I'm still here!

Well, alas, the computer has really gone caput! We hope to have a working replacement soon, we hope. But while the computer has been dead the homesteading and living lightly is still taking place. I thought I would jut catch up on all that we have been doing since the last time I posted.

• We grew and harvested 14 broiler chicks. It was the first time we did chicks like this. I think we still have a bit to learn about them. Most of the birds weighed out between 3 and 4 pounds. They averages about 3.00 a pound. Next time we would like to find a breed that will forage better. WE did build them a lovely hillbilly chicken tractor. Constructed from scrap wood we had lying around. I challenged my own carpentry skills and built most of it myself.


• The garden was so-so. New soil needs some more ammending but I did put it to bed this fall with lots of good compost and lime. Rutabaga was the wonder crop this year. Tomatoes were blighted again.


• We have a Mercedes diesel/ veggie oil car. Mark is working out the kinks but we should be able to defray our gas costs once it is all up and going.


• Tristan has a job as a blacksmith at a living history museum in New York state. My little bird is getting to leave the nest.


• Evan is homeschooling. We found a great group of families to support this effort. Everyone in the group lives close to the land.


• Mark is considering leaving music education and pursuing his music career. In order to do this we are worling with the Book, Your oney or Your Life.


• The orchard put out more apple than we knew what to do with so, our to-do list includes DIY cider press this year.


• I've made most of my Christmas gifts this year and I am done. No late knit sewing and knitting. What an amazingly realaxing feeling.


• I taught two knitting classes at adult ed this fall. It was wonderful and I plan to teach a couple more this spring.

Well, that seems like a pretty fulfilling life. I hope you all have a great Holiday Season!

Blessings, Karin