A new year is refreshing. There is energy for nagging projects and tasks that have been pushed aside since last new year’s. What was unpleasant, sad or difficult can be categorized into the year 2011 and we can start anew. And there is the feeling that this year we can really make a go for it. This is particularly true for the northern garden or homestead. The land is still and quiet with little to be done, but deplete the stores and plan the plot. There are two months to dream, create and start again.
We are starting this year with two pregnant goats (we think). This is our first foray into breeding and milking anything. Daisy and Thumper seem content enough, perhaps a little disgruntled at the cold. They are due the beginning of April and I intend to milk them and make cheese. Intentions are lovely this time of year cozied up inside with my dreams. But the reality of kids coming and a stack of goat books at the bedside shakes me momentarily out of my reverie giving me a little panic, but there is time to prepare I remind myself.
Then there are the pigs that come to greet me on my daily rounds or more likely to see what tasty treats I brought them. Seeing my empty hands with disgust they usually turn curly tail and go back to their shelter. They are spending the winter in a weedy portion of the garden, rototilling the soil with their powerful snouts while simultaneously composting. It is amazing what they can do to dirt in a very short time. The ground is now frozen, but has the appearance of recently tilled ground. A large uncomposted pile of straw and garden clippings was in the center of this area and is now spread about, barely recognizable. These pigs are fantastic.
And we start the year with a corgi puppy! He is very sweet, a bit troublesome, but we are loving his company.
And when we are not tending animals…… a little ice skating and skiing!
Happy New Year!
