Plans and goals for 2015

As a homesteader, one must always be planning ahead at least one season. I gave big plans for 2015 as a whole, and the next few months in particular.

• Build a raised bed (I'm starting this in today), and transfer most of my non-succulents into it. I don't know enough about guilds to take that sort of symbiosis into account, but I am considering the direction of the sun and wind and heights of the plants. Hoping to have this done by Jan 31st. I may set up drip irrigation? (Will have to learn more about setting it up.)
• Finish prepping for the chickens by Feb 28th. That includes building the coop, run, stuff to climb on, and getting some forage plants started outside the run.
• Learn more about raising rabbits for meat and fur.
• If possible, attend workshops about butchering chickens and rabbits, and/or get first-hand experience informally via friends.
• Continue learning to cook various dishes with rabbit meat.
• Continue learning about permaculture, organic gardening, raising livestock, and especially hugelkultur.
• Visit at least 2 alpaca farms. (I contacted two alpaca owners/farmers in 2014 but neither contact worked out.)
• Continue building up my dog training business. Implement at least two new marketing strategies.
• Host at least one party/social gathering quarterly.

All attainable goals that will keep me moving toward the life I desire.

Peas

My pea plants are quite happy lately.

I just need to extend their trellis with a second layer of poultry wire...

Oops.

Strawberry flower

I don't know what this strawberry plant is thinking, blooming in mid-January.

Scarves! Scarves! Scarves!

I spent November and December crocheting scarves almost non-stop. I gave three to my parents and sister, one to her boyfriend, one to a friend, and one to myself. Here's the gallery:

Dad's. These freaking hexagons took forever.

Mom's. I enjoyed adding the trim - it really makes it shine.

Sister's. It's more decorative than for warmth.

Sister's SO's. Keyhole scarves are awesome.

Friends. Another keyhole but I altered the pattern because the yarn was thinner. This was one yarn ball that frequently changed colors and textures.

Mine. Natury!

Avante garde.

Milking goats, building a cold frame

Last week I visited my new homesteading friends again and remembered to take picture of the goat milking experience. Here goes!

Tuna, Tulip, and Cheddar

They know exciting things are about to happen.

Cai is excited as well. We worked on NOT barking at the goats.

The handmade milking station.

Cheddar walks into the barn and jumps onto the milking station all by herself.

She gets a special snack during the milking.

I think I was rubbing her smaller teat to get more milk out in this picture. The one on the left (closer to the camera) has a healthier milk gland and produces more.

At this point in her life she produces a bit more than a quart of milk per day.

After milking Cheddar (which was, inexplicably, SO MUCH FUN), we set about building a cold frame. This is like a raised bed, but is covered with something translucent at the top (such as a window) to create a tiny greenhouse.

They taught me how to use a miter saw! This was super cool! They let me do a majority of the cutting as well.

Cai did not care at all about the noise of the saw.

The bottom row of planks. They put this one together, but then I took over the job of drilling and putting in screws.

Almost finished. After I left for the day, they put together a row of wood which slanted at the top, placed the window over it, and attached it with hinges. It will be oriented so that it faces south to maximize sunlight.

I am so grateful to have made friends who will teach me as we work, and don't get annoyed if I'm slower than they are!

Butternut squash

I spontaneously purchased a butternut squash at the grocery store, and roasted it with garlic and rosemary.

I had never eaten squash before, and was amazed at how sweet it was. Too sweet, actually - I left the pan for my housemate.

Worm bin

I sent a picture of my worm bin to a new homesteading friend.

I pulled back the top layer of fresh food scraps, and a multitude of wriggling worms were right underneath. They are happy worms. I think it's time to set up a new bin and let them finish off all the food scraps in this one.