New Equipment

Steve said something this morning that he’s never said to me in the 20something years we’ve been together.  I wasn’t sure whether he was joking or serious.  “Let’s go to a yard sale.” So we did. I went reluctantly.  I knew it would be the last time I see a friend before he moves.  I [...]

I don’t have any money

I’m republishing this with a note at the top.  There were comments about complaining and one about whining.  I wasn’t whining or complaining.  This is the way it is.  I’m a market farmer.  This is the reality of dealing with customers some times.  Telling you how it is in this business doesn’t mean I’m whining [...]

Decluttering (the birds!)

It could be a many-entry day as I sit down to update and add to the to do list!  I’m in a mood! It’s too cluttered around here.  The first on the hit list: birds.
I’ve put 10 ducks on Craig’s List for $5 each.  Ducklings cost that much so this is a good deal.  Three [...]

A couple of links and a note on moderation

I’ve been reading Throwback at Trapper Creek.  I love this blog!
Women Who Farm is a board for women involved or interested in agriculture.  Not into ag?  There are crafts, eco living and cooking forums there too.
I’m using today as a domestic day.  It’s Taylor’s first day back to school and she has volleyball practice after [...]

Maine Nature News

This week’s Maine Nature News is online.

Kansas Here I Come!

I’m sure if I step out the dor again the wind is going to sweep me away to Kansas.  I hope Dorothy has tea ready.  It’s 60* and blowing hard.
I spent the morning turning compost piles, combining into one, and building new. I pulled some bean plants and scattered a little cracked corn for the [...]

Put up!

It’s Put Up day.  I need to put up blackberry jam, more pickles and maybe more beans.  I have a half bushel of tomatillos to put up, probalby into salsa.
Dad and Donna are coming this morning.  I’m hoping to put Dad to work slicing cucumbers for me while I pick beans for him.  Probably not [...]

The House

The house we’ve listed for sale is online now.  Please cross your fingers, send good thoughts and energy and if so inclined, we’d take a prayer too that this house sells quickly.

Where’d it go?

We’re missing a meat chick.  Now you count it, now you don’t.  There should be 48.  There were 48 two days ago.  We count them now and then to be sure they’re all there.  It’s not like they just disappear but I count them anywa….well, yes, apparently they do just disappear.  I put 48 out.  [...]

Catching Up

I’ve posted more pictures than words lately.  Let’s get caught up.  In the last week or so I’ve put the other house up for sale.  We have serious tenant problems.  I will most likely have to evict her.  We’ve been through the process twice already and she comes up with amazing amounts of cash at [...]

The Apple Trees!

After 11 years of wondering I know what kind of apples I have.  Thanks to John for emailing me and Kirk leaving a comment, I know my trees are Northern Spy.  We’ll have more of these trees later on.  Thanks guys!  I appreciate it.
We’re almost at the end of tomato season.  The tomatoes that started [...]

August 15, 08

Mid August.  I need to work more on the big greenhouse today.  It’s not ready for fall planting yet.  I’ll be pulling some cucumber plants, cutting the Swiss chard and pulling some weeds.  I’ll also be heavily pruning the tomato plants.  They’re still growing.  Some are 8′ tall and still going. They have dime-sized tomatoes [...]

Apples

On my favorite tree.

Micro Eco-Farming

We are the farm of the month at Micro Eco-Farming.  How cool is that!
Are you familiar with Barbara Berst Adams?  I have Micro Eco-Farming, her book.  It was encouraging to read about other small farmers.
Thanks Barbara!

Supper’s….growing!

I goofed.  I thought the meat chicks were being shipped today but they arrived today.  They’re hungry and I don’t have food for them.  The plan was to go to Calais this afternoon and have the food BEFORE they arrived at the post office Monday morning.  Oops. Sebastian (dog) thought I was bringing in a [...]

Putting Food By

I’ve cleaned a bushel of beans, blanched and frozen them.  When I started, this bushel basket was level with the top.  It’s now about half full.  I snap off the stem ends and feed the beans with bad spots to the dogs.  The rest of empty space is thanks to Reynolds Handi-Vac.  It vacuums air [...]

I wish my garden looked like that.

I’ve packed and sent this morning’s orders.  We were out until almost 9 o’clock last night filling five unexpected orders that had to be delivered before 7 am today.  We’re sold out of beets, beet greens, turnip and carrots.  It’s coffee time.
I wish my garden looked like so many I see in blogs.  They’re pretty, [...]

3:30 am

Waking up at 3:30 am on August 5 is nothing like June 5.  I couldn’t look across the field into the woods this morning, it was too dark.  In June I’m up and walking the gardens to double check my plan for the day’s work.  In August I enjoy a fuller cup of coffee because [...]

Rain, again

3″ of rain over the weekend.  I’m ready to pull the rain guage.  Knowing how much rain we’re getting doesn’t make me feel better.
12:45 am  Quacking from the barn.  It wasn’t scared quacking but pissed off quacking.  I didn’t pick up the eggs the ducks having been laying outside.  I knew something was after them [...]

Processing Meat Birds

There are two great lessons in processing meat birds over at County Living in Cariboo Valley.