Butterfly Hill Farm: We Did It!

Banner Photo

May 20:

The Farm is really greening up. Plants are breaking into buds and flowers, under our ever watchful eye. Buffalo Gal, a rose we brought with us from North Dakota, is covered with buds and today she presented us with her 1st flower.

Irises began blooming yesterday. And we were not surprised that the 1st to flower were Irises from Melanie's 2 Grandmas (Ethel and Dorothy, who have both passed). I noted that the Yellow Columbine is also breaking into flower. And the Bleeding Heart just continues to throw out cascades of flowers.

We got 1 inch of rain last night. We did lose a few limbs, but otherwise, the countryside is in that luscious, after rain, spring-moving-into summer, green.

I do remember that my Dad, when he came to our Farm in 2007 just 2 months before he passed, said: "This is paradise. When I go to Heaven, I want to come here." It surely is beautiful here. The landscapes are radiant.

And the Hummingbirds, with all their energy, have just arrived. They buzz about. I don't know how they have all that energy. They wintered in the Yucatan, crossed the Gulf on those tiny wings, and now are setting up home here. I supposed you could say, they are setting up home just like us.

All this makes a perfect backdrop for wedding preparations and for the wedding itself. Is this for real?

Photos

Except in very specific circumstances, all photos depicted here were taken on our Farm. Those circumstances off the Farm relate to the purposes of this Farm and this writing exploration. Almost all were taken by 1 of the 3 C's. If not, I try to make sure others are credited. I (Glinda) am usually the one carrying the camera, but not always.

I do my best to gain permissions of Folks whose pictures are shown on this Blog. If for any reason, you are pictured and would like your photo removed, just let me know. Thanks.

Glinda

...began her professional career as a Home Economist, later serving as a Home Economics Teacher Educator for 2 decades. In 1995, she moved into analyzing the Human Side of Environmental Issues. She went from studying Humans in their Little Homes to studying Humans in their Big Home, the Earth. Those 2 leggeds were, after all, creating a substantial problem for the Earth, which sustains them. After 30 years in higher education, she became Professor Emerita of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Ecological Studies at the University of North Dakota in 2005.

Glinda has a special interest in analyzing the split Humans have with Nature. Her focus is bringing Humans home to the Earth, opening at long last to the awe, magic, and love of this beautiful Earth whirling in the Great Cosmic Sea. She is a writer, teacher, poet, artist. She is the writer for this Blog, the substance of which will likely become a book she has known she would write.

Recent interview with Fast Recipes: http://www.fastrecipes.com/latest-news/nature%E2%80%99s-recipes:-living-off-the-land-in-missouri-2010061740080/

Richard

...grew up on a 120 acre Farm about 5 miles west of here. Those humble beginnings have had a profound effect on his Life. He was trained as a Wildlife Biologist and later responsible for the Wildlife Management Program at the University of North Dakota for over 3 decades. Retiring in 2007, he is a UND Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology.

Richard brings to the Farm a lifelong interest in the Natural Sciences (Birds, Wildlife, Prairie Restoration, Ecosystems, Gardening) and the Humanities. As his wife (Glinda) says: "He is one of those few people in our Culture who can still read Nature's story and make it accessible to those around him."

Melanie

...would list a bio a little shorter than her Mom and Dad. That's because she hasn't lived quite so long, which is the normal course of such things. But her bio would be no less interesting and perhaps even more so. She has come to this work and this walk far earlier than her Mom or Dad.

Melanie has an interest in healthy lifestyles. It's not something you read about; it's something you do. She brings her love of life, her travel near and far, her love of people known and unknown, her playful curiosity, and her knowing to Gardening, Raising Chickens, Herbal Healing, and the Culinary Arts. She makes a place for Kids of all Ages on this Little Farm.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

We Did It!

We did it! After a dream of 4 years, we completed the Rock Wall in the Family Room of our New House today. While Richard headed up the process, Melanie and I joined in at various times. Today was that long anticipated day when the project was at last complete. I shall be writing more of this. This little act has surely made our House more our Home.

I called Deleta to let the 2 of them know and to thank them for helping us with Rocks yesterday. We plan to take pictures of the Rock Wall and to note where the Rocks came from. I feel like I should call everyone involved and give them a huge "Thanks!" I know I will say "Thanks" every time I look at the Rock Wall and am warmed by the Wood Stove in front of it. Those gifts of Rocks are a wonderful House Warming.

We still need to "clean" the surface of the Stones and the Mortar. When that is complete, we will be ready for the Wood Stove to be put into place. That should happen this next week. We are really excited.

As per usual, we had some "sidebars" going on. We had Frost last night and a Hard Freeze is predicted for tonight. Melanie took the lead for Garden Tending which included protecting and gathering Plants and Herbs, and putting away some Garden Gifts for the Winter Season.

I made a huge pot of Chili on this Day from fresh Garden Produce (Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Herbs) plus Ground Beef from one of Rolf's Steers. I headed back and forth between the Kitchen and the Family Room gently tending projects in both places.

I called the Chili "Wood Stove Chili". I will be freezing it tomorrow. I may even try canning a Quart or 2; I haven't done this before. Our Freezer Space is at premium, so Canning looks like a good option. We just need to make sure we like the Chili canned. You could call it another little experiment right here on Butterfly Hill Farm. Regardless, we anticipate enjoying Chili on those Wintry days ahead when the Wood Stove is heating up our Little Home.

Max, the Cat, is pleased with the new developments too.

2 comments:

Sue said...: I LOVE it!!
Of course, living in an old stone cottage, that's a given.....
It turned out great. You must be very proud.; October 11, 2009 at 4:09 AM
Butterfly Hill Farm, said...: Greetings, Sue. Thanks for your comments. We have missed you. In the words of Melanie: "Where have you been?" I can imagine you have been harvesting too. Busy times...best wishes always, glinda; October 11, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Butterfly Hill Farm

Banner Photo

About this Blog

Photos

Visits to this Blog

Glinda

Richard

Melanie

Blog Archive

Our adventures on ...

Saturday, October 10, 2009

We Did It!

2 comments:

Sustainable Lifestyles

Seed and Nursery Catalogs

Good Reads

Agrarian Lifestyle

Inspiration

Health

Natural History

Movies