Ready, Set, Mix.
Posted on | January 25, 2013 | 3 Comments
There is something special about preparing the farm for the approach of a winter storm. Well, OK, here we actually call it a “wintry mix.” To differentiate it from those of you that have real winter storms. We may not get 21 inches of snow or wind chill causing negative temperatures (84 degrees below zero, New Hampshire? Really? Skiing seems like so much, um,..fun?), but we do occasionally get a snow, ice, and sleet “event.” Which means the weather forecasters want to cover their butts by declaring that it is going to be cold and any type of precipitation is possible. A lot of people sneer at this type of forecasting, but I think it is completely appropriate.
There have been plenty of Saturday mornings when I would have greatly appreciated a well-dressed person poking her head into my darkened bedroom to say, “Warning! One of the dogs got into the trash and then barfed on the kitchen floor, the kids spilled the milk while fighting over the last of the Cocoa Crispies, someone wrote in permanent marker on the leather couch, and that broiler pan you decided not to wash after cooking salmon last night has left the entire house smelling like fish. I don’t know exactly what the rest of the day holds, but it’s going to be bad. Very bad. Nix the idea of a delightful family hike, completing a 1,000 piece puzzle together, and reading quietly in the windowseat and plan on a day of cleaning, screaming, and spankings.” Because sometimes it’s just good to get the jist of what’s ahead. So you can be ready. And sleep in for another hour before getting up to face it.
In any case, I’ll take whatever warning I can get. So with cold precipitation and night time temperatures in the 20’s headed our way, me and Little went down to cover the garden. We also gathered lettuce, radish, green onions, chard, and spinach in case the frost cover wasn’t enough protection and temps were colder than forecasted. We especially checked over the broccoli and gathered whatever heads were ready. We’ve been waiting for the broccoli to come in and I’d hate not to get a single taste of fresh broccoli if we lose the plants.
Chicken Run.
Posted on | January 24, 2013 | 4 Comments
As everyone knows, a new year calls for a new plan. Last year’s plan was to make the guineas pay for farm expenses around here. After all, back in 2011 the guineas were so ridiculously prolific, without any assistance from us, that we had to give some of them away to keep the squawking down to a level that would not damage our ear drums. Also to keep the neighbors from sneaking up to the house and assassinating us in our sleep. Although they may have actually attempted this until the cacophony of guinea alarm calls when they came up the drive sent them scurrying home, bleeding from their ears. Either way, we were up to our wattles in guineas and keets that year.
Too bad in 2012, the year of the Guinea Profitability Plan, there were 8 guinea eggs. Which we incubated. So we had 8 new guineas. And that was all. I’d explain how the plan went wrong but it’s a boring litany of woes. Suffice to say that guineas prefer spontaneous population explosions, not planned ones. They’re very locust-y that way.
But as I always say, “Onward and upward!” When I’m not saying, “Who wants to go to the store for chocolate?” Both sayings which mean we refuse to give up on the theory of profitability and will try, try, and try again until we succeed. Or at least console ourselves with Snickers when we fail. ‘Cause we’re resilient like that. Read more
Invasion.
Posted on | January 17, 2013 | 4 Comments
Our usual white-breasted nuthatch was here today, climbing up and down the trees.
Plus, the brown headed nuthatch pair was back today.
And they brought a friend, another bird we’ve never seen here before—a red-breasted nuthatch. From this angle you can see his red tummy.
From this angle, you can see his 2 black stripes—one over his head and one over his eye.
In case you can’t really see anything in my photos, here’s some better ones from real photographers:
White-breasted nuthatch.
Brown-headed nuthatch.
Red-breasted nuthatch.
The weather forecasters are calling for sleet and snow tonight. Clearly, this is some kind of cover for a nuthatch invasion. Hide your sunflower seeds and your peanut butter, people. Things might get ugly. I’m just sayin.’
Special Guest Stars.
Posted on | January 14, 2013 | 3 Comments
For the past couple weeks, we had some special guest stars at Woodland Pond. My friend was out of town and her goats, Tulip and Vanilla, stayed at our place.
Lived In.
Posted on | January 4, 2013 | 12 Comments
In the process of taking down the Christmas tree and attempting to sweep and vacuum pine needles from every conceivable area in the dining room (In the curtains? Really, how did they get in the folds of the curtains?), I made an alarming discovery. The wood floor in the dining room had finally been compromised. I was shocked. After all, compared to the rest of the flooring in the house, the dining room was practically pristine.
The kitchen and family room wood floors have looked like this for years:
My New Year Is Better Than Your New Year.
Posted on | January 1, 2013 | 19 Comments
I haven’t checked my horoscope for 2013. But I’m guessing that I’m in for a good year. Because last night The Other Half and I celebrated our anniversary. We were celebrating a day early, since we were actually married on New Year’s Day. Which was poor planning on our part. Note to all marriage planners out there—-anyone who gets married on New Year’s Day should be prepared to always celebrate it at home. Because restaurants aren’t open on New Year’s Day. At least not the ones where you’d want to celebrate an important date.
So The Other Half and I headed out on New Year’s Eve for dinner. At 6:00pm. We drank sweet tea and Diet Coke. We used a gift card to pay. Afterwards we went to Target. And then we went back to my parents’ house to pick up the kids. At 8:30pm.
Yep. That’s the way 14 years rolls, people. Read more
Under The Wire.
Posted on | December 24, 2012 | 3 Comments
Just in case you haven’t heard, all Santa’s helpers at Woodland Pond Farm wish you a Merry Christmas!
Which means even if the card didn’t make it to you through the mail yet,
thanks to social media we did get our holiday greetings out before Christmas.
Boo-ya!
All is Calm. All is Bright.
Posted on | December 22, 2012 | 5 Comments
I realize a lot of you are scrambling around in the stores and malls right now. Sounds like lots of fun. I, however, have been a bit pinned down. 2 of the kids were already out of school. 1 stayed home sick for several days. And 1 lost a bracket off his braces and then missed the bus on the last day of school. Which seemed like a bad omen on the day the world was going to end so I kept him home just in case things got worse. So the week days were a loss. And, of course, the boys’ Saturday basketball games started at 10am and were scheduled 3 hours apart. Which was too too early to do anything ahead of time, too long to hang out in town inbetween games, and finished just in time to go home for milking and dinner. So, no shopping for me.
Dang. ‘Cause you people really look like you’re having fun.
Salvage Operation.
Posted on | December 19, 2012 | 9 Comments
Several years ago I made an awesome and easy wreath to put around a candle as a table centerpiece.
Every year in January I took the wreath off the table and hung it up in the shed for the following Christmas.
Too bad that sometime over the past year, the mice discovered my wreath. And because they are stupid, they thought the little red berries were real. I know you think that is harsh and judgmental. But I stand by it. If the mice had chewed 1 or 2 berries, discussed the terrible taste amongst themselves, and then decided the berries were fake, I could handle that. But no. They chewed the berries on an entire 1/2 of the wreath before realizing their mistake. WTH? Read more
Drama Queen.
Posted on | December 19, 2012 | 2 Comments
I like most of my house plants. They are quiet, green, and help purify the air. Which is good. Because sometimes I go a little crazy with the bleach. And that citrus cilantro home fragrance from Pier 1. In any case, my house plants do their job and ask for little in return. The Fittonia is my very favorite.
She has brilliant stripes, is bushy and full, and sends up cute white flower spikes when she’s happy.
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