Monday, April 30, 2012

It's not all work!


Last weekend we stopped and enjoyed a nice dinner over our new and improved fire pit.  Jamey set it up 3 weeks ago and we have already christened it in style.  We had a whole meal prepared over the open fire.  Steaks, sweet potatoes and cherry cobbler.  The steaks were perfect but, everything else has room to approve upon.  Especially the dutch oven cooking.  I think that will take time to master. 

April 2012

We started the month in Pawley's Island, SC on spring break.  This was our 3rd trip there in 6 years.  It is starting to become an enjoyable Spring tradition for our family.  This year was much needed since the kids and Jamey spent most of the winter cooped up at home.

Emma's very pink room
After our vacation we returned home had started on the long list of spring projects around the house and yard.  The rooms in the garage are coming around.  Emma's is 95% completed, just waiting for a few last furnishings and decorations.  Hannah is a few weeks behind her.  She finally picked out her paint and began painting this past week. 

Caleb heads out to collect some firewood.

We also had to buy another garden tractor.  The kids, especially the non-drivers, are really getting a kick out of it.  It has taken a lot to let them know it is not a toy.   We will see how long the excitement lasts once cutting the grass becomes a chore for them. 

Grace watches as mom rakes the soil.

This past weekend we tilled two small gardens.  Jamey started some seedlings a few weeks ago and we can't wait to get them in the ground.  Caleb and I also worked on the base for our new water collection system.  We will be feeding a 275 Gallon tote from the one side of our garage.  The goal is to collect enough rain water for the garden and perhaps some of the animals. 

Setting the frame for our water collection system.

UPDATE 5/7/12
We finished hooking up the rain water collection tote this week.  Today had our first good rain of the year(0.64") and we collected about 230 gallons.  Not bad for one day.  We just need to finish getting the seeds in the ground to take advantage of it.