I, Denita House, am starting a farming blog... what can go wrong?

Hello. Before I begin, I should introduce myself. My name is Denita House. I am a stay-at-home mom of now 2 wonderful teenagers (I absolutely love my blended family) and as of February 27th, 2018, I am also now a farmer's wife. This is not the title that I would have ever thought I would have. In fact, 2 years ago, if you asked me if I would ever be anything, other than a childcare provider, mom of one and one day wife, I would have told you no. I have always really enjoyed working. Being a childcare worker, daycare owner and Head Start Teacher has always blessed me with more kids than I ever thought I could love. And has taught me how to be patient and understanding of a wide variety of people, cultures and circumstances. But none of that has made me feel as complete as being where I am now. I have two very part time side jobs of crafting and photography but my full time job as mother and wife have given me a purpose in life I never thought possible. but enough about me, let me get back to the topic at hand...

A few years ago, I had started a cooking blog. I only posted a few times but blogging isn't something that is completely foreign to me. With that in mind though, I know about cooking... I know how to take a recipe and remove the things I don't like, such as onions and peppers and a lot of the other things that typically add flavor to a dish, and add ingredients that I do enjoy and make it taste great! I don't on the other hand know about farming. I have planted flowers a few times and no matter what, they always die. I know some tricks, such as it is best to water in the morning before it gets warm or in the evening after it starts to cool off because if you water when it's hot outside you can burn the plant. I also know that there is a huge difference between the dirt in your yard and the soil that you can get from the store. But like I said, they always die... My husband on the other hand, not only can grow a variety of different flowers but he can also grow all natural fruits and vegetables. Side note, the first time you have garden fresh anything, you will have a hard time going back. I have had some of the best tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, crook neck yellow squash, butternut squash, beans, carrots, green beans and cucumbers (even a new to me kind called lemon cucumbers). I've tasted spinach and various types of lettuce with more flavor than I could have ever imagined. I've watched family members OOH and AAH over the same beans and carrots that he planted months before and proclaim them to be the best they have ever eaten before they even realized they were his. This got me excited!

In the past few months I have taken pictures, created labels, record keeping sheets, and a logo, I've learned things about plants I never would have imagined and created this website. I've also helped start seeds, plant starts, mark off rows, water produce and supervise from the sidelines as garden plots were tilled, raked and direct seeded by my husband. Let me not forget how I've also helped cut, wash, spin, dry, weigh, bag and label bags of salad and lettuce mix.

Don't get me wrong, this has been fun and I love learning about new things and absolutely love doing all of this with my husband, the farmer. But if you knew me before this new life of mine, or when I started on this journey you would have heard me proudly proclaim that I was NOT a farmer and in fact I would joke that I had a "black thumb". So, if you are like me, just learning, just interested or just want a good laugh, join me on this journey as I learn what on earth it takes to have a successful small farm!