“Peonies” by Mary Oliver This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting readyto break my heartas the sun rises,as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers and they open —pools of lace,white and pink —and all day the black ants climb over them, boring their deep and mysterious holesinto the curls,craving … Continue reading Peonies Make Me Happy
They Grow Up So Fast
Most of the sweet little ducklings we’ve received in the last month are now hard to tell apart from the adults. They’re close to fully feathered and have been spending all day down at the pond. They’ve mastered getting down to the pond and back up to the coop in the evening. It’s just how … Continue reading They Grow Up So Fast
Playing Duck Mamma
I finally had to call it quits with accepting ducklings. I was getting 2-4 calls or emails/day with people looking for a permanent home for their “quarantine pets.” 3 here, 5 there...it adds up! I’ve lost track of how many we have now and those babies are hard to count. I split them into smaller … Continue reading Playing Duck Mamma
Tomato trellis
I always have to try something new in my garden. This year it’s a new tomato trellis and some potato towers. I made the potato towers in March by creating a cylinder out of welded wire fencing, lining it with straw and filling it with layers of dirt/compost and potatoes. You can see them in … Continue reading Tomato trellis
Wildflowers
Since the start of advent, I’ve been walking every evening with my neighbor Rita. I usually walked anyways with the dogs, but she started to join me as part of her Lenten promises to get out everyday. It has been a real joy to walk and visit with her and to have that time out … Continue reading Wildflowers
Nature Journaling with Phenology Wheels
Almost a year ago now, I was perusing Instagram when I came upon a photograph of a phenology wheel. It was so beautiful and drew me in instantly. I knew this was something I had to try! So what is a phenology wheel?Here's my first ever wheel, June 2019. The basic idea is that you … Continue reading Nature Journaling with Phenology Wheels
Berry Garden in Late Spring
This spot between our garage and workshop was the original veggie garden when we moved in. Two years ago I switched it over to a perennial garden, with mostly berries and asparagus and a spot for overwintering garlic. It has really greened you in the last few weeks! Let me tell you about what’s growing. … Continue reading Berry Garden in Late Spring
The Herb Garden Comes Back to Life
I always say that the best part of our home is the fact that Frank and Rita live across the street. It has been a blessing in so many ways to move into their old home here on 222. Before they built their new house across the street, they lived and raised a family for … Continue reading The Herb Garden Comes Back to Life
Duckling Adoption
There have been so many stories in the news about how many pets have been adopted now that everyone is at home. The media worry: what will happen to all these dogs once people are back to work? Will the shelters be overwhelmed with people trying to return pets? Well we’ve anticipated the same issue … Continue reading Duckling Adoption
Fermented Sodas Galore plus a Tepache Update
After three days of fermenting, my tepache was very bubbly. It’s amazing that all of that came from naturally occurring yeast! So I decided it was time to strain and bottle it. I set a strainer over a pot and poured the liquid through it. I had to try it, of course. Whew! Was it … Continue reading Fermented Sodas Galore plus a Tepache Update
