Two big things stand out about the current pandemic. 1. The rural community is tighter than ever. 2. Nearly all my farm help from community service hours has ceased. What does a single farm girl do?
Big things, like heavy lifting, simply have to wait. For example, another storm blew through two nights ago and destroyed one of the chicken coops. Fortunately, none of the chickens were hurt but now I have to figure out how to fix it or get a new one. I still drive a small volvo and don’t have a truck (I know, I know). Hauling anything for the farm is a pain for sure.
A couple weeks ago I was able to have the new garden fence installed but the garden beds and planting are all up to me. The new garden has a lovely view of the pond.
Setting up a new garden is back breaking work. And due to having to battle red wasps while the sun is bright, I’ve had to work on it during early mornings and evenings. Even so, the asparagus beds have only been in four days and are already sprouting spears. I bought three year old crowns and asparagus grows for over 20 years so I’m pretty stoked. My last asparagus garden was destroyed by the goats. The blueberries already have fruit but I just wish I could grow citrus here. I love things I can plant once and they produce for years.
I found several packs of old heirloom seeds from 2013 – nearly all of them sprouted except the carrots and cilantro. I have several kinds of Italian and Greek tomatoes I’ll transplant soon. Excited for canning season…hopefully I’ll have the time. Who knows, most likely we will all be too busy again soon.
The best thing about the world being quarantined is it has given me uninterrupted time to be creative. From the garden, to the kitchen and sewing room I’ve been checking off items I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I finally had time to remake my favorite lip balm. You can see the tutorial and video here.
And since it’s egg season and my regular egg buyers aren’t able to visit, I’ve become the Bubba Gump of eggs. This is my 3rd plate of truffle deviled eggs:
Yesterday I whipped out two grocery store bags made from my old feed bags. Reuse, redesign, repurpose…right? 
These bags are super easy, even for someone new to sewing.
My next project is to make chicken diapers for Phoebe, my frizzle cochin. I mean, how cute it this little girl? A couple days ago she ate her first spider in the house – she’s my hero!
There’s been a lot going on out here lately. Some of it has been great, and some pretty awful. I’ll post about it later but in the meantime, I’m on baby goat watch. My Nigerian Dwarf doe, Hattie, is due anytime. New life is just what the doctor ordered.
xo
