hand-fasting to do list

actual h-f to do:
-finalize guest list
-finalize dress design
-sew dress
-sew girl's dresses
-design invites
-make invites
-create menu
-write vows
-find folk or bluegrass band or something...johnny fox? matt from bigelo's?
-design and make commitment necklace (more on this later)
-find photographer

house related:
-install dr chandelier
-install downstairs bath sconces
-finish kitchen (wainscot, ceiling, floor, trim)
-install ceiling fan in living room
-make and hang dr drapes
-make and hang new curtain for kitchen door

outside:
-plant lots of flowers
-shape up veggie garden
-expand herb garden
-install solar shower
-would like outdoor kitchen to be built
-water garden/herb spiral completed

3 months isn't a long time to do all this is it?!

spring is back on!

weather is warming up again. i took lots of notes about what survived...good lesson for winter gardening!

what adores a good hard freeze:
-radishes
-kale
-mustard greens
-carrots
-spinach

what doesn't:
-turnips
-beets

what will hang on:
-cilantro
-lettuce
-broccoli
-tyfon

that's a fair variety to grow in a winter garden.

i just received news that we are the proud owners of a nubian buckling. he is black & brown with spots and i believe white ears! born april 16 which means we'll be bringing him home mid-june. i can't wait!! now to find a doeling or two. i'll probably have to wait until next year for that.

i'd also like to acquire a navajo churro ewe and ram (sheep) and have recently gotten some ideas on how i could make an easy temp fence to move them around. now just to find the $500 to purchase them! that may need to wait a year as well.

i've been working like crazy outdoors, mulching paths, weeding, planting...so much to do! luckily, jaden loves the outdoors and sage is content to sit and watch me work so it's been easy to do. i'm trying to pretty up the place a bit by planting lots of flowers in hopes it will be colorful for our upcoming several-times-rescheduled hand-fasting/commitment ceremony we are planning this summer. after 7 years together, we'll finally be tying the knot. of course, that means i have a HUGE list of expectations for home renovations!

our chicks are growing like crazy! i'm trying to create a way to take them outside during the day for fresh air. right now, they are in the greenhouse.

keeping bees is a no-go this year unless we are treated to another swarm. we'll be getting all the equipment though so we'll be prepared, just in case. our local beekeeper lost 14 of 25 hives over the winter so he was unable to sell us one as he had originally planned.

good things

the weather is being cruel right now so i'm going to only focus on the positive...

...beautiful order from simmons berry farm: blueberries, cynthiana grapes (someday, our own norton wine!), raspberries and blackberries

...morels found 10 feet from my back door! seriously, in my yard!!

...a new greenhouse to start growing seedlings in

...lots of great plans for this year

...illinois cellars coming out with a wine that proves illinois can grow an excellent red wine grape (norton)

...did i mention the morels in our yard?!

monthly to do

march to do

-paint nina’s new room 3/4 done (need to paint new color, waiting on greg to finish moving his boxes out...still waiting)
-make bloomers for girls
-make 2 solstice gifts (came up with more ideas!)
-ostara gifts made for kids
-finish kitchen: wainscot, flooring, paint, strip wood trim (waiting for greg to cut the wainscot. put stripping on hold because sage is getting mobile and i don't want him to get into the mess)
-april cards, start may cards
-curtains for dining room (if i find fabric i like which didn't happen)
-sew apron for me (would like to have 2-3)
-write article #2 for herb magazine didn't happen but still meeting my expectations on this goal!
-start garden! (spring greens: radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, broccoli)
-purchase kerosene heater watching ebay auctions
-investigate water filters
-start replenishing herbal products for market

so-so on the goals this month. it was a long month.
april should be much better, right?!

april to-do:
-paint nina’s new room 3/4 done (need to paint new color, waiting on greg to finish moving his boxes out)
-make 2 solstice gifts
-make mom's b-day gift
-finish kitchen: wainscot, flooring, strip wood trim (as time/weather permits)
-may cards
-curtains for dining room (if i find fabric i like)
-sew 2-3 more dresses for jaden
-sew 2 outfits (shorts) for sage
-write article #2 for herb magazine
-continue defining 3 new raised beds
-continue creating herb bed
-rough out new herb spiral/water garden
-start summer garden
-mulch, mulch, mulch
-continue trying to purchase kerosene heater and 2nd chamber pot (for wipes) watching ebay auctions
-start watching ebay auctions for water filters
-finish replenishing herbal products for market
-bees!
-find housesitter for annual trek to colorado