Fun at Grand-la's house

You know your dog is your baby when you brush her teeth. And I just can't help myself from posting pictures of Ruth. She seems to be close to crawling already!!!!

Trim, in perspective

It's official. We now have trim on our windows and doors! I had become used to the look of half inch gaps filled with jagged and crumbling sheetrock all around the doors and windows. It was like a daily shout out to all the voices telling us NOT to move in until everything is done, otherwise it won't get done. But c'mon people, trim doesn't make you any money, right? Atleast that would be what our farm mentor would say. (but point in fact: he still has unfinished trim in his house after fifteen years!!! ssshhhh!!)
So yes, we could have put that money towards something ever so valuable for the farm. Blueberries, another hoophouse, the big section of peonies we want, all the woody cuts and perennials in the catalogs that look at me yearning for a good place to live (it's as bad as looking at those weekly shelter ads for adorable pets that need a home!). But what about feng shui and living in a balanced abode? That must count for something. We must not always put the farm first, which is so often the case.
Having the trim up actually feels like we just took a big deep breath. Like there is progress in more than one avenue of our lives. I was just recently discussing with a close friend and fellow flower grower the ever so important question of how to maintain a good quality of life while running a farm. Because there is always, ALWAYS, something urgent and pressing to do, something to weed, or plan, or start, or order.
Balancing that personal and intimate self-rejuvenation that we all need to live a fulfilled life can easily get neglected. I think a hammock and some wind chimes are in order. And not just those one inch diameter wind chimes. Oh no. We're talking five inches wide so that there is a symphony of the elements where we can go whenever we need to recharge. We have a friend who has these massive wind chimes on her farm (complete with hammock nearby) and I tell you, it will rock your world. Metaphorically speaking that is. Epiphanies and let-it all-go's galore.
How long before we make that happen? What will we prioritize first? Ruth is still for more milk and cream. We have to think about her needs too.
But back to the trim. First we had to sand and seal the windows and put one more coat on our big room (where we spend 95% of our time). Actually, I had no hands on here, I was busy being mom the milkmaid. Ruth and I had to go over to Grand-la's house for the whole process so she wouldn't be breathing bad fumes (another blog for that!). So thanks Skye, Adam, and especially Gerard for all the hard work.
Gerard had the awesome idea to place a sliver of black walnut from some leftover flooring under the top piece of trim. It really gives the trim a unique and, in my opinion, masculine look. Like I can almost smell a whiff of cologne when I look at it. Maybe that is what black walnut is all about. Seduction and intrigue. Such a beautiful wood. But now we're bordering on this whole conversation turning lewd. Anyhow, we love the trim and it's done and we're so glad we did it. There.

To market we will go

The farm just doesn't let up! Here are some photos of our two hoophouses. I've been biting my nails over the two beds of anemones we have planted. So far they've given us small and deformed looking buds with a lot of rotten centers and they just aren't looking so hot. I get down every time I visit the house and cut them. But the good news is that it looks like they might be coming out of it. I see a lot of big fat buds on them this week, so cross my fingers, let's hope that was just a weird spell. That is one of the problems with farming. You think you can count on growing something right after a few good rounds and then the plant lets you know your place.

The poppies are doing amazingly well. Last time I tried them in the hoophouse a couple years ago they didn't start blooming til' February, but it has been so warm they sent up a major first round of buds....very exciting as these have been the first to go at market. The colors border on being indecent they are so saturated and intense. Maybe that is why they are so popular. A modest indecency for people to help them deal with the drabness of winter. I know I need them more than ever.
This upcoming season is looming large in my mind with an ever-present apprehension about how on earth we are going to get it all done with Ruth. It'll happen. We know time will keep on flowing and we will just have to do the best we can. The farming gods have been good to us so far. As has my mama, who has really integrated herself into our farm. She is amazing. Mothers are amazing. Now that I am a mother, my respect and admiration for all mothers has increased exponentially. I thought farming was hard work but it ain't got nothing on being a mom.

To warm the coldest of hearts

It's been a while hasn't it??! Time is going by even faster now that we have this little cherub in our lives. We've been dealing with crazy amounts of diarrhea (lovely, right?) and we're not sure whether it is her teething or if the antibiotic has gotten a little weird in her system. But we're changing poopy diapers twice a night, which is akin to a mild form of parenting torture. She is such a sweetheart though, and her awareness has really developed this past month. Just the other day she was explaining the theory of relativity to me with her eyes. It was mindblowing I tell you. She also has quite a few ideas about installing milk fountains around the farm, having cream on tap, that kind of thing.
Here is a video of baby Rue that is pretty hilarious. It's the closest she has come to laughing to date, which I've been so patiently waiting to happen.

Retro dancing, laughing from stuart white on Vimeo.

Enjoy!