Resting This Blog

This blog will be resting with the land.  It's been great sharing gardening tips and pictures of produce.  The produce is still coming, but it's slowing down dramatically.  I'm still enjoying fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, and peppers.  My second round of cucumbers are growing right by the milking parlor, and still producing nicely.

The green beans are still producing, and I noticed, yet, a few more blossoms.

Homesteading Boards

  As believers, this isn't about self-sufficiency, but our sufficiency is of Him.

This link features maps addressing the major basics, like growing seasons and water, but there is so much more to this site.  If you're considering a change of lifestyle toward simplicity, this may be a good link to bookmark.

http://thehomesteadingboards.com/2014/03/best-place-self-sufficiency/

Confidence

I don't usually get very preachy in this particular section, but today is different.  The debate, of course, will continue into spring of 2016.  The debate to which I refer is the one regarding, the Sabbatical year.  Some say it begins at the end of this harvest, others say it's a year from now.  The debate covers three basic issues. The first issue, is some folks believe it only applies to Israel.  The second issue is how to calculate . . . that's an issue in every debate.  The third issue, is the question as to if it applies beyond Israel is it the same year as Israel observes or is it based on the individual's land purchase?  Then there's the question for city dwellers, regarding stocking up or it simply does not apply.  I've sincerely searched the Scriptures and sought YHWH.  I want to be obedient and I certainly do not want to mislead anyone.  In the natural, I lack confidence, and in this particular situation, I struggled.

Then, I realized, lacking confidence in what I believe I've been shown, can be a lack of faith.  Lacking confidence certainly can impede an act of obedience, but that's no excuse.  My confidence is in Messiah, not me, and He's the Word, so I'll take it and apply it as literally as I can, until led otherwise.  After reading the Instruction for the Sabbath year, and praying for understanding, Isaiah 1:19 rang in my spirit.  So, in order to "reason together" with Abba, I considered the facts in my particular situation.  I bought this place in late winter of 2009, before the month of Aviv, and the first thing I did was begin planting.  I've been working this land for 6 years, now, so to plant a garden next spring would be working the land seven years in a row.  There is the other factor that Israel is observing the Sabbatical year, this coming year, as well.  Those are two facts, I simply cannot ignore.

I have to admit, in this debate, something has crossed my mind frequently.  I am really going to miss fresh veggies next year!  Seriously, I am going to miss them terribly.  I know the produce is abundant this year and so delicious, but the abundance is for a reason.  A number of people have commented on how delicious the fresh produce is this year, and made remarks about what a good growing season we've had.  I could use the excuse that I'm unsure and even take a passage out of context and say a woman should not usurp authority over a man, and a number of men are teaching " it's not this coming year," but that would be wrong on my part.  The reality is, for all of us in the diaspora, it may be on an individual basis, but my individual basis says this year has been the 6th year I've planted on this land.  It's time to let it rest.

Shemitah

Yes, once again, the topic is, Shemitah.  The land on which I live will be resting for a year when this harvest is complete.  I realize there is debate about whether it's this year or next, but I would encourage each of us to look at the potentially bigger picture.  Judgment has come to this country, and famine is usually a part of judgment.  I've seriously told Abba, I don't know which year is the official year, but this is the sixth year I've planted on this land, and Israel is observing Shemitah this coming year, as well.  I can't ignore the facts I have.  There is more to this story, however; than just my humble opinion over 10 acres of the Ozarks.

Due to drought conditions that still persist in California, millions of acres were not planted this year.  The fact that the drought has persisted may mean even fewer acres will be planted next year . . . Ranchers have still not recovered their herd sizes from the losses incurred due to severe drought earlier in this decade.  Meat prices continue to soar.  What is troubling now, is a serious problem brewing for many Arkansas grain farmers.  A grain holding company is on the verge of a multi-million dollar bankruptcy, which will definitely affect the way farmers plan and plant next year.  Most farmers in this country do not have a year's worth of cash reserve and many use the land, annually, as collateral to buy seed.  There is no financial "wiggle room" for most farmers, which means it is possible that the land will not be worked . . .  Even if there is some sort of crop insurance, that doesn't put food on the grocer's shelves or the kitchen table.

http://www.thv11.com/story/news/local/little-rock/2014/08/18/arkansas-business-turner-grain-may-be-headed-for-bankruptcy/14258435

Meanwhile in Kansas, GMO rice has been grown in open fields.

This is an obviously biased report, but the information regarding food stamps and farm subsidies seems pertinent to this article.  So . . . I apologize in advance for the political jabs of mainstream media.  http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/obama-signs-food-stamp-cut 

The land may indeed produce very little next year, and that is only assessing current circumstances.

Flavor

This year, everyone is talking about the flavor of the produce.  It is exceptionally delicious!  The rain and weather have been exceptional, also.  I remember that was also the case in 2007 . . . and abundance.  I had no idea what all needed to be prepared in 2007.  I came into the understanding in 2009, that Shemitah wasn't just for the country in the Middle East, called Israel.  As preparation is being made for Shemitah, a thought occurred to me.  Some flavor is lost in preservation, even when organic produce is preserved at home.  The loss of flavor is simply part of the process of preserving.  It is just inevitable.  It's still much better than no veggies all winter and unbelievably more flavorful than the interesting "fresh" produce sold in the stores through the winter months.  

What if Abba does add extra flavor to the produce the year before Shemitah?  I'm thinking of it as a possible two fold blessing.  With extra flavor before preserving, it will still be delicious over a second year and perhaps this extra flavor is a reward for obedience.   Isaiah 1:19 has come to mind, often this year.  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:   It certainly is noticeable enough for me to remember back to 2007 and the amazing raspberry grove I planted in 2000, which "Rome" destroyed in 2004.

As I said, I hadn't come into the understand that all land needed rest, even though I learned about crop rotation and the land lying fallow, in school . . . Crop rotation is man's way of ignoring Torah and not missing a crop income.  Anyway, due to circumstances far beyond my control, my 2008 garden was meager in the planting and even more meager in the harvest.  The only canning I did that that year was redbud jelly.  The food preserved in 2007, however; was enjoyed up through 2009 even into 2010.

gluten free pizza recipe in the Delectably Kosher Section

Missouri Ballot Measure

Before reading this article, I simply made the statement to myself.  I'll see where the politicians stand on the measure.  I know who owns them . . .

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/would-missouri-ballot-measure-benefit-family-farms-or-corporations/

Oven Canning

For those who are new to food preservation, I want to offer this.

WARNING:  This method is not to be used to replace pressure canning, only hot water bath.

So, we're talking tomatoes, salsa, some pickles, some fruit preservation.  Basically foods that are more acidic do not require the intensity of pressure canning.

Sterilize jars and lids before filling.  Fill to 1 inch from top, as you would for hot water bath method.  Place jars in oven directly on rack.  Do not place on pans.  Heat oven to 250°.  When temperature is reached "bake" for 1 hour 30 minutes.  Turn oven off and allow jars to cool before removing them.

I've used this method at night after chores when it's cooler.  Leaves the top of the stove free for fixing dinner.  When the timer buzzes, I just turn the oven off and head to bed.  No big pan of water to pour out, and I get up to a tidy kitchen.  Take the cooled, sealed jars out of the oven the next morning while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Farmageddon

The link below offers interesting information, as well as a 3 minute video trailer that is well worth the time.

http://farmageddonmovie.com/

Grass Fed Beef

Since I began raising my own beef, I've always raised two calves together.  Folks "in the know" recommend it.  I'm getting a lovely respite this year from doing my butchering after watching another family owned locker plant shutter, I'm going to give someone some business as long as I can.  If I'm still on the planet when the last locker plant closes in this area, 'll still have the knowledge.  In the meantime, I'm doing a bit of networking.

                                   

In the spring, I purchase 3 day old bottle calves and raise them on goat's milk until they are ready to graze.  Actually, I give them a bottle longer.  The place where I get them recommends 10 weeks.  These guys got cut down to one bottle a day when they hit 13 weeks.  I like to do the evening chore bottle through most of the summer if possible.  As beef prices continue to increase, I know if I wasn't raising beef, I couldn't afford it, and who knows what they feed what's sold in the store.  This beef contains no antibiotics, no GMO grain, and the pasture is naturally maintained, no chemical herbicides or fertilizer.  

When I home process, I have do it when they are about 350-400 pounds.  I can't physically handle anything any bigger without making some major investments in hydraulics.  So, since I've decided to send them to market this year, I've been able to let them get bigger and since they are going to be professionally processed, I will be able to donate some.  I'm really trying to get a better understanding of agricultural offerings according to Scripture. 

In all this figuring and planning, I've had to make one concession.  Sheep and goats are led by their shepherd.  Cattle are driven, except bottle calves.  I cannot drive my calves into the stock trailer.  As soon as I get behind them, they turn around, and the three of us go nowhere.  So, my concession is this.  I've had to obtain organic, non GMO grain and have spent the last few evenings coaxing them with grain into the stock trailer.  They haven't ever been grained, so I don't think a week of it it will affect the meat.  I certainly hope things go as planned.  I'll say it this way, I truly pray my plan is the will of YHWH.

Let's Talk Veggies

The less that is done in preparing vegetables, the more vitamins, nutrients, and all around integrity of creation remains.  Locally grown, fresh vegetables are not an option year round for most of us, so fresh veggies through the growing season truly are a treat!  I can and freeze to preserve through the winter, but I prefer my veggies unadulterated!  Most vegetables can be consumed raw.  For those that require a bit of cooking, usually steaming is adequate.

People add all sorts of flavor enhancements to their vegetables, but in my opinion those are actually a deterrent.  I understand, as I shake my head; there are folks who do not care for the pure flavor of some vegetables, so enhanced is better than refused.

I do have a sad note regarding my corn.  A friend gifted me with some harvested heirloom seeds from their last year's crop.  This crop was grown in a state that has had some major protests regarding GMO.  Not to sound too conspiranoid, but . . . the corn got taller than I've ever seen corn grow, but it didn't take much wind to destabilize it.  It didn't break, but it never tassled.  In this growing zone, sweet corn is July crop.  The stalks are 7-8 feet tall, no tassle, no ears.  My harvested popcorn from last year is doing well at this point, but it's a later crop!  I'll keep you posted.

Simple and Delicious

This week I enjoyed two fresh and natural treats that are now in season.

A bowl of granola with fresh dewberries, a splash of goat's milk and the Psalms doesn't even need stevia or honey.











I love cucumbers, and dill is "dillicious" but I'm not a big fan of pickles, but I make them.  I'm one of those silver haired southern women that cans treats for everyone she calls "Sugar."  But when cucumbers are in season and the dill is growing on the deck, I make a wonderful snack that too simple for words.
A sliced cucumber with fresh sprigs of dill, is the most perfect lunch or snack.

It's Not Manna, but I Didn't Plant It

Every year, I do at least one experiment pertaining to the garden.  Actually, it's usually several.  Much of my life is "experimental."  The only thing certain in my life is YHWH in Y'hshuwah!  When He showed me a design for an organic chicken yard/garden, I had no idea where He was taking it, and to be honest, I'm thankful for that.  Much of this homesteading business has become more than I could have asked or imagined.  I truly believe, I would have been completely overwhelmed if He'd shown me more at the time.

When Abba told me, it was time to have a small wheat field, I didn't know what to do.  We are all aware that most of the wheat and corn is GMO and I believe that is the reason for so many gluten issues and digestive disturbances in general.  Once I acknowledged my willingness, He took me to the chicken yard/garden and directed me to do the math!  I then figured the amount of wheat that could be grown in that space.  He reminded me that I do have a wheat mill, and a coffee mill . . .  So, for the year of Shemitah, the chicken yard/garden will produce soil enriching clover, and the next year, one side is to be sown in wheat.  Until Messiah's return or my work is finished, this place is to always be moving away from earthly dependence.

Something utterly amazing has happened this year.  Since the vegetable garden is now in last year's kid pen, I've been working diligently, believing for the double harvest.  So far, the salads have been wonderful and the tomatoes look nice, but there's been a very unusual and unexpected blessing.

The amazing blessing is sugar snap peas.  I didn't plant any this year.  I love them, but for the year before Shemitah, I was trying to be very practical and sugar snap peas just don't produce abundantly for the space they take.

As I was planting in the spring, I noticed some leaves that looked like peas, so I left them, but I knew I hadn't planted them.  Abba blessed me with half a row of sugar snap peas and they've been such a treat!

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:  Isaiah 1:19

Raised Strawberry Bed

I know I've mentioned before, the struggle I've had with finding just the right place for strawberries.  I also mentioned a few weeks ago, there are several experiments going on around here.  I'm a literal person, and strawberries are called what they are because they do best when surrounded by straw.  When winter comes, it's best to cover them with straw and they'll peek back through in the spring.  When establishing the strawberry patch, straw around the plants keeps moisture in and weeds down, so the straw is really vital to healthy strawberries.

I got a real deal on some bales of straw, then I got a great vision of plan.  So far, it's working well.  I've actually harvested a few berries.  It's the best in raised bed gardening and square foot gardening, I've yet to experience.  The entire plan takes 13 bales of straw, weed cloth, and about 200 pounds of topsoil.  Stay with me here, it's not nearly as involved as you might think.

I lined up three bales of straw end to end.  Then three more parallel to that, but left the width of a flake of straw between.  Then did the same thing again!  Three rows of three bales parallel with about a foot and half space between.  You can have as many bales end to end as you choose, but three parallel is the maximum as well as the most economical and efficient.  My fenced area didn't allow for longer straw rows.

Next I broke two bales and placed two flakes flat between the rows of bales.  I then covered the flat flakes of straw with weed cloth between rows, the full length of my project.  Then it was just a matter of pouring topsoil on the weed cloth, filling the gap between the parallel straw bales and planting my bedding plants.


As for the remaining two bales.  I set them at the end to prevent soil washout.  One bale is wide enough to protect both rows.

Repurposing

In my attempt to establish a sustainable food supply, I've fenced off an orchard, but it needed to be more than just a few trees with some space to grow.  I know fields are not to have two different grains sown, and a vineyard has some specifics, so in my attempt to be obedient to Scripture, I considered what I could plant around the trees.  It then dawned on me that the Garden of Eden contained all sorts of edibles, including trees, so . . . the orchard has four fruit trees, a strawberry patch, some raspberry bushes, and perennial herbs.

Some herbs can be quite aggressive in their existence.  Planning has been of utmost importance in that I want to establish something sustainable that won't be a continual challenge to maintain.  I've seen some tractor tires repurposed and painted to become sandboxes and that gave me an idea.  When getting new tires on the buggy, there was a $2.00 disposal fee per tire.  I decided to bring them home instead.  I think I've actually united the concepts of raised beds, square foot gardening, and repurposing in this one move.  

I simple arranged them on the ground in the orchard, and have since added more.  A newspaper on the ground, with flake of straw in the center of the tire serves as amazing weed control.  Fill the tire with top soil or potting soil, I prefer to use topsoil and add my own fertilizer, as I have plenty available on site.  I then plant one type of herb, vegetable, or fruit in the tire and maintain as I would any garden plant.  These handy repurposed containers are watered readily when it rains, there is no weeding, and the aggressive intrusive herbs like spearmint are contained.  The great news . . . they are free at tire shops!

Organic Solutions

In looking for organic pesticide, I wanted to share a few tired and true solutions I use.  Some folks plant marigolds around the garden to keep the bunnies from nibbling.  I've heard it works, but I haven't tried it.

My battle with a bunny began when I realized a pepper plant had been munched.  From the looks of it, I immediately recognized the work of a bunny.  I like to use human hair around the fence or even the plants themselves to keep the little nibblers away.  Every time I brush my hair, I clean the brush and place the hair in a baggie.  I really like using hair, because even in the rain, it doesn't lose whatever the rabbit finds offensive.  And we all know wet hair pretty much stays right where it is, so washing away isn't an issue, either.

There are also hot pepper sprays that work very well to keep rabbits and squirrels out of the garden, but that has to be applied directly to the plants and reapplied after rains.



I am unashamedly going to promote one of my products.  Liquified, diluted soap is a great deterrent for furry pests, as well as keeping insects and even some fungus at bay.  My soap is completely biodegradable so it doesn't harm the plant or cause any soil issues.

Keep those plants healthy this year, with organic solutions!

Hummmmmm . . .

In reading the article about subway going halal in some areas, the responses have been mixed of course, according to political leaning.  As I continued to read, two things crossed my mind.  One, it makes good business sense to serve food preferences of the local demographics.  I mean, there's probably not many local restaurants in New England that feature grits on the breakfast menu, but this is about more than just business and demographics.  This is about religion and false religion and bold stands or intimidation.

In regard to the topic of bold stands, the issue that crossed my mind; was one of shame.  Why haven't the Bible believers been vocal enough to inspire this sort of change?  I mean basically now, we have unhappy customers who will boycott these restaurants that are now serving, kosher.  I don't want to eat anything that has been prayed over to a false god, but I am sad that those of us who serve the G-d of Israel are not as effective in our stand.

These circumstances are definitely prohibitive for me to consider going to Subway.  It would be wonderful, though; to be able to dine out, knowing there was no pork next to my order.  I would love to patronize a restaurant that was bold enough to actually serve a Biblical menu.  

With so many companies catering to Islam and so much of our food GMO tainted, growing our may soon be the only option.

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/subway-replaces-pork-halal-meat-some-uk-and-ireland-locations

Perpetual

I was speaking to a friend this week about various experiments I'm conducting as to how to raise the most groceries in the smallest space.  Of course, I'll keep you posted.  She had mentioned that potatoes had kept many folks from starving.  Sometime after the conversation, a thought occurred to me.  I am working on raising potatoes year round in 5 gallon buckets.  I've not been fully successful for a year's supply, but it's been productive enough to keep at it.  I rotate the planting every month, so they can be harvested at intervals.

The past couple of weeks, I've just not been up to much flavor.  Mostly bland comfort food.  Here I was honored to have an unexpected Sabbath guest, none other than Chef Gerry from Cooking with Gerry fame, and the only seasoning on the chicken was sage served with very boring bland baked potatoes.  There was salad, but, I've just been "off my feed" lately.  Back to my thought.  I truly do feel that I am supposed to be prepared to feed people in the coming days.  I'm not talking lavish meals, just nutrition.

As I made some potato soup, it occurred to me that potato soup is very filling, nutritious, and all the ingredients are right here on the place, growing or stored year round.  Potato soup will satisfy the heartiest of appetites, as well as pureed for baby food.

In the mean time, baby steps of sufficiency.  It only takes a window sill to have your favorite fresh herbs.

Testing 1, 2, 3

I'll hopefully have photos next week of my latest test.  Seems every year, while trying to repeat what has been successful, I also try something new.  I even have two greenhouses.  One for the testing phase, and one to repeat the past year's success.  I learned the hard way, a failed greenhouse test in the winter, affects all the plans!  One night below freezing can kill everything.

Here at the homestead, I use the same tried and true testing method I learned about in elementary school.  There is a control group and an experimental group.   Actually here it's a control greenhouse and an experimental greenhouse.  Now in the spring and summer, it's a control garden and an experimental garden, usually.  This year, however; I'm planting all over the place.  I truly do want to be prepared for Shemita.  I'm hoping to only need to purchase paper products next year.  Since I do live agriculturally, it feels like I should be observing this upcoming seventh year according to Torah.

There's also the fact that according to the book of Jeremiah, G-d can cause the land to rest and America has certainly made the same mistakes as ancient Israel and more, probably.  The sad thing about us, is we'll have no excuse.  At least Israel only ignored Jeremiah's voice.  We are choosing to ignore his written word, and the recorded history we say we believe.

I'm trying some square foot experiments this year as well as a garden spot, in hopes of offering urban dwellers some good food ideas.  Photos next week, I hope!

Plant Something . . .

If you do not live where you can have any chickens or livestock, at least plant something!  All this talk of grocery price increases due to drought, is more than just talk.  Now the regions where most commercial fruits and vegetables are raised have incurred the same dilemma the cattle country saw a couple of years ago.  We all know what happened to beef prices . . .

The one difference between the produce and beef, however; is even though everyone doesn't have room for cattle, most folks can raise at least a few of their own veggies.

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2014/04/15/attention-shoppers-fruit-and-vegetable-prices-rising/

http://www.kens5.com/news/255294801.html

Corn Planting

I'm not an expert in this field, but I have taken note of a few things.  First and foremost, due to genetic engineering and genetic modification, true unadulterated corn, as our Creator intended is becoming very difficult to protect and ensure.  Wind pollination can theoretically carry for up to two miles, and corn is a big crop, but the big yields are a result of genetic tampering.  This makes it very difficult for the organic, natural, hobby, homesteading, or heirloom farmer to maintain their goal.  Meanwhile, back at the "ranch" the genetic engineering companies can taint pure products AND sue for seed ownership due to the tainting!

In my quest to continue to plant and harvest heirloom produce, I do my best to keep cross pollination from occurring.  The biggest areas in which I struggle are the squash, melons, and corn.  There truly has to be some serious distance between even zucchini and cantaloupe.  One year there was zucchaloupe.  I've pretty well resolved that problem with "scatter gardening."

In the effort to prevent corn from hybridizing, the best way I've discovered to date is to space the planting, by a few weeks, so the tasseling does not occur simultaneously.  I plant sweet corn in March and field and pop corn in April.  Since corn is primarily wind pollinated, I'm also mindful of the directions of the crop in relationship to each other.  Let me explain.  I reserve the space for the field corn to be planted  to grow north and east of the sweet corn and the popcorn.  This year my garden rows run east and west, so in the middle of the garden, many rows south and on the other side of the okra, I've planted the "sweet corn."  The end of April, I'll plant the popcorn in a small garden spot well south of the sweet corn.

Since most summer winds come from the south or the west, if some of the field corn is pollinated by the sweet corn, the quality will not be altered much, and the seeds I harvest will be from stalks on the far row from the sweet corn.  If the sweet corn is by chance pollinated by the popcorn, the texture can be slightly altered, but in planting a month apart, it's not been an issue to date.  Popcorn is the tricky one, which is why it's planted as far away as possible and to the south.  Popcorn won't pop right if it's cross pollinated with sweet corn.  I'm still adjusting to heirloom corns, as we've become so accustomed to GMO.

Attention Urbanites

Realizing not everyone has room for a greenhouse or even a garden space, I did a little experimenting this winter.  Honestly, the experiment was not about harvesting, as much as it was simply seeing what plants would remain alive through the winter, if they didn't freeze.

Last fall, I bought a kiddie wading pool on clearance.  I think I gave $5.00.  I recommend buying them new, to prevent the chances of cracks or leaks.  First I laid an old shower curtain on the floor of a spare bedroom, then set the kiddie pool on it.  The next thing has proven pretty interesting.  I had various plants on the deck and even started a few in flower pots filled with last year's potting soil.  Through the course of the winter I've harvested a few jalapenos, several stalks of celery, and some herbs, but more importantly in my study, they've maintained through the winter.


This is a great concept for indoor square foot gardening.  I was blessed to have an empty space in front of a picture window with southern exposure, but grow lights would work, as well, I'm sure.  For those with indoor kitties, a piece of chicken wire or small gauge fence placed over the top of the pot when planting seeds keeps kitty out of the soil and the plant simply grows right up through the fence.

This is celery started from the end of the stalk.  These two plants have been going for nearly two years now.  It's not my full supply of celery, but it has provided quite a bit.  I repurpose any brown stems and leaves into compost in the pot.





This little tomato is one of many that have come along this winter.  The plant was given to me by a dear friend and this will be it's second growing season.  I've kept it in a pot, so it's not as large as most tomato plants will grow, but it didn't die out in this cold winter either.

This pimento plant is ready to head to the garden, next week.

It's Not Too Late to Do Something

I recommend you take a read through this link and next week, we'll provide several images and links to some wonderful "small garden" gardening ideas.

http://www.pakalertpress.com/2014/02/18/15-reasons-why-your-food-bill-is-going-to-start-soaring/

Straw Gardening

Our Creator created humans to tend the garden.  It's looking like the sky's the limit on finding creative ways to garden.

This site is full of good ideas and information.
http://modernfarmer.com/2013/07/straw-bale-gardening/

To Everything There is a Season

The season to prepare for the rest of the year according to the calendar of YHWH is just about upon us.  We are just a couple of weeks from the first month on our Creator's calendar.  It is not presumption or a lack of faith to recognize His seasons and prepare as His Word Instructs.  This is seed time, and if a harvest is expected, the planting season cannot be ignored.  Our society has been drawn away from YHWH's plan for so long, most of us are out of touch with even the concept of seed time and harvest.

A particular pet peeve of mine is to hear people complaining about rain in the spring!  Throughout Scripture, rain is a blessing from YHWH.  There was that one big incident in Genesis, but He's promised that won't happen again, and even then, His people were blessed to be saved, and once again be agrarian when the boat docked.  We need rain in it's season and spring time is the season we need it.  I'm enjoying the appearance of green at the end of the tree branches and just above the ground.  Every drop of rain is nourishing the pastures and the tender shoots in the garden, as well as the delicate leaves of the fruit trees.

Realizing we've become so distant from our food supply and religion has been teaching for years, that money and material possessions are blessings, rather than rain.  I'm going to preach,  now!  Many of us are familiar with Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  

I discovered only recently that the same Hebrew words here in Malachi 3 are the same words used in Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

This is the season to receive the blessing poured out from the open windows of heaven.  Most offerings were bread or meat, while tithes were often, produce.  The blessing is rain!

Get Growing!

Old news is now foundational law.  This report is not hot off the presses, but since the bill was drafted by my very own "representative," I want to take this opportunity to remind folks, we are not being represented in Washington DC.  Please do something to regain or maintain some independence in regard to the food supply.  We've got to get growing, because history has proven whoever controls the food will control the people!

http://www.globalresearch.ca/monsanto-protection-act-signed-by-obama-gmo-bill-written-by-monsanto-signed-into-law/5329388

Chemical Replacements Are Poison

I seem to be a on a roll this week of building slightly offensive acronyms.  Actually, the acronym is pretty accurate as it applies to our food supply and our economy.

It's as if this chemical consumption for calorie control that began nearly 50 years ago, has changed the standard of food forever.   Now our food is loaded with chemical, but that is not the only problem.  We pay extra for organic and pure food, while obesity and diabetes are at an all time high.  Something certainly seems amiss!  Surely this was not the goal!  Does this fall in the category of "unintended consequences?"

The best way, maybe the only way, to know what's in your food is to prepare it yourself, from the beginning.   When I was a young home maker, healthy meals were fairly simple and basic.  The advice was, to shop around outer edges of the grocery store.  Fresh produce, dairy, meat, and bread were uniformly on the outer walls of every grocery store.  They may vary to a degree, but the variance was minimal.  It served as a good rule of thumb to avoid prepackaged and high sodium products.

Since the advent of GMOs, eating healthy and natural has become a bit more difficult.  GMO labeling is not required, so we don't know if our fresh produce will sprout on the way home or has the DNA of a digestive track of it's own.  USDA standards regarding meat and milk are hazy to say the least.

As I think of all the things I wish I'd known to teach my kids when they were growing up, this is one that simply was not an issue then.  I didn't let them have diet products when they were young, and GMO produce was not even an issue until the mid nineties.   This GMO issue has gained such momentum so quickly, there is really only one way to stop the impact, and that's on a personal level.

By the time our grandchildren are parents, real food may actually be a thing of the past.  The only way to insure pure food, and that only by the protection of our Creator, is to raise our own.  It's already been proven that GMO dominates in cross pollinations, so as I said, it will only be by the protection of our Creator to bless the work of our hands in tending the garden.

Thinking about a spring garden puts a smile on my face, even as the "drizmal" winter weather continues.  If space is an issue check out square foot gardening.

Six Rows In

It's garden season!  I just love it.  It's still early for most of the US, so you're not too late to get started.  I'll give a few recommendations.  If you're a city dweller, no need to raise any livestock feed, but the "people feed" is so much better from the garden!

If space is limited, I recommend Kale, a tomato plant, and a pepper plant.  Those three veggies are loaded with vitamins and produce well in square foot gardening.  These will literally grow like house plants, with the tomato and pepper needing plenty of sunlight.  If a backyard garden is an option, by all means do it!  You won't regret it.  Craigslist is a great place to find someone who will till a small garden spot very reasonably, so there's no need for a major outlay of cash in the beginning.

It is time to get growing!

Just in case you're not encouraged by my enthusiasm, I've included a link including negative reinforcement.
http://www.pakalertpress.com/2014/02/18/15-reasons-why-your-food-bill-is-going-to-start-soaring/

If YHWH Wills . . .

Tomorrow, I have a date planned!   With my Creator, a rototiller, and several seeds.

It's literally taken every ounce of discipline I have and the power of YHWH for me to stay indoors and get the journalism done.  Planting season has arrived.  Today has been exquisite!


This photo was taken after 5pm!
Tomorrow, I pray, I'm in the garden.

School Lunches

After reporting about the recent unreasonable way "shortfalls" in school lunch accounts were handled, I decided to do something besides report about it.  My comments were completely biased and editorialized . . .but these are children.  My heart was just so heavy for those children who had been humiliated, then returned to class to finish their day hungry.  Reporting the incident, simply was not enough.

 Scripture tells us we are to help the widows and fatherless, and the poor.  I have no idea how many school children live in single parent homes, but I do know there are many Americans struggling to provide for their families, and they are working!  So, I called the local school to see what could be done to avoid such a ridiculous solution as was perpetrated in Salt Lake City.

It was so easy!  I can actually give them money specifically earmarked to cushion the school lunch program in the event of an outstanding balance.  It can be a one time donation, or I can do it regularly.  Some area churches also have food pantries that are willing to use donations as they are earmarked.

Between school lunch programs and food pantries, fulfilling Scripture to feed the hungry has really never been easier!  A word of caution, though.  There are some USDA issues with the donation of home grown and home preserved products, but fresh produce is acceptable.  Meanwhile, many schools are open and willing to work with people trying to help.

Spring is Nearly Here

As I look out my office window, I am reminded that it is indeed, still winter.  That's fine, we need everything in it's season, but spring is on the way.  We've reached the half-way point for winter.  In growing zone 7, rumor has it we can have lettuce, peas, and radishes in the ground in two weeks.  If there is another snow, well, we shall see, but since relocating and going natural, I've spent every birthday in the garden.  I'll use the Gregorian date, just for ease of recognition, although my birthday on the Hebrew calendar is actually mentioned in the book of Esther, but . . . I digress.

Regardless of what the middle of February holds in the way of weather, I've been working in the garden, every March 5, since 2006.  I messed up on the last Shemitah, and thankfully, I've been forgiven.  Perhaps that's why I'm sounding the warning so strongly for this one.  The long debate and discussion of dates in the TO, HRM, Messianic community did not begin with Facebook.  There are those who have figured it from the arrival into the Promised Land, those who figure it from Israel's re-establishment, and those who figure it from their own beginnings at Homesteading.

Fortunately, I have taken the opportunity to turn off the social debates and sit down and do the math.  I figure Shemitah from the children of Israel's arrival in the Promised Land.  When I arrived at that, I was then ready to apply that to my gardening, as well.  As it turns out, I learned this just in time to coordinate it with this homestead.  The first small one, as I mentioned was a place of learning and adapting.  Once I had the year figured, the next thing I heard, was "It's time to move!"  Sure enough, this is my sixth year in this place.  I am so thankful our Heavenly Father makes things easy and preserves the simple!

This is the time the nurseries begin to stock bedding plants and even the Dollar General sells seed packets.  Don't let this year's garden season pass you by, even if it's only a 1 square foot garden.

Detox and Tonic

Vegetables offer a double dose of health, besides the Vitamins they contain.  Vegetables are wonderful in detoxing the system, as well as being tonifying.  A good detox plan includes vegetables and herbs/spices.  A good tonic also includes vegetables, herbs/spices.  Different ones help the body in different ways, but the fact of the matter is, our Creator created everything the human body needs to run at peak efficiency.  We just need to get back to real food.

We will be sharing a seven week program to help detox the body and curb the unhealthy cravings, while establishing a healthy, balanced diet.  There is no specific day of the week this must begin, so what ever day you find yourself reading this, head on over to our new Page featuring the program:  G-d's Weigh Out

Gardening

Some of us have less than a month until we can begin planting the garden.  Others have a bit more time to wait, or prepare, as the case may be.  I was hoping to have huge glorious photos of a flourishing green house, but that didn't happen as hoped.  I've got greens going, and for the first time ever, I'm actually raising parsnips, but it's really been nothing to brag about yet.  It would seem, I need to start these even earlier than I did.  The Land of Goshen, here in SWMO continues to be a work in progress.

Several people have asked me just what I plan to do through Shemitah.  How will I keep myself busy?  I've replied with varying jesting comments, but I really hope I spend that year as a Shabbat, as well.  I've been working very hard at a number of projects, and although I haven't perfected some of them, I have made progress.  I'm believing I'm going to enjoy the break, and there will still be goats to milk and calves to feed, as well as picking what grows "wild."

The orchard has a wonderful edible broad leaf that makes delicious salad and grows with determined propensity.  The lane is lined with dewberries, blackberries, and grapes.  In all my years of homesteading, I've yet to see a year that didn't have some vining volunteers of the last year, so I think I'm approaching this Shemitah with the wonderment of a child . . . a child of the Most High.

As an adult with a call and responsibility, I must sound the warning, that this is the last garden and vine tending year before the land rests, so use this time wisely.  If you simply have no way to plant anything, then my suggestion would be to increase the pantry inventory through this time.  If our Creator causes the land to rest, I have no idea what to expect on the market shelves.  We've got plenty of non-food already available and much of what we consume doesn't grow anyway, so perhaps that will be the supply.



I can't say, at this time, I can only recommend that we get the garden growing and the pantry well stocked.

Facts

I am not trying to incite fear, I am, however; presenting facts.  The photos included in this article were not take right before a winter storm warning.  It was a week later and 40 some degrees.  These were taken the 8th of January, 2014.
Also included in this article is the fact that we have one more growing season, planting and harvesting, before the shemitah a.k.a. the Sabbath of the land.  We have lived a number of years in rebellion of this Instruction, and whether or not we honor the command, the land may indeed produce very little in the following year.  We have become entirely too complacent and disconnected from our food supply.

I went to two grocery stores yesterday.  Seeing what I saw in one, I had to check out the other one.  The photos included are only from the first market, but I can say this.  There were empty shelf spaces and one less aisle in the second store.  The "front" displays are now moved back in both markets and the aisles have been reduced in length as I've been reporting for some time.

What used to be double sided signs over aisles are now single signs over the actual inventory.  As in "Aisle 6" is actually just a sign on the wall over the freezer section now and "Aisle 5" is the double sided shelving containing the soda on one side and chips on the other.  It's as if the word "aisle" is on it's way to new definition.

This is what I saw in the grocery store, January 8, 2014.

The empty potato display bin

                      

 the frozen meat section

Organic?

 


                                 Sad, simply sad . . .