GREETINGS
We have had mornings of nippy fingers and today its a cold, damp rain. We need it though as things were getting very dry. I can’t believe it’s already September.
THE SIDE YARD GARDEN
This garden has been neglected this year and I am weeding and remaking the garden paths, tying up the apple trees and trimming them. I am hoping to plant some beets soon. The blueberry bushes produced more berries than I ever got.
I am cutting the spearmint and tying it into bundles and drying it up in the barn to freshen up the chickens nest boxes during the winter. I have other,mint plants in the front yard to do the same with. After they are all dry I will mix them with lavender and a few other herbs and store them, keeping a few branches to hang in the coop It does help to keep the coop smelling better during the long winter days.
A GREEN HOUSE FOR THE CHICKENS
Every year at this time I think about a nice greenhouse for the chickens to go in during the long winter. More space to run around and some fresh air. I always get so busy in the fall and it doesn’t get done. I bought a make your own greenhouse book at the Library Book sale at the Heath Fair and I am planning on seeing what I can do. Nothing elaborate and something I can put up and take down every year. I would like to find some old windows. It takes time and I never seem to have enough of it in the fall.
LOOSING A FRIEND
Our community lost a friend, mentor and Volunteer Fireman Harry Dunning. His wife Jane took loving care of him through the long illness. The service for him was beautiful and inspiring. In sadness there is beauty and it surely was in that Church on Saturday.
FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR
I will be vending at the fair this year again. One thing that I have done is take an old ,broken down wooden tool carrier and fixed it as best as I could and pickle painted it. It will be perfect for my bags of wool for needle felting . I look forward to the show, good company and lots of excitement and return customers makes it a fun weekend. Pan to have lots of new handmade items there.
STORING FOR THE WINTER
Today hops and catnip are being dried in the dehydrator the smell permeates the house.
Catnip did well where I placed it this year, plenty of sun is what it needed. I bought some Pennyroyal from Sue Bates also and it is living near the catnip and it loves it there. Its next on my list to dry. Susan has the best plants and always brings them to The Massachusetts Sheep and Wool show. She is at Brimfield this week, check out her booth at Quaker Acres.
I picked a pail full of hops this week and they will be going into dream pillows today.
The small Hazel Nut tree produced a box full of nuts. They are safely in the car for drying, which was the suggestion on the internet. I think I got them just in time as some of them were ripe.
I am now getting Roma tomatoes and today will get them in the freezer. Peppers are on the agenda too and so far I have one large bag in the freezer. I need about 6 large bags to get me through the winter.
BANTAM HENS
Morticia and her daughter Violet have been nesting for months now. I have separated the side yard chicken area and they along with Opal who had the sneezes when I got her, will go outside in the converted dog house tonight. They all need to change their life styles!!!!!!!In another month they will all come in and I hope to have the big front coop separated so the Bantams have their own space. Eventually I hope to have all Bantams as they need less room and require less work..
Many thanks for reading my blog today. The leaves are just starting to turn on Route 2, It looks like a fabulous fall. Carole
