The Sitting Tree

Homesteading

2013-05-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Homesteading: A weekly account of our journey to becoming off grid homesteaders. Our path will be long as we are only paying in cash and our funds are very limited. Mike and I have no idea what we're doing so we'll be learning as we go. I know we'll make mistakes and that's ok. It's all part of the process.

We would love to read about your homesteading experiences, so if you'd like to share your favorite resources, tips, funny stories, recipes, books, website or even just a photo from the week, please leave a link in the comments.

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This last weekend was our first camping trip of the season on our land. It feels so good to be back sleeping under the stars. It's also nice to be back to working on some homesteading projects!

Mike's step dad made us a little stool for our bird sanctuary out of a tree that fell on their homestead. I'd like to make a few more of these, to put around the campfire!

Luke has been asking if we could make a nature book, so we're taking pictures of things he wants to identify. We think the second photo is an Allegheny Serviceberry. They grow all along the hill and along the edge of the woods. Right now, the trees are covered in clouds of white flowers, but soon will have sweet, juicy berries. We hope, anyway! In the fall, the leaves will turn a brilliant shade of orange and red that glow like fire, in the evening sun.

Last week, we mowed an area where are going to build the house. This week, we staked out the perimeter of our tiny house and mowed the area where we'll put the giant garden next year! We decided to till the garden for the first year and then work the soil as no till from then on. We just don't have money in the budget for a truck load of compost, and by then we should have a good amount of our own humanure compost.

I also had to share the most exciting part of our weekend... snakes! And lots of them. Jake said the garter snakes were the most angry and feisty he's ever picked up, hissing and biting. Garter snakes are usually mellow and very tame. He also found a Fox Snake out on the road. It's the largest fox snake we've ever seen in the wild. Jake measured it against is 6ft tall body, and this snake was a good 5 feet long. It stunk really bad, so he only held it long enough for me to take a few pictures and then let it go back into the ditch.

For this next weekend, we're looking forward to building our harvest table!

The Dandelion

2013-05-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

Dandelions are beginning to bloom! While the lawn care trucks circle the streets of our town, I'm rebelling against them with dandelion salad, dandelion jelly, dandelion greens, dandelion wool dyes. The neighbors like to stick their nose up in the air at our lawn eu natural, but I say.... Bring It On!

Knitting and Fishing

2013-05-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

I took my knitting to the river so I could watch my men folk (they laugh every time I say that) catch us trout for dinner. It's always a pleasure to go during the week after the tourists have gone home; just the sounds of nature and the company of each other. It was a perfectly overcast day for knitting a sweater outside. The breeze off the spring fed river was cold, but the grass was soft and vibrant green. I snuggled up under a wool blanket and was happy just to be outside again. It even rained a little, but we didn't mind.

A group of small yellow birds were out and about, too. Cole had mentioned just the other day that he'd like to see a goldfinch in person and then wouldn't you know, a half dozen descend upon the river. He was so excited, he yelled, "GOLDFINCH!" They were the funniest little things; bouncing around the grass like one of those tiny plastic wind up chicks! Then they would take off, doing acrobatic stunts over the water to scoop up insects. Besides Cole's hilarious impression of a tourist fishermen, the birds were pure entertainment for the day!

We stayed well into the evening, until everyone was so cold, we couldn't stand it any longer. It was a good day with fresh fish, fresh air and half a sweater finished!

p.s. The trout, cooked by Jake, were delicious, in case you were wondering.

p.p.s I'm joining in with Ginny for Yarn Along

Planting

2013-05-14T20:29:00.002-07:00

As the true spring has finally made it's appearance, our thoughts have turned to gardening! Since the Seed Savers catalog arrived in February, we've been planning and dreaming of our future homestead garden. Just how much do we need to grow to feed a family of five for a year? With three growing boys... a lot! Of course, the first item on Luke's list was strawberries. Lots and lots of strawberries!

While our large homestead garden will have to remain a dream for one more season, we are having just as much fun planning our small, backyard garden here at home. Fresh spinach and herbs, squash, tomatoes, and snap peas... all our favorites and oh so easy to grow!

Just after the snow melted last week, Luke brought out the starter soil, pots and seeds. He planted Black Beauty Squash, Golden Zucchini, and Cilantro, remembering just what to do from the years before! Some of the other plants we'll have to pick up at the farmers market, since we didn't get an early enough start this year.

We also made some garden markers for each of the pots, instead of the ugly pieces of paper that we usually use. I wrote on some with a sharpie marker and some I wood burned. I love them, because they're cute and I'll be able to use them year after year! If you'd like a set, I've added them to the shop here.

What are you planting in the garden this year?

Weekending

2013-05-11T12:44:00.001-07:00

The afternoon air on the river was sweet, with the fresh scent of spring. If you listened close enough, you could almost hear the leaves stretching under the warm sun. We found lots of treasures including a clutch of turkey eggs, a handful of feathers, a walking stick, just Luke's size, and Jake caught some rainbow trout for dinner, too. It feels so good after a long, long winter.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

We Took To The Woods

2013-05-08T18:06:00.002-07:00

We needed a change of scenery. We took to the woods and returned home happy.

(Joining in with Ginny)

Felted Birdhouse

2013-05-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

Last spring we watched a bluebird make a nest in the rotted out fence post on our land. She laid four powder blue eggs and we waited for them to hatch. Two weeks later we checked again, and found the fluffy nestlings all alive and well! By the next visit, all the babies had fledged and the female had flattened the nest.

Luke and I thought it would be fun to make houses for more birds to come in and nest, so we came up with a few prototypes, until we found one we liked.

For the base, I used an upcycled sweater, and designed it to be the shape of the fence post. For the removable roof tops, I hand dyed pieces of a thrifted wool blanket and added some decorative stitches. Some of the houses even have natural wooden beads. The hole size will accommodate birds such as wren, titmouse, chickadees, nuthatch, and bluebirds. My favorite part of these felted birdhouses... the materials are biodegradable!! When the wool wears out, the birds can use every bit for nest building.

I think they would be really sweet tucked into a fairy garden, too!

You can find them in the shop here.

Dowsing for Water

2013-05-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

With the ground beginning to thaw out, drilling a well has been another topic at the top of our homestead to do list. The big question, though, is how do we know where to drill it? We've read about several highly scientific methods (a.k.a. it will cost us a fortune) and one not so scientific method known as water dowsing. Dowsing sounded like such fun (and it's free), so we gave it a try! Mike met an older man who had downsed for his well, and told us that, basically, this is how it works: First, you take two lengths of wire. Hammer the wire straight and bend the end at a 45 degree angle to make a handle. With your elbows tucked into your body, hold the rods loosely in your hands so they can move freely. Begin walking and when you find water, the rods will begin to cross on their own. Mark the spot with a stick, and that's where you drill the well. It's quite a spectacle to watch this in action, as they will cross and uncross by themselves as you walk across a water source. It feels like a weak magnetic pull. Supposedly, it doesn't work for everyone, and this seems to be true. It worked for all of us, except Mike. We found water near some of the larger trees, which was to be expected and over many areas around the land. We also found water in the bird bath! I read today, that using a fresh willow branch is the most accurate tool to use, so we're going to try different instruments and see if we get different results.

How accurate is this method? I have no idea, we'll have to wait and see. For now, we're having fun experimenting.

Fire Wood

2013-05-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

Another storm moved through this week dropping about nine inches of wet, heavy snow. In the wee hours of the morning, our 100 year old maple tree gave way under the weight, crashing to the ground. Most of the tree landed in the neighbors back yard and fortunately, the only damage done was to our chain link fence and clothes line.

It seemed like a good excuse to purchase a chain saw and cross another tool off our homesteading wish list. We were able to clear out the neighbors yard and we'll work at cutting everything up over the next week. It makes me just sick to see the tree in such bad shape. Several more branches are visibly cracked and are sure to break if we get any kind of wind, so I we're going to have take the entire tree removed. On a positive note, we will be able to accomplish another homesteading goal of having a year's worth of firewood chopped and dry before we make the move north next spring.

Fence Building

2013-05-01T21:19:00.001-07:00

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Earlier this week we had a much needed warm up, and decided a road trip up to our land was in order. We haven't traveled north since the winter solstice, and it felt so good to feel the earth of our homestead under our feet!

We also started our first big project of the season, fence building. This trip, Mike was able to pick up enough fencing to border one side of our 10 acres or about 700 feet. First we strung a guide rope from one corner to the other. Then Cole, Luke and I laid out all of the poles, one for every 15 steps. Mike and Jake followed behind us pounding them in with a post pounder. Finally, we strung up the wire. Looking at it, I'm certain we'll need more rows of wire or even different wire, when it comes time for sheep, but it was such fun to work outside together as a family again!

Gratitude

2013-04-28T09:28:00.003-07:00

This week I'm grateful for...

:: The return of our long night walks

:: Open trails at the state park

:: A rare photo of our oldest son

:: Carefree knitting with a friend

:: A giant pot of chicken chili to keep us nourished through (hopefully) many meals

:: Mud

:: Hints of life returning to the earth

Knitting and The Clyde Bonnet

2013-04-24T11:10:00.002-07:00

I'm so thrilled to share that the Clyde Bonnet is live and available for sale on Ravelry! Thank you so much to all of the test knitters for your insightful comments and ideas. I think I've knit enough of these bonnets, myself now, for a small village! If you're not a knitter, you may see a few samples end up in my etsy shop over the next week.

CLYDE BONNET

Sizes Newborn to 10 years
$5.50

In need of something new to knit, in which I didn't have to do any math, I picked up yarn and a new pattern from my friend Aimee at Darn Knit Anyway. It was a free promotional pattern she designed for their annual Yarn Shop Hop. Ravelry notes here. This is my first time knitting with Malabrigo and now I know what all the fuss is about. The softness of this worsted merino is a dream.

What are you working on this week?

Joining in with Ginny.

I Surrender

2013-04-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

I give up. I give in. I surrender to mother nature.

Spring Sunshine

2013-04-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

The sun is shining for the first time in over a week and it feels so good to sit with it's natural warmth on my skin. I can hear the melting snow fall from the roof, drip by drip, and robins chirping in the crabapple trees across the way. The little boys and I went for a long bike ride and picked up sticks around the yard just to have an excuse to stay outside a little bit longer.

Feeling refreshed, and full of energy, I finished up some wool dyeing and started the embroidery handwork on a project I hope to have in the shop in the next week or so. Can you guess what it might be?

Spring Fever Sale

2013-04-14T19:17:00.002-07:00

It's still snowing here in Wisconsin, so we're having a Spring Fever Sale!

Buy 2 knitting patterns from our Ravelry Shop and get 1 FREE!

Use Coupon Code 3for2 at checkout.

Valid through April 30th

It's A Snow Thing

2013-04-11T17:36:00.002-07:00

I'm so over this snow thing. It's dark and dreary and I couldn't get any photos taken of the decluttering progress. At least I have knitting and this photo from last year on this date to remind me that, even in Wisconsin, the snow can't last forever.

Speaking of knitting, a few of the test knitters, for the Clyde Bonnet, have posted project photos on Ravelry. They are looking very cute!

Knitting

2013-04-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Most of my time this week has been divided between endless games of scrabble, decluttering and writting up a new knitting pattern.

I had next week's test pattern all written up, I was ready to cast on, when I realized that I completely forgot to account for the underarm stitches. UGH. Well, that is the purpose of a test knit after all. In between semi ~~toddler~~ thirty four year old style fits, I worked on another knitting project, cabin fever block. I've finished four blocks now and I'm sure to be done by the end of the year, as planned. They're such fun for car rides, coffee shops with friends, and while waiting my turn at Scrabble. I'd impose a time limit on taking Scrabble turns, except I really enjoy knitting.

Also, I've quit drinking soda recently. Mountain Dew and I met in college, and this love affair has gone on far to long. There, I've said it and I'm moving on.... for my waist line and my health. I'm replacing it with a lot of unsweetened iced tea and so far it's working ~~perfectly~~. I'm also spending a lot of time apologizing for my semi ~~toddler~~ thirty four year old style fits. My family rocks, though, and are very understanding. Mike was going to quit this week too, but we decided, for the sanity of the family, that only one of us is allowed to cut out insane amounts of sugar at a time.

If you stop back tomorrow, I'll be sharing an update on my decluttering adventures. It feels epic.

What have you been up to this week?

p.s. Joining in with Ginny and Nicole.

Test Knitters

2013-04-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

I've sent out emails to the first 10 test knitters who contacted me via gmail. If you were not chosen, I'll have another new pattern to test later in the month. :) Thank you so much to everyone who sent emails and left comments yesterday. I was blown away with the amount of response and all your kind words!!

The pattern will be released on April 24th, and I've created a page for it over on Ravelry. If you could pop on over and give it some love, I'd really appreciate it.

~Wishing you a beautiful Thursday~

Clyde Bonnet

2013-04-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

I'm officially calling the kitchen clean up done! All except the junk drawer, which I'm desperately avoiding. Instead, I'm moving on to my studio. Sifting through old projects and notes is a lot more fun than organizing the odd bits of junk anyway.

What's even more exciting is discovering designs that I've knit, most of them I've even photographed, but never taken the time to write up the pattern. That's what I'm going to work toward this spring. Completing all my designs from start to finish. I probably say this every spring, but this year I mean it!

(Size 4 to 6 years)

(Size 6 to 12 Months)

(Size Newborn or large newborn sized doll, as shown)

This is the first of many new knitting patterns.....

So I designed this adorable little bonnet a few years ago for all the wee ones (and their dolls) in my family. It involves my two favorite parts of knitting: 1.) garter stitch and 2.) i cord. (My friends won't mention to you that I used to curse the two, but I've grown to love them over my knitting years.)

The bonnet has nice shaping to accommodate the back of the head, while leaving the neck natural, to avoid drafts. The ties are good for babies and toddlers, because you know, they don't keep hats on their heads. My older guys also appreciate the ties because when worn with a cape, "it just looks cool". I love ties for the contrast in color, because I just love a pop of color.

I had a hard time coming up with a name, so I went to my boys. I've seen many pixie style bonnets with pointy tops, but that just didn't seem a likely name for my bunch. Jake said, "How about Clyde?" Well, wouldn't you know, it's a Scottish name that means warm and snug. Yeah, we're going with Clyde.

I've knit about a half dozen of these bonnets, but I'd like to open this pattern up to test knitters as well. If you'd like to test knit the Clyde Bonnet, I'll take the first 10 participants.

A few notes: The pattern is written for sizes newborn to 10 years. I used Size 6 (4mm) needles and 220 yards of worsted weight wool for the largest size. I think a worsted weight cotton would also be lovely for Spring.

Here are the requirements:

*Email me your info at: thesittingtree at gmail dot com

*Project Completion Date: April 20th

*Link completed project and photo to the Clyde Bonnet on Ravelry (I'll get the link posted this week, sometime.)

Thank you so much for participating and I look forward to seeing what colors everyone chooses!

Joining in with Ginny today.

Bits O' Spring

2013-04-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

Ignoring the snow, and taking notice of the little bits o' spring...

:: Warm light through the kitchen window

:: Flowers from a friend

:: An afternoon of open doors and windows

:: Handwork with Cole ~ A Rainbow Wreath

:: Changing the Botanical Calendar we made last fall, from September to April.

:: Loving that we don't live life by a calendar.

What does spring look like around your home?

April Sponsors

2013-04-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

A big welcome to our New Sponsors for April!

Moon Root Soaps and Candles: Soaps from the Earth

Gypsy Forest

Beautifully Crafted Quilts * Hand Dyed Playsilks * Vinage Inspired Aprons * Other Artful Bits

We'd also like to welcome back Armadillo Dreams!

Dustin and Amanda create natural, waldorf inspired wooden toys for all ages.

{this moment}

2013-03-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Spring Light

2013-03-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

A warm spring glow cast through out the house, leaving trails of hope and gratitude...

A House Guest

2013-03-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

Meet Lira, a red tailed hawk, and our house guest for two weeks.

In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined this as part of our life or our learning, but for Jake it makes perfect sense. From the time he was two, Mike and I just knew that wildlife would encompass his life. And it has. He has an innate connection with wild creatures that leaves me in awe, as a mother, and as a human being.

When he came to us late last year and discussed the idea of becoming a falconer, it seemed a natural progression in his journey. We met with a falconer friend who was willing to take him on, for two years, as an apprentice and train him in the art of falconry.

Mike, Jake and Jordan (Lira's handler and Jake's sponsor) traveled to a falconry convention in February. Jake was able to meet other falconers, of all ages, from around the state, and get an idea of the commitment and time involved. He came home even more enthusiastic about his decision.

We try not to put labels on our learning, but this has become a full fledged unschooling sort of project. In order for Jake to get his falconry license, he has to study biology, history, and medical training for all birds of prey. When he feels he's ready, he will go to the DNR office to take an exam. Then he has to build a house outside for the hawk, called a mew. After it's passed inspection, he's able to trap a hawk and train it for hunting.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about the whole idea, but after having Lira here for a week already, I'm much more comfortable with the situation. Jake has alleviated all fears and dispelled any myths I had about keeping a hawk. I hope that sometime soon, he'll write a post about his experience with Lira and talk a little more about the history and ethics of falconry.

Until then, I'm going to sit and marvel at having a hawk for a house guest.

An added note: Lira is with us, while Jordan is on vacation. Click here to read an interview he gave to a local newspaper.

The Process of Cleaning

2013-03-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

This cleaning is a process like I've never experienced before. Not just in terms of organizing or putting things back where they belong, but a full-on journey. I finished the kitchen earlier this week. It felt good to have it done and I even wrote here that I was moving on to the basement. Well, I couldn't. The next morning, I opened the cupboard door to get a cereal bowl out for Luke and I had to move several cups to get at the bowls. It was still too much. How could this be? I had already filled the mighty Honda with items just from the kitchen and took them to Goodwill.

I've been sitting with this all day and it occurred to me while reading an article from Ben Hewitt; when you let go of the stuff, you're left raw and open. Letting go, it's terrifying. It forces you to face the questions of what holds value in our lives and how much is enough? I thought I had a firm grasp on these answers, but I'm beginning to see that this change in our life is going to be profound, more so than I ever imagined. Tomorrow, I'm going to start again on the kitchen.