Pinch to Grow an Inch!

After a minor setback...our plants are taking off!! 

With high hopes we planted our seeds in late February.  Within days they surprised us by sprouting with energy and drive!  Just as quickly as they sprouted, they wilted.  "What went wrong?" we wondered.  The only thing we could come up with was that these fragile plants, residing in our kitchen, were somehow exposed to heat or fumes from our cooking.  No, I don't burn everything...but perhaps in the formative days these poor dears needed to send us a message:  we can't handle the heat...get us out of the kitchen.  After a reprieve to another room they bounced right back!  No harm done.  However, I can't say I'll be surprised if our herbs/veggies have a slight bacon flavor.

Worried we'd lose them completely we quickly planted another set, identical to the first.  Now we have double the produce!  Double the fun!

In the recent days they've grown hardy and strong enough to transplant!  The process is to transplant to bigger containers until they're strong enough for the ground - and until there is no more threat of a frost!  We plan on utilizing this process year round!  Fresh, home grown tomatoes in December anyone?

We have tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cabbage, herbs such as mustard, thyme, and lavendar, eggplant (yay!) and onions transplanted.  I'm hungry just thinking about them!

Spring has Sprung!

When you see upon the walk,
Circles newly made of chalk,
And around them all the day,
Little boys in eager play.   
                           --Evaleen Stein



What we've been up to...

It's been awhile since my last post but we've been busy!  We received a wonderful gift from Farmers Jerry and Pat, a greenhouse!  It's perfect for our small home.  We planted peppers, herbs and eggplant (my personal favorite) amongst others in a styrofoam tray.  Each tray holds over 600 plants!  When the tiny plants sprout we'll start transferring them to larger containers until they're ready for the ground!  Can't wait!!  The top picture is our "garden,"  currently germinating in our kitchen.  The bottom two are the rapidly progressing plants of our personal fountain of knowledge, Farmer Jerry.

GM-Oh?

Maybe you've heard the term.  Maybe it's filed in the "read it later" section of the brain.  Well, I'm hear to tell you it's time to pay attention!  GMO has got to go!

Genetically Modified Organism, GMO (or GEO, genetically engineered organism), can sound like a frightning term.  You should be frightened.  In brief terms an organism (any living thing) becomes genetically modified when DNA from another organism is spliced into it.  For example: the DNA from an Artic Flounder, a fish with "antifreeze" properties can be spliced into a tomato to prevent frost damage.

So what's the big deal?  Sounds like science at work?  No, my friend.  Too little is known about DNA and it's complicated relationships to be considered safe.  "It is impossible to guide the insertion of the new gene. This can lead to unpredictable effects."  http://rareseeds.com/non-hybrid/

There have been no instances of a GM food harming a human.  In fact, procedures such as gene therapy have been shown to help people with certain diseases.  But really, with such a new science how do you really know the long-term effects?  The fact is you don't.  And that's just with the human body.  What about our natural eco-systems?  Haven't we abused this earth enough; do we have to start playing cut/paste with our genetically perfect produce?

I could go on and on regarding the unknown dangers of this game, but frankly it comes to this: it was created perfectly and if it ain't broke...don't fix it!

So, Farmer Bo, what do we do?  Buy heirloom seeds!  We have found a GREAT company in MO that sells heirloom seeds.  Baker Seed Company in Mansfield, MO has made it their mission to sell only "Open-Pollinated, Pure, Natural, and Non- GMO seeds."  Check them out!  www.rareseeds.com

Heirloom basically means the plant's ancestry can be directly traced to a time when pesticides or herbicides were used.  Contrary wise, hybrid seeds are difficult to reproduce due to the GM of the DNA.

They taste better, they're safer.

"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:12

Still Winter...

It may still be winter but our thoughts are surging ahead. We're planning our garden! It's our first year for a large garden and it will be just as large a learning experience for all of us. I know Gman is excited to help. Key-B, at 15 months, will probably really enjoy digging in the dirt! Maybe Gman will actually eat the veggies since he'll be instrumental in growing them!

We have multiple varieties of peppers, squash and even lettuce!  We can't wait to get started!

"No seed is so small, or hidden so well,
That God cannot find it; and soon he will tell
His sun where to shine, and His rain where to go,
Making it grow!"
    -Waiting to Grow, by Frank French

Which Came First?

Well, for us, the chicken is coming first!  Slated to arrive next Tuesday or Wednesday is our first flock!  We are being gifted 20 Cherry Egger chicks!  We are so excited to learn about this breed.  I can't wait to taste our first eggs!  I'm sure we'll have pictures and stories galore.  Stay tuned for the antics!

My First Post!

Welcome! After kicking the idea around for awhile I'm officially a blogger!  This is intended to be a chronicle of our journey.  The destination?  The land of milk and honey.  No seriously, our own piece of earth in which to labor and reap.  We have humble aspirations; we wish to live simply, self-sufficiently and always serving and praising the One that put us there.

We currently live in a small house in a small town.  Our family consists of myself, my wonderful husband and two strapping young boys.  We are all excited to embark on this journey.  Join us!