Dakota sacked out for the afternoon. Lucky guy!Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
mother nature is fickle…
…she taunts us and toys with us, raises our hopes then grinds us into the dirt. And she’s at it again. I woke this morning to blue skies, the kind of sky that greets me in the spring and summer months. It was clear and fresh, washed clean by four days of steady rain. The temps were higher today, nearly 60. The kind of day that makes you want to go out and plant a new bed of salad greens or start that building project you’ve been putting off, but suddenly you remember its December, been raining, cold and the outside world can be a fickle bitch right now. As much as I’d like to be down on my knees digging in the dirt I hold myself back, telling myself that it’s a death wish to plant much of anything this time of year.
I satisfied my lust for gardening by paging through the seed catalogs I’d already received, circling and marking varieties of beets, beans, lettuce, corn and squash I want to plant in the spring. I poured over descriptions of new vegetable varieties to see if anything peaked my interest.
The more I travel down this path of homesteading the more I find myself paying closer attention to weather reports than any other kind of news. From first thing in the morning till late in the evening I haunt the radio for news on what’s in store for us on the weather front. As farmers we live by it (the weather), plant by it, harvest by it, care for our animals by it. It’s what helps make us a success as a homesteader or a complete failure. After a while we learn to “read” the weather, a coming rain storm might make us tingle or our body feels the pressure before the onset of a heat wave. It’s strange to know (feel) the weather before it hits, but it also helps us prepare for it.
As the morning drew on, clouds rolled in over the mountains to the north. Dark and gray, they had an ominous look to them. The next wave of storms I suspect. At mid-morning I put together a pot of split pea soup and made a loaf of pumpkin bread, (lunch for the coming week), and settled into a quiet day at home, just me, the dogs and a good movie. By night fall sprinkles returned and it looks like my trip north will be postponed once again.
I like this weather though, as much as I’d like to be out in the dirt, the rain suits me just fine.
I satisfied my lust for gardening by paging through the seed catalogs I’d already received, circling and marking varieties of beets, beans, lettuce, corn and squash I want to plant in the spring. I poured over descriptions of new vegetable varieties to see if anything peaked my interest.
The more I travel down this path of homesteading the more I find myself paying closer attention to weather reports than any other kind of news. From first thing in the morning till late in the evening I haunt the radio for news on what’s in store for us on the weather front. As farmers we live by it (the weather), plant by it, harvest by it, care for our animals by it. It’s what helps make us a success as a homesteader or a complete failure. After a while we learn to “read” the weather, a coming rain storm might make us tingle or our body feels the pressure before the onset of a heat wave. It’s strange to know (feel) the weather before it hits, but it also helps us prepare for it.
As the morning drew on, clouds rolled in over the mountains to the north. Dark and gray, they had an ominous look to them. The next wave of storms I suspect. At mid-morning I put together a pot of split pea soup and made a loaf of pumpkin bread, (lunch for the coming week), and settled into a quiet day at home, just me, the dogs and a good movie. By night fall sprinkles returned and it looks like my trip north will be postponed once again.
I like this weather though, as much as I’d like to be out in the dirt, the rain suits me just fine.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
a rainy 4-H potluck
What a great evening we had at the potluck! We just got home and are still warm from all the laughing. It’s been raining off and on all day, but the storm let up as we arrived. The cars and trucks parked out front of our host family’s home let us know we would be in good company tonight. I parked and Brianne grabbed our salad from the back seat while I gathered up the bag of toppings and dressing.
Inside the home was full of children running around, a decorated tree, covered dishes laid out in buffet style on a pine kitchen table. There was hot chocolate and apple cider (which I gravitated to like a moth to the flame) and friendly faces I haven’t seen since our county fair in August. Sandy, my co-club leader was there decked out for the season, and Angela was manning the homemade pizza station. For a moment this afternoon I thought about not going. The rain has been horrid all day and the thought of driving was unappealing (even if it was only 10 miles), but how could we have miss this? I walked our salad over to the table and joined the ladies in conversation.
When we joined the club Brianne was 5 years old. The only projects she was allowed to take were gardening and poultry, but that was enough to get her started on what will be a life long trip into farm living.
When I wasn't talking I'd stop and look around the walls of our host’s home. Photos of the kids working with their chickens and turkeys, ribbons of prizes won at past county fairs, drawings of new building projects for expanding their rabbitry lined the walls of the family room. And I was here in a rain storm, after a long busy week and ending it with a hot meal prepared by friends in a celebration of community. There's feeling lucky, there's feeling blessed, and then there's being part of a community. What could be better?
After dinner, all the kids crowded into the living room for the gift exchange. The young kids wiggled with excitement and the older kids smiled probably remembering how they felt when they were that age. They each drew a number out of a basket to find out who got to choose a gift first. I was a spectator setting on a window seat, as each member agonized over which colorfully wrapped gift was the best.
Those of us with older children made the night social. I talked with my friends, Sandy and Angela. Sandy has been in the club as long as I have, our girls started at the same time. I also got to become better acquainted with other parents who I don’t know well because our kids are not in the same projects, like Gwen and Kathy. Gwen is from Sweden who teaches our entomology project, talked about traditions in the old country and how they try to keep them alive here, but when I mentioned the gigantic (completely gross) bug that keeps popping up in my garden each spring her ears perked up. After a bit of research, complements of Angela’s extensive library, turns out my prehistoric looking alien is a harmless member of the cricket family.
We talked chickens and turkeys, pigs, sheep, gardening, and moving farther into a more self-reliant life. And may have even convinced Kathy to raise a few meat birds, just to see how they like it. Angela let it be known that she had a source for fresh milk and promised to put me in touch with them. I’m excited about that. We also made plans to contact a sustainable farm for a club field trip, hopefully when the kids are out for winter break.
One of the parents handed everyone a goodie bag and we said our good-byes with hugs and good wishes and headed home. There was barely a drizzle, the air was clean and sweet, but damn, we were glad to get back to the farm. Gatherings like this make me feel lucky to be part of a group that has been around for over 100 years…that has taught thousands of young people how to raise livestock, cook, sew, work wood, live self-reliantly and much, much more. The world seems a little shaky right now - but God willing we will be able to take what we’ve learned to make it through.
One thing I do know is that this organization taught me the skills that still keep me moving toward a life of self-reliant living and it’s now teaching my daughter those same lessons. No matter how long it takes it is a dream worth having. This is where I learned to raise sheep taking me into a 30 year love affair with a woolly, not so bright, completely amazing animal. It’s where I have met some of my best friends and ardent supporters. Oh, there have been trials and tribulations along the away as any youth club can have, but it has made me the person I am today and it will have a strong hand in molding my daughter into the woman she is to become.
Inside the home was full of children running around, a decorated tree, covered dishes laid out in buffet style on a pine kitchen table. There was hot chocolate and apple cider (which I gravitated to like a moth to the flame) and friendly faces I haven’t seen since our county fair in August. Sandy, my co-club leader was there decked out for the season, and Angela was manning the homemade pizza station. For a moment this afternoon I thought about not going. The rain has been horrid all day and the thought of driving was unappealing (even if it was only 10 miles), but how could we have miss this? I walked our salad over to the table and joined the ladies in conversation.
When we joined the club Brianne was 5 years old. The only projects she was allowed to take were gardening and poultry, but that was enough to get her started on what will be a life long trip into farm living.
When I wasn't talking I'd stop and look around the walls of our host’s home. Photos of the kids working with their chickens and turkeys, ribbons of prizes won at past county fairs, drawings of new building projects for expanding their rabbitry lined the walls of the family room. And I was here in a rain storm, after a long busy week and ending it with a hot meal prepared by friends in a celebration of community. There's feeling lucky, there's feeling blessed, and then there's being part of a community. What could be better?
After dinner, all the kids crowded into the living room for the gift exchange. The young kids wiggled with excitement and the older kids smiled probably remembering how they felt when they were that age. They each drew a number out of a basket to find out who got to choose a gift first. I was a spectator setting on a window seat, as each member agonized over which colorfully wrapped gift was the best.
Those of us with older children made the night social. I talked with my friends, Sandy and Angela. Sandy has been in the club as long as I have, our girls started at the same time. I also got to become better acquainted with other parents who I don’t know well because our kids are not in the same projects, like Gwen and Kathy. Gwen is from Sweden who teaches our entomology project, talked about traditions in the old country and how they try to keep them alive here, but when I mentioned the gigantic (completely gross) bug that keeps popping up in my garden each spring her ears perked up. After a bit of research, complements of Angela’s extensive library, turns out my prehistoric looking alien is a harmless member of the cricket family.
We talked chickens and turkeys, pigs, sheep, gardening, and moving farther into a more self-reliant life. And may have even convinced Kathy to raise a few meat birds, just to see how they like it. Angela let it be known that she had a source for fresh milk and promised to put me in touch with them. I’m excited about that. We also made plans to contact a sustainable farm for a club field trip, hopefully when the kids are out for winter break.
One of the parents handed everyone a goodie bag and we said our good-byes with hugs and good wishes and headed home. There was barely a drizzle, the air was clean and sweet, but damn, we were glad to get back to the farm. Gatherings like this make me feel lucky to be part of a group that has been around for over 100 years…that has taught thousands of young people how to raise livestock, cook, sew, work wood, live self-reliantly and much, much more. The world seems a little shaky right now - but God willing we will be able to take what we’ve learned to make it through.
One thing I do know is that this organization taught me the skills that still keep me moving toward a life of self-reliant living and it’s now teaching my daughter those same lessons. No matter how long it takes it is a dream worth having. This is where I learned to raise sheep taking me into a 30 year love affair with a woolly, not so bright, completely amazing animal. It’s where I have met some of my best friends and ardent supporters. Oh, there have been trials and tribulations along the away as any youth club can have, but it has made me the person I am today and it will have a strong hand in molding my daughter into the woman she is to become.
(the photo is of the 50th anniversay commemorative stamp from the national 4-H organization)
Friday, December 11, 2009
club potluck tonight!
It's gonna be a big day today, so much to do. It will include a trip to the feed store, baking gingerbread, making a potluck dish and six chickens. More on the chickens later. I just wanted to drop a note sharing how excited I am about our 4-H Clubs Christmas Potluck tonight. These are all great families with interests in all things homesteading. Who would have thought so many suburbanites with dreams of a more self-sufficient farm life would land in the same place.
It's raining right now and the farm is drinking it up fast. Tonight is going to be amazing, I can feel it in my bones.
It's raining right now and the farm is drinking it up fast. Tonight is going to be amazing, I can feel it in my bones.
a warm fire, carols, cards and decking the halls
The holiday spirit is in full swing here at the farm. A wreath adorns the front door, welcoming all who visit; a fire roars, warming the room and adding to the ambiance of the evening; carols turned up loud on XM radio keep everyone in a festive mood and the tree is coming along. Each ornament pulled from its protective box reminds us of places we’ve been and vacations we’ve enjoyed. There’s moose and bears from trips to the mountains, additions to our sheep collection bought during a trip to VT and countless treasures given to us by friends and family. We reminise as we hang each one on the tree, laughing and telling stories of our adventures. Greeting cards thanking friends for their support of what we do on the homestead are ready for the post.
The storm still rages outside, but we are warm, happy, singing, and thankful for this simple life we have chosen to pursue.
Life is good.
The storm still rages outside, but we are warm, happy, singing, and thankful for this simple life we have chosen to pursue.
Life is good.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
lightening crashes, thunder rolls...
...and the wicked storm blows in, hollowing winds (at least 40 MPH with gusts to 50), inches of rain by the minute, treacherous roads, and a couple of tired dogs at my feet, warm and toasty at home.
More to come...I have no doubt.
More to come...I have no doubt.
how cool is this...
I ran by Border's Books to pick up my dad's Christmas gift, Ken Burns' documentary of the Lewis & Clark expeditions. Of course being the book fiend that I am I can't leave without taking a run through the store and naturally I end up at the farming and gardening sections. I found this book perched on the top shelf like it was waiting for me to discover it. It's not a new book, been out a few years, but I've never seen it before. So I found myself a chair, sat down to flip through it. It's fabulous and fun, portrait style photos of champion sires and dams from a variety of breeds (mostly English and French). The photographer is from the fashion world, the author a vet at a vet medicine school. The photos are beautiful and some of the breeds I'd never seen before.
It was fun to sit there and think back to the days when I had a barn full of sheep, and December wasn't just about holiday parties and presents. It was the beginning of our lambing season . New life came to our farm between the Christmas morning breakfast, the gift giving and the evening eggnog. Fun times folks!
What a great gift for any sheep loving friend.
It was fun to sit there and think back to the days when I had a barn full of sheep, and December wasn't just about holiday parties and presents. It was the beginning of our lambing season . New life came to our farm between the Christmas morning breakfast, the gift giving and the evening eggnog. Fun times folks!
What a great gift for any sheep loving friend.
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