Saturday the high was 50 something and it rained Friday night, couple all that with the snow melt and there's a small lake in front of the greenhouse on the way out to the barn. It collects there unfortunately and there hasn't been a plan yet on what to do to fix it so working on the greenhouse was out of the question as was splitting wood because that was still covered in snow so, we spent the rest of the afternoon doing odd jobs like cleaning the house!
Sunday we got the 2x4's ripped for the greenhouse door and it's a mighty nice door! Friends of ours helped put up a high tunnel (hoop style greenhouse) over Christmas break in another state and showed us the plans. I don't intend to need anything that large but I did take some queues as to what to do about attaching the plastic to the frame. They used thin molding strips (we used ripped 2x4's) and folded the plastic around it and then attached the strips to the frame. it looks really really nice and hopefully the stress the wind creates on the plastic will better hold with a whole strip of wood than just staples every so often.
Last year I didn't have a window on the west side. It was sort of framed for one so I decided while we were ripping boards and a nice door, a nice window might be in order too so I build the window...well, I cut all the boards for the window, even figured out how to miter the diagonal brace board and at what angles.
I have some serious spring fever with this weather we've been having but I am sure it is short lived...the weather that is, not spring the spring fever. Athough, it is almost time to get ready to start seeds. I am thinking about expanding the garden to put corn and melons elsewhere which should give more room in the main garden for the main crops.
I am also thinking about doing a little straw bale gardening up by the house. If you'd like to read up on straw bale gardening, go here: http://strawbalegardens.com/ . A friend planted all of her 'taters in straw bales which made harvesting them a cinch! She just busted open the bales and there her huge crop of taters were then she had the straw for compost. It's hard for me to get the early crops in the garden because the the ground isn't always workable when the cabbage and things are ready to go in so I am thinking the straw bales may be a better option. The new wheat harvest (and subsequent straw) won't be ready to pick up until June or so which will be too late for this years garden but I have a good source for inexpensive straw. I keep saying I'll stock up when the new harvest comes in and bales can be had for something like $1 a bale! Anyway...
The pigs have done a good job rooting up their pasture area they are on and I was looking at the location next to the orchard yesterday for corn and melons. I'd have to do something about keeping the chickens out but we've also talked about fencing them in too. There is a netting product that is moveable and electrified so I could put them on new ground every week or so. I am tired of loosing them to foxes and we have a REALLY nice group of hens this year. I hatched out a good crop last Sept. and plan to put another batch in the incubator in a couple days and they'll be ready by mid-summer to lay.
We expect another litter of piglets in mid-Feb. I hope the weather is decent. The first goat babies are due in a couple of weeks and we'll be kidding until May.
We have 2 chest freezers that needed to be washed out well. We bought a new (to us) upright that's in the house now and have no need for the ones in the garage. We never did get to splitting the wood but the temps have been nice and look like they will continue to be at least until next weekend so we won't go through as much so what we have will last.
Rachel's birthday is Thursday. Wednesday evening she and I are meeting up with some friend for cocoa and coffee. She wants potato soup for dinner and home made bread Thursday evening and I think we'll try to fit in a movie next weekend. Jeremiah will be in Mo. for a competition on the weekend of the 25th of Jan. and mentioned maybe being out of town Valentine's Day weekend for a competition and then he'll be gone for training the week of St. Patrick's Day to Cleveland. Over the summer a robotic welder was purchased for the shop and it requires training to operate it. It's been sitting there since it was delivered because the 2 other people who are potential operators haven't been able to all schedule a time to be away to do the training. Jeremiah has also picked up a Tuesday evening teaching class for the college. He'll be teaching Machining 1&2 from tomorrow until some time in May when the semester is over.
It seems hard to believe but the kids only have 3.5 months of school left. They are out early again this year on April 30th where other districts are out some time toward the end of May. I don't know how much further the new school's progress has come but as of Oct. it was said to still be sitting as an empty lot so who knows if it will be ready in time. I know I am tired of the extended days. This year it's even longer going from 7:50 to 3:25. Last year it was 7:50 to 3:20. The kids don't get home until after 4 on the bus, though lately I have been picking them up. Jeremiah drops them off on his way to work.
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| Snoozing Snow |
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| King |
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| Ann Curry (left) & Earl of Sandwich (right) |
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