Fertilizing my Lawn

Looking out my window at my yard is making me feel a bit sad. The grass looks like it is definitely struggling to make it out there. I definitely think it is time to fertilize to see if I can it to perk up. I have heard that it is best to have mowed at least twice before fertilizing your grass in the spring. I just finished mowing for the 3rd time this year on Monday so I think that it is time for me to get out my Earthway spreader, clean it up, fill it up with some fertilizer and get to work on the lawn.

And hopefully that little bit of work will help my grass go back to look like this:

Instead of this:

I've also been spending some time in my vegetable garden lately. I've been watching the plants grow, I cannot wait until they are bigger and start producing some vegetables.

Well I'm off to get some chores done so I can spend some time catching up the latest novel I've been reading, it's been an easy quick read with a fun storyline, Child of Galina by Crystal Raen in case anyone is interested. 

Also, I found my Earthway spreader here http://www.earthway-outlet.com/ for those of you looking for one to invest in.

Barn Work in the Winter

I've been working on our barn which was a bit outdated. I've installed some corner hay racks, done a lot of cleaning and sweeping up of the place. I've also organized everything, I've got the feed, hay, and bedding in the middle of the barn so it is easier to get to and move around.

I've also repaired boards that were getting to be out of shape in the stalls. I've also been debating on installing automatic waterers, but I'm still doing a little bit of research on those to decide if they are worth the investment or not.

Over the summer we are thinking of adding some skylights to the barn to optimize our daylight so that we can cut back on our electricity usage. But I did install some new lighting that helps a lot and is supposed to be more energy efficient. We've also patched any places on the exterior walls that were getting worn and letting in cool air, definitely want to keep it warm in there this time of the year.

How to Use an Oil Lantern

With this big winter storm coming up, I'm being sure that my oil lanterns are within easy reach if the power goes out. Without power my fireplace and oil lanterns come in really handy. I know a lot of people who tend to panic during power outages but I like to make the best of them, I grab a good book, cuddle with my pets and just enjoy the calm. A few people in my life are worried about me using oil lanterns. They feel that they are dangerous. But as long as you use them correctly, never leave them unattended, and follow instructions then you shouldn’t have a problem.

How to use your oil lantern: If the instructions that came with your lantern say anything different, follow those not me!

 Remove the oil container from the base of your lantern.
Take off the glass lantern “chimney” (the clear glass part that surrounds the burner)
Fill your oil container about 3/4 full with your lamp oil.
Take the burner off of the rest of the lantern.
Reattach the oil container to the lantern, then put the burner with the wick in it back onto the lantern.
It will take about 30 minutes for your wick to become saturated with enough oil for you to light your lantern.
Use a nice sharp pair of scissors to trim the wick in a clean even cut, the wick should just barely reach out of the wick tube.
Carefully light your wick.
Replace your glass lantern “chimney”.
Set your lantern in a safe place, where there is no risk of it being knocked over.

 Be sure that once your lantern is lit that you do not touch the glass “chimney” as you will burn yourself. The glass gets very hot. When I’m done with my lantern I put out the flame by blowing over the top of the “chimney”. I try to keep extra oil lantern wicks on hand in the winter months in case the power goes off any or stays off for an extended period of time.