hey friends! Here we are another week done. It was busy and then again it wasn’t. I think I’ve been working nonstop on that to-do list and it’s really starting to show! I think I’m down to limited computer work now and I just need to start making and doing! Two of my very favorite things.
1. write a business plan (how do I still not have this done?!?!)
2. process grapes (remember them from last fall?)
3. grind meat and fat4. write candles class
5. write cheese class
6. write crock pot soap class7. freezer spreadsheet
8. order this years meat9. sourdough starter
10. make face cleanser
11. make lotion
12. make shampoo13. paperwork! Fun!14. order seeds
15. order chicks!!
16. fix up chicken coop and run17. send newsletter (sign up using the form in the sidebar if you haven’t already!)
18. finish chalkboard wall (this might be seen on a later to-do list)
19. paint upstairs (ditto)20. organize class materials, order supplies needed
21. mending
22. organize photos
I did take some time this week to work some puzzles! That was loads of fun. I have always enjoyed puzzling but recently I haven’t had the time or the space to work any. I received a nifty puzzle mat for my birthday a few years ago and I’ve been putting that into practice with my most recent puzzle gigs.
Did you know that Cornell offered 2 free classes in their Small Farms Program? All you had to do was use their code and sign up before 12PM on Friday. Well. Guess who met the deadline?!?! This girl! I’m taking business plan writing(!!!) and soil management. I’m really excited. This is sure to get my business plan written. I started it last week so I have it all outlined but this class is set up with weekly assignments. I think that it totally manageable! And if you are interested, they do offer one class for free all the time. Check it out.
Do you remember me mentioning my seed experiment? Well. It seems that almost everything has sprouted! That’s good news. But now I have to figure out where I’m going to plant everything!
And baby chicks. Oh, I’ve forgotten how fun they are! Everyone is doing good. Anna Lee, Bobby Jack, and Corny have all met the chicks. Anna wants to play with them, Bobby is kind of indifferent, and I think Corny just wants to eat them. But they are protected in their brooder and tucked safely in the downstairs bathroom. They’ll move out to the chicken coop (still in the brooder) in a few weeks. We need to check off #16 above before they go anywhere.
I’m happy to have most of that to-do list checked off. The biggest one that I’ve accomplished thus far–paperwork. I’ve filed, updated, mailed, etc. etc. It’s so nice knowing that it’s done. Another big one was writing all those classes. Now I just need to do a run through on all of them again to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
Speaking of classes. I have two very exciting developments. First, I finally have my candle kits listed in the shop. You can read more about them here. And since I don’t think we’ll be able to have the beeswax food covers class on the homestead, I decided to turn it into a virtual class! YAY! Everyone can join me virtually and learn how to make food covers. In the comfort of their own home. And the shop is fully stocked and updated.
I cleaned out the front flower bed. That was a good job done. The Mister raked all the leaves. We pulled all the maple taps. I put George, the sourdough starter, to bed for a few days. He’s safely tucked in the fridge for safekeeping until next week. I’m planning on using my time next week to start in on the ‘making and doing’ to-do list. I usually take the weekends off and do fun things. Not that the rest of the week isn’t fun, but I try to do things that aren’t on the to-do list. This weekend we’re walking the road and cleaning up trash.
The Amaryllis is doing well. I received her last year as a gift. She bloomed twice but this year she has 4 blooms–at once-on her!! The fig is trucking along. I have 2 figs growing right now. They’ll be so tasty! I think I need more though. HEHE.
I think that’s it. It didn’t seem like I did a lot this week until I started writing it all down. I guess that’s how it goes. Okay. I’m off and running. Let me know how your week has been!
’til next time
-k
xoxo
Bekah
Sounds like a great week! My son and and I have worked a couple large puzzles this week too. I need to find someone local to do a puzzle exchange with. We’re down to two more in the closet.
That’s awesome that you have found some online classes to take…and one on business plans…perfect! I hope you enjoy your soil class as well. Healthy soil is SO important to growing. Probably the most important piece!
Have fun with those baby chicks. Too cute!!!
chickenlibrarian
Thanks Bekah! I’m really excited to have the opportunity to take the classes through Cornell. I’m actually very excited by the business plan writing course. I need to get that done but it does seem awfully daunting. I think the class will really help. And I know next to nothing about soil so that class is sure to be just as helpful.
I’m glad you are finding some smaller things to do…although a 1000 piece puzzle isn’t exactly small, is it?!? LOL. Our local library has a puzzle exchange but the libraries are all closed for the time being. I still have about 5 puzzles left to work here at home and then I’ll be in the same boat!
And I’m really excited about the baby chicks. They’re so fun. But messy. But cute too. HEHE.
xoxo
Tracy
Hi Kristin – looks like you’ve had a lot going on in the past month! I hope you are yours are doing well.
Over here, chickens are “back on the table” for consideration (for next year, not this one). While we prepare for spring planting, we also decided to hold off on the expense of fruit trees this year – we’re waiting to see how the economy fares and saving pennies.
But I do look forward to your “what the chickens are up to” posts as they grow and when they are in their own digs! So happy that you were able to get them! 🙂
chickenlibrarian
TRACY! I’m so glad you are back. I’ve missed you but I hope your time away was exactly what you were looking for. I can completely understand the need for some time away, especially during all this madness. Things are good here on the homestead. The Mister and I are both homebodies so it’s not a big deal to be sheltering in place. And it’s given me some much needed time to catch up on a lot of things. I’m down to my ‘making and doing’ list, which is tons of fun. I think I’m making some cheese today along with a sourdough discard pizza crust. We have some fresh basil that overwintered really well so we’ll have a completely homemade meal for dinner tonight. It’s the little things that bring me joy.
As for your plans, I can completely understand not spending more money than necessary right now. While fruit trees would be nice, it’s probably good to save that money or spend it on other things that could be helpful in the here and now.
Anyway, I’m glad you are back. I’m looking forward to catching up with you!
xoxo
Shugunna Alexander
Thinking about buying a puzzle for me and the little one, maybe today ill8order online. Have a wonderful day, your list is almost done!!
chickenlibrarian
puzzles are the best!