Welcome to our Homestead! Photo snippets of life around us.

Thank you for stopping by, we appreciate it! There is much more to see and enjoy. We invite you to take a tour of the blog....and for any questions, simply drop us a line. While there is always something to share each day, possibly, not the time in which to do so. 

OMG, it has been hot hot hot! Thunder each night to break the heat, but only with rain once this week. The garden is either bolting or drying out, but again it is mostly our own lack of knowing when to plant what, in this growing region. Here are a couple of sights from the last couple of days, a small bull frog taking cool shelter in the folds of a deflated bounce house that had been up for the grandson to play in, and a large Walking Stick catching a ride on the back of an even larger bug! 06.25.2025

It has been nothing but weeding and watering this past week, but we do have watermelons growing! 06.23.2025

I think next year, we won't over plant the tomatoes! 06.17.2025

It was time to mow down the center of the chicken run area. I love having the perimeter of the run with wild growth of native plants but this center section I walk through each day, clean and mowed. With no vines trying to trip me up! 06.16.2025

The Acorn Squash really spread it's wings! Growing through the fence wire into the walkway between the garden and the chicken run. I redirected the vine back though the fence, but a couple of squash are on the outside of the fence! 06.15.2025

I will no doubt regret letting this passionfruit vine take over the gate to the chicken yard, but for now, I quite like it! 06.14.2025

We had planted several pineapple tops directly into garden beds last year, we lost them all to growing conditions we did not take control of. This time we are using pots, and hopefully have a greenhouse for the cold months. 06.13.2025

First time planting Loofahs! They have  slow start, but one they get going, they grow pretty fast! 06.12.2025

The blueberries are almost done for the year, and the tomatoes are beginning to ripen. Our modest but honest harvest for today. 06.11.2025

It has been too hot for multiple blooms on each plant. But otherwise they seem to be handling the heat pretty well. While orange is not my favorite color, I love this orange and pink rose. The Floribunda has done very well since being transplanted, and of course my yellow rose, in memory of my Grandmother.  06.07.2025

This patch of bush beans were done, time to offer them to the hens! 06.05.2025

We have a broody hen, she won't leave the coop. To keep her busy, I marked 2 of the eggs with a sharpie. She can have these two for "sitting", and it makes it easy to gather the rest! 06.03.2025

Time to trellis the Loofahs! 06.01.2025

Our tomato forest! 05.30.2025

Putting down a new layer of wood chip mulch, because the weeds were winning! 05.29.2025

Small but mighty! Our first garlic harvest! Processed for freezer storage. 05.28.2025

Since we put up the bird netting frame around the blueberries, we actually get to harvest! 05.25.2025

My dad made fermented pickles in a crock when I was a kid. Last year was my first time making them. They turned out great, so I couldn't wait to make them again this year! 05.24.2025

The first picking of green beans from the garden yielded 12 pints. 05.23.2025

Time to weed and spruce up the front yard! 05.20.2025

We have spent the last few days getting caught back up after the community water system was restored. Fortunately no real harm to the garden, and it is so nice to be able to shower again! 05.17.2025

We are on day 5 of no community water, and for the last 2 days, no rain as well. Things are beginning to show signs of drying out and damage in the garden...05.13.2025

We are running a week behind, but we finally got trellis supports put up for the cucumbers. 05.09.2025

We harvested the small garlic crop early. A couple of the plants were beginning to grow scapes, but mostly each was dying in our spring heat. 05.08.2025

This was growing in the pepper starts bin, but those papery covered fruits are a clean indicator that this is NOT a bell pepper. 05.07.2025

We are due for more rain/wind/thunder tonight, but today the tomatoes, potatoes, peas, zucchini, cucumbers, and the green beans are all in bloom! 05.05.2025

The wild Passion Fruit is a haven for the passion fruit bugs, that will be showing up any day now! 05.04.2025 

After two days of wind, rain and thunder these hügelkultur garden beds held up great, and the excess rain drained away! 05.03.2025

I built this path suing old conveyer belt pieces found on the property. It sure beats tripping over a tree root in the dark! 05.02.2025

Successful whole wheat sourdough bread! 05.01.2025

Waiting for the tractor tires to be mounted and balanced, we did take a moment to walk around this lovely park, in the next town over! 04.30.2025

The main breaker failed in our little tiny home! Fortunately we were home to smell the smoke, and found a replacement! 04.29.2025

Patch after patch after patch, it was time for new tires! 04.28.2025

Yesterday was bread baking day! Our little grandson loves my Whole Wheat and Honey Bread. 04.26.2025

It is Passion Flower season here in East Texas. These flowers house and feed many different moths and butterflies each spring. 04.24.2025

It's time to clean the water pool for the ladies to drink from, but this little brown frog has claimed it for his own! 04.22.2025

We had rain today which should cool things down, it has been so warm that the sunflower seed sprout in the 3 days time I ferment the chicken's food! 04.21.2025

I use a clear, one gallon pitcher to gather the eggs. But when I go to gather them, and one of the hens is still busy, in the nesting boxes, I wait. This pitcher hanging on the fence, is code for: the eggs still need to be gathered. 04.20.2025

Today I started weeding the fence around the garden, it really is as exciting as it looks! 04.18.2025

This cucumber bed took a beating in the three days of rain that March brought, but they are bouncing back nicely! 04.17.2025

Right next to the little "park-ette" we put together (you can see the sitting benches to the right in the photo) is this bird habitat. It has become very popular for food, water and shade for the birds. 04.16.2025

Our weather has been HOT, so it has been a scramble to get the garden beds mulched, to help keep the young plants from drying out! But I have to wonder how all of the wild flowers seem to thrive in the same heat!? 04.15.2025

From day one, these ladies have perched in the tree branches. They do have a coop and a perch for their use, but the trees are where they rest at night. And I have tried just about everything to change their minds. 04.12.2025

The rain finally stopped, but our compost was too wet to sift for dirt. We were able to barter some of our wood chips compost delivered by tractor for mushroom compost in exchange. We managed to get enough to get our tomato starts planted! 04.07.2025

So much rain coming down! 04.05.2025

Nothing like a broken pipe to change your plans, or add to the list of what MUST be done! 04.03.2025

And the roses are blooming, this means fresh flowers for the dining table! 04.01.2025

The strawberries are ripening! 03.31.2025

After 2 days of rain, we finally got back to the garden. With compost to we to sift, we built another raised bed. 03.29.2025

And some days, the chores that get done, are made for fun! Like a scoop of sand delivered by tractor. 03.26.2025

Our latest gardening project, open backed raised beds on this downward sloping spot. These beds are 35 feet long and will be used to plant melons. 03.24.2025

We have strawberries! 03.22.225

Springtime in Texas! 03.20.2025

Today a row of bird houses went into the garden. 03.18.2025

Our small SUV can haul a lot home. I love being able to barter with friends and neighbors. 03.17.2025

We now have an easier way to sift the compost! A cradle to hold the sifting screen, no more achy back! 03.14.2025

Tomato starts for the garden! 03.12.2025

I repotted the strawberries from last year, into pots. All in all, I was surprised we had so many, in the bed it looked like three large plants. We just might get a small harvest after all! 03.10.225

With the skirting completed, it was time to add a flowerpot in this corner! 03.09.2025

With warmer days on the way, it was time to offer a new watering hole for the flock! 03.08.2025

Blooming blueberries! 03.07.2025

My hubby has been working on this project for about four days, that portion of our 5thwheel without a deck, was sided with recycled bleacher seats that were being replaced here in our community. The wind will no longer whip under the trailer driving in cold and wet. 03.04.2025

The side yard on the right side of the drive way (coming into the property) is a small triangle of land. With too many trees to let in enough light to plant a flowering tree such as a Dog Wood Tree. So we did the next best thing, we build a small bird habitat and this little "park-ette". Everything was recycled materials except for the Marigolds and the Dusty Miller in the pots. 03.01.2025

My husband out by the tractor with his cell watching and listening to YT videos regarding basic maintenance on our tractor, While tractor ownership is new, do it yourself maintenance is not! 02.27.2025

All nine of our hens gave an egg today, first time for an egg homerun! 02.25.2025

Today my husband began building a wind barrier around the outside of the Caravan. This project is using old bleacher seating boards we got from local friends replacing some of the boards that had seen better days! 02.24.2025 

Building a whole wheat sourdough starter, bubbly action began on day four! 02.23.2025

I have a p/t job twice a week that I share with my daughter. The money is going to go for all the little things that will bring joy! Like this Bird House with a Camera. Let the springtime nesting begin! 02.22.225

Home gown eggs from our hens! We have 3 kinds of hens, and three colors of eggs to enjoy. 02.21.2025

With a cold of only 23 degrees tonight, all our seed starter boxes, deck plants and two pineapple we hope to root and plant, are in the shop! Tonight we add a small heater...02.19.2025

Our for a walk with the grandson along our country road. The house on the corner by the bend is being remodeled. These 2 portable stairways were up for grabs. Back to bake they make the perfect flower growing area in our vegetable garden! 02.18.2025 

With the chill in the air, I have been recipe developing! Tried my hand at Whole Wheat Sourdough Bagels...02.16.2025

And today as we rewrap the outside water pipes preparing for another freeze headed our way, I can't help but notice the new growth on the rose bushes. 02.15.225

It's only 38 degrees this morning, but this pot of tulips has one flower bud! 02.14.2025

With so much rain these last few days, the garden must wait. In my wait time I have been working on a 100% Whole Wheat Sourdough loaf, 02.12.2025

Getting the beds ready to plant, is a lot of weeding, but manageable when you complete it one bed at a time. 02.08.2025

I needed a gate hinge immediately, this heavy duty black rubber bungie did the trick! 02.06.2025

The leaves have finally fallen here in Texas, and these thin branches are covered in leaf buds! Hoping to get more blueberries than the birds this year! 02.05.2025

Our little chicks have just about completed their growth to be come layer hens! Can you tell which egg? 02.04.2025

Yesterday it was the roses, today it was tulips! These three blue bins, turned planter boxes sit in front of the deck, with solar lights in between. 02.03.2025

Whew, we finally let go of the cold, today it was 77 degrees outside! The roses got weeded, and then top dressed and fertilized. Plus the two we lost earlier in the year, were replaced. I can't wait to have roses on the table once again! 02.02.2025

With the snow melted it was time to add 2 more hooks for more bird feeders. More birds now, hopefully means more birds in the yard come our buggy season in spring and summer. 01.25.2025

We got snow last night, needless to say every bird is hungry! These cardinals are waiting their turn to eat. 01.21.2025

My SIL covered this pineapple bed with plastic to keep it from freezing! This bed had the largest and most mature plants. The second bed, is a probable loss. As cold as it is, this weather front is due to get colder! 01.20.2025

When the Mayor of your tiny town warns you to be prepared for the cold front on it's way, it is time for vegetable soup and Cole Slaw to be made ahead. 01.17.2025

Our weather is still so cold! To cold for our free range chickens to find much of anything when foraging. On days like this, I cook them porridge and stir in a few dried worms for protein. 01.16.2025

Our weather has warmed to the point that it is NOT below freezing each evening, but outside work was set aside today to upgrade the light fixtures in our little dining area. 01.13.2025

Gardening is still on my mind, even in below freezing weather, today was a good day to organize what we have and make a list of what we need. 01.11.2025

After 4 days of below freezing nights it was time to check the damage to the garden. Beets and Swiss Chard, OK. Bell Peppers and Green Beans, gone. 01.10.2025

Adding a bit of joy, these roses would have frozen and not bloomed, if left on the bush. 01.06.2025

Outside this morning preparing for the freeze that is headed our way in two days, I thought it quite beautiful that this strawberry plant had decided to bloom...01.04.2025

No wind, no rain, that makes it burn day! Once burned we will use the ash in the hen's dust bath and the bio char in the garden beds. 01.03.2025

Happy New Year from our home to yours! Thank you for your visits here, they are truly appreciated! Melynda @scratchmadefood! 01.01.2025

Yikes, these Devil's Claw Fungus are back after one week...time to get out the vinegar spray! 12.30.2024

As festive as Christmas decorations are, I always enjoy the fresh look of our home, when they are put away after the celebration. 12.29.224

Every rainstorm bring a few surprises. 12.28.2024

Our December garden, bell peppers, garlic, and turnips (for the greens). 12.27.2024

Yikes, with a flat tire, and nothing gets done! Off for repair. 12.26.2024

12.25.2024

Sometimes coming home from dinner with the kids, found us waking to the door in the dark. LED lights are such an easy fix! 12.24.2024 

The roses were trimmed back two weeks ago, and today more roses to cut and bring in for the table! 12.23.2024

In the ongoing work to change a goat shelter into a secure chicken coop, my SIL put in an "in and out" tunnel. And now a gate to close them in, during the night. 12.22.2024

Too much rain when we were away, took it's toll on this outdoor Pothos. It may need a severe cut back to pull through! 12.21.224 

Back home after spending 5 days cruising in the sunshine! 12.19.2024

Our humidity level drops drastically in the winter, leaves usually dry on the tree, before falling off. 12.13.2024

We have planted pineapple crowns to get pineapple plants and in time pineapples! I hope they survive the cold snap we are having right not! 12.11.224

A little "rough and ready" but I love having this little workbench in the corner of the garden. 12.10.2024

The bridge across the seasonal creek, I think I need to take a rake and clean it up a bit! 12.09.2024

Fortunately the garlic I planted early autumn is surviving the cold snap we are currently under. 12.08.2024

My reference library that I keep in the canning kitchen. And some toys for our grandson to play with! 12.07.2024

After several year's of service, it was time to retire this American flag. 12.06.2024

Meanwhile down at the kid's house, the Inflatables party starts at 5pm! 12.05.2024

With regular pruning roses bloom the year round here in East Texas. I love roses on our dining table! 12.04.2024

The frozen cucumber vines yielded enough cucumbers to make a jar of refrigerator sweet pickles, and a creamy cucumber salad. 12.03.2024

Our second planting of cucumbers succumbed to the 31 degree night, in the cold snap. 12.02.2024

In this cold snap we are having, it seemed only natural to begin decorating for Christmas! 12.01.2024

We have kept open and wild spaces for the birds, insects and small critters. There are filled with natural vegetation, seeds and pollens. 11.30.2024

We made Jingle Bell Waking Sticks 11.29.2024

Our two families coming together to give thanks. 11.28.2024

Cardinals one of our daily visitors. 11.26.2024

Our cold snap must have confuses this blueberry bush, into thinking it was springtime. Notice the small blossoms on the lower branches. 11.25.2024

These late harvest peppers will be roasted and stored in the freezer for a burst of flavor, as needed. 11.24.2024

After several attempts to plant wildflowers to attract not only more birds, but needed pollinators to the garden, we built these seed protector boxes. They are deep enough that a bird cannot pick up the seeds through the mesh. Once the plant has taken hold, we will remove the box. 11.23.2024

We will be enjoying our own sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving! This garden bed is ready to harvest. 11.22.2024

Today was bread baking day! This has been our daily bread for seven years, Whole Wheat Oat Honey Bread. 11.21.2024

Leaves have been sifting to the ground for a couple of weeks now, I so enjoy this time of year! 11.20.2024

Today was rose pruning day. Anything blooming or ready to bloom came in to be enjoyed on the dining table. 11.19.2024

They always come and greet me, hoping for treats as I come to collect the eggs. 11.18.2024

Food prep always makes for a lot of dishwashing! This was my third time at the sink, for the day. 11.17.2024

There is a new condo development being built in our neighborhood, it looks like there is still room for a few more units! 11.16.2024

A change in the holiday, means a change in what goes on the table. Until further notice, celebrate everything! 11.15.2024

One of the out buildings on our property. I am sure it has a story to tell, with no storyteller. 11.14.2024

It is so nice to walk out to the garden and cut fresh Swiss Chard for dinner! 11.13.2024