Our time at MacDill FamCamp was coming to a close. We were able to accomplish a few important tasks while enjoying our escape from winter. Our 2022 Homestead garden got a head-start. Tomato, pepper and sugar snaps are just some of the seedlings that germinated then travelled from Florida back to North Carolina with us.…
While Snowbirding at MacDill AFB FamCamp this past winter, we were able to revisit a few places we love in the Tampa area. The TECO Manatee Viewing Center was a favorite place from our time workamping in Florida 2 years ago. We knew from past experience that first thing in the morning is the best…
While staying at MacDill FamCamp in Tampa, Florida this winter, we were able to explore some of the local area. A very interesting and popular part of Tampa is Ybor City, named after the cigar manufacturer, Vincente Martinez Ybor. Most of the Ybor City Cigar factories are closed now except for the J.C. Newman factory…
We spent 2 beautiful months in Tampa, Florida this past winter. Our escape was perfectly timed as we missed a snow and ice storm at the Homestead back in North Carolina. Back in December of 2020 we put our names on the MacDill FamCamp waiting list for January/February 2022. Yes, they had a waiting list…
Day one of our Snow Bird adventure was a quick trip to Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter, South Carolina. Shaw is only 170 miles from our Homestead and it was a perfect place to land. We like to keep our travel days short so we have time to set up in daylight hours. Driving…
2022 started with a push to get Old Glory (O.G.) ready for a Road Trip to warmer weather! The bike rack was re-installed and propane tanks were filled. After multiple trips between the Homestead and the storage lot with supplies, beach gear, and tools, we felt ready to head south for a lengthy stay in…
The sun has set on 2021. It’s been a great year at the Ballard Homestead…a year marked by growth, grace, lots of learning and LOVE. God has continually provided for our EVERY need. Mark harvested a buck and a doe at the Homestead this deer season, providing quite a bit of delicious venison. We are…
Happy Birthday Mark! I love you and love doing this crazy, something new every day, never boring, life with you! May you have many more blessed, amazing trips around the sun 🥰 This past year has been full of new experiences! It’s hard to believe that just over 1 year ago North Carolina became our…
Back when we first purchased the Ballard Homestead, 10 short months ago, we had dreams of gardening, preserving our own food and living off the land. Those dreams led to investing in a used pressure canner and canning supplies. Then we read books and listened to podcasts about gardening, canning and preserving food. Finally, we…
Once upon a time, a little baby girl named Leilalynn brought her parents and puppies to North Carolina all the way from Maryland. She let her daddy drive while she rode all snug in her car seat. Her mommy sat beside her and her puppies rode in back. They were going to visit her Grandpa…
After returning from Oklahoma there were a few events, appointments and tasks on our calendar. Not the least of these, was preserving some of our garden harvest. It was time to make pickles and relish and more pickles. The garden did not take a vacation. It was working overtime while we were away in Oklahoma.…
It’s more than a place on a map, “Home” is a place you can return to and people there are happy to see you. Home is also where the people, places and memories you love the most reside. Home has been many places for us throughout the course of our married life and one of…
There are all kinds of songs and sayings about time. If I could save time in a bottle. We had the time of our lives. So much to do, so little time. What we value most is what we spend most of our time doing and thinking about. Well, it’s about time…that we write this…
Today we remember all those brave souls who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. We owe a debt of gratitude to these good men and women. We are grateful, remember these fallen heroes and say a prayer for their families. Never forget: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for…