Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin..Zechariah 4:10
The "work" of simplifying our home and lifestyle :-)
I thought I'd post a little bit about some of our latest family projects today...
This past week the Woodman and I started working on a neglected corner of our backyard.
It's a rather ram-shackle area that we once had plans to build a raised deck in, so we could sit there and leisurely view our mountain throughout the day.
Sadly, our neighbours had their own plans too, and built a high extension onto their house which means we no longer see our beloved mountain from our backyard - except for when we climb onto our carport roof!
Don't laugh now.. we actually do! It's the best way to take some amazing sunset photos :-pSo now that we aren't going to be sitting in this spot, we've decided to remove the grass and weeds so we can set out beds for a vegie patch to keep the Lisbon lemon tree company.
There is already a stray pumpkin growing close to the fence here as well, but it seems a wee bit too shady for it to grow very successfully to me. But I guess we shall soon see..
A passionfruit vine is scrambling along the wire frame and flowering at the moment.
I love the dramatic blooms and we are really looking forward to the delicious fruit to enjoy later on!
This area is where the Woodman (hubby) has chopped our wood for the past 7 years, but today he moved the block and tools to another unused spot so we can put in a 2nd vegie patch here. I'm glad, because this gets a good amount of sun throughout the day and hopefully will be a great place for some more herbs and vegetables.
These beginnings are somewhat small and humble..but it's still a joy to be putting our little bit of earth to better use at last. We have the odd herb and vegetable here and there and we do have fruit trees, but we've never had a really serious vegetable garden. It feels so good to be planning for a more efficient and of course healthier way of using our yard.
And as time and money permits, we will be building a chicken coop for the chooks and installing a water tank and solar roof panels on the house as well. *happy sigh..*
I've always dreamed of being self-sufficient and living a more old-fashioned way, but the Woodman has taken a bit longer to get as enthused about making the changes.
Suddenly, it's as if he's "seen the light" and we are now off and running!
No more living (more or less) as we did in the city 30 years ago, we are actually going to do what we've talked about for so long!
It's all quite exciting really :-)
blessings.. Trish
I am excited for you Trish, happy gardening! There is something so great about growing, harvesting and preserving your own produce. Please keep us posted on your progress.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue
Wow ... I'm so uplifted by your attitudes!
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm smiling at the visual of you two atop the carport rooftop! Now that's LOVE!
I loved reading this, Trish! I have always dreamed of having hundreds of acres of our own, but here we have just one. But then I began to realize that one acre has so much potential! I read about the Urban Homestead people who have a much smaller plot of land in the city than what we have, and they have done so much with it. They really inspired me to think creatively about what I could do with the space we have. And, I realized how grateful I should be to the Lord, that I have a cozy home to live in with my sweet family. He has given so much!
ReplyDeleteI felt sad for you, as I read how you had plans for your back yard area, but your neighbors kind of had other ideas...but it is so encouraging that you just thought creatively and climb onto the carport roof instead! :)
I pray your weekend is blessed!
Hi Trish, The garden plans sound like they should work well. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Barb from Australia
Dear Trish,
ReplyDeleteOh I wish I could do that too. I have always been keen to be self sufficient and bought our first book about 24 years ago. But sadly I have not been able to do this, and untill we sell this house just don't seem to have the resources or the inclination.
I am so happy for you to finally achieve your dream, you must be so excited.
Wishing all goes well
Blessings
Gae
Love the blue lace too
Trish,
ReplyDeleteThat IS exciting! Gardening is a joyful experience.
Glad you can still see your mountain...even if from your carport roof...
It takes time dear friend to bring others around to our way of thinking ;)
ReplyDeleteMy New Yorker is the same way as your Woodman...slow into getting into the swing of things, but now, slowly mind you, he is seeing the light.
I pray that you will enjoy the process dear one. Have a blessed weekend!
Mrs. M.
Hope your garden does great !!!! climb and look at those sunsets as they are beautiful and each one different !!! lovely post
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new gardening areas! Great post and the pictures are nice too. :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Looks like you are off to a great start. I have been planting my garden and planning on adding more raised beds scattered throughout the yard to add more food to our table! ;o)
ReplyDelete