The 43rd Homesteading Carnival is Springing Into Spring

Spring is such a magical time on the homestead.  Sweet baby animals are being born or are already bounding around the grounds.  Flowers and blooming shrubs are beginning to bloom, such as daffodils and forsythia.  Frogs can be heard singing in the ponds and birds singing in the trees. The weather is delightful, well most of the time. It's not too hot and not too cold... the majority of the time. What a wonderful time Spring is.

Although we awoke last Monday morning with some snow on the ground here at our home!   Snowing the day after Easter, in March?! Oh well, I've seen it snow in April so weirder things have happened.

With Spring also comes a chore list or to do list.  Many of us are planning the plantings, covering the seedlings and young plants in case of a frost, and many other things.   There is a sense of accomplishment when you can cross something off your to do list as "done."

Homesteaders everywhere are gearing up for Spring with planting and more. Here are a few things on this week's carnival stops that others have on their to do list this Spring:

In The Craft Room

If you have a few sewing plans this Spring, be sure to stop by the following two stops on our carnival. Miss Jocelyn presents Sewing Endeavor, Oh dear! posted at A Pondering Heart.  She shows off some adorable pillowcases tailored to fit the personalities of her children.  And Dora Renee' Wilekrson presents Y-2K Hippie: 07/17/07 posted at Y-2K Hippie. Denim purses are cute and durable and Dora shows us how to make one from pair of jeans!

My oldest daughter has made a purse from jeans. It's really cute and durable.

Quilting for us is usually in the Fall. The Mennonite church we used to attend has a Quilting Bee in October.  I haven't been to it in a while.  A friend there keeps inviting us to come to it each year but usually something comes up that prevents us going.  But you don't have to wait to fall to quilt. Quilting is fun any time of the year and there two stops in this week's carnival about quilts.

Rachel Lees tells about her Quilting Plans that she has at Littlebourne Farm. 

Michelle presents many Quilt Blocks in her Quilts section at preiouspeas.

Personally, I love handmade birthday cards because it means the person has took the time to make something themselves instead of purchasing a pre-made card at the spur of the moment.  Even home-printed birthday cards are special because the person to the time out of their busy schedule to make them. Alex shows us How to Make Your Own Free Printable Birthday Cards that is posted at Home Life Weekly.

In The Parlor

Springtime is usually busy but when it rains you are left with things to do indoors rather than outside. I (Laura) have been Learning to Play the Piano along side my children.

 

 Throughout The House

With Spring, comes cleaning.  We all like to freshen up our homes after a long winter of having the windows closed up to stay warm. Some of us have wood stoves to heat with and we deal with soot and smoke to stay warm but that takes a toll on the curtains, windows, etc.  We like to wash it down, shake it out, and freshen it up. More and more people are beginning to look for alternative cleaning supplies. One of my favorite is Baking Soda.  It will clean and freshen.

Sisterlisa tells us how to have a Spring Clean Tub posted at The HomeSpun Life.  Lisa, I am using Baking Soda to clean my bathtub too!

Flossie is in Spring Cleaning... mode at The Funny Farm and she shares some great household tips with all of us.

Stacy teaches us how to make a Kid Friendly Carpet Cleaner that she shares at Teaching Diligently.  This recipe is more natural than the commercial chemical-filled carpet shampoos and uses Castille Soap.

Spring is a great time to declutter and donate things to your local thrift stores, etc.  Ray presents Donating Clothing and Getting A Tax Deduction posted at Money Blue Book.

 

Andrew Caxton presents Illusionary Spaces for Small Apartments Designs posted at Home Decorating Reviews Blog.  Who doesn't like to freshen up their home come SpringTime?  Andrew gives you some ideas on redecorating.

 

In The Garden

Tim Appleton takes us outside to revamp the garden area, etc. with more poles and fence posted at Applehead. 

 

In the Kitchen

Abi is making Kool-Aid Jelly over at the lighter side.   I had to do a double take on this post because I've made Kool-Aid Jelly (with grape) a few years ago and my children loved it. I however thought it was too sweet and grapey for me. Hubby didn't like it at all. I haven't made it since. LOL  Her recipe is very similar to the one that I used out of an old community cookbook I have.

 

Rose Denson is Buying Food in Bulk - How Long Will It Last? for her Grandma Rosie's Texas Home.

 

I love Oatmeal Cookies especially Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies. Sister Brenda shares her Oatmeal cookies + Picture+ recipe with all of us that she posted at haflinger.  Ok, now my mouth is watering for an oatmeal cookie.  Got Milk anyone?

In The Powder Room

Just because it's Spring does not mean we should overexert ourselves or neglect our health. We should be conscience of taking care of ourselves as well as recognizing health dangers. Jacque wakes us up with a post on how Recognize A Stroke posted at Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths.

 

I love cloth diapers and have used them on several of my children. Autumn Beck tells us about four of them in her post: My Top Four Fitted Diapers posted at All About Cloth Diapers Blog.

 

Belle really brought me to a screeching halt with her Born 100 Years to Soon - My Diary of No Shampoo----Day 1 and 2 post. This post intrigued me and I can't wait to read more of her "No Shampoo Journey" that will be posted at Born 100 Years to Soon.

 

Next Week's Carnival

Don't forget about next week's edition of the  Homesteading Carnival! Page @ Forward To The Past will be next week's hostess. Be sure to submit your entry for next week's edition by using this blogcarnival form which makes submitting quick and easy.

Thank you to everyone for stopping by the Carnival!

Have a wonderful and blessed week on your homestead, where ever you may be!