New Babies!

Whew! What a day. I would like to announce that today two new baby goats entered this world. Both girls born by Tippy. You go girl! Both of your kids are the cutesiest things ever. One black all over with 2 brown stripes on the check bones and a white star on the forehead while the other and oh so sweet one is white with brown splotches. Both probably poled without knobs even it seems. How great is that? Thank the Lord for today is a wonderful day even with its lack of sleep and things undone. Now if only i can remember this feeling all year long with my family.... I take this opportunity to once again thank the Lord for my servants the stove, dishwasher and last but not least washer and dryer. In these times of tending new life and freezing cold it is so nice to have the helping hand and less wet laundry hanging up in my house,lol. Oh and also thank you Lord for the central heat we have been enjoying as of last night. WOW what a treat. Ty Honey for all you do around here to make things easier on me/us.

Appliences, Colds and Peace

 Ok, so we've all been down with colds. 3 extra people staying here two left yesterday third is still helping us install a 2nd bathroom and real laundry room LOL, ! Anyway all of our appliances we had left broke down. So we were down a stove, oven, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer. That's 9 people we were washing dishes for and hand washing clothes for, while it rained for a week. Nothing was dry. Then everyone caught colds. I broke down grabbed the credit cards and some cash. We bought an inexpensive but good stove, dishwasher, front loading clothes washer and dryer. Both are more efficient so i needn't feel so guilty for using them during the rainy and busy season like now.
  We have a medium sized dairy goat named Tippy that is about to have babies and a large dairy goat named Marshmallow that will have babies right after her. Roo our black atrolope rooster is back outside and diaper free once again. His leg has healed well and he  is happy to be back with the flock.
  Through all this home school is in full swing. Our year runs a bit odd since we need to take time off for gardening and preserving as well as a vacation around September. Kids are doing ok but not totally happy with the changes we've made.
 Electric in the laundry room in as well as almost all the plumbing for the bathroom! WAHOO! Hubby and friend have really done a lot. They  plan on tilling the garden this week so i can get started on the food stuffs. Go guys your doing a great job. I'm hoping to put up some pics of the room later if i can.
  This weeks moments though not always pleasant are teaching me to have moments of peace even when it seems there is none. When the toddler is sick and crying. When the older ones don't want to do chores or school, when you daughter feels she needs you all the time all while you hubby remodels the house and works a ton of hours, there is peace and positive things to be found.Well off to check the bread and refried beans I'm making. God bless.

Washing clothes on the homestead- hand washing how tos

  Hand washing your laundry?! You ask with an incredulous look on your face. Yep hand washing my laundry, lol. Our washer and dryer recently broke so we decided to just go back to the basics since we couldn't afford a new washer anyway. Its really not as bad as people make it out to be. We have ours set up in the kitchen right now since its cold out. Tools needed? A washtub, washboard, plunger, double sink or two buckets and of course, soap, water and clothes. Here is a four part series on youtube that can show you better and I could explain it. The videos are courtesy of the pockets of the future homestead. The last link is a video showing you how to make your own laundry soap that will cost you only a couple of pennies a load and is the best stuff ever. That video is courtesy of Homestead Acres.
  Just a note to those who really wonder if its worth it, yes it is. Your clothes will be cleaner than they have ever been. Guess what? Your bottom will thank you too, lol. In two weeks of hand washing our clothes in this fashion has toned and firmed my rear better than 6 months of squats, lunges, and yoga. Who knew I could actually like how I look in my shaving shorts! Goodbye lunges, lol.
  Good luck and have fun. This is also a great time to have the kids take turns reading some wonderful books allowing you to knock out history class while y'all take turns washing.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=pocketsofthefuture#p/u/147/IT_UrFxkaO0


http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=pocketsofthefuture#p/u/146/7ga-Gse9FiE  

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