Our sheep and goats need a shelter on the pasture so we have to build a new one. Since it is our intention to subdivide the pasture into smaller sections using movable electric fence, I thought that I should make a mobile shed, much like the chicken tractor.
Size of shed is 7.5″ x 10″. First we built the four walls. Using 2x4s only.
All the walls connected. Next we would put leftover steel panels as roof and sidings. We would also put 4 lawn mower wheels to help us move the shed around.
Every hour counts indeed, when life is not as convenient as it used to be.
However, we are greatly thankful for the Lord’s wonderful kindness and mercy, and His protection over us again and again. There are 20+ trees down on our property because of the storm that happened on last Saturday, and yet, none of them hit anyone or any structure except some pasture fences and a small mobile chicken coop. Nine trees fell down at a gate where two of my children and some animals just passed through a few seconds before.
Through all these, we are reminded of the almighty power of our God and the vulnerability of our own.
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.” Psalms 107:23-32
This is where two of our children passed through a few seconds before the trees fell down
As York Region in Ontario went into another round of lockdown starting Dec 14 2020, I cannot help but think about all the small businesses and families who have been struggling since March this year. The timing of this lockdown is just outright terrible.
Boxing Day is probably one of the most significant source of income for many businesses; yet their hope of recouping some of their earlier losses from previous restriction is now dashed. Many families would travel and gather to celebrate Christmas and New Year together; yet most individuals would have to spend this holiday season alone.
Why do churches have to be shut down and yet, beer stores can be opened? Faith to believers of any religions is ESSENTIAL. However, government officials think otherwise and I believe this is against our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms whereby we have God-given right in worshiping Him freely without government intervention.
One would argue that singing in churches could spread the virus; yet hundreds of people shopping in Costco and Walmart at the same time is not a problem? Most churches have been diligent in following the hygiene precautions outlined by health officials so I don’t see why churches have to be shut down and treated as second-class citizen at all.
Now we have almost 9 months of data regarding covid-19, does the data justify the strict measures that are imposed on us by the government? I came across this wonderful document “Flying Blind” by Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms:
I have done, with the help of my wonderful family, many small projects this year. I am sharing them here as well as some harvest from the garden.
Hanging the garlic in my now empty wood shed. Every year I would plan more since it is so easy to grow and takes up little space.
Here we have about 200 garlic heads.
Peppers did grow very well in My Greenhouse. The plants double their sizes as compared to last year.
First time trying to grow leek.
Fragrant fresh basil!
I removed the old and rotten compost bin and rebuilt using pallets. This time, as with newer raised beds, I lined the interior with black 6 mil plastic film. I also reinforced the corners with steel brackets.
A hinged door was added to the front and I am hoping to get some “black gold” next year.
Looks like a new paver walkway? Nah, we removed the old paver full of weeds between the cracks. We then added new gravels, weed barrier and construction sand.
One by one we laid down the old paver stone and ran the compactor over multiple times. It was a full day’s work and if it wasn’t for my family, I would never finish the task so quick.
First time trying to lay bricks and found out it takes a LOT of practice and skill. My sons were helping me and they did a wonderful job in mixing and spreading mortar.
We rented the vibrator for the paver job. Surprisingly it is very easy to use.
With the talk of food shortage these days, it is certainly a great time to get your hands dirty and start learning about gardening with your children or expanding the garden! For those who have less space for planting, there are options like square foot gardening, pot planting or even vertical garden. It is definitely a great way to understand how God has provided for us all through history. The whole family can also learn lots of truth pertaining to life through the gardening experience!!
I am no expert in planting actually, it’s my husband and the children doing most of the work on the land here =P However, please kindly let me share our observations. First of all, a land would not yield without God’s blessings. Secondly, soil is the key. No good nutritious plants will come out of bad soil. Two potatoes can look the same but with very different levels of nutrients. Lastly, you will need to get in touch with the nature/weather. For example, a night of frost can kill all the uncovered sweet potatoes seedlings outside.
The following are the vegetables that we found relatively easy to plant: potatoes, onion, green onion, squash, cucumber, cayenne pepper, asparagus, radish, beets, carrot, garlic (we plant ours in Sept), zucchini, tomatoes, peas, basil, cilantro, parsley, kale and lettuce, etc. The weather that year would also play a big part.
If you have not watched the film Back to Eden yet, I highly recommend you to spend some time to enjoy it!!! You soul would be uplifted after this man shows you how God loves and cares about us and how great His mercy is through his garden even if you do not plan to do any gardening.
Many people visited his garden after watching the film, that is the reason why there are many garden tours on his land like this one which are also amazing as well!
Here is a little garden tour for fun by our children 3 years ago.
One fast track way to eat fresh vegetables is eating sprouts. Thus, growing sprouts is also a wonderful thing to learn with the children during this time! They are easy to manage, fast to grow, economical, and could also get 40 times more nutrients at times than the veggies we eat normally. Some sprouts to try are mung beans, sunflower seeds, broccoli seeds, peas….so you do need to get seeds and beans!
Yet another way to eat vegetables which needs more work, but worth all the efforts. That is fermenting vegetables that you can buy now. There are still cabbages to turn into sauerkraut, which can be stored for more than a year. With its probiotics and vitamin C, your immune system will be boosted as well.
Will there also be shortage on drugs? You never know. However, it is not quite a great habit to depend on drugs anyway, therefore, why not learning more about natural remedies now as well? It is again another wonderful subject to learn with our children about how God cares and provides for us through the nature He created, which can help with most of our health situations. I would suggest researching/studying on the following as a start:
Supplements : vitamin C, A, D3 & K2, zinc, magnesium, grape fruit seed extract, activated charcoal
Upon the successful of last year’s Building Firewood Shed, I decided to build another firewood shed, smaller in size this time. With both sheds, we would be able to store 3 1/2 bush cords of firewood. Again, everybody helps out in building the shed and stacking the firewood.
The shed size is about 4’W x 8’L x 6.5’H. Again, I used crush gravels and concrete slab as foundation. I connected 2 pallets and laid them on top of the concrete slabs.
For the rest of the frame I use 2 x 4 studs. I did not bother to paint the studs this time.
I found some old steel and pvc roof panels lying around and I am drilling them to the sheathing with 1.5″ screws.
Stacking firewood. We ordered 3 bush cords this year.
Final scene with both sheds full of firewood. All done in 3 days! Thank you Chan children.
As I mentioned in previous post, I was haunted by rats infestation for the whole winter. Eventually, they were killed by traps and rat poisons. Now sprint/summer has arrived and it is time to fix the holes and “patch things up”.
First off, butcher the hens and remove the existing nest boxes. I plan to rebuild the nest boxes into “community rolling nest box”.
Fill the holes with concrete.
Cover the entire floor with 1/2″ x 1/2″ hardware cloth.
Dig a trench around the chicken coop. Since the coop was built on top of wood beams, a good portion of them are rotting.
Cover the wood beams with hardware cloth.
Various sizes (3/8″ to 3/4″) of clear gravels for base.
Caleb helping out with the shovel.
Joshua helping out with the shovel. After laying the gravels I will put a concrete slab on top.
I put a board along the side of the coop so that I can pour concrete and cover the wood beams. Not sure if this is going to work but it is worth a try.
Not all stories have happy endings. As much as we were thrilled to watch the robin babies being hatched and growing, one evening we found that none was left in the nest.
Eventually we found one dead robin baby on the ground but we still have no idea why it happened. Was it wind? Not likely because the nest was intact. Animals? We did not see any chipmunk or squirrel around since our cat is pretty good at hunting its prey. Mother robin pushed them out? May be…but we are puzzled why she would do so.
Anyhow, in this sinful world, death is certain but there is always hope in Christ for everlasting life in the new heaven and earth.
