Raised Veggie Garden Part One

Something that I really enjoy doing is re-purposing the old in to something new. Not only is it often cheaper, but the finished product has a lot more character, which is what I love the most!

As we are in a rental home, we try to make sure that anything we do is temporary and removable. At our last home, we not only had chickens, we also had a very large veggie garden. Seeing as the chickens are now tucked up in their coop, we thought it would be a good time to start the veggie patch!

We weren't wanting to spend a lot of money in making them, so I had a look around at what we already had in the shed and found some old windows that MR S was given on a job site, and I thought they would perfect to transform into the sides of a raised garden bed. Being married to a carpenter is so good!

This will be an on-going project over the next few weeks, as we add to them as the budget allows. We plan on paving around the edges of the beds hopefully with some left-over pavers that are not too expensive at the landscape suppliers. 

This time I'm going to try more companion planting with our veggies. Have you found that companion planting is worthwhile and effective? What do you think are the best combinations?

Our first step was to join all the windows together with screws, making sure they were braced with triple grip on the inside corners of the windows. The front side of the second garden bed has some overhang on each side, but I rummaged through the shed again and found some scrolled brackets that MR S screwed on the overhangs; they are perfect for hanging my watering can on and I'm thinking, maybe some teacups or something else that's a little bit whimsical. I'm not sure yet.

There are still quite a few things to get done before we start planting. We plan on lining the ground with black plastic, filling the planters with soil and fertiliser. Paving around the edges and adding a few extra pretties as we go along. I love the little statues of Beatrix Potter from my parents, I think they are a great start to the cute, whimsical, cottage feel that I hope to achieve.

So, this is the beginning of what we hope will be a lovely garden that will fill our kitchen with produce and be shared with family and friends. I'll be posting more about the gardens progress soon! I hope you've had a beautiful day!

(Take me back to the Introduction Page)

(A Write 31 Days Post)

Blessings

This is not the post that I had planned to write for today's 31 Days of Everything Home, but while I was browsing Instagram and other blogs this morning, this quote below from 'Incourage' stood out to me. It's been playing on my mind for the whole day.  

As Christian wives, Mothers and Homemakers, we truly desire to live lives of genuine gratitude to God; setting the example for all those who look to us for guidance and encouragement. But it's not always easy.

Stresses of the day; external circumstances beyond our control; eyes that sometimes covet the next persons lifestyle; lack of sleep; sickness; lack of finances; marital conflict; greed and selfishness; continual children's squabbling. I could go on. So many distractions to rob our souls of the peace and contentment that is ours in Christ. 

Perspective. The words above, to me, remind me about the importance of perspective. How I see my life. How I see myself, my marriage, my children, my home, my Church family, my ministry - everything in my life. Do I begrudgingly give of myself to these relationships and opportunities, feeling robbed of 'me'? Or, do I see it all as so many beautiful blessings that I 'get to' enjoy each and every day? Some as answers to prayers; most as the outpouring of His undeserved love and grace in my life. Oh how He loves us.

As I pondered the words 'get to', I began seeing all these things that are in my life as a privilege. 

I am a privileged child of God; 

you are a privileged child of God!

I thought about all the things that I 'get to' do that many others would only dream of ...

I get to ...

• tuck four children in to bed at night, safe and sound
• clean a beautiful home that provides shelter, comfort and fun for us all
• clean and bath two cats and one dog who have brought us much joy
• learn from my many mistakes
• prepare yummy and healthy meals each night for my family out of the pantry, not the rubbish bin
• clean a bathroom that has a shower and a bathtub and products to keep us clean
• do weekly shopping just down the road and bring it home to a cold fridge and freezer
• have enough provision to need to work out a budget each week
• make this house a home
• wash clothes in a machine and hang them out in a clean space, and put more than one set away in clean cupboards
• serve, love and support a man who loves me beautifully
• teach, train and equip my children in the ways of the Lord
• spend many hours helping kids with homework for their future opportunities
• use my voice to sing to God and be a part of our Church Music team
• spend many hours studying to be able to work at a later stage in life

There are so many blessings He gives me, gives us, gives you. I pray that I always have an attitude of gratefulness and 'getting to' do these things. 

Have a beautiful weekend praising God for all His blessings!

If you've missed out on the previous 31 Days of Everything Home posts, then here they are for you to read with your favourite hot drink in hand, enjoy! ...

... take me back to the Introduction Page.

(A Write 31 Days Post)

Home Is Where The Chickens Roam

Today was a very special day here at our little place. We bought some chickens! At our old home where we had five acres there was always the lovely sound of little chickens scratching and clucking in the dirt. When we moved here to this little home in town we realised quickly that we missed our little feathered friends. 

After spending the afternoon preparing the chook coop, we were ready to all pick out one chicken each at our local produce store. We had so much fun. 

The chook coop before we prepared it for the little ladies.

Little Miss J  chose a black hen and named her 'Diana' from ... you guessed it,
Anne of Green Gables! She's squinting from the sun, little cutie!

Meet 'Josey Pie' ... Mr S chose her and decided to stick with the
Green Gables theme (even though he's not its biggest fan!)

Mr S is holding my girl, and yes, this is 'Anne' (with an 'e').
Her red plumage reminded me of 'carrots'.

Little Miss P chose this pretty white chooky and named her 'Marilla'.
Look at the smile on her face!

Mr R chose this little one and named her 'Cheeky Pop'.
No, it's not from Green Gables, but who can resist him when
he chooses such a gorgeous name, and those eyes of his!

Our six little hens all cooped up, well fed and watered. MR S named his chicken 'Lucy' (Narnia) and so we are now anticipating the laying of fresh, creamy yolked eggs and feeding our girls buckets full of veggie scraps. 

"Enjoy the little things in life ... for one day you'll look back and realise they were the big things".

Once the girls were in their new home, I made a sign for the coop. It's called 'Green Gables' and we think they're very beautiful! I'm so grateful to God that He blesses us with such sweet gifts; gifts that maybe small but that make life full and pleasant. He is so good. 

We really can't wait for the eggs!

(Take me back to the Introduction Page)

(A Write 31 Days Post)