Adventures of the Brown Family

Selling the Urban Homestead

2011-07-27T12:23:00.007-05:00

Taking the missions job in Rhode Island means we are having to sale our family home in Texarkana. Its original construction was in 1898 next to the Wadley House. It was moved in 1941 with logs and mule teams behind the Bottom House on East street. There it was plumbed for water and gas and a second floor was added, redesigning it as four apartments. In 1969 a dividing wall was removed and opened the first floor as a single family residence. Since then the second floor has been primarily storage.

The Bad - Needs some cosmetic work. A few rooms could use a fresh coat of paint. And much of the external trim needs painting or touching up. No central heat and air. The second floor though structurally sound needs floor work done in one of the back bathrooms and a small section of ceiling repaired in two rooms.

The Good - Utilities are low as you only heat and cool the rooms you live. The first floor has 3-4 bed rooms, 2 & 1/3 baths. Living room, Sitting room, Formal Dinning room, Kitchen, and Utility room. New or fairly new dishwasher, washing machine, stove, fridge. Several rooms have been renovated. Lots of built-in cabinets, shelves, etc. In the back yard, we've got a fruiting a plum tree and blackberry vines. 120 sq ft of cultivated raised beds. Neighborhood is quiet and several homes that were declining, are being or have been restored. Due to hail shingle damage, a $12K 20yr roof was put on in 2009.

To see pieces of it look around the rest of our blog.

We plan on selling it cheaply enough that someone could make payments and still have budget room enough to buy paint, brushes, etc. or take out a home loan for whatever restorations they wanted professionally done. We have it insured for $200K, but are asking $60 hoping it will move before we have to leave in September.

Attached are a picture before the new roof, and the basic floor plans. To schedule a showing call 903-691-3633. Thanks...Clint & Beth Brown

Urban Sustainable Living - June 11

2011-06-16T10:35:00.008-05:00

Well into spring; we're getting some fruit and vegies from our spring plantings, vines and trees. A little behind due to some late spring cold nights and new dogs that got into much of our early plantings. Researched how to keep dogs from digging in your garden. The experts said the best way was to build a fence. So we built fences.

These pups are chewers. The pictured mini-green house was originally covered in plastic sheeting. They ate it off. Since it had warmed up we covered it with fabric screen and sprayed with bitter apple dog anti-chew spray. They chewed it anyway. So now it is covered in metal garden mesh. I'll line the inside with plastic next spring. Too late for greenhouse now (96 F outside now), but will double as a mini-tractor for day time feeding for our younger chicks until we mix them in with the older chickens. And yes, those chicks we thought were 4 white bantam Cochins turned out to be 1 Cochin, 2 Frizzles, and a Silkie (the one with the white afro).

Urban Sustainable Living - Sept 10

2010-10-04T15:54:00.019-05:00

Wow, Summer has rushed past and our fall crops are starting to come into bloom. These pics are from a couple weeks ago so the beans are putting on fruit and the peas are starting to need cages to climb. Our onions are greening up and the amaranth is blooming a lot. Should have plenty of amaranth seed next year if these go ahead and seed out. Our herb "garden" is in good shape and we should be pulling a lot of it soon for drying before the weather turns. We are also getting some persimmons, but not near as many or as big as last year and these are heavily seeded so we're wondering if it is a cycle thing or was our hot summer the culprit. Our asparagus is coming along, but it'll be a couple more years before it is ready to harvest. Maybe we can keep it going that long. Busy with Church Camp and Church Conference this summer burned off a lot of our garden, but things have been perking up with regular watering and cooler weather.

Harvest Update: Wanted to post that we reviewed our records and as best we could tell, we harvested about 50 lbs of fresh fruit and vegetables from our little back yard garden this spring, mostly in May and June. This was not counting over ripe or bird bitten that was given to the chickens. Who in turn peaked this spring giving us over 100 eggs from March through May. Not enough food to sustain us, but 50 lbs more than we were growing a couple years ago and undoubtedly an improvement on our family's nutrition, education, and independence.

Urban Sustainable Living - May 10 pt2

2010-05-26T11:16:00.005-05:00

Late May update showing the changes in the raised beds in just a few weeks. Always amazed how quick things can grow with a little sunshine and water. See below for comparison. We are getting all we can eat lettuce, and daily portions of black berries, zucchini, and green beans. Crook neck squash, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, and plumbs are fruiting well so we should be picking those soon too!

Urban Sustainable Living - May 10

2010-05-11T10:08:00.010-05:00

Little early May update. The beans are really taking off as well as the lettuce, plumbs, black berries, zucchini and squash. And the potatoes are doing better than hoped. We'll have to see how they fair once the summer heat kicks in. The chicks are about 2/3 the size of the adult bantams now, but they'll still need a little more weight before we let them loose with the grown ups. The girls commented on our "green" look with our recycled coffee cans, clay roofing tiles and old tires. Beth knows it's mostly because I'm cheep, but being environmentally conscious is good too. :)

Urban Sustainable Living - Mar 10 (chooks)

2010-03-19T22:31:00.012-05:00

Don't forget the chickens! Nine new baby Cochin bantam chicks. Rex the rooster, hens Peg, Nelly, Tater-tot, & Henny Penny. All the hens are laying now. I left the golf ball in for scale. The eggs are small but a welcome gift. We let them roam the back yard much of the winter, but with the sprouts planted soon we'll have to confine them to their mobile chicken hutch.

Urban Sustainable Living - Mar 10

2010-03-18T09:53:00.006-05:00

Well, the calendar may say it's not quite spring yet, but around here things are starting to look springy. The plum tree is totally bloomed and lots of little buds on Jennifer's lemon tree. Beth and the girls have been helping get things prepped for our biggest planting yet. We've got three new raised beds and a new three stall composting area. We tried something new this year with 2 liter soda bottle greenhouses. Last spring we tried seeding indoors, but we only heat the rooms we live in so the seeds usually weren't much warmer indoors than out. So with these mini-greenhouses we seem to have gotten a jump on the spring planting and have quite a few healthy looking sprouts soon ready for transplant.

Petit Jean Arkansas - November 09 trip

2009-11-13T16:56:00.018-06:00

Another great trip to Petit Jean. We didn't get to go on all of our favorite trails due to missing a turn. However, we got to see the Russellville nuclear cooling tower and had an excellent illustration for later when we talked about using the bible as your road map to your life or just trying to wing it and not paying attention to the signs along the way. See our other Petit Jean entries for more info about the park and our favorite trails.

Urban Sustainable Living - Oct 09

2009-11-11T14:29:00.016-06:00

Turns out fall has been busy. Sept and Oct came and went in a blur. We’re now busy composting leaves and processing the fall produce. Interestingly Melissa's Mexican Sour Gherkins are the most prolific producers. She planted a couple heirloom seeds in the spring which we thought failed. They limped along with a spindly vine through the summer. To our surprise when the weather began to cool the vine covered a nice section of the fence, took hold of some alley vines and went over ten feet in the air covering a cut telephone pole and the top of a crape murtle tree before it slacked off. Covered in tiny little yellow flowers it has given us hand full after hand full of black berry sized lemony cucumbers that resemble tiny watermelons. We've talked about canning them, but we eat them as a side for the whole family almost every night. The chickens and even the dog like them so it looks like they will be eaten fresh this year until it plays out. Peppers and beans also did pretty well before most of the garden began to go dormant. We decided we were feeding one roster too many so we introduced the girls to the circle of life and will be having Lil' Red in dumplings tonight. The pecan tree did pretty well this year and we're waiting on the persimmon tree to finish ripening up. It's beginning to look so fruity with hardly any leaves..

Philippines Mission - Jul 09

2009-07-23T15:18:00.015-05:00

Back in one piece from a construction and evangelism mission trip to The Philippines. I went with a half dozen others from Food for the Hungry to Montalban, Rizal, Philippines‎. This time Beth came with me and was a real trooper. Again there was some really hard work, but again it was more than worth it to build a relationship with the people there, make some improvement in their physical situation, and share Christ's love and our love for Him and others. The Philippines have some beautiful landscape and we only scratched the surface of what there was to enjoy. We visited a sleeping volcano (Taal) and swam in its crater lake. I am still processing God's message for me and my local congregation about poverty and grace and how I personally can be a part of God's will for his people to minister to the poor.

Urban Homestead Update - Jun 09

2009-06-18T13:30:00.015-05:00

We got about 4 dozen eggs last month and several lbs of food. Mostly from the sq. ft. garden. The heirloom tomatoes are growing and we're excited to see how they turn out. Everything grown from Bakercreek seeds except the plums (and chickens). We were having green beans every night until they played out. And now cucumber and squash are producing.

Spring Growth - Apr/May 09

2009-05-07T12:28:00.005-05:00

I was feeling bad about not updating our blog, but as quick as I can take pictures of our urban garden things change. Here some pictures of Beth's square foot garden (seeds from Baker Creek) We're already eating lettuce from it and we'll soon be getting fruit from our berry plants, plumb tree and beans. Check out these changes in only a month.

Spring Harvest - Mar 09

2009-03-06T11:54:00.006-06:00

Beth did some picking today and pulled in some turnips, carrots, onions, sugersnap peas, brocholi, and a potato (we missed in the fall). It wasn't a big haul, but inspiring and some good experiance of what to expect with a winter garden. Melissa took the sample picture on our kitchen table. Our indoor seedlings are starting to sprout and in a couple weeks we'll be past the average frost date and brave enough to take them outside. This year we're trying a raised bed Garden-by-the-Foot as one of our experiments and hopefuly that will help us maximize our limited space.

Eggs and Crowing - Dec 08

2008-12-19T21:10:00.003-06:00

Our hens have started giving us a couple of eggs, so apparently our rooster, Rex, feels he has something to crow about lately. You can hear the train whistles in the back ground, which may be giving him a sense of competition as well. Our faithful, blond guard dog, Daisy, makes a cameo.

Petit Jean Arkansas - October 08 trip

2008-10-27T12:51:00.019-05:00

We had another awesome day of hiking and a nice devotional time at the pioneer cabin. I'm always glad when we can enjoy God's natural craftsmanship and spending time with friends. See our other Petit Jean entries for more info about the park and our favorite trails.

Urban Sustainable Living - Sep 08

2008-10-06T13:57:00.011-05:00

Our little chicks have filled out and seem to be thriving in their mobile ark, but they may not be far enough along this season to start really laying before the days get too short. They have been doing their composting job though and do a pretty good job of clearing spots for us to start planting for our autumn plots. The potatoes, and squash did not make too well, but we got a good number of green beans, tomatoes, and plumbs in the spring for our meager efforts. Our fall peas have done well, and the bell pepper plants have produced daily for months. I've got part of our water reclamation system in place and the excess is feeding to the rose bushes.. I was indifferent about the roses until I found out some varieties are fruiting and high in vitamin C. We'll be adding more roses in the spring. We are prepping to plant for sweet peas and watching to harvest from the astringent persimmon tree my grandmother left us. All the while we wait for the leaves to start falling so we can cage them up and start working them for spring compost.

Guyana Mission - Jun 08

2008-07-22T10:27:00.011-05:00

Safely back from a construction mission trip to South America. I went with a score of Seventh Day Baptists to Georgetown, Guyana. Originally, signed on to help with medical screening, but changed to help out the shorthanded construction crew working on the local churches' campsite there. Some of the hardest work I've done in my life. However, I left with the dilemma that I now feel a debtor to our brothers in Guyana. The experience was more valuable than any contributions I was able to make. The country was a beautiful back drop to some powerful messages on the importance of having an undivided heart for God when your intent is to be a worthy instrument for his service. I have been compelled to share that message with fellow men of the Church and to insure it continues to makes a difference in my own walk.

Chicken Ark - Jun 08

2008-07-10T09:06:00.008-05:00

Got our chicken tractor (ark) pretty much finished. Still may want to put some wheels on one end, some handles and some polyurethane on the outside to help protect the wood, but the chickens are moved in and seem to be enjoying it. When the girls return from camp we will probably get about four more juvenile bantams. Possibly Golden Seabrights this time.

Urban Sustainable Living - Jun 08

2008-06-18T13:59:00.026-05:00

We (especially the little woman) have been busy working on our "Urban Farm" this spring. Rising gas prices with tainted and genetically modified foods have encouraged us to do what we can with the little land we have available around our house. We decided to run some chickens in a mobile 4x8 chicken arc. We got the idea from the Garden Girl ( www.gardengirltv.com ) who moves her chicken coop from one raised bed to the next to help naturally fertilize the plots. The ark is almost completed. Pictures to follow, but for now here are a shot of one of the chicks (Cochin Bantam) and some of the garden plots and plumb tree we've started.

Petit Jean Arkansas - October 07 trip

2007-10-30T15:22:00.002-05:00

Back to Petit Jean for a day trip with the Texarkana Seventh Day Baptist youth. If you go, be sure to enter the first over look before you actually enter the park. To get the most views for the least hiking, take the ¼ mile Bear Cave Trail a mile past the lodge on Hwy 154, and the 2 mile Cedar Falls Trail. The Cedar Falls trail starts at the Lodge and is a tough hike back up, but otherwise level and worth the hike. There are other beautiful walks there, but those two have a lot to see and are great with a group. We had 13 youth and 7 adults participating.

Hot Springs Emerald Isle - Sept 07

2007-09-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

Back from Hot Springs. Had a week long adventure. Cruised the Caddo River on floaties. (nearly got swept away) Hiking in Hot Springs Natl Park. Paddle boating to islands and swimming in Lake Hamilton. Sand castles, shell collecting, tennis, swimming pool, playground, knitting, Henderson State tour, milk shakes, and the Discovery Channel.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - March 07

2007-04-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

Stayed with the in-laws and had a great time. Visited the Botanical Garden and ate at Rock Fish. Also got to see "300" at the Imax and brought back a new TV from Fry's. (highlights for Clint)

Back Bath Victory!!

2007-01-29T16:34:00.001-06:00

We are now down to painting the trim and door and hanging fixtures.
This is a composite photo of a couple shots of that part of the room, but it gives you an idea of about how it looks now. Not quite that pink in person and the tiles line up better with the sink than that spliced in sink shows. :) Just glad to have my bathroom back and the cats (and inspectors) can no longer crawl in through the open hole in the floor.

Petit Jean Arkansas - November 06 trip

2006-12-12T09:39:00.001-06:00

November 12th, some of the youth from the Seventh Day Baptist Church in Texarkana rode in our van to the Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton AR. Great Day. Great weather. Like hiking in air conditioning. Much of the park is fairly easy grades. The hike down to the falls starts with a pretty steep switch back decent, but if you take your time it's worth the effort.

Back Bath Attack - Part 4

2006-10-23T17:05:00.000-05:00

A tiling we will go .. a tiling we will go. Got the walls and shower tiled. Now just need the floor and grout everything and we will have a bathroom again. :)

SeaWorld Break - San Antonio

2006-10-17T13:10:00.000-05:00

Went to my brother's wedding in San Antonio. While there, we took a day to visit Sea World. October actually not too bad. Overcast and had some sprinkles, but wasn't that cold. Took in almost all the shows, saw the exhibits, and rode a few rides. Though the water park part was closed spent a solid 7 hours there and didn't quite do everything available. I got some higher quality images not posted. Nice break from working on the bathroom. But puts me behind schedule so will have to work extra hard to be sure I'm available to play Oblivion in November.

Back Bath Attack - Part 3

2006-10-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

Got most of the backer
board in . Hopefully will
get to start on the tile soon.

Never though I'd be saying
I was anxous to start tiling.

Back Bath Attack - Part 2

2006-09-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

And now I have layer 1 of 5 of the floor put in.
Tar paper next, then vertical wood, then backer board, and then finally tile.

Well, it took a hammer, pliers, screwdriver, and a reciprocating saw to get it out, but I finally got the drain out and replaced with new PVC. Hopefully that takes care of the drain leak.

With the tub now fixed and jacked back up to level and the studs replaced or added, I can now begin reflooring the bath. Then comes the backing and tile work. Woo hoo!!

Back Bath Attack - Part 1

2006-08-30T09:22:00.000-05:00

Found some unfriendlys under the tiles.
We are in attack mode now.

Once exterminated and replacement wood in place,
the new tiles and paint job will commence.

More Pix of Colorado 7/2006

2006-07-23T21:34:00.000-05:00

Captured Colorado Wildlife 7/2006

2006-07-23T18:49:00.000-05:00

◄ Marmot, cousin of the woodchuck and ground hog.

This variety only lives above 11,000 feet.

◄ Beware the begging chipmunk. They WILL get personal.

◄ One of many deer. Many in yards going up Lee Hill. Didn't get shots of the heards of elk near the Great Divide.

◄ Who doesn't like baby ducks.

◄ Beware the begging squirel. Kin of the begging chipmunk.

Just got back from Colorado 2006

2006-07-20T11:36:00.006-05:00

Thought I might try to post some pictures and
follow up with some details of our travels.
(scroll down for pictures and click to make pictures bigger)

Dream Lake Stream

Red Rocks (west of Boulder)

Rockys

Picture after 2nd hike up. (forgot camera first time)

Beth on Mork & Mindy Road

Flower w/ Bee near Flat Irons

Beth on Mork & Mindy Road

Dream Lake (Rocky Mt. Natl Forest)