I just came across this picture of Annalisa raking hay this past summer with the Queens. Though the snow flies outside right now I find this very warming.
Its seems as though most of our Fall projects actually got finished up before the snow set in on us this winter. We welcomed the snow by celebrating the Christmas season with lots of friends and family. We successfully dried off Nightshade the goat and since Annalisa gets a break from school for a month we decided we had better take the chance to run off for a few weeks before Jenny the cow has her calf, and we are chained to a milking schedual and the fast approaching neccesitties of the upcoming growing season. By the goodness of friends and family alike the animals were all looked after while we had a great trip up to Maine for some hiking, camping, visiting and some amazing cross country skiing. Now that were back we have a lot to look forward to and work for before the season starts. Jenny is due with her first calf almost any day now and she really looks the part. The greens in the high tunnel are starting to pick up and we had a really nice harvest last weekend for our winter farmers markets.
With the ground frozen and a snow pack were able to get back into the woods also to salvage any of the decent pine logs that we can from that crazy blow last March. Nice to get behind the teams again and see those logs coming in to the mill to supply all of the building projects coming up this year.
Right now one of the projects is building a walk in cooler off of the Well House for milk and egg storage this summer. Our faithful abode, The Well House was the home of Annalisa and I for almost three years. We moved into the main farmhouse this fall and decided to try to keep the well house in our daily use so it doesn’t go to rust, and decided to make it our milk and egg handling room. Also this summer it will be open for the public as a small store front to buy milk, eggs, produce and seeds.
We are carrying High Mowing Seeds again this winter and the racks are full of little packets of hope, decorated with memories of summer and garden plans. You can find us at the Newmarket and Derry winter farmers markets for the rest of the winter or call ahead if you want to stop by. Newmarket is the 3rd Saturday of everymonth and Derry is the 1st and 3rd Sunday.
Annalisa and Nissa on vacation.
The ultimate oven! www.tinderhearth.org Very motivated group of kids in Brooksville, ME who have created a great space for creativity and sustinence. Lots of really good bread, and music.
