A Clean Slate for Spring
I got a little behind on cleaning up my garden for the fall. You don’t want to get sweaty and dirty in the garden when you don’t have a way to take a good, long hot shower to get clean. Now that we’re back on the grid, I’m catching up on the yard work. I [...]
Back on the grid!
It’s been a long fall already. Back in September, we lost power for nearly four days when Irene blew through. Living off grid in the warm, waning days of summer wasn’t a too much of an issue. We were able to fill the thirty-gallon fresh water holding tank in the camper and that along with [...]
Today’s garden harvest
Posted in: Homesteading Tags: everbearing raspberries, french filet green beans, pole beans, tomatoes
I spent some time outside today thoroughly enjoying what could be one of the last remaining truly glorious days of summer. The sun had burned through a rather thick fog layer this morning and radiated it’s warmth down despite a pretty constant breeze. The breeze helped to keep the mosquitoes at bay, just a little. [...]
Springing… UP!
Spring has solidly arrived here in Connecticut! Thank you, God! After all the snow we had, I had really begun to think we were in the next ice age. One sure sign of spring is seeing asparagus reaching and stretching towards the warm sun. If you haven’t been a regular reader, I wrote about my [...]
Spring Blossoms
Posted in: Homesteading Tags: bleeding hearts, cold frame, walking onions, wild violets
My Zachary has such a good eye. I asked him to take pictures of my spring flowers so I could put them up on the blog while I was laid up with my knee. He brought me back some beautiful pictures that made me feel like I was out there, where I really want to [...]
The Abominable Snowman in my Backyard!
Look at the size of this footprint!!!! “> Okay, so we live in CT where sightings of the famed Yeti have been slim to none but sure was the biggest footprint I’ve ever seen in these parts! Let me explain. We have a septic system. During the winter, the snow always melts from the top [...]
Making dad famous!
My dad came to visit with me several times during the maple sugaring season this year. He’s recovering from another back surgery and couldn’t help with collecting syrup or anything but he was handy to have around when I’d run into the house. He could throw a stick or two onto the fire and keep [...]
Sugar is sweet
Posted in: Homesteading Tags: dwarf sugar snap peas, Sugar Ann peas, sugar snap peas
I have flurries here this morning. I’m boiling down the remainder of this year’s sap and working the garden. I’m working sweet maple syrup and sweet sugar snap peas! It’s during this time of year that the seasons seem to cross: maple sugaring season and gardening season. I finished another 7 pints of maple syrup [...]
Backyard Sugaring Time!
After a rather jiggy start, I’m out straight with backyard sugaring time! The snow finally melted enough to afford me access to a few more of my maple trees so those were tapped. I’ve been collecting as much as I boil every day and the other day I actually collected 9 gallons but only boiled [...]
Spring? Maybe?
It was like elixir for my soul. The smell of smoke, the first wisps of steam off my evaporation pan, the sound of sap boiling down, birds singing in the trees and the warm sun on my face. It’s maple sugaring season and I so desperately needed to be outside. This winter’s harsh and continuous [...]