New Year, New Project List, and Resolutions

With age comes wisdom, we hope. I've been tossing around a list of projects we'd like to complete at the Compound in 2012.  The list doesn't seem as intensive as in the past, but maybe that's because after this last year, nothing for us is impossible.  Reflecting on all our accomplishments, and the education we've received by trial and error, reading books, or from listening to others, this years list seems a bit trivial.  Maybe it's because we've finished the hard labor, or because no task seems that daunting anymore.

Can you even imagine the settlers of old carving out their little piece in the world?  No electricity, limited resources or supply lines?  I'm afraid that our world is changing before our eyes, and those who have sat around watching reality T.V. instead of trying to figure out how to help themselves, will be too late.  I personally have very little sympathy for the adults that have ample opportunity to see what is coming and chose to get their nails done, instead of starting a food storage program.  I do worry about their children, who unfortunately will be sacrificed for their parents ineptitude.  The Moose and I have just about given up trying to warn people to try and prepare.  They laugh, and talk about how crazy we are behind our backs.  That's fine, but when SHTF, we'll be on our way to prepared.  Resolve to Prepare People! 

With a new year on hand, I resolve to try and make my blog as descriptive as possible.  What started out as a personal journal, has become a stop off point for many, to see what we're up to.  I'm going to try and put more details and videos of our projects so you can decide whether or not, you'd like to follow along with your own, and /or learn by our mistakes so you can accomplish the same task on your end easier.  In the meantime, here's our lists;

Must Have List

• Set up bee hive, build a fence around it so Miss Izzy and the Hooligans can't get near
• Plant spring garden, add more greens for the Hooligans
• Learn how to process seeds from plants for next seasons garden
• Fence off blueberries
• Buy and plant more blueberry plants
• Plant the avocado tree Daughter Number 2, and her boyfriend got us for Christmas
• Place mulch around the outside of the garden
• Power spray the shed, get rid of the dust and grime
• Build a stone pizza/bread oven
• Continue storing food and supplies for when SHTF
• Finish small items still left to complete in the trailer and deck;  caulk, paint, stain
• Read and take classes to learn "old school" crafts;  sewing, knitting, candle making, etc
• Learn how to properly trim the fruit trees
• Keep up with the Back to Eden gardening principles  http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/
• Build or purchase a small chicken coop for when the hens go broody, or a sick/injured chicken needs to be separated
• Learn more about composting, so we can do it on a larger scale.  Right now the small barrel we use, is too small for our large garden

Wish List

• Build railing on the dock
• Build a mini dock for the boat launch
• Consider another container for storage of personal items should we need to evacuate our home
• Ducks; they're just so darn cute
• Talapia for the pond
• Learn how to hunt/capture wild hogs
• Mulch around the remaining trees on the property

I'm sure we'll add to the list, move items from the Wish List to the Must Have List, etc.  That goes with the territory.  The Moose and I look forward to eliminating the items on our list, as we move through 2012.  Now, what will you resolve to learn and accomplish this year?   I'd like to hear your ideas.  Thanks to all of you who have followed along in 2011.  If you would like more information or have questions, please leave me a message in the comments section.

  Happy New Year! 

Security for the Hooligans UPDATE

It worked!  It's really nice when your efforts pay off!  We collected 13 eggs for two days of laying, and not a one was broken, cracked, or chipped!  It's been a long time since we had this many eggs in so few days. 

We are however, re-evaluating the necessity for either/both roosters.  We really wanted Mother Nature to take care of things for us.   But having to constantly be on the lookout and ready to defend yourself against not one, but two roosters is taking it's toll.   They even attack when you are feeding them treats.  Go figure...

Security for the Hooligans

Hopefully it'll work!  We put chicken wire around the top two thirds of the chicken run.  We have a guess that maybe it was a weasel or mink getting into the coop and eating the eggs.  It took most of Saturday to get it all put into place. We stapled the top of the wire to the existing frame, and zip tied the bottom sections together.  If I see another zip tie, it will be TOO soon!  My fingertips are so sore, I'm through typing..

One Year Anniversary

Yesterday was our one year anniversary at the Compound. Things have really changed and lots of projects have been completed. Thanks to the extended family for their help.

Out with the New, and In with the Old

What a fantastic weekend to get some work done at the Compound! The Moose and I spent part of Saturday finishing the mowing of the front drive, planting a few more tomato plants, onions and garlic. We also made a trip to the hardware store for supplies so we could finish the fencing and roof top of the chicken coop.




Sunday, my very dedicated parents, and my awesome uncle Herb came out to help with the chicken run. I think my parents are more excited about me getting chickens then I am! While I spent some more time getting my garden planted; corn, squash, melons, cucumbers, and pole beans, they spent their time running wood supports for the roof and then the chicken wire. We really felt it was necessary to keep the hawks and owls out of the area, as well as not giving the raccoons any other opportunities for a buffet.

The chicken wire was lighter and easier to work with then the wire welded fencing, so that was our plan. During the process they stapled the wire onto the support beams. The Moose hooked up the generator and the air compressor for the staple gun. Things were moving along pretty good until the new air compressor decided it was not going to run any longer. So out with the new and in with the old one. It ain't pretty, but it finished the job.

So the fencing and roof are up. We have some small clean up things to do, chicken wire run along the bottom, as well as a "skirt" around the bottom to keep the snakes out. The Moose is going to add on to the existing coop and build some nesting boxes. This place will be the Taj Mahal when it's completed. The fenced in run area ended up being approx 24' x 33'. Plenty of room for 6 or so chickens.

Thanks to everyone for their help! Have a good week! Oh, here's a picture of the rhubarb and asparagus.

A Rose by Any Other Name

Just a quick update from this past weekend at the Compound.

The Moose and I finished adding chicken wire to the bottom section of the pond fencing. It took some effort, as a trench needed to be dug, chicken wire placed, stapled and then buried back in on nearly 200' of fencing. It should help keep out the critters, so hopefully no more chewing up the pond liner!



We planted two rose bushes, some new strawberry plants and another pear tree. The nectarine tree planted two weeks ago is already blossoming, and the flowers are really pretty.

Izzy's not been feeling well, ear infections in both ears, so as you can see, she was sleeping it off on Saturday.



It was a two t-shirt day on Saturday. Highs in the 80's and it felt like it.

Have a great week!

Barn Building

Like the days of old, barn building, my parents came out to the Compound to help us build a fence around our pond. Since something decided it was OK to snack on our pond liner, we had no alternative but to fence around it. Since we were going to put a fence around it, we decided to expand the garden area, should we need or want more space. It took us 6 hours, but we had 24 new post holes dug and posts up. Next step is the wire fencing.

We took a bit of a break and got on the boat and took a tour of the canals around the area. I think everyone enjoyed some time away from the hard work. It was a great end to a very tiring day. Thanks again to my Mom and Dad, without them, we wouldn't have gotten nearly so far.















Our small citrus orchard, looks like something out of a horror film; dead and gangly. It's very sad. We hope they make a comeback. They'll get trimmed back later in February.






We added two additional fruit trees as well, another apple and peach. They look really good and healthy compared to the citrus. I also planted two raspberry plants. We'll see how they do in the Florida heat.

Have a great week!