tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5979572659060063202024-03-05T05:48:59.260-05:00This One Good Life“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
― Mary OliverKathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-87729520340057368762015-06-10T16:23:00.003-04:002015-06-10T16:23:46.970-04:00thisclose<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't been entirely lazy around here, even though I have neglected this space. After winter, a switch was flipped in typical New England fashion and we find ourselves in summer.... at least thisclose to it. Proof from the gardens:</div>
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garlic scapes almost ready to curl </div>
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strawberries turning blush</div>
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these are gooseberries - delicious in pie and preserves</div>
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beans, kale, lettuce</div>
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red currants got decimated by the rain, I think</div>
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the wild strawberries I grow as a ground cover</div>
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the first few cherry tomatoes are forming</div>
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blueberries will need netting soon</div>
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a gratuitous flower show of the front yard. The spireas are about to bust out in pink and I am seeing a few more hydrangea buds than last year. </div>
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-20642113922812321222015-04-14T21:27:00.001-04:002015-04-14T21:27:30.676-04:00Spring is here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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... the turkey toms have been letting me know, the spring peepers have given me their opinion. My hens were finally able to take walks again and instantly perked up in behavior and looks. But then, the happiness came to a certain halt today when in the middle of a playdate pickup, this scene happened in my back yard:<br />
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I gave the hen (Oreo) up for dead, and went to grab my phone off the table, then a broom to chase the hawk. Though I didn't think I could save the hen, I did not want him (I'm convinced it's a him, though I have no evidence) to think of our backyard as an all-you-can-eat buffet in the future.<br />
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As I approached him with my broom, he was entirely underwhelmed by me:<br />
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It's not that I'm an amazingly fast photographer to snap this picture. It is that this bird was one hundred percent in control of the situation. He stared me down, probably judged me for my inability to keep my composure even half as well as he did, and did not let go of the hen. When I started actually bumping him with the broom, he let go of one talon, but the other held on tight to the hen's head, dragging her along with him. At that point I realized that Oreo was alive.<br />
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I finally chased off the hawk, though he did not leave entirely. He continued to stalk us as we hurriedly got the rest of the flock into the pen (which is covered in the top, bottom and around). He attacked a second hen, who was saved by my daughter's interfering. Then he sat for over an hour on a tree and waited. Two hens were still in hiding and we were unable to find them. I wrapped the injured Oreo, who was limping around now, in a towel and put her in a cage we keep around for times like these, for further evaluation.<br />
By the time we sat down to take a better look at Oreo, the hawk had spied and attacked one of the last 2 hens, but again we were able to chase him away. The hen, though, was not to be found for another few hours, such patience and self preservation instincts, she stayed quiet as a mouse under the neighbor's handicapped entrance ramp.<br />
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I decided for the first time in my 6+ years as a chicken keeper that I should take the striped hen, Oreo, to the vet. She was seemingly well, but at the same time injured to such a degree that I was sure she would soon die of infection if left in home treatment only. And then there were the little humans to consider, who had been incredibly brave and patient, keeping a watch on the hawk until all hens were safely in the pen again. I was sufficiently impressed with them and Oreo's will and ability to walk away alive from this situation that I found a vet and took her in for the night. The vet thought her lung might be injured beyond the superficial skin wound I had found and cleaned on my own. Only time will tell the severity of that. For now, she should be resting and be medicated, it is praying time.Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-15233555537441131092015-03-11T12:26:00.002-04:002015-03-11T15:01:35.701-04:00Good news!The oldest and I were having a rough morning so we set out to get some sun, exercise and hopefully good news. We knew that almost<a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2014/03/bee-awake.html"> precisely a year ago</a> we found skunk cabbage pollen in a spot close to our house and our hearts.<br />
But this year, we were not confident to find much, being that we are still under about 2 feet of snow.<br />
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And yet, look!<br />
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<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-12847449455748259942015-03-10T11:30:00.000-04:002015-03-10T11:30:00.066-04:00We're graduating ...Turns out we are graduating at every corner. The dreaded letter to register the babee for Kindergarten was in the mail today (I can barely stand it). We are outgrowing our child size furniture, our bookshelves, and possibly some old habits.<br />
I've been on an overhaul spree in the house and before I knew it, I found myself in the middle of another rug project. The<a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-homemade-rug.html"> last one </a>was a lot more involved, but this one gave me no less sense of satisfaction, even though it is much more utilitarian.<br />
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I wanted a sisal rug to cover the area at the bottom of our stairs, that we so famously can cover in shoes (to the point that the necessity of a new rug may actually be a little questionable but let's pretend for a moment that this house is cleaning up). I measured and had it priced because it turned out to be a custom size. What I wanted came to $600+!!! Oh no! </div>
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An afternoon trip to Sweden to the rescue, and I came home from my favorite store (that keeps my kids, and gives me free coffee) with a $80 sisal rug that was perfect in one dimension, but too wide in the other. </div>
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Turns out, a seam ripper, sharp scissors, a needle and some thread later, I could detach the border, cut the rug to size, and re-attach the border by hand. Went easier than I thought, and I like the outcome. It is just in time for the Big Melt around here, and all the wet boots that will undoubtedly come through the door every day. </div>
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See how neat this area can look (if you don't put the shoes in the picture)?<br />
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Now, is anyone in the market for a child-size, espresso brown bench with three cubbies for shoes? </div>
Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-7902549335855652702015-03-09T21:15:00.001-04:002015-03-09T21:15:04.478-04:00S'isch zum Baimschneida.This is how you say you're just about to lose it, in my Southern corner of Germany. It is also how I feel about the snow. Yes, yes, we're nearing spring, and we sprang forward and hope springs eternal.<br />
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But that snow, it is hard to remember how much of it there is. I took my kids to the sledding hill, and went to look for the bench to sit on. As it turns out, a person with a daintier behind than mine could just about perch on the six inches of its backrest that stuck out of the solidly packed white mass.<br />
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Back to the title, it literally translates to 'It causes one to prune the trees' and that is just what I did this weekend. No ladder needed, I could get to the 10 feet tall branches of our old apple tree that needed a trim.<br />
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OK, in the end things were a little sketchy, but the job got done, nobody got hurt, and the tree is in better shape than before. I am calling it the official beginning of the outdoor gardening season.<br />
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<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-77925664795341410742015-02-25T11:08:00.000-05:002015-02-25T11:08:00.330-05:00Sewing and sowingWhat does one do in this season, too cold to go out, to snowy to play ball?<br />
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You sew and you plan. The Babee sewed her very first garment, the simplest of skirts in the simplest of fabrics - fleece. Suited to the arctic temps out there! Think she looks a little bit proud?<br />
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Last Christmas, the kids received a 3/4 size sewing machine, it has seen a lot of use by little hands, making the littlest projects...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfMvvuWUo1wReni6if1oQLrt_UYWylo7xa6Jq4CqYZfH7OElS6mgmkg5UjWsmflHrV5uMLMVlSiNu34xWgpivqK5RG__9D8t2eTUpDWotx3zJhcXtL8r1Pl_rPeZonmbb0IDo137wRTE/s1600/20150225_105615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfMvvuWUo1wReni6if1oQLrt_UYWylo7xa6Jq4CqYZfH7OElS6mgmkg5UjWsmflHrV5uMLMVlSiNu34xWgpivqK5RG__9D8t2eTUpDWotx3zJhcXtL8r1Pl_rPeZonmbb0IDo137wRTE/s1600/20150225_105615.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The biggest kid creates the tiniest projects.</td></tr>
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And sowing - is of course not happening yet, but in the planning stages. My order to <a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/">Baker Creek Heirloom</a> seeds went out yesterday. Spring has got to be on its way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_kq2TnFWxnz6OtLHSZ5mbyP2C6LAVrezo1AUp-k1yXmVGn2-igCZrdYDIAT1sh9HpS84O1GM-Dl_q3kjlNxjCsZxYl_RL9cF5exIeIXYXXg7RDPp84aCkisGE_nekp39SxVhMpOdPN8/s1600/IMG_20150225_110549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_kq2TnFWxnz6OtLHSZ5mbyP2C6LAVrezo1AUp-k1yXmVGn2-igCZrdYDIAT1sh9HpS84O1GM-Dl_q3kjlNxjCsZxYl_RL9cF5exIeIXYXXg7RDPp84aCkisGE_nekp39SxVhMpOdPN8/s1600/IMG_20150225_110549.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking stock of the ever building inventory...</td></tr>
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<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-3509240053092582402015-02-14T16:57:00.003-05:002015-02-14T17:12:55.841-05:00How do we do it?It's winter and we're near Boston. How do we do it??? I am starting to wonder that myself but here are a few photos of the menagerie, and how we handle them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRzxEToLXpv6pcta6QVQy7bBDqB6lOjZPH06JL9nUw96tqFA8PDNlJyv_GVRfMnMY7e-ZBoI3c86OrDsxOajErmiT2L5TtgoGSHm9F97HFgL1Gx8Y__5hGKHx9f0M3JfHPkz7UMLmCZw/s1600/20150213_090223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRzxEToLXpv6pcta6QVQy7bBDqB6lOjZPH06JL9nUw96tqFA8PDNlJyv_GVRfMnMY7e-ZBoI3c86OrDsxOajErmiT2L5TtgoGSHm9F97HFgL1Gx8Y__5hGKHx9f0M3JfHPkz7UMLmCZw/s1600/20150213_090223.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
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Besides their insulated coop, the chickens have a dug out for fresh air. At this point, it is covered from the top by a small roof and from one side by a wall of snow, so they're pretty sheltered. As long as they have straw to stand on, they don't mind the cold. I have 11 hens in a coop that is sized for 8, so I try my hardest to give them a bit of extra room.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7amMOOPJmgVXdUdY5HmXHVJxGosCl-1IwvPKnIiFcdLOkfTXaiCiDXqCvodkNDVAzMcZi_zO0lqlwvCIC_Q25KuN44jqFnIL8xJrpihrSKmSmR-g08oBPZ62QN80ur9w-fp8MLzqpaWE/s1600/20150213_085949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7amMOOPJmgVXdUdY5HmXHVJxGosCl-1IwvPKnIiFcdLOkfTXaiCiDXqCvodkNDVAzMcZi_zO0lqlwvCIC_Q25KuN44jqFnIL8xJrpihrSKmSmR-g08oBPZ62QN80ur9w-fp8MLzqpaWE/s1600/20150213_085949.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Inside, they have a heat lamp in a ceramic fitting, and that is regulated by a<a href="http://www.staples.com/Farm-Innovatrors-Thermo-Cube-TC3-Thermostatically-Controlled-Outlet/product_1012313"> thermo-cube</a>. It turns on when the temp goes too close to freezing, and keeps the water in the waterer from going solid.<br />
The waterer is a clever gadget, made from a rubbermaid container and a pair of aqua miser <a href="http://www.avianaquamiser.com/">nipples</a>. This way, the water stays clean and doesn't spill, and the chickens don't need that much of it. Sadly, they really prefer to drink from a regular dish, so we take them fresh water every day, but it is good to have a backup plan that is always available and never dirty or spilled.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt91qWnekxfCUHnn3thlTsiYZJI6p0IIclnVIdT19wZMCA6vV2LWS1OwOKA8L_AkFSRwFxTBT9qqHD2FL5JkaMjWR3ZZlQYhIrgsbxKynrw4EmvsQbHsOH_bHFub6_PbxtuHzg2rYRlA/s1600/20150213_090014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt91qWnekxfCUHnn3thlTsiYZJI6p0IIclnVIdT19wZMCA6vV2LWS1OwOKA8L_AkFSRwFxTBT9qqHD2FL5JkaMjWR3ZZlQYhIrgsbxKynrw4EmvsQbHsOH_bHFub6_PbxtuHzg2rYRlA/s1600/20150213_090014.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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They have a lamp that is on a timer, giving them the illusion of longer days, and keeping them laying steadily through this their first winter. Being first years, they would likely lay anyway, but who doesn't like a bit of bright light in the winter? Since we have the heat generation on a separate circuit, I use a CFL lightbulb to save energy. I will keep this one running through the March equinox.<br />
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The bees have gotten fall feedings, and then a <a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2014/11/thats-wrap.html">candy board and are wrapped for winter</a>. It is do or die time for them. The only help they get from me now is that I shovel their entrances. I don't want melt water to run from the entrance boards into the hives, where it could create indoor icicles under the wrong conditions. Getting through the winter for the bees is all about thermodynamics. They eat only to stay warm, and every time they have to expend energy to dry up a mess of water, or to re-heat the hive after a curious beek has opened it, it brings them a little closer to starvation.<br />
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In front of the hives (pre-shoveling), you see a bunch of dead bees. This is actually a good sign. Bees are diligent undertakers, and when they have casualties in the hive, they do their best to dispose of them outside, a bit away from the hive. Only a healthy hive has extra energy to devote to this daunting task, though. I have been very impressed with how far from the hive the bodies have been dumped, giving the harsh conditions around here these days!<br />
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So here we are, and wait, and wonder if it is time to build an ark, for when spring will finally arrive?<br />
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-16296410771338210922015-02-13T09:08:00.001-05:002015-02-13T09:08:12.393-05:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">.......</span><br />
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-33513531496598043092015-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-10T08:00:04.219-05:00We've had a visitorI went out last night to close the door to the hen house, and on the small layer of fresh snow, I found a little bit of a calling card:<br />
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I went inside to gather those children who were home, and they gathered a flashlight and a tracking field guide. The Possums are back. Or more likely, they never left.<br />
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If you know our history with possums, some is <a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-chicken-fortress-night-2.html">less cute</a> than <a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2014/03/guess-whos-back.html">others</a>. Luckily our chicken coop and run has never been breached because one thing is for sure: It's one wild life around here.Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-29510374900951695312015-01-09T14:05:00.003-05:002015-01-09T14:12:24.057-05:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-88113356751205026702015-01-07T09:16:00.000-05:002015-01-07T10:37:33.261-05:00Ring in the new!A Happy New Year to my select (two or three) readers! This delinquent blogger is having a great start to the year. Here are a few of the things that make my life bright and wonderful right now. At first I wrote 'all the things', but then realized that I would never be able to finish that post. So here we go with a little list:<br />
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The seed catalogs have come in and the oogling and heated discussing with friends has commenced. Locals, know that NOFA is putting together<a href="http://www.nofamass.org/programs/bulk-order-program#.VK072HW9_mE"> bulk orders</a>. <a href="https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/index.html">Murray McMurray</a> has sent is most tempting publication. I ordered two packages of bees, one destined for a hopeful endeavor: I am working to help establish an observation bee hive at <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/drumlin-farm">Drumlin Farm</a>.<br />
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Meanwhile, the girls (the human girls) are humming as they work and play, and are still excited for snow and winter. The feathered girls are less enthusiastic as they hate to touch snow with their feet, but they are laying, laying! <br />
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The fireplace his humming, too, the fan putting out a lot of heat which we need today!<br />
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Life is good.Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-55135288171484643222014-12-01T12:41:00.001-05:002014-12-01T12:41:17.068-05:00Scenes from the winter homesteadJust two pictures today, totally random and not connected.<br />
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First, here's one that would be great for a 'caption this photo' contest. Ever feel like you can't fit in? Trying to make yourself smaller so as not to draw attention to yourself? This egg is in the same boat. Or should I say, ill-fitting egg crate.<br />
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Second, a glimpse into our sun room, aka lemon farm. OK, it's just one tree but those 4 lemons are home grown, flower to fruit. Turns out that hand-pollinating is key. And there are key limes in the same pot, the first set of which we just got to set fruit, keep your fingers crossed. This orchid is the first of its kind that I have gotten to re-bloom for me. Oh cheerful sight!<br />
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-60765539546622189542014-11-30T21:09:00.000-05:002014-11-30T21:09:04.853-05:00Stay calm and remain purpleHere's a secret I'd like to tell. I love Advent better than Christmas. Advent's the journey, the seeking, the waiting. I have to give credit to my parents, who really did a nice job building that sense of anticipation, with the decorations slowly increasing over the weeks, only to culminate in the fully decorated Christmas tree that appeared in our house no sooner than on Christmas eve, around 5pm. This is the time, as I will have you know, when the Christ child delivers presents to German children. It must be that Baby Jesus, Santa and Father Frost and whoever else is in on this global game of sneaking and scheming, have split up the geographical areas and delivery times to make it all feasible? That is what I tell my children to explain the difference in my culture growing up, and theirs, which needed to match that of their school mates and friends.<br />
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But back to Advent. I like to have an advent wreath or other seasonal vehicle for four candles every year. We usually craft it together now, the kids are old enough to help. This year's version recycled the log tea light stands the husband made <a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2013/11/and-so-we-wait.html">last year</a>:<br />
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And back to the meaning of it all. We shall light one candle more each week, as we wait. And wait we will. With music, hot cider, cookies, and reading stories of <a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/real-santa/">St. Nicholas</a>. In this sea of red and green and golden and glitter and shiny instant gratification, we are going to:<br />
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<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-279449207593682042014-11-21T19:20:00.003-05:002014-11-21T19:20:55.323-05:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">................</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">.......</span><br />
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-85252811278698882002014-11-20T09:30:00.000-05:002014-11-20T09:30:01.909-05:00A visit to a foreign world<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR1QQtGXF1ZQLLqvhyphenhyphenJjCADBKNga2b1A55tLzKnyqBscaz9N1BUmlS0iLFIiXgxQ92f-6wXE12tn1zK_2Bxy-71REngVwRURuUfxbiQo1IlYZjW5VHBhBLND-1DaRDg6l8v48R1t4Qus/s1600/20141111_103840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR1QQtGXF1ZQLLqvhyphenhyphenJjCADBKNga2b1A55tLzKnyqBscaz9N1BUmlS0iLFIiXgxQ92f-6wXE12tn1zK_2Bxy-71REngVwRURuUfxbiQo1IlYZjW5VHBhBLND-1DaRDg6l8v48R1t4Qus/s1600/20141111_103840.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes you just have to break out of your world, and go visit someplace else. Except there is that pesky carbon footprint thing, and that money thing, and that time thing ... so we 'get away' to a few local hide-outs once in a while. This time, we went to South America. And by that, I mean the excellent Maya exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science. Insta-transport into a totally foreign world. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lIAZojCEH_UcVjltKuPqX2fzlecS8t-XPC_uMoniWJsjTLI8ZJNVRoVJVV7BdsfGHCMGrCgxoS4YFmyrqK0TVZmfYfuHKLyi2oVZVy51zqPrhB6gdnIigdEDbDtDyMJb9AjnUI01oV0/s1600/20141111_103802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lIAZojCEH_UcVjltKuPqX2fzlecS8t-XPC_uMoniWJsjTLI8ZJNVRoVJVV7BdsfGHCMGrCgxoS4YFmyrqK0TVZmfYfuHKLyi2oVZVy51zqPrhB6gdnIigdEDbDtDyMJb9AjnUI01oV0/s1600/20141111_103802.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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We learned about glyphs, kings and calendars. We sat for a while (too long, say the littles - too short says the oldest) drawing, reading, learning, in the peaceful darkness of the exhibit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxJPr5LHQxO6zsDXi-ojF2va-lBnX-pkNCykMGC9N3wNIvaLPCUsRB0dLc_5qqeIIACYqEBG45BdhGmXA3eFSGiUvIf9edOybNaM9srgquBb0h8DGKqnikMmdEixLcXLIwZmKbLiRXyY/s1600/20141111_102951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxJPr5LHQxO6zsDXi-ojF2va-lBnX-pkNCykMGC9N3wNIvaLPCUsRB0dLc_5qqeIIACYqEBG45BdhGmXA3eFSGiUvIf9edOybNaM9srgquBb0h8DGKqnikMmdEixLcXLIwZmKbLiRXyY/s1600/20141111_102951.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Then we took a quick stop in the tropics on the way to lunch - the butterfly room is always a treat for the senses. Then, from far away across the world, we smelled good things to eat.... and went to have lunch before returning to our own little world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdZem25D6iWAK2vUTQ6lHOp0P8aECOVgWN-bMURB3B1i2kqkcNrCwc1NoNOAWQALAHzwwk8_SEi0yeoGA1wxqul1mhXuyi4K3haoXIKZlQihL0bC31F4hWL-Az1tmu2nxP0pzgOoVAuE/s1600/20141111_132116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdZem25D6iWAK2vUTQ6lHOp0P8aECOVgWN-bMURB3B1i2kqkcNrCwc1NoNOAWQALAHzwwk8_SEi0yeoGA1wxqul1mhXuyi4K3haoXIKZlQihL0bC31F4hWL-Az1tmu2nxP0pzgOoVAuE/s1600/20141111_132116.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0OP55bLR8ojJuMrf5cWYrPR4LR_4JOuRDfdgmXSqzywCUcCfA8_EHoHa061rahAv5e5lYlgbi8w1Ed-rv7Q5FlyJqUkJwVZwqwNVwWhlpnXJg7G31p7eenQ97St_N_W5cTZzZ4-IADw/s1600/20141111_131105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0OP55bLR8ojJuMrf5cWYrPR4LR_4JOuRDfdgmXSqzywCUcCfA8_EHoHa061rahAv5e5lYlgbi8w1Ed-rv7Q5FlyJqUkJwVZwqwNVwWhlpnXJg7G31p7eenQ97St_N_W5cTZzZ4-IADw/s1600/20141111_131105.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-1468729640345932422014-11-19T09:09:00.001-05:002014-11-19T09:09:35.985-05:00Just putteringWe're all coming off a mighty high of activity, weekends filled with a birthday party for the middle, and a concert where the oldest played, and a visit from the grandparents, the 25th anniversary of the wall in Germany being broken down... altogether wonderful stuff. But phew, I'm ready for a little rest before the holiday flurry sets in. Talking about busy, here is the bee hive cake I made to order for the birthday:<br />
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In the gardens, clean-up is ongoing, now that we are seeing the first frosts. It is always such a nice surprise to find a few leftover scarlet runner bean seeds, like pearls on a string.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDzTjzblr5jt5wo1WBfELL7pg0ubu4ZYtmcEgnBh-c0sR7x8GX7xFtOi-GgjgnSCmvnzErZmU7CesY5ST-DPWOzBdyv8Jbm9HKyfVhFzLYqg7bLOSCP7suGizwNfvw6RTSJX9xOqaAP0/s1600/20141110_155501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDzTjzblr5jt5wo1WBfELL7pg0ubu4ZYtmcEgnBh-c0sR7x8GX7xFtOi-GgjgnSCmvnzErZmU7CesY5ST-DPWOzBdyv8Jbm9HKyfVhFzLYqg7bLOSCP7suGizwNfvw6RTSJX9xOqaAP0/s1600/20141110_155501.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Together we can(ned). In this case about 30 quarts of apple sauce, made from 2 bushels of utility apples bought at my favorite local orchard. This should get us through the winter nicely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMNicXukTbN-ppstAtc11XDX8ZMDeM_-oVYirCRVi5AKA7SZPWvrWiyAg_pDFI0_7BE237TlkpnfAb41EXaJprrBfCO0-d-QMJdCJdU6ef_svN1zwRupEWZJCseuLfNLBgMS8nFIufao/s1600/20141116_170940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMNicXukTbN-ppstAtc11XDX8ZMDeM_-oVYirCRVi5AKA7SZPWvrWiyAg_pDFI0_7BE237TlkpnfAb41EXaJprrBfCO0-d-QMJdCJdU6ef_svN1zwRupEWZJCseuLfNLBgMS8nFIufao/s1600/20141116_170940.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszxgggjdEyDjrAMv_avVAqJR8Px0sWGMVVVzzDgxvLgxNZl1THtvIV0WwBXDEAlFLwZn9HpXU9WbEev7cHjWlBxIIAFh96KHm3wDRvJpGyT_cB6kRr-lJwbImLz8wqjJlCqHkJSvHuX0/s1600/20141116_170925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszxgggjdEyDjrAMv_avVAqJR8Px0sWGMVVVzzDgxvLgxNZl1THtvIV0WwBXDEAlFLwZn9HpXU9WbEev7cHjWlBxIIAFh96KHm3wDRvJpGyT_cB6kRr-lJwbImLz8wqjJlCqHkJSvHuX0/s1600/20141116_170925.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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So we're putting up, and puttering around, clustered around the wood stove these days, because we've resisted turning on the heat just yet. Hope you're staying warm, too!Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-30736361373344296242014-11-07T13:30:00.001-05:002014-11-07T13:30:16.535-05:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple,
special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and
remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your
'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">.......</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYNwvUKUwG3ZfrF1CMjlC7jff-RUVeu9geaRYs8z4vdTTCdnVm2pA-0j-adSfY0jnNWkjc48H9cOrDFRCvRZcJ_7xcA340v2jWQb8j-gdJ7UOI8Q4y_vZgq6vL0cF3id0wYCicGBtlN4/s1600/20141107_114242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYNwvUKUwG3ZfrF1CMjlC7jff-RUVeu9geaRYs8z4vdTTCdnVm2pA-0j-adSfY0jnNWkjc48H9cOrDFRCvRZcJ_7xcA340v2jWQb8j-gdJ7UOI8Q4y_vZgq6vL0cF3id0wYCicGBtlN4/s1600/20141107_114242.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-83416304412019487152014-11-05T19:16:00.000-05:002014-11-05T19:16:00.605-05:00That's a wrapThis has been a weird bee season for me. I had split my 2 hives into three earlier in the summer, and things had been going fairly well before August. But after we came back from our travels, again, there was no honey in those supers and two of the hives were very light on stores. One of them was in the middle of what might have been a supersedure, or the remainder of a hive after a swarm had left, hard to tell. No honey, no brood, no queen, I think they may have swarmed. I tried not to mess up the existing swarm cells and decided to feed heavy syrup to support them. Alas, a new queen never did make it, and the hive succumbed to some crazy robbing attacks. I ended up finding a ton of drowned yellowjackets in the feeder. They came in the bottom entrance and fought their way all the way up to the top feeder, so that was not a good sign at all. I watched that hive slowly die and cleaned it up today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0ndNRRovdw6bItGDIP5VPRgjBJAhVzKHHb6pDglEBxll8tOXhGn9sAaLaMrwGXKMa2_rIJfZRBMDhz1JuRij-4rU4B8WYdFOnNed6N7kCBhTSWgf-I7ogXYpnBUC4E1P2QmXAu4D3z4/s1600/20141105_090132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0ndNRRovdw6bItGDIP5VPRgjBJAhVzKHHb6pDglEBxll8tOXhGn9sAaLaMrwGXKMa2_rIJfZRBMDhz1JuRij-4rU4B8WYdFOnNed6N7kCBhTSWgf-I7ogXYpnBUC4E1P2QmXAu4D3z4/s1600/20141105_090132.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very not very fun, seeing this pile of dead bees. Sigh. <br />
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I had made some candy boards, just to prop up the two other hives and add them to my layer structure that worked well last winter. Here they are. It's basically a 2in frame the size of a super, with 1/2in hardware cloth as a bottom. In that, I smeared a mix of sugar (10lbs), water (2 cups) and a tad of vinegar (2/3 Tbsp) and HoneyBeeHealthy, which dried into a solid mass. I blocked out holes so the bees can access the top entrance and for condensation to go through the hole in the inner cover, like so:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4uXnbFNHQKwF9Kaqpv3MQETU0WPlcgxYVXoaJXmYiaM0_dJQmZC7KBgmg5Uaf_4BPamktHyLO5chbMt091gEJrm2K1h2S2J92JS_yq96Vx3W49CIA7ZByOBaZqgayWauI2o51TeMEfw/s1600/20141105_090059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4uXnbFNHQKwF9Kaqpv3MQETU0WPlcgxYVXoaJXmYiaM0_dJQmZC7KBgmg5Uaf_4BPamktHyLO5chbMt091gEJrm2K1h2S2J92JS_yq96Vx3W49CIA7ZByOBaZqgayWauI2o51TeMEfw/s1600/20141105_090059.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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I put this candy board on top of the 2 deep super I'm trying to overwinter. Then followed the inner cover, and on top of that goes an empty super filled with straw. I staple window screen to the bottom to keep the straw in place. You see the straw boxes in the front, but the hive next to it still has the feeder on. I took that off, with almost a gallon of syrup left in it. Lesson: Bees can only take syrup during warm weather, and that seems to run out around the middle of October around here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCyYA6j_TpDNfyJICIrIk4pkgQ_cqMj_kwrcvlO97QQoKGoPpi_Pi88lUZpmsmejLR0pFoeTV9OZDQGbxWQtoxiFGDheMVxuWZ9duNYtIFDHDBag8x-Op76p033mreMhlIYXVtorUHL0/s1600/20141105_090119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCyYA6j_TpDNfyJICIrIk4pkgQ_cqMj_kwrcvlO97QQoKGoPpi_Pi88lUZpmsmejLR0pFoeTV9OZDQGbxWQtoxiFGDheMVxuWZ9duNYtIFDHDBag8x-Op76p033mreMhlIYXVtorUHL0/s1600/20141105_090119.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Then on top of that, I put the outer cover. The whole sandwich tower was then wrapped in roofing paper. A job much easier done by 2 people, but today I was alone and wasn't feeling well to begin with. The bees don't like the stapler and who can blame them. They also don't like scary large flaps of tar paper flopping around in front of their entrance. I just don't like doing this job because it requires me to let go, lose control, let them do their thing. For me as the beekeeper, it's just wait and see from now on until March. Nothing more I can do for them. <br />
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You see in the foreground an empty top feeder that the bees were cleaning up. After a while I had the distinct impression that the robbers were back and I ended up blocking the top entrances with some wadded up paper towel. Because that entrance leads straight to the candy! <br />
You can also see some clever stacks of that kind of plastic board that lawn signs are made of. A friend gave them to me to slide under my screen bottom boards. I like that solution, didn't require picking up those heavy deep supers to close up the bottom, plus they seem pretty good for insulation!<br />
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So hopefully, this is it for bee season in my own yard. Just like last year, I don't feel particularly confident, but only time and the kind of winter we will have will tell.... Luckily I'm the praying type. <br />
<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-14493454759230650542014-10-31T08:30:00.001-04:002014-10-31T08:58:17.433-04:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-39474712307198265222014-10-30T08:53:00.000-04:002014-10-30T14:40:27.186-04:00Two little craftiesWe have come a long way since moving into our 'housie' in the suburbs. When we first moved here, the lot looked like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIIc1jh0bQuvIYtsjAMjVnxtdLnhqzogM8onwEIYp5ImQdRSV3WbX9yf1FqQxCZ7sRaxoc9zgQI6BJHFuWyfow-tZxDQ5hTfRcXwxZ9YmS6HRlZwjhxD_1wIg73mEAYwN3Q4f12XeipI/s1600/1_p1010006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIIc1jh0bQuvIYtsjAMjVnxtdLnhqzogM8onwEIYp5ImQdRSV3WbX9yf1FqQxCZ7sRaxoc9zgQI6BJHFuWyfow-tZxDQ5hTfRcXwxZ9YmS6HRlZwjhxD_1wIg73mEAYwN3Q4f12XeipI/s1600/1_p1010006.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MEZWDpzHvrs-kx2D1bauoQDsPiWZ4wD_stoKB6EStqBOfg-iDKuaBjByn3tFCt6uo8NMEj-vhmhZAa0otIC53aNTiFxKXJrffTMPI3L38uiexwGfhU0m7vQakE5YFVOh1MUacxh4og0/s1600/p1010075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MEZWDpzHvrs-kx2D1bauoQDsPiWZ4wD_stoKB6EStqBOfg-iDKuaBjByn3tFCt6uo8NMEj-vhmhZAa0otIC53aNTiFxKXJrffTMPI3L38uiexwGfhU0m7vQakE5YFVOh1MUacxh4og0/s1600/p1010075.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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and we had a lot of what we simply called The Vine. The Vine was the villain in our landscaping efforts, always working against us, and sprouting seven new sprigs any time we ripped out one. We were very united in our hatred of The Vine. </div>
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Now, 10+ years into this journey, I had to stop on the side of the road to clip a few branches of what we have since learned is called 'bittersweet'. Not sure about the sweet aspect. Even in winding this wreath, the juice of the fruits stung my hands. Wear gloves if you can stand them (I never can, except in beekeeping). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t5Uzp9Cei6MN46mbHmskheWvnX1siRf6bx-QZzZwwLVBJF5Jv2oTVnOMinNQRuaYXY4UuCuU8lD9_cTcVyiOtDxLEL9rFqgiNA3lHoU3EhSE-AomrlNC4WQCIH2xqSxCkkkV3XFtoco/s1600/20141030_083740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t5Uzp9Cei6MN46mbHmskheWvnX1siRf6bx-QZzZwwLVBJF5Jv2oTVnOMinNQRuaYXY4UuCuU8lD9_cTcVyiOtDxLEL9rFqgiNA3lHoU3EhSE-AomrlNC4WQCIH2xqSxCkkkV3XFtoco/s1600/20141030_083740.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_Kw9dNhgszQUJ43sqWypEMDPfNRisDkpv1AKWrOVTe6d_rnfEu90rfTzSgupWBSrVFsl3pZl1U6PXXIWHzZw5J7G_SA4ibTmypsum52CaVrwxn-oax-6MHXAFlQ23uOL5fem2i49G6E/s1600/20141030_083750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_Kw9dNhgszQUJ43sqWypEMDPfNRisDkpv1AKWrOVTe6d_rnfEu90rfTzSgupWBSrVFsl3pZl1U6PXXIWHzZw5J7G_SA4ibTmypsum52CaVrwxn-oax-6MHXAFlQ23uOL5fem2i49G6E/s1600/20141030_083750.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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The other offender does have a redeeming quality more obvious to the eye: Rose multiflora. The weed of roses, an invasive species of dubious ecological value. Grows everywhere and is almost as hard to tame as bittersweet, plus it has thorns! Its redeeming qualities include flowers, which can be made into delicious <a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2013/06/wild-rose-petal-jam.html">rose petal jelly</a>, and cute little red rosehips in fall. Which I made into a wreath for the kitchen entrance: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh50gL7qusBL7ebokV5ReWJ1zObpszSGbdNBjWaIW-FEflorSHfLx-qgzSsPTAntf0Dz04PASkIWtCJGp1g8LWTtHQsdrceAjkZ4EWZhGeCa_180_xm3FeHxbVTR7K8xFqi3tfllhzGuw/s1600/20141030_084734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh50gL7qusBL7ebokV5ReWJ1zObpszSGbdNBjWaIW-FEflorSHfLx-qgzSsPTAntf0Dz04PASkIWtCJGp1g8LWTtHQsdrceAjkZ4EWZhGeCa_180_xm3FeHxbVTR7K8xFqi3tfllhzGuw/s1600/20141030_084734.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">please ignore the filthy window and screen, I'm more crafty than cleansy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfWncmqa4CnjlERXHJAl9rUSUWO9UEjT7k4y0sDZ-m6vjwI9-0gBo_vet4TDAei-PdP3F5ChhpcxkptfdMpYCnRLrgXAcoZCK-o3VXMRUfXS_-i2vn13n0I62mW7zQiSZNC_pUEDB6aU/s1600/20141030_084702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfWncmqa4CnjlERXHJAl9rUSUWO9UEjT7k4y0sDZ-m6vjwI9-0gBo_vet4TDAei-PdP3F5ChhpcxkptfdMpYCnRLrgXAcoZCK-o3VXMRUfXS_-i2vn13n0I62mW7zQiSZNC_pUEDB6aU/s1600/20141030_084702.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the back through the screen</td></tr>
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How's that for making those invasives work for me, huh? Haven't I shown them who's boss?</div>
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-91707133831250408922014-10-28T11:37:00.000-04:002014-10-28T11:37:23.224-04:00Oh hi, remember me?It's been a bit of a hiatus, but not for any dramatic reasons. I just decided that this year should be all about spending time with the kids, and blogging can quickly become another time suck in the day.... but I missed it! This post is just a pictorial catch-me-up on the state of the homestead. Maybe later I'll write a bit more detailed about what went well and what didn't with the chicks, the bees, the gardens this year.<br />
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So here we go for now:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar5uZ7tbvAk_Bom2lIukMdP_Ba8eyxSTuptZkN77CMQo-u5vdmjxXWNP51wrdPmcnUfNU-PbkVbYoc-kArwd4vncYgydK7qWuyuXSKJmWWJQE3XkZW5bPY9D_cFeOfEdPADG5aqqNG4A/s1600/20141028_110253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhar5uZ7tbvAk_Bom2lIukMdP_Ba8eyxSTuptZkN77CMQo-u5vdmjxXWNP51wrdPmcnUfNU-PbkVbYoc-kArwd4vncYgydK7qWuyuXSKJmWWJQE3XkZW5bPY9D_cFeOfEdPADG5aqqNG4A/s1600/20141028_110253.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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In a microburst of a 4th of July-weekend storm, we lost half a tree, and had to take down three more. After renting a log splitter with<a href="http://blog.bolandbol.com/"> friends f</a>or a day, this is where we are. Warm and toasty as soon as those logs have seasoned a bit more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc08yDdJKwf28poPdJa8-kJCed3iswnl0eojN8thxSo4LuzG6wkYNDDlXLhKZkCGzUeE29tu1kiEGvnmTRMSmhYQxUzPmAJF882kOgQls5N845Uh4MBRCzgScMt7RfvOJqCxAIBpitBU/s1600/20141028_110325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc08yDdJKwf28poPdJa8-kJCed3iswnl0eojN8thxSo4LuzG6wkYNDDlXLhKZkCGzUeE29tu1kiEGvnmTRMSmhYQxUzPmAJF882kOgQls5N845Uh4MBRCzgScMt7RfvOJqCxAIBpitBU/s1600/20141028_110325.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The tomato tunnel in the new front garden, still doing its thing! Matt's Wild Cherry Tomatoes, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: Sweet. Blight resistant. Grow like crazy. Fun for the kids.<br />
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The scarlett runner beans were a late season winner. In the spring our resident robin ate all the red flowers. Seriously? But once the bean bushes had more foliage, they cranked out beautiful beans all summer and fall long. My favorite 'magic' trick is to ask a visiting little girl her favorite colors, to which she invariably answers 'purple and pink'. Then I open one of the mature bean pods to show her the beautiful speckled purple and pink beans :-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40A0h8rjIFlq1OwoElMC9EytPoJGe_YAF2pZqNpdAVuTTJK_nQdgL22McUt7L1rN13UndqnB7B7mTe-op32jMstcQOfcuTieZDOaoANUqnvufv_bW8a57sm3E1YZGhwHlNy25Kwcig_g/s1600/20141028_110448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40A0h8rjIFlq1OwoElMC9EytPoJGe_YAF2pZqNpdAVuTTJK_nQdgL22McUt7L1rN13UndqnB7B7mTe-op32jMstcQOfcuTieZDOaoANUqnvufv_bW8a57sm3E1YZGhwHlNy25Kwcig_g/s1600/20141028_110448.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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My oldest harvested some amaranth yesterday and is in the process of processing it, <a href="http://thisonegoodlife.blogspot.com/2013/10/process-engineering-101.html">as we did</a> last year. Though it did not grow as plentiful or tall this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwj1GktgDnX01qolXbGfzpcuPPHYREHV_njNUp13DPSpvfDM-KDjEWAvl5yVoMzuJM2WbvH6yp0dPjYwFIe2HG5gjFczqC_Yfag8h9Dt6YSbguhkDee-g8fzLwKj-zf6txma1kivlZr0/s1600/20141028_110727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwj1GktgDnX01qolXbGfzpcuPPHYREHV_njNUp13DPSpvfDM-KDjEWAvl5yVoMzuJM2WbvH6yp0dPjYwFIe2HG5gjFczqC_Yfag8h9Dt6YSbguhkDee-g8fzLwKj-zf6txma1kivlZr0/s1600/20141028_110727.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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The bees - I had made a split, and maintaining three hives through summer. I did not pull honey, will write more about what I think the reason is in a dedicated post sometime. Sadly, the hive to the right superseded/swarmed/absconded/got robbed to death in late September. But thanks to the split, I still have 2 viable hives ready to be insulated for winter soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsm-sSYoJjqm32GPUabo_-sjpH6SgpXOc6ERjWfvMsFzqXmfN0NcBzbwaBLdwSdeaXgPRHBu3NF9z-FI2zmjC5qDhmqczTIOvEAPaIzouzdRw4G_fT-qgKOuDpwrQCKLCfJh9zjmcAHA/s1600/20141028_110748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsm-sSYoJjqm32GPUabo_-sjpH6SgpXOc6ERjWfvMsFzqXmfN0NcBzbwaBLdwSdeaXgPRHBu3NF9z-FI2zmjC5qDhmqczTIOvEAPaIzouzdRw4G_fT-qgKOuDpwrQCKLCfJh9zjmcAHA/s1600/20141028_110748.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The back gardens are mostly bare, save some late carrots, and garlic was planted and is sleeping below the surface.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zshtmx_HwPkDTscoXc7L8pC7HRiAoyoQUpN-zH-0MhJ_gWf7JVt3ImuyMpYdWeM82rJNNuQTPmC6UQpvxCXg-b_5zaBIgdj4UDeNzoua6iKy56fxZ9aIP4PBKhj7Aai9ZXf8lNClrao/s1600/20141028_110835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zshtmx_HwPkDTscoXc7L8pC7HRiAoyoQUpN-zH-0MhJ_gWf7JVt3ImuyMpYdWeM82rJNNuQTPmC6UQpvxCXg-b_5zaBIgdj4UDeNzoua6iKy56fxZ9aIP4PBKhj7Aai9ZXf8lNClrao/s1600/20141028_110835.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The hen house is a busy place right now. This was a stellar chick year for us, not a single loss, and beautiful layers just about cranking up production. Unlike in 2013, I love chicken keeping this year. I had to install an extra egg box and extra roost space, but even with 11 hens in a place designed for 8, we have had no bickering or pecking. A lovely bunch of ladies we have.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKjGggXNth_vBKmaVIAa7_rBuqF1XTZnggP-c7bxkY5vtWUHA6q9IS6HWh51RnFhHGZtpyIF05gDE1IZ3ks7AqklkcDhuoKTkGx3Pv8DcJVsh1kvM4Yjog0vdpVsbvOzR_iIZX8dAHrE/s1600/20141028_110902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKjGggXNth_vBKmaVIAa7_rBuqF1XTZnggP-c7bxkY5vtWUHA6q9IS6HWh51RnFhHGZtpyIF05gDE1IZ3ks7AqklkcDhuoKTkGx3Pv8DcJVsh1kvM4Yjog0vdpVsbvOzR_iIZX8dAHrE/s1600/20141028_110902.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMSQOZdHrBnSj0gvFxdMLacJBhc0LbOs5b38QMkAyfW-u55BoDtTHh1jrsTQ-TE1b5B60NE0GQU7T_liJTTLti93Phu-L4KucgzTMzQCoI64pN6X15GMIXnO7RXHY_KambTfU9SMnMzI/s1600/20141028_111000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMSQOZdHrBnSj0gvFxdMLacJBhc0LbOs5b38QMkAyfW-u55BoDtTHh1jrsTQ-TE1b5B60NE0GQU7T_liJTTLti93Phu-L4KucgzTMzQCoI64pN6X15GMIXnO7RXHY_KambTfU9SMnMzI/s1600/20141028_111000.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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First, and last, in the season is always the herb garden. Keeps my cooking fresh even as the dreaded root vegetable season starts....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaaVmJxGtOCP2OUG0hTC4PFu2i7vb5r0G6BjR95XizOwhPe5OJEYmN3CRX2htNJ3TadpAZpC4daRn1jO9BsSwI4Ct4vdkfes7xT112YCQgJ6ROfBaGFejz7BQ3FaalBLCmkVdoOe3Y6I/s1600/20141028_111108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaaVmJxGtOCP2OUG0hTC4PFu2i7vb5r0G6BjR95XizOwhPe5OJEYmN3CRX2htNJ3TadpAZpC4daRn1jO9BsSwI4Ct4vdkfes7xT112YCQgJ6ROfBaGFejz7BQ3FaalBLCmkVdoOe3Y6I/s1600/20141028_111108.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks for catching up with me a little bit today, it's nice to be back in this space.<br />
<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-21904518584342139762014-07-01T07:00:00.000-04:002014-07-01T11:55:51.820-04:00Father's day projectVery simple triptych for father's day, on purchased pre-mounted canvas squares. The 5x5in size is becoming too small for this family! How bittersweet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_YSW-BEBg4muOCDAPPVoj7evEKtl_n7cVtldGYYooiK_E2oJiI1jbbCqvPu-DnhzK67B3sX2XIrQDoZzUvRws8IrMS8L5UpRsd3nQzsr4xmLrxgCVUGHcjNTmN5mgI00bSrByzvbtgc/s1600/IMG_20140630_154514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_YSW-BEBg4muOCDAPPVoj7evEKtl_n7cVtldGYYooiK_E2oJiI1jbbCqvPu-DnhzK67B3sX2XIrQDoZzUvRws8IrMS8L5UpRsd3nQzsr4xmLrxgCVUGHcjNTmN5mgI00bSrByzvbtgc/s1600/IMG_20140630_154514.jpg" height="145" width="400" /></a></div>
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The background as well as the hand print are done in acrylic paint, should last very well. I put he kids' names and date on with sharpie after all had dried. It was well received and if I make another 2 sets in the coming years, I figure a 3x3 arrangement could look really neat!<br />
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<a href="http://www.creadienstag.de/2014/07/130.html"><img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkLC7-5UUCSV-u2i-4CD47nH7y6NqhvMrxTMhctvUeyUn0sIn3iw4QGhpDaHqBBIYmCd4zSoJLt1ORiSJI7ozaCdV1QKyPh-lgWsR3Cu6poDOCyGkisiSGGO6JD49AWnUDaqM06QbPKor/s200/creadienstag.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-77416971467448017172014-06-30T15:41:00.001-04:002014-06-30T15:47:41.344-04:00Pictorial Update<div style="text-align: center;">
This season is busy but not. I'm feeling more inclined to be outside, work in the garden or be spontaneous with the littles than to sit at the computer and tell you (all three of you) about my oh so exciting suburban little life.... and isn't that just how it should be in summer? </div>
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Just to let you know all is well, a few updates in images. </div>
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The babies have grown up. We gave away three older laying hens, and our cockerel (young rooster) to a nice person who is trying to hatch eggs and needed more hens ... it was a blessing to have found a place where Cuckoo could even attempt to live a life as a real rooster. We wish him well! May he wake other people every morning at 4:45 :-) </div>
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The pullets are 11 weeks old now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0c7HZaNm1lMayWX3WYtoc82y6cFWwBrAlXFf5ga2rNH3NCL79GcPAWBJSRaiCRyDFDoR-BKgaiuc4BKZAk9ijfM7SXqBpqfJf74q9_aq-SV9HQuekI4tJdmHCibWC6eZiQ_PJeWv2js/s1600/20140630_151834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0c7HZaNm1lMayWX3WYtoc82y6cFWwBrAlXFf5ga2rNH3NCL79GcPAWBJSRaiCRyDFDoR-BKgaiuc4BKZAk9ijfM7SXqBpqfJf74q9_aq-SV9HQuekI4tJdmHCibWC6eZiQ_PJeWv2js/s1600/20140630_151834.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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First tomatoes (Sungold) and cucumbers (no idea what kind): </div>
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The beautiful scarlett runner beans and some eggplant flowers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhwwFTMsRw43Ap9rJfW3qhFncQq-w4ad55eCZKt5kZfs7dGZJsSOWlwdAhmqE6SM2w9PckcFHzfiUMv0sRc06k69cWO8YBcMxgbOJGMxQnh9FYk6IqTKmZy17EBBHUTeBQoyt5vkQjPY/s1600/20140630_152152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhwwFTMsRw43Ap9rJfW3qhFncQq-w4ad55eCZKt5kZfs7dGZJsSOWlwdAhmqE6SM2w9PckcFHzfiUMv0sRc06k69cWO8YBcMxgbOJGMxQnh9FYk6IqTKmZy17EBBHUTeBQoyt5vkQjPY/s1600/20140630_152152.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-gimk-HojpAbAHPiAP6AF_2VlRVfNVsc6WoXyy6KHDQAaqimbkAc24bN1VjeiiR0pdYmw_6ClV_9Y18uRPkDCcv6b7N15LNea1MWnb_2HtjvSjXOXlf7lRMObYfcXMIismSHFeI53Kw/s1600/20140630_152212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-gimk-HojpAbAHPiAP6AF_2VlRVfNVsc6WoXyy6KHDQAaqimbkAc24bN1VjeiiR0pdYmw_6ClV_9Y18uRPkDCcv6b7N15LNea1MWnb_2HtjvSjXOXlf7lRMObYfcXMIismSHFeI53Kw/s1600/20140630_152212.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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Just another gratuitous flower picture: My favorite sunset colored rose.</div>
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The promises of raspberries and even a handful of blackberries on a vine that seems to be recovering from The Evil Mildew (not pictured).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl4hDJb5e-hlRudefr6P1ChgzqmtbnHbXUAXotCyqqxlde0x9ZDQWEyKUfJ299EhDrGx_XE5uxIn8hNNacQeVg2KCmqC-PZyNvd0IheWXO4nx1YRgODuqiDu7sjSLSc5wI8o9IOWEueU/s1600/20140630_152006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl4hDJb5e-hlRudefr6P1ChgzqmtbnHbXUAXotCyqqxlde0x9ZDQWEyKUfJ299EhDrGx_XE5uxIn8hNNacQeVg2KCmqC-PZyNvd0IheWXO4nx1YRgODuqiDu7sjSLSc5wI8o9IOWEueU/s1600/20140630_152006.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The red currents that are left are starting to look mighty promising. Sadly have not harvested a single red strawberry (except a lot of wild ones....). </div>
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We have harvested a bunch of lettuce, garlic scapes, kale, snap peas and herbs thus far. </div>
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And we close with yesterday's ghostly, ghastly visitor: An Eyed Click Beetle!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD0o97LdaGxMP1J1ldIQDNklr7hZqmnWz32rAA6CFAyNzU8ZopFwbLMnZT3N6ExB8QuJ9d2s1ovag8alwtHmkVX_SOqn280Da5mvmQEqWi4qsc2IKaDXcmMqB5_hKwu_P-u1cEvXBSuY/s1600/IMG_20140630_152858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD0o97LdaGxMP1J1ldIQDNklr7hZqmnWz32rAA6CFAyNzU8ZopFwbLMnZT3N6ExB8QuJ9d2s1ovag8alwtHmkVX_SOqn280Da5mvmQEqWi4qsc2IKaDXcmMqB5_hKwu_P-u1cEvXBSuY/s1600/IMG_20140630_152858.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-26799380318848696772014-06-20T10:34:00.004-04:002014-06-20T10:34:54.864-04:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">................</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple,
special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and
remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your
'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">.......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcIvkO3aO8wftwjiKsl5PXn78zd16DKEAxD_GynYd2YA5DQpuMYOuPgFg1bQYSlHDs_tgzsm0w376JVPnQf9UDJwUXVER7fx2jnK-a52MKphpy5O1GwXMMK1BI_qKPQBTo-3wW9fHrek/s1600/20140616_175901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivcIvkO3aO8wftwjiKsl5PXn78zd16DKEAxD_GynYd2YA5DQpuMYOuPgFg1bQYSlHDs_tgzsm0w376JVPnQf9UDJwUXVER7fx2jnK-a52MKphpy5O1GwXMMK1BI_qKPQBTo-3wW9fHrek/s1600/20140616_175901.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-597957265906006320.post-55439220564516633852014-06-13T07:00:00.000-04:002014-06-13T09:12:24.969-04:00{this moment}<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">................</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">{this moment}</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Friday <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">SouleMama</a> ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">.......</span><br />
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Kathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09881199158591652794noreply@blogger.com3