Here it is, the first week of April and we’ve still got plenty of snow on the ground and the highs this week have barely reached 30 degrees. (I’ve checked photos from years back and at this time, the snow was gone and I was running around in a T-shirt. Today I wore my winter chore coat! Will set out round bales for the big stock while I opened gates for him. Boy, are big round bales a handy way to feed; no handling hay at all. The tractor does it all. While I was watching, I couldn’t help but notice how fast the calves are growing. Frosty is now 2 months old and is really BIG. And Tango is racing to catch up with him. We’re really happy with that pair of calves.

Hay on the way! We really love feeding round bales; it saves our backs.

Right now, we’re waiting on our next two cows, Comet and Mystic, but not much is happening. They still have another week and two weeks to go so we are keeping watch.

I can’t wait for the weather to break so we can get the branches and stumps out of the new garden and can get started fencing it. I’ve got some creative ideas about that, too. Right now I’m finishing up transplanting the first batch of tomato seedlings. I’ve just ordered more tomatoes and a few peppers so I’m not done yet!

All the trees and brush have been cut on the new garden spot.
This 1½ acre garden will be huge! We will be able to till or weed after it rains because it’s sand.

In a couple of days I want to can up the leftover ham as baked beans and ham and bean soup. We seem to go through a lot of it and, boy, is it ever good! Canned food is so handy and each recipe is tailored just for our tastes. And I know exactly what is in every jar. If you’d like to can up some for your family from your Easter ham leftovers, check out my book Growing and Canning Your Own Food for recipes and plenty of how-to help. — Jackie

20 COMMENTS

  1. Just a note to let you folks know that we’re okay. I did blog on Monday and Wed. but Lisa, who posts my blog, has been out sick. So as soon as she is well again, which I hope is soon, the new blogs will pop up. (Get well soon, Lisa!)

    • Thank You Jackie for letting us know you were ok Was wondering.

      It is snowing here and 32 now and temps heading to 28!! We live an hour north of Indianapolis and this is just crazy weather. The apricot tree is covered in blooms. But three days of this as forecasted will likely wipe out this year’s crop.
      Stay safe and warm
      Jacquie

  2. Hi Jackie,we’re having chilly weather in north Ga,but nothing like you. Gardens have not been planted yet. I wish you would do YouTube videos.

    • We’re looking forward to warmer weather, for sure! I’m sorry to not be doing YouTube videos but I just don’t have the time. Maybe in the future…

  3. Bought all your cook/homestead books when we had more incomes,they were sure worth it! Getting more snow here in Iowa today and Sunday,sigh!! We were supposed to have son drive us the 3 hours north to see our two granddaughters at their prom in S.D., since I did all the altering on one of their dresses last weekend. Sorry to say, hubby has developed cold and just can’t take any chances with his lung cancer,better stay home,boo hoo! The kids will take pics and vids,but sure sad!? Hope your weather clears and talks to our weather! Lol!

    • I’m glad you like my books. But I sure am sorry you missed prom. Like they say….”stuff happens”…..

  4. Thank you for the update! Hoping ‘real’ spring comes your way soon, especially since our Michigan weather seems to follow yours. 3″ of snow expected here again today. Good to see the pictures from around your homestead. I love seeing what’s happening there!

    • Yup, it looks like all across the country folks have been experiencing nasty spring weather. Hopefully that means a great summer.

  5. Jackie – I wanted to order on your special for the three books in binders but the shipping fee was exorbitant. Is it not possible to send that by slow mail or is it just as expensive? TX. (I really wanted those but with the exchange rate – whew!) Louise

      • Jackie, I am in the same situation. I wanted to purchase your canning recipe book and your pantry cookbook when BHM had them on sale for half price. However, the shipping costs would have been more than double the cost of the books.

        Thanks to our wonderful inter-library loan system, I was able to borrow your books from a library in the U.S. (So I know how good they are!) I would like my own copies though. I am not able to get them through the major booksellers in Canada (Amazon.ca and Indigo Chapters) as they don’t seem to carry your books. But the shipping costs and currency exchange just make it prohibitive.

        I keep hoping one day I can attend one of your homesteading seminars and pick up the books or that you’ll be able to hold a seminar in Canada.

    • I keep a couple of notebooks with varieties we get and how many seeds, etc. Once they’re planted, I use 2′ wood garden stakes with the varieties printed on them with permanent marker.

  8. I pressure canned ground beef for the first time week – first time to pressure can at all!! I learned from you at the Homestead Seminar and finally got up enough nerve to do it. You were right it is easy if one just watches what they are doing. Thanks for the teaching.

    • I did meat (chicken first, then hambuger) before I ever tried to water bath anything. I used Jackie’s books and the canner’s instructions. Everything sealed! It is kind of exciting, isn’t it!

  9. Berr Potatoes over a foot tall, tomatos 8 inches plus, beans thinned out and 3 in. I know, it gets hotter than all getout later.

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