Had a wonderful Easter today. The boys and families came over to spend it with us. We spent a great day outside.  A fire in the fire pit and food cooking in the cabin. Camden had his Easter egg hunt and had  fun cracking and eating the eggs.

We heard "crack" every time he found one!

Camden and Momo sitting around the fire blowing bubbles.

Went back outside for a bit this afternoon when the wind finally died down a little. Got some things done that we didn't get a chance to do at the end of last year due to Dewayne's health issues. We also got the ground worked for our new Moon Garden that we will plant this spring.

Got some radishes, lettuce and kale started in the small garden today and worked up the front flower garden.

I struggle almost daily on how to describe how we live.

Why is it when you see someone you haven't seen for a long time, they will start out a conversation with "what do you do now?" How do I answer that?

I was laid off from my job of almost 5 years due to company downsizing. I was on unemployment for over 1 1/2 years and couldn't find the right job. It's just my hubby and me now that our sons are grown and on their own and we actually like each other! LOL. When it comes to me getting a job, I didn't want to work evenings and weekends when he's home. We want to have our family time. After a lot of soul searching, job searching , a LOT of frustration , and even self-esteem issues for me for losing the job in the first place (even though it wasn't my fault!), we as a couple decided that I will not work (outside the home!) We have done a lot to be able to survive on one paycheck.  We are sacrificing "things" so we can live this way.

Homesteading is so much more work than people may think. It's living off the land, and doing more for yourself. Cutting back on anything you can, working yourself into exhaustion, and at the same time, truly loving what you are doing. It is unexplainable to some people, the joy and sense of pride that you have when you can sit down to supper to everything that YOU made or grew. Homemade bread, rabbit meat, vegetables that you grew and canned and even fruit that you picked off your own property for dessert. Life doesn't get better than that.

So, what should I tell the people that ask that question "what do you do?" I guess I will just tell them "I am TRULY loving  and living life!"

Is Spring finally here?

Yesterday, I started cleaning the "compost lot" (picking up sticks, etc). We will be expanding the garden into the lot this year. We will also be adding more compost bins.

Today is laundry day. Hanging all of it outside today. It will be a beautiful day:)

We just found out today that our new grandbaby is a girl! Only 3 more months to hold her and see her sweet smiling face:) I know she will be spoiled rotten just like her big brother! Can't wait to get started on that.

Momma and baby are doing wonderful which is the best news, of course.

I have fore-warned my son to get ready for a pink explosion at his house. Yep, pink, lace and ruffles. I want to buy or make them all now while she has nothing she can do about it! When she's older, I bet she will be a little tomboy:) She has her big brother Camden that will make sure of that!

Dust bunnies are the only bunnies I don't like:)

Trying to get some dreaded house cleaning done today. I WANT TO BE OUTSIDE!!!!

This is the day after the storm. Most of the snow has settled already. I think it's going to be a little while before we can get in the garden!!

Well, the storm is finally over. We had about 10-12 inches of snow. Roads were terrible. Can't wait for the rest of the week that's supposed to be in the 50s!

We have a winter weather advisory for today with a possible 7 inches of snow. Hopefully, this is winters last assault. Temps are supposed to be in the 50s next weekend. Come on spring!

First Day of Spring?

Today is the first day of Spring? REALLY!?!? The wind about blows the hair off your head and it's freezing out! Don't know exactly where Spring is, but it ain't here!!

We are now an A.R.B.A. registered rabbitry:)
We are officially Changing Winds Rabbitry, #D2390.

Very impatiently waiting for spring......and waiting.......and waiting.........and waiting.......and waiting........

I am thinking about going to some local farmers markets this year. I have some extra grape jelly, soap and salves that I might try to sell. If I can't sell it, I'm not out anything, it's still items that we will use ourselves. Something to think about.

We are now members of A.R.B.A. (American Rabbit Breeders Association) again. We have applied to register our rabbitry name through them too.

I made some Monkey Butter today. It is absolutely amazing! SO GOOD!!  Will be making a LOT more very soon.
Monkey Butter is made of bananas, coconut and pineapple.

Currently, I am waiting for UPS to come with our latest order. We are getting two more cages and the Dutch nest boxes. It's like Christmas when we get the rabbitry orders:) To bad we had to buy the "presents" ourselves!

Today was a productive day in the rabbitry. Even though the temperature outside wasn't cooperating the way we were hoping, we still got some weighing, toe nail trimming and cage building done. Would have been more enjoyable if it was nice out. Can't wait for spring!!