Weekend Surprises: From First Bananas to the Surprise Hatchlings on Our Homestead
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
What a weekend it has been! From First Bananas to the Surprise Hatchlings on Our Homestead, it has not been a dull moment! As a homesteader, every day on our little piece of land brings new lessons and excitement. This past weekend, however, was particularly special, filled with delightful surprises that will surely become cherished memories. From our first crop of bananas to the unexpected hatchlings of turkeys and chickens, I invite you to join me as I share the magic that unfolded right here at our homestead.
The First Bananas on Our Tree
The excitement began when I strolled through our garden on Saturday morning. I was on a mission to check on our fruit trees when something bright and red caught my eye. Could it be? I rushed over only to be greeted by a delightful sight: bananas!
Finally, after two years of nurturing, one of our banana plants had borne fruit! The little green bananas are still developing and will take a few months to ripen before begging to be picked. I stood there and marveled at Mother Nature, but my mind is already racing with ideas.
Imagine this: homemade banana bread, creamy smoothies, or fluffy banana pancakes! The possibilities seem endless, and knowing these fruits come from our own garden will make them taste even sweeter.
Harvesting Forgotten Onions
The banana excitement didn’t stop there. As I moved through the garden, making a diagram for Chris so he'd know which beds to clear, I came across a garden bed where I had planted onions earlier in the season. Life had gotten busy, and it slipped my mind.
When I finally made my way over, I was pleasantly surprised to see Onions peeking through the soil. With a little digging, I unearthed a generous harvest of vibrant onions!
These onions ranged from medium-sized to big and will be bursting with flavor. They were a reminder of how rewarding it is to grow your own food. I could already picture caramelized onions sizzling in a pan, enhancing a comforting soup, or adding a crunchy twist to fresh salads.
I hung them up to cure on our deck, knowing they will taste much better than any store-bought variety. The experience highlighted the priceless connection we have with our food and nature for me as it is always a rush to harvest something we grew ourselves!
The Surprise Hatchling Bonanza
The weekend surprises were still unfolding. While enjoying my banana and onion discoveries, our morning was not over yet. While walking over to show a friends a Jersey Giant Flock they were considering buying from us, we heard unexpected peeping sounds coming from the run. Intrigued, we looked down and here comes our Turkey Hen Romulus with two newly hatched Turkey Chicks AND two newly hatched jersey Giant Chicks. The Chickens loved the Turkey nest so much that they had squeezed in there with the Turkeys to lay some eggs too and Romulus simply tugged them in with her own batch.
What I found was heartwarming. Our turkey hen, who had been patiently sitting on her nest, had finally hatched her eggs - not just turkeys, but also a few adorable little chicks!
There they were, fluffy little bodies covered in soft down, peeping and wobbling around their mother. It was a delightful sight that reminded me why I love being a homesteader. Seeing life emerge from our hard work makes every late night and early morning worth it. I squealed in delight, soaking in the moment as the mother hen lovingly guided her hatchlings. These curious little creatures were exploring their new world, a reminder of life's beauty. She simply accepted them as her own.
Sadly, the next morning, we discovered one of the Jersey Chicks had not made it and unfortunately, as much as new life is part of homesteading, so is death.
Bringing It All Together
With my harvest of onions and new bananas, I felt energized and inspired. This is the essence of homesteading; it is about embracing little surprises and moments of joy. The satisfaction of growing your own food, caring for animals, and watching nature thrive is unmatched.
By the end of the weekend, we had gotten quite a bit done outside. As for the hatchlings, I look forward to watching them grow and integrate into our farm life.
A Reflection on the Weekend
Weekends on our homestead are always full of adventure, and this past one was a beautiful reminder of that. From our first bananas to a bountiful onion harvest and the adorable hatchlings, I felt a wave of gratitude. Each surprise brought smiles and renewed my passion for homesteading.
If you are a fellow homesteader, I encourage you to enjoy the simple pleasures and surprises that come your way. From planting to harvesting, remember that every step of this journey is as enriching as the food we grow. Cheers to more weekend surprises and the joy of living close to the land!
I cannot wait to see what the next weekend has in store for us!
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