We had a productive year with the poultry, though also lots of losses due to predators. We had our last hatch last week- one of the rouen ducks hatched out 9 ducklings!
We have been busy putting up food for the year. The garden did ok even with the late start getting it in due to the weather and work schedule. We are still getting tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage. Just put up spaghetti sauce today. Also went to the apple orchard and got apples and made apple dumplings and apple pie filling. The pears on our tree did well, I made pear butter with those. I was not prepared for the amount of grapes we got and decided to feed those to the animals instead.
Also been working on getting the garden pond in this year. We got a good start on it....but it will now be reconfigured since a freind of mine is moving out of state and is giving me hers. So working on removing all of that and the landscaping and hoping the trees, plants and fish make it through the winter. Here is a shot of what we got done.
We have been getting ready for winter. We bought a wood stove and Austin and I installed the tiles and heat shield, then Chris and Brandon came over and moved it in. The pipe should be hooked up next weekend and ready to fire up! Now to stock up on firewood.
We got rid of the propane cooking stove and now have an electric one. No more propane and high propane bills! I still need to find a new home for the propane fireplace and the propane heaters in the kennel building (which I quit using a couple years ago since the dogs would lay in the snow rather than take advantage of the warm building- guess they thought it was too warm). I may get another wood stove for the bedroom, but for now we will just heat it with electric when we sleep- otherwise the door can stay open.
My work has picked up...I suppose that is fine for winter as things will be winding down, but I have not enjoyed it during the warm months. It really cut into the time I needed to get things done at home and my sleep has lacked because of it.
I am ready for fall this year....not because I enjoy the coming winter and the challenges it brings- but because it means more time to bake, spend time with family and freinds and work on projects in the house. Austin put tile down in the entry way, finished grouting the other entry that was tiled a few years ago and we are preparing to remodel the second bath. I took the claw foot tub to the shop to be sand blasted last week....next week we will paint it and start doing the tear down. The wall needs moved to fit it in. Then tile will go on the floor, bead board half way up wall and wall paper over that. I already have a pedestal sink I picked up for free, a mirror that matches the one in my bath, sconces and a mini crystal chandelier to go in there. Big possibility my mom will be moving in and I think she will really love this bathroom when it is done....I know I will :)
