THE LOWER GARDEN-CHICKEN THINGS-LOSS OF A FRIEND-GETTING FOOD IN FOR THE WINTER

GREETINGS

We have  had mornings of nippy fingers and today its a cold, damp rain.  We need it though as things were getting very dry.  I can’t believe it’s already September.  

THE SIDE YARD GARDEN

This garden has been neglected this year and I am weeding and remaking the garden paths, tying up the apple trees and trimming them.  I am hoping to plant some beets soon.  The blueberry bushes produced  more berries than I ever got.

 I am cutting the  spearmint and tying it into bundles and drying it up in the barn to freshen up the chickens nest boxes during the winter.  I have other,mint plants in the front yard to do the same with.  After they are all dry I will mix them with lavender and a few other herbs and store them, keeping a few branches to hang in the coop  It does help to keep the coop smelling better during the long winter days.

A GREEN HOUSE FOR THE CHICKENS 

Every year at this time I think about a nice greenhouse for the chickens to go in during the long winter.  More space to run around and some fresh air.  I always get so busy in the fall and it doesn’t get done.  I bought a make your own greenhouse book at the Library Book sale at the Heath Fair and I am planning on seeing what I can do.  Nothing elaborate and something I can put up and take down every year.    I would like to find some old windows.  It takes time and I never seem to have enough of it in the fall.

LOOSING A FRIEND

Our community lost a friend, mentor and Volunteer Fireman Harry Dunning.  His wife Jane took loving care of him through the long illness.  The service for him was beautiful and inspiring.    In sadness there is beauty and it surely was in that Church on Saturday.  

FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR

I will be vending at the fair this year again.  One thing that I have done is take an old ,broken down wooden tool carrier and fixed it as best as I could and pickle painted it.  It will be perfect for my bags of wool for needle felting .    I look forward to the show, good company and lots of excitement and return customers makes it a fun weekend.  Pan to have lots of new handmade items there.

STORING FOR THE WINTER

Today hops and catnip are being dried in the dehydrator the smell permeates the house.

 Catnip did well where I placed it this year, plenty of sun is what it needed.   I bought some Pennyroyal from Sue Bates also and it is living near the catnip and it loves it there.  Its next on my list to dry.  Susan has the best plants and always brings them to The Massachusetts Sheep and Wool show.   She is at Brimfield this week, check out her booth at Quaker Acres.

I picked a pail full  of hops this week and they will be going into dream pillows today.

The small Hazel Nut tree produced a box full of nuts.  They are safely in the car for drying, which was the suggestion on the internet.  I think I got them just in time as some of them were ripe.

 

I am now getting Roma tomatoes and today will get them in the freezer.  Peppers are on the agenda too and so far I have one large bag in the freezer.   I need about 6 large bags to get me through the winter.

BANTAM HENS

 

Morticia and her daughter Violet have been nesting for months now.  I have separated the side yard chicken area and they along with Opal who had the sneezes when I got her, will go outside in the converted dog house tonight.    They all need to change their life styles!!!!!!!In another month they will all come in and I hope to have the big front coop separated so the Bantams have their own space.  Eventually I hope to have all Bantams as they need less room and require less work..

Many thanks for reading my blog today.   The leaves are just starting to turn on Route 2, It looks like a fabulous fall.  Carole

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUSY DAYS ON THE FARM

GREETINGS

Hot and humid weather is making another brief appearance.  it will be gone by the weekend though.  we may have some much-needed rain tomorrow.

MEET EDNA

Edna is a New Hampshire Red.  I have never had one of these types before.  She is shy and sticks with her friend Margaret.  Both are slowly adjusting to the rest of the flock.  She was an escape artist in the beginning  having lived on a farm that allowed her to free range.  Unfortunately with all the flying predators here that is impossible.  She is making the adjustment very well.

BUSY DAYS ON THE FARM

Some hops and hot peppers are in the dehydrator this morning and this afternoon lots of spearmint will be going in.  The dehydrator will be going non stop for days from now on.  The spearmint  will use in teas and for a special blend of herbs for the chickens nesting boxes throughout the winter.  The hot peppers are the hottest, brought on tears and a coughing and a  sneezing spell.  It will make a great arthritis Salve.

 The hops will go into Dream  Pillows  and some will be packaged up for people to make their own.

Elderberry syrup was made last week in anticipation of the long cold winter we are suppose to have.

Morticia is now broody.  Her daughter, Violet spent 3 months int he nest box trying to hatch some eggs.  Now her mother is in there doing the same thing.  Those Banty hens are the greatest little Mothers.  My ratio of hens to roosters isn’t good so no eggs will be hatched.

Lots of beans, cukes and tomatoes coming from the garden, its been a good year despite the lack of rain.  Hope you are having a wonderful day and any thanks for reading my blog.   Carole

 

 

 

WINTER’S LAST BREATH-SHETLAND WOOL WEEK PATTERN-UPDATE ON MAUDE

GREETINGS

What a year for Pussy Willows!

We have had a week on unsettled weather, with bright sunny days , unexpected high winds, sleet and rain.   Spring is here but winter is taking what I hope will be its last breath.  It’s turned cold and now we are expecting some snow for tonight  It won’t last long as warmer temps are coming in.   We have had a real warm winter.  It is really interesting that there are still some people who don’t believe in Global Warming..  Our whole country has been hit by floods, tornado’s,  weather that is too warm, these are warnings I fear that much worse is yet to come.

SHETLAND WOOL WEEK

This year’s pattern is out and ready for you to print.  Ella Gordon who knits delightful, whimsical Croft House pillows has designed this years hat.  I hope to make one.  Get yours by going on to the Shetland Wool Week site.  Shetland Wool Week is on my bucket list.

UPDATE ON MAUDE

Its a slow process.  Today Lauren and I will try and trim more wool off of her face.  Her eye is healing but its slow .  SHe doesn’t seem to know  that there is a problem.  Animals are resilient and live in the moment

VIOLET

Violet overnight got all broody.  COllecting eggs and screaming if anyone came near  She settled in the favorite nesting box and the only egg I left in there was hers.   Someone broke her egg I think it was overcrowding.  With two hens plus VIolet in the nest box it was bound to happen.   There are two other very nice nest boxes but they all seem to want the same one .

She’s all fluffed up, ready to keep the eggs warm.

SALVE

The first bach of salve is made and labeled.  I am going to make a dandelion salve soon and a Poison Ivy salve too.

Many  thanks for reading my blog and I hope you have a wonderful day.  Its Maple Sugaring Weekend here in Western Massachusetts.  VIsit your nearest syrup maker. Carole