Catching up...♥

"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~

Greetings sweet friends...how are you all?

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have written and published a proper post! Keeping up with work on the homestead has kept us all pretty busy recently, especially since our milk cow and her adorable little heifer arrived a few weeks ago...I thought that a 'catching up' post was in order, {{smiles}}

~

^The last few remaining flowers in our garden...

Winter is almost upon us, and we are having to cover our garden beds with shade net at night, to protect the plants from the severe frosts. The vegetable garden is looking a little bleak at the moment, which is usual for this time of year. I have been busy spreading a layer of cow manure across all the empty beds, to keep them warm and composted during the Winter months. My sister and I have also been planting the Winter crops, such as onions, leeks and brassicas.

^Planting the onion crop...

My plan is to plant and harvest 3000 onions this year, which may seem like a lot, but will in fact, only last my family a couple of months, {{smiles}}

^Caleb loves my ducks♥

My ducklings are doing very well.  I have discovered that there are two females and one male. As I wish to increase my flock for eggs, I am keeping the females, but sadly, the drake has one more month left before he will be slaughtered. 

^Introducing Candy, the newest addition to our ever growing homestead...

^...and her sweet calf, Shalom♥

After a rather bumpy start, Candy and Shalom have settled into their new home and are doing very well! We have also established a good milking routine, and we all are enjoying the blessings of owning such a big animal, and the large quantities of fresh milk.♥

^Calf kisses...♥

Sofia, who is our little tomboy and animal lover, is loving having a cow and calf! She is quite happy to spend hours out in the field with them, and it is the sweetest thing to watch her frisking with her 'pet

 calf.' ♥

I have also been canning apples the past few days...it has taken me a while to figure out a recipe, but everything is running smoothly now. It is such a wonderful blessing from the Lord, that we are allowed to wander through the orchards and pick as many as we need..

And, as the weather grows colder, I am anticipating bringing out my knitting, sewing and crafting, and learning new stitches and skills...crocheting being something that I am determined to learn this year! 

I have sorely missed creating, and that is what Winter is for!

I hope that you have a blessed day, dear reader♥

Gabrielle