April seems like a whirlwind. We began the month learning homestead skills as a family on a little getaway to Dothan AL and Zeb lost his first tooth. On Sunday April 2nd Adam and Mr. Hagan split one of our hives while I spent the day putting new foraging knowledge into practice. We began our week in our schooling playing Go Forage (similar to Go Fish) and then went foraging in our neighborhood. Tuesday, we began our morning like any other day. The kids woke up to their early morning alarms and went outside to take care of all of the animals. And that’s when the three limbs fell; before 7am on a typical Tuesday morning. There was no storm, no wind, nothing to warn us of the impending doom that was about to happen (Counting our Blessings).
Tuesday April 4th has changed our perspective on things. We hug our kids a little longer these days; we value our property and our house more (even though it looks like a disaster clean up area); we treasure the friendships and the love that has been shown us in so many different ways this month; and we wake up each day so thankful and yet so humbled that God is Sovereign and in control no matter what measure or precautions we put in place.
The girls wanted to repaint their bunkbedMadelynn does a great job seasoning all of our meat before cookingThey did a great jobA friend gave us Morninga seeds and we had so many come upThis is Kathryn summed up in one pictureReba got a haircut!These 2 have such a sweet relationshipMadelynn has taken over Zeb’s reading lesson and she does a great jobSomething is wrong in this picture. Our farm dog should not be on the couch!Stinging nettle I had driedEvening primroseThe dehydrating room at a friends houseEvening primroseWe are so thankful for a friends heated pool so we can swim year roundA friend took the boys to the rodeo. That had such a great time!Adam took the kids up in the lift we rented. A friend working hard in the lift to make sure our house is safe from falling limbsThe view of some of our property from 60 feetSometimes, a day at the bay is needed. This is how we rejuvenate for life on the homesteadThese kids are such hard workers so we try to give them a day off once a month or so.They get up every morning at 6:15 and take care of the homestead by themselvesWhen Adam gets home, they go back out and work until dark every day without complaining (most of the time)We processed pigs 2 weekends in a row. It’s a lot of work but also fun when you get to fellowship and be with friends.We ordered corn and have put up quite a bit for summer. We don’t really have the space for a field of cornThe kids love shucking cornVolunteer sunflowersLiliesMore liliesPotatoesSquashDragon LilySt. Johns WortBlackberryTomatoBeauty from ashes: these wood pieces and this mulch came from the tree that fellEveryone has picked up the slack around here. Madelynn loves to wash dishesAnd Kathryn has taken over almost all of our bread making and sourdoughWe bought this the day after the tree fell. Adam and the boys work every afternoon at splitting and stacking firewoodWoven-hand Wood had so many volunteer dragon heart lilies These girls love to add beauty to our houseMy “farmacy” shelf in the kitchen. We have snotty kids so I made a pot of echinacea, mullein, elderflower and peppermint teaKathryn added flowers to several rooms in the houseThe girls and I have matching shoes. Kathryn and I wear the same size shoe which is really convenientHe is definitely not a farm dog but he protects the property wellLittle LenaEven the neighborhood kids come once a week to help stack firewoodI plan to make tinctures and healing drinks from these todayKathryn and I (sometimes Madelynn) take raw liver shots dailyA friend went to Japan and brough back this beautiful cup. I drink my bone broth latte out of it in the morningsGraham is currently restoring an antique shotgunCool kidHappy Easter!We harvested potatoes and peas on the last day of April (there is obviously more that what is pictured here!)I take an allergy tincture daily so I decided to make my own instead! This will sit for about 6 weeksWe finished the month celebrating Adam’s birthday. A dear friend makes the most delicious cheesecake with real ingredients. She topped it with borage and calendula. After dispatching the pig, the guys and boys went shooting and the ladies stayed behind to serve a delicious dinner of rabbit-pork burgers with homemade sourdough buns, deviled eggs with fresh eggs and homemade mayo, corn on the cob and other delicious food. I’m so thankful for a group of friends who value real food as much as we do!
This is the personal journal of Debo Bryson and is an experiment in being human, living for Jesus and loving others. I love my sweet Leah, and two kids. I'm addicted to great coffee, burgers and Jeep Grand Wagoneers.
Growing Milligan Hill 
LOVED all your pictures!