Can you believe we made it to February?

Hard to believe that it's already February. I've been so busy lately and time is going by fast. This gives me a feeling that spring is just right around the corner. It is also a chance to reflect on my goals for the year, and it's not too late to recommit to some that may have been put on the back burner. Although most people were getting ready for the big game today on T.V. I was getting ready for an event closer to home, my summer garden.

That means I went out to the green house and got my hands dirty. Though it wasn't the most lovely day, it wasn't raining. The wind was a bit breezy, but there was also some wonderful sun-breaks that managed to brighten up my mood. I sowed seeds for a few varieties of peppers and tomatoes, and I also chose a few flowers varieties too. A garden gives people something to hope and look forward to, and even if some of the plants don't survive there will be plenty that thrive.

I started harvesting some things from the garden this morning too. Some fresh spinach and lettuce greens were ready. I have also noticed some little broccoli florets and my cabbages starting to grow into round heads. My kale and collards will be ready to harvest in the next couple of weeks too. It feels nice, for the first time to be able to pick foods from my yard this early. I hope we get to the point where I don't need to buy any produce at the store this year.

Another exciting feeling here on the homestead is the hens are laying eggs daily again. Over the first part of winter they stopped laying eggs for a while, which is normal. I enjoy hanging out in the yard when its nice outside with my girls. Today, they watched me through the windows planting seeds in my greenhouse while they rested from bug hunting and sunbathed. I am excited to have plenty of fresh eggs back on the counter so we can add tasty omelettes and quiche, egg sandwiches and more back into the weekly meal plan. I never want to have to buy eggs from the store again. I hope to get a few more chickens this spring just to make sure of that.

I think for now it's important to be grateful for what we have survived and learned, keep positive and hopeful that warmer weather and eventually the lush jungle of a garden will return. I look forward to the sunbathing in the yard with an ice cold drink nearby. I am hopeful that things will work out and this year will be a better one than the last.