Archive for December, 2009
December 17, 2009 – Thingamajig Thursday #189
Here’s this week’s thingamajig Thursday. Also check out the last thingamajig answer. As always, put your guess in a comment below. Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer. one year ago…”Kids Christmas ’08″
December 16, 2009 – Snow Sculptures
The aftermath of the big snow and a glazing of ice a few days later makes for interesting patterns in the snow. Cross-bedded and sculpted snow looks like basin and range from the sky. A view of last year’s the flower garden with the wind-sculpted channels of snow and ice covering next year’s garlic crop. ...Read more.
December 15, 2009 – No Windspire Today
Today was the scheduled install date for the Windspire turbine. I had earlier covered the foundation site with straw to prevent the ground from freezing, but today’s highs in the single digits evidently was too hard to work in. We’re rescheduled for Dec 28th. one year ago…”Ice/Snow/Sleet”
December 14, 2009 – Moving Around the Farm
I spent about four hours on Saturday moving snow around the farmstead with the tractor blade and loader. It’s not always easy moving around the unplowed areas as knee-deep snow is common. one year ago…”Tree All Dressed Up”
December 13, 2009 – Snowbanks
I think the winter is here to stay – we’ve not been above freezing for about 10 days now and the cold weather continues. Martin went to check out how our natural windbreak worked – and here are the drifts to show that it is working. Years ago, we’d have to put up an take ...Read more.
December 12, 2009 – Thanks to Mr. Squirrel
For the first decade or so we lived on the farm, there were not many squirrels. There are now some – I’m not sure if they found the farm again after a long absensce, or if all the trees we planted have now encouraged them to come and stay. I’m thankful for this squirrel as ...Read more.
December 11, 2009 – Subersnow
As expected, storm recovery takes a while. Hear Martin helps clear the snow off the Outback. We bought the ’96 Outback about 18 months ago as a car for our new drivers, Claire and Emma. It remains our only all-wheel drive vehicle and has seen a lot of use this week. I feel better with ...Read more.
December 10, 2009 – Thingamajig Thursday #188
Here’s this week’s thingamajig Thursday. Also check out the last thingamajig answer. As always, put your guess in a comment below. Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer. one year ago…”Shooting Star”
December 9, 2009 – Storm of the Century?
Word from the weather service is that the current blizzard is the 2nd biggest in recorded history in the state of Iowa – not able to beat an 1880′s storm. The criteria for “biggest” means the most snow over the widest area. We’ve had bigger storms here on the farm in the last 13 years, ...Read more.
December 8, 2009 – Martin’s First Music Gig
Last weekend Martin had his first gig out of home/church. He was invited by his piano teacher to play at the Mason’s Christmas party. It was the first time for all of us inside a Mason Lodge, made more famous by Dan Brown’s latest novel. Here’s Martin posing before his performance. one year ago…”First No ...Read more.
December 7, 2009 – Kale for the Masses
OK. This is probably the last thing out of the garden this year – kale. Here Martin samples the crispy kale. Just de-vein the kale if desired, sprinkle with a bit of olive oil and apple cider vinegar and bake for a few minutes, turn and bake again until crispy – a great alternative to ...Read more.
December 6, 2009 – 2009 Gift Boxes
Once again, it is time to offer the bounty of the farm for holiday gift-giving. Many customers love the local, made in Iowa, non dust-collecting nature of the boxes. The boxes contain various combinations of jams made from organically raised fruit from the farm, honey from the farm, real goat milk soap made on the ...Read more.
December 5, 2009 – Gift Box Assembly
Today is gift box assembly day. Tomorrow we’ll post photos of this year’s offerings. Martin brings up the jam from the basement. The products get labeled, wrapped, and boxed on the dining room table – Emma is wrapping the goat milk soap. one year ago…”2009 High Hopes Gift Boxes”
December 4, 2009 – Snow and Yech
OK, the 60 degrees earlier in the week are but a memory. Yesterday was the first snowfall. Evidently, the city of Ames forgot where they parked their sanding trucks – I left work a couple hours after it stopped snowing and thought the roads would be fine – I navigated to the busiest E-W street ...Read more.
