The Beginning

This past year has been a new beginning of sorts for me and I've decided to document it in bits and pieces along the way.

Last Spring I started raising chickens; something I decided to do on a whim after reading a bit it in a book. I guess I just thought it sounded fun. Happily, this turned out to be true. I've enjoyed it every step of the way and haven't regretted it for a moment. My girls (hens) are much more than just little egg machines as I originally thought of chickens. They're more like pets and, oddly enough, family members. They all have names and I love them.

This year I started dabbling in old-fashioned domestic practices, self-sufficiency and general homesteading. I've found that simple things, such as making our own butter, vanilla extract, home-made jam,  jelly and laundry detergent are rewarding and soul-enriching experiences that I can't seem to get enough of.

I have been reading about home canning this week and made a batch of strawberry jelly. It turned out nice. Yesterday I made dandelion jelly, which is quite pretty and delicious with a honey flavor. Rhubarb is the next jelly I want to make when I can get it. It doesn't seem to be easily found in stores and no one I know has any plants.

Today my family built a raised garden bed and tomorrow I'll be planting seeds and some transplants I started in the house a few weeks ago. Over the winter, I've been reading Square Foot Gardening and am looking forward to putting the information to use.

I don't know where all this is leading me, and I guess it doesn't matter. What I do know is it's fun and it just feels right.