Bees!

I went to BetterBee Friday afternoon and picked up our bees. (They suggested I should put them in the truck cab to drive them home; I declined.) They came in a screened box.  And we had the hive ready - one super and parts; all painted for durability and cooling.  (No paint on the surfaces the bees will contact.)

Here's a picture of the frames before bees (we'll get more pictures like this as the season goes on):

The smoker won't work with new bees; so you have to spray down the bees, all the frames, and the box with sugar water.

You pry the cover off the box of bees and remove the queen - she is in a little box with several drones attending her.

Then you shake the box of bees hard to get them all to the bottom, invert the box over the hive, and shake hard again to allow the bulk of the bees to fall into the hive. (The idiocy of shaking a box of bee just inches from oneself was not lost on me - but it worked.)

Once most of the bees are in, you replace the frames, and hang the queen box between two frames.  (Ours fell in, and I had to retrieve it, but it worked the second time.)

Put everything back together, and marvel at how easy it was, how calm the bees seem, and how quickly they seem to settle right down to business.

And of course, say "thank you" to the photographer:

Garden like you can't go to the store

It's not my phrase; I read it on one of the fantastic blogs I read, but it has been bouncing around in my head all week.

Really.  What if you couldn't go to the store?  The plants and animals around you take on a whole new meaning.  Work in the garden takes on a new intensity; projects like the bees seem even more important.  

I've wanted to try eating just from my own hand for several years now; my last attempt was sidetracked by medical issues.  But I am going to try it again this summer and see how it goes.  How long before I have my first choc-o-holic freak out and need to mainline a brownie?  How long before my MSG levels drop dangerously low and I have to snort an eggroll or frozen veggie nugget?  Can Diet Pepsi withdrawal give you the shakes?  Hmm...we shall see.

Victory Garden logo from Victory Garden Supplement specially written for The New Garden Encyclopedia, 1943

It gives the message of this old logo even more impact - no?  I know many of us raise food - but what are you doing differently THIS year?  I'd be interested to hear...

Sisterhood

When I started blogging, I never dreamed that I might one day use the word "sisterhood" to title a post, but it has been one of the most unexpected and joyful parts of this cyberworld experience.

A while back, I was tapped for a blog award by a cyber twin of mine - Michelle.  She was recognizing the amazing similarities and fun parallels of our two lives, and I have been thinking about the significance of her award for some time now.

It is so easy to get caught up in your own little world and believe that your circumstances are uniquely your own, and nobody else could possible share your worries, your dreams, your ideas, or your thoughts.  Michelle rocked me out of that bubble in a most delightful way, and I have thoroughly enjoyed finding out how similar our personalities and lives can be, while still being very different - she on the West Coast, I on the East. I think she has a faith much deeper than mine, so where I might be labeled the skeptic, she is the believer.  But from this relationship, I am constantly learning.  And it is that aspect of it that I think I like the best.

Blogging has taught me endless skills, viewpoints, factoids, perspectives and launched a thousand ideas.  It has also deepened and fortified relationships that I might otherwise have let go.  Last week, Karin, had a blog contest and I actually won! (That was VERY surprising to me, as I never win anything...)  But more importantly, she is a wonderful person that I might otherwise have lost the opportunity to know.  I met her through her yarn shop, but my life has changed so much in the last two years that even if it were still open today, I would almost surely never be able to visit - as Albany fades further and further from my sphere of travel.  She is very talented, and wonderfully passionate about all kind of important things (which of course, includes knitting) but she is not a farmer.  And doesn't need to be - but our interests still mesh.

( I won this - how cool is that?  BTW - the red yarn is the exact color I have been searching for to match a gifted piece of jewelry, it must be fate...)

And even in my ever-shrinking circle of contacts these day, I have found sisterhood in the neighborhood.  Two women whom I met through the Farmer's Market have become welcome "partners in crime" and they seem to be able to inspire me or enable almost all of my addictions.  Can you believe they dragged me off to a poultry swap and made me walk away with yet another chick? 

 

The telltale eye ring, green-grey feet, and patterned feathers gave this little peeper away as an Ameracauna.  The moth-eaten, scraggly look gave it away as a face only a mother could love.  In stepped Madison, lover of all things chicken, and viola!  it lives with us.  How could I say "no" when green eggs are one of our best sellers?

Yeah...it was purely a business decision.

Notes

For those of you that can access NPR, there was an interesting piece on the Hear & Now program with Robin Young.  Her April 22nd show contained a piece on the

Farm Census and its trends and potential impact and an interview with a mid-size farmer in Vermont.  It was very interesting to hear about the growth in small and woman-run farms...you can listen to the show if you go to the website...

On letter writing...I received my third form letter response from White House.  The first was a generic postcard from the fellow in charge of White House correspondence.  (yawn)  The second was another generic postcard, this one signed by a computer with the ability to forge the presidential signature.   And finally a form letter, referencing one of the many topics I have written about, again signed by some automated something or other.  (At least they took the time to read my letter and make the proper choice of form letter to send back...)

Of course, it would be nice if they would get my address right, and send my mail to Petersburgh (with an "h").  I've written and told them of the error...but I don't really expect a change...

Commercial Break

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you several important announcements.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival - May 2 & 3  Howard County Fairgrounds  West Freindship, MD.  Dye-namics Yarn will be on sale at the G&W Sharpening booth in Barn 3.  Please stop by and see what Stacey and her family have to offer, and tell her you said "hello"...

Bennington Mayfest - May 23  Downtown Bennington, VT.  Dye-namics Yarn will have a booth in the all-day craft and culture event in Bennington.  I don't know our exact location yet, but just look for an olive green tent and two crazy ladies with WAY too much sock yarn for sale...

And for anyone keeping track, the first Sock Madness Knit off is down to the Elite 8, awaiting Pattern #3...

And this just in....

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival - October 3 & 4  Tunbridge Fairgrounds  Tunbridge, VT. I literally just found out...booth location to follow (when they let us know).  And by then, we may have more to offer than just sock yarns...although there's nothing wrong with just sock yarns.  

What the...?

Sometimes all you can do is shake your head.
Despite ample nesting boxes, I have hens who insist on packing themselves into this cramped cage used for chick transport that is about 10 inches each side. (How can that be comfortable?)

And after sitting for the better part of an hour yesterday, one of our Ameracaunas produced this:

(Is that like a chicken fart?)

I saw Hattie, my oldest ewe, making funny noises and motions with her mouth as if she were sucking on a sour ball candy, so I went over and held out my hand and opened her mouth.  This fell out:

(Was it hers to start with, or did she pick it up out of the grain feeder?  And if there were tooth fairies for sheep, would this be one dollar, or more?)

Happy Easter!

The Best Thing Ever

Twelve years ago today, at 8:19 in the morning, I was blessed.

She knew at 2 she was going to be a farmer.  Or, maybe she was telling ME something...

At last...a break in the action

Maple season is finally over.  We look forward to it's arrival every year, and are always happy to see it go, simply because there is so much else to do!  And it seems I cannot blog AND do maple syrup.  Either I am away at the trees gathering, chopping wood, or cooking, or when I am inside finishing I must NOT get distracted by the computer or we will have maple goo all over the stove.  And I haven't found a profitable use for maple goo...

My constant companions are never far away; following me everywhere, but also contented to catch a nap in the back mud hall while I have a snack or hit the loo.  Normally, I would NEVER show you the nasty mud hall, but how else to share the view out my back door? - Max is in his bed, and Candy (who we have now figured out is a boy - sorry, Candy for a year of calling you "girl"...) with head tucked under for a quick wink.

And there's been a little bit of time for some charity knitting by the maple fire, as well as tucking in several flats of onions, mesclun, herbs, broccoli and lettuce.

EVERYBODY is laying, even the turkeys!  The Bourbon Reds have mastered the art of walking around the pen without stepping on the eggs, so we are incubating a pair of those, and have sold some.

And we have three new additions to the flock:

Our Silkie just died, and I got the opportunity to replace her. And I thought one chick amongst all those hens might get picked on, so better to have a companion, and besides, how could I choose between the two colors, and well, what if I had somehow chosen two roosters?  Just to better the odds, I had better get a third, that way we will at least have a hen to breed if we chose poorly and got two roosters, and, well, you understand...

Psst..I write letters...

Something you should know.  I come from a family line of letter writers. (Not the friendly, correspondence between pen pals.)  I mean the ones to politicians and "responsible" folks who are supposed to get things done.

I never planned on taking up the pen.  In fact, I kind of poo-poo'ed the idea.  Until I became a farmer.  That's when I realized I needed to speak up.

But I go to bed wondering - who is listening?

Apparently, not the President.  Yeah, I've been writing to Barack.  Every day.  And I really shouldn't be on a first name basis, because, actually, he has never written back.

Not that I actually expected a response.  I'm not THAT loopy.  But some sort of response just to show me someone is actually opening the mail in Washington and not using it to fuel the White House furnace - would be nice.

I've sent somewhere in the neighborhood of 5o letters.  You'd think that many letters would at least earn me a computer-generated response.  A polite, milk toast form letter telling me about all the wonderful things Barack is doing for our country.

But he's not even listening.

Am I stopping?  Nope.  

It's not called "harderthanitlooks" for nothing.  But if you wanted to join in...why, who am I to stop you?  I'm thinking of doubling my efforts...

We need a measurement!!

Well, if you thought NAIS was a bad idea...wait till you hear this one...

As usual, the government has the right idea, but the WRONG implementation.  No one would argue the importance of food safety.  But in this legislation is written the language to put all Farmer's Markets under monthly inspection and mountains of  paperwork, and put ALL small farms that sell anything food or animal under the random and constant scrutiny of the Federal Government.  Talk about record keeping....!

We have to fight ignorance with facts.  The fact that small, organic farmers are helping preserve and secure the food system.  The fact that small, organic farms support both the community and the farmers themselves.   The fact that hobby farms support diversity of species, heirloom and heritage varieties, and traditional methods.  The fact that family farms would never poison the food system - the same food system they eat from.  The fact that small farms are healthy and sustainable agriculture.

But we also need another "fact" - we need a measurement.  A definition.  You can't seek relief from the government and its regulation unless you can tell them exactly what you need.  How do we define "small/ (organic) family/ hobby/homestead  farm"?

What definition do we use?  Is it acres planted?  Is it the amount of food produced?  Is it the number of animals raised?  Slaughtered?  Sold?

I've talked to folks who stay below the organic certification radar by producing less than $10,000 of sales.  I've talked to legislators that want to consider anyone raising 10 or fewer pigs and cows as "exempt" from slaughter regulations designed to monitor the big guys.  I've heard of insurance companies dropping policies if the owners sell so much as one dozen eggs.  I know farmers that strive to stay completely "off the grid" personally, but support themselves through barter and cash sales.  70% of all small farms can't support themselves completely and rely on a second income source.

So, how do we define ourselves?  How do we identify the threshold at which government record keeping and inspection keeps the food supply safe yet does not drown the small farmer?  I'd love to know what you think.  But more importantly, let your Representatives know.

HR 875 needs more work.  And I'm not the only one who thinks so...

Snippets

Just a few snippets of stuff to show you...

For those of you following the bee saga, (and there are a bunch so I will report back as often as I can) the hive is all put together.  It took two days, mostly because there were LOTS of parts, but I have two hive bodies, two supers, a hive-top feeder, and a ten frame set up. (That means constructing 40 frames, with brittle tissue-paper waxed foundation that tears if you breath wrong...)

 

But as I worked, I began to really enjoy it, and part of the experience was the smell.  The fresh cut pine boards and beeswax foundation gave off a really nice aroma.  I am very happy I chose the wood bodies vs. polystyrene, and wood frames vs. plastic.  I think the bees will be happy, too.

Madison's California cousins were here last week, and I forgot to share some photos.  Here is one taken by my brother-in-law (an awesome photographer) and pretty much sums up what the week was about:

And I found a really neat picture of Madison's Japanese cousins that my brother had posted on Flickr:

I wish I could tell you the circumstances of the photo - usually they are two very happy country boys decked out in tye-dye everything, but I am still waiting for the explanation myself...

And maple season is officially underway here in the Northeast.

Yesterday I spent all afternoon helping a friend chop wood, load sap, and boil, boil, boil...My early small runs were turned into thick syrup for breadmaking, and I did them here at the house.  This year the bulk of our sap will be cooked over there...wish I could do an aroma blog - you would LOVE the smell of boiling sap!

Apparently, the bees are the smart ones...

Saturday was my beekeeping class at BetterBee in Greenwich, NY.  We are going to try one hive this year, and see how it goes.  

My experience with the staff was my first clue...

Me: I am here to pick up my equipment order that I placed a month ago when I signed up for the class. 

(Note:  Actual Bees come in May, but you have to assemble equipment, paint it, put it in place and read A LOT before they get here...)

Staff: I'm sorry, the order is all in stock except one item, so we can't give you the kit.

Me: What is the backordered item?  Can I take the frames, etc. today and get started on assembly, since I am here with the truck?

Staff: The backordered item is the hive tool.

(Note: You need the hive tool for actually working the hive once the bees have arrived and are setting up shop. )

Me: Well, that's OK, I'll get that item when I come and pick up the bees.  Can I pay and take the rest of the order now?

Staff:  No, because I can't figure out how to make a notation on the computer that you have taken your items without the hive tool.

Me:  Can you print out my receipt and write a notation on there with your signature, verifying that all I need to receive is my hive tool?

Staff:  No.  But let me see what I can figure out; I think I can figure out a way to give you all the hive parts now, and then ship the protective clothing, smoker and hive tool when it arrives if you will pay the extra shipping.

I ponder the idiocy of this woman while she happily pounds away on her calculator, computer keyboard, and paperwork, and find myself standing next to a display of items in the company store, including a bunch of hive tools for sale as individual pieces.

Staff: Your total today will be $311. 08, and with an additional $18.00 shipping I can mail the protective clothing, smoker and hive tool when we have everything in stock.

Me: Why can you only give me half the order now, when only one small piece is missing?  And how did my total become $311.08 when the entire package is listed in your catalog for $259.00?

Staff:  Well, we actually do sell the hive parts and the other items as two separate packages in the catalog, so I can order it that way and "trick" the computer into printing out a receipt that shows you received your hive parts and still need to receive the other stuff.

Me: And the $311.08 total?

Staff:  Blank look, lots more pounding away on the calculator and keyboard.

Me: According to my math, the total with taxes should be $284.94.  I am not paying additional shipping, I will pick up the protective clothing, smoker and hive tool when I come in May to pick up the bees.

Staff:  (amazed) You're right!  

This whole mess has taken almost a half an hour already, I give up and leave the shop with my receipt, walking by the pile of hive tools...to pick up my ready-to-assemble hive.

I realize the pile of parts has no real resemblance to the kit picture in the catalog, but I am convinced I can follow the directions and assemble the hive...

Cat: You're kidding, right?  There are no instructions here!
Me: Shut up.  We can figure it out from the catalog and pictures.  First step, nail the big pieces together, then we worry about the small stuff.  What does the catalog say about nails?

If I follow the catalog text, I use 7d nails.  If I read the note, I DO NOT use 7d nails, I use 1-1/4" nails.  (But I can order both from the catalog!)  And, drat!  no hint about how many hive bodies the 1-1/4" nails will assemble...Do I dare turn to page 28 for information on frame nails, whatever those are?

Me: Is it me?  I am beginning to think bee stings may be the least of my worries...

Sheep?

Michelle wondered if I still had any sheep.  Well, you don't see much more than this these days...
It's kind of too cold to sit with anybody as Ole Man Winter gives us his final blast...and it's the goats that want all the attention, anyway!

So I've taken the leap and begun to play with my fleeces.  The first one is an uncoated shearing from Victoria (I think), a ewe we no longer have.  I don't know where it falls on the VM scale, but working with it has definitely triggered my latent OCD, so it's going to be pretty VM free by the time I get done with it...

First, I laid it out on the table to get a look.   Thankfully, no poo tags or really bad stuff:

                                                         (ahh...the bouquet of lanolin....)

And then two hot soapy soakings and half a dozen hot water rinses in the tub.  (Before you say it - we have a front loader that won't allow mid-cycle openings of the drum...so this is all we have.)

And now for the drum carder...which is a mystery to me as well...but we're trying nonetheless...

I picked this up at the NYS Sheep and Wool festival last fall.

My impressions so far is that it seems rather unevenly paced as I try to fill the larger wheel, but I have cleaned it off and sent the wool through a second and even a third time.  The result is lofty, but lighter than the rovings I have purchased.

Next:

We break out the spinning wheel...yikes!

 

Braided Ear Warmer

Here's the "down and dirty details" for those who were asking...

I knit this with a locally produced yarn, and although it came to me natural, I couldn't resist dying it, so into the pot it went with the Avocado dye, and due to the lanolin and nature of the wool - we got the lightness and variagation...

I would say this yarn knit up like a heavy worsted or even Aran weight.  Gauge is not really important (sorry, knitting police) as you are just knitting it long enough to fit around your head, but play with it, that's where the fun is...

Size 8 needles and a cable needle

Less than 100 yards of yarn

CO 23 stitches.  I like to use the German Twisted cast on for almost anything...but you decide.

Abbreviations:

K=knit

P=purl

C2B=hold 2 stitches in back with cable needle

C2F=hold 2 stitches in front with cable needle

KCN=knit off the cable needle

Row 1: (right side)

K3, P1,  [K2, C2B, K2, KCN]  P1, K1, P1,  [K2, C2B, K2, KCN]  P1, K3

Row 2: (wrong side)

P3, K1,  [P6]  K1, P1, K1  [P6] K1, P3

Row 3:

K3, P1  [C2F, K2, KCN, K2]  P1, K1, P1  [C2F, K2, KCN, K2]  P1, K3

Row 4:

P3, K1  [P6]  K1, P1, K1  [P6]  K1, P3

Repeat Rows 1-4 as many times as necessary to fit around the head in question.  Finish with a wrong side row.  Bind off in knit.  Sew ends together.  Viola!  You are warmer for the barn chores, and stylish besides!

I did it again...

I did it again....waited WAY too long between posts.  But I have been busy, I promise...

Planted Something: I'm forcing tulip bulbs, but they're to tiny to bother with a photo right now...just imagine four sprouting bulbs in a purple pot.

Harvested Something:  It continues to be eggs, but every day the girls surprise me...someone "new" is laying, can you see?  I suspect it is our white Silkie, Sapphire.

Preserved something: In the manner that this refers to storing away food...I baked 7+ loaves of bread.  (See the entry under "Local Food")  Thank God I was able to control my hunger around the fresh baked bread and most of them got into the freezer...

Prepped something:  Right now, the only thing that comes to mind is all the dyeing we are doing to build up inventory, as we are applying to vend at the Massachusetts Sheep and Woolcraft Fair.

Cooked something: Nothing too exciting here; can we just acknowledge that I cook every day, and change this category to Knitted something?  (at least that comes with a picture...)  I was inspired by my friend Susan's ear warmer, and pulled together one of my own design with mittens, using some local wool that I dyed last year.  Funny how last year I didn't like the color or dye job, and this year...go figure.

Managed reserves:  This time of year, that means hay.  I am still searching for those final 3 dozen bales to get us through Spring.  I am reluctant to pay for hay, when my previous employer still owes me money (for which I was planning on getting hay...) but soon I will have to break down and fork over (eek!)  $5 a bale....sigh

And my friend Susan is also a farmer who preserves our reserves of endangered and heirloom populations.  We visited her about a week ago to see her American Buff geese:

and her Icelandic sheep.  Don't they look just like the Shetlands?  You have to get close enough  to check out the fleece structure to tell the difference.

Worked on local food systems:  I've met a Mennonite woman through our local knitting group that makes all her own bread, and WOW! is it good.  I had to beg only a little to ask her to  teach me, (since baking decent bread has so far in my life been a skill I cannot master) and besides her patient teaching, apparently the secret is using the right flour.  She uses Occident flour (which can only be had by waiting till the next trip to Pennsylvania and buying a 50# bag for our house) and Red Star yeast.  I was so happy when my stuff rose the first time, you'd think I won the lottery!

It was the start of a wonderful system - we are bartering for even more skills lessons in the future - pickling for dyeing yarn and so on...

Reduced waste/Recycled:  Well this category was also satisfied by knitting - I used stash yarn to knit up helmet liners for military personnel.  It was a satisfying  project, and I encourage anyone with needles and some wool yarn to think about it...

Learned something: No matter how ridiculous it may seem...the cat knows better.  I thought she was nuts spending 6 hours a day parked in front of the stove like this:

Until I turned on the self-cleaning feature (which heats up the oven quite hot) and out scurried a mouse.  Which she grabbed in her mouth and wouldn't give up until I  put a can of fresh cat food down on the floor nearby.  And so I was left to capture the mangled, yet still perky, mouse.  Which my husband helpfully suggested I could put out in the back hall until he got home to dispose of it.   Yeah....well, not actually.  The mouse had other ideas and left before DH got home by leaping tall garbage cans with a single bound and scurrying for freedom.  Which may  have simply meant back where he came from...because guess where Lucky is spending her days????  Hmm....

Do you know any sock knitters?

Calling all sock knitters!  All skill levels are welcome to participate in the First Annual Dyenamics Yarn March Madness Knit Off.  So please, pass this along.  We are still looking for a few good knitters to fill the ranks of the 64 before the Madness kicks off in March.

It is completely free, yet there are prizes to be won!

It is competitive, yet none of the bitchiness that plagued the Sock Wars!

It is fun, yet does not last forever - so prod those you know to enter, and convince them that the least they can do for you in thanks...is to knit one of the pairs for you!

The view from here...

...here being vacation.  We needed a quick get-away, and we have a bit of a tradition...we've been taking the first week in January in Ft. Myers Beach with my parents for a few winters now, and we figured it would be testing fate to do otherwise...

Besides, we have an excellent farm sitter, and this was the view out the front window the day before we left:

Wouldn't you leave?

My two favorite photos from vacation are kind of different.  I took them both on a walking tour of the Audobon Society Cypress Forest preserve outside of Ft. Myers.  They have 2.25 miles of boardwalk winding through a cypress swamp and several complementary habitats for endangered and native Florida wildlife and birds.

Here is a close up of some fungi on the boardwalk rails:

And here is a butterfly; dead on the swamp waters, seen from the boardwalk.  Even beautiful in death...

I noticed both of these by trying to follow our zen guidance for January - walk slowly through life and appreciate what is.  Hmmm...

Favorite saying so far (noticed on a t-shirt of a fellow beach bum):

"Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things"

Since we last spoke...

Whew!  Too much time has gone by, and I have been very bad about posting.  Shame on me!  Coal in my stocking would be too profitable, so Santa will have to come up with another punishment...

There is no easy way to capsulize what has been happening, but I came across something in all my reading that has given me a lot to think about, so let me share it and see what I can do.

Traditionally, this is the time for lots of cleaning.  Mostly because I anticipate company, or at least cannot even think about erecting a tree in my house or baking dozens of cookies without cleaning off lots of horizontal space and cutting the dust load about 60%...and it's very tiring.

 

Wish we all could have curled up on the sideboard and gone to sleep...but, no.  

I save articles and things I want to read all year long, and get to them when I can, and many of them this year have been about sustainable farming including checklists and guidelines about measuring progress.  I've taken the liberty of condensing them all into a workable list for 2009 and so I am going to treat you all to a "test run" if you don't mind.  (Those of you groaning, can exit here; the rest of you find a chair.)

You could follow this list daily, and come Spring, I am sure we will.   But for this time of year, there are certain considerations that might limit us, as you will see.

Plant something.  I took advantage of our little aspect of Global Warming (thank you, George Bush!) and put in another 65 garlic bulbs and about the same number of tulip bulbs before any cold temperatures set the frost in the ground.  It sets later and later each year, and although gardening wisdom tells us to do all this way back in September or October, I have discovered that if you do that, our freaky temperature swings often get the bulbs starting too early, and they get vegetative growth in the Fall, and do miserably in the Spring.  So perhaps I was pushing the limits by doing all this at the end of November, but we shall see.  (And it has worked for the last three years, so who knows?.  Anybody else having to alter their farming schedule due to changing weather patterns?  

Harvest something.  We participated in the Thanksgiving Farmer's Market and took jams and jellies to sell.  We were actually able to harvest windfall apples and quince in November, and so we put up quince jelly and apple jam.  And we are still harvesting eggs in December!

 Even though we turned our light off at Thanksgiving, the girls are still laying.  Any of my other chicken friends still collecting? 

Preserve something.  In the more traditional sense, that would mean something like this.  I get tired just looking at the picture.  But, we did put up more jams and applesauce even in November, and I like to keep my aspirations high...but seriously, I read a blog post that reminded me I had all but forgotten the cheese in the cellar fridge...so I've been tending to them.  I'm hesitant to open them...and what the heck, one is Parmesan and the other Cheddar, both benefit from aging.

Prep something.   We are planning on hatching turkey poults next spring, so there were calculating decisions when it came to harvesting for our customers this year.  In the end, DH decided he liked the Bourbon Reds better, and so they have been designated as our official layer flock for next year, but I couldn't give up our Narragansett tom, Onyx.  A face only a mother could love... 

Anyway, I prepped their pen by laying a thick layer of straw in the back half to give them insulation against the cold ground and a draft blocker.  We have six left; two toms and four hens (two of those have dates with the processor after the New Year.)

Cook something.  It wasn't hard to fulfill this item.  Jams, jellies, cookies, turkeys, dips, party foods, and candy...in addition to the regular stuff with as much farm food as we could manage.  Favorite farm food used so far:  garlic scape pesto.  I put it up in the early summer when the scapes were ripening, and it freezes very well.  It is yummy!  What's everyone's favorite "farm food" that they used for the holidays?

Manage reserves.  For us, we planned to give lots of homemade gifts this year.  So managing reserves was all about deciding which went for gifts, and which stayed for consumption here.  My ultimate foodie gift box went to my sister in Monterey, who got goat cheeses, jams, maple syrup, organic popcorn, mustard and an antique platter in one of her patterns.   (Collecting antiques is like recycling, right?)  

She made me a beautiful necklace for Christmas, which is kind of like managing reserves for her...she collects beautiful stones and beads and she has an entire room full.  (Beader's heaven)

Work on local food systems.  We participated in the Thanksgiving Farmer's Market in Bennington, VT.  It was indoors (thankfully!) and it was a lot of fun.  We got to bring our yarns as well, and business partner Allison featured her new line of mustards.  Participating in the market this year was very educational and connected us to consumers in a way we had never done before.  (Can't wait for next year.)  We are planning several plantings of beans for drying for next year, as that was one item I thought needed better representation at the market.  People have gotten away from using beans, and they are a wonderful source of protein, vitamins, etc. and great for winter food storage. What other items have people noticed are wanting at the Farmer's Markets?

Reduce waste/recycle.  I'm busy turning old wood into a new coop, sending outgrown clothes to a friend's two daughters, and making a dedicated effort to use up my stashed yarn into worthwhile projects and finished items. (Talk about reducing wasted space!)  And I happened by a neighbor's farm at the right time two weeks ago...she was cleaning out a storage bin and was taking the expedient route and simply shoveling the old spelt

 into the tractor bucket for dumping.  I snagged 4 big bags simply by being willing to shovel them full while she dumped her load in the compost pile.  Turns out the turkeys and chickens really love the stuff, and it's organic!

Learn something.  This is perhaps the hardest one to document.  Besides learning what spelt was, and reading all those articles about sustainable farming and the like, what can I point to as new learning? How about learning that Canadian geese (despite being named for our snowy neighbor to the North) do not really like snow.  In fact, they seldom come out of the barn unless paths have been well shoveled, or there is something decidedly NOT snowy to walk upon...like say, a snow angel?

What has everyone learned lately?  

And finally, my own personal addition to the 2009 list: 

Be a friend.  What is more important to sustainable living than building a community of people that you care for and want to be around?  I have learned painfully and poignantly this year that family can be rotten (don't panic "family" that are reading this!  I don't mean you.  Believe me, the rotten ones aren't reading-not that I'd care if they were, but they are off spending the thousands that they stole, and wouldn't know how to read a blog if they wanted to...but I digress...) and friends can be found in unusual places.  Better to cultivate the friends...

What do you like about your friends?

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday, and looking forward to blogversations in the new year!