Putting the Garden to Rest for the Winter

Well, I do believe we are all set.  A few days ago, my daughter and I went out and planted the garlic.  I was aiming for 100, then went out to the garden with just 80 cloves, but then could only fit 70 in my garlic patch.  But that's fine...last year I planted 40, and this year I'm up to 70!

We then grabbed a bale of straw, and covered the garlic and all of the strawberry plants well.  So I think we are all set until for the winter!  I'm always a bit sad to put the garden to rest, but at the same time the winter break is nice.  Now is time to focus on my fudge, and the upcoming holiday season--yay!!

We (well, hubby and son) are also getting ready to butcher our pigs.  We are looking forward to a freezer full of pork!

I mentioned in a recent post that we finally got our woodstove installed.  This has been such a blessing!  Not only do we actually have a warm house in the winter (a first for us), we also have been cooking on top of it, and I am really, really loving that!

All these things have been wonderful, but really, honestly...life has been super stressful.  I am constantly looking to the Lord for strength.  Life is good....but hard.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28

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My Fudge

I just had to post about my fudge, since I'm now spending a bit of time making it, to help bring in a little money!  Here are some pictures of what I've been making and selling:

Double-Decker Peanut Butter Fudge

Creamy Chocolate Fudge

Creamy Chocolate Fudge w/walnuts



White Chocolate Fudge
 

Peanut Butter Fudge

Rocky Road Fudge (this one is with almonds--it is amazing--I've also made with walnuts and no nuts.)

Chocolate Coconut Fudge

White Chocolate Coconut Fudge

 

I also make peppermint chocolate fudge, but didn't take a picture of it.  Coming up, I'll be making Maple Walnut, Salted Caramel, S'mores, Dark Chocolate Cherry, Almond Joy,  and White Chocolate Peppermint.

Delicious!

On a slightly related side note, my husband is still totally out of work.  I am doing what I can to bring in money--not a lot but it's something--and selling fudge is one way that I'm doing it.  Please keep praying for us.  Thank you!

Reviewing my Goals for this Year

 Back in July I posted some goals for the rest of this year.  I thought I would list them again and let you all know how I am doing so far!  Here we go:

• pick berries; make raspberry jam, blueberry jam, and freeze some blueberries--made raspberry jam and froze blueberries; didn't make blueberry jam
• can peaches and pears--didn't do this--darn!
• can green beans--did this!
• freeze peas--did this
• make and can applesauce--didn't do this
• acquire items for milking goats, including a cream seperator--working on this
• worm goats and chickens; figure out ingredients of herbal wormer and make plan to grow ingredients myself--they've been wormed...haven't figured out the 2nd part yet
• plan medicinal herb garden--not yet
• find good area for compost pile--working on it
• harvest and dry garlic; use larger cloves to replant in October--did this...planting again soon! 
• sell unneeded items; use money to stock pantry with 200 lbs gluten free flour--100 lbs so far 
• add diatomaceous earth to chicken house--did this 
• breed goats in the fall--did this...hopefully they are pregnant!
• install wood stove (hubby)--finally done TODAY  
• almost forgot...order homeschool curriculum and plan out 2012-2013 school year--way done

I'm going to continue with the items that haven't been done.  In what ways are YOU working on becoming more self-sufficient?

Busyness on the Homestead

I know I've been missing in action lately, but the truth is that I just don't have a lot of time to blog.  Life is busy, and that is good, as the busy things are good things.  Children, husband, house, homeschooling, and I've started a seasonal "business" selling fudge!  It's really taken off quickly and I'm happy to be able to bring in a bit of income from home.  I'm known for my delicious fudge around here, and I've been told often that I should sell it, soooo....I am!  If you are at all interested, I do ship; you can visit my facebook page here.

Take care, my dear sisters, and I will try to blog more soon!