It's taken so long for Spring to actually get here in the Northeast. We had a long, cold, but fun winter, and since then more cold and lots of rain. BUT we're finally seeing some weather that's more seasonal, although still plenty of showers. We've finally gotten the garden tilled and planting has begun! The question is, though....will it ever end? LOL Who knows. I've got a gigantic garden (well, I am feeding 6!) But it's a labor of love that keeps us more and more self-sufficient, and I trust my food over anything I get anywhere else any day!
Mother's Day brought me a trip around to Lowe's and the local Farm and Garden store, where we bought fruit trees for our little orchard and cole-crop plants for the garden. We came home and my husband planted the trees for me. Really, it was a great gift and a great day...and I can't wait until we can out back and sit under the trees and pick a healthy, yummy snack. Now that we have the orchard started, we're considering bee-keeping. So yes, next up is hunting for some great bee keeping books. And maybe learning how to make Mead ;)
Here are a few books I'm considering - do please feel free to make suggestions in the comments below!!
In the midst of all this, I've also refinished the hardwood floors in 5 rooms of our old labor-of-love 1901 Farmhouse. Shellac was the chosen product and method in keeping with the age and period of the house, which has always been kept very original. I'm LOVING the result. But more on that another day. Oh - and my kitchen pasta maker arrived, but as the rooms were all disassembled and not able to be walked on, that, unfortunately, has not made it out of the box. But I do expect it will be making an appearance very soon :)
Mother's Day brought me a trip around to Lowe's and the local Farm and Garden store, where we bought fruit trees for our little orchard and cole-crop plants for the garden. We came home and my husband planted the trees for me. Really, it was a great gift and a great day...and I can't wait until we can out back and sit under the trees and pick a healthy, yummy snack. Now that we have the orchard started, we're considering bee-keeping. So yes, next up is hunting for some great bee keeping books. And maybe learning how to make Mead ;)
Here are a few books I'm considering - do please feel free to make suggestions in the comments below!!
- Beekeeping For Dummies
- The Backyard Beekeeper - Revised and Updated: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beekeeping
- The Complete Guide to Beekeeping for Fun & Profit: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply (Back-To-Basics Farming)
- The Compleat Meadmaker : Home Production of Honey Wine From Your First Batch to Award-winning Fruit and Herb Variations
- How to Make Honey Mead with Recipes
In the midst of all this, I've also refinished the hardwood floors in 5 rooms of our old labor-of-love 1901 Farmhouse. Shellac was the chosen product and method in keeping with the age and period of the house, which has always been kept very original. I'm LOVING the result. But more on that another day. Oh - and my kitchen pasta maker arrived, but as the rooms were all disassembled and not able to be walked on, that, unfortunately, has not made it out of the box. But I do expect it will be making an appearance very soon :)
