Monday, October 31, 2016

Happy Halloween!


Tuesday, October 11, 2016

October at Jubilee Farm

This morning was very cold at the farm. All of us on kale definitely had some cold hands. I love the farm right when I show up and it is quiet and still uncrowded. I love the look of the October decorated farmhouse in the fog.


Eventually the fog burned off and the sun came out! This view is from under the grape trellis with the sun coming through. This season I had concord grapes for the first time. It was kind of an amazing experience for me. Basically like eating grape juice.


When you have a concord grape that is truly ripe it is incredibly good.


The tomatoes I assume are nearing the end of their season, but I love how they are strung in the houses. The first thing I did was plant tomatoes way back in May and I learned so much just doing that!


There are 2 new pigs on the grounds. Perhaps they will bring the next batches of piglets.


The sunflowers are starting to wilt down a bit, but still beautiful in the sun.


I never could get a good photo of the chicken coop. You will have to trust me that it is impressive. It involves a very large wagon structure.


I was so grateful to have sun on this workshare day!

Saturday, October 8, 2016

NW2 K9 Nose Work Trial and Fort Borst Park, Centralia, WA

I highly doubt that when Gypsy woke up this morning, the first thought on her mind was "I would really love a road trip with Nim." And yet, on this rainy Saturday, she found herself in exactly that situation.

Her feelings on this matter:


Mom and I took the dogs to a NW2 K9 Nose Work Trial in Centralia, WA. I was not allow to film, or even view some of the searches, so this is Gypsy working the warm up scent boxes.


I really liked this trial location. It was based out of Centralia Middle School. The location was pretty and the parking was easy. It was actually one of the more easy going Nose Work trials I have been too.



I got to see Gypsy in her new hot pink harness. All the searches I saw her do she passed. She ended up timing out on one of the first hides in the beginning, but otherwise she was doing well. On a couple of the searches I would see her torn by something she was concerned about or noticing, but you could always tell when she was pulled back into scent.


Meanwhile, I had done some exploring on the lunch break and knew that we had to walk the Fort Borst Park as soon as she was done trialing. I consider it a major bonus when a dog event is located near a beautiful walking area.

What a really peaceful area. If I lived in this area, I would visit often.



A rare photos of Nim and Gypsy together...without a barrier. This is about as close as we can get them right now. That is in front of the historic Borst House.

For history enthusiasts, you might want to scan the following information on the site and the history of Fort Borst:

Fort Borst
Time has passed, but their presence remains
A historic lesson



There was a small tour group while we were there, and several women in truly stunning period attire. It was the one downside of having the dogs is that it kept me a little removed while moving around the site.



I wasn't going to post the photo with the lady coming out of the school house, but it is the better photo I got of the complete structure. She had gorgeous long skirt that unfortunately you can't see well as she was accidentally captured in that photo.


Despite periods of rain, we mostly lucked out until it was time to drive home. This walk was a great way to finish a fun day.

I have no doubt that between the road trip, a little walk with Nim, and working hard at her searches, Gypsy will sleep very soundly tonight. And dream of Nim.


Sunday, October 2, 2016

Welcome Fall!

This has been the strangest summer. Perhaps because I haven't had as much hiking and outdoor time as normal, but it felt way to short. As long as this fall stays on the drier side, it is generally one of my favorite times of year and hopefully will help make up for a chaotic summer.

This was the view one morning getting ready for work.


I keep trying to work on my henna skills. After redecorating my legs over and over I decided to move on to other objects. Such as logs. Nim totally judged.


In the middle of October I will take my first real henna class.

Farming is going strong. That shift will also end in October. I was riding out on the tractor last week next to someone I hadn't worked with before. I finally found the word I was looking for in terms of farm shift work...endurance.


I have had some great veggies all summer long and definitely had some variety in my diet I wouldn't normally have. I will say that when I am in the grocery store now I no longer look at produce the same way. I know that somewhere there is someone, probably older than me, putting in far longer shifts to make that produce happen. It is humbling in a way.


My own gardens were kind of weak this year, but I did try something new with all the Coleus starts I get each year. I actually took the time to read up more on them and ended up planting them all around the bases of some trees. I really like how it looked. They are already starting to wilt with out cold mornings, but I enjoyed them during the summer.


Despite the cold nights and mornings, we are still getting some days of sun and sun babies. Everyone gets so demanding when they know the sun is outside. I get bossed around so much. :)


My Gunnera is still alive! I am going to be reading up on mulching and tarping this lovely. It should feel honored, I don't give my outside plants that much love.


Even the indoor plants are sort of on their own, thanks to the cats. But I did bring my Mother-in-law Tongue plant in for the cold weather. She is over 20 years old now. I am super attached to her, it is terrible. I am actually trying to plan a shelving system this winter complete with lighting to try and keep my plants safe from the cats. I have a lot to move in the house this winter.


At the end of  September I gave up and started up the pellet stove. Emile was maintaining a morning vigil anyway, and who am I to deny his happiness? Beside, the house gets smelly and damp as the cold mornings come in.


And yes. The beloved electric blanket is back in the rotation.


Have a great October!