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The chicken house is finally complete. It took a bit longer than planned as it was almost impossible to decide where to build it to consider four seasons. It needed to be near electricity and water in the winter, it needed to be sunny in the fall and winter but cool in the summer months. It needed to not be in the way for snow plowing or snow banks. And it needed to be predator proof. So with all that to consider we finally landed on this dear little spot which has turned out to be even better than expected.
It has all of the above and is quite cozy inside. Jack did a fabulous job, right down to the two individual nest boxes for egg laying! The sun streams in all day now that the leaves have fallen from the maples. Their roost is set so when they stand up they can see out the windows which chickens like to do! They are quite inquisitive. They are temporarily contained to an large outside area with electric netting until they “get” where they are at. Chickens aren’t bright.
We should have eggs beginning in another month. Finally the chickens have come home to roost!
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One of the highlights of the year is when the wild apple trees start to drop apples. Most of our pastures have an apple tree and the first thing the sheep do each day is run to that tree to grab up the fallen bounty.
I also gather up golden delicious from one tree we have that has hundreds of apples on it. The deer come in to enjoy the fallen apples each day and still there are enough to treat the sheep. This is Jackie, left and Lucy, right, just finishing an apple. Often one sheep will start by breaking the apple and then others will share in it.
Lucy, one of our two new Romeldales, has discovered this treat and especially enjoys when I hold the apple so she can pull off pieces. Lucy and Della are coming along nicely. They get along with all the sheep and although Della is still standoffish, Lucy is now like all the others with me, a complete love bug. She loves to be touched all over, chin scratches and face rubs included. She no longer runs away at all! Now it will be Della’s turn but she will take awhile longer. I know she’ll come to me eventually. She is already standing very close and stares into my eyes with that “I want to be loved” look. I’ll certainly post the day that happens!
I remember when we brought Jackie (above) to the farm, she was just 6 months old but SO wary. I couldn’t even get near her for 6 months. And then one day, she just stopped and let me come to her and the rest is history. She is now one of the first to say hello each day and loves here daily affection.
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The freezer is starting to fill up as fall approaches now. We have zucchini quiche, green beans, brussel sprouts, carrots and broccoli. Plus we made 24 jars of peach jelly the other night. The peaches were prolific once again and absolutely juice laden! We have plenty of venison in various packages of hamburg, chops and steaks. I still have more green beans and brussels to pick plus the peas and spinach are just coming along. The garden was a success this year and it is amazing how much food you can put up from a small space. Ours is only 30′ by 8′. I gave away cucumbers as we couldn’t keep up with them and there are 6 huge basil plants I need to put into some pesto but dry most of it for. Despite the hail storm this spring which ravaged the garden, it rallied after all!
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That’s the way a native to these parts will refer to a man who works with draft horses.
This is Reggie. He lives in town and has been logging with his horses up the road from us. I see him go by in the early morning, the mist still in the air as the sun tries to push through. On the way home the horses are ready for a rub down after a long working day. Reg has 4 drafts horses and switches them off on different days. It’s a treat to have him stop on the way by to talk for just a bit about whatever comes up. And then he heads on down the road for home.
Reggie reminds me of my brother who passed away back in October 2006. Another hawse man. Here he is at the Deerfield Old Home Day in the summer of 2006.
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What a fabulous workshop…”Dyeing As If The Earth Mattered”.
Not only was the content great but so were the students. From as far as Montana one came, and all were cheerful, eager to learn and willing to work. This is a strenuous workshop between lectures and then hands on dyeing plus washing, rinsing, indigo dyeing and labeling.
Michele is tireless in her teachings. She gives her all and the results show. All the students went home full of enthusiasm for natural dyeing along with new friendships and hopes for next year’s dyeing excursions here at the farm.
Thank you to all who joined us!
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Our first of this week’s two Earthues workshops is finished: Surface Design on Woven Cloth. The weather was beautiful, the students a great mix of talent and personality and the results were spectacular.
Below are a few photos of the workshop including lunch which was also devine each day thanks to dear Liza and Steve once again!
Thank you all for joining us!
Michele giving a lecture referring to her own collection of textiles
Resist techniques which then will be compounded with dyes, pigments, mica and gold leaf
Lunch which was so delicious…Sid only wished
Beautiful results!
Ochre pots
More results with resist and indigo
