Planting time!

Ds#1 wanted to plant blue potatoes this year, and we received them yesterday (from Seeds of Change). Today, we got asparagus, blueberries and ever-bearer strawberries (from Miller Nurseries).

Dh started seeds indoors a couple of weeks ago, and many of them have poked up and are swaying in the gentle breeze of the fan. Very cute. Not so cute is that the ladybugs hibernating in the house have found them already.

"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

Our kingdom for a tractor

To stow the truck cap, we had to go up our driveway in the back which is quite rutted from all the heavy rains we've had this year. Oh how we would love to have a tractor (which is actually profiled in the current issue of Mother Earth News) with various attachments to grade our driveways and plow snow and prepare a field for planting wheat and corn - we try not to disturb the soil too much in our existing garden though (see The Land Institute).

We also lust for a greenhouse, but that's another story. :)

"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

Take a deep breath

I need to remember to call yoga instructions into my daily life. Breathe deeply and slowly, and again, and again. Empty my mind of words that annoy me. Go eat a fruity yogurt...oh wait, that's not in the instructions. But, it reminds me I should look up how to make my own yogurt. I hear (the last time in the Simple Living Newsletter) that store-bought yogurt just doesn't compare.

"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

A Webbed Foot in Every Water Hole

The geese not only wander down to the creek at will now, they also get into the water garden, eating all the plants and messing up the drainage system. Used to be that when we wouldn't let them go to the creek, I put up with them being in the water garden, but I see no reason for them to mess that up when they have access to the creek. Can't wait to put in the large perimeter fence some time (hopefully) this spring and keep them in check.

"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

Chickens in the Orchard and Geese in Love

We moved the chickens up to the orchard by the house so they have more grass to eat, as well as help to keep bugs in check. We can also keep a closer eye on them since they are more visible from the house here.

The geese are happy their roommates are gone. They now reign supreme over much of the land. The squabbling of the 2 males is annoying, however, so we may have to eat one of them.

"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)

The Blog Formerly Known as HuntingChanterelles

I thought I'd change my personal blog just to keep you on your toes! :) I'll try this for a bit, and see how it goes since I've now split my blog into one that is solely to focus on my creative process and this one to ramble on about life on our tiny homestead and life in general.

"To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." ~ Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881)