Feedback on New Homesteading Blog

ahahahni1 · #1 03/31/07, 12:44 PM

I just started a blog about our family in our homesteading adventure. If anyone would please be so kind enough to please give me feedback on it or new topics I could discuss I would be so grateful.

OOps the addy is www.macdonaldfarmblog.com

Thanks,
Marie

Rory · #2 03/31/07, 01:24 PM

Hi, I liked your blog and think it's a neat idea...the homesteading adventure. I'd keep with that idea and just post things you find eventful, like the earthworms thing. I'm so with you there and enjoyed reading about your experience!

Keep up with the pictures of what you're talking about. Show us before and after, that kind of thing. Pictures are fun.

I'm also a little confused about something you said in the blog about the proper way to milk a goat. How do you milk your goat/s? And, what do you mean by disinfecting it? We kept/drank raw once filtered.

It sounds like you're doing fine and will develop a routine that works for you...3 year olds included. I hand-milked in the rain for a week with an excited puppy bouncing around a 14mo in a stroller while 8 months pregnant...sheesh. Only two nannies though, but it took almost an hour! Soooo glad when DH came home! You're doing great. Have fun!

rwinsouthla · #3 03/31/07, 02:33 PM

Enjoyed the blog! Your garden area sounds nice! 130x30? I'm trying to get mine that big. Up to about 90 x 25 but not raised. Starting to feel my 36 years though!!!

One tip, if I may be of help. How about clipping some of the suckers off one of the tomatoes that are hard to find and rooting it in some water or other soil, transplanting it after it is rooted and having a third one or more for later in the season? I can't do that for the spring because it gets too hot for a second summer crop but early in the summer, I take cuttings and root them for my fall tomato crop. Just a thought.

I love your blog. You'll enjoy it too as a reference and history keeping storehouse.

Ray in south Louisiana

ahahahni1 · #4 03/31/07, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rory

Hi, I liked your blog and think it's a neat idea...the homesteading adventure. I'd keep with that idea and just post things you find eventful, like the earthworms thing. I'm so with you there and enjoyed reading about your experience!

Keep up with the pictures of what you're talking about. Show us before and after, that kind of thing. Pictures are fun.

I'm also a little confused about something you said in the blog about the proper way to milk a goat. How do you milk your goat/s? And, what do you mean by disinfecting it? We kept/drank raw once filtered.

It sounds like you're doing fine and will develop a routine that works for you...3 year olds included. I hand-milked in the rain for a week with an excited puppy bouncing around a 14mo in a stroller while 8 months pregnant...sheesh. Only two nannies though, but it took almost an hour! Soooo glad when DH came home! You're doing great. Have fun!

Rory, I am so glad you like it. Sometimes when I write I wonder if I am the only one that will enjoy reading but I write not only for a historical record of what we are doing but also in hopes it can be informative to entertaining to others.

The way I milk a goat is first wipe her down with a warm clean rag then start milking. Of course with Snickerdoodle it's the hold one back leg in my left hand, sqeeze teat with my right hand, while propping her up with my forehead since she is being a big pain in the butt and leaning into me. The correct way to milk I am reading is many steps. Disinfect teats, squirt milk in strip cup check for mastitis, then milk, then dip teats again. Hope I didn't forget a step. I use a bowl and it says not to use a plastic bowl but instead a metal one and wash with an acid detergent. I just wash with dish soap. This is a good question. May I add it to my blog? With your permission of course.
OH and I seem myself pregnant doing this since today my husband tried to milk her since I was busy with the kids. He came back in not even 10 minutes later saying. "honey you got to do it she is just not used to me". Ha! This man has worked at dairies for years while in college and he let a little milk goat beat him.

ahahahni1 · #5 04/01/07, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwinsouthla

Enjoyed the blog! Your garden area sounds nice! 130x30? I'm trying to get mine that big. Up to about 90 x 25 but not raised. Starting to feel my 36 years though!!!

One tip, if I may be of help. How about clipping some of the suckers off one of the tomatoes that are hard to find and rooting it in some water or other soil, transplanting it after it is rooted and having a third one or more for later in the season? I can't do that for the spring because it gets too hot for a second summer crop but early in the summer, I take cuttings and root them for my fall tomato crop. Just a thought.

I love your blog. You'll enjoy it too as a reference and history keeping storehouse.

Ray in south Louisiana

Hmm, I am in the south too (Texas) but how would I over winter the cutting

Madame · #6 04/01/07, 12:51 PM

I like the blog and love the photo.

ahahahni1 · #7 04/01/07, 09:54 PM

THanks! Anyone else have any suggestions to topics I should discuss or general reviews of the blog?

rwinsouthla · #8 04/01/07, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahahahni1

Hmm, I am in the south too (Texas) but how would I over winter the cutting

You wouldn't have to overwinter it....just plant it in the garden in the fall.

Have fun!!!!

Ray

coup · #9 04/02/07, 05:17 AM

good job,,i didn't find any pics though....

ahahahni1 · #10 04/02/07, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coup

good job,,i didn't find any pics though....

Yes, there are pics on a lot of the posts but not all. I'm going to take some more pictures and post more as I get them. I need new batteries for my camera.

ahahahni1 · #11 04/07/07, 10:23 AM

I did it! I added a photo tour of the farm! Also our dog just had puppies! Tell me what you think of the updates.

KristineinKS · #12 04/07/07, 12:25 PM

Very nicely done! I enjoyed all the photos & the information in the posts. I recently started a homestead blog as well & have mainly used it, so far, to keep track of info that I've come across in my research on various things (but that's just me, I'm ALWAYS researching something!) and will record more of our experiences as they arise. As for what to blog about...just keep your eyes & ears open for things that interest you, or things that you find online, read about, etc.

nikkers · #13 04/08/07, 09:02 AM

I loved the blog and the pictures. It is a wonderful way to remember the "brfore" and "after".

I think I will start one when we move to our homestead.

Jo in FL

albionjessica · #14 04/08/07, 03:18 PM

I love reading about other people's lives, especially if they are homesteading in some capacity. Thank you for the link! I definitely plan on checking in every now and then to read new posts.

Suggestions for topics? Well, it seems like you are doing pretty well on your own from what I've read so far. I like personal anecdotes, pictures of animals and their housing, how-to articles, and descriptions of daily goings-on.

Good luck with everything!