Peripatetic philomaths…focusing on what's really important, eating ethically and cleanly, fermenting, foraging/wildcrafting, practicing herbalism, and being responsible stewards of our land. Sharing our photos, musings, and learnings. Still seeking our tribe.
Just short post today, but what I think is an interesting one, nonetheless. Always enjoying new discoveries, I happened upon something I’d not seen to date here: what looked like a clump of soap bubbles at the base of one of our maple trees. Have you seen this before?
Continue reading “Around The Farm: Arboreal Soap Art”
I acquired this small bas relief many years ago, and it has traveled to the many places I’ve lived. It typically rests on the wall in a bathroom (no particular reason, it just seems to end up there). One morning, the early light came through the sheer curtain on the window and created a pattern on the piece, drawing my eye and inviting me to really look at it.
Continue reading “Haiku: Elephant Epiphany”
Ah, the dirty little (not so) secret that farmers and homesteaders often sidestep when discussing the nuts and bolts of raising animals: poop. Poop is important, and I think that anyone who raises animals, whether as livestock or as pets, should be looking at it.
Continue reading “Farm Fowl: Let’s Talk About Poop *Graphic*”
A strong storm blew in yesterday – the kind that made me wish I’d shut the solid coop door (often open for airflow this time of year, with the chickens safe behind a wire-covered “screen” door). The rain pounded the earth in slanted sheets, and the trees’ limbs flailed in the whipping wind. Thunder rattled the glassware in the china cabinet and I steered clear of the windows, wary of the brilliant flashes of lightning.
Continue reading “Haiku: Mercurial Mammatus”
The largest sunflower, a volunteer that defiantly sprouted from a seed that the chickens either missed or couldn’t reach because it bounced outside their run, has reached the point where it’s ready for harvest. While I’m always delighted to find these kinds of volunteers, I also discovered a surprise growing amidst the other sunflowers that I had intentionally planted. What kind of surprise? Read on to find out.
Continue reading “Around The Farm: A Small Harvest…And A Surprise”
Yes, I’m a beginner. Right now, I’m learning to play the recorder, and I’m honing my drawing skills. While it may be uncomfortable (and possibly a tad embarrassing) to realize that a 10 year old can play your chosen instrument far better than you, it should serve as inspiration, rather than a reason to never begin at all.
Continue reading “Musings: The Joy Of Beginning”
I don’t play the oboe…yet. But I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that I should. And this feeling isn’t new – it’s been in the wings for a long time, awaiting its curtain call, politely but resolutely refusing to be ignored. Is that strange? Maybe it is, but I think it’s worth further exploration.
Continue reading “Musings: Oboe Obsession”
Sometimes stitches just don’t want to cooperate. Yes, I know I may be anthropomorphizing, but this particular one – Trinity – keeps making an extra stitch appear. From where??
I’ve been making practice swatches (really, making them, unraveling the yarn, and making new ones)…a lot of them. It’s been fun to learn new stitches, and some are actually pretty challenging – even ones that are supposed to be “easy”!
Continue reading “Knit This: Getting Loopy With New Stitches”
Having to buy eggs has served as a harsh reminder of why we got chickens in the first place. And buying pastured eggs from the store just felt wrong. We miss our own flock’s eggs, so it’s time to begin again. Call it v2.0.