First snow 2020

 

Our Mississippi Southern boy is getting used to snow!

Fabric scrap banner

 

Kids enjoyed making the scrap fabric Christmas banner. Just so happens that I also spy four items I stitched for them that they just happen to be wearing.  We're starting to get decked for Christmas! 

Thanksgiving 2020

 A bit behind...but a pandemic Thanksgiving with just us was different, but I can promise you no one went hungry. Much of it was grown by me this summer and 2/3 kids were wearing mama mades. Thankful for our health and the chance to be together. Below is my checklist to get ahead of the "How can I help" every 20 seconds. Also, I'm so fortunate to have three ovens-woodstove and double gas range. There was a time when all three were in use.

Mama Made: Christmas Pajamas 2020

Christmas pajamas are done for 2020!  (Only I did Adrian's shirt before we got the puppy, oh well!).  Now I'm trying to work on a surprise present for each for Christmas.  Stitching is my therapy. Clearly I have needed a lot of it this last month! I did buy the blue fabric, the other fabrics were thrifted.  So this whole set cost $10 total!

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Stitching

Between his pillow case making and Audra's decorative pillow making, we are swimming in and around pillows and pillowcases. Yet they ask me if they can make another and I reply " Yes".  The answer is always yes when it comes to stitching. They are becoming quite independent!  

Stitched: Bag holder

This is the solution.

To this problem:

 

Stemming from the ridiculous amount of bags from our monthly shopping trip. I've never had so many bags in my life, I've been doing reusable since before it was cool!  Cannot wait for covid to be over so I can not have this influx of plastic.

She filled it in no time. It stored all these bags.   I think we need a few more, however. On a separate note, as a bonus, she's wearing a mama made outfit. 

Garden Update 2020

Year in Review: 

Update 1
Update 2
Garden update #3
Update 4

 Update 5

Update 6

And what it looks like now all tucked in for winter.  I spread almost completely by myself another 14 yards of wood chips, fully embracing a Back to Eden permaculture garden next year again.  I had five years of tilling here, and no longer do I till. This coming year will be the 4th year of a no till permaculture. It's become my favorite way of gardening. Most of the work is not in the heat of summer.  The cooler months are the months that require the attention. I much prefer it that way! 

 

We got our garlic in. This is the first year we have grown enough garlic for a full year of use, as well as enough to plant for next year.  Self sufficient with garlic now. One step at a time.

I also transplanted two nanking cherry bushes and transplanted a large elderberry bush to see how it does.  I am trying a row of grapes in a new location, transplanted those too.I planted 100 spring bulbs and some parsnips. I also added a brand new garden space for pumpkins for next year.  I mulched everything and moved the compost/used what was there.  I still am getting a few hardy greens out there. Everything is set and tucked in for winter now.  If you need me, I'll be looking at my seed catalog fireside. That is until February hits and I will be pruning those fruit trees and getting my grow lights set for starting seedlings.  Thankful to be able to provide food year round for my family from this space.