Got Stuff?

Anyone who's read this blog for a while knows
that organization is one of my obsessions passions.
Maybe someday I'll get back to organizing for a living,
but for now it satisfies me to work on our home
and help friends with clutter issues.
A new resource has been discovered 
and it's too good not to share.


 

Do you have too much stuff?
Are you getting ready to relocate 
or put seasonal items away?
Are you partaking in a general spring cleaning
or just feel the need to clear the clutter?
Have I got the place for you!



The Stuff Stop is a FREE 
nationwide community resource website 
that provides information 
to match up your unwanted stuff 
with local charities, ministries and companies 
that connect it with people in need.
It was started by a professional organizer
who was once in a very difficult place in her life.

http://thestuffstop.com/

One of the things I really like about this place
is that they are concerned with matching things 
with folks who are in need.
They also focus on keeping stuff out of the landfill.
Just reading Sue's story is motivational.





You can search by item or location using your mouse.
The next time you decide to get organized,
consider exploring this sight.
You may find just the right home
where your things will continue being useful.

So, clear the clutter and start giving!  

I first read about this organization here.

How We Homestead Series Week Two

The second week in our series on "How We Homestead" ponders

Living Simply

Hop over to these blogs to enjoy their take on it:
Amber@Making a Home
Meg@BitofLife 
Staci@LifeatCobbleHillFarm 
Tammy@Our Neck of the Woods 

  

"Simplicity is freedom from extravagance, luxury and complexity."

To my way of thinking, 

people need to follow what matters to them, 

and the rest will fall into place.

We're all on our own journeys,

so we have to find our way with the sense that the God gave us.

That doesn't mean that we have to go it alone.

 

Since embarking on this homesteading trek,

so many folks who are on a similar trail,

have aided me in learning simple, but valuable skills.

 These ideas aren't new, but innately feel right.

Breadbaking, learning to knit, 

or finding a new use for everyday items can be their own reward.

It can be something as simple as hanging clothes on a line,

instead of relying on electricity to do the drying,

and then paying attention to the way it makes you feel.

Part of embracing the homesteading lifestyle

is making do with what you have.

This is far from a sacrifice.

It's more of a challenge to our creativity.

We find ways to use things that others might find useless.

Learning to be more self-reliant

is one of the foundations of homesteading.

By simplifying our needs, we set ourselves up for success.

Instead of chasing a monetary goal or career position,

we have decided for ourselves that we would rather spend our time together experiencing a spectacular quality of life, 

doing things that matter to us.

We don't need to keep making more money,

we choose to enjoy doing things that don't require it.

But it's not just about saving money,

it's shifting the focus of your life.

Luxury is a state of mind.

A warm bath with essential oils and a favorite read

provides comfort and relaxation like nothing else.

Enjoying a homemade meal while listening to 

"A Prairie Home Companion" each Saturday night 

is a family ritual that nestles us in for the evening.

Being able to repair our own vehicles,

allows us to save money for splurges like vacations,

while fostering a self-sufficient mindset.

It all adds up.

It's just a matter of where you want to spend

your time, energy and resources.

By simplifying your life,

you learn to focus on what is meaningful.

Only you can determine where the priorities lie.

"Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple."
-C. W. Ceran

How We Homestead Week One

Bloomin' Tuesday

Cootie time has gone away,
and gardening catch-up time has arrived.
Nothing like being laid out for a week
to put you out of touch with the outside world.
Here are a few tidbits from this past weekend:

The Blue Lake green beans that have been sprouting,

were ready for transplanting.

Out to the square-foot bed they went.

One previously transplanted seedling was eaten by something,

the other is still hanging in there.

Hoping these two make it okay.

The San Marzano roma was doing fairly well in the small pot,

so I placed it in this container with a few eggshells.

This spot receives some shade, 
but we'll see if it's enough to keep it going.

The last of a few bulbs of home-grown garlic.

This will be planted in earnest next growing season.

For the most part, our vegetable gardening season is over.
It must seem strange to those of you in places 
where spring has just made her entrance.
It's just too blazin' hot here to grow much in the heat.
We will harvest what we can,
maybe start some sweet potatoes,
but that's about it for "summer".
I'll be planning my fall crops as I sip my lemonade.

All the flower seedlings that were started over the past few weeks,

were transplanted to containers or into the back garden.

These are the Titan sunflowers started in eggshells.

The leaves remind me of a dinosaur.

They got put out into the back bed.

Can't wait to see if they grow to the 20 feet, as claimed.

This season, fish emulsion is being used for fertilizing.

Every 4 weeks a good dose is distributed to food crops,

as well as being used on ornamentals and trees as needed.

Most of our plants are natives,
so fertilizing is not necessary.

Love how they flourish without much fuss.

One of my summer favorites, zinnias,

are starting to make their comeback.

Unlike yours truly, they don't mind the 

Central Florida heat and humidity.

Seein' lots of these cute lil' buggers around.

Nature's wonders all bundled up...

Cosmos prior to awakening.

Jasmine's snowy-white stars are refreshing.

Society garlic unfurling in its own time.

Native petunia has a soft, cooling influence.

 These are not native,
but come back year after year without fail.

 The African Iris, lantana and cosmos 
happily share the same sunny spot.

Butterflies especially enjoy these easy-care plants.

Beat the heat any way you can, buddy.

 

backyard farming connection

I Can Dig It!-NOT

 

 The folks over at Old World Gardens Farm have so many great ideas.

One of the reasons I follow their blog is 

the sheer amazement I feel 

in reading about all of their creative concepts.

Aside from the many spectacular projects they produce,

their garden is mighty impressive.

They promote a no-till method with raised rows.

Stop by there when you get a chance

and enjoy browsing the treasure trove of information.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's more on the no-till or no-dig method:

http://www.no-dig-gardening.org/

Some of the most helpful materials include:

leaves

 grass clippings

cardboard

worms

 soil and compost mix

 used timber for building raised beds or cold frames

garden tools

 plants

Benefits of a No-Till Garden

*Easy to learn and do- you can set up a small garden 

in an afternoon yourself. 

*Low cost- most materials are free and readily available.

*Minimum of effort with no digging involved unless present soil 

is heavily compacted.

 *Doesn't disturb worms, micro- organisms or fungi 

in the underlying soil:

  *Doesn't bring up buried weed seeds to the surface 

where they can germinate

  *Remains low maintenance because it smothers most weeds 

  *Retains moisture and shades the soil therefore saving water 

  *Provides food and protection for worms and micro- organisms            which help develop soil 

Another site that discusses the advantages of growing vegetables

without digging is here.

You'll find a great explanation with visuals on the lasagna method.

They also include information on pests, watering needs, mulching, fertilizing, weeding and crop rotation.

Hope you'll research and see if this method might work for you!

Happy gardening, y'all!

Taking a few days off...

Still not feeling well,

 so we are headed to the doctor today...

Be back on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend.

Be well!