Winter Weather

Hello, friends.  We were able to see the monks last week.  My niece and her children had a homeschool trip planned that day, so it was just my sister and I.  They were all able to see them the next day.  We thought we timed it well, but ended up waiting 3 1/2 hours.  When they walked by, it all happened so quickly, though they did stop in front of us, to bless a young girl in a wheelchair, who was just beyond us.  It did my heart good.  I didn't take any pics, but my sister said I could share this.  

Suet was made for the birds.  While I was putting Christmas away, I couldn't help but notice the beauty of the bird's nests.  Like much of the country, we spent time making preparations for the winter storm.  J winterized some things, and brought lots of firewood to the porch, and into the house.  I spread more leaves in the chicken coop, for added insulation, and filled half gallon jars with water, in the event of a power outage.  With gray skies and possible snow or ice cover on the solar panels, we knew we couldn't rely on them.  As I'm typing this, around 6 Sunday night, we've mostly gotten sleet.  The freezing rain has just begun, so we'll see how it looks in the morning.  I got out a jigsaw puzzle, and books from the library, for some happy pastimes during the storm.  I hope you're staying warm and safe.

For the Love of Birds

Hello, friends.  We actually got some rain last week.  Almost 1/4" on Weds., and it's raining as I type this on Sunday, ending up with close to 1/2".  Each time it dips much into freezing temps, J has to drain the pipes leading from the house to the cisterns.  If we don't, the pipes crack.  Ask us how we know.  Which means, each time it rains after a frigid spell, it takes something like 50 gallons to refill the pipes, before it ever starts collecting in the tanks.  So, you can see how collecting water in the winter is a more complicated proposition than in the warmer months.  Our neighbor recently told J his well ran dry.  It replenishes enough that he has access to around 100 gals a day, to provide his household, herd of cows, and flock of chickens, but can't go over that without running dry.  We're all hoping the drought ends soon.  There had been snow forecast for the afternoon, but it stayed north of us. 

 

I'm keeping an eye on the monk's journey, as they get closer.  My sister, niece and little ones, and I are trying to figure out a safe place to witness them.  They're walking in rain and snow today, bless them.  I saw this video and song last week.  I can't watch it or most things, without being moved to tears, as their journey resonates deeply with me.  Wish us luck, in finding a safe, quiet place to honor them.  We were down to our last jar of crowder peas, and I was able to can a batch.  I've continued going through a file cabinet, and shredding much of it.  The shreds are being saved for chicken bedding, which will end up in the compost system.  We've started implementing a compost system the permaculture consultant recommended, which uses the chickens to scratch it up and add their manure.  It's often referred to as a chicken tractor on steroids, which you can find on YouTube.  We need a warmer day or two to get it fully set up.  Hopefully, the chickens will cooperate, and do their part.

Though I still have a long way to go, I've been learning about the effects of light on our body... sunlight, red light, blue light.  There's plenty I don't know, but it's convinced me to pull out every LED bulb I can, and switch back to incandescents.  I've had blue light blocking glasses for the computer, and do use the night light setting to lower blue light in the evening, but now have an amber pair on the way, which apparently does a better job.  I'm very interested in learning more.  If you know of any great resources, especially books, I hope you'll share.  Two resources I've listened to are Sowing Prosperity and Dr. Jack Kruse.  Another health-related item I was recently made aware of, when researching for a safe lipstick, is almost all (as in >99%) is contaminated with lead.  Yikes!  Apparently it's not new, and the FDA allows a certain amount.  I don't know about you, but I really don't want any in something that will be on my lips.  So, now I'm looking into trying to make my own natural version.  I don't wear it very often, but do like it on occasion.  The blue birds began showing up at the fountain and bird bath, which made me happy.

blurry pic, but the best I could do

Last week, J told me he ordered 25 chicks, to arrive in March.  That was a surprise!  That's several more than we've had in the past, so he'll be making an addition to the coop.  It's always interesting, here on the homestead.  Looking over my photos, it seems there's a bird theme going on.  He's making good progress on the skoolie transmission swap.  I should make a separate post soon about that.  Stay well, friends, and may all your surprises be good ones.

Peace is Possible

Hello, friends.  Last week, I found a wonderful documentary on Thomas Dambo and his giant trolls.  We've booked an Airbnb, so my friend and I can visit the ones in Asheville, in a few weeks.  I did end up canning the last of the winter squash, while we remain on well water.  The two nights and day we were forecast to have good chances of rain ended up being only a 5 minute sprinkle, so nothing measurable.  It looks like there's another chance at the end of the two week forecast, so I continue to hope.  There's some exciting news on the skoolie.  J has been intending to swap out the transmission this winter, got it jacked up, and has begun working on removing all that needs to come off first.  Here's hoping our first real trip isn't too far down the road.

can I come in, Mom?

Our washer gave up the ghost last week, something to do with what holds the drum in place.  We bought it 13 years ago, so of course, parts are no longer available, other than used, so we ended up buying a new one.  We'd both read about Speed Queens being some of the best out there, and decided to get one we hope will last at least as long as we do.  We don't need lots of bells and whistles, so it's one of the simplest ones.  J found an appliance store with one significantly less than those online.  We called, and asked if he would hold it until the next day, which is good, as he said two other people called wanting it that night.  It's much quieter than any washer I've had, which is lovely.

the latest heart to show up, bread in a pan for drying

I harvested lettuce, oregano and rosemary, and made golden paste and ketchup.  The weather was so beautiful Saturday, we were able to open several windows.  Have you been following the monks walking across the US for peace?  There's something very moving about watching them, and watching the crowds swell, as their journey continues.  They'll be coming through 30 minutes from here, and I'm looking into how to stand and witness, and support them.  Though the major media outlets are mostly ignoring it, as a post I saw beautifully said, their walk is proof that peace is still possible, hope still exists, and loving kindness has not disappeared from this world. May their light add to the ongoing shift.  Wishing you a beautiful week, friends.

Making Lemonade

Hello, friends.  Happy New Year!  Our rain last week consisted of a couple of showers, maybe 1/10" total.  So, we're still on well water, but as they say, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  It occurred to me that with all the water canning uses, now would be a perfect time to can as much as possible, saving the precious future rainwater for our personal use.  The first day, I canned up all the cushaw squash for J.  The flavor is not my favorite, so I'll be making pies with it for him, as he enjoys it.  Two other days, I canned various other winter squash, including two massive ones.  J believes they're from seeds a friend gave me, which people around here called pumpkin squash.

The girls have started laying eggs again, after many months.  We think it was August, or possibly earlier, when we got the last one, so it's a very nice surprise.  I requested books from the library, knowing I'd be in town for an appointment.  More biochar retorts were made.  I've been doing some research on eczema, and found it would be helpful to have a lipid rich barrier on my hands.  Savannah Bee Company's products were highly recommended, so I'm trying their honey almond beeswax hand cream first.  If you're interested in their honey or health & beauty products, the above link gives you 100 pts. on a $25 order.  Each 100 points give you $5 off.  

GF bread ends were ground into bread crumbs.  Our homegrown red pepper flakes container was almost empty, so the last of our dehydrated hot peppers were ground to refill it.  Two items were hand washed, and hung on the line.  Our New Year's dinner consisted of homegrown sweet potatoes, collards and field peas, with cornbread, which J ground the corn for.  With almost no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future, I plan to continue to work on canning the winter squash, and may also can some beans this week.  I'll end with one of my favorite YT channels, Hey Wanderer.  They're two young women, who built their off-grid home from a shed, started a homestead, and just generally get things done. Watching their videos never fails to uplift me, and gives me the feeling that all is well with the world.  I hope you enjoy them too.