tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59085295994019642432024-03-19T02:30:30.149-07:00howling wolfmama's learning to follow her heart...Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-78112605632706832482015-08-29T22:37:00.000-07:002015-08-29T22:37:12.048-07:00Rain & FoodCan you believe it?! Rain! We really, actually, truly got rain! And I mean <i>real</i> rain. We got the kind of rain that soaks your clothes through down to the skin in moments. We have not felt moisture like this in months. I honestly can't really believe my eyes after so much time spent in the dusty, dry heat of this summer's drought. But, true blue... it's pouring out there.<br />
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The fire I mentioned yesterday has been mostly contained and is being extinguished by this miraculous deluge. Truth be told, I am not a lover of rain. In fact, I kind of can't stand it. But I have never been so grateful in my life for a downpour such as we've had today. It's amazing watching the rain forest come alive again. Thank you, rain. Thank you, winds, for bringing the heavy moisture our area has so badly needed. Wow. It's like the entire bioregion is breathing a sigh of relief.<br />
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And with the grey, wet weather came a day focused on food. Today was about staying cozy, making yogurt and cheese for now, and breaded eggplant and canned tomatoes for later (and a very quick and simple sheep shelter). <br />
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With this hot, dry summer we've had, we were actually able to grow a good amount of eggplants even without a greenhouse. Our favorite way to consume eggplant is via Eggplant Parmesan. So... when we get a bountiful harvest, we slice them thin, bread and fry them and then freeze them for later use. And what better to put up along side one's future eggplant parm? Why, crushed tomatoes, of course! And when the fridge has more milk than you can possibly drink, then yogurt and cheese it is.<br />
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And what would a stormy afternoon be without a good puzzle with papa? Tomorrow promises more rain and, therefore, more time in the kitchen. I think we'll be on to more tomatoes, pickled string beans, perhaps some mozzarella and kale chips! Nothing like a rainy day to get me in the mood to hover over a steamy stove. </div>
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xo </div>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-78343998337528448312015-08-29T00:59:00.001-07:002015-08-29T00:59:13.538-07:00FireSo... yeah, it's been a while. Life is busy and I've felt the pull in directions other than the computer. On this particular evening, however, I feel compelled to write here. I think it's because I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around something that is happening so close to my own back yard. Danger in my stomping grounds. And when mind benders prevail, I write. Usually with pen and ink in my paper journal, but tonight I'll write here instead.<br />
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I'm sure many folks are aware that our region of the country (the pacific northwest) has been having a crazy drought this summer. Record high temps all summer. No rain. And I mean NO rain. None to speak of since I don't even know when... April maybe? My animals are "grazing" on dried up, burnt out, brown, dormant, sizzled up pasture. Plants that I have never ever seen show any sign of stress are shriveled up and laying limp on the ground. The usually damp, springy rain forest floor crunches in dry gasps beneath my footfalls. <br />
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And when the rain forest dries out, what's to stop a tiny little spark? Nothing. And so it is that the mountains and valleys and forests I love are burning. We are living in a tinderbox. It is terrifying. It's funny... living here, the things people have asked me if I'm worried about - earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, etc - and I've never felt anxious about any of them. This fire danger though. This is something that has my full attention, my hair raised, and my bags and photo albums packed by the front door. The danger is so very real, so tangible. <br />
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Many days over these last many weeks it has looked like sunset all day long. The light remains golden orange from sunrise to sunset as smoke hangs in the air from fires burning as close as a few miles away, and sometimes from the huge complex fires on the other side of the mountains depending on which way the wind is blowing. It's absolutely crazy. And each day that we make our way through the hazy firelight we wonder... where is it coming from this time? Is it close? Are people safe? Are animals safe? Do we need to prepare to move quickly? And my heart aches when I think of those people and animals who are not safe. <br />
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And it happens so quickly. Again, when there's been no rain, on the heels of a winter with no snow, what's to stop a little spark? <br />
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Yesterday was another hot one. Not as hot as it's been, but a good 86 degrees or so and humid. After a morning of harvesting tomatoes and string beans and weeding the hoop house in the heat, I decided to head to the river with the kids to cool off for a couple of hours. Sequoia, Jade and I loaded up the basket with snacks and water bottles, shoved it in among bales of alfalfa in the back of the truck and headed for our closest and favorite swimming hole. <br />
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We waded around, climbed logs, skipped rocks, watched young salmon nibble at our ankles, picnicked on the rocks and dreamed of the river being full enough to actually swim in as it is in normal years. Jade gleefully chased after falling leaves as the breeze picked up in the late afternoon. He squealed in delight as the wind whipped his hair around and sent yellow leaves swirling down into the mild current of the lazy bend in the river. He was so sad to bring his game to a close when I realized it was getting late and we needed to get heading home. But, he quickly acknowledged with a smile on his face that we could come back in a few days to play again, and next time remember the net to catch more leaves.<br />
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As we drove out of the valley, we stopped at the best spots - by the field that has so many sunflowers, at the spot where they are rebuilding the bridge that washes out every winter when the river floods so that Jade could look at the big crane truck, at the field where the llamas live so we could giggle at their funny expressions and, of course, by the biggest cow pasture which is currently home to the cutest and most curious calves who are just old enough to stray a bit from their mothers to say hello at the fence. All three of us were happy. The evening was warm, the sunlight golden and beginning to slide sideways across the valley, the breeze picking up and keeping us cool. It really felt so incredibly 'just right'.<br />
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As I was crawling into bed last night, content from a good day of hard work followed by what I could only describe as a perfect afternoon in one of my favorite places, Steve informed me that the valley was on fire. My heart broke right then and there. I had that moment of pain in my chest that burns and stabs simultaneously, my breath catching in my throat and my extremities going a weird cold and tingly. The beautiful, powerful, magical valley I had just been in a couple of hours before (not to mention the day before that, and the hundreds of times before that) was burning.<br />
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There have been many fires close to us this summer. Two of them have been less than two miles from here. Several more, less than ten. But there is just something about that valley burning. I love that place so much. I sat on the banks of the river yesterday, slipping smooth rocks between my fingers, smelling the fragrance of cottonwood resin in the air, feeling the warm, late summer wind on my face and the sun on my back, and thought to myself <i>many</i> times how magical that place is. It is medicine to me. It truly heals me to be there. Whether it's the physical medicine from the plants and trees that grow along the banks, or the song of the river, or the whispers of the mountains that rise from the valley, or the spirits of the people and animals that have come and gone long before me... that place is my medicine. And my heart is on fire along with the forest that burns. <br />
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I wish for rain. I wish for safety. I wish for healing. I wish for Jade to catch leaves floating on the current again soon. <br />
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xoMamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-27299290738931768342014-05-01T16:42:00.002-07:002014-05-01T16:42:22.928-07:00Around the HomesteadWell sweet friends, it has been quite some time, hasn't it? I must admit that blogging is not currently at the top of my priority list, though I'd like it to fall back into the rotation. So today, as I sit in the waiting room while one of my children has a dental appointment, I'll give a photo update of the last few months around the homestead. Sound good?<br />
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My sweet boy turned two. TWO!</div>
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Trampoline bliss has returned!</div>
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Our well has failed (<a href="http://howlingwolffarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/ugh.html">again</a>) and been fixed. Once and for all.... We hope. </div>
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A tiny office/art studio nears completion!</div>
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And the new mobile chicken palace approaches completion and its maiden voyage as well!</div>
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An enthusiastic and fascinated little guy I know has very much enjoyed all the construction going on around these parts.</div>
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Bees are flying! And collecting! And pollinating! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFhzSWIo5B_-6M58k-2781-2Ir30-ObRn9j5rbgBG304lW02WYQ5pq2vGRLGE2Kqx3QT8Jm0vxhMROpew_JdylU00mgcwqjaT53dVM6rmfUMBe5HmWnNZuYaAFDcxgxtioZAHjiyccHBR/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFhzSWIo5B_-6M58k-2781-2Ir30-ObRn9j5rbgBG304lW02WYQ5pq2vGRLGE2Kqx3QT8Jm0vxhMROpew_JdylU00mgcwqjaT53dVM6rmfUMBe5HmWnNZuYaAFDcxgxtioZAHjiyccHBR/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Apple</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvCiDBjLsC04K73EW2sTPKT1MlosL0H4qwbp1PS4iniQswJ6LVl5GzF0gn2hjiql6SIoIKo-bHbMxJGGlRQCPEErHryuvQB5VAYjs1a88T5ulgbTMYYFpYosVq-cqQrV3H6ossLuB1Qck/s1600/DSC_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvCiDBjLsC04K73EW2sTPKT1MlosL0H4qwbp1PS4iniQswJ6LVl5GzF0gn2hjiql6SIoIKo-bHbMxJGGlRQCPEErHryuvQB5VAYjs1a88T5ulgbTMYYFpYosVq-cqQrV3H6ossLuB1Qck/s1600/DSC_0383.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Magnolia</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv1Bvw65C8MCTnQa7tEd3RR5X97TWrNu1s8uyWkm5NAWuS0FGBSTerVXBS4qWwLFKok7MwyRPd38-0GNwyyhkLd17WgZrp2wcv6uu4DErXUj7PytvE1m8xj5kU-PNJNDmr70K7q8pe4Q1/s1600/DSC_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv1Bvw65C8MCTnQa7tEd3RR5X97TWrNu1s8uyWkm5NAWuS0FGBSTerVXBS4qWwLFKok7MwyRPd38-0GNwyyhkLd17WgZrp2wcv6uu4DErXUj7PytvE1m8xj5kU-PNJNDmr70K7q8pe4Q1/s1600/DSC_0342.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elder Berry</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrcgLqjeyroH85Yc4vICLLPkesrNSbvwHK7N3LpUliOCvSNdwUDcIPf1kTQFZTt57aGbSRgtKo0F4UB_XQ2e5DbVmcbso40yoL2cwXc4HCUiR8-nZRCrD8syWVkTi6PeEhYLDdj1W3UV0/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrcgLqjeyroH85Yc4vICLLPkesrNSbvwHK7N3LpUliOCvSNdwUDcIPf1kTQFZTt57aGbSRgtKo0F4UB_XQ2e5DbVmcbso40yoL2cwXc4HCUiR8-nZRCrD8syWVkTi6PeEhYLDdj1W3UV0/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Big Leaf Maple</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Trees are blooming all over the homestead!</div>
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Sun showers are a regular thing these days and make the tulips sparkle like jewels....</div>
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The pasture is growing strong! It's knee-high to some, and chest high to others.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhzHCN9lQ8EGa1Ms055dc4gzhrbEK6CERukZsUfYAJKJoDix6KcQ3zEkxOL9l0rVLe6jpfAvOQL2VkCDrI0QswPDAGKRNJnIswCoJNJc-O6g9OO0zabyvZeJemfDnu7zxq90zWCegIaZa/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhzHCN9lQ8EGa1Ms055dc4gzhrbEK6CERukZsUfYAJKJoDix6KcQ3zEkxOL9l0rVLe6jpfAvOQL2VkCDrI0QswPDAGKRNJnIswCoJNJc-O6g9OO0zabyvZeJemfDnu7zxq90zWCegIaZa/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Strawberry blossoms</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZxcBftgJJ8GO-MKh6xq7mA1F_UU1_u9twm8Y-DTS580pA9mBDjGa6j_fs_IfNXj8u8LWu4BMjd7cva1m1cBX_6g2kAh-IN-ZXUy8r3paBsWR414OzmwvqAqgGW6lglsp6lXBIhR4nC0x/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZxcBftgJJ8GO-MKh6xq7mA1F_UU1_u9twm8Y-DTS580pA9mBDjGa6j_fs_IfNXj8u8LWu4BMjd7cva1m1cBX_6g2kAh-IN-ZXUy8r3paBsWR414OzmwvqAqgGW6lglsp6lXBIhR4nC0x/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>garlic</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimit_sieMnO5CpvHM1PxDoqqdM5hP8D3dN3teqDxD_UtzN_riQXy-5Qx1Akn0QfymSGy7fdi1LNVtM0EurGxkcpA6dU0TONTHnzPyKUvpSiaXkktBahKl_7-ennobYcskgaq_eGYpmjOyO/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimit_sieMnO5CpvHM1PxDoqqdM5hP8D3dN3teqDxD_UtzN_riQXy-5Qx1Akn0QfymSGy7fdi1LNVtM0EurGxkcpA6dU0TONTHnzPyKUvpSiaXkktBahKl_7-ennobYcskgaq_eGYpmjOyO/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>keeper onions</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8LXYKWDs0AkIidOi8mZ_A8HnqF6lMUJQggZW93LYzkMTe-szvss9L82KLCY4yNWv9dWqP2FgTydpkloA0dFkfRYFQTM79TL0u13pLU4_gUD6sxvOR8roPh7hAHM48deWfl_I5b50iUDV/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8LXYKWDs0AkIidOi8mZ_A8HnqF6lMUJQggZW93LYzkMTe-szvss9L82KLCY4yNWv9dWqP2FgTydpkloA0dFkfRYFQTM79TL0u13pLU4_gUD6sxvOR8roPh7hAHM48deWfl_I5b50iUDV/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>snap peas</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQomL_tyvdphEP51nipWHVtbgqpKfUIbQKJzzAJsTPbbZZlMd7Z6bTIbOvQr0Zu2vXHkaCHbuOwfJVkllZ4ASq-Co87ml4J1hkLjPveNS2VNxA-K6LfABHNQ3A-nF99f9YvH_DQj_ovVM/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" height="424" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>shelling peas</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQomL_tyvdphEP51nipWHVtbgqpKfUIbQKJzzAJsTPbbZZlMd7Z6bTIbOvQr0Zu2vXHkaCHbuOwfJVkllZ4ASq-Co87ml4J1hkLjPveNS2VNxA-K6LfABHNQ3A-nF99f9YvH_DQj_ovVM/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i></i></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4ep99xe4CpB-Utrtunmyr90AdrHHfRtRG1F-_iVTVud1PyFkkhmr9w2KWMkJ0LeDXuGsgfNPJNtZOyLSYPhv5qaQuvgw13wP4pLq09C7Abovl0NX3Q9ydV5u2RVC2as6dGBoU8Ckyxg1/s1600/DSC_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4ep99xe4CpB-Utrtunmyr90AdrHHfRtRG1F-_iVTVud1PyFkkhmr9w2KWMkJ0LeDXuGsgfNPJNtZOyLSYPhv5qaQuvgw13wP4pLq09C7Abovl0NX3Q9ydV5u2RVC2as6dGBoU8Ckyxg1/s1600/DSC_0325.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>gooseberries</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML6oaSqxgoyHYTtAMyYIRjkCIgEYjJBLLj8jXptlhruTp4dOyb5UIsGwZkv_n7P0Ugn0YsFoJA3OEVPFWccNLaJx3CGUrJ5Ykx1YzFWbTZfH7xNqNxOjZb-szNo3eHpw4uP48O4RonVf1/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiML6oaSqxgoyHYTtAMyYIRjkCIgEYjJBLLj8jXptlhruTp4dOyb5UIsGwZkv_n7P0Ugn0YsFoJA3OEVPFWccNLaJx3CGUrJ5Ykx1YzFWbTZfH7xNqNxOjZb-szNo3eHpw4uP48O4RonVf1/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>butterhead lettuce</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ecpr-YXRUl1M97HGeXW0T4lG0-Er-J3nV7HJrdpt72aWO721duFoJAcDxzFsF6oiKlO5ILw50Lp-SRnNY_2wEkQUEupu5ekjiwbC90l_VQ6R-GawH32hoJwXK3JC_tSgko80e6NcqoCT/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ecpr-YXRUl1M97HGeXW0T4lG0-Er-J3nV7HJrdpt72aWO721duFoJAcDxzFsF6oiKlO5ILw50Lp-SRnNY_2wEkQUEupu5ekjiwbC90l_VQ6R-GawH32hoJwXK3JC_tSgko80e6NcqoCT/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>red huckleberries</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ofx4ffYA7yjPgDum6eMqpGmnZg6GUvAC0ehIDY0FYVZNhfka9CMi5ZPL_0Brh8UFwsUPFToVwSvcc2UgIo_Z1Xv-VP0UFOGjh8QoRimsCyaH6gNkdr2r-1Bfox3wzxL6r4qi0PeldPXN/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ofx4ffYA7yjPgDum6eMqpGmnZg6GUvAC0ehIDY0FYVZNhfka9CMi5ZPL_0Brh8UFwsUPFToVwSvcc2UgIo_Z1Xv-VP0UFOGjh8QoRimsCyaH6gNkdr2r-1Bfox3wzxL6r4qi0PeldPXN/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>kale</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUbn_dmvVWTGMIaVYcxtXoOW-X_Eudv8nu_ppc1OuCcycfC0waTRf8uX6ey-s9S4_OV5WnJsR-XsV2ZqiKC3l5bTC9T4F3BA7zd3T0T1N_LkwvwYFhjKIi_kvKasqu8nacBNHDGBVVy2Y/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUbn_dmvVWTGMIaVYcxtXoOW-X_Eudv8nu_ppc1OuCcycfC0waTRf8uX6ey-s9S4_OV5WnJsR-XsV2ZqiKC3l5bTC9T4F3BA7zd3T0T1N_LkwvwYFhjKIi_kvKasqu8nacBNHDGBVVy2Y/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>asparagus </i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyR70qokp9Q8g0CIS-wmaWCDi-FgQ2agIDOH6SK766bleg4wUel53geStl1f3hvwsFjgKY0UGcbUuj8sVTX5OYwqLXI5CuWd5lqUQm1p_bsN-Tp7S0XPx18SUfuam9MwOesai44XxdmnX/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyR70qokp9Q8g0CIS-wmaWCDi-FgQ2agIDOH6SK766bleg4wUel53geStl1f3hvwsFjgKY0UGcbUuj8sVTX5OYwqLXI5CuWd5lqUQm1p_bsN-Tp7S0XPx18SUfuam9MwOesai44XxdmnX/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>rhubarb </i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And the gardens are breaking dormancy, sprouting and growing! Hooray!</div>
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I hope that wherever you are life is treating you well, your hearts are full of love and your days full of smiles. I also hope that you enjoyed this update of life on our little homestead. Blessings!Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-34702558491836020852014-01-23T23:06:00.001-08:002014-01-23T23:06:47.611-08:00The gift I didn't know I neededDoes it ever happen that something comes to you that so deeply fills you up, and you didn't even know that particular hole was there, needing to be filled? Well, that just happened to me! My amazing mother-in-law (whose birthday it happens to be today... happy birthday Aurora!), fabulous and intuitive woman that she is, sent me a giant box of roving for my birthday. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3weVM5YmRlxeQDgpZsP2sv6_PkXOTgw_8wTOjjGgfkoDuS-r08uBfbtS627uKAl8A7aBFNwUV4D9orEGcOfK-b938hYiGJvcxRanPRAvcgOjsnUgkm8BPgxw9lCiQ4lD1Kx7SKwGTPD9/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3weVM5YmRlxeQDgpZsP2sv6_PkXOTgw_8wTOjjGgfkoDuS-r08uBfbtS627uKAl8A7aBFNwUV4D9orEGcOfK-b938hYiGJvcxRanPRAvcgOjsnUgkm8BPgxw9lCiQ4lD1Kx7SKwGTPD9/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
A few years back, while visiting my beautiful East Coast family for a special 90th birthday celebration, I discovered the most amazing little fiber farm* in a neighboring town to my mother-in-law. This particular farm raises Icelandic and Shetland sheep, two breeds I am pretty keen on and whose wool I really enjoy spinning. Well, despite the fact that we had precious little time to spare, I carved out an hour or so to go visit that spot and arrived to find not only the most picturesque, dreamy 100 acre rolling farm, but also a fiber and yarn store where they sell their self-produced and processed goods!<br />
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Needless to say, I was in heaven. A giant Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog named Ranger greeted us in the driveway and escorted us into the shop. There I found rack after rack after rack of the most lovely natural color and dyed roving and yarn. Yum. And through the back doors of the shop, a mirco fiber mill where all of the farm's wool is processed. And just outside the front door.... that's right, 100 acres of rolling pastures crisscrossed by streams and dotted with sheep. Oh my. I kind of get a little fluttery just thinking about it. <br />
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So, anyway... back to the box of fiber. Mother-in-law extraordinaire sent me 40 oz of beautiful Shetland roving in the most lovely natural colors from the above farm for my birthday. In all honesty, it's been quite a shamefully long while since I sat down at my spinning wheel. But today, with that gorgeous fiber peeking out of the box at me and a baby who happened to take an oddly long nap, I dusted the wheel off and got to spinning. Oh my goodness....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8If4r37RcivNcafPCN8m6uZLZU7V32tj6ik2X54VEFMmqScjHLtdJgKN2wzi5ZhesFZzHowpiEViPhLGke5BohiPZ04b5igSsGfiQZs7YVuWSfjdHuRbRgTaKalhjOrIyfryVJ7HdamR/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8If4r37RcivNcafPCN8m6uZLZU7V32tj6ik2X54VEFMmqScjHLtdJgKN2wzi5ZhesFZzHowpiEViPhLGke5BohiPZ04b5igSsGfiQZs7YVuWSfjdHuRbRgTaKalhjOrIyfryVJ7HdamR/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had no idea how much I needed that! As soon as my foot began treadling, the wheel began spinning, and the fiber began sliding through my fingers, I just felt a sort of peace and contentment that I've been lacking these last few weeks. The simple joy that comes from just making, doing, creating. As that wool spun up into yarn, my breath deepened and much stress and tension that I've been clinging to seemed to soften and slip slowly from my shoulders. Ahhh... yessss....<br />
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Sometimes I get so caught up in the everyday this's and that's that I forget to create. I am slowly learning that allowing myself to be creative and artistic and giving myself that time is so very crucial to my happiness. It feeds my joy. And without it, I get a little lost. So thank you, Aurora! Thanks for a gift much, much greater than the physical gift itself. I really needed it... and I didn't even know!<br />
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*I'd post a link to the farm, but I cannot seem to find a website for it. Sorry!Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-66760487890664423062014-01-10T16:19:00.000-08:002014-01-10T16:19:49.541-08:00When darkness settles inMy goodness, it's been grey here the last few days. So dark that it seems the light never changes from the low light of early morning. It just sort of stays that way all day long into the low light of nearly-dark. So, what have we been doing in such conditions? Well....<br />
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There have been some kitchen trike shenanigans.... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt8RNKc6vK05d7vaEZppNR_uBQnEKnvcNudTd4D4jdXJg-erJ5h6sK32pi6AtNcGmzaiId_D2yI80NLbF7KhHeTiCuX2AVrYPYwBvsjoadfR_ULiXaZWlQdXEnujRFWubfvAGY_VAGrrE/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLt8RNKc6vK05d7vaEZppNR_uBQnEKnvcNudTd4D4jdXJg-erJ5h6sK32pi6AtNcGmzaiId_D2yI80NLbF7KhHeTiCuX2AVrYPYwBvsjoadfR_ULiXaZWlQdXEnujRFWubfvAGY_VAGrrE/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Some hunting for forest treasures....<br />
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Some knitting....<br />
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Some planning and dreaming.... <br />
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(That's the pasture at mid-day! See what I mean about the darkness?!)</div>
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And, there have been many other things too, for which I have no photos. It's hard to capture much when the light remains so low.<br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
xoMamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-65393193827674708602014-01-08T14:28:00.000-08:002014-01-08T14:28:13.236-08:00Thirty Six<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrvrfNc0d6jf33cv-MGqyh4W_VIv_yS-SZ2NAmX_K_s-WIzuqJlvXyqk9VxAmQaL9w4P18f5eUKBbVubLWxuN5kwels5hh821_k86_qKbMvgs31QQUZZrx5wDKAL9YirSTvthY4vvdbQX/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrvrfNc0d6jf33cv-MGqyh4W_VIv_yS-SZ2NAmX_K_s-WIzuqJlvXyqk9VxAmQaL9w4P18f5eUKBbVubLWxuN5kwels5hh821_k86_qKbMvgs31QQUZZrx5wDKAL9YirSTvthY4vvdbQX/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little summer color and light on this grey winter day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I tuned 36 yesterday! Yay! And in celebration, I'd like to list 36 things that I am grateful for on this lovely day. In no particular order....<br />
<ol>
<li>discovering a new passion for aerial acrobatics. oh my goodness, yes.</li>
<li>huevos rancheros filling my home with amazing smells as I snuggled in bed yesterday morning</li>
<li>sweet cards made by even sweeter children</li>
<li>a new knitting pattern book full of delicious potential</li>
<li>emails with a sheep breeder</li>
<li>homemade gluten free cookies made for me by my baking wonder kids</li>
<li>so many new words spilling from the lips of my nearly two-year-old munchkin</li>
<li>the wild giggles that explode from deep in his belly as he plays with his pops</li>
<li>my rapidly increasing strength and flexibility due to diligent aerial practice</li>
<li>new babies on the way, growing in the bellies of ones that I love so very much</li>
<li>finding time to read books again</li>
<li>lengthening days</li>
<li>the occasional decent night of sleep</li>
<li>the trust and companionship of good friends</li>
<li>a partner who makes me my favorite breakfast and dinner on my birthday</li>
<li>sparkling blue eyes of my three amazing children</li>
<li>finally getting my pullover on the trapeze</li>
<li>a toddler who finally naps consistently on his own</li>
<li>a partner whom I trust with all of my heart</li>
<li>his hugs, which warm me to my very core</li>
<li>fresh eggs from our chickens</li>
<li>fresh milk from our cow</li>
<li>fresh kale still coming from our garden</li>
<li>the soon-to-be drying off of our cow, which will offer me one less thing to do each day</li>
<li>the night out I am treating myself to tonight with some dear lady friends </li>
<li>a house that sometimes stays tidy for an hour before the next whirlwind moves through</li>
<li>soups... warm, hardy soups that fill my belly and warm me from the inside out this winter</li>
<li>the big smiles that greet me each morning as I open my eyes to Jade leaning over me saying, "play?"</li>
<li>big ideas and plans for our home and land this year</li>
<li>my beautiful daughter sitting across from me as I type this and her magical smiles</li>
<li>the powerhouse wood stove that is the heart of this home all winter long</li>
<li>birthday wishes from loved ones that brought smiles to my lips throughout the day yesterday</li>
<li>the tiny juncos that visit the feeder just outside my window </li>
<li>the fact that Jade does not want to touch his runny nose, but rather runs through the house shouting, "bubble!", every time he needs his nose wiped</li>
<li>a thirteen-year-old son who still offers me hugs every single time he thinks I might need one</li>
<li>the year to come and all that it will bring!</li>
</ol>
xoxo <br />
<ol>
</ol>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-26765126870831244492013-11-21T16:07:00.003-08:002013-11-21T16:10:38.793-08:00long time, no see... and Zinnia!Hi there folks! Yes, it's been quite some time since I have written here. Life is so full, and every moment so precious, with a toddler, two big kids, a small farmstead, homeschooling, and animals - both big and small - concurrently tugging at my every spare moment. To all those parents out there who seem to magically pull it all off every day and make it look so easy.... I tip my hat to you. Damn, this sure aint easy. Ahem. Onward!<br />
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Allow me to introduce to you, Zinnia cow, our latest family member and supplier of all things dairy.<br />
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She's a rather petite Jersey cow with a sweet, if not a little pushy, personality and just the right amount of milk for our little family of five. Zinnia joined us back in June and to be totally honest, I'm still adjusting to life with a dairy animal, especially as the weather has turned cold and wet and the days so very short.<br />
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I'm still getting used to the invisible milky tether that keeps me within arm's reach of the farm at all times, the achy muscles in my palms that I didn't even know existed until I began hand milking every day, and loads of rich, creamy milk that occupy nearly all of the real estate in my refrigerator and requires near daily processing to keep up with. As a lifelong vegetarian and former vegan, it still cracks me up and shocks me to open my fridge door and discover So. Much. Milk.<br />
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Despite how much work this beautiful animal has added to my life, it's pretty awesome to watch my family consume and thrive on her raw dairy goodness. The milk, the butter, the yogurt (oh my god, the yogurt), and the cheese. My cheese making skills are still in the budding stage, but I have high hopes for full blooming maturity someday. Ah, yes, someday.<br />
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I'll leave you with this rough video taken with the camera clenched between my knees as I attempted to simultaneously milk and record. Enjoy!<br />
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And, I hope to see you again here soon!Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-16354602151648905592013-07-02T00:11:00.000-07:002013-07-02T00:11:27.391-07:00LunchUmmm, yeah. I am going to write a post about my lunch today. Because it was <i>that good</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwmXJWjwK98WmDDb9IhpzbKqDF3ZInzFsOHhpzLaeXd4z_wiZFsJXlPCrYEg9BO3VRSeoZMoWQQiFnxYM3TeCY1zpQF3dOtGhVmELHbCtMeDld7DwC4Acs-gQrsEs0iMKz05dSbKdIF9q/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwmXJWjwK98WmDDb9IhpzbKqDF3ZInzFsOHhpzLaeXd4z_wiZFsJXlPCrYEg9BO3VRSeoZMoWQQiFnxYM3TeCY1zpQF3dOtGhVmELHbCtMeDld7DwC4Acs-gQrsEs0iMKz05dSbKdIF9q/s640/DSC_0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My midday meal consisted of a scramble that was made, pretty much entirely, of things I grew or raised (the exceptions being the oil, salt and pepper I used in the cooking). I had a veggie scramble made from: eggs collected from my chickens, milk from my cow, and broccoli, spinach and three types of kale all harvested from the garden moments before being tossed into the pan. I washed it all down with tea brewed from calendula, lemon balm and mint harvested as the water boiled. And for dessert... freshly made raw milk yogurt from our cow with raspberries still warm from the sun-drenched thicket.<br />
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Oh yes. This was a lunch for the record books!Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-2952181469341588562013-07-01T00:09:00.000-07:002013-07-01T00:09:54.532-07:00What a day!I am so bone tired after the most amazing day. <br />
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I spent the morning and most of the afternoon working alongside and learning a ton from the manager of a local dairy. We bought one of her beautiful Jersey cows last weekend (more on that later!) and she graciously welcomed me under her wing today to indoctrinate me into the world of cow care. I know the simple basics from keeping our Dexters for the last year, but thanks to my experience today, my knowledge and confidence have taken a major soaring leap skyward!<br />
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My day at the dairy began with this sweet boy... a little bull calf born two days ago. This poor little guy wandered off from his mama yesterday and got lost in the heat. It took a couple of hours of people searching high and low for him before he was found hunkered down in a small space between two buildings. Today he was somewhat worse for the wear and was suffering from a bit of heat exhaustion. So, I got to learn about signs of weakness in a calf, how to assess the severity of weakness and lethargy, and how to treat such symptoms. Having him adorably suck on my thumb while waiting for his bottle of electrolytes wasn't so bad either! He was so soft and floppy and cute, I could hardly tear myself away from him! And yet, there were shots, IV's, rectal exams, oral drenches and more calling my name.....<br />
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Without going into the grizzly and (at times) gross details of my bovine education, suffice it to say that I learned so much. And I am so very grateful for the bump up the learning curve. I feel so much more comfortable in my role as cow owner and caretaker. (I can't wait to share more about our latest family member!)<br />
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My day plowed ahead through the unusually hot and humid evening air as I milked out our new cow, grateful for the box fan blowing on both of us and keeping the flies away. I raced back up the hill after milking and evening chores to do a quick change of clothes and head out to the Hood Canal for a wonderful sunset dinner by the water, overlooking the Olympic Mountains, with both immediate and extended family. And then, I had the wonderful pleasure of laughing hysterically as our minivan, stuffed to capacity, rocked our backwoods country roads as all six people over the age of 16 months sang nonsensical children's songs at the top of our lungs for the entire car ride home.<br />
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And now... to bed, to sleep... in a house full of open windows inviting in the cooler nighttime air... with a head full of newly gained knowledge... and a heart full of gratitude for such an amazing day.Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-23911519511001878032013-05-29T20:30:00.000-07:002013-05-29T20:30:57.015-07:00Mountain of DreamsA week ago I dumped and mixed 45 pounds of seed in my trusty, rusty old wheelbarrow. A veritable mountain of dreams took shape in the gaping maw of that rickety work horse....<br />
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The dream of a pasture of our own took shape right before my eyes. Now I look on in hopeful wonder and watch carefully as the tiny green sprouts rooted in passion reach for the light.</div>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-30867041403693684032013-05-25T14:34:00.000-07:002013-05-25T14:34:49.596-07:00FunkI'm in a funk. A slump. A rut. The proverbial dark cloud. The embodiment of <i>ugh</i>.<br />
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And honestly, I've no right to be....<br />
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We have just returned from a wonderful family vacation to Northern California. My children are all happy and healthy. The tomatoes are up to my waist and loaded with flowers. Some even have tiny fruit. The calendula patch is bursting with flowers. The first round of harvest is even in the dehydrator as I type this. The raspberry thicket is abuzz with thousands of bees (of both the honey and bumble persuasion). The fruit has set on the apple and pear trees. The chickens are back into their full-blown springtime abundant laying routine. And the list goes on.<br />
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Yet, here I sit. Grumpy. Moody. Gloomy, even.<br />
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So... what could possibly be the problem? I'll tell you. It's the lack of sun. I'm so ready for summer and consistently sunny days, I could explode. The pacific northwest rainforest may be beautiful... yes, quite beautiful indeed... but, what it is decidedly <i>not</i> is sunny. I am a tried and true worshiper of said almighty powerful sky being. Without his golden light, I'm kind of losing my mind. <br />
<br />
After a nice stretch of blue skies in our neck of the woods, followed immediately thereafter by a trip to gloriously sunny Sonoma County California, my psyche is set for sunshine! NPR just told me to expect consistently cloudy skies with a chance of rain for the foreseeable future as I typed that last sentence - ugh.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBgZ52HWJr9nWYk01XVG_PvY01YRldd3ThRWOdpv6FBhtM94dBH8TP9hG8Ouu7eee_bBthrZFH0K7EFFq4WTpLiyAo1S-CQ7tD6GK_uTf30lcQtSNxE7U2TXC2KCAO0ND6k6UiDPzgIKj/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBgZ52HWJr9nWYk01XVG_PvY01YRldd3ThRWOdpv6FBhtM94dBH8TP9hG8Ouu7eee_bBthrZFH0K7EFFq4WTpLiyAo1S-CQ7tD6GK_uTf30lcQtSNxE7U2TXC2KCAO0ND6k6UiDPzgIKj/s640/DSC_0014.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
Dear Mr. Sun, please come out and play....<br />
Please come and lift my blues away! Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-39244001975400021802013-04-24T22:38:00.003-07:002013-04-24T22:38:39.850-07:00Soul food<style>
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</style><span style="font-family: inherit;">We got the tractor and tiller here
again today, to do second and final
till.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve frantically spread the second round of amendments for me the morning that he left for India! And, I got a last minute delivery of about 12
yards of manure this morning and dumped them into
the new garden area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spread it
with the tractor while it was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Phew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could’ve
gotten more, but that was about all I could swing for now.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveqPQHHdMzjEHM7SzmeubNbdnjbYgP1t27mKHsCZtYGWZGsb3pReYlMvkLW6tQdUyoPfsahXgfu63SP5RtBtUGPbBjJmzHpzTfuNgBvksNp3lCKOfCto_zYBO0qT1e0sVum6Ms-ThqyYy/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveqPQHHdMzjEHM7SzmeubNbdnjbYgP1t27mKHsCZtYGWZGsb3pReYlMvkLW6tQdUyoPfsahXgfu63SP5RtBtUGPbBjJmzHpzTfuNgBvksNp3lCKOfCto_zYBO0qT1e0sVum6Ms-ThqyYy/s640/DSC_0018.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back pasture before second till</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The skin on
my hands is turning to sandpaper from hauling so many rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goodness do we ever have some
seriously rocky soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy
moley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U8xjPBcr-YdIwLb83pUF7tJo_1-ELPqk-uRZ3xaBd2W0N0M2ImhAHsq2fnRcS9U06NDb8Bn7bf5X3Iw2KUHK2w0qHrsBh1AKl7sLGdbqbdyAZk1bDpSa1fNflT8eGWe8dNhUczeQqFCy/s1600/rocky+soil+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U8xjPBcr-YdIwLb83pUF7tJo_1-ELPqk-uRZ3xaBd2W0N0M2ImhAHsq2fnRcS9U06NDb8Bn7bf5X3Iw2KUHK2w0qHrsBh1AKl7sLGdbqbdyAZk1bDpSa1fNflT8eGWe8dNhUczeQqFCy/s640/rocky+soil+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the soil in the new garden before second till - look at all those rocks!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily this second till
seems to be dropping the rocks back down below the surface (whereas the first
till brought them all up).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That will make for a much, much better seedbed for the pasture
seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking at the ground
last week and feeling a little worried and discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it’s looking much more hospitable and
promising now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness… I
had visions of patchy pathetic pasture, something reminiscent of a balding chia-pet with fleas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, not anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
looking much better, indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilqufHj6Ps3l9PuiKLk_fVysr90m21hXzr8E2f6mIKcWDDEBAGIjqkjqUfJyjOU3g7RsitkuQDwl-693lW-NwF2CQy-unVwvrlBBatOO8edlrZQk9UiWjiO3bZAtJjvjed6_z_SDs2AjN/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilqufHj6Ps3l9PuiKLk_fVysr90m21hXzr8E2f6mIKcWDDEBAGIjqkjqUfJyjOU3g7RsitkuQDwl-693lW-NwF2CQy-unVwvrlBBatOO8edlrZQk9UiWjiO3bZAtJjvjed6_z_SDs2AjN/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">same spot after second tilling</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1ClC4JQiqpYABPCJw1gGMxNRYxSsINBOvp5zi3iDLEK_PHHpTy9ky_7FciprS3fOvs02evfkq-qpIXywjIsRTuoFRfwL5zmDcraOgjFYT5G5TTIlQ9MrHmxr1lIMGAwsYTCY-of2fOgE/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1ClC4JQiqpYABPCJw1gGMxNRYxSsINBOvp5zi3iDLEK_PHHpTy9ky_7FciprS3fOvs02evfkq-qpIXywjIsRTuoFRfwL5zmDcraOgjFYT5G5TTIlQ9MrHmxr1lIMGAwsYTCY-of2fOgE/s640/DSC_0057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the new garden area (the duck pond is just on the other side of that soil mound on the right)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIGybG6s55MKd8hnyx15UCOy5OeKhDZwv11DRBQoacJ9Y0NM0YsImM4wmkgV6kw_aesOZRfiQ9lewiIZOJizfPvQghFEmmgQA1pAt0-MHSN9uNFzrA_4WrJVXfCwcpKkkWwhV2dUOD56Q/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIGybG6s55MKd8hnyx15UCOy5OeKhDZwv11DRBQoacJ9Y0NM0YsImM4wmkgV6kw_aesOZRfiQ9lewiIZOJizfPvQghFEmmgQA1pAt0-MHSN9uNFzrA_4WrJVXfCwcpKkkWwhV2dUOD56Q/s640/DSC_0066.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">front pasture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holding
down the homestead while Steve is in India is going pretty smoothly so
far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big kids are being extra
helpful and the sunshine makes it all feel so nice and dreamy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really think that sunshine is the key
to happiness and well-being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
stuff is magic, for real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moonlight’s
not so bad either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night, I
finally got around to the cows at about 9:00pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first, before making it out the door, I felt exhausted
and mildly frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I think
it took all of about 5 seconds basking in the moonlight to turn my spirits
right around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was glorious out
there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jade snuggled warmly on my
back, the moon huge and glowing bright in the dark night sky, the pasture
bathed in silver light… it was like a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so beautiful, in fact, that rather than rushing back
inside (as I usually would have doing evening chores that late) I lingered about for
quite a while, moseying here and there around the homestead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing, too -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered a raccoon in the compost
and chased him away before he decided to terrorize my chickens!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway… moonlight is most definitely also a tonic
for the soul (especially for us rainforest dwellers who rarely get clear night
skies).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I left the house for
cow duty feeling wiped out and ready for bed, I found myself only moments later
buzzing with energy and excitement to be out wandering in the moonlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have stayed out there much
longer if it hadn’t been for the very sleepy, diaperless, jammieless baby
tucked onto my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, yes,
sleep was most definitely calling his name.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRNWh-IUZx3CICQByde_A-8E0pHQg_ZM4UymhjMLCVNyom-go0OIxadcWbSqLaCAN8WLcmj0bKxaRS-tpVp-kJqShAzrhp1yLVr537xcFRLXqeX7J5P1JCLEpb1JH0tur4sE71H24ARO-/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRNWh-IUZx3CICQByde_A-8E0pHQg_ZM4UymhjMLCVNyom-go0OIxadcWbSqLaCAN8WLcmj0bKxaRS-tpVp-kJqShAzrhp1yLVr537xcFRLXqeX7J5P1JCLEpb1JH0tur4sE71H24ARO-/s640/DSC_0085.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spring is
definitely taking hold in my soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The longer days feel so good, as do the earlier mornings, the increasing number of clear and sunny days, the soil staining my fingers, the peeps of baby
chicks and ducklings, and the unmistakable surge of energy that pushes me to do
just a little bit more each day. Giving thanks.</span></div>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-69358731027341401072013-04-18T15:38:00.001-07:002013-04-18T15:41:13.760-07:00Clinging<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLxMrMyUVb8WaVOxXlmm9Qmc0rAc4j2O65lY5oD95RPb57S-gdplMwTXZ6Hn9tNnuj2aWDqlIVdz5E4d0R04-6u6tt42VqWo-_jIuMM3jsRnCYcOqN3fDohzNSAtsWOxAzUb5bawDaelp/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLxMrMyUVb8WaVOxXlmm9Qmc0rAc4j2O65lY5oD95RPb57S-gdplMwTXZ6Hn9tNnuj2aWDqlIVdz5E4d0R04-6u6tt42VqWo-_jIuMM3jsRnCYcOqN3fDohzNSAtsWOxAzUb5bawDaelp/s640/DSC_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Poor little
man is in a very mama-centric clingy phase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wants all sorts of mama, however he can get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s making me crazy, but I’m trying to
remember that it’s temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
too shall pass… and I should love it up - all the clinging - while I’ve got
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday, after all, he might
tell me to talk to the hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes. This
will, in fact, pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just takes
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, in the very near
future, he will evolve through this developmental milestone and feel more
secure in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not
need to wrap his body around my calves, wailing and looking desperately up at
me while I attempt to cook… every. single. time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He will not throw himself to the ground sobbing anytime I leave (even
momentarily) the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not
beg to be held constantly, pointing and saying, “Ah!”, at everything he sees
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I too can adapt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not need to feel so frustrated,
like I can’t even breathe on my own, let alone get something done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can take deep breaths in the moments of tightening throat and
clenching jaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can use that
breath to guide my energy down, to bring my awareness and attention to the
small and developing being in my arms, to remind me to slow down and take it
all in stride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Look closely at him, mama. Hug him a little tighter, mama.</i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He will not be
little forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not need
me like he does now for much longer at all, in fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon, very soon, his words will come to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His, “ah, ah, ah”, will shift, and like
magic, carefully chosen words will spill out in their place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will tell me with unwavering certainty
what, exactly, it is that he wants or needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His desire to be held will become less and less as his curiosity to explore the world around him grows more and more. And, as the ground settles from this developmental
earthquake that is rocking his world right now and the pieces fall into place,
I will find standing before me a boy… no longer a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big boy, ready to take on the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Now, mama, the question is… are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</span></b>
ready to let go?</i></span></div>
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Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-72496937282874199632013-04-16T23:32:00.001-07:002013-04-16T23:32:55.464-07:00Today Today was amazing. One of <i>those</i> days, when all the pieces seem to fall magically into place. They don't happen often, but when they do, I just have to pause frequently, take notice and smile inwardly, deep in my heart.<br />
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Beautiful sunrise....<br />
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Followed by a totally smooth and easy morning of animal chores and breakfast (not always so smooth or easy!). Which then lead into a blissful morning trail ride through forest and meadow as the fog burned off making way for the sunshine. Yes! Sunshine <i>and</i> a trail ride?! Again, I squeal, "Yes!!!"<br />
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The early afternoon involved an unfortunately short nap taken by a little guy who I believe was too excited about the sunshine to bother with sleep. During this brief interlude, I stole a few minutes to read up on some other blogs. I read a couple of posts of the ladies penning the <a href="http://www.localgrain.org/fieldsandfire">"Get Real"</a> series - seven mama's getting real about the behind the scenes of juggling motherhood, households, homesteads, homeschooling and the like. Today's topic was balancing work into the equation. I read their stories and reflected on my own juggling act. What followed shortly there after couldn't have been a more perfect manifestation of the mama/worker-bee balancing act in action.<br />
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When Jade woke from his nap, I scooped him up and quickly dressed him for an afternoon outside in unpredictable spring weather. We snagged his older brother and hit the trails behind our property for a quick walk. Cedar and I caught up on what he had been working on all morning, discussed his feelings about the tragedy in Boston yesterday, and just simply had some "connecting" time. Upon our return to the house, Jade and I jumped in the van and zoomed to the barn to get Sequoia from her riding lesson and barn work day. On our way home from the barn, Sequoia and I had some heart-to-heart check-in time while Jade did his own thing in his car seat.<br />
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Once home, Jade and I headed back outside and collected, yet again, more rocks, roots and sticks from the new pasture area while I awaited a conference call.<br />
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About thirty minutes later, my call came in. I snuggled Jade into the carrier on my back and I hit the woods for another walk. I spent the next two hours hiking the trails while "attending" a meeting via cell phone with a perfectly content baby on my back. It was a gloriously sunny and beautiful afternoon in the forest and a highly productive meeting to boot!<br />
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About 30 minutes before my meeting ended, Jade decided he had heard quite enough about spreadsheets and deadlines, and conked out.<br />
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And, not five short minutes after my meeting ended and I decided to head for home, the clouds rolled in, the sky turned a dark and steely grey and thunder began rumbling in the distance.<br />
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Just as I passed the gate that puts me back onto our little gravel road, the sky opened up and caught Jade and I in a crazy downpour of rain and hail. Luckily for us, we were just a quick minute from the house!<br />
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The evening concluded with a quick and easy dinner of burritos and left-over soup, followed by (you guessed it) <i>another</i> family walk in the woods and evening chores. Jade discovered the moon for the first time as we walked through the twilight pasture to feed the cows. He spent the rest of the walk home with his arms outstretched above his head reaching for the moon and babbling with excitement. Once home, he boogied down in the living room to papa's guitar playing while the big kids cleaned up the kitchen and dining room from dinner.<br />
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Then... off to bed for little man. A bit of time spent chatting and catching up for papa and the big kids at the end of the day while mama and baby do their bedtime thing. Now, all are off in their own corners of the house, doing their own quiet thing. <br />
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Yes, today was a <i>good</i> day, indeed. Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-941245203078094582013-04-09T23:18:00.000-07:002013-04-09T23:18:44.543-07:00The Pasture ProjectOk folks, the update that has been needing to happen for quite some time now...<br />
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You have been reading my elusive references to the <i>pasture project</i>. This project and effort have been huge. So much time, energy and work have gone into this dream that is so close to fruition. Oh, it feels so good to be so close!<br />
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It all started a couple of years ago. (I first made reference to it <a href="http://howlingwolffarm.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html">here</a>.) We were in need of the removal of a few hazard trees on our heavily forested landscape, and from there we decided that it was time to plow ahead on our dream of more garden space and pasture. Since then we have surveyed our property, cleared an acre, burned mountains of brush, chipped thousands and thousands of pounds of both hardwood and softwood branches, moved and stacked hundreds of felled tree trunks, bucked and split tens of cords of firewood, put up a robust perimeter fence, hung gates, <span id="goog_745628020"></span><span id="goog_745628021"></span>dug a pond, and completed our first round of mineral and nutrient amendments and tilling. Phew! Oh, and, you know, had a baby smack in the middle of it all (plus homeschooling and jobs).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little helper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">laying out the string lines and fence posts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posts in</td></tr>
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I suppose "cleared" is a relative term here. An area which, a couple of years ago, was so thickly and densely overgrown that it was literally impenetrable and extremely unhealthy is now open and still thinly treed with strong and healthy Big Leaf Maples, Western Red Cedars, Douglas Firs, and Red Alders. I'd say there are still at least 40 or 50 trees standing tall and strong within the fenceline. I was not joking when I said it was overgrown and dense! It's still crazy to me to look at the space as it is now. There were parts of it that I had not even really seen or walked on before because I just couldn't get to them. Now, it is open and accessible and going to be put to very good use.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SqUAfJFtdYRBEiHrhPhc-enBImuj_mb3fXirnVpO3mermev3ZOIDMnq-9sVWLy6edBrnmMCziI9tMU2RtTAnsiVpEWC-eGNxD9cjZvlhfS-FLbTFnUNzVhNmLdO5j3LzsXTqiQXkJEnM/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SqUAfJFtdYRBEiHrhPhc-enBImuj_mb3fXirnVpO3mermev3ZOIDMnq-9sVWLy6edBrnmMCziI9tMU2RtTAnsiVpEWC-eGNxD9cjZvlhfS-FLbTFnUNzVhNmLdO5j3LzsXTqiQXkJEnM/s640/DSC_0021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back pasture area - notice there is no shortage of trees!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of three drive gates, plus the fence is stretched! </td></tr>
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The space is pretty much exactly an acre and will be split up into two main pasture areas (which will be further split into smaller rotational grazing paddocks) and a new large garden. We dug a good sized duck pond in the garden zone for our newest adorable farm friends, the ducklings, who we hope will keep the slug population down to a minimum.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU38jaumdLhp2wUlKq2V51CCBLmMAqSimnZWPtxi5OcnrQJj0ShFmYy_6mj8Mu0V-gKI7YGXtWCJWbHQor368ZS0zK-smaN1k0ssiH11KW_YUhqg0cg3j_Y2rlE30LKF0mELGmyq76kJ5/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYU38jaumdLhp2wUlKq2V51CCBLmMAqSimnZWPtxi5OcnrQJj0ShFmYy_6mj8Mu0V-gKI7YGXtWCJWbHQor368ZS0zK-smaN1k0ssiH11KW_YUhqg0cg3j_Y2rlE30LKF0mELGmyq76kJ5/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning brush and stumps for days and weeks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin84n7zyOA_Xe66x42uO1Z3rYEDpbN6qglMueDrFchwCVdiXvMLp3tbnJKWBV6TmbfeT4YVbfgMiatSYD3OwsOJGRMd5PTWMMgi5c-91GH21LdfCcO4SR4J5zHgAuZmucd5Lcs267lCqkz/s1600/DSC03635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin84n7zyOA_Xe66x42uO1Z3rYEDpbN6qglMueDrFchwCVdiXvMLp3tbnJKWBV6TmbfeT4YVbfgMiatSYD3OwsOJGRMd5PTWMMgi5c-91GH21LdfCcO4SR4J5zHgAuZmucd5Lcs267lCqkz/s640/DSC03635.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dream come true!</td></tr>
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It's definitely challenging to be at the size and scale of gardening/homesteading/farming (whatever you want to call it) that does not really require owning equipment like a tractor and all of its helpful implements, but is also exhausting to get done by hand. That seems to be exactly the spot where we currently reside. We've been both renting and hiring equipment, and doing A LOT by hand. Holy moly, have we been doing so much by hand. Things like spreading 1500 pounds of amendments over an acre by hand with a five-gallon bucket and a yogurt container (!), removing millions of sticks, branches, roots and rocks with our muscles and wheelbarrows, and pulling out roots and stumps. Luckily for us, the weather has granted us a small miracle in the last few weeks and given us enough dry days to get the final push finished that needed to happen before tilling could take place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT3RpTSdx9FtPmMEk-X0-gydWaegBkYUc09t3v0fAfGTnZhGgV8EQseXp1c6V0bZcmumK-jv8_PhDkeR8YYc8DjCud_WDnQqP2OoRCjbECb61-6scvMUtIjG7lz5qVqovorlC-JOSjc7p/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT3RpTSdx9FtPmMEk-X0-gydWaegBkYUc09t3v0fAfGTnZhGgV8EQseXp1c6V0bZcmumK-jv8_PhDkeR8YYc8DjCud_WDnQqP2OoRCjbECb61-6scvMUtIjG7lz5qVqovorlC-JOSjc7p/s640/DSC_0022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too bad Jade's little toy tractor can't quite get the job done!</td></tr>
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Believe it or not, our area historically has droughts every summer. We get non-stop rain and drizzle for 9-10 months out of the year, but from about the first week of July through the early part of October we get little to no rain at all. That being said, it is rather imperative to get the pasture seed down by early May in order for the grasses and herbs to have time to get established before the drought hits. Our goal was to get it sown mid-March, but that was impossible with the weather and the sheer volume of work that needed to get done first.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain of logs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And bucked logs waiting to be split...</td></tr>
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So, at this point, we have one more round of spreading amendments and shallow tilling to go. I'm not a huge fan of tilling, but we need to get the amendments worked down into the soil so they can work their magic. We are just doing a very shallow till with the tiller set at a "float" mode that allows it to just sort of float along the surface of the soil and bounce over tree roots. Our amending had to be spread out over the course of two applications because some of the minerals will bind to each other and become unavailable to the plants if applied at the same time. Our hope is that we have another dry spell sometime around the end of next week that allows us to spread and till. Then, <i>finally</i>, a couple of weeks later... down goes the pasture seed! Woohoo!!!<br />
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While I could continue to ramble on and on and on about this project, with all the details and excitement, my eyes are crossing as I try to type this and I desperately need to go to bed. I hope to add a lot more info as things continue to progress. If you have any questions or particular areas of interest, please hit me up in the comments!Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-5855264587692694722013-03-30T14:42:00.000-07:002013-03-30T14:50:33.111-07:00Nettle HarvestIt's that time of year again! As anyone who has been following this blog knows, nettle season is one of my favorite times of the year. I <i>love</i> nettles. They are just so incredibly delicious and nutritious. And there is such a brief window of time in which they are at their peak for harvest and fresh eating. Oh, how I really, really love nettles....<br />
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And, so it was that earlier this week our family set out into the woods with our rubber gloves, pruning shears and harvest baskets. Thankfully, I am not alone in my nettle passion. If I were, it would probably be a challenge to get my loves on board for risking a good sting or two in the pursuit of this delectable wild bounty. </div>
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Steve was quite skilled and was the only one of us who managed to harvest without getting a single sting. Cedar, Sequoia and I all fell prey to the painful defenses of this amazing plant.<br />
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For those of you who may not know about stinging nettles or have not encountered them, the stalks and leaves are lined with tiny little hairs, that when touched and broken act like a little hypodermic needle and inject a mixture of compounds that sting and irritate the skin. However, once steamed or dried, the nettles no longer sting and can be eaten and enjoyed.<br />
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I find nettles to be the most amazing plant. They are absolutely delicious (as I repeatedly gush), plus they are also useful in other ways. They are a dynamic accumulator, which means that they use their roots to dig deep in the soil and gather minerals, macro and micronutrients and then transfer those nutrients to their leaves. Nettles are particularly good at harvesting nitrogen, calcium, sulfur, magnesium, iron and sodium. That is much of why they are so nutritious to us humans, but also why they are so good for the soil. Nettles can be added to your compost for enhancement with those deeply mined goodies. <i>Plus</i>, the stalks an be used as a fiber plant! Nettles contain a bast fiber much like flax and hemp, so can be rendered and woven. I had the wonderful opportunity several years ago to learn to soften and spin nettle fiber into cord. It was awesome. Aren't these plants incredible?! I'm seriously in love with this particular flora friend.<br />
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Our harvest day concluded with homemade pizzas topped with loads of
nettles and shallots. It was delicious to say the least! Quite the
springtime feast in honor of one of my favorite plants. There is a plan in place to make a large batch of nettle raviolis to put in the freezer to keep the nettle enjoyment going all year. (We just need to find the time to make them! It's quite the process...) And loads are going into the dehydrator to have a large stash on hand for tea as well. My favorite nettle tea blend can be found <a href="http://howlingwolffarm.blogspot.com/2011/04/super-spring-tonic-tea.html">here</a>. But, I also drink just plain nettle tea pretty much every day. It's so good.<br />
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Our favorite harvesting spot happens to also be along one of our favorite local trails. So, in addition to the joy of the seasonal gathering, we get to revel in the beauty of a walk in woods along a gorgeous inlet of south Puget Sound. And settle into the sounds, smells and wonder of being in the forest together with a simple agenda. <br />
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Even the smallest among us seemed to have a blast attempting to throw himself out of the carrier on my back!</div>
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I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying your favorite springtime treats this weekend! </div>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-28808345974245792852013-03-26T14:50:00.000-07:002013-03-26T14:58:30.675-07:00Heart on fireThis past weekend, our beloved family dog passed away. He shared his life, loyalty and love with us for almost fifteen years. I'm still at a loss for words and trying to figure out how life works without him. I wait for his barks when someone pulls into the driveway. I look for him out on the porch. I swear I keep seeing him out of the corner of my eye, watching over us and the farm. My heart swells with love and gratitude and burns with grief and loss as my mind attempts to learn new patterns of the day.<br />
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Thank you, Baraka. Thank you for teaching me about unconditional love, for always being there, for protecting and loving us, for your wise and watchful eyes, for your ceaseless playful energy, and above all else for being a part of our lives and a beautiful member of our family. You will be forever and always in our hearts and part of the pack.<br />
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<br />Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-89541344497876381922013-03-21T21:37:00.002-07:002013-03-21T21:37:50.239-07:00A Quiet EveningAbout to settle into an evening of The Hobbit movie with my family. They all saw it together when it was in the theater, but I did not. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books have been popular and recurring stories in our household for several years now. So the kids are very, very excited for me to see the movie... <i>finally</i>. They are horrified that I did not see it on the big screen. (However, movies in the theater are absolutely not my cup of tea. Even if I could have gone to see it, it's highly unlikely I would have chosen to do so.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy lost his nose and an arm during a big earthquake in 2001. He hangs out in the garden now and smiles at me and reminds me to smile even when things are crazy and enjoy the ride.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It will be a nice, quiet way to end the day after a crazy, hectic springtime frenzy kind of day. Let's just say it involved last-minute hay runs, sprinting back and forth through the pasture many times through sideways sheets of rain and snow, wrangling pesky turkeys, visits with out-of-town friends, and toddlers attempting to eat dinner with their feet on the table and their heads on their seats! All with a very tired baby on my hip or back who was still feeling the effects of a late night with friends last night celebrating the arrival of spring. <br />
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Now, said baby is tucked snugly in bed and I am flanked on either side by big kids anxiously awaiting family Hobbit night. Ah yes, a quiet night does sound nice indeed.Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-15675549789507071232013-03-20T23:56:00.004-07:002013-03-20T23:58:22.256-07:00Happy Spring!Well, spring is most definitely in the air here in the Olympic rainforest. It has been for several weeks now. I'm amazed to see folks still socked in with snow in other parts of the country. (Not that we have regular snowfall here in my neck of the woods... as much as I wish we did!) Here, we are dripping with springtime, quite literally!<br />
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Things are wet, wet, wet here on the homestead. And the new-life energy is springing forth everywhere. Bulbs are blooming, the almond tree is flowering, birdsong is always in the air, frogs are croaking in the pond in the evening calling for mates, the chickens are laying lots of eggs again, and my fingers are itching to get into the soil. Yes, the tell-tale signs of spring are most definitely here.<br />
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Happy Spring! </div>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-67566671886469583222013-03-19T13:52:00.000-07:002013-03-19T13:52:03.030-07:00Grateful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I lay wide awake in the middle of the night last night unable to fall back to sleep, I made a list in my head of many, many simple things I am so grateful for in my life right now. These are just a few....<br />
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:: The soft downy hair on the top of my sweet baby's head that I love to kiss until my lips tingle when I can't sleep at night.<br />
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:: Two big kids who make me so proud every day of the people they are and are becoming as they grow and mature before my eyes.<br />
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:: How lucky I am that my partner is willing to rub my achy feet at the end of a long day.<br />
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:: My chickens are finally back into the springtime laying routine and farm fresh omelets really are the best breakfast ever (and lunch, and dinner). <br />
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:: I'm so happy that the frogs are croaking in the pond again.<br />
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:: The pasture and new garden project is <i>so close</i> to completion... just a few more tasks that need to be done. I can't wait to sow seed and watch it grow!<br />
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:: My first few skeins of balanced and beautiful two ply yarn- soon to be knit into something cozy for a little guy I know and love.<br />
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:: Our ever growing list of fruit trees, shrubs and ground covers from <a href="http://www.burntridgenursery.com/">Burnt Ridge Nursery</a>.<br />
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:: Learning to ride horses again after 25 years out of the saddle.<br />
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:: Occasional sunny days, and the crazy schizophrenic springtime weather of sunshine, sideways rain, hail, blustery winds and rainbows all in a matter of an hour.<br />
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:: Fourteen and a half wonderful years with the most wonderful, amazing and loyal dog I could have ever asked for. <br />
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May your day (and night) be filled with much gratitude and love....Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-91110000265465664542013-02-13T07:42:00.000-08:002013-02-13T07:42:54.623-08:00What we've been up toJust a quick photo update....<br />
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as many forest walks as we can get in breaks between rains</div>
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working, working, working to get the new pasture area ready to be seeded</div>
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my first awesome date night out with my big kids since Jade was born</div>
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little man helping with the pasture project</div>
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<i> loving</i> the early morning when the sun is still below the clouds</div>
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(you gotta take it when you can get it!)</div>
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my little chicken watcher.... hours spent watching chickens every day</div>
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entering the Grand Chapiteau of the Cirque du Soleil</div>
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burning brush from the pasture project</div>
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I thought I'd capture the mess that occupies the foot of my bed at the moment, to give a glimps into the world of what occupies my brain at the moment!</div>
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All is busy, busy, busy here in our world. Big progress has been made on the new pasture/garden project. I can't wait to share more soon!</div>
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xoxo</div>
Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-7442349551392666492013-02-08T13:52:00.000-08:002013-02-08T13:52:01.599-08:00This MomentI thought I'd share another <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2013/02/this-moment-1.html">{this moment}</a> post with you all this week. <br />
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A true testament to his pacific northwest rainforest upbringing, during a rare winter sunbreak, Jade was utterly confused by the patches of sunlight on the living room floor. He kept looking at them in sheer bewilderment, reaching down and trying to pick them up. <br />
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Oh, how I long for sunshine!<br />
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<br />Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-33927955005247375692013-01-18T21:45:00.000-08:002013-01-18T21:45:40.738-08:00This MomentOver on Soulemama, the weekly "this moment" post is a sweet ritual that I have never taken part in. However, this week I feel quite moved to share a single photo that captures a moment I wish to remember forever....<br />
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xoxoxoMamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-86067301703165135372013-01-11T13:57:00.000-08:002013-01-11T13:57:47.278-08:00Chasing dreamsWe are off to a good start this year. We decided that after a year of falling way behind on projects around here, we'd hit the ground running in 2013. And, so far, we have! It's great!<br />
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New Year's day felt like an omen to me. A foreshadowing of the productivity to come... January 1, 2013 commenced with 20 trees coming down in the new garden and pasture area. The final trees that have been holding the project up since December of 2011. I know that probably sounds harsh, the ending of 20 lives here on the land. But I assure you, they were all trees unlikely to remain standing for long. They were either pioneer species reaching the end of their natural lifespan, or trees that had been damaged in some way that left them likely to be downed in a good gusty windstorm (of which we have many here on our howling windy hilltop homestead). And now, not only can we safely erect the perimeter fence without risk of falling trees, but we also have a good few years' worth of firewood to feed our woodstove harvested from right outside the front door.<br />
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A few short and busy days later, Jim, the ever-patient fencing expert we have been working with, came out and gave us our final "go ahead" and quote to order the fence supplies. Woo hoo! We are finally doing it! The supplies have been ordered and will be arriving here sometime in the next couple of weeks. The perimeter fence should be up by the end of the month!<br />
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I have spent the last few days researching pasture seed mixes and brainstorming the best ways to keep the chickens out so the pasture can get established without them scratching it up and eating all the seed. I keep designing and re-designing the layout of cross fencing for future rotational grazing. I day dream about the new garden space and all the wonders that will grow there. I can see it all in my mind's eye and it's beautiful!<br />
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Our 2013 chicks have been ordered and seed catalogs can be found in just about every room of the house. I'm considering getting a few ducks this year. Maybe? I could certainly use a little help from some fowl friends in keeping the slug population down to give our rainforest-dwelling garden a fighting chance. Plus... they're so damn cute. I'm thinking either <a href="http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/waterfowl/campbell.html">Khaki Campbells</a> or <a href="http://www.albc-usa.org/cpl/waterfowl/runner.html">Runners</a>. We shall see.<br />
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And, speaking of hitting the ground running in 2013, Jade has decidedly jumped on board. Little man started walking on Christmas day (at a mere 10 months of age!). Once he discovered the world of a biped, he has not looked back. Rarely is there an instance when he opts to crawl rather than walk. Watch out world.... Jade's coming!<br />
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Time to stretch and warm up... this mama is ready to chase down some dreams....<br />
<br />Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908529599401964243.post-64594396854530913542012-10-22T22:50:00.000-07:002012-10-22T22:50:59.400-07:00Around the HomesteadHello!<br />
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My goodness! It's hard to find the time to write here. Life is just so busy! But, I'm trying to take inspiration from the many spiders around here these days and get back on the writing train. After a long hiatus, I think I'd like to continue with the "Around the Homestead" posts each Monday.<br />
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After a rather hectic and all-over-the-place summer, we are beginning to settle
into a nice rhythm this fall. And it feels so good. Our days have been full of autumn activities such as splitting and stacking firewood, getting the animals housing and food ready for winter, mushroom hunting, and harvesting apples for cider, applesauce, pies and so much more. This weekend we'll be planting garlic and building a new mobile chicken coop... can't wait!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVNn7nK5FpNT6vOVYc9GZptql9yTqviO3o607sRGXI85-aBlZ9SCypnBQtAVE8PY7S9MS5_m-jjT2bnKBUR58NGp5V0LFCjG2D8XRvxQPbrkn7FChGKsgelu9YTq5zKIvylsCayCdiW1r/s1600/DSC03322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVNn7nK5FpNT6vOVYc9GZptql9yTqviO3o607sRGXI85-aBlZ9SCypnBQtAVE8PY7S9MS5_m-jjT2bnKBUR58NGp5V0LFCjG2D8XRvxQPbrkn7FChGKsgelu9YTq5zKIvylsCayCdiW1r/s640/DSC03322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">splitting, splitting, splitting... and more splitting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and still so much more to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIn9EQvsfH4jeCLd836mjlv1xGMzbD7JdEsSL7bvl5cf_guwgil45Qf35Nn6ugrmkuDsvDiXo6wcUfJVzE7VXrI6dPFo1-r8uzjImLd1q4g-T3_O66i-HJeDp36mB5diJO9Jo-eolWpXa/s1600/DSC03294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIn9EQvsfH4jeCLd836mjlv1xGMzbD7JdEsSL7bvl5cf_guwgil45Qf35Nn6ugrmkuDsvDiXo6wcUfJVzE7VXrI6dPFo1-r8uzjImLd1q4g-T3_O66i-HJeDp36mB5diJO9Jo-eolWpXa/s640/DSC03294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birch and Sarsaparilla have been hunkering down in the barn quite a bit since the rain started. I'm working to get the barn nice and cozy since they've been spending so much more time there.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElfRhNzDupi4IM_OG9yS9qkgZZlThWmGcYh3EwH4uXIRpn9ENZh0L9TloRzP8MotnmxDZDGxYzNZeOrPbUZRUT_-mXLbkXsT30SyRUPW-WoRKkbw_bP-YZU2_uuWF7K96Sx5_bfKyszez/s1600/DSC03277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElfRhNzDupi4IM_OG9yS9qkgZZlThWmGcYh3EwH4uXIRpn9ENZh0L9TloRzP8MotnmxDZDGxYzNZeOrPbUZRUT_-mXLbkXsT30SyRUPW-WoRKkbw_bP-YZU2_uuWF7K96Sx5_bfKyszez/s640/DSC03277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Been enjoying perfecting vegan/gluten-free apple pies this fall. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spending time in the old growth while hunting for mushrooms has been nothing short of divine.</td></tr>
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And we are embarking on our annual fall
cleaning spree. I know that most folks do spring cleaning but, around
these parts, the major push occurs in the fall. It feels most needed
when the weather turns cold and wet and we begin spending more time
inside. There's an undeniable need to massively clean house... and purge,
purge, purge!<br />
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It feels SO good to be pushing things out the door. It's downright amazing (and ridiculous) how much stuff amasses. <br />
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So, here's to autumn, spiders, writing, and getting rid of stuff.... Cheers!<br />
<br />Mamawolfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10483157272238086737noreply@blogger.com2