Pink eye

Iris, the good goat, did not take well to the addition of more goats to the herd. Like an aboriginal exposed to European flu she feel victim to illness. Iris spent 2 weeks blind in both eyes due to pink eye brought into the herd by a new goat. She endured a vet visit, both eyes stitched shut with med, and 2 weeks cloistered away in her own barn stall. she has regained most of her sight in one eye though the other seems to have failed her. This has made her all the more clingy     

New goats

We added to the herd. We now have 3 does and one buck. While bucks are nasty creatures the does are nice though skidish. I still have to say Iris is my favorite as she will come right over and lay her head on my shoulder when I crouch down. She also lets small children ride her around the pasture. All in all a real nice goat. 

Growth update

The high tunnel we installed this late Summer is yielding returns. We have several rows of Winter greens thriving in the cover of the tunnel. I am real happy with how it is performing. 

Greenhouse.

Well, this will be the 3rd greenhouse here at the farm the 1st two both were taken away by large storms. This one will, Lord willing, weather better. Lowes was discarding old used greenhouse panels and we were Blessed enough to get some. Bent over and supported these little 6x23 ft panels make a nice greenhouse set up. 

Dry wood

A month or so back we built a little wood shed. After 2 Winters of wet wood, FYI wet wood does not burn well and thus does not heat the house well, we built a wood shed. Nothing huge but 100% larger than what we had. 

Addition número 2

The time has come for the tiny house to yet again grow. This time we will be adding a little indoor bathroom set up, bedroom, and creative studio. Three days into the build and the roof is on. The hour after we finished, the rain started. It has been a relaxing project as I have been off work for Winter break. The downstairs will be 10x12. Upstairs our door to nowhere now leads to 10x6 studio space for Donnelly. 

Peppers

Pimento never tasted so good. My friend grows these babies for their seed but I like them roasted over an open fire. Try growing some next year. Check out baker creek heirloom seeds to buy them. They as worth the effort to grow and roast. Mmmmmm

Thatcher

It's true we now have a tractor and the little machine is now named thatcher.  It is a fine little machine that prefers to mow down hill in short grass though finds our farm to have many up hills and hip high grass. Also he prefers not to mow over trees larger than my wrist.  Goes on strike immediately if there is any question about a tree being to large.  

Gold

The honey is floral and tasty straight from the comb. 

I accidentally bumped the hive trying to loosen the first honey frame from the box. Oh boy, there was a swarm of commentary they flew up in my face for that. Several little honey makers found their way into my net and jacket. I did a special dance to let them know I did not appreciate having them in my clothes. After all the commotion every one settled down and I got the 2 frames I was intending to harvest before the Winter temps  set in this week. 

New pastures

We have expanded the fence and added new graze to the goat/geese area. An afternoon fencing with my wife, what a life. 

Oh we also bought another goat her name is Che. She is a little shy but warming up to our demands to cuddle her and rub her belly. She is a full blood nubian and has promise to be a wonderful milk producer. Mmmmm hard Che che cheese? I hope so. 

Living room

The living room is coming together. A little more trim, insulation, and a nice wood ceiling to go. 

Patio

Yup. We got a patio. Thanks to Justin Burd for the mixer. We finished this up by the light of the full moon this Thursday. It is nice to have the patio all poured. 

Water tank

The pad is poured and the water tank is on it. Water from the barn roof will soon fill the tank and water the plants. 

Dinette

The addition of the living room has allowed for better space usage in the main house. That and also moving the stairs. We now have an eating area aside from the kitchen bar. It's nice. 

New living room post 2

Well. We have ripped out the old double doors. We opened up the house to the elements in order to expand the 400

To 500 square feet. We laid a cedar floor. Put one of the doors back up facing south. Covered the walls with pine and hardwood slats. 

Harvest

After 3 years of care and waiting the pear trees are producing. This is from one of them. 

Living room post 1

The living room is coming together. 

Stairs reborn

The old is gone and the new is here. These stairs are safer, prettier, and all out better. The new design allows for better use of tiny house space and a cleaner kitchen. The treads are installed and the back plates will be shortly. 

The farm this year

Here is a little picture of the farm as it is now 

Redneck solar

A friend of mine whose sister also practices homesteading sans electricity gave us this idea. Yard lights as house lights. LED technology makes for great yard art in the day and interior lights in the tiny house at night. It may be a little redneck but it works and is better than cutting down the forest and taking out a loan to run power to the house 

Tiny house remodeling

The damage due to carpenter ants has taken a step toward repair today with the recovering of the walls upstairs. 

Early morning killing

His morning was a morning of death on the farm some imposed and some unexpected. One of the baby turkeys has unexpectedly succumb to eternal repose.   While the turkey incident is sad on a happier note we no longer have a mean male quail bloodily picking at the others. Our Italian quail, the bully, received a lecture on the repercussions of bullying and then quickly volunteered to be lunch. We appreciate his willingness to sacrifice and acknowledge his mean ways were wrong. The other quail do not miss him. 

Seasoned and ready to bake 

Quail tractor 2.0

Well the previous quail tractor proved to be a sub optimal design. It served its purpose but not so efficiently. Quail tractor 2.0 has considerations for egg gathering, ease of moving, as well as accessibility to grass while providing cover from kitty. Oh and quail tractor 2.0 also features larger living quarters for more friends.

Late night canning

It seems that, at least in our home, late night canning could be the title of every canning project. No matter how early in the day the cutting, jar washing, brine boiling and other canning festivities start, the end result is always late night canning. Tonight the fun revolved around pickled okra and canned Asian pears. Mmmmm 

More animals

The farm continues to develop, rapidly by some standards and laboriously slow by others. This week we saw the addition of 19 quail bringing the total to 21 as well as one rooster and 10 baby turkeys. The rooster is nice as can be and will even let me pet him though he is in the market for a girl friend. Preferably a social gal that enjoys early morning singing and tasty worms. 

Farming with friends

Our tiny farm is growing. We grow lots of grass and weeds thrive.while the fruit trees are thriving and the berry bushes are pumping out tasty treats the veggies leave something to desire. Turns out our soil is great for fruit but needs a little nudge in order to grow beautiful veggies. We are taking steps to address the soil needs, notably adding cow manure from a friend farm down the road. 

That said, we are considering teaming up with friends farms next year to offer a CSA ( community supported agriculture weekly food box). Here are a few photos of what one might look like.