This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. blood pressure mostly back in normal ranges (after 7 years!)
2. an entire month of not having to turn on the heat
3. peak leaf season with reds, oranges and yellows everywhere you look
4. new sweaters
5. roaring fires in the fireplace

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. “Feeling better” is not a linear process. // This month, my health “journey” has been up, down and all around.  I’m feeling more rested, but am still sound asleep most nights by 9pm.  My energy levels have increased, but my weight hasn’t budged.  My blood pressure is finally within normal ranges, but I still feel like my stress isn’t completely under control.  I’m making tiny bits of progress, but it’s something, so I’ll celebrate it!  One day at a time…
2. The Congo has been used for their riches for a long time. // “No one knew at the outset that the Congo would prove to be home to some of the largest supplies of almost every resource the world desired, often at the time of new inventions or industrial developments – ivory for piano keys, crucifixes, false teeth, and carvings (1880s), rubber for car and bicycle tires (1890s), palm oil for soap (1900s+), copper, tin, zinc, silver, and nickel for industrialization (1910+), diamonds and gold for riches (always), uranium for nuclear bombs (1945), tantaum and tungsten for microprocessors (2000s+), and cobalt for rechargeable batteries (2012+)…At no point in their history have the Congolese people benefited in any meaningful way from the monetization of their country’s resources.  Rather, they have often served as a slave labor force for the extraction of those resources at minimum cost and maximum suffering.” (from Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives, p.15)
3. Regular creosote cleaning in the fireplace is important. // We recently had our fireplace cleaned and inspected.  Since we use our fireplace a lot during the winter, the technician recommended using a product that will help keep creosote from building up.  There are a lot of different options on the market, but we decided to try Co-Mate Chimney Cleaner.  Hopefully it will keep our fireplace clean and safe.

THREE “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Farm goods from a farmer friend
2. Treats and pumpkins from another local farm store
3. Sneakers from a seller on ebay

FIVE GOALS FOR OCTOBER REVIEWED

1. ✔ Stock up on vitamins, medicines, and tissues for winter. // Done.  Some of my favorite vitamins for the cold weather months: probiotics, vitamin D, quercetin and zinc.  I even found a great vitamin C option that includes probiotics and bioflavonoids in it!  We also stocked up on tissues and throat drops.
2. ✔ Finish building the permanent pig paddocks. // Done!  The piglets and Fred are in neighboring paddocks for the winter and we are happy to have an easier chore schedule for a few months!
3. Return to the habit of making homemade bread. // Nope.  Not a single loaf!  Maybe next month.
4. Take our own family pictures. // Another task that I just didn’t have the brain space for.  Between everyone’s schedules and the weather and more pressing farm to-dos, I just couldn’t summon the energy to get this done.  Instead of feeling like a failure, I’m giving myself the grace to take the year off.
5. ✔ Create a junk journal. // Yes!  This little project has been so wonderful for my creativity.  Can’t wait to share more soon.

FIVE GOALS FOR NOVEMBER

1. Get the majority of my Christmas shopping done.
2. Participate in the Historathon and Nonfiction November readathons.
3. Finish filling the paddocks and barnyard with woodchips. 
4. Create a junk journal for the month of December.
5. Plan Thanksgiving!

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I’m a little earlier than last year, but thought I would check in on my 2023 goals as we enter into the fourth quarter.  This should be interesting…

#1. START A BULLET JOURNAL AND USE ALL OF THE PAGES.

My original intentions: Instead of purchasing an expensive planner, I’m creating my own in a bullet journal style and I’m determined to fill up the entire thing!  I am notorious for abandoning half-filled notebooks.

How it’s going: Done!  I finished the last page in my journal at the end of September and quickly purchased a second one to keep going.  It’s quickly become a prized possession – I have everything from reading notes to garden plans to inflation trackers inside.

My plan for the rest of 2023: I’ll be continuing on in journal #2 and definitely can see myself using it through 2024.

#2. WRITE DOWN MY GRATITUDE EVERYDAY.

My original intentions: There is so much to be thankful for, if only I seek it.

How it’s going: Giving myself half credit on this one.  I have started and stopped with daily documentation all year; clearly, consistency has been a struggle for me in lots of areas!  In September, I created a specific gratitude page in my journal and that seemed to help encourage the habit.

My plan for the rest of 2023: I just made another gratitude page for October and hope to continue in this way through the rest of the year.

#3. SUPPORT THE MAN BEFORE THE COMPANY.

My original intentions: So many of us are starting little side hustles as a way to further our goals or just make ends meet.  I want to look toward the farmer, the reseller, and the artist first before heading to the big box stores.  

How it’s going: Yes!  I’m really happy to have created a habit where I look at the small businesses first before going to the big box stores.  It’s not always possible to find what I’m looking for (I just made an Amazon order last week!), but a quick search through Ebay, Poshmark, or Etsy is always my first stop.  We also love supporting our fellow farmers, especially the smaller hobby-sized ones like ours.

My plan for the rest of 2023: Keep on, keepin’ on.  I want to do some browsing to see if I can find some unique things for Christmas.

#4. WORK ON HOMESTEAD SYSTEMS.

My original intentions: 2022 was a big building year.  2023 will be the year where we think smarter, not harder: tweaking our systems for better efficiency.

How it’s going: Hmm.  This was an interesting season at the farm and so many things did not go according to plan.  I thought about creating better systems (ha!), but I’m not sure those things actually came to fruition this year.

My plan for the rest of 2023: We are in the process of building multiple permanent pig paddocks, which will be very helpful long term.  Considering that enough for this goal and one small project checked off of the homestead system list!

#5. READ FROM MY BOOKSHELVES.

My original intentions: I have a lot of unread books.  While this doesn’t stress me out (I see them as a plethora of possibilities!), I do want to prioritize these options over any new ones.  The money saved will be an added bonus.

How it’s going: I started the year with 207 unread books.  As of this writing, I’ve read 74 books and my unread shelf holds 201.  Obviously, I’ve been replenishing my shelves just as fast as I read them!  I blame our amazing used bookstore where you can find like new hardcovers for $2.  Oh well, a good problem to have.

My plan for the rest of 2023: I’ll still be reading from my shelves, but there may be birthday and Christmas gifts in my future!

#6. CULTIVATE A WARM, WELCOMING HOME.

My original intentions: More decluttering of the extras and figuring out how to make a cozy home with the rest.

How it’s going: I have spent very little intentional time on my home this year.  I have missed puttering around and making my home cozy and welcoming!  But things are looking up – I created my decluttering schedule and have been slowly checking off the list.

My plan for the rest of 2023: Fall is here and winter is right around the corner.  I’m looking forward to pulling out all the warm blankets, candles and records for the player.  We’re ready for fires in the fireplace and books everywhere!

#7. KEEP WORKING ON THE MORTGAGE REDUCTION.

My original intentions: We’re making progress on this huge goal, little by little.  Since there’s only so much you can cut from an already lean budget, we’ll be executing a few side hustles for some added cash.  (Shameless plug to buy me a “coffee”!  Just kidding.)  I’m excited to see what kind of a dent we can make in 2023.

How it’s going: This goal is another one that has been inconsistent.  As the year has progressed, we’ve had to lessen our extra payments to pay for the farm and just everyday life.  Thankfully, I’ve been able to continually sell our unneeded items on ebay/Poshmark/Pango and all of that money goes straight to the mortgage.  We started the year at 15.4% paid and as of this writing are at 18.9% paid off.  Not spectacular, but moving in the right direction.

My plan for the rest of 2023: With birthdays and Christmas on the horizon, I don’t think there will be any big lump sums significantly moving the needle.  We just keeping moving forward, little by little.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. putting the garden to bed for the season
2. monthly sushi and prayer group dates with my husband
3. the beginning of birthday season for our family
4. the A/C off and windows open
5. slowly starting to feel like myself again

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. The older I get, the less I know. // Ahh, remember those teenage years and 20’s where we basked in our confidence and knew just about everything?  Fast forward to today: I’m almost to 40 and now can’t get over how vast the world is and how much I still don’t know!  So much to learn and research and figure out.
2. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. // At least when we’re talking about cortisol!  “There is very good scientific and medical evidence to show that chronically elevated cortisol levels are associated with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, fatigue, depression, moodiness, irregular menstrual periods, decreased sex drive, and Alzheimer’s disease.” – The Cortisol Connection: Why Stress Makes You Fat and Ruins Your Health And What You Can Do About It, p.46
3. Teaching children self-control is important. // “These researchers concluded, ‘Childhood of self-control strongly predicts adult success, in people of high or low intelligence, in rich or poor, and does so throughout the entire population, with a step change in health, wealth, and social success at every level of self-control.'” – The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups, p.123

TWO “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Farm goods from a farmer friend
2. Books from the local used bookstore

FIVE GOALS FOR SEPTEMBER REVIEWED

1. ✔ Try to publish a blog post at least every Monday. // 2023 has been a terrible year for me and consistency.  Here’s hoping this routine becomes a regular habit again.  I don’t feel like I have anything interesting to write, but I’m trying.
2. Vacuum out the cars. // I definitely procrastinated with this goal!  I’ll probably ask one of my kids to do this for me this week.
3. ✔ Transition Sammy to adult dog food. // Done!  Thankfully, it was a super easy process.
4. Prep winter pig paddocks with woodchips and housing. // Oof.  This project is nowhere close to being completed!  We’ve purchased all of the materials, but need to start construction.
5. ✔ Plan out fall birthday presents/plans and start thinking about Christmas. // Done!  Feeling a lot more confident and peaceful about what’s coming up.

FIVE GOALS FOR OCTOBER

1. Stock up on vitamins, medicines, and tissues for winter.
2. Finish building the permanent pig paddocks.
3. Return to the habit of making homemade bread.
4. Take our own family pictures.
5. Create a junk journal.

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Help me transition away from “traditional” blogging income streams while still keeping the lights on at the BWF!

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. a new job (finally a good fit!) for my husband
2. corn on the cob fresh from the garden
3. maximillian sunflower blooms
4. looking at the stars when I let the dogs out in the early morning
5. forward progress with my dyslexic kids!

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. Apparently I’m a “Geriatric Millenial.” // Geriatric millennials are a special micro-generation born between 1980 and 1985.  “The micro-generation I’m talking about is important and unique because it straddles what I call ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital adapters.’ Kids of the early ’80s spent their formative years on both sides of the analog and digital divide, and play a crucial role in helping bridge the communication gaps between the adapters and natives.” (from this article)  Proud to be part of that club!
2. My blood pressure numbers are better when I lay down vs. sitting upright in a chair. // I have an at-home cuff and recently found this to be true.  So weird.
3. I used to love the idea of hustle culture, but I’m now seeing the consequences. //  Me, a competitive little worker bee, loved the idea that if I could just push myself a teeny bit harder, I could reach all of my goals, hopes and dreams.  I spent years thinking this way.  And truth be told, I have hit a lot of goals.  I pushed myself and accomplished things I never thought I could do.  Yet unfortunately, my naivete failed to predict the consequences of being so driven without any breaks.  I’m now dealing with the physical manifestations of chronic stress.  I’m embarrassed that I’ve let it get so bad!  Anyway, I recently read a post from Grandma Donna where she said, “We are not imprisoned in our problems” and that is the advice I’m holding close.  I made a mess, but I can also find my way out of it.  So in true “me” fashion, I’m doing the research and making a plan toward restoration.  It’s hard work, but necessary and good.  I’m already starting to see changes for the better!  One step at a time.

TWO “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Farm goods from a farmer friend
2. A book from a seller on Pango

FIVE GOALS FOR AUGUST REVIEWED

1. ✔ Get the 2023-2024 school year planned out and books purchased. // Done!  Since life is so busy and unpredictable, I’m only planning about three weeks out at a time, giving me the ability to adapt as needed.  Working well so far!
2. ✔ Cut and stack firewood. // Done!  This was a huge project!  We are so thankful for the generosity of a friend who lent us his log splitter.
3. ✔ Start filling the permanent paddock with woodchips. // Considering this a success because we got a good start.  LOTS more to go.
4. Drop off donation bags to Goodwill. // I have the bags ready to go in my car…just need to make the trip over for drop off.
5. ✔ Start jotting down my Super Duper Task List for autumn. // Every fall, I try to think of every holiday, birthday, celebration, appointment, farm task, house task, winter prep, clothing needs, etc. that will need to be purchased or accomplished by the end of the year.  The list is outrageous, but so helpful.  I just spend each week trying to check a few things off the list.  I sleep way better when it’s out of my brain and onto paper.

FIVE GOALS FOR SEPTEMBER

1. Try to publish a blog post at least every Monday.  (Trying to get back into a regular habit again!)
2. Vacuum out the cars.
3. Transition Sammy to adult dog food.
4. Prep winter pig paddocks with woodchips and housing.
5. Plan out fall birthday presents/plans and start thinking about Christmas.

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Help me transition away from “traditional” blogging income streams while still keeping the lights on at the BWF!

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FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. fireflies at dusk
2. trips to the used bookstore with the whole family
3. afternoon sun showers
4. spending time with my sister-in-law
5. learning how to milk a cow!

FIVE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. I finally understand how the Tour de France works. // In a wonderful example of serendipity, I picked up the book, The Black Jersey, at the same time the 2023 Tour de France began!  Inspired by the book, I learned so much about the sport and even picked a favorite racer while following along each day.
2. There are four countries that start with V. // Can you name them?  They are: Venezuela, Vietnam, Vatican City and Vanuatu.  (I’d never even heard of the fourth one!)  A good piece of trivia to keep in your back pocket.
3. Don’t waste the abundance. // Praise God, the garden has been really successful so far this year!  The motto I keep repeating to myself is, “Don’t waste the abundance.”  We worked too hard to have food rotting on the vine!  My days are full of deciding dinner based around what is freshly picked, making lots and lots of sauce, dehydrating, freezing, giving extras to the animals, etc etc.  All in an attempt to intentionally use this huge gift we’ve been given.
4. “In 1986, NFL owners were bootlegging a daunting statistic that they knew but didn’t share: Though the average game lasted more than three hours, the ball was in play for just about eleven minutes.” // “The rest of the time was parceled out to commercial messages during time-outs, to halftime, and largely to the pace of the game itself, in which significant play was maddeningly and microscopically episodic.  Between seconds-long bursts of action, there were endless shots of men tearing themselves off the turf, men standing around, men walking back to the huddle, men in the huddle, and older men pacing sullenly on the sidelines, looking aggrieved.” This quote was from One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America (p.264-265).  Who knew?
5. Culling animals might be the hardest part of farming so far. // We had to make hard decisions this month.

FIVE “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Farm goods from a farmer friend
2. A birthday card from EIGHT21 Studio
3. Books for the kids from a seller on Pango
4. Books from a local used bookstore
5. Ice cream from a local ice cream shop

FIVE GOALS FOR JULY REVIEWED

1. Continue our “tour” of local ice cream shops. // Counting this a kinda/sorta success?  Since we are pretty rural, the local ice cream shops in our county are spaced far apart.  The closest one is only 15 minutes away and everything from the ice cream to the fried food is delicious.  We went multiple times this month!  Hoping to get to a couple of the others before school starts, but they’re a trek.
2. ✔ Clean and pack away all of the broiler gear after processing. // We are done with chicken season 2023!  So happy to have a full freezer and less chores.
3. Learn how to can homemade tomato sauce. // I haven’t started canning yet, but I did make batches of marinara and pizza sauce.  Both were delicious.
4. Get our master bedroom fan replaced. // Nope.  This keeps getting pushed off due to time and money.  We’ve been making do with desktop fans on our nightstands.  Hoping for August or we’ve completely missed the hot weather window at this point.
5. ✔ Wean the piglets off of Mama and get her out to pasture. // I planned the process out in my head for a week ahead of the big event, trying to predict everything that could go wrong and how to avoid that.  And…we still had a few shenanigans on moving day.  Oh well, it’s done!

FIVE GOALS FOR AUGUST

1. Get the 2023-2024 school year planned out and books purchased.
2. Cut and stack firewood.
3. Start filling the permanent paddock with woodchips.
4. Drop off donation bags to Goodwill.
5. Start jotting down my Super Duper Task List for autumn.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission of any sale made at no extra cost to you.

My biggest goals for June were to significantly slow down the pace (it’s the year of endurance after all!), refocus my attention on my neglected house (in dire need of some deep cleaning), and make a few fun memories with the kids.  And I’m happy to say that I think we accomplished most of that!  I started off the month teetering on the precipice of exhaustion and burn out, but I think I addressed the issue before reaching disaster territory.  This life is a marathon not a sprint, and I’m constantly relearning how to pace myself.

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. hours and hours with a book in my hands
2. supporting our friend in a local theater rendition of Beauty and the Beast
3. super fun cousin playdates
4. a much-anticipated visit with my aunt and uncle (we haven’t seen them since 2017!)
5. watching the little piglets grow and grow

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. 65% of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient readers. // I learned this from the Sold a Story podcast.
2. “I will humble myself more for those virtues which I lack than pride myself on those I possess.” // Wise advice from Saint Augustine!  I read this in my current religious reading, Humility of Heart, (p.27).
3. There are so many ransomware attacks happening right now. // I randomly heard about a ransomware attack on the city of Augusta, GA so I did a little bit of investigating.  Turns out this is happening just about everywhere to all kinds of places!  This website has a good summary of who has been affected so far this year.

FIVE “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Farm goods from a farmer friend
2. Eggs from another farm friend (a fox has been eating our hens!)
3. School books from a few different sellers on ebay
4. Ice cream from a local ice cream shop
5. Books for my daughter from a seller on Pango

FIVE GOALS FOR JUNE REVIEWED

1. Try to write on the blog more frequently. // Meh.  A little better than the last couple of months, but not great.
2. ✔ Go back to “strict-ish” intermittent fasting and no sugar. // Considering this goal a success.  This ebbed and flowed throughout the month, but better habits are being formed again!  I definitely indulged in some summer treats, but reducing my eating window and being intentional about my choices has me feeling so much better.
3. ✔ Complete a summer reading challenge during June. // Yes!  The challenge was to read 100 pages every day.  Assuming I meet my goal today, I will have had a 63% completion rate and will have read 3,276 pages.  Not bad!
4. Get a replacement for a broken piece of siding. // This task turned out to be trickier than I anticipated.  We know of a place where we can buy the single piece of siding, but it’s a bit of a drive.  Hoping to fit this in our schedule in July.
5. ✔ Powerwash all the things (the house, rocking chairs, etc). // Is there anything more satisfying than powerwashing?!  One of my favorite yearly tasks.  Everything looks so fresh and clean!

FIVE GOALS FOR JULY

1. Continue our “tour” of local ice cream shops.
2. Clean and pack away all of the broiler gear after processing.
3. Learn how to can homemade tomato sauce.
4. Get our master bedroom fan replaced.
5. Wean the piglets off of Mama and get her out to pasture.

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Hello hello from the Hot Mess Hotel!  What a month.

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. winning a book from a Goodreads giveaway
2. watching baby piglets interact with their mama
3. celebrating a Confirmation and a First Communion
4. the sense of accomplishment after a stress-free chicken processing weekend
5. getting through the craziness of May without having completely burnt out

FIVE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. Saint Therese of Liseiux’s name was longer than is popularly known. // Her official religious name was Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face.  Her sister was quoted as saying: “However tender was her devotion to the Child Jesus, it cannot be compared to the devotion which she had for the Holy Face.” (The Secret of the Holy Face, p.109)
2. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. // There are numerous ups and downs in farming and May was no exception.  On Mother’s Day morning, we woke up to discover that a raccoon had gotten into one of our chicken tractors and killed at least 20.  Then on Tuesday of that week, our pig Ethel farrowed her first litter: two healthy piglets, but also one stillborn and one with a birth defect that died the next day.  So much joy, sadness, and disappointment all rolled together.  Farming is hard.
3. Sows and baby piglets are fascinating. // “Teat order is established firmly by Day 3 post farrowing and any unclaimed teats will regress.  This is why grafting beyond Day 1 has such low success.  Each piglet has “its” teat, and they will always nurse off the same one.  Depending on litter size, some are skilled enough to claim two adjacent ones and keep them going.  If an injury happens to a particular teat and it can’t nurse, unless you intervene that piglet will starve out.” (Farrowing Misconceptions from The Modern Day Settler)  Another fun fact is that pigs are not “nurse on demand” kind of mothers like cows or goats.  She will only lay on her side for a certain amount of time, calling the piglets over to eat.  And if they miss the eating window?  Out of luck until next time!
4. Periods within the Geological Time Scale were often named after places or things where fossils were found. // One interesting example is that the Jurassic Period was named after the Jura mountains between France and Switzerland.  (The Lost Dinosaurs of Egypt, p.74) Who knew?
5. “Never stop learning and you will always have an income no matter the situation.” // This was a comment made on a video about jobs in danger with the implementation of AI.  I found it to be wise advice.

FIVE “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Farm goods from a farmer friend
2. A dress from a seller on Poshmark
3. Greeting cards from TwigsPaper
4. Homeschool materials from Simply Charlotte Mason
5. Homeschool materials from Rainbow Resource

FIVE GOALS FOR MAY REVIEWED

1. ✔ Complete standardized testing and wrap up the school year. // Done!  I hate standardized testing and think that it’s such a poor way to see a child’s progress, but we do what we have to do to stay in the county’s good graces.  The kids did great!
2. ✔ Prep for piglet arrival. // Done!  We built a special farrowing hut for Ethel in the permanent paddock and set up a farrowing kit (old towels, iodine spray, and OB gloves) for the birth.  She was five days overdue (apparently normal for her breed) and ultimately decided to farrow out in in the elements.  Oh well.
3. Pick out flowers for the flower pots on the porch. // No extra time or money for this superfluous treat this month.  I’m hoping for June!
4. Paint the back doors. // There’s just been no extra time for this task either.  Really hoping to get this checked off in June – it’s been in the back of my mind for a year!
5. ✔ Prioritize eating from the deep freezer to make room for new beef/chicken. // We ate a lot of chicken dinners this month!

FIVE GOALS FOR JUNE

1. Try to write on the blog more frequently.
2. Go back to “strict-ish” intermittent fasting and no sugar.
3. Complete a summer reading challenge during June.
4. Get a replacement for a broken piece of siding.
5. Powerwash all the things (the house, rocking chairs, etc).

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Help me transition away from “traditional” blogging income streams while still keeping the lights on at the BWF!

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Oh April, you were a wild ride.  New puppy shenanigans, a late night fire department visit for a (thankfully false!) carbon monoxide scare, long hours in the garden, a beautiful Easter High Mass, the stomach flu shared with half the family, a broken sump pump and $$$ to replace it, jobs starting for teenagers, a fundraising gala, a first tooth lost…and on and on and on.  So many highs and lows.  We’re just holding on tight and trying to keep our humor throughout all of the craziness.  What a life!

FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. a puppy that finally started sleeping stretches at night
2. getting plants out from under the grow lights and into the garden
3. pulling out my spring/summer dresses from storage
4. my go-to homeopathic allergy medicine
5. fifteen new little ducklings

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. I’m grateful the volunteer fire department is located so close to us. //  We were awakened by an ear-splitting alarm one night and found the noise (coming from what we thought was the carbon monoxide monitor) in the basement.  There was also a terrible rotten egg smell, so fearing the worst, we woke up all the kids, rounded up the animals and took shelter in our cars while my husband opened windows and called the fire department.  They arrived in minutes and were able to determine that it wasn’t a carbon monoxide issue, but something crazy happening with the sump pump, and all was good to go.  We felt a little silly about the false alarm, but were assured that it’s always better to veer on the side of caution.
2. Painter’s tape is still a fun creative tool. // During spring break, my youngest three kids found a roll of blue painter’s tape and went to town creating roads and racetracks around the first floor.  My kids are growing and maturing so quickly these days, so it was nice to see them use their imagination in this way.
3. I’ll never be a successful influencer. // I fell down a Youtube rabbit hole about influencers and “de-influencers” and the morality/legality/sincerity of the whole influencer culture.  Woo!  So many thoughts and opinions.  I’ve since decided that I’ll never be a successful influencer.  If I could convince you to do anything, I would tell you to put down the phone, find a hobby that brings you joy, love the ones around you well, and stop caring so much about what other people think.  Can’t really monetize that!

FOUR “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. A book from a seller on Pango Books
2. Food goods from a farmer friend
3. Books for the kids from the local used bookstore
4. Compost from a local nursery

FIVE GOALS FOR APRIL REVIEWED

1. Keep track of how many hours I spend outdoors. // I had the best of intentions to do this and see how much of my time was spent on farm things, but I kept forgetting to bring out my phone or check the time before/after…so I just gave up, ha!  Oh well.
2. ✔ Start livestock guardian training with Samson. // He’s a handful, but thankfully responds beautifully to praise and positive reinforcement.  (We’ll be saving quite a bit of money on treats!)
3. ✔ Prep for duckling arrival and work on their housing. // The ducklings are here, but we haven’t even started on the housing!  They’ll be living in our garage for four weeks, so hopefully we’ll be able to knock out that project quickly.
4. ✔ Make a spring cleaning calendar to give me some focus. // I made the list but have only checked off a few tasks so far.  (Quick and easy wins like cleaning out my purse, flipping the mattress, and wiping down the trash can.)  I really need to prioritize this in May.
5. Try to come up with some interesting things to post here on the blog. // Well, that’s a big negative.  Better luck next month.

FIVE GOALS FOR MAY

1. Complete standardized testing and wrap up the school year.
2. Prep for piglet arrival.  (Not 100% sure, but we think Ethel’s really pregnant this time!)
3. Pick out flowers for the flower pots on the porch.
4. Paint the back doors.
5. Prioritize eating from the deep freezer to make room for new beef/chicken.

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FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. the completion of all 365 days of the Bible in a Year podcast
2. watching the pigs’ absolute glee as they went back on pasture
3. a solid night’s sleep after a week of tossing and turning
4. new life growing everywhere you look
5. our new puppy

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. I want to learn to butcher. // After reading this book and then following that up with the “On The Anatomy of Thrift” videos from Farmstead Meatsmith, I’m really inspired to learn how to butcher our pigs.  We don’t have the infrastructure to do this on the farm yet, but I’ll definitely be thinking about it for the future.  I feel a significant sense of duty to our animals that they get treated correctly, from start to finish, and that we do not waste the gift.  Now to train my American taste buds to enjoy things like paté and head cheese…
2. I need to make sure I take care of myself during this busy season. // Things got busy, I slacked on my intentional eating, forgot about my vitamin regiment, and…I was soon sick with a painful sinus infection.  I’m making baby steps in the right direction, though: while normally I would have just ignored it until it literally took me under, I instead took the day off from all the things, rested and even napped!  I felt completely back to normal in 24 hours.
3. Puppies are so much work. // It’s been four years since Lucy was a puppy and I had forgotten so much!  Samson cried and cried for four nights straight and we were all walking around a little zombie-like.  Thankfully, he seems to have turned a corner and we’re getting a bit more sleep.  Now to work on the chewing and the bathroom accidents and the cat chasing!

FIVE “LITTLE PEOPLE” WE SUPPORTED

1. Another family trip to the used bookstore
2. Art supplies from Jerry’s Artarama
3. Goods from a farmer friend
4. Greeting cards from etsy seller, Amy Heitman
5. A dress (for a formal event in April!) from a seller on Poshmark

FIVE GOALS FOR MARCH REVIEWED

1. ✔ Get everything prepared for chick arrival. // The first batch of chicks always seems to feel like growing season kickoff!  This year was smooth and mostly uneventful, praise the Lord!  I’m excited to have them here.
2. ✔ Install the fence around the garden. // Done!  We installed the Critterfence and now I can sleep easy knowing that my precious trees and plants won’t be gobbled up by deer and chickens.
3. See if we can find dining room chairs that will closely match the ones we already have.  (Maybe the Amish outlet?) // We had a few unplanned expenses come up, so this got put on the back burner for awhile.  Someday.
4. ✔ Purchase Easter basket goodies. // Considering this mostly done.  I still have a few sweet treats to get, but the majority has been purchased and tucked away.
5. Deep clean my master closet. // I quickly consolidated my stash of packing materials, but I definitely need a better system.  Considering this task an ongoing work in progress…

FIVE GOALS FOR APRIL

1. Keep track of how many hours I spend outdoors.
2. Start livestock guardian training with Samson.
3. Prep for duckling arrival and work on their housing.
4. Make a spring cleaning calendar to give me some focus.
5. Try to come up with some interesting things to post here on the blog.

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FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. a new licensed driver in the house!
2. our sweet little kitten
3. the new gravel pathway in the garden
4. my husband’s dietary changes that are making a difference
5. opening the windows on a record-breaking hot day

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. My reaction to hardships last fall may have been due to my poor nutrition. // I’m obviously not a doctor and can’t really prove this, but I can feel a huge difference in my mental health since focusing on proper nutrition.  Last fall, my diet was terrible, with lots of sugary treats, and I felt like I couldn’t handle life.  2023 hasn’t gotten easier, but my response is completely different.  Amazing.  I’m so grateful.  I’d like to find some books that dive into the connection between nutrition and stress/depression/anxiety.
2. There’s a reason that kitten collars have bells on them. // I thought it was a little silly but I now see how handy that is!  The kitten is so tiny and mischievous and we often can’t find him anywhere.  Thank goodness for that bell.  (Even if it is quite annoying and I now hear ringing bells in my sleep, ha!)
3. I really, really love this farming life. // I feel like I harp a lot about the amount of work required to start a new farm (which is true) and don’t spend enough time talking about how much I love it.  I love being outside, I love creating something beautiful from nothing, I love giving my animals the best life possible.  It’s a hard life, but a good one.

FIVE “LITTLE PEOPLE” I SUPPORTED

1. Books from an amazing(!!) used bookstore
2. Caramels from Farmhouse Chocolates
3. Gravel from a local nursery
4. Greeting cards from Cheeky Beak Card Co.
5. A tea towel from Jean Choe Art & Design

FIVE GOALS FOR FEBRUARY REVIEWED

1. ✔ Go on a date with my husband. // We went on a day date for his birthday and had so much fun.
2. ✔ Start seeds under grow lights. // Yes!  Tomatoes, jalapenos, marigolds and celery have been started with many, many more to come.
3. ✔ Send out Valentines to far-away family members. // Yes!  I mailed cards and a few treats to our little cousins (the under-6 crowd) and chocolates for my mama, just because.
4. Do a quick decluttering and then drop off the donations. // I had the best of intentions, but didn’t even start this project.  No time!  Maybe next month.
5. ✔ Choose a book for Lent. // I’ll be reading Abandonment to Divine Providence.  (The post with the reading schedule is here.)

FIVE GOALS FOR MARCH

1. Get everything prepared for chick arrival.
2. Install the fence around the garden.
3. See if we can find dining room chairs that will closely match the ones we already have.  (Maybe the Amish outlet?)
4. Purchase Easter basket goodies.
5. Deep clean my master closet.

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Help me transition away from “traditional” blogging income streams while still keeping the lights on at the BWF!

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FIVE THINGS I LOVED

1. getting out in the crisp, fresh air each morning
2. a renewed vision and love for farming
3. forward strides with my dyslexic kid
4. the company of my teenagers
5. getting closer to a healthier me

THREE LESSONS I LEARNED

1. Hide & seek is hilarious for all ages. // I’m not sure how it started, but sometime this month, we created a “game” of hiding a plush monkey in the most ridiculous of places.  He’d be hanging upside down from the chandelier, “trapped” in a mason jar, peeking out from the mantel garland, etc etc.  You’d never know where you’d stumble on him next!  All of the kids, big to little, loved coming up with new ways to hide him…me included!  (Tabitha wrote about a similar type game on her blog.  Highly recommend!)
2. Manuka honey is great for healing. // My son had a (spider?) bite that somehow got infected.  Since reading this book, I knew that I wanted to postpone prescribed antibiotics until absolutely necessary.  So we tried another homeopathic method!  As usual, I had very low expectations, but it actually helped a ton.  (I used this one.)
3. “You are relentlessly pursued and ridiculously celebrated by the Father.” // A line from the commentary part of Bible in a Year Day 318, regarding the prodigal son and his brother.  A good reminder.

FIVE “LITTLE PEOPLE” I SUPPORTED

1. Greeting cards from Phoebe & June
2. Goat milk soap from Borden Acres
3. Two books for my daughter from sellers on Pango Books
4. A vintage piece from a seller on etsy (I won’t link the shop because it took more than three weeks to ship and the communication was terrible.)
5. Milk and pig feed from a local farmer

FIVE GOALS FOR JANUARY REVIEWED

1. Propagate the fig trees. // Sadly, a deer got to my fig tree before I did and nibbled off most of the branches!  I wasn’t sure if propagating would help or harm, so I ended up leaving it alone.
2. ✔ Refocus on healthy habits. // A big yes for this one!  More details to come.
3. ✔ Write a least three things in my gratitude journal daily. // January had more of its share of struggles and this daily practice helped put things back in perspective.
4. Order birthday and different holiday cards for the year. // The entire year part of this task was just too big.  I did purchase cards for February, but will need to spread out the rest of the orders throughout the year.
5. ✔ Make curtains for the kitchen windows. // So excited about this little project.  It definitely added some coziness to the kitchen.

FIVE GOALS FOR FEBRUARY

1. Go on a date with my husband.
2. Start seeds under grow lights.
3. Send out Valentines to far-away family members.
4. Do a quick decluttering and then drop off the donations.
5. Choose a book for Lent.

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Help me transition away from “traditional” blogging income streams while still keeping the lights on at the BWF!