Little Homestead in the City - the Urban Homestead Journal

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2012-05-25T14:42:55Z

"As for marigolds, poppies, hollyhocks, and valorous sunflowers, we shall never have a garden without them, both for their own sake, and for the sake of old-fashioned folks, who used to love them." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

I couldn't agree more, wouldn't you? A garden isn't complete without cheery sunflowers and happy hollyhocks. Not only do they invoke nostalgia but these graceful and majestic beauties also seem bring a warmth and happiness to gardens.... and beneficials!

Our parkway is where we plant this "beneficial border" of assorted flowers. Just walk on the sidewalk in front our house and peer into the wildflower jumble and you will spot loads of little ladybugs and bees a -plenty.

What's your favorite garden flower?

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

:: Resources ::

Beneficial Borders

Flowers that Attract Beneficials

WILDLIFE RESCUE

2012-05-24T18:37:14Z

With so much urban wildlife attracted to our neighborhood, we oftentimes become a wildlife rescue station for injured or abandoned birds and critters. Last week this little guy (gal) fell from the nest of a recently toppled tree that was at our neighbor's place. The neighbor told us that one of crows had its sibling for lunch so we brought it home to look after it till it can fly.

This fledgling Western Scrub Jay is not able to eat on it's own just yet so we are feeding it wet cat food. This week it's starting to preen and test out its wings, pretty soon it will released to join the other neighborhood jays.

I think we've spotted Mama Scrub Jay a few times outside the window. She was chirping as if to say "Mama's here!" Don't worry, Mama Jay, "Baby" will be joining you shortly!

:: Resources ::

Raising/Caring for Orphan Baby Birds

HOME APOTHECARY: Charcoal Part Two

2012-05-23T15:07:05Z

Old Apothecary Shop (photo from http://scottsvillemuseum.com/business/homecg93cdcg08.html)

There was a quite a buzz along with questions regarding our post on the many benefits of Activated Charcoal. So, we thought we would a write bit more about the benefits of charcoal.

Regarding the carcinogenic qualities of charcoal, the charcoal which is beneficial to the human experience is from charred wood. When wood is left on the ground, it begins to deteriorate immediately. But if it is burned from a fire, the end product is charcoal and it can last much longer since the fire retards the deterioration process. Charred food like burnt toast. and scorched food are not charcoal. Scorched food has been found to be cancer producing. The charred wood from which activated charcoal is made does not return harmful chemical or mineral residue as does scorched food so it is perfectly safe and not cancer producing at all.

We have personally used activated charcoal for many of our ailments and inquires. About 5 years ago, Jordanne got a rusty nail stuck in her barefoot at an angle. The nail had been lying around in the barnyard and, unfortunately, she stepped on it. Try telling someone she should have not gone barefoot when her foot is aching, hurting and she is crying buckets of tears from pain. That is not the time for a lecture but a time for action. The puncture wound was at an angle so it was difficult to clean. All Jordanne could think of was using the charcoal paste she keeps in the shed in case the goats eat something they should not. She applied it liberally to her cut. Within an hour the pain subsided. and she kept reapplying the paste. Soon the puncture was healed.

Here is a brief run down of some of the aliments that charcoal can help remedy:

1.Aspirin overdose
2. Tylenol overdose
3.Valium overdose
4, helps with vomiting, nausea and diarrhea
5. effective against cancer producing agents and chemicals. It also helps with the anemia of cancer which is caused by the toxicity of the cancer itself.
6. helps with intestinal gas
7. helps with bad breath when used as a mouthwash
6. great for insect bites, poison ivy, bees tings and snakebites.

It is recommended that you take charcoal internally and apply a charcoal poultice or even bath in it. For recommended doses, do an online search but it can never harm you.

Charcoal helps when there are chemicals or heavy metals in the body and helps eliminate them safely. You cannot overdose on charcoal. It does not interfere with your intake of nutrients but does interfere with any prescription drugs you may be taking, making them less effective.

Substances that are not adsorbed by charcoal and for which charcoal won't help (but it won't hurt if you do take charcoal) are nutrient as they bind very poorly with charcoal. So, if you overdose on iron pills, charcoal will not help since iron is a natural substance.

Charcoal binds very well with bacteria, viruses and bacterial toxins so take it when you feel like you are getting sick with something.. It has also been used effectively internally and as compresses for liver and kidney failure.

A friend of mine, who is a pretty healthy eater, had to go to the hospital for severe stomach pains. She shuddered as was telling me how they made her drink some crap and that after her hospital stay that she felt that she needed a good "cleanse." I recommended that she drink charcoal and it seem to have done the trick.

Stress seems to go to my stomach so when that happens, I find that a bit of charcoal really helps with the "gurglings."

Here is where you can buy some activate charcoal caps and get $5 off your first order using coupon code JUL 275

Note: We do not recommend this as the solution for everyone. It is our choice to treat ourselves naturally and holistically based on our beliefs. We also recognize and respect that others choose to go the allopathic route and we make no criticism here about that. In this society, sometimes it is the only option. But perhaps our experience could assist someone when there is no other option or it can be used a supplemental, emergency procedure until a doctor can intervene.

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to evaluate the information and results from tools we provide. If you are a health care professional, you should exercise your professional judgment in evaluating any information, and we encourage you to confirm the information contained on our website with other sources before undertaking any treatment or action based on it. If you are a consumer, you should evaluate the information together with your physician or another qualified health care professional.

RENEGADE CHICKEN

2012-05-22T13:56:04Z

We LOVE Lucie

Jordanne caught this sequence of photos and I am sure could have written a much more captivating chicken tale but she's busy with a few new projects at the moment. In fact, she has almost completed a PAID job creating a website for a client.

Now to our chicken tale.

Our bantam chickens are the most personable chickens in our little flock; however, to put it mildly, a bit on the deranged side. Especially when it comes to laying eggs. They have this wild tendency to lay somewhere OTHER than the nesting boxes The goat's hay box is one of their favorite places.

These past few weeks, Lucie has made an escape from the animal compound and had been spotted running from the garden a few times. Of course, this could only mean she's gone rogue and found a hide away for her clutchful of eggs. But where?

Temperatures have been climbing and for the snow peas, unfortunately, days were numbered. This week, their tender leaves and tendrils were shriveling under the hot sun... and, lo and behold, Lucie's nest was revealed!

Seems Lucie got it in her little noggin that the nesting boxes aren't good enough for her brood.

Unfortunately, her secret hide out had to be taken down as we make way for tomatoes. She was rather upset this morning (poor baby!) when she discovered that her nest was no more. But I showed her another little hide-a-way in the goat pen and she seemed to be content with that.

Chickens are such characters! Gotta luv 'em.

I spy....

a nest of eggs

Looks like a weeks worth!

Done laying, now back to the chicken compound to join the rest of the gals

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2012-05-18T19:42:04Z

“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing birds is come…” -- Song of Solomon 2:11,12

Spring has sprung in all her glory; winter is but a distance memory as summer quickly approaches. Won't be long now until we savor a sun ripened tomato.

Today, for this week's "end quote," I am "borrowing" one posted from my fellow homesteading friends in Tennessee. BTW, we will be giving away their new cookbook soon. Stay tuned for that!

Jumping grasshoppers! What a busy week it was.

A friend dropped off a massive fridge (cross another item off the "farm stand" wish list!) Although I cringe at the thought of having another fridge, I have resigned myself to the fact this one will be used primarily for the farm stand. This will allow us to, hopefully, expand our offerings.

Work has already begun on another sitting area in the front garden. It's such a pleasure to see other folks enjoying the garden space. They regularly comment, "How lovely your garden is and how nice to hear all the birds." One would hardly think one was a stone's throw from a freeway.

Work has also started on a new "expansion" project. Details to come; however, if you are subscribed to Jordanne's Facebook page you will see some "mystery" photo postings. Well, I'll close for now... customers are a'coming.

Have a lovely weekend y'all and HAPPY SPRING.

CAPTION THIS

2012-05-15T16:51:15Z

Care to caption?

After enjoying a homemade egg salad one evening, one of our farm stand customers had some fun with one of our trophy tromboncino squashes.

His humorous antics & verbiage gave everyone a good chuckle. Couldn't help but think this skit would have been Hee Haw worthy. hehe

Love for our readers to have some fun and take a gander at captioning this here photo.

Here's my ode to Hee Haw....

"Hey Grandpa! What's for supper?"

IN A PICKLE

2012-05-16T02:04:51Z

A local, organic farmer planted too much cauliflower and asked us if I could do something with them. He liked dilly beans and wondered if we could do the same with cauliflower. I said, "Sure CAN!" Much to my surprise, he then asked for us to pickle 100 (quart) jars of his organic cauliflower and carrots!

I love "putting up" the harvest, so this was a challenge I could handle. In fact, last year I canned nearly 600 jars. So, with this order for 100, I think I will be close to topping that number this year.

With the homestead a daily hubbub these days, we had to wait until after hours to have a block of time to prep and put up. Some nights we were up past midnight. Now that was something I couldn't handle without COFFEE! Thanks to a friend lending a hand, we were able to put the jars up in three nights!

White, green and yellow cauliflowers from the organic farm

Washing and prepping the veggies. BTW, Jordanne just completed a food course, passed the test, got her certificate and is now a "Certified Food Handler." Congrats!

Loving all the colors. Wish he had grown some purple carrots-- that would have made a mighty fine medley.

Packed and ready for pickling spices and vinegar

Done!

This was our first canning-for-hire job and we are pleased to report that the farmer was mighty pleased with the results. Not only was he thrilled, he gave Sis and me a pretty decent tip! THANKS!!!!

Come summer , will you be in pickle with a boat load of vegetables?

Without the use of a pressure canner, storing vegetables in vinegar-based brine is a great way to make them last, not to mention it is healthful, too!

:: Resources ::

Pickling Vegetables

Real Food Resources

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2012-05-11T13:03:48Z

“Through the dancing poppies stole A breeze most softly lulling to my soul.”

~ John Keats

It's been a few weeks since I ended the week with an "end quote." I know many of you enjoyed this ode to the end of week .... this one's to May flowers. Enjoy!

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend.

HOMEGROWN ECONOMY

2012-05-16T02:13:22Z

I can't begin to tell you how busy we have been and I've been doing my best to post updates. Sadly, updates have been somewhat lacking; however, I do miss my somewhat lengthy chats with our readers. Believe me, I haven't forgotten about y'all! Not to mention that my brain is overflowing with informative and quirky stories from life here at "little homestead" but I only have two hands (last I checked) LOL.

Times are a 'changing and I'm having to rearrange my schedule to grow along the demands of our Front Porch Farm Stand customers. What started in the small corner of the front porch is growing right before my very eyes (plant nursery & garden sitting area). Ever since I was a little, I wanted to run a store. So now this little farm stand is beginning to grow and support not only our farm but also other farmers and local food artisans in the area. I started this "front porch" farm stand as a way to reach out and sell our produce directly to the community. Daily, we have face to face contact with the community. Customers and clients develop into friendships, bringing us to a whole new chapter here at the Urban Homestead. And we are still writing it as we speak!

This Sunday, we are hosting a special English Tea (by reservation only) and seatings are filling up fast! It's certainly exciting times for us and our customers as we grow before our very eyes.

Stay tuned for new chapters and don't forget to drop by and shop for that special gift for Mom (Acorn Flour Baking Mixes, Heirloom Seeds, Preserves, Organic Coffee, Chocolate and more!)

Some of the items you can purchase online

NURSERY NOW OPEN!

2012-05-09T18:35:51Z

If you hadn't noticed, Justin has an addiction... to plants, that is.

Like his great grandfather, grandfather and father, it's in the genes and he just loves growing things. Now, with the Front Porch Farm Stand, he's started a little nursery to help others "grow their own groceries."

Some family history

In their top years (1920 -1960) tree-nursery De Coninck-Dervaes was very famous through the whole world. Already in that time they made export to the whole Europe, USA, Japan,... They where nearly exclusive supplier for the gardens of the Belgian and lot of European royal families. The Belgian Kings were many times unofficial in Maldegem to choose trees and other flower plants as roses for their gardens. In the 1950's and 1960's film stars, singers, international jet set,... were the guests of De Coninck-Dervaes. They took over tree-nurseries in whole Europe. Even not the sky was the limit. In the 1960's they named a new rose type 'Caravelle'. Therefore they rented a Caravelle airplane and during a flight over Belgium high in the sky our current Queen Paola (than Princess) baptized the new rose. A non seen marketing event for Belgian at that time... [Please note that this is a translation into English from Flemish by a Flemish friend]

You see why he really can't help it!

Anyhow, you local city farmers might like to know that Justin is selling heirloom tomatoes and soil block seedlings, along with other helpful garden supplies. He always lends a helpful tip and his expertise to customers with a charming smile.

Folks are always telling me how healthy Justin's plants are compared to those they've gotten at local nurseries. One customer comes every few days to see what new soil blocks seedlings he's put out on the shelves. The soil block seedlings Justin is selling costs 20 cents a piece - a steal, if you ask me!

Front Porch Farm Stand & Nursery

Sunday to Friday 10 Am - 8 PM

Or buy Justin's selection of heirloom seeds online