We're prepping for spring around here with a garden clean up and lots of projects going on from pruning trees to finishing the chicken coop. There is a ton of work to be done out back...makes me tired just looking at it! I was out of town over the weekend and my urban homestead hubby was busy getting things prepped for spring. Things are looking messy around here, but messy is good and necessary for a time. Just look at these glorious jars! I can almost see the tomato sauce, jellies, jams and all kinds of goodness filling them...mmm I can hardly wait to learn all about canning!
We picked up these canning jars off of Craig's List for free! They had been sitting out in the elements and needed a good cleaning. We're inheriting some canning supplies from one of our grandmas and will be getting them right in time for canning. There is nothing like using items for food making that grandma used. It's both sentimental and wonderful at the same time.
Urban Homestead honey has been in bread making mode lately. He bought
Atrisan Bread In Five Minutes A Day and
Brother Juniper's Bread Book. The bread recipes in both of these books are so easy, quick and delicious!!
The coop is pretty close to completion, but still needs siding, flashing, a door on the nesting box area, the wire run and a good coat of paint. I've been browsing through local on line chicken catalogs to see which kinds we're going to get. These to the left are Barred Rocks. With the huge selection out there I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm asking friends who have chickens which types they prefer, which kinds are good around children, etc. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them! I will of course get some that lay those beautiful brown and blue eggs!
On a different front, the fb page I started
Take Back Urban Home-steading(s) was mentioned today in the
SF Gate!! This news made my day. Things are moving forward and I'm seeing more and more each day that urban homesteaders when united are a veritable force of nature! I have no doubt in my mind that we will indeed win our names back.
