Let's get our family involved in starting a little garden. I'm sure you have some pots hiding in the barn or garage. All you need is a little patch of dirt. By now I'm sure you know I grew up on a working farm. I loved the smell of tilled earth, and planting the seeds and watching them grow into large plants. Our farm was south of San Antonio. We can grow plants from seeds or from little plants that you can buy at a garden center. Even Walmart has plants or seeds you can buy. You can buy a bundle of onion sets for very little money. All you really need to know is that the root end goes down. This can be a fun way to grow some food for your family and make a few memories. Some of my favorite things to eat from the garden are tomatoes, green beans, squash or eggplant. Today I am going to take some potatoes that have sprouted eyes and plant them in a pot in my front yard. Tiny new potatoes are so good in a mess of fresh green beans. I have two white potatoes and a few red ones. These will taste so good in a couple of months. Sweet potatoes are easy to grow too. Cooking with herbs is a wonderful way to add flavor to your meals. I have one little seedling of basil that I am going to add to one of my front porch pots and then sprinkle seeds in the pot for a few more plants to transplant to other pots in a few weeks. One of the things to remember about growing herbs is to pinch the top out of them to keep them from going to seed. This also keeps the plants from getting leggy. When you pinch the top out of a plant it helps to make more branches. Squash is an easy plant to grow too. The more you pick the fruit of a squash; the more squash it will give you. We all love tomatoes. My favorite variety of tomato is a Roma. It is an oval tomato which is great for making sauces and salads. It is not a huge plant. Children love to plant and eat little grape tomatoes or Tommy toes ( small cherry tomatoes). Strawberry plants grow quickly and produce fruit that children can pick. Put the plants in a strawberry pot or in a raised bed. They will make runners (more plants) and the plants will live for several years. Go buy some seeds today! Don't forget to get some marigold seeds. Marigolds are great companion plants for any garden. They help to keep bugs away. Have fun today! Enjoy digging in the dirt. You will reap the fruits of your labor in no time. Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting us! HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER UPDATES? WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO BE PART OF OUR TAILSPIN FARMS FAMILY AND RECEIVE OUR NEWS RIGHT IN YOUR INBOX. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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This got me to thinking when we had snow and ice for a week here in South Texas. How many people just did not know how or what to do. If only they had been taught some of the old-fashioned homemaking skill it may have been a little easier on them. I will be the first to admit I have gotten spoiled with our modern conveniences. Modern conveniences and busy schedules have made modern homemaking faster and less hands-on. But what important, old fashioned homemaking skills have we lost? Here are some ideas to inspire you, and tips to get you started. GARDENING Decades ago, all farms and homes had vegetable gardens, even city homes. Fresh produce was expensive to buy, homes were on larger lots, and growing your vegetables just made sense. Today food is less expensive to buy, and we have less time and space. Gardening is on an increase. You can container garden for small areas, but many people are likely to try it and give it up, or see it as just a hobby. But for the old-fashioned homemaker, keeping a home garden was a given. That does not mean that everyone was living off the land! But vegetable gardens were expected as a way to supplement the family’s diet and help save a little money. 00:1 It is debatable whether gardening still saves money. But as food prices increase, it seems more and more valuable, and it’s a skill that you have to build over time. Why not start small and learn what you can? Don’t forget about cutting flowers as well, which are the perfect way to give your house charm and coziness in the spring and summer. If you have any amount of outdoor space at all, gardening is a worthy activity. Everyone can have a few herbs in pots at least. Preserving Seasonal Food Hand in hand with gardening is preserving the harvest. Canning, dehydrating, and other ways to preserve food help homemakers avoid waste and live seasonally. Even if you do not garden, you can preserve food. You can frequent farmer’s markers, ask friends for produce, and even preserve grocery store items. This can actually be very cost effective when you buy good sale prices on foods you really eat. Even though canning is one of the most important traditional homemaking skills, make sure you are using modern resources for canning recipes and techniques. A lot has changed over the years in terms of best practices for canning, and many old-fashioned recipes are no longer considered safe, unfortunately. Baking Bread Baking bread is one of the best ways to revive a vintage homemaking skill, because anyone can do it. Homemade bread is so much better than store bought, and it definitely saves money. Even though it takes quite a bit of time to bake bread, most of it is hands off time and it can easily be fit into the rhythm of your day. Bread baking is something that has become much easier with modern inventions like bread machines and instant yeast. But it is good to know how to do it without any of these things too. Once you get used to yeast breads, branch out into sourdough and kneading by hand. They are timeless skills that help you reduce your dependence on store bought supplies. Cooking from Scratch Old fashioned homemakers did not have the luxury of any mixes or pre-made meals. Everything was made from scratch out of necessity. But keep in mind that most meals were very simple (like beans and cornbread for dinner simple). When you transition to cooking everything from scratch, it is best to get there slowly. First: stop buying things that are expensive, like fully prepared meals. Then give up boxed mixes and instant side dishes. Then work up to making even more things yourself, like mayonnaise and spice mixes (if you want to!). Now just because cooking from scratch is an old-fashioned skill doesn’t mean you can’t use modern conveniences. If you have a deep freezer, slow cooker, or pressure cooker, take advantage of them! Planning Ahead Running a household has a lot of moving parts. And often we get so caught up in the details of our day to work like picking up the house, gardening, yard work, taking care of the livestock, and making dinner that we forget bigger picture items. Old fashioned homemakers did not plan elaborate events or vacations, but their day-to-day life followed a routine, as did their weeks. The homemaker was also in charge of the grocery list and meal planning. A century ago, if a family had a lot of money, this might be the only task of the homemaker, and everything else was done by servants! Think of the term “managing” the home. That’s what this is. Thinking about what is needed, ahead of time, and being ready. Don’t forget to plan down time for yourself and your family as well. Sewing I was fortunate to have grown up learning to sew. My mom was a seamstress so it was a must to learn sewing. When I was in school we had to take "homemaking" it was a mandatory class. I ended up helping the teacher with the sew class because I already knew how. 😃 Sewing does not save you much money, if any, unless you are very clever about reusing fabric and getting deals. But it’s such a satisfying and productive hobby! And if you really think about why clothing and other fabric goods are so inexpensive, it is definitely worth the effort and expense to make nicer quality, longer lasting things. History Keeping Don’t forget about this, as it is one homemaking skill that will outlive you, long after every loaf of bread is eaten! Old fashioned homemakers were able to simply save photographs, letters, and the family Bible. Every photograph and letter were likely to be special. But today, our homes are filled with junk papers and with so many things being digital, devoid of special photos and letters. So, it’s our job to make memories and record history more consciously. Don’t just keep your pictures trapped on your phone, get them printed and hang them up! Consider an easy journal with a few lines a day so that you have a real memento you can pass down. Soap Making This is one that people think is really weird! But it is so satisfying. There is two ways of making it "cold press" or "hot press". The cold press is simple so everyone should try it at least once. Soap making can save you money and also is great way to give handmade gifts that people will really use. You can also make a small amount of money selling soap, or more money if you are willing to make it on a large scale. Vintage Vs. Modern HousekeepingOf course, things are different today. Many women work outside the home and even stay at home moms have a lot of expectations related to their children’s school and activities. These old-fashioned homemaking skills are not things that we can expect everyone to know and do on a regular basis. But if you are feeling the need to look inward and pull in your skills, try mastering one of the things on this list. And don’t forget to count your blessings and be content. Perhaps the most valuable skill of all. My Homemaking / Home Management Binder I like to transfer my schedule into my daily binder (this is the schedule I’ve been using for several years). I feel like it’s the best planner for homemakers, because it also includes 20 pages for weekly schedule and budgeting. Also a place to list meals for each day. Print and reuse as needed. GET YOUR HOMEMAKING / HOME MANAGEMENT BINDER Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting us! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get updates delivered to you inbox. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace Every homemaker’s daily schedule will look a bit different, but sometimes it helps to see how someone else structures their day. Here is a peek into my current personal schedule. When people find out that I’m a homemaker, they often want to know what my day looks like. I think sometimes they are wondering what exactly homemakers do all day! Does being a homemaker mean I have unlimited amounts of free time? Do homemakers just sit around eating bonbons and feeling bored? Hardly! Homemaking never gets boring! I have had many jobs in my life but being a homemaker has been the most challenging as well as the most rewarding career ever. One thing I have learned is that having an orderly home does not just happen. It takes a lot of planning and a desire. A schedule helps me with that. A Homemaker's Daily ScheduleFor me, it helps to have a daily schedule to follow. This helps me to focus on tasks for my days rather than just drifting through life. And just because I choose the use of a schedule or routine, that does not mean that I follow my schedule perfectly. I never do. Things come up, we get sick, livestock get sick, life happens. But I still like to have a basic framework for my days to help me get closer to accomplishing my goals. A schedule also eliminates lots of decision fatigue. If you already have a basic plan for the day, you do not have to wonder what you should do first thing in the morning. You have already got that planned out. My Current Schedule Recently, I updated my schedule. My hope is to make my days as productive as possible. And I hope to make some progress on my goals. My goals include being the best I can be wife, mom, farmer (keeping our farm animals healthy), as well as personal and home goals. As a farmer / rancher, you will see our farm time reflected on the schedule. If you do not have a farm, you could have more homemaking, cleaning, and project time scheduled in during that time. There’s also time for exercise, cleaning tasks, cooking, and one-one-one time. Here is a basic outline of my current schedule:4:00-8:00 Morning Routine (my current morning routine includes Bible and prayer time, reading time, exercise, showering, and morning chores) 8:30-9:30 Farm / Feeding time for livestock 9:30-11:30 Farm / cleaning the barns 12:00-1:00 Lunch 2:00-4:00 Projects (decluttering and organizing, creative projects, baking, or online work) 4:00-5:00 One-on-One Time with my husband 5:00 Start Dinner 6:30 Dinner 7:30 Evening Routine 10:00 In Bed About the ScheduleYou will notice that my morning routine takes several hours at the beginning of my day. During this time, I am reading, praying, exercising, taking a shower, and getting dressed, and eating breakfast. I also have time for working on a few cleaning tasks early in the morning. In addition to making the bed and straightening the master bedroom, I also have a few cleaning jobs to work on, based on what day of the week it is. Now that it is not kidding season (baby goats), this morning routine works for me. When I have bottle babies (baby goats), I cannot have had such a long morning routine like this. That is why I am continuously adjusting my schedule. As our life seasons change, the schedule and routines change with it. The time slot designated for “projects,” is the time for working on DIY projects, big cooking or cleaning projects, sewing, or crafting, and online work. Our evening routine includes things like cleaning up from dinner, checking on farm animals, and other family activities Weekend ScheduleThe schedule above is for Monday through Friday. Our Saturdays look a bit different. My husband and I pick up feed for the feed store and pick up groceries from curbside shopping. Later that day we do projects around the home or farm. We have a rest/family day on Sundays. My Homemaking / Home Management Binder I like to transfer my schedule into my daily binder (this is the schedule I’ve been using for several years). I feel like it’s the best planner for homemakers, because it also includes 20 pages for weekly schedule and budgeting. Also a place to list meals for each day. Print and reuse as needed. GET YOUR HOMEMAKING / HOME MANAGEMENT BINDER Here’s my simple process for How to Make a Schedule.For some homemakers, it works better to focus on a simple daily routine, rather than a rigid schedule. I put times on my schedule just to use as a guideline, but we often do not follow it exactly. One thing I always keep in mind is that the schedule is just a tool to help us to be more productive. It is not my master. If things do not go according to plan, due to sickness or other factors beyond my control, that’s okay. I just do what I can and remain peaceful, knowing I can try to go back to the schedule later. When Schedules Don’t WorkThere have been seasons where a schedule did not work for me at all. This was usually a season of farm work, or chronic illness. Whatever the reason, sometimes it just does not work to have a schedule. And there is nothing wrong with that. One way to maintain some kind of order and still feel like you are accomplishing something during these difficult days, is to make a daily list. The Daily List ScheduleHere is what I do during those times when a schedule (or even a routine) just won’t work. I get a small, cheap spiral notebook from the dollar store (like this one). Before bed each night, I write down everything I need to get done. Everything from getting dressed, to making and eating breakfast, to putting a load of laundry in the washer. After I have my list down, of everything I want/need to get done the next day, I highlight the most important things. The next day, regardless of the time, I just work through my list. For the most part, I do not worry about what time it is (unless the task is something time-sensitive, like an appointment or something). I love being able to check the tasks off the list as I go. I can see that I am getting things done, even if they are just basic things necessary to survival, like making a meal and doing laundry! If times are really stressful, I like to do something enjoyable too, like setting drinking a glass of ice cold sweet tea and watching the baby goats play, reading, just relaxing. Planning like this probably will not be as productive as using a more structured schedule, but you’ll eliminate the feeling that life is out of control and you’re not getting anything done! And remember, it is just for a season. One day, things will probably settle down and be more predictable (or maybe not, and that is okay too!). Creating Your Own Homemaker’s Daily ScheduleI hope this post has given you some ideas for creating your own homemaking daily schedule or routine. The important thing is that your schedule serves you and your family. Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting us! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get updates delivered to you inbox. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace I thought I would share some of the flowers that we are getting to enjoy. With all this rain we have been blessed with everything growing and blooming like crazy. Every time we go out to the yard it seems like the plants are growing so much over night. I sure y'all are having the same. Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get updates delivered to you inbox. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace Is it possible to be the perfect homemaker? Here’s a secret, yes, it is! Keep reading to find out how you, too, can be “the perfect homemaker” Now I would like you to notice that I used the word “homemaker” and not “housekeeper”. Believe it or not, there is a difference. Many decades ago, I was taught the meaning of a homemaker verses homekeeper. Which they are two different meanings. Now, lets look at the two different words. First let’s look at the words “house” and “home”. A house is the actual structure – apartment, condo, house, trailer, etc. A home is beyond just the structure…it is the feeling or atmosphere of a house … the heartbeat of a house. Next, there are the word's “keeper” and “maker”. A keeper takes care of something (usually belonging to someone else). A maker makes something what it is. It takes a structure and makes it inviting. So, a “housekeeper” is someone who takes care of the household duties — cooking, cleaning, repairing, managing. These duties can be hired out so the one keeping the house isn’t necessarily the owner. A “homemaker” is someone who takes ownership in that same area. Tries to make it inviting, warm, cozy, safe, comfortable. Yes, a homemaker has the duties of cleaning, cooking, shopping, laundry, and managing the home (we’ll talk about those some other time) BUT it’s more than that. It’s putting your heart into it, it’s personalizing the space to make it exactly what your family needs and desires, it’s surrounding yourself with the people and things that you love, it’s about making memories that will last a lifetime. So … the first thing that you need to do to be the “perfect homemaker” is to change how you think about what you do. Don’t only think of it as duties that you perform but as a ministry to your family. Anyone can do the duties but not everyone can do it with love, commitment, and the goal of wanting it to be a safe and inviting environment. What are your desires for the atmosphere of your home?
Only YOU can answer these questions. Only YOU can truly create the atmosphere that you desire. Only YOU can put your heart into your home!!! Please don’t be freaked out by the emphasis on “you”! It isn’t meant to put the pressure on you but instead to help you realize the honor that you have. This honor was given to you by God in order to fulfill in you who He wants you to be — the woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother, friend. Whatever your title might be, it’s an honor to have that title. Be proud of it — it’s all yours! So this is your assignment1. Make a list of things that happened in your home (or your grandparents’ home, a friend’s home, whomever) that made you feel safe, comfortable, relaxed or made a memory (obviously it did or you wouldn’t be remembering it, huh). 2. Brainstorm about things that you would like to do in your home (more board games, more family outings, more homemade cookies, opportunities to show hospitality, etc.). You might be tempted to put things like keep up on laundry or dust more often on this list but, for now, don’t. Those items are for another time and place. I want you to think about atmosphere and memories, about cozy and warm, about laughing and sharing moments with your family. Remember, YOU are the only one who can be the perfect homemaker in your home! No one else can duplicate the atmosphere that you want to create, no one else can love and nurture your family the way that you can, no one else will create the same memories as you will. It’s a serious calling but one filled with love, blessings and feelings of accomplishment. Using your strengths (that He gave you), you will create the best possible home for you and your family. It’s a huge responsibility but it’s also full of blessings! You’ve got this!!! My Homemaking / Home Management Binder I like to transfer my schedule into my daily binder (this is the schedule I’ve been using for several years). I feel like it’s the best planner for homemakers, because it also includes 20 pages for weekly schedule and budgeting. Also a place to list meals for each day. Print and reuse as needed. GET YOUR HOMEMAKING / HOME MANAGEMENT BINDER Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission—but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting us! Don't miss a thing! Sign up to get updates delivered to you inbox. Blessings,
Margarita & Stace |
AuthorI'm Margarita. A Christian, Wife, mother of three, & grandmother "Mimi" of three. I create blog post about our life on the farm. Archives
April 2024
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The Goat Management Binder
$15.00
The Goat Management Binder This binder will help you keep your goats health records organized and more. Remembering all the identifications and medical records for each goat is difficult so I quickly learned that I needed to write down our goat herd information. We created all the pages for our goat heard. This system works for us. I think our Goat Management Bind will help you with your recordkeeping. This eBook has 24 pages Print our the pages, fill in your goat information and place in a binder of your choice. When all of your goat information is kept in one place it saves time in case of an emergency. Homemaking / Home Management Binder
$15.00
Digital Homemaking / Home Management Binder I'm excited to share with you my Homemaking / Home Management Binder. This is a beautiful simple binder to write your Weekly task for you home. You can use every day over and over. You will get: Faith based / Proverbs 31 Women Weekly Cleaning Schedule Organizing your home Daily Chores Monthly Plan Meal Planner Grocery List Bill Tracker Savings Tracker Vacation Budget 20 pages 8.5"x11" letter size that matches any printer Unlimited prints (personal use) Instant download and get started PDF Printable Enjoy getting organized with our Homemaking / Home Management Binder ** THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT. ** NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SHIPPED. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. * You may print the files as many times as you like for your own personal use. * Sharing this product is not allowed. ** We do not accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations, but please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Instant Download Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. Farm/ Livestock Management Binder
$25.00
Farm / Livestock Management Binder In this binder you can log all your livestock needs and help you stay organized with all records. Such as: *Goats *Chickens *Horses *Medications *Purchases of Livestock *Sold Livestock Our Farm / Livestock Management Binder is 24 pages. Print our the pages, fill in your Livestock information and place in a binder of your choice. When all of your Livestock information is kept in one place it saves time in case of an emergency. Gardening In the South
$20.00
Gardening In the South E-Book Learn about Gardening in South Texas Zone 8 In our e-book we cover Fruit trees, Perennials & Pollinator, Garden checklist, What months to plant. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Thank you for shopping with us! Margarita Common Goat Medications
$20.00
Common Goat Medications We give you goat medications that we use for our goats. Included: Common Goat Medications & Easy to Understand Dosages General Information on Injection Wormers Antibiotics Anti-Inflammatories & Hormones' Injectable Vitamins and Minerals Oral Treatments You will get: 13 pages - eBook Unlimited prints (personal use) Instant download and get started PDF Printable ** THIS IS A DIGITAL PRODUCT. ** NO PHYSICAL PRODUCT WILL BE SHIPPED. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. * You may print the files as many times as you like for your own personal use. * Sharing this product is not allowed. ** We do not accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations, but please contact me if you have any problems with your order. Instant Download Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. Thank you for shopping with us. Crochet Cup Sleeve Cozy
$6.00
Only a few left! Pretty cup cozy for both hot and iced beverage cups. It will slide up over a standard size non handle travel cups or store-bought coffee cups. They are great at protecting hands from the heat and cold of the travel mug/cup. *100% cotton yarn. * Colors may vary due to stock so message me if you prefer something specific. *Machine washable and dryer safe on low heat. *All Cozy’s make a great gift for literally anyone! *If you don’t see one you love don’t hesitate to message me! I love creating new products. Thank you for visiting our store. Handmade Goat Milk & Honey Soap
$7.00
Handmade Goat Milk & Honey Soap 4 oz. bar. Benefits from goat milk & honey - it's moisturizing, clarifying, and naturally antibacterial. Goat milk & Honey Soap has always been a favorite, it smells divine, and there are loads of skin benefits. Goat milk & Honey Soap hydrates and nourishes dry skin. It doesn't leave your skin feeling dry. Ingredients: Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauretha Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid, Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Goat Milk, Honey Titanium Dioxide. Due to the handmade nature of our soaps and fragrance oil added, all bars vary in color. |
Handcrafted items made with love.
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Tailspin Farms
2273 FM 1681 Stockdale, Texas 78160 |
210-771-7205
Email - mcgoats@tspinfarms.com |