“The weather twisted and weaved between extremes, one day bringing a rush of warmth and brilliant sun; the next day bringing plunging temps and a blanket of clouds. What were the best ways to protect the plantings from this wild weather?” I’m over 50, and I can’t remember having quite such abrupt temperature changes as…
“Where’s your creative spark, your genius, the thing that you do that excites you and gets your mind tuned in? Do more of that.” Have you ever heard of George Land’s study of the nature of creative genius? In the late 1960s, Land was commissioned by NASA to study creativity, looking for innovative minds. Their…
Security doesn’t only have to mean money in the bank. Sometimes security is a well stocked pantry. Sometimes it’s a big pile of properly dried firewood. Sometimes it’s friends, family, or community you can count on when you hit a rough patch. I’ve been thinking alot lately about what we truly want to bring to…
“One of my favorite things about gardening is that it gives purpose. Every small step you make in your garden takes you forward on your journey to a bountiful harvest.” “Why bother with a garden when it’s so much easier to buy food from the store?” I’ve heard this many times over the years, along…
“The opposite of sickness is not simply surviving, it’s thriving.” I know this is going to sound crazy, but the best way to get rid of pests is to make your plants vibrantly healthy. Over the years as our garden soil improves, our pest problems are fading away. Yes, the duck patrol eats some of…
“I sort through seed catalogs with the enthusiasm that some women reserve for new clothes or new shoes.” – Laurie Should I pick the blue sweet corn (Blue Jade) or the red sweet corn (Double Red)? I’ve never tried either, and we only have room for one, as we aim to keep the flint corn…
“And then winter finally came – all in one week.” Oh my goodness! I spent a LOT of time clearing snow this week. We’d get one snowfall cleared, and then the next one would move in. Good news – Duncan’s snow pusher attachment for the new tractor works well. Related good news – the young…
There was an echo now. It was a small change, but noticeable. With the new workshop and not much vegetation in the winter, sounds bounced around the yard. The return of snow softened the sound, like kids whispering under a blanket fort, but it was still a bit odd. A conversation came up this week…
“She shook off the frustrations of the past year, and faced the new year with quiet determination.” 2023 was a bumpy year for our family, and I don’t mind putting it in the rearview mirror. It is a bit daunting, though, with August’s old job wrapping up and his starting a new consulting business, and…
This year’s ode to winter was inspired by frigid weather on our homestead, and stories from homesteading friends. Enjoy “Workin’ in my Winter Underwear” to the tune of “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland. Workin’ in My Winter Underwear Snow is fallin’, wind is whislin’ Scarves are wrapped, beards are bristlin’ The air has a bite,…