Are you feeling 22?
I can’t believe it is already a new year. Where did 2021 go?!
I love to spend time reflecting on the past year. Last year was a roller coaster. We lost all of our animals in February. We lost everything we planted in the garden to a huge, unexpected downpour that drowned all of our little plants. Shortly before Christmas, we had tornadic weather in the area that took out our huge blue spruce tree. It also took half of two other huge pine trees. As far as homesteading goes, it was quite disappointing. All of this could have broken us and caused us to thrown in the towel.
But, we refused to be discouraged and quit. We got a whole new flock of chickens and added ducks to the mix. We even have regular egg customers, which is so fun. Our garden was replanted, and did decently for how the weather was. A dehydrator was added to our kitchen to help us preserve the harvest in different ways. I’ve been cooking with garlic powder from home-grown and dehydrated garlic. Those little things feel like such huge victories! I’ve learned new skills in the kitchen, allowing us to eat more food from scratch. I got to come home full-time and be with my family. And, the trees that I actually cried over have become firewood and opened up some more sunlight on our garden.
We are looking forward to what 2022 brings. We more than doubled our garden space. The beds are covered in cover crops and leaves that will break down and feed the soil. We even purchased a small low tunnel and have spinach and arugula growing outside. On NYE, Scott and I stayed up and rang in the new year by spreading all of our seed and hatchery catalogs out with our Homestead Planner. We planned and dreamed what we hope the year looks like here on the homestead.
With the rising cost of food, we are trying to be especially deliberate in what and how we plant the garden this year. We bought grow lights to make our seeds grow much better. Every year, we put our seed shelf in front of our south facing window. It gets plenty of light, but our plants end up leggy and weak. The lights will help our plants get the strongest start. Here’s to a better tomato harvest in 2022.
I was looking out over all that we’ve done in the last year, and it astounds me. Where we once had nothing but grass now stands a chicken coop built from the ground up, a duck house and run, and a massive garden. We put in SO MUCH work last year. When I think about all that we achieved in a year, I get really excited to see what can be done this year. If only budgets were limitless. ha!
I’ve been reading Joel Salatin’s book Polyface Micro, and it’s SO packed full of information. I highly recommend that you get a copy and learn from one of the greats. You can get a copy here. It’s new, so I haven’t seen any used copies yet, but keep checking at Thrift Book. In his book, I learned that the average homestead only lasts six years before discouragement sets in and people quit. Six years. Gosh, that hurts me. I don’t want to be that person. Only if the Lord tells us “enough” will we quit.
The phrase that keeps coming to me lately is “open hands”. I have said for years that we hold everything with open hands. When the Lord closed the door in Oklahoma and we came back, I was so hurt and confused. If I could have turned my hands inside out, I would have. I didn’t want what He was giving me. But, I listened and my heart softened. I held out my hands, and saw all of the good He was placing in them. It has been so good. But, I can’t close my hands and cling to it. None of it is mine. It all belongs to Him. He gives and takes away, and I will hold my hands open to allow whatever He has for us.
I hope and pray that your intention for 2022 is the same. Life is meant to be lived, so go LIVE. God delights in us when we enjoy what He has created. Seek His will and follow His leading.
Happy New Year, friends!
 to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links. I know that I have mentioned prebiotics, probiotics and the importance of gut health so many times that I may sound like a broken record. I am SUCH a believer in the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics. My entire family takes daily prebiotics and probiotics along with our multivitamin. If I had to give one or the other up, I'd give up the vitamin in a heartbeat. I am dedicated to the probiotics! I feel so much better if I regularly take a probiotic. If my kids skip their probiotics, they end up sick so much more often. Wellness has become such a focus over the last year, especially, and I ALWAYS say to start with your gut. Heal and take care of your gut! Your whole body will thank you. This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is pro.jpg **As we grow older, our gut microbiotic community changes. Levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus decline. These are known to help maintain gut health and immunity. They also help with a healthy inflammatory response. According to researched published in Journal of the American College of Nutrition, by supplementing, you can help to restore those levels! Who doesn't want to "turn back the clock" to a time when their bodies were healthier? On top of that, supplementing can help reduce infections caught during hospital stays, help reduce allergic responses from common allergens, and help ease symptoms from the common cold! You can read more about all of this at www.probiotics.com. Now, on to the specifics of Kyo-Dophilus Pro+ Synbiotic! These come pre-packaged in individual packets. Inside each packet are two berry smoothie flavored chewable tablets. Because I am to give an HONEST review, they do taste a bit chalky, so be forewarned. They are not horrible but it's not like drinking a smoothie. ;) You can take them without a meal, which is great. It's best to stick to a routine and take them at the same time each day. Chewing can send signals to your brain that help with feelings of fullness. Chew slowly and really soak it up. This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kyo-dophilus.jpg **disclaimer-- these studies were conducted by independent researchers and presented for educational purpose only. The subject products of the studies may be classified as dietary supplements in the US. Those dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.){kind=link}