FARMSTEADING.
Naturally, we dedicated much of our spare time and effort this year to getting into the cabin. We got it livable, and in effect, made ourselves at home. Of course, there is still plenty––PLENTY––left to do to "finish" it (you know, like getting water inside and such), but now that we're living in the cabin and comfortable, we've found a little bit more time to spend working on other projects around the property. For one, getting our gardens going.The other day we planted our elephant garlic (whose flowers will double as one of our favorite ornamentals in the spring) in our no-till, front yard garden. We're prepping the high tunnel to take on a bunch of food next year, envisioning peas growing up the skeleton, tomatoes under the remaining plastic. The broadfork is about to see some serious work again. Plans for a small greenhouse are being sketched and, although I recognize this isn't about gardens, I continue to haul the chainsaw into the woods and clear what I can for future pasture and future animals (not to be mistaken with futuristic animals, but I wouldn't rule it out either). In fact, we even preemptively purchased our first solar charger and fencing so whenever we're ready to get animals––pigs, goats, who knows––we'll be ready. We're still not sure what our market plans are for next year, but we know we'll be able to supply more and more of the food we sell from right outside our front door. The farmstead is coming along.- Jesse.
GETTING TO WORK.
As far as the cabin goes, the easy stuff is over. We have a frame, but now it needs insulation, siding, electrical work, a stove pipe, etc., etc., etc.. So this weekend, I made my trip to the hardware store, picked up a ton of supplies and got to work.The first step was installing the wiring for electricity, which I admit is a bit hilarious considering how far off we are from actually getting (solar) electricity. But, if you ever want electricity in your house, you gotta do it before you insulate. Eric and Cher from Bugtussle Farm––who were incredibly generous with their time and knowledge for me this weekend––said they had their sockets empty for TEN YEARS before they got electricity. When they were ready, though, they just plugged it in and turned it on (more or less). So we did a lot of electrical work and a lot of insulating. Nearly 4,000 staples later, we were finished with insulating the floor and almost two whole walls. All in all, if one can base success on soreness, it was a very successful weekend.- Jesse.
