THIS & THAT.
Some random photos from the last couple of weeks: the arrival of ducklings and chicks at Bugtussle Farm, cooking on the tiny woodstove, ancient treasures Ira dug out of an buried junk pile, starting tomato seeds, making parsnip wine.
CABIN PROGRESS.
We finished insulating all the walls of the cabin and made some crazy looking stairs for the front porch. We are hoping that when we return from the Green Living Fair this weekend, we can finish insulating the ceiling, install the woodstove, and then drywall!
WENDELL WEDNESDAY.
We weren't sure what to expect out of Wendell when we arrived on the farm. The nature of Great Pyrenees is to crave stability, a lot of room to roam, designated boundaries... basically nothing Wendell has ever really got to experience. So when we got to Bugtussle, and temporarily moved ourselves into the barn, we were sure it was going to be a disaster with Wendell. We were sure we would never see him. We were sure he would chase chickens, ducks, children. And perhaps nothing could have been more incorrect. He has been wonderful. He stays with us, following the truck to and from the cabin site. He chases only animals he's allowed to (namely, Rascal, the Smith's Chihuahua). Wendell is wonderful with the children and seems to be having the time of his life. He was built for the woods––the farm––and looks completely vibrant and in his element. Wendell has unfortuantely caught the brunt of our crazy year, has lived in several different houses (and two states) which begs the question, how did we ever raise such an amazing dog? Love you, Goof!- Jesse.
A (BITTER) SWEET SURPRISE.
Yesterday, I was having some anxiety. I was sitting in our tiny little room of the barn worrying about my bees, sure that they must be starving, running low on their winter stores and desperate for spring weather. We had noticed them behaving somewhat erratically the day before, and I was positive that this must equal doom.And so even though it was snowing outside, I decided I had to do something. I quickly made up a modified biodynamic bee tea (I used honey, spring water, chamomile, and sage) and we headed off to give them some food. Upon checking the first hive, I was pleasantly surprised to lift the lid and see the circular bulge of bees huddled around the top board - a sign of health! I gave them their tea and then moved to the next hive. It was a weak hive from the very beginning, always less productive and lively then the other. And sure enough, I opened the hive and saw that it was done for. It contained only a sprinkling of half-frozen bees, barely able to move, and near the entrance of the hive - a mouse nest. The hive must not have been strong enough to keep out these invaders and the mice had taken up a cozy winter residence. And as sad as I was to lose the hive, I quickly realized that the entire top super was OVERFLOWING with honey. We removed the box and rushed back down the hill, spending the rest of the blizzardy day harvesting nearly 20 pounds of miraculous honey. The strange balance of life on a farm, the good and the bad, life and death. Out of the sadness, a little sweetness.- Hannah.
