Homestead Themed Address Labels by Colorful Images

The Country Lodge Classic address labels

I have recently ordered new address labels from Colorful Images and I was beyond thrilled to have several homestead themed designs to choose from. The variety of designs is one of the things that keeps me coming back to Colorful Images - there is a design for nearly every mood, season, holiday, and interest.  

As you may know from a recent post, I have recently discovered that not only are bears in the general area near The Shack, I caught photographs of a bear in the yard!  I am both thrilled and afraid with this new information. I love bears. But to have them in your back yard... that is a bit intimidating.  The good news is, it will take awhile before I can live on my land so I have some time to get accustomed to the idea of having bears in the yard.

When shopping for new address labels a few days later, I chuckled when I saw the Country Lodge Classic design. Perfect to represent my life at the moment - and my fervent desire to live in my "country lodge" with the wildlife just outside the door. The "rustic" artwork, full moon, bear, and small lodge art caused me to purchase without looking any further.

Country Lodge Classic address labels (4 designs)

However, if you prefer a homesteading style address label with a different size or design, there are still plenty to choose from. 

So many homesteads have chickens. And with chickens often comes colorful Roosters.  The Year of the Roosters labels are large labels of 12 different artistic illustrations of gorgeous roosters. 

A Year of Roosters Select address labels (12 designs)

Another great option is the 12 different designs of the Farmscapes Select.  These designs are seasonal portraits of farming landscapes that includes cows, round hay bales, autumn leaves, snow, and of course a green and yellow tractor. I enjoy having the ability to change my labels with the changing season.

Farmscapes Select address labels  (12 designs)

This is a very small sample of the homesteading address label designs offered by Colorful Images.  I have had nothing but good experiences when ordering from Colorful Image and am glad to have address labels that express me so perfectly.


*This article may contain affiliate links. If you shop via one of the affiliate links, I may earn a small commission - at no additional cost to you.  I am very appreciative of every reader who visits my articles. Thank you.

Pawpaw Taste Test

Pawpaw fruit on a seedling tree

For some time I have seriously considered planting pawpaw trees on my four acres. Before I purchased this land, and was in the daydreaming stages of what my homestead might look like, I seriously considered Pawpaw trees. The only thing that held me back was the fact that I had no idea what pawpaws tasted like. Today, I tasted pawpaws for the first time and the decision is made - I will plant paw paw trees on my land as a delicious step to increased self-sufficiency.

What is a Pawpaw (Paw paw) Tree?

A pawpaw is a fruit tree native to much of North America - zones 5 -7 (areas with cold winters and warm summers) 

The fruit is in the "custard apple" family. And tastes of banana, papaya, and some say of melon

They are nutritious, with high levels of Vitamin C, iron, potassium, and other important vitamins and minerals

In it's native habitat, the paw paw tree has few pests 

The zebra swallowtail butterfly larvae feeds exclusively on pawpaw leaves - but not in large or destructive numbers

Deer tend to feed only on the fruit; leaving the trees and branches alone - making the tree deer resistant

The fruit do not travel well commercially or last longer than several days when fully ripe.  This is why you may never have seen pawpaws in grocery stores

(information gathered from Sun Nurseries Pawpaws and Kentucky State University Pawpaw planting guide)

Public Domain Photo by Manuel.conde 

My Pawpaw Adventure

I love Sun Nurseries and discovered it early this past spring.  It is a bit of drive to get to it, so I don't go as often as I would like. But when I realized they had Pawpaws for sale, I made plans to drive over.

I'm so glad I did. As usual, the Sun Nurseries staff were amazingly friendly and helpful.  I bought a pawpaw, they gave me a plastic spoon, and I went outside and sat on the gazebo step as I prepared to eat my first pawpaw.

I had brought my own knife, and I was a bit surprised by the spoon. As soon as I cut the top off the fruit, I realized that the spoon was pretty important.

The cold (it had been refrigerated), sweet, yellow fruit was very soft. In fact, the texture reminded me of flan.  The taste was a combination of subtle banana and papaya...with the fresh coolness of melon.  

When I was finished, I wrapped up the seeds (to avoid littering) and stuck them in my bag. I was glad I did. The staff told me that I could plant the seeds if I'd like - since I'm not in a rush to have mature trees quickly.  The seeds information was good news.  I was worried that the seedling plants they offered for sale would be too large to get safely from Maryland to my land in West Virginia. Sure, the trees could sit on the front seat of the Jeep and poke out the sun rider roof, but the wind would surely cause great damage to the tree.

You can bet I'll be planting my pawpaw seeds and trying to grow my own sweet, soft, wonderful fruit and/or trying to find a way to transport a seedling tree up to my land.


Related Links:

An article about my first trip to Sun Nurseries.  If you are in the Maryland area and are looking for a wonderful place to see, consider, and purchase plants, shrubs, trees, roses, garden benches, fountains, boulder owls, and so much more... Sun Nurseries is your best bet. Definitely worth a drive. Each time I've been there, the staff are friendly, helpful, and they go above and beyond to make sure you are a happy customer. Each time I go, I wander around for hours; planning my future outdoor space, listening to the birds, sitting near the fountains, and watching the butterflies.         

The Shack is where I'll plant my pawpaw trees and where someday I'll live a country and more self-sufficient life.  I think pawpaw trees will be a great addition to that little piece of land.  I think the perfect spot will be where the "yard" meets the woods - near MY other trees (It still excites me to call them "my" trees!).

In my search for pawpaw recipes, I've found this book.  Pawpaw: In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit has been added to my wishlist.

Pawpaw: In Search of America's Forgotten Fruit

Homesteading Fears - Too Much To Do

Homesteading and tiny home living topics are trending. Many of us daydream while reading self-sufficient living articles during every moment of free time.  I am not implying that there is anything wrong with that. In fact, I am thankful that I can use the internet to research any topic I may need in preparation for living at The Shack.  I can read the writings of women much like me who are choosing to live as I would love to be living right now. Currently, homestead living seems popular and easy-peasy. This past weekend did not seem a bit glamorous on the mountain ridge. In fact, preparing for homesteading felt pretty overwhelming at times. 

the spring showers view from the back deck

Springtime at The Shack

Morel mushrooms are sprouting, the dogwoods are in full bloom, and the weather is warm enough that I light the fire in the wood stove only at night.  But I don't wake every hour or so, shivering, to add wood. I made my meals on the grill, including one huge mushroom feast. 

morel mushrooms grown on my land

Birds are singing. Deer are grazing. And flowers are blooming everywhere.  The views are breath-taking as I watch spring storms roll in and back out.

Spring showers also mean water in The Shack. Not the kind I carry in (I do not have a water source onsite yet).  Spring showers brings the kind of water that drips in from the leaking roof.  I catch some of it so that I can water my plants during drier times.  But I need a good, solid rain collection system.

To-Do List:

• fix roof (nail down the flapping metal sheets at the least)
• add gutters
• plan and install rain barrel system
• decide whether to insulate The Shack or tear it down

Intruders: Garlic Mustard and Tent Caterpillars

I read an article in the local newspaper (local to The Shack) detailing how horrifically damaging the garlic mustard weed is.  Deer won't eat it and in 5-7 years it can destroy a forest floor. And guess what I have growing a-plenty on my four acres? Yes. The dreaded garlic mustard weed is in full flower at my place. The best way to eradicate it is to pull it out by it's roots. I spent hours pulling flowers out of my woods. I only cleared a spot smaller than my teeny apartment.

invasive Garlic Mustard weed

Garlic mustard is not my only unwanted intruder. I wrote about my discovery of my tent caterpillar infestation after my last visit to The Shack.  I broke down and used a bit of chemical spray on my apple trees.  In the meantime, I studied more about those plentiful "worms" in my trees.  I want to control them naturally, if I can.  But when I returned during this visit, I noted that while my apple trees looked a bit healthier, many of my other trees were under siege.  One tree was completely covered and looked a bit like a prop from the Blair Witch movie.

ominous Tent Caterpillar tent 

My precious new "antique" rose was also covered in hungry caterpillars.  I sprayed the rose. Then went on to knock the web-like tents down from trees -- one highly recommended way of controlling these pests without chemicals.  

How did I knock down worm nests from trees, you ask?  With a looooong piece of skinny PVC pipe the previous owners had left behind.  It was a bit like using a pole-vaulting pole (made of a limp noodle) to poke a water balloon stuck in the top of a tree.  Focus, aim, poke, if successful run away to dodge the dropping worms, and repeat. I had thicker PVC pipes of the same length, but the light pipe was easier for me to lift for a longer period of time. As a side note: I did not work up the courage to get under that Blair Witch-like tree and knock the massive webs down.

To-Do List:

• pull the flowering garlic mustard from the remaining 3.9 acres
• learn to better identify the first year garlic mustard plants (they look different than the 2nd year flowering plants) so I can pull them also
• pole-vault pole poke the remaining 500 worm-infested trees in my woods

Flower Beds and Rock Gardens

I planted two teeny dianthus plants and another small lavender plant.  Planting and weeding my miniature flowerbed with a pickax. I truly began to wonder about my sanity. Who would work a flowerbed with a pickax? Who would bother? Why am I bothering?  As I chopped the stone littered ground, and made puns about rock gardens, I noticed the gladiolas had broken through the rubble and the lilies had little buds. Later, I came out and picked some mint leaves for my water. Sitting on the deck, sipping my mint water, I decided that I'd stick with the flower bed... if for no other reason, for the fresh mint.

To-Do List

• install that trellis!
• transfer the climbing rose from my apartment balcony to the trellis - before it gets big enough to want to climb
• find a way to plant the sunflowers - as something feasted on the sprouts that were present during the last visit

Miscellaneous Thoughts and Feelings

This weekend, it seemed like each thought I had, and each thing I did, added more to my to-do list.  

• buy or cut a big "round" for a chopping block
• install the amazing hand-wood splitter I have that is still in it's box - waiting to be useful
• cut my downed trees for winter firewood
• make a compost bin before my DIY version of a "luggable loo" gets full
• save money for the septic installation
• patch the air mattress (Willy's toenails are SHARP!)
• save money so I can remodel or rebuild
• decide if it would be better to remodel or rebuild
• on and on and on
• and on and on and on

Late Saturday afternoon, I sat on the deck and rested my sore muscles.  I felt overwhelmed. I began to wonder, what had I gotten myself into. Full of fear, I started texting a friend. I focused on how much I had to do and how little I had gotten finished. He texted back. Trying to be supportive he said things such as: it's okay to just sit there and relax. It's okay to have days to go up there and do nothing. Just enjoy.

He really made me a little bit mad.  It's not that easy to just sit and enjoy when weeds and worms are threatening my woods. There is just too much to do in general. I feel old and out of shape. I'm not physically strong. I'm not good with DIY. What can't he understand about all of that?! What if I can't do this?

But later, I understood his point and I relaxed. I am already doing it. Things will get done if they get done. And won't get done if they don't. In the meantime, I will enjoy the gorgeous views.

Lessons from Others

I wrote about my encounter with the turtle as I was leaving.  That turtle was a calming presence.  I also continue to read the homesteading adventures of others and most appreciate the articles that address some of the harder truths about the dream of homesteading. Homesteading Honey's article How We Afford to Homestead is a good example of some of the thought processes and decisions that lead to successful homesteading.

I'm feeling much better today. Those to do lists are far less overwhelming and I'm feeling good about my transition to the land... as slow as it may go.

Do You See What I See?

Look closely, and tell me what you see. Take your time. And be honest.

Does this idea of living thrill you or traumatize you? 

This is a photo of almost half of The Shack. It is an off-grid, dry cabin. And I use the word "cabin" very loosely.  As you can see, it is little more than a frame and plywood.  I believe it was built in two sections. The top section (on the other side of the blanket curtain) appears to have been built first.  And appears to be more solid - as solid as 2x4s and plywood can be. The bottom section, the section you see, seems to have been thrown together.  There is not one thing that is square or level.  Not one section of the frame is "on center" and goodness, I won't even point out the so-called rafters.

What do you see?

I camp here now, when I can.  And I'll have to decide how to build or remodel.  I plan to retire here and homestead; living off-grid if possible.  I will eventually put a sewer in. But hope to never hook up to county electricity.  

What do you see?

I have friends who make a face while they ask questions about bathroom facilities, cooking, cutting wood, and etc.  I have other friends who excitedly ask when they can come along.  They see it differently.

I see hope  And a future.  

It is definitely along the lines of trash versus treasure. And beauty in the eye of the beholder.  Some of my friends are a bit horrified about my camping adventures.  About how quickly I'd live there if I could.  With the Shack in that condition, if I had local employment. 

I see hard work and happiness.

Speaking of hard work, I need to get busy and start that list like Tracey and Craig have for their simple living homestead.  I recently found their blog and was excited to see that A) someone has a list very similar to mine and B) it's possible to check things off that list as complete! 

I see a long to-do list and a sense of pride as I check off things as simple as adding to the wood pile all by myself. I see a dream slowly coming true. 


Related Links:

Wednesday With Words - The big changes that occurred in 2015 - which had something to do with my decision to purchase the land and The Shack.

My Renogy Solar Panel Review - I found that one of my first needs, during my trips to The Shack, was just a little bit of electricity. One of my Christmas gifts was this wonderful solar panel kit. I am not a solar power expert, but this panel works great for my needs. 

My blog is a mish-mash of personal things (from my dogs, to product reviews, to rambling stories).  But my homesteading-related adventures  and photographs can be found under the label: The Shack.

Wordless Wednesday