Ok, so spring hasn’t really arrived and we’re thinking of preparing for winter? Are we nuts? Nope. We just know it’s coming, and we know how busy summer and fall are around here. Yesterday, after finishing transplanting eight flats of peppers, I went out and helped Will split a whole lot of firewood he’d been busy sawing into blocks while I was working inside. I work the tractor-mounted splitter, and he puts the blocks up onto it. We have a whole lot more dry logs lying around so we’ll have our work cut out for us any time we aren’t busy with other projects.
Yesterday, a bunch of our migratory birds showed up on our bird feeders. We got Redpolls, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, and more Juncos. It was so nice to see the bird feeders full of birds again after a pretty lean winter. Will heard another big flock of geese flying over yesterday too. There’s still ice on the creek and ponds but there are also a few open spots as we’ve been having some warmer weather. Tonight’s getting into the single digits then we are set to really warm up. That’s “get the greenhouse going” weather! I need it as I still have a lot of peppers to transplant and no room in the house.
On Friday, we watched the PBS show which we were on. I was relieved to see it was well done and we didn’t look like weirdos or something. I loved seeing the gardens in production, not covered in snow and ice! I think it’s still on YouTube if you’d like to see it. The link is on the last blog.
Our little calf, Jitterbug, is growing like a weed. She’s even starting to eat some grain with Mom. What a cutie!
I’d like to really encourage everyone who can garden or expand their garden, to do so. I’m really not liking the way things are looking, with prices rising every single day. Growing at least some of your own food will do a lot to help the family budget, as well as doing as much canning as you can. If you’re still leery of using a pressure canner, please pick up my book, Growing and Canning Your Own Food. It will make learning very safe and easy! I’m getting ready to can up last year’s beef as we’re getting ready to have two steers butchered next week. I sure do like having plenty of canned meats in the pantry as well as plenty of veggies, fruits, and dry foods. Please folks, stock up while you can! (I hope I’m very wrong here.)
— Jackie
I just watched the video from PBS North. Jackie, you and Will are awesome! Nice job all around!