just popping in to say hello...

"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~

^I just love this picture Kelly took of Nicholas and I...this wee nephew of mine is simply too precious for words♥

 

Dear friends, hello!

I cannot believe that we are in August already...where are the weeks going to?

Looking around us the other day, my sisters and I realised, that Spring is just around the corner! Our nectarine and peach trees are covered in delicate, marshmallow pink blossoms, and the fields are beginning to turn a lush green once again. How wonderful it is to see new plant growth, after the cold and drabness of Winter.

Although I am not very fond of cold weather, and I prefer working outside in the sunshine, rather than being cooped up indoors, this Winter has been an especially pleasant one for me. I have been to visit my sister, Kelly quite frequently, enjoying chatting with her, helping out with the chores, and spending time with Nicholas. I have quite a special bond with my wee nephew, and I just love him so very much♥

And so, between spending days with my sister up in her little house, visiting with friends, working on the homestead and keeping up with my chores, the days have simply been flying by!

I am looking forward to Spring and all that the new season holds for us...it is a very busy time for my family, as it is when we plant many of our crops, and also clean the garden up a bit, after letting go a little during Winter.  

This year I have been given a little patch of ground for my own usage, and I am planning to create a little flower garden...I have already planted a handful of sweet peas, and I am anticipating the day when I can plant them out! I can't wait to make that piece of ground look beautiful♥ What flowers do you suggest I grow?

I must go, I am on cooking duty tonight, and my curry is needing a bit of attention, but I did just want to quickly pop in and say hello...I am in the process of writing a longer post, which I hope to publish soon. When you live in a big family and on a homestead, it can sometimes be a little difficult to find time to sit down and write  a post from start to finish without interruptions {{smiles}}

Until then dear readers,

Blessings~Gabrielle♥

my little nephew is five months old...

Dear friends, 

Can you believe that this sweet, chubby  nephew of mine, is already five months old?

How I love this little chap...he has me completely wrapped around his tiny finger, {{smiles}}

My heart simply melts when he looks up, and gives me a big, dimpled smile....and then, I cannot help myself, I just have to kiss those soft, squishy baby cheeks of his♥

I love being an Aunty to this little boy, and it has been very special for me to spend time with my sister.

Kelly, since I was a baby, has always been my special 'buddy,' and I am thankful that we have maintained a close relationship throughout the years.

I hope that you are having a beautiful day♥

~Blessings, Gabrielle~

In the month of June~

 Hello dearest friends♥

 

A cold, frosty morning on the homestead...

Even the water droplets on the spider webs froze...so pretty...

~

On our homestead this month...

We received a heavy blow on the homestead this month. Our little calf, Shalom, passed  away one morning. It all happened so suddenly, and unexpectedly. She was fine the night before, but the next morning she was found dead. We do not know for sure what could have caused her to die...there are so many illnesses an animal can get, sometimes they don't even show any symptoms of not feeling well..just pass away quietly. We all miss our furry little friend...she was a big part of our homestead. Our plan is to wait a couple more months before having Candy covered again...we are just praying that she doesn't pine for her baby. 

In the garden this month...

While the weather is so bitterly cold, we are taking a little break from any hectic gardening. Of course, plants still need to be watered, weeded and covered at night, but there is no need for us to be spending whole days outside, as there isn't much more we can do. We are, however, starting to plan the Spring crops, and preparing ourselves for a very busy season. This year we need to double our food production.

Outside this month...

Outside, the fruit trees have been bereft of their Autumn leaves, and apple season is finished. There are still a few apples left, clinging to the bare branches. Everywhere you look you can see the signs that Winter has arrived in full force. The brown, barren fields, the dead, frostbitten plants and the muddy dirt roads.

From the kitchen this month...

During the cold Winter months, everyone wants to be working in the kitchen as it is the warmest room in the house, thanks to the wood stove! Winter is a time for eating many warm, nourishing soups, and so we have been experimenting with some different recipes...my personal favourite being a 'Potato Gnocchi and Chicken Soup.' A recipe which my sister, Kelly, sent us. {I will be sharing the recipe soon.}

Around the house this month...

My Mom has begun schooling the two little ones again. During Spring and Summer, we are all so busy planting, harvesting and preserving, that none of us have time for school. We seem to have adopted the method used in the 'Little House on the Prairie' days. The children went to school during the Winter months, when not much work was needed to be done on their farms, but come Spring and Summer, all the kids worked with their families, ensuring that there was enough food for Winter.

Creating this month...

I spent a lovely afternoon sewing two 'American Girl' doll aprons, for some friends of ours. I also hand stitched some felt food for them. I thoroughly enjoy sewing...indeed, it is one of my favourite pastimes!

Enjoying this month...

I am enjoying working on our homestead. My Dad is now on holiday for two weeks, and we have some big projects planned! We are going to be working hard to get some much needed systems in place.

Anticipating this month...

The time has almost come for me to slaughter my very first duck. Although I am not excited about killing an animal, I am excited to do the whole process of plucking and de~gutting for the first time. Wish me luck!!

Hoping to this month...

I am hoping to stat milking again soon! Shortly after arriving, our milk cow, Candy, developed Mastitis in two of her teats. My older sister, Beth, took over all the milking so that she could ensure that the teats were being milked properly, and also so that she could rub on the various natural remedies we used. Now, finally, the mastitis has almost healed, and Rebekah and I can start milking again shortly. My hands have grown so weak during the break though...

Reading this month...

I have started the novel 'Ivanhoe,' by Sir Walter Scott, having been told by my sisters that it is a sweet, Medieval romance...

Listening to this month...

one of Celtic Women's newer albums 'Ancient Lands,' and various soundtracks...and, of course, my favourite composer, Strauss. To my sister's disgust..{{smiles}} I love his Waltz music.

Watching this month...

Us four older girls had a 'movie night' a little while ago, complete with some nibbles! Nancy had found the DVD 'Singing in the Rain,' which we all were very excited to watch, having heard it was a great old film...and we weren't dissapointed! It is now one of our favourite movies ever, and I would highly recommend it.

A favourite quote this month...

"We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts, and live our own lives in a way that is not possible for those keeping up with the crowds."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder~

A favourite verse this month...

"But have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee, withersoever thou goest."

~Joshua 1:9~

Thankful for this month...

My family♥

~

I hope that you have had a delightful month dear reader...

Blessings, Gabrielle♥

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

Pictures from the Homestead...

Blessings~Gabrielle