Housekeeping

Just popping in to wish you a peaceful ending to 2023, as this will be the last we chat until 2024. 

 As for us - the mud continues.  It's downright mucky outside.  If any of you are holding the sun hostage, please send it our way - we need a little!

Today... a little year-end housekeeping and some answers to a couple of yesterday's questions.  A few have expressed a concern regarding our dear Forrest and the pond during the winter time. 

 The good news is... because we have aerators in the pond, it doesn't completely freeze.  Also, one end of our pond... the end that Forrest typically enters is very shallow (it begins at 1 inch deep and gets deeper gradually).  Also, he's a pretty good boy when it comes to listening, so if we feel there is any danger, we will not allow him to go into the pond.  Lately, the temperatures have been in the 50's - unseasonably warm.  Also, I feel that if it is cold enough for the pond to freeze, Forrest will feel no need to swim.  He does so to cool off, most times.  He has a very thick coat and gets overheated easily.  I think he'll be happy as a clam at high tide if we experience any polar vortices this year.

Second question concerned what we do with all of the manure that our animals make.  We compost it.  After sitting on a compost pile for anywhere from 12 to 24 months, the manure, and everything else that goes into the compost pile turns into rich, black, worm-rich, dirt.  We then use it to fertilize our gardens and hayfields... the perfect recycling.  Grass ➢ hay ➢ manure ➢ grass

Third question... how I make my herbed sea salt.  Every batch I make is different.  Generally, I use a food processor to pulverize the Mediterranean Sea salt, fresh rosemary leaves, and a couple of large fresh garlic cloves.  Once everything is chopped finely and blended, I spread it on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 200 degrees F. for 30-60 minutes depending upon the volume of salt I am drying.  When it is done in the oven, it should be completely dry.  I also threw some already dried from this past summer parsley in this batch.  You can do this with whatever herbs you like.  I just happen to love Rosemary on just about everything!

Sourdough baking was the first task of the day, yesterday... a dozen English muffins and a loaf of bread.

I spent a good deal of time cleaning house - one last deep clean for 2023.  I used orange oil on all of my kitchen cabinets to condition the wood...

and put away most of the Christmas decor. 

The tree and the train platform remains up and decorated, but those will be coming down today or tomorrow.  Yes, I am one of those people who is ready to say goodbye to Christmas when it is over.  I don't love clutter, and Christmas decor (though I do love it for the month of December) soon starts to feel like clutter by the end of the month.  I love starting the New Year with a fresh slate!

We continue to keep finding little green frogs just about everywhere!  If this is a mystery to you, check Tuesday's blog.

As for my 2024 plans... I will soon order seeds for next summer's veggie garden.  I hope to plant a tea garden next season.  I am going to repaint my she shed a much cheerier color.  And the big goal for 2024 is to teach myself to make butter croissants and improve my pastry skills.  (You might remember that I checked soap making off of my 2023 list.  I am going to continue to hone this skill). Flaky pastry is next on the skills-to-learn list.  Craft-wise, I hope to dabble in some embroidery and continue knitting in the coming year.   

I don't think I will run out of things to do in 2024!  How about you?  What are your goals for the coming year?