Killdeers are a very unique bird! First of all, they like to build their nests on ground (specifically gravel). Since we have a gravel driveway it was particularly desirable. So, every time we drove up and down our driveway we were harassed by a special Killdeer.
First, she would spread out her feathers and rush the vehicle. Wisely, she discovered the van would win and run away from her nest pretending her wing was broken.
I’ll admit- it was a little more intimidating while walking by the nest. The Killdeer would immediately try to draw you away from the nest by acting wounded. Once you got close she would fly away. It was a little sad when they hatched and I no longer see my little buddies.
Aren’t the details amazing? How can that be an accident?
Ever been to Tennessee in the spring? If not, it is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!
That is, as long as you miss the flooding.
We missed a 20 year high flood while out of town. Our garden was pounded, but our house is far enough from the creek and larger rivers to be safe (oh, and that photo is NOT our house). Horses were floating down the creeks and everyone said it was an exciting time (nobody was hurt though and all the cows & horses lived!).
Speaking of our garden……. I still have four things to plant: Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelons, & Beets. Even though it is high time to plant, we are late because of the enormous amounts of rain (and we should have planted before the rains started).
Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Pole Beans, & Marigolds made it in on time.
Here is our lettuce & spinach patch. This has been my absolute FAVORITE!
What about Kristen’s Chickens?
You’ve probably been wondering if they are out of the house. Well the answer is YES…. They ARE…. and we never even had to chase loose chickens in our living room.
Last but not least: the fruit trees. We will have a lovely year of blueberry picking and peach pies. Look at the start of these yummy fruits!
Next few days I’ll be writing about “Killdeers Harassing Me In My Driveway”. Weird huh?
A nasty cough has made its way around the community- all the way into our family. With the traveling and other hoopla we’ve been up to I ignored it for a couple days and hoped it would go away. Good plan right?
When it started to sound worse instead of better I decided I’d better get going with some treatment.
Better late than never…. this is what I used in strong teas (mixed with honey for taste):
-Red Clover, which is known for it’s anti-coughing agents (was the choice herb for Pertussis), and because my kind neighbor brought it over for me.
- Double E Immune Booster Tea
- Extra Elderberry
- Extra Echinacea
Non-Herbal Tea Actions:
The BEST cough syrup
Vitamin C (pill form)
No sugar/ Corn Syrup (it decreases your body’s capability to fight disease)
No processed foods
Lots of fluids (water & tea)
The cough didn’t go away immediately (I should have started treatment at first sign), but it did decrease and in a few days was gone!
Others, who had the same virus, eventually developed Bronchitis or had a cough that lasted 3-4 weeks-Terrible!
You really can avoid many illnesses through the use of high quality foods (including herbs)….. and I am thankful that we have access to the knowledge and the herbs all around us available for use – Red Clover, Elderberry & Echinacea all grow within walking distance to my front door.
ABC Herbal is one of my favorite books to get you started in taking care of your family- naturally.
This post is linked over at HeavenlyHomemakers (a blog I enjoy) for Gratituesday!
My little girl is starting to grow up. She’s got chores and responsibilites that she does all by herself now. So, when I tell her “You’re growing up Emma!” she says things like “Does that mean I can get married now?” or “That means I don’t need to take naps like babies, right?” She may be big and an important member of the family now, but she has yet to outgrow her need for a nap- or find the need for a husband…. even though she is SURE she has found the one.
This winter we began to have nap problems. Her mind just would not slow down. I would put her down for a nap. Up and down Up and down she would go. Bathroom trips, banging on the wall, singing songs. I started to get frustrated! Read the rest of this entry »
My husband and I watched this movie recently, and both thought it was excellent! The Beautiful Truth follows one 15-year-old on a far reaching homeschool project.
These topics are thoroughly covered:
Fluoride
MSG/ Food Additives
Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs)
Organic Foods
Large Chemical Companies
FDA
Conventional Cancer Treatments
Gershon Therapy Read the rest of this entry »
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If you want to have a garden, no matter how big, this show is for you!!
Emily, an experienced Gardener from Mississippi, gives a fabulous lesson on starting, maintaining, and harvesting from your garden.
I have very little experience with all of this, but after doing this interview with her I feel SO confident that I can do it. Well, atleast try….who knows how much will grow?
Below are some of Emily and Mark’s notes for you to review when the time comes to plant your own garden: Basic Tools Needed, Tilling, Making Rows, Planting, Harvesting, Weed Control, and Bugs!
Basic Tools Needed: For a teeny little garden, a hoe will go a long way, but if you’re going that route, don’t forget a sunhat & gloves, b/c you’ll be spending LOTS of time out in the garden! Read the rest of this entry »
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Nettles are more than an herb (or weed) that grow in wastelands, gardens, and hillsides….. they are rich source of nutrients and healing capabilities. Whenever I see myself retaining water (especially while pregnant) I drink some tea with Nettle in it and I notice how my swelling decreases! Pregnant or not though, I drink it mixed with Red Raspberry and a few other herbs most everyday. It is such a versatile herb, there is even a recipe for Nettle Soup!
Stinging Nettle Facts:
Grow 1-2 meters tall.
Stalks are fully of hairy stingers. Ouch!
Cooking, crushing, or drying disables the stingers.
It is a diuretic. So, don’t drink right before bed!
Historically, has been used for inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis.
A little less than four years ago I was home from a sadly typical hospital birth experience, tired, sore and having a *lot* of trouble nursing my precious newborn girl. After a few helpful phone calls with a lactation consultant, she recommended the herbs Blessed Thistle, Fennel, and Alfalfa to increase my milk supply. I thought to myself “What!? She is not recommending an FDA approved drug to help me? This probably won’t work…..”
But, I decided to try it and the herbs DID help! I was able feed my baby without both of us ending up in tears at the end of the nursing session. At that moment I became a true believer in herbs! it’s amazing how one comment can turn your life upside down, for after that experience my husband and I began to see all the resources God gave us through His wonderful creation! Read the rest of this entry »
Simply Kristen is our journey to living natural, healthy, rural, and happy. I'm interested in learning the art of whole foods, animal husbandry, farming, making your own cheese, bread, yogurt and MUCH more.
