The last week of summer is often bittersweet, because I’ve always looked forward to the first day of school and the start of fall weather. This time it’s more bitter than sweet. I need to go back to work –…
Week 60 at Farm 96: Wood Shed & Overproofed Bread
My summer as a full-time homesteader is rapidly coming to an end, and after next week I will return to work full-time as a teacher. I often catch myself rushing to complete tasks as if, after the first day of…
Week 59 at Farm 96: The Chickens’ First Heat Wave
We had a few days of extreme heat and humidity. My productivity dropped not just because it was uncomfortable outside, but also because I spent most of my time perseverating about my animals. I always worry a bit about Winnie,…
Week 58 at Farm 96: New Farm Puppy!! & Reclaimed DIY Potting Sink
It was a very busy week with many projects completed, despite the fact that we took a day off to pick up a very important package in Vermont: Tater, a 10-week-old Australian Shepherd. My adopted mom has been dog-less for…
Week 56 at Farm 96: Building a Dutch Door
When I woke up on Wednesday morning to a hazy orange sky, I felt like I was back in Denver – where forest fire smoke is (unfortunately) a common occurrence. As the day progressed, the smoke surpassed any experience I’ve…
Week 55 at Farm 96: DIY Copper Hose Guides & Fighting Cucumber Beetles
I have to admit: the pace that I’ve been maintaining for the last three weeks is catching up with me. I spend the mornings reading, and then at about 10am I head outside to work on my various projects until…
Week 54 at Farm 96: Spreading Mulch and Wood Chips (and liking it)
This is the exact summer I wanted, with days on end to work on my projects. There was always a chance that I would get to this point and hate everything about homesteading, even after working towards it for so…
Week 53 at Farm 96: Shoveling Compost
Sometimes, I put myself in a prison of my own making. When the garden fence was completed on June 18th, I set a rather lofty goal for myself: install and plant ten 4×18 beds by July 1st. This week was…
Week 52 at Farm 96: Year One as a Solo Female Homesteader
It has officially been one year since I realized my lifelong dream to purchase a farm of my own. My goal is to build this property into a semi-self sufficient homestead, and along the way I’ve been posting weekly progress…
Week 51 at Farm 96: Fence Posts & Baby Chicks
As is fitting for an exciting week at the farm, I came down with a cold. It’s just mild enough to impact my stamina, but not bad enough to keep me inside. This is why it is important for me…
Week 50 at Farm 96: The Precipice of Major Change (again)
Much like this time last year, I am on the precipice of major change – but the context is so very different. In early June, I am eager and anxious. My mind runs wild in anticipation of the many tasks…
Weeks 48 & 49 at Farm 96: Spending Money
My work commitments start to taper off as summer approaches, and the days stretch seemingly forever after I’ve gotten home from work. I often start the evening with the intention of completing a specific task, only to get distracted by…