The Joyce of Living

I thought I would take a minute to help explain a part of the homesteading life that seems to throw people off. Let me first say that we hate killing our animals. But ultimately, there comes a day when we prep and plan to do just that. The animals we have on our property have a purpose. The dogs help alert if there are predators after our critters. The chickens produce eggs and meat for the freezer. We also raise rabbits. We have a few that we keep for breeding purposes but their offspring will eventually be harvested. On “killing day” our anxiety is usually high, hoping that everything dies as humanely as possible. Again, we don’t enjoy killing these animals that we have raised since birth. At the same time, we’re not just raising pets. We are raising animals that will help sustain us. All of this was new to me until a couple of years ago. I didn’t know how I would handle the slaughtering of our livestock. But I knew that if I wanted to live a life of self-reliance, I would have...

Can you believe it?  We made it to the year, 2020.  As a child, I would watch favorite cartoon shows that my parents watched when they were small children.  One of my favorites was "The Jetsons."  I just knew that by 2020 we would be flying around in cars, going from here to there by the speed of light.  While we as a nation have progressed quickly, we are still a ways off (THANK GOODNESS) from that super "techy" world.  Let's be honest; the world we live in is already too fast paced.  Slow down, people.  Stop and smell those beautiful flowers that will be blooming before you know it. 2019 seemed to be a repeat of a couple years prior.  I've been in a terrible slump over the past three years.  And to be honest, I'm sick of it.  It's easy to just set back and let the world pummel you into a pathetic sad hole.  I am so ready to make some major changes in my life.  But change requires work.    So, for the ...

Growing up, we always had an artificial tree. While they’re beautiful, and I have fond memories of dragging it out of the attic every year and fluffing it’s pointy branches, I have come to appreciate and adore our new tradition as a family. Together, we choose a tree, chop it down, and plant it in our living room to admire through the Christmas holiday. Few may choose the prickly cedar tree. However, it has become the one we gravitate towards. Probably because they’re unwanted nuisances in the yard. Mostly because they’re aromatic, easy to spruce up, and quick to adorn with our favorite ornaments. The cedar tree symbolizes strength, eternity, and endurance. Poets from around the world have written about this simple conifer for centuries. In the late 19th century, author John Worcester compared the structure of the cedar tree to the process of attaining successively higher natural and spiritual knowledge, writing, “The spiritual tree also must extend its branches, put forth leaves, ...

I have a friend who mentioned her mom having the "lahzee blahs."  I had never before heard this saying and immediately related to it.  I would be lying if I told you the last three years have been easy.  They have been anything but.  But...(there is always a but) I still remain OK.  Am I as strong as I want to be?  No.  Am I as strong as I need to be?  No.  Lately, I have found myself in the same state as I was back in 2016.  I'm merely existing.  I think its OK to float around and just let life do what its going to do.  Ultimately, we don't have much say in its course.  But what we can do is simply remain.  During my moments of weakness, I have found that I can still be the shoulder that others need.  I can still be the ear that others need to vent to.  I can still be a help, even when it feels that no one is helping me.  Focus on the light!  I don't do this near enough.  But when I do, life ...

Ok.  So picture the Judd's singing, "Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days."  Let that tune stick in your mind as you read the following paragraphs.  I love the old ways of life that have mysteriously found me.  I was raised in the city limits of Scottsville, Kentucky.  I loved looking at the "moo cows" that just so happened to be in our backyard, separated by a fence, thanks to a neighbor who owned just enough land to accommodate them.  They were friendly for the most part, but I always longed for one of them to let me feed it from my bare hands.  I got close a few times, but their skiddish demeanor left them just out of reach.  My small city life as a child was good, safe, and reliable.  My parents worked their tails off, ensuring that bills were paid and we had food on the table.  We bought new tennis shoes, once a year at the beginning of school.  We were never allowed to wear them out of the house until that first day of...

As most of my farming friends can agree, now is the time to begin prepping for all the Spring things.  I feel that we may be a few weeks behind, but I'm trying not to let that hinder my nerves.  The rain has made prepping the garden beds impossible.  Today, we had a break in the rain, allowing us to make the critters beds and coops dry and comfortable.  I hate doing strenuous work on Sundays.  What is supposed to be our day of rest, has ended up being when we have time to actually get things done.  After church today, I went straight to the hay round and began the scratchy task of taking out old hay and replacing it with new.  Animals have a way of telling you that they aren't exactly pleased with their current living quarters.  Our egg production has been low and the rabbits haven't exactly been hopping for joy. Today, that changed.  Sunshine has a way of making things better.  My outlook changed from having the lazee blahs to the oos...

I think I am right there with most of the population wanting so much, yet knowing that it can't just be picked out of thin air.  I have to constantly remind myself that there is no need in trying to hurry a process that I have no control of anyway.  I saw a quote the other day that said, "Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you."  I pray that the Lord would give me the ability to just be patient, and wait on Him to move the mountains that seem so big. In other news, we are getting soaked over here.  So much rain has fallen this winter, completely obliterating any hope of a substantial winter.  I believe I saw earlier in the month that this has been the wettest season on record, and I absolutely believe that.  Mucks and my Totes rain jacket have been my best friends, keeping me as dry as they can.  I have nearly lost my boots, more than once because the mud wants to suck me into its nasty murky jowls.  This week, w...

This year, Andrew and I took on a huge endeavor of tripling our garden compared to last summer.  We've had an abundance of cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.  However, our beans were lacking sufficiently to the point that I was about to purchase fresh green beans elsewhere.  I mean, I only had four jars left in my cupboards from last year's harvest.  I needed my beans!  I would look at posts on Facebook of friend's abundant bean harvest, and I'll be honest, I felt completely defeated.  We purposely planted two huge rows to ensure that we would have beans coming out of our ears.  And here we were, at the end of July, with no beans.  About a week ago we were in the garden, picking tomatoes, deciding if it was time to rip up some of our crops that were on their way out, and plotting on other crop endeavors.  Andrew decided to take a look at the beans, and low and behold we had beans.  Our bean bushes were not even worthy to be ca...

I finished another three books this week.  Enjoy the reviews below! # 7. The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston      This book introduces Elizabeth Anne Hawksmith, a 384 year old witch.  Throughout the centuries, she has been terrorized by a man that she was once infatuated with.  Elizabeth, firstly known as Bess, once lived in a quaint little home with her mother, father, and two younger siblings.  When the plague hits their small village, the family is ripped apart with the sickness taking the lives of Bess' two siblings and father.  When she becomes ill herself, Bess' mother takes it upon herself to sell her soul to the devil so her only remaining child might be spared.  She becomes a witch who is caught and tried for her affiliation.  At her mother's demise, Bess is instructed to go to Gideon, for he will know what to do in order for her to survive. Brackston tells the story of Bess and how she had to change her name and her ...

This is the second post I've blogged in regards to the books I have read thus far in 2018.  This edition includes: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman    #4.   A Wrinkle in Time is a wonderful book that intertwines modern science with good moral values when encountered by dark disturbing forces.  Appropriate for all ages, I found this tale to be utterly fascinating!  From the get-go, I was drawn into the message that L'Engle was stating.  The position a brother and sister is in will break your heart.  Their father, who works for the government, (top secret stuff) has gone missing.  Their mother is positive he will come back and be completely unscathed.  However, her children can read the worried expression on her face.  Sometimes in a fit of helplessness, children have to take matters into their own hands.  They do just that with the h...

The simple ways of life - getting your hands dirty - growing your own food - feeding the animals that will sustain you in return - a simple sunset - loving and hugging those family members that mean so much to you.... Over the past several months, I have been able to take a step back and evaluate what is truly important. My life once consisted of filling up an agenda and being at every social function imaginable.  I had this assumption that to live was to go, go, go.  However, in twelve months my life has completely changed, for the better. Nowadays, I have slowed down, and am enjoying taking care of myself and those that mean the most to me.  I have learned that living a life where there is something to live for is so much more important than trying to be seen by others, just to be seen.  I want to be as independent as possible.  And Andrew is helping me get there.  We have agreed that simple living is the best living.  Growing food and doin...

     I have always found great comfort in a blanket. If you see me at my house I am usually cuddled up under a throw. I am the person that grabs the afghan off the couch when visiting friends and family. I have crocheted several afghans over the years and I love the heaviness that they bring over my sometimes cold and tired body.      I also love a blanket of snow. I prepared for the winter storm that we were threatened so I wouldn’t have to go far from my home. I have so enjoyed the past few days of enjoying the sweet comforts of life - a wonderful boyfriend, good food, and sweet nothingness. Our world was covered in a blanket of white. I believe sometimes we need these coverings because our bodies are tired and they need rest. If you’re like me, rest comes easy when you’re in a warm home while everything on the outside is bitter cold. I have been able to catch up on some much needed sleep.     Blankets . They wrap you up and give the...

So far in 2018 I have finished two books and am quickly approaching the end to a third.  I have decided to revisit some classics as well as reading some new releases. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne Who doesn't love this cuddly, curious bear?  I enjoyed listening to the audio version of an original classic.  The love that Christopher Robin has for his silly little bear melts my heart.  Sure, it's a complete fabrication - a boy and his stuffed toys - but I think we can all agree that there is a nostalgia in reading books such as these to take us back to our childhood.        2.  Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg I read this book years ago, but had forgotten nearly everything about the story.  This classic story takes place in the early 1900's in the deep south of the United States.  For it's time, it hit on many civil rights issues that we are still fighting for today in 2018....

2017 ended beautifully!  I collected a dozen eggs the last week of December, and cooked them all in a matter of a few days.  My girls, Gimpy Gertie & Mama Myrtle, make some delicious eggs.  That makes my heart & my tummy happy.  I reflected over the past year, as most everyone did.  There were many bumps in the road.  Getting robbed was no fun.  Going through the big D was terrible.  Family circumstance has torn my heart into pieces.  On the flip side, I met a guy who is absolutely amazing.  And his little boy melts my heart into a big soupy puddle.  I sold my house and bought the cutest little home.  I have so enjoyed making it my own and will continue to do so throughout the year.  A brand new life has been given to me and I am soaking up every bit of it.  I am now a Muck boot wearing gal who finds comfort in pulling on her overalls and Carhartt jacket to help out Andrew.  I love taking car...