'Toxic Rain Garden'

Isn't it filling in nicely with violets?
This area is a slight depression to hold the water from the driveway.
Thus it is toxic and we don't eat anything from this garden.
Where does the run-off from your drive go?

Chilly Spring

With this Spring being so chilly, windy and wet, it's a wonder anything is blooming!
As the weather runs out of control across the country, I can't help but wonder what impact there will be on food prices.
Will farmers have succeessful harvests?
What about all the families relying on home gardens?
Knowing the weather will get crazier every year, what should we be doing to prepare?
This homesteader is thinking it's time to revisit growing veggies indoors. That was only a semi-fruitful project last year, but greater experience and necessity may improve my success rate!

Two Week Old Chicks in the Run

Putting Up Chicken Wire

This started out as quite a chore, but got so much easier as we went along!
And it was a project we all helped with.
After all, how can the kids say it's theirs too if they haven't helped build it?
Family projects build such a great bond!!!

Green Onions & Mesclun

Another garden patch is planted.
Thus we plant hope of feeding our families.
With food shortages around the world and so many going to bed hungry in the USA, a garden is a comfort.

Lily Pads Reaching for the Surface!

It is so nice to see our water lillies growing this year! We bought fresh bulbs and have eliminated bleach, Clorox 2 and Oxiclean from our laundry regimen.
Just goes to show what eliminating toxins can do!
Now if it will just warm up!

Matt putting up Chicken wire!

Coop Construction a la Dave & Steve

As the evening progresses, the coop takes shape and we feel more hopeful that we'll eventually be able to house our chicks outside!

New Chicken Coop Going Up!

Well, we had a rethink on the coop~ Vandi wanted a bigger one she saw in a magazine!

New Compost Bin

Good afternoon! Glad to see you! Come around back and see our latest project.
What do you think of our compost bin? We thought it would be nice to have our compost contained this year and I heard about using pallets from a yahoo group I'm on and thought we'd try it.
We placed the compost bin in a far corner of the garden. Close enough to toss clippings and table scraps into, but far enough away as to not offend guests.
It's constructed primarily of wood pallets we'd been accumulting and wired together with fencing wire.
As soon as I harvest the onions and dwarf blue kale on the other side of the compost bin, I will build a second bin for next years' compost. That way I have one being emptied while the other is being filled.
Tell me about your compost bin...

What Are You Doing?

Well, I came home to find this child acting as escape scout for the troops! I think it's time to put them out in the coop!!!

Garlic Mustard Crop

Hi! Welcome!
Would you look at all this Garlic Mustard! We are truly blessed.
This plant was originally brought over from Europe as a salad green. With no natural 'predators' here it has become invasive and is choking the wildflowers out of many parks. Most parks encourage visitors to pull these plants out by the roots.
If you happen across some garlic mustard, the leaves are delicious as a salad green or cooked like spinach! When harvested in a park, it is virtually pesticide/ fertilizer- free!
Take a hike in your park today and munch a healthy free meal tonight!

Turnip & Garlic Mustard Greens

Hello! Come on inside! Remember all those turnip and garlic mustard greens? We threw them into the dehydrator!
I set the temperature at 145 degrees and the timer for 8 hours and go about my day.
Soon we will have an ample supply of greens in storage.
What's your favorite way to store your garden's bounty?

The Planter

Well, this is what's left of the plants I put in at 377 Western Ave., Joliet, IL 60435! I am So Pissed!
I don't mean to rant, but I took my time to choose exceptional plants to really accent our property. I took time to plant and water carefully.
I am so amazed that anyone would be so cold-hearted as to destroy flowers this way.

Hanging of the Hammock Chair!

Started digging dandelions in parkway!

Brunson Gravesite

Messenger Woods Hike!

'Fishing for Trash' at Monee Reservoir

Hey! Right now we are on patrol for trash. Hope to see you around the next bend!

Peas Have Sprouted!

Hi! Come around back quickly and see what's sprouted!
Would you Look at those peas! I barely planted them 2 weeks ago and look how they're growing. It's so gratifying to see all the work pay off. Soon my family will have plump, ripe peas to munch.
What's coming up in your garden?