There Should Be Pictures

And there will be. But, for now, words will have to do.

Things are super busy at the farm getting ready for, gulp, winter already. The garden isn't in; we are still having temps in the 40s, but I have determined that this weekend it will go in and either rot in the ground or overcome the cool nights.

Firewood is being gathered. Last winter we had nearly enough, but not quite. I ended up buying two loads of wood at the end of the season. While it was still cheaper than using propane or kerosene, it was too much money when we have so many fallen trees at our chainsaw's end! So, more wood stacked now to dry will lead to better economy in the winter! As a sidebar to that, it is hay season and we have already brought in our first trailer load.

We have four kids this season -- three bucklings and one doe. They are all within a few weeks of age, so they play together so sweetly. This morning it is "king of the rock" and this afternoon it will be "king of the trees." They nudge, push, and leap on each other until they collapse and down they go for a quick snooze! They are so like human babies  -- it is a hoot!

All the grading and excavating is done. Water is at the barn! Hooray! The drive has been extended to the back door -- honestly -- why didn't I do that years ago!?? So much easier on me! The ditch has been piped and filled in (no more snakes there!) and the huge dirt pile is gone! It makes me smile every time I come home to see so much cleaned up out there! Now, to the planting and re-landscaping of the yard!

New doors have been ordered for the house. My 100-year-old doors finally started to split; it has broken my heart, but I managed to find a contractor who would custom build them for me. They have the same look and, yes, they will be purple! Can't wait for that!

And, lastly, we have a project of mega-excitement getting ready to take off -- I hope. We had a lot of damage on seven acres around the creek from all the flooding this spring. The U.S. Soil and Water Conservation Department has grants for creek bank repair and remediation. As a part of this, we will get a new line fence to keep cattle and other livestock out of the creek, hardwoods on either side of the creek, a well for our animals, and, we hope, a bridge to the back three acres. As it is a grant, we will be responsible for maintenance for 15 years. Easy peasy! As a sidebar, you remember the artifacts I share from time-to-time? It appears we may have a Native American camp site or other site along the creek. The State Cultural Anthropologist will visit, do few little digs to assure that we are not disturbing anything, and then issue a blessing. It is all so fascinating! Beginning farmers have so many options, if they will just get to know their Farm Service Agent. Of course, I will have my camera working by then and be able to document what happens here.

So, we have been covered up, over, and around this summer, but what fun we are having! Pictures next time!

What are you into these days?

No Lazy Bee Here!

Baking lots of blueberry - lemon scones for the Farmer's Market ...

Freezing dozens of ears of fresh corn. Grilling some, too! Yummers!

These come from a friend's garden. He had over 100 dozen ears this summer!

Canning peaches from a friend's orchard over in Cana, Virginia. If you can

get peaches from Cana, you will have something wonderful indeed!

It is an area well known for peaches and apples!

Making lots of salsa and pickle relish;

canning beets and tomatoes. I always note the weather

on the lids so when I open them in the winter, I know what

the day was like when I canned 'em. It makes the memory

That Much Sweeter!

Pulling honey supers and getting ready to extract honey.

We will have more than 200 pounds of Lazy Bee Farm Honey

this year! We are so excited!  

Making tons of castile soap to use for the goat's milk soap.

Last week I worked a festival and sold nearly 100 bars in a little under 6 hours!

I can't keep up!

My supervisor, "Sweet Pea." This is the little guy who

was set out and abandoned with his brothers. We

couldn't catch the brothers, but Sweet Pea was so

sweet and ready to come live with us. He loves when we let him

out of his home and play in the kitchen. He is even paper trained!

Gotta love that!

Enjoying the frequent storms we are having. The Mister and I love

to watch the rain and storms. He does it from the porch; I am not that brave.

Moose, Annabelle and I watch from the living room!

This is just a bit of what has been going on around here the past few weeks. I am still picking blueberries for the market and for special orders. Last week I picked more than ten gallons! I am updating (read: painting) my porch furniture. Pictures of that soon along with other Lazy Bee Farm doings! School starts soon.... I will miss being home every day!

What have you been into lately??