Homestead Happenings

 

Here we are back at Homestead Happenings,

and what a wild couple of weeks it's been!

We were blessed with at least 6 inches of snow,

enough to stay on the ground for several days.

What a rush!

I haven't made a snow person in nearly 60 years!

I'm a bit out of practice, I'd say,

but I gave it a go.

The experience still left me feeling

like I was six years old again.

The baby girls were hesitant to venture across the snow,

but as usual, our independent Matilda, showed them how it's done.

It's funny how she is the runt of the flock,

and given the chance, she just steams right along,

ignoring their bad attitudes.

daffodils emerging 

Even with row covers on the beds,

the temperatures were a bit too severe

for our lettuce and kale.

We had a string of constant teens and single digits,

and it was more than these varieties could handle.

The girls nibbled whatever was left.

The leeks are still hanging in there,

although they were started in May of last year.

Leek and potato soup is one of my favorite dishes,

especially when the frigid winters make it

difficult to keep warm.

Not to fear, though.

Winter sowing has begun.

Just yesterday several varieties of lettuce,

kale, parsley, chamomile and broccoli were sown.

These containers stay outside until they are ready

to be transplanted to their final growing place in beds or grow bags.

If you've never tried winter sowing, read this.

I started using this method two years ago,

and will never start seedlings another way.

The forecast looks promising,

with spring-like temperatures expected 

throughout the rest of February,

and a full day of rain this Sunday.

There are signs of spring popping up already.

This bread was the latest in my bread making adventures.

It is a boule, which is baked in a dutch oven,

and turns out a loaf that is crisp on the outside

and soft and tender inside.

With a little butter, 

you've got yourself a piece o' heaven!

We have two painting projects lined up 

before winter is over.

This color, called "Warm Putty",

will be used to brighten up the Master Bath

and adjoining room.

Having color on the walls just makes things cozier.

neighborhood visitor

We lost our girl Buttercup on the snowiest day of the year.

She had a good life with us,

but it's still so hard to let them go.

The two flockmates that shared her run

seem to miss her, which makes it even tougher.

Hopefully, she is with our other chooks who have passed,

and they are all pecking and scratching

to their hearts' content.

Worms for everyone!