Building Again

I've been neglecting the blog for the past few weeks, but now with a big new project on the ground, I'm back with updates and pictures featuring the stars of the show: namely Dad, Sean, Blue, Luci and the all-important skid-steer!

If you've been to the farm, you've likely seen the "character-filled" little building that we used as the packing shed, wood-fired boiler room, workshop and general storage catch-all. It has served us well for the past 6 season, but we've finally outgrown it so up and out we go! Since we are still using the building for a variety of purposes, we couldn't just tear it down, so we are building around it, and then will "deconstruct" it from within the protection of the new structure.

First post going up!

The ground is thawing and it is a muddy mess! But 3 posts are up!

Three sides done, amid a change in the weather...6" of fresh snow, now melting.

The original building never seemed all that small, until we started surrounding it with 22' - 24' posts. As of today all of the posts are up and tomorrow we will start installing the girts. Supposed to be 50°, so some welcome weather and lots more mud!

Winter Wonderland?

After a barely productive and somewhat comic trip out to the timber to cut wood today, I caved and ordered my first pair of snowshoes.

We'll see if their arrival functions like the groundhog and his shadow...either an early spring or plenty of practice opportunities??  Hmmm, wondering what OSHA says about snowshoes and chainsaws??

Chicks with Fiber

The chicks are now a little over 3 weeks old and don't seem to mind sharing their space with some freshly-dyed Shetland fiber.

They are now starting what we refer to as the "baby dinosaur stage". Their legs stretch out and look too long for their bodies. Many of their feathers have come in, save those on the head which are still downy.

They are now rather scruffy, awkward-looking little birds that look like nothing more than miniature prehistoric creatures.