PARTNERS.

Almost five years ago to the week, Hannah and I left Bugtussle for the first time. Our internship was over and we were headed back home to start a farm together.On our way out, we stopped our cars at the garden to pick some carrots and greens at the behest of our mentors, and I can remember the wind whipping through, trying its best to shoo us out. Winter was pushing her way south and the garden was ready for its break––ready for its farmers to leave it be.I can still picture our hands, red from the cold, dirty veggies dangling. We were about to pack them into our cars, but cold as we were, before we could leave, I hoped to take one more thing with me. I needed my partner.So I asked Hannah to marry me right there amongst the veggies, and I remember how slowly the smile cracked across her face, how the joy tears welled, how she laughed as she said yes. And honestly, I don't remember it being cold after that. It maybe never has been since.In leaving Bugtussle for the final time this week, it was bittersweet, certainly, and not nearly as joyful. But, heading back to our new farm with our young son, the ride from Bugtussle still had the same warm feeling of possibility that it did five years earlier. That never goes away for me. We've survived several new beginnings, several hard times, and I would say we've made it through thick and thin, but we really have yet to test thick. Times have been mostly thin for us.As young farmers, I didn't know what the years ahead would bring when I asked Hannah to marry me, but I knew she was the only person with whom I wanted to see them. And I feel compelled to say something about how I chose well, but in all reality, it feels a lot more like well chose me.I'm one lucky farmer, one fortunate father, one happy husband. And I owe it all to my beautiful partner, with whom I always, even in the hardest times, stay warm, hopeful and ready for what's next.-Jesse.

INDIGO.

A few weeks back, Cher attended an indigo dyeing workshop at the wonderful Hill & Hollow. This week, she used her newfound knowledge, harvesting her own indigo and dyeing some of her own beautiful handspun wool. I helped out, to learn about this magical process and to dye a few skeins myself.It truly is remarkable - a completely green plant that somehow becomes blue. Even when you take the wool out of the dye vat, it is a light blue and then slowly turns a darker blue before your eyes as it hits the oxygen. So amazing!It was a magical day - spent in Cher's gorgeous outdoor kitchen while Further played on a quilt with the Bugtussle kids, the yarn and roving hanging from the kiwi trellis. It was very addicting - since the indigo last week, I have already dyed with tickseed sunflowers, and next up is pokeberry and walnut and maybe goldenrod. If I run out of yarn, I might just start dying all of our clothes or Further's cloth diapers!- Hannah. 

SEED STARTING IN THE SNOW.

We spent the first sort of warmish day of the year making soil blocks down at the Smith's house, and letting Further get his first good dose of sunshine.

RESCUED.

At the end of the movie Captain Phillips––so fair warning, SPOILER ALERT––there is this unbelievable scene where Tom Hanks (who plays Phillips), is being treated by a nurse for shock. He goes from being perfectly fine and seemingly holding it together, to absolutely breaking down in a matter of seconds once the reality of his situation, of the stress of being the prisoner of Somali Pirates, overtakes him. And this is sort of how we feel at the moment.We've had such an intense season this year and though we've made it through, it has been a challenge on all sides. Over these last few weeks alone, the turkeys––the 15 of 55 we have left, that is––destroyed a big portion of our home garden. Trousers has been holding daily seminars on how to slip the electrified wire for the other pigs. And since we removed Wanda and Mow to a wonderful new home, the remaining goats have decided to rebel, respectively. Though obviously not nearly the same as Somali Pirates, we have definitely felt like our ship is under siege lately.So we are on vacation this week, spending 10 days in Cape Cod. We're taking this time to regroup, relax and let some of that stress drain out of us. But we're also praying the animals are behaving themselves and haven't taken the Smiths––who have completely rescued us by generously watching the farm while we're gone––captive themselves. Not only are the Smiths our mentors right now, but our heroes.- Jesse.