You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Farm Life’ category.
Hmmmm, lets see. We finished this:
Which is good, because I immediately planted broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, Chinese cabbage, spinach and lettuce in flats (all cool season crops) and some if it is already coming up. Read the rest of this entry »
Garlic is UP!
You know, I’ve lived in a lot of different climates, from the ‘over 100 degrees for 5 months of the year’ Arizona desert to the ‘barely a 100 day growing season’ of 7,000 ft Colorado to the balmy languid growing season of Northern California. And no matter where you live, spring can not come fast enough. I’ve been pacing like a large cat in a small cage for weeks, waiting for sunshine and temperatures out of the 40’s. And it’s finally arrived. And it’s not even the middle of March! Read the rest of this entry »
Rossi, Gideon and I, overlooking the Columbia River a few days ago.
I’ve never been a religious person, in any kind of traditional organized way. My religious views could best be described as Secular Humanist. I believe that people are capable of morality and ethics without the threat of an all-seeing, all-judging God to keep us on the straight and narrow. In fact, I think when we can choose this path without the fear of reprisal from a deity pointing a finger, we are much the better for it. I believe that human kindness (to animals, to each other, to ourselves, to the earth) is the most powerful force in the universe. I believe that there is power beyond ourselves, and that we are sometimes able to tap into it to profound effect. But celebrating the birth of Jesus, rampant consumerism and obligatory gift giving…not so much. Read the rest of this entry »
So, in the last few weeks, we’ve gone from an old, outdated, not EPA compliant and down right ugly wood stove to a new, modern, Washington State and EPA compliant gorgeous wood stove.
Alternative title: Come The Revolution.
Flour corn. Grown as an ornamental. But useful as a food, for both humans and poultry, should it come to that.
True confession time. I feel like I know you all well enough that I can come clean and you won’t judge me too harshly. That you won’t think I’m totally nuts after you read this. That maybe you’ll admit to your own closet “come the revolution” thoughts. And then I’ll show you pictures of my new bunker. Just kidding. If I had a bunker, I wouldn’t tell you. Wink. Read the rest of this entry »
Today, as I look out my office window, it’s sunny. But it’s the first sunny day we’ve had in a week or more. In the winter, this area tends to get socked in with fog and gray for weeks at a time. What a gift sunshine can be in November. But it does make for some nice photographs.
Also making progress? This 10 week old welsummer rooster. In another 6 weeks or so I should start getting eggs from his siblings. Nice dark brown speckled eggs. Sweet.
If there is one life lesson I’m supposed to be learning this turn of the karmic wheel, its patience. Patience with people. Patience with projects. Patience with myself. Because once I’ve decided to do something, I want it done yesterday.
Well, after a crazy hot beginning of September, where temperatures were still in the 90’s, we’ve finally cooled down, thank heaven. And I’ve been running around like a mad squirrel harvesting and drying and canning and freezing for the winter months. I just finished canning our 28th pint of tomato salsa! Dried beans mostly picked. Chilies mostly dried or pickled. A good portion of the winter squash and potatoes harvested. Onions all cleaned and stored. Corn blanched and in the freezer. You get the idea.
We’ve had rain the last few days, and the garden and yard looks so, well, fall-like. It’s my favorite time of year. The smells. The colors. The feeling of a job well done.
Read the rest of this entry »
The seasonal blue moon of August 20-21st. Defined as the third of four full moons to take place in a season, in this case between the summer solstice and fall equinox.
Recently, I visited a cousin of mine from my mother’s side of the family. She had a lot of family records I had not seen, and I brought a bunch of stuff home with me. I’ve spent hours reading first person accounts of the lives of my Grandmother Norma and my Great Grandmother Alzina. The short version? Life was hard and these women were tough tough tough. My grandmother weighed 85 lbs for 5 years after the birth of her second son. The birth almost killed her. She was plump later in life, and never apologized for it, with good reason. Read the rest of this entry »
Well, the unnamed mama duck hatched out 6 babies.
Read the rest of this entry »
MilesAwayFarm
Miles Away Farm Blog 