Garden Update

Here's a new look at the old ground. you can see some hills in the foreground those are pumpkins and in the background are tomato cages and trellis panels for beans and cukes.
Still picking rocks but most of the large ones have been dealt with.

The new home for those stones is this wall that Susan is building, Its a beautiful addition to our garden.

The chicks have been moved into their permanent home.

Cool temps have them hanging out under the heat lamp.

Adopt a Chicken

Due to the unexpected response to the Adopt a Chicken program, as promised here are some individual looks at the perspective candidates with a brief description for each. Number One is a Barred Rock chick that has a large white spot on the top of his head much like a chickadee!
Number Two is a Rhode Island Red this one is very neat and dainty, definitely a Girly Girl.

Number Three, this Red has a dark reddish color with orange stripes like a creamsicle.

Number four has wings much more developed than the others, she likes to spread her wings and try to fly.

Number Five has a smaller white spot, she is a guardian and watches out for and protects her little sister Dinky.

Last but not least Number six is the littlest chick She is a character and is always getting into trouble. When I took her picture she was the only one who escaped and I had to chase her around the yard to catch her.

Have fun picking out and naming your favorite chick!

Green Acres

Mr Haney, Proprietor. The picture below is a pile of roots, along with a stone wall full of rocks they are the first thing harvested out of the new garden! There is something satisfying about extracting a tough old root I would recommend it for everyone its good for the soul.

Some of the stones with which we decided to build the great wall of Alburgh. I am reminded of an old but true saying, " When you buy the meat you buy the bones. and when you buy the land you by the stones. "

One of our non - traditional gardens we have tomato's in this container garden on the south wall of our little barn.

Our Square Foot gardens are up and running they are very easy to plant and maintain.

This is the land we cleared for our new garden I have named it the Garden Of Eatin. Getting ready to plant potatoes, squash, pumpkins , green beans and cucumbers down here.

Its OK to be Square!

This is Sue's oasis in all of this She has hummers coming to her feeder and some of the birds are using the other thing so at least someone is taking a bath around here.

These new Chicks arrived today and are a welcome addition to the Homestead.

Wow I just noticed its double coupon day! I think one of them is sitting on the chicken specials.

Some wild baby's have made an appearance this week. If you look close you can spot two in this picture.

Got these shots in a neighbors field, I think someone needs a time out.

Things are looking up!

Another good reason why its perfectly sensible to occasionally scan the tree tops .

It's not warm enough to plant just yet but the Square Foot garden stands ready for another growing season.

A diamond in the rough the new ground is raked and ready for stage two.

Our Contractor is coming tonight to size up the job of stump pulling and rock removal

Seems everyone in the neighborhood is interested in what we are up to and are keeping a sharp eye on us.

Retirement Plan

Seems nice to have a door open without a bunch of kids hollering Pig's Out every few minutes.

We started our Tomatoes from seed and the plants are coming along, should be ready to plant outside around Memorial day.

This is the Henhouse fresh off the lake from down at Holiday Harbor.

After getting the building in place it was time to rough out the pen.

This run has southern exposure and should get some nice sun in the afternoon.

Sue had to move her swing to a new location to make room for the new arrivals.

We have been clearing off the lower lot where we cut the trees this winter.

I chipped the brush that was left and made a couple of nice piles of wood chips for use on this project.

All the leaves and old growth
are going into the compost bins to break down naturally for use in our garden

Thanks for looking in I will Post more on our Homesteading project soon.

Taking down the tree

Ah, the holiday season, a time of shopping, presents, eggnog and after its all over you take down the tree and put it all away for another year.

Taking down our tree was a lot harder this year than it normally is. We must be getting older.

Winter Beauty

Out on the trails on this first day of the New Year

Happy New year to everyone. Thanks for looking in, we are glad to be sharing the beauty of this season with all of you.

There’s a certain Slant of light,Winter Afternoons That oppresses, like the Heft Of Cathedral Tunes

When it comes, the Landscape listens Shadows hold their breath