Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thoughtful Thursday

While this winter has been mild, we've still had some cold spells and brisk winds to remind us that indeed, it is still winter-time.  As the pastures, fruit trees and vines lay somewhat "dormant" I can't help but think about all of the things in life that move in cycles, with busy times and times of rest, as well.

Sometimes, in the daily tasks we go about, whether we are farmers, teachers, bankers, servers or an employee in a manufacturing plant, it is important to just be.  This is what I have found the leafless trees, the naked vines and straw-colored grass to be doing.  They don't have to impress anyone.  They're not worried about missing the 20% off sale at the not-so-local department store.  They don't even worry about what they will wear tomorrow.  It's all planned out - in good time - they will be productive again.

While there are occasional fears as to the pre-Easter freeze we usually get in this area, I'm trying not to give in to the "what-if's" of life.  For usually where there is a deficit, another kind of abundance will be yielded.  This year, the addition of a greenhouse will be our season-extender, and I'm currently enjoying lovely green salads with kale, spinach, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, Simpson lettuce, arugula.  Blessed, indeed.

While there isn't a particular point to this post (are there particular points to any of my posts?) I will leave you with some photos of pre-spring life in the greenhouse;









Thursday, January 5, 2012

In other news

Long overdue update, yes?  We've been busy - who on a farm is NOT busy? No matter the size, if there are animals and plants involved, time is consumed in large increments.  We hope your season ended brightly.

New on the farm:














On December 11th, Bacon Bits gave birth to eight tiny piglets, all healthy and cute! Four white (pink!) females, two red with black spots and two white with red and black spots.  They are all spoken for as of four weeks later (that went by fast!) And now Mama Bacon Bits is looking at us as if to say, "Is it time to wean these young'uns yet?"

Until next time,