Brrrr!
Sunday, March 13, 2022
The second weekend in March is far different than the 1st! The weathermen have surprisingly been pretty accurate this winter, even if they give broad predictions. 5" of snow here Friday night and Saturday. Hopefully this will be the last of it as the next 2 weeks are predicting to be much warmer. Set in another large round bale to the goats and horses and tossed in plenty to the pigs today. That bale should last until the grass comes back in early April.
This week was another busy one as they all are, but busy in the winter way not the summer busy, which is a whole 'nother ball game. lol. More tomato seeds got started and I'm itching to get spinach, lettuce and peas going. Few more weeks on them tho.
We had some very nice days which allowed me to turn over a couple of the raised beds and take a good look at the ones that will be rebuilt this spring. I was able to pick up some scrap wood and yesterday started cutting it into 12" sections that will be used to rebuild the beds. (4'wx8'lx12"d) I still need more but every little bit helps. Have you seen the price of lumber recently? Ouch! I've been tossing a little cracked corn in the compost pile which is mainly waste hay from the goat stalls, sawdust and manure from the horses. That is all the encouragement the chickens need to scratch away. Its breaking down and getting turned over nicely. Since I am increasing my food production, I'm going to need it ready.
The does and babies all got out of the barn for a couple days and seemed to enjoy the fresh air. Hopefully all can get transitioned out this week since the weather is improving. Next weekend is ear tagging and CD&T vaccination time as the 4H kids will soon be going to their new homes.
Friday picked up another load of wood to add to the stack. I underestimated the need this year but am keeping careful count now in order to assure we have plenty for next. This morning I found that the chain saw has decided to croak, so will be picking up a new one. The winter storms have unfortunately broken out a lot of treetops, so there is plenty to cut out of the pasture as long as the tractor can get down to them.
Yesterday the woodstove cooked up black beans with pork neck bones and today it's a pot of chili. Throw in a loaf of bread baked in the dutch oven and yum! Simple sustainable food that has fed generations and will provide several meals here for the coming week.
We are currently living in some unprecedented times. Being more sustainable and self-reliant very well may become extremely important in the coming months. Do what you can to increase both.
This week was another busy one as they all are, but busy in the winter way not the summer busy, which is a whole 'nother ball game. lol. More tomato seeds got started and I'm itching to get spinach, lettuce and peas going. Few more weeks on them tho.
We had some very nice days which allowed me to turn over a couple of the raised beds and take a good look at the ones that will be rebuilt this spring. I was able to pick up some scrap wood and yesterday started cutting it into 12" sections that will be used to rebuild the beds. (4'wx8'lx12"d) I still need more but every little bit helps. Have you seen the price of lumber recently? Ouch! I've been tossing a little cracked corn in the compost pile which is mainly waste hay from the goat stalls, sawdust and manure from the horses. That is all the encouragement the chickens need to scratch away. Its breaking down and getting turned over nicely. Since I am increasing my food production, I'm going to need it ready.
The does and babies all got out of the barn for a couple days and seemed to enjoy the fresh air. Hopefully all can get transitioned out this week since the weather is improving. Next weekend is ear tagging and CD&T vaccination time as the 4H kids will soon be going to their new homes.
Friday picked up another load of wood to add to the stack. I underestimated the need this year but am keeping careful count now in order to assure we have plenty for next. This morning I found that the chain saw has decided to croak, so will be picking up a new one. The winter storms have unfortunately broken out a lot of treetops, so there is plenty to cut out of the pasture as long as the tractor can get down to them.
Yesterday the woodstove cooked up black beans with pork neck bones and today it's a pot of chili. Throw in a loaf of bread baked in the dutch oven and yum! Simple sustainable food that has fed generations and will provide several meals here for the coming week.
We are currently living in some unprecedented times. Being more sustainable and self-reliant very well may become extremely important in the coming months. Do what you can to increase both.