Independence Days- week 19 and an update

Wow!!! what a whirlwind of a week.  Things today didn't slow down at all, either.  I must say, I'm happy (well, not completely) with how things are going.  I've been quite productive. Oh, and Sharon is contemplating an update of the IDC.  Check it out.    Here goes on the latest IDC update:

1.  Plant something-  Yup, planted peas and potatoes on Wednesday out at Roger's house. My seedlings are happy under the lights and my broccoli seedlings are outside hardening off to prepare for planting soon.

2.  Harvest something- Nope, not yet

3.  Preserve something- No, but did talk to my Mom about pickles on Sunday.  She sent me the recipe she uses for her famous (at least at our house) spicy mixed pickles. I didn't have time on Sunday to check out the reported stash of canning jars but it was cold and a bit rainy and I was having too much fun looking at pictures of penguins.

4. Store something- No,  we're actually trying to work through our stores.

5. Manage reserves- Ate mostly from stores last week again.  Will probably do even more in the next few weeks.  

6.  Cook something new-  No, but I need to look at a few new crock pot recipes.  I'm betting that I'll be using it more in the next few weeks so we can have 'real' meals.

7.  Prep something-  Ok, where to start... We have it almost all arranged.  Our closing on the acreage is set for Monday the 20th at 830 am.  I have already asked for the entire week off work so we can start work.  I have arranged with Roger to borrow his tiller to help me get the garden and strawberry beds ready for planting.  We pick it up this weekend and I can start on Monday after we close (assuming the weather cooperates).

8.  Reduce waste- Not more than the usual.

9. Learn a new skill-  Um. I haven't worked on knitting for a long time.  I have been doing lots of research on kitchen redesign (I picked up a 'green remodeling' book at a book sale last week).

10. Work on community food security-  Um, I don't think so.  We did serve at the Easter Breakfast yesterday and I think the leftovers were going to the homeless shelter.

11.  Regenerate what is lost-  I did talk to my Mom about pickles yesterday.  She sent me her recipe and is willing to 'walk me through' my first batch of pickles this summer.

12.  Behavior change-   Things have been moving here rather quickly.  I do need to call and make appointments for me and the children at the doctor.   I need my annual blood work so she will give me my new prescription for my thyroid meds and I want to make sure the children are all up to date on their Tetanus shots before we start working them on the acreage.

So,  as you noticed, we are closing on the acreage on Monday.  The owners declined to come down any more on the price (especially since we had accepted 'as is').  I'm not entirely happy with the situation but I can't say I'm surprised. I guess that $50,000 was as much as they were willing to cut.  But, in  reality, with everything else we are planning to do, another 5000 isn't that much more.  We will probably end up spending about as much as we would have spent if the house was in good shape so it all works out in the end and we will know that it is done right.  

I'm REALLY excited about this.  Next week will be incredibly busy!  V has planned out the weeks' schedule for repair/rehab work.  I pointed out to him that it doesn't include any of my gardening tasks.  I did spend time yesterday while we were in the car planning out the garden space.  I've got a 30 by 100 foot plot planned out.  I may not take up all that space but I was being generous with the space.  

If anyone is in Eastern Iowa and is up for a challenge- we will welcome any and all help- indoor or out.  We've got probably about a month of work ahead of us before the 'big move'.  We plan to put our current home on the market in early to mid May and hope to move for real Memorial Day weekend.  

J14 is lobbying for a cat.  The boys are excited to each have their own room.  I'm excited about having room for berry bushes and strawberries and being able to walk out of the door and go to the garden without driving 5 miles.

Whew!!! I'm tired just writing all that.  I'll warn you, posts may be sparse in the next few weeks but I'll try to post pictures with regular updates.