than enough!

The basil is as tall as Carmen. Pesto, anyone?

A few months ago, Chase made his own worm composting bin. He layered shredded paper and food scraps from our kitchen, and added Red Wrigglers we ordered online.

It didn’t take long for the worms to create their magic, and all the garbage became rich, nutrient dense compost! After separating the worms from the compost (tedious and dirty work) he returned the worms back to their bin to repeat their work. He even had enough worms to add another worm bin.

We returned the chickens and Mocha and Clover (the goats) to the farm last week.

Many of you have expressed disappointment in us “giving in”.  You should know us well enough by now that we aren’t afraid of a fight.  Besides, it isn’t over.  There is much work being done to make it legal to have chickens in the city, and we have high hopes to return them here soon.

Long live the chickens!

Some would ask, “Why would I pay $3 for a dozen eggs when I can get them for 79 cents?

If your most important issue is cost, then by all means it only makes sense to get the cheapest eggs possible. But if you’re also concerned with good nutrition, or preserving and supporting local farms, or kind treatment of animals, or wise stewardship, then the extra expense is not only justified, but gladly accepted.

A little bit further down that road and you may be faced with the question, “Why would I ever bother caring for hens when I can just buy my healthy eggs from a farm?”

Well, let’s put it this way.

In this day of incredible technology, where you can instantly and easily communicate with your friends through phone, email, and instant messaging, why would you ever bother getting together with them in person? Since you could multi-task while conversing and wouldn’t have to drive anywhere or buy a meal, communicating virtually could save time, money and energy.

It goes without saying that there is something irreplaceable about seeing your friend face to face. Enjoying a hug, seeing their smile and sharing eye contact are something we all long for. If it was simply about communication, we could toss out lingering over a meal or walking together. But we all know that those fulfilling experiences are what enhances friendship.

Likewise, there is something about enjoying the fruits of your labor that increases the value of something such as an egg. When you are blessed with an egg from a hen that you have fed, watered and tended to, it is more than the egg itself. It is the reward of the entire process. Hearing a hen’s soft clucks, the thrill of discovering an egg, reaching in to gently scoop it up… Those all add to the inherent value of a basic food.

All methods have their consequences. In a world driven by efficiency and individualistic gain, its good to remember that sometimes exceeding in those areas means you have drastically hindered or even destroyed another area of meaning.

Is it worth it?

Our internet service was interrupted yesterday, hence the lack of a blog post yesterday. It was cut during a landscaping project. And yes, I, Tamra, take all the blame. Thank you.

Callahan is walking all over now.  It’s the infamous drunken sailor trying to get his sea legs walking, but it’s walking.  He is so proud, and pauses often to clap for himself.

Yesterday morning was the second Rejuvenate! ladies gathering at my place.  I’m thinking about making next month’s a bit more structured.  The ideas are already flowing!

Monday we attended the funeral of a dear friend.  In recognition of how those who are God’s children should view death, it was called a Homegoing Celebration. He was known as a loving father, husband and pastor to many.  We knew him as a humble, giving man who truly lived for Christ.  Along with his ability to consider another’s opinion, one of the most touching things we remember about him was his willingness to repent.

Early Tuesday morning, the Flint City Building Inspector visited our home.  It came as no surprise that it was regarding the 8 chickens and 2 baby goats we keep here.  I politely showed him around, and explained that every neighbor we had talked to had seemed fine, even happy, about our pets with perks.  He said there would be no ticket at this time, but there would be if we didn’t have the animals gone within 2 weeks.  He remarked with disgust that he was rarely ever out of his office, but that somehow this was considered important enough to merit immediate attention.

An hour later, 4 squad cars and several police officers came to the house.  They were here to investigate an “animal violation”.  I spoke briefly with the Sergeant, and then another officer issued a citation to appear in court.  I laughingly showed them the chickens and goats, and wondered aloud if perhaps the number of policemen sent on such a call was a bit over the top.  After several times of him saying “I’m not laughing” I remarked that I sure hoped he was saying that to mean that he believed the entire thing to be as ridiculous as I did and shared my frustration with how it was being handled.  He agreed, and started to tell me how they were pulled off a far more important call before he stopped himself and sighed deeply, shaking his head.

We also have a couple honeybee colonies.  Now, those are legal.  *Pppbblllttt*

Yesterday, Cruiz remarked with a sigh, “It seems like everyone is having a birthday this year!”