As frustrating as it is to have so little time for homesteading during the week, it does shed light on how lucky I am for most of the rest of the year. A typical homesteader with a full time job…
Week 39 at Farm 96: New Cold Frame
I am not behind on writing, but I am behind on posting – oops. Week 39 was March 16 through March 22nd. Here’s what I got done: Food Production I installed the new cold frame that I had constructed over…
Weeks 37 & 38 at Farm 96: Boiling Maple Sap!
As I enter the busiest season for my job and other responsibilities, I find myself having to cram as much as possible into one or two days each week. I enjoy all of the roles that I take on outside…
Week 31 at Farm 96: Buying a Chicken Coop & Staying Warm
I vividly remember the October 2011 snowstorm that cancelled Halloween and closed school for two full weeks. Our house was without power for nine days. The appliances were electric and the gas fireplace had an electric starting mechanism. We were…
Weeks 20 & 21 at Farm 96: Winterizing Fruit Trees and Planting Garlic
I consider myself relatively intelligent and a decently handy person. My dad made it a point to familiarize me with the basic functioning of my childhood home and involved me in basic tasks like changing filters and completing repairs. I…
Week 19 at Farm 96: Fall Harvests from the Cold Frame
I’ve noticed that many people my age talk about wanting to travel the world. My friends from high school go on weekend trips to resorts and AirBnBs, seeking concerts and hiking trails and experiences galore. I’m happy for their joy,…
Weeks 16 & 17 at Farm 96: Trash Picking and Preparing for the Frost
For the nearly six months that I was under contract to buy this house, I was certain that I would be the kind of homeowner who had it all together: fully unpacked in the first weeks, decorating decisions made, art…
Week 15 at Farm 96: Woodchuck & Wood Stove Woes
I’ve been flying high – the autumn leaves have been stunning, my solar panels are installed, and I’m really living my homesteading dream. So, naturally, this week was a huge downer with a lot of frustrations. Growing Food I had…
Weeks 12 & 13 at Farm 96: First Harvest, Second Firewood Rack
The weather has been lovely, the leaves are starting to turn, and I am finding a rhythm with the work of the farm. There is a fabulous repetitiveness to it all – novel tasks can only be accomplished in the…
Week 11: Planting the Orchard & Blueberry Patch
This week was a perfect storm of non-farm responsibilities: daily after-school meetings throughout the week and lots of time spent on call as an EMT over the weekend. When I’m on call, I try to limit how dirty I get….
Week 10 at Farm 96: Loose Horses & Wild Grapes
Sunday morning started as usual – a leisurely wakeup before heading out the door to take my dog for a walk. My first thought when I stepped outside was how beautiful this property is; the steam rising from the goldenrod…
Week 9 at Farm 96: Spreading Wood Chips & Baking Sourdough
It’s the last push before summer ends and the school year begins. Typically, my back to school to-do list involves meal prepping and lesson planning; this year is the same, but with the added pressure of trying to finish every…