… but not the 16 inches predicted. We only got about 9 inches, but the donkeys enjoyed it anyway.
Here, Dobro was chasing Poppy. A minute later, Poppy was chasing Dobro.
Today, February 8, 2013, we spent the morning getting ready for the predicted storm which is supposed to bring 16″ of snow. We made sure the sheep, donkeys and chickens were well supplied with water and food … that the barn doors were fastened to keep snow out of the stored hay … that firewood was by the stove. And then, looking out the window to the blueberry field below – wait a minute! Forty feet of deer fencing was sagging to the ground.
Fine snowflakes were blowing in the cold wind, and I quickly gathered ladder, wire, zip ties and rope into the truck and drove down to the sagging fence. Two hours later, it’s good to know the fence is secure from the wind and possible snow load.
Just at that moment, Charlie, our generous arborist neighbor, showed up with a wonderful load of wood chips and dumped them on the chip pile for our blueberries. Wonderful, because they were so fragrant and fresh – smelling like balsam fir. Wonderful because they were small, uniform, beautiful chips that the berries would love because they included the smaller branches and needles from the tree. Wonderful, because it was nice to see Charlie and the chips after being blown around for two hours by wind trying to knock over the ladder.
Now, we’ve waited all day. Where is the snow?
We are discovering new things to do and new products for 2013.
Starting with Dobro, at six years old, for the first time trying out a saddle. He looks happy enough for a new experience!
Thank you, Dobro, for being so calm and responsive.
And thanks, also, to Steve Edwards of Queen Valley Mule Ranch for training the rider. Dobro already knew what to do.
We introduced wool do-it-yourself kits at craft fairs before the holidays. Amy demonstrated how to make wool earrings from our new kit at the Cambridge, NY Holiday Craft Fair.
We also introduced a new Crochet Your Own Striped Hat.
We love the beautiful fleece from May, Amelia, and Sky.
Another exciting change is our newly-started project growing Shiitake mushrooms, using hardwoods on the farm and help from the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York workshops. Dan is checking out this site under the shade of hemlock trees
and well out of the wind.
We plan to write about the changes as they happen in the coming weeks.