Scenes from the garden - 4/26/14

Raindrops on the Red Russian Kale.

It's been a cool and rainy day here in New England. I couldn't work in the garden today so I went outside with the camera and snapped a few photos of the raindrops that I though looked interesting on the Kale and Lettuce plants.

Red Russian Kale, planted last fall.

Yesterday I moved the cold frame off the kale, lettuce, onions and garlic, now that the night-time temps have been staying above freezing.

I also transplanted some of the extra Kale seedlings that were started on 4/6 into the garden.

Blue Curled Scotch Kale seedling.

 The greens I planted last fall really seem to be loving the cool spring temperature.

Greens, Ruby Streaks

Greens, Mustard Red Giant

These greens have add a nice spicy punch to salads.

I am thinking about letting some of them go to seed so I can save them for next year!

The color in the leaves, highlighted by the raindrops, is making my mouth water for a fresh picked crispy salad!

~Rob~

Blizzard of 2013 ...

Friday afternoon we were hit with a blizzard here in New England. 

With hurricane force winds and snow fall rates at 2-3" per hour, we ended up with over 24" of snow by Saturday afternoon. Some towns here in Connecticut received record levels of snow at over 40"! The strong wind gusts created 4' snow drifts at our back door and around the cars in the driveway and it took us 2 days to completely shovel out.

During the storm it was hard for me to relax. I always feel like I need to be doing something and it was difficult to just sit and enjoy the quiet and marvel at nature's beauty. It is truly amazing how quiet it gets when the power goes out. You don't realize the constant noises and buzzing that occur in day to day life!

We lost power Friday night at 6:30 pm. until Sunday morning around 10:30 am.

Luckily we have a wood stove that kept the house toasty warm, especially since the nighttime lows were  around 6 degrees! 

We were able to heat water for tea, cook soup, heat leftovers and make grilled cheese sandwiches on the top of the stove and even roast potatoes inside! Those were delicious potatoes!!

Potatoes roasting in the wood stove.

During the storm we talked about how we have been getting hit with an awful lot of strong storms lately, and how important it is to have more food on hand at all times. Growing up our grandparents always had canned or preserved food in their pantry. They never had to run to the store before a storm to stock up because they were always prepared. It was just the way it was, they gardened, they preserved their food and they always had more than enough on hand.

We decided to add pantry cabinets to our kitchen renovation plan, (hopefully the renovation will be happening soon) and stock up on items like dried beans, grains, lentils, rice, and nuts. We are also going to purchase a dehydrator so we can preserve some of our garden harvest as well as do canning and freezing. We want to always have a stocked pantry so we never have to worry about having enough food when the next storm hits.

~Rob~

Scenes from the Garden (1/6/13)...

Buds in lilac bush, waiting for spring.

 It's only January 6th, but for some reason it feels later in the year. Maybe it's because other bloggers are posting their garden plans or because it's almost 40 degrees and sunny today, but I feel like I am already behind on planning the gardens. I have most of my seeds purchased and many saved from last year, but I still need to draw up my new garden plans and calculate exactly what I will be planting.

This year the plan is to expand the garden to 1000 sq. ft and try to grow as much of our own food as possible. Luckily I have several local organic farmers markets to make up for what I can't grow, but the hope is to become as self-sufficient as possible. Another goal is to build a 2nd larger greenhouse to start flowers and seedlings to sell at the local farmers markets. If we keep having these warm days I may be able to cross that one off my list soon!

Arugula in the mini-greenhouse.

Lavender still growing next to the greenhouse.

Leeks left in the ground from last fall.

Garlic poking up through the snow

Onions overwintering in their protective cages.

Ernie cleaning himself, enjoying the warmer weather.

I just have to remember that it's only the beginning of January and there are still many more days of winter to get through before it's time to start seeds for this year's garden.

The sign that hangs on my greenhouse.

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Deborah Jean's Dandelion House

Our First Snow of the Season!

We finally had our first real snow of the season!

The cold frame is covered, adding extra warmth to the plants inside.

The ducks seem to be enjoying the snow for the first time.

I brought them out of the garage and the first thing they did was lay down in it!

And as always, Buster enjoyed running around in the fresh snow!

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Tilly's Nest 

Deborah Jean's Dandelion House 
The Chicken Chick

Sunday Photos - Trip to the Tree Farm

 

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The Chicken Chick
The Backyard Farming Connection 
Tilly's Nest

Lazy Sunday Photos ...

It's a blustery day here in New England, overcast and in the upper 30's, but the ducks don't seem to mind the weather too much!

We finally named them, meet Bert and Ernie.

This is what happens when they realize I am picking kale...

then the other one comes running over...

and this is what happens after they eat all the kale!

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The Chicken Chick

The Backyard Farming Connection
Down Home Blog Hop 
Fresh Eggs Daily
Deborah Jean's Dandelion House 

Sunday Morning Sunrise...

When you arise in the morning, 

think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
Marcus Aurelius

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Friday: Taking the time to really look at things.

While looking through some old photos I came across this picture of me taken at my grandparents house when I was little. I have seen this picture many times before and have always just set it aside thinking it was just another old blurry photo of my childhood.

The photo sat on my desk, and as I worked and I kept glancing over at it remembering how much fun I used to have playing at my grandparents homestead, picking apples and pears off the trees, eating juicy raspberries from their raspberry patch and helping my grandfather in his greenhouse. Every time I looked at this picture I would always focused on me, never really taking the tome to look at the entire photo. This time as I stared at the picture my eyes started wandering, first noticing the wheelbarrow in the background and then the garage with his greenhouse attached behind that ... and then ...my grandfather standing in the corner! I never realized that I was looking at him in the picture as he was pulling down a branch!

I have had this picture for twenty something years and have never noticed him standing there before. Suddenly this out of focus picture of me that I hadn't really cared much about before became a precious reminder of the time I spent with my grandfather!

I recently did an interview with Gretchen from The Backyard Farming Connection for her Homestead Highlight section of her blog. I was a little hesitant at first because I thought it would be difficult to find enough to talk about, but once I got started it all just started pouring out and the memories of why I am so passionate about backyard farming came flooding back. As I said in the piece, my grandfather is a very important part of who I am today and one of the reasons why I am on the path that I am on.

Take the time to really look at things, you just may notice something important!

~Rob~

A Frosty November Morning ...

A frozen leaf warming in the morning sun ...

Frost crystals glistening on the deck ...

What's left of the kale after the ducks have been feasting on it ...

Ice crystals on the cold frame plastic.

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Farm Life at its best

A Rural Journal: Your Sunday Best