Early Spring Planting

Here in North Carolina the weather has felt spring-like for several weeks. The daffodils have been blooming for quite some time now, the tulips are sprouting, and I'm itching to be outside to enjoy the unusually warm temperatures. Here at the Roost, that means it's time to start spring planting!

Our heirloom vegetable seeds get planted into the ground according to frost dates and by the moon. After preparing the raised beds, this weekend we planted peas, onion sets, and spinach. We currently have radishes and garlic growing in one of the beds soon to be harvested. Due to my limited mobility, BJ gets the credit for nearly all of the physical work! The raised beds are filled with a combination of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite all worked together and moistened.

planting the onion sets

planting the peas

seed packets

radishes and garlic soon to be harvested

We have also begun sowing seeds indoors: we started several varieties of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and peppers. We plan to transport these out to the cold frame once they grow large enough.

In a couple weeks we will begin planting more cool weather crops like broccoli, beets, cauliflower, radishes, carrots and a few others. I can't wait for an abundant harvest of home-grown delicious vegetables!

P.S. On a rather sad note, we lost one of our hens (Tansy) this morning. She suffered a neck or brain injury two or three weeks ago we think from an aggressive rooster, and although we nursed her and she seemed to be recovering well, she took a turn for the worse and did not make it. So, we will be adding some new girls to the flock to replenish our stock. Stay tuned. 

Linking to:

I Choose Joy.....

One in six.

One in six couples will experience infertility at some point during their TTC journey. This month marks the one year anniversary of when we began trying to conceive.

Photo by Orange Sheep Photography

My husband and I are facing the heartbreak of male factor infertility. Approximately 40% of all  infertility cases are attributed to the man, and we were told that we would likely never conceive naturally without treatment or medical intervention. Oh ye of little faith!  I keep reminding myself that ALL things are possible with God.


 But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.


-Genesis 15:2-6


Abraham believed the Lord, he trusted beyond all reason, and God fulfilled his promise. I am trying my best to trust God each day that he will provide a child for our family in His perfect timing. At first feelings of bitterness and despair  consumed me regarding our situation, but today I am choosing joy rather than frustration and negativity.   I am choosing to seek God and His kingdom first, believing that in His faithfulness our needs and desires will be met. It's a tough road....

I'm praying for patience and peace.

Photo by Orange Sheep Photography

At the same time, my husband and I know we want to adopt someday. Ever since the summer after my freshman year of college I have felt called to adopt.  My heart is with international adoption, and we have been researching the topic a lot lately and praying about when we should start the process. We always thought we would have biological children first, and then adopt later on down the road. Perhaps.....God has other plans.

Photo by Orange Sheep Photography

 As you can see, we have a lot of unknowns and big decisions to make, and we would be so grateful if you would keep us in your prayers. Thankfully, we have been able to seek treatment with a urologist and as of today we received news that things are improving little by little. (Thank you, Lord!) I debated whether I should post this for all the world to see, but I feel like I owe it to you, dear readers, to know why at times the Roost has been rather quiet lately.

Valentine Bird Seed Hearts

This Valentine's Day we decided to make some treats for the birdies.....

...in the form of bird seed hearts!!

This process is very simple and I got the recipe from the blog Bargain Hoot. Simply heat some gelatin with 1/4 cup water until dissolved, add the bird seed and mix. Then push into heart-shaped molds (I used cookie cutters) and press string into the hearts. Pop in the freezer for a few hours until hardened. Then let dry for 2-3 days, flipping each side over so that they are set.

Eat up, little birdies!

Be sure to show some love to all creatures great and small this Valentine's day!

xoxo,