Penny Lane Farm

I'm on YouTube!

2008-02-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

Oh my, I'm not sure this is a good thing ;)

While attending PantheaCon I participated with the WOW Besom Brigade! A "precision" drill team of Witches in pointy-hats with brooms!

While dancing around the Circle, I'm following the Witch in a kilt, and I'm No. 5 in our Precision Pentacle Presentation.

This fabulous chaos was facilitated by Macha, was says,

I would think doing this would appeal to any able-bodied Witch with a sense of humor, one who doesn't take herself too seriously. Even so, we attract few, if any, younger folks, and seem to be comprised of grey-haired women and gay men. . . But overall, we tend to be hags and fags. And, boy, do we have fun!

She has some fab photos posted on her site! Here are the YouTube Videos:

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Book Meme

2008-02-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

This seemed very interesting, actually. I'm intrigued by what folks are reading.

Three days ago, my dear friend Chas started this:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

I was tagged by Macha

Here is my contribution:

"But my sheepskin announces to all assembled that though I may be a man of the people, I also have the keys to the clubhouse. I can't count the number of times I've heard the phrase, "You went to Darmouth? I find that hard to believe.

Admissions is an arbitrary and demoralizing process, and no matter how hard you work, the outcome is often determined by personal connections. You know what else is like that?

Life."

From "I Am America (and so Can You!)" by Stephen Colbert

I tag Judy, Lance, Sharon Kihara, Kenny Klein, and Aidan.

Random Thoughts in the Aftermath of the Storm

2008-01-10T17:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you Goddess that our heat is propane, as are our burners on the stove - so I have heat and can cook without electricity. I ran the generator mainly to run the freezers, the well pump, TV, lights (sparingly) and hot water-with great care.

I don’t know how to make decent coffee with a percolator on the stovetop. Can it be done?

The heavy THUMPS of snow falling from branches onto the roof kept me awake until 3am last night.

Today’s high temperature at home was 38-degrees, the snow is melting in the rain.

Between 5pm yesterday and 5pm today we got 1.9” of rain.

The trash and recycling trucks didn’t make it up the mountain this week.

The Girls are convinced the sky is falling. They complained bitterly today about how wet the Chicken Run is and the dripping, then peck at the snow on my boots.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

The Storm that Ate "Ought"

2008-01-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

Today is January 9, 2008, it’s 2:00pm, 36-degrees (f), the winds are calm and the sky a slate-grey. There are several inches of slushy snow on the ground, and the Great Drip has begun.

The past five days have not been so calm, as the storm of 2008 slammed northern California. The very rural Sierra foothills, where I share 15-acres with Ma, Jeff & Dale, and the Girls of Penny Lane Farm got hit hard. So, I have some pictures to share, a few tales to tell, some lessons learned, and a wish list.

First - thank you, Gaia, Mother, Mary, Lady in all Your Forms and Names for protecting us through this expression of Your Passion. It was exciting and challenging to experience your Fury as the Moon waned towards new, thank you for keeping us safe.

In the dark hours of the morning of January 4, 2008 the first of several winter storms landed with winds in our Sierra foothills measuring 80-90 mph. At 6:46am the power went out. I had filled all of the gas cans the previous day, so starting the generator was no problem; but there was no sense in going out in the worst of it just then.

I fed the dogs and went back to bed. I watched the trees swaying and listened to the wind howl. I was sitting in my room upstairs at 12:30 when I heard a very loud crack, the house shook, Jeff & Dale looked at me alert, ears straight up! It wasn’t an earthquake, the earth wasn’t moving.

I went downstairs, it was much darker than it had been, the top of a tree was pointing at the window, branches overhanging the patio. Branches were hanging down outside the sliding glass door of the dining room. There was a tree on the roof. A 100-foot Douglas Fir tree had blown down, catching the very corner of the dining room.

No windows broken, nothing broken in the dining room hutch, or pictures knocked from the walls. Nothing had come through the ceiling.

Sitting on the bookcase in that corner of the dining room was my mother’s white porcelain Madonna. Ma is a very catholic Catholic, the Madonna and the saints are a very important part of her faith. She is very accepting of my spiritual path. This specific Madonna belonged to my grandmother - a gift from Grandpa to Grandma when Ma was born.

She hadn’t even moved. I picked her up, thanking Mary, Gaia, Isis for protecting us, enabling the tree to fall in such a way as to do the least amount of damage. I then moved her out of harm’s way and lit a fresh candle.

With the cost of gas so high, I decided to limit myself to one 5-gallon tank of gas in the generator per day. During the five-day outage I learned that a hot shower is equal to watching TV by candlelight for 3 hours.

As soon as the crew had removed the tree, the snow began in ernest. I dug trails to the generator in the shop, the well house, the garage/chicken coup, and the mail box. It took over an hour to dig the trails, and there was an inch of snow on the first ones when I finished the last. I groomed them again an hour later, and then was out of daylight.

We only got 7" of snow - the trails would take a lot longer to dig out if we get much more than that.

What I learned from the Storm of ‘08
The generator “ought” to charge the battery on the starter when it’s running - it’s not. Now that I know that, I know to hook up the charger to the battery while I’m running the generator. Thank you to my great neighbor who could pull-start the generator when the battery was dead.

We “ought” to have a power-tool to deal with snow, shoveling is for the young - we’re not. We have a snow-blower, but I don’t know if it’s working or how to operate it. We have a snow-blower for the tractor, but the tractor is dead and it takes a man with an engine-lift to put the blower on the tractor - or so I’m told. Shoveling is also risky since I’m out of shape, if I have a heart-attack the response time is 45-minutes with the helicopter. Resolve in ‘08 to somehow solve this “ought” before it eats me.

Trees “ought” not to walk, but they do, but only for one or two steps before becoming horizontal.

It's snowing again.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Winter arrives

2008-01-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

A major series of winter storms is raging down upon the State of Jefferson. Tonight's is the first of three, or so "they" say.

I've filled the gas cans for the generator, the flashlights and candles are handy.

The girls are safely tucked into their coup. They're still laying regularly, today there were five eggs in total.

Jeff & Dale get very nervous when the wind is bending the trees. The clouds have shrouded our view of the Sacramento Valley.

Today I am grateful that it is winter, and that I am safe and prepared.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Yule Cookies

2007-12-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

Winter brings many things rain, snow, icy roads, and Home Made Cookies!

Cookies for friends, family, the lady who delivers the mail, the guy who delivers the paper, the crew who takes the trash away.

In our local paper this morning, Sharon Randall discussed her cookie tradition, "One woman I know bakes Christmas cookies the day after Thanksgiving and puts them in the freezer until Christmas Eve. She started when her kids were babies. Now her grandchildren come home to help her.

"I tried doing that when my children were little, but the cookies never made it to the freezer. I can't blame the kids. Given a choice, I'd pick "fresh from the oven" over "freezer burnt" anytime. And I have the scars in my mouth to prove it.

"I guess that was one of our traditions: We baked cookies and ate them standing over the stove, sucking air through our cheeks to put out the flames."

I'm with Sharon - cookies hot-out-of-the-oven are my favorite. Today I baked almond-sugar and oatmeal-raisin-pecan cookies. Tomorrow I'll bake a couple of batches of chocolate chip.

And I've only eaten a few. :)

Walking

2007-12-16T12:51:00.000-08:00

Took a nice walk with Jeff & Dale today - a 1-mile loop by the house that took us about 25 minutes.

It was about 38-degrees, mostly clear, the air feels damp. A storm is approaching this evening that should bring our first snow.

The boys behaved very well on their leashes. No twisting, jumping, pulling or arguing with each other. It’s more fun to have them along, than to walk alone.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll work on walking farther. I wonder if I can take photos with two dogs on leash?

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

December’s Waxing Moon

2007-12-15T21:48:00.000-08:00

I’m listening to “This Winter’s Night” by Mother Tongue, circa 1994

During the past week I’ve decorated the house to celebrate the return of the Sun - Solstice - under the guise of Christmas. Lights, tree and a collection of nutcrackers that began when my Son was seven.

Now, he is grown, but I’ve still managed to find a different Nutcracker for 2007. Someday he will take the collection to his home - yet another symptom of an “empty nest”.

The waxing moon is visible between the pine branches. It may snow tonight. The dark is crisp and cold.

I am grateful for the love in my life. It warms my heart even when I am alone.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

A Precious Gift

2007-10-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

My wonderful Son said to me as I was driving, "Mom, you've got to know how much I love you and how much I really appreciate all that you've done for me, that you're supporting [my decisions] now."

I told him that I felt like I'd let him down, that my plans had been to buy him a car at 16 and put him through college. My life has been so dramatically changed that this is now not possible.

He smiled and said to me, "Mom, I'm exactly where I want to be right now. Life is good and I love you."

I have invoked Ganeshe to protect and guide him throughout his life. I am so very grateful. If I do nothing else in this lifetime, I know that I have served the Gods well as a Mom.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Why are all of the 'Girls' at the far end of the run?

2007-10-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

Check out this video: The Girls of Penny Lane Farm

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Fall

2007-10-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

Color in Northern Califa -

The Girls at 27 Weeks

2007-10-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Our very talkative hens are giving us 4 - 6 light-to-medium brown eggs each day. They all appear to be laying, with the exception of the two "Easter Egg" chickens.

Everyone seems fat, healthy and happy! They are truly funny girls.

We are sharing eggs with our friends.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Reaping what I’ve sown. . .

2007-09-16T16:58:00.000-07:00

Gaia blessed my first garden with abundance. The various tomato vines were quite rewarding. I enjoyed the Yellow-Pear heritage and Roma tomatoes best, both were extremely flavorful and firm inside. The differences between our homegrown and the store-bought were significant, and well-worth the effort.

August 28th was a banner day!
My largest single-day harvest from the garden - tomato and eggplant stewed and served over polenta; fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil - delightful!

Marilyn, one of the Gold Sex-link hens, laid the first egg in the hen house. A pretty, brown egg measuring 1.846-inches. [Who knew we had a set of engineer’s calipers in the shop?]

Marilyn’s second egg measured 1.945-inches and by September 12th they measured 2.227”. She continued to be the only hen laying until about the 12th of September.

Now, at 21-weeks old, the Black Sex-link and one of the Australorps have also begun to lay.

Everything I’ve read has said that “hens lay first thing in the morning.” Well, not mine, at least, not yet. The first egg usually appears about 10:00, and the Black Australorp seems to like to get into the nesting box about 3:00 in the afternoon. Perhaps as they get older and the days get shorter, this will change. But, for now, these girls are truly My Chickens, where, preferably, “first thing” doesn’t happen before ten.

I’ve noticed a significant change in behavior with The Girls. Once a hen has produced an egg, she is much more willing to be petted and picked-up. It’s happened with each one - where before the hen would run away from me, now they squat at my feet and allow me to stroke their feathers. They no longer squawk when I lift them.

I saved the first egg’s shell. Now it rests on my Altar for Abundance and Joy. With this strong magic at the center of my life, I celebrate the Harvest.

Interesting things I’ve harvested online:
http://www.myspace.com/kttunstall
http://www.myspace.com/brucespringsteen

Have an Excellent Equinox,
Julie Epona

House of the Mooning Dragon

2007-07-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

I visited my dear friends, Sarah and Larry, this past week at the home in Mt. Shasta. The prevailing wind often turns their delightful Dragon to ‘moon’ the road. Today, she was enjoying the flowers with me.

Sarah is a gardener extraordinaire with the eye of a trained artist. Her gardens have inspired me for years. I call S. my “4-H Mentor” - she gives me advice on gardening and chickens. She’s also taught me to knit and bead, but those are stories for another day.

While my garden is bursting with tomatoes, Sarah’s is a riot of flowers: Poppies, Black-eyed Susans, various types sage and lavender, and lots of others whose names I can’t remember.

The Iris Labyrinth is a wonderful walking meditation. At a quiet, meditative pace it takes several minutes to complete the 11-levels to the Center and back to the Eastern entrance. When the Iris bloom it should make for a rather spectacular presentation, a colorful meditation, "Tout, touta, tout, tout, throughout and about. . . ."

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Sweet Taste of Summer

2007-07-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I ate the first little, ripe tomatoes from the Yellow Pear bush - sweet, juicy, still warm from the sunshine.

WOW! Thank you, Goddess. What a delightful, sweet reward for all the work of gardening. I've never been able to grow anything prior to this. I'm very thankful I listened to Her prodding to plant a garden this year. The blessing of eating from the garden is more fulfilling than I had expected.

Today there are 3 more tomatoes ready for lunch.

Another diversion - Playing paperdolls online with the Yahoo Avatars. What fun! A great way to spend the afternoon when it's 100+ degrees outside.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Garden Delights

2007-07-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Garden is thriving! Each of the tomato plants is bursting with tiny, green fruit. I’m seeing canning lessons in my future.

The sunflowers tower over me with thick, green stalks. The eggplant is now showing buds below its thick, green foliage.

There have been a few “volunteers” in the garden: a white Petunia, one small Pink. The wild Sweet Peas have finished for the year. Still no buds on the Morning Glories.

Each evening I water. Each morning I look for what new surprise the Garden has for me.
My first harvest of Purple Bush Beans tasted divine, very sweet. The harvest was one, small handful, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Watering, watching, cultivating - She is giving me a sweet lesson in patience.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Carpentry is a lot harder than it looks.

2007-07-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Chicken Run is now built. I say that with great satisfaction and exhaustion.

My son, Aidan, and I built the frame for the run. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him. While I painted all of the lumber with Copper Green, he dug the holes and set the posts.

I salvaged the lumber for the project from around the property. The posts were from a previous owner’s chicken coup, which had long-since been torn down. The 2x4s were purchased several years ago for a now long-forgotten project. Aidan and I soon learned how difficult it is to use old wood that has been stored improperly.

Aidan’s friend and bass player, Pooch, helped him string the wire and finish the run. It’s solid, just not exactly plumb. The Girls don’t seem to mind. In fact, they cluck quite happily each morning as I open their window to let them out for the day.

They now have nice nesting boxes and roosts in the coup. I’ve placed a wooden egg in each of the boxes to show them where to lay their eggs. Or, it may just be a good-luck charm. My Uncle John built the nesting boxes, while I played “carpenter’s assistant.” We had a great time working together.

John also installed the roosts and made a functioning gate for the run.

The Girls are 11 weeks old this week. Two of the chicks that were supposed to be Black Australorps appear to be Black Sex-Link hens instead. They have brick-red feathers on their breasts, the Australorps are all black. One of the Ameraucanas has a black-feathered head, the other’s is gold-brown. They are shorter and rounder than the other hens.

The Girls won’t begin laying until August or September, but I’m enjoying watching them grow and getting to know them.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona

Growing Season

2007-06-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe it’s June already!

The garden is growing like topsy. The sunflowers are almost 3-feet tall, the Yellow Pear heritage tomato has tiny green fruit, the others have lots of blossoms. The Bush Beans are almost 10-inches tall, looking lush and green.

The Girls are now pullets. They love the salad scraps and weeds from the garden. Soon they’ll be scratching outside in their run.

The lilies are full of buds, as is the lush ground-cover around the house. Everything looks about to burst into full-bloom.

We have visitors to the garden - our tree-frogs have returned from hibernation.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Lovely Spring Rain

2007-05-02T18:04:00.000-07:00

Today we received 1-inch of rain, just enough to water the garden and trees around our home. The ground-cover I’m encouraging is very happy - glowing with new green growth.

I spotted the first tiny blossoms on the tomato plants today! They are all growing vigorously. The tiny lettuces are struggling a bit, I’m sure they will enjoy the warm weekend that is forecast.

This morning I saw that all of the fir trees have sprouted tips of brilliant spring-green. The new growth looks as if the fairies have decorated for Beltane with green lights gracing the trees.

As it rained outside, I cleaned inside, dusting and rearranging the various altars throughout the house. I’ve planted the seeds of many new beginnings this Spring - the coming season will be very busy, indeed.

I hope you enjoy sharing this adventure with me.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Blessed Beltane

2007-05-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hip hip Hurray - the First of May
It's absolutely beautiful outside today!

The prayers and invocations I said while planting the garden seem to be helping. Despite the surprise April snow and freezing nights of early spring, everything is thriving.

The sunflowers are almost 3 inches tall and the beans are beginning to appear. The tomatoes are growing robust and the baby lettuces each have several leaf clusters, albeit there still less than 1 inch tall.

The Chicks are growing by leaps & bounds. Happily they are getting less and less skittish when I appear. The Ameraucanas are the most mellow, they seem to like to be held. This weekend I moved the chick's box off the dryer and into the Hen House, they adjusted just fine.

Today I'm watering the garden and ground-covers. It's time to weed the little pathway in the veggie garden - a great way to give "the girls" their first taste of fresh greens!

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Chop wood carry water

2007-04-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

Until very recently I’ve always lived in the city. Now, I find myself out in the country - way out - and my spiritual practice has changed significantly with the move.

I am learning to stay “in the now,” grounded, quite literally, to the land. A Zen parable says that before enlightenment we “chop wood carry water.” After enlightenment we “chop wood carry water.” Luckily, I mostly carry: branches, debris, leaves to the burn circle; and water to the garden and pots.

Watering the garden has become a peaceful meditation. I search the pots and raised bed for new sprouts, enjoy the variations on green that Nature creates, and take pleasure in the smell of the Earth as I water, encouraging the garden to grow.

I’ve carried yards and yards of fallen branches, saplings, and brush to burn. I’ve found myself communing with the trees, explaining to them that by clearing the duff from around them and the low hanging canopy from their trunks I’m working to protect them from the ravages of forest fire. I ask their blessing and protection while I work. I’ve felt their peace and understanding.

In the Fire Circle I call forth the Dragon of the Circle to light the fire. It’s taken some practice, but I can now start a fairly large fire with one piece of newspaper and a match - provided the pine needles are dry. I enjoy the challenge of keeping my Fire sacred and have rejected the common practice among the old-timers up here of starting the brush-burns with diesel or gasoline. Each time I invoke the Dragon I call Him forth to consecrate the Fire, keep it within the confines of the Circle and protect our home from the ravages of unbridled fire in the forest.

This weekend I will light my Beltane fire and watch the Moon rise over our trees - celebrating the sacredness of the Earth and the life She has provided. I know I'm not alone and that many other Pagans are gathering this weekend or, like me, celebrating at home, and in this knowledge I hold the isolation of the forest at bay.

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

SheShamans Update!

2007-04-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

A shameless plug for a dear friend and a GREAT EVENT!

SheShamans 2007
May 18-20, Geyserville, California

People of all genders are welcome at SheShamans.

For tickets and information, visit: www.sheshamans.co

Limited on-site accommodations.
Daytripper tickets available.
Limited partial scholarships.

Featured presenters include:

Cynthia Palmer – Tall Tales from the Sixties: Several psychedelic relics of good repute tell tales on each other and old friends to the delight of those of us who missed it...

Marilyn Walker - Opening the Way: Siberian Shamanic Experience - Enlightening slide show followed by Siberian style fetish making; then a drum and fire circle under the ancient Fir.

Valerie Leveroni Corral - Courting Death: WAMM at work - Cannabis and compassion, WAMM shows the world how it can be done with purity and grace

Jane Straight – Cultivating Our Allies - our deva of the plant allies brings her love and magic to SheShamans

Max Dashu - Women Shamans: Ecstatics and Healers - Goddess, pagan, witch, shaman, healing, bold and wise women in art through the ages; visionary artist and founder of the Suppressed Histories Archives brings us our past

Mariela delaPaz - Visionary art gallery, Tour, Tea and Talk - docents a show and sale of four visionary artists, including her own visions of our world and others

Linda Rosa Corazon - Female Shamans Around the World - We are everywhere, and Linda will introduce us to our sisters around the planet and across time

Patricia Winters - Keynote address: Contemporary Evolution of the Psychedelic Community - how have we come to this night? Where will we go from here? Pat Winters has been observing the pattern.

Suzanne Sterling – Midnight Trance, Sunrise Kirtan - Priestess of song takes us on a late night voice and body journey into the great inner spaces.

Celestine Star - Natural Environments and Medicine Healing/Mask Mystery - set and setting naturally carries us to desired places. Also, Celestine composes, choreographs, and produces another Mystery with Loren Raine's fabulous masks.

Angela Blessing - Pipe ceremony - ancient rite of Turtle Island, intention setter, prayer carrier, to open our meeting and our hearts to the Great Spirit.

Diane Darling - Sisters Doing It for Ourselves - SheShamans could happen in your biome! A Sunday evening meeting with those who wish to carry the torch into the world.

Micah the Alchemist - Alchymia's Temple - mellow place to chill, heal, experience alchemical mixtures to sculpt your consciousness.

Lou Montgomery - 108 Frustrations - Buddhism as a consciousness changing practice; a performance by our own intrepid Seeker of the Dharma treasures of the world.

Adele Getty – Council of Generations - A gathering of all the generations of psychonauts for blessing and inquiry.

Attendees are invited to offer presentations as scheduled sessions.

*Presentations, ceremony, discussions, films, networking, relaxing
* Visionary art gallery, chill lounge, crafts and plants
*Saturday all-night music, performances, fire circles
*Wonderful vegetarian food
*Pool, spa, temple, beautifully landscaped grounds
*Indoor and outdoor camping (Shared rooms and women-only space also available.)
*A benefit for the endangered cats and bird sanctuary of Isis Oasis

People of all genders are welcome at SheShamans.

For tickets and information, visit: www.sheshamans.co

Limited on-site accommodations.
Daytripper tickets available.
Limited partial scholarships.

The Growing Flock

2007-04-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

I brought home two new babies today - hatched April 23 - these are Ameraucanas. The description on MyPetChicken.com says that these are, “The famous "Easter Egger" with eggshells in shades of green & blue.”

The little darlings are brown and gold and already have very pretty markings. As hens they will be just too cute, almost comical. I’ve decided to call them Lavern & Shirley.

One of the Australorps is getting a bit bigger than the rest and is quite bossy - perhaps I have a rooster? Well, if it is I’ll call him Sinatra and hope he sings pretty. If not, her name is Anita, the other pretty black hens are Betty, Darleen and Lucy. My favorite chicken site (noted above) describes these, “They are calm and friendly, and excellent layers of light brown eggs. The Australorp's exceptionally soft, shiny black plumage has hints of green and purple in the sunlight.” {oooh, pretty!}

The Golden Sex Links are Marilyn & Jayne. These pretty blonde chicks are derived from Rhode Island Reds, as near as I have been able to learn. The sex link chickens are bred specifically so that males and females are different colors when they hatch. They are also bred as layers and sweet tempered - at least this is what I’ve been told by the local feed store.

So, I now have a flock of 8 that may include a rooster. This should be a great way to learn how to have pets-that-lay-eggs.

If you would like more information on these birds here are some specific links. Of course, MyPetChicken.com is listed on My Favorite Links.

http://www.mypetchicken.com/Ameraucana-B5.aspx
http://www.mypetchicken.com/Australorp-B14.aspx

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

It's a good day to garden.

2007-04-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today was a gorgeous spring day - a great day to get the tomatoes located to their new shelf-space beside the pump house. Each is surrounded with a "wall of water" - like a little greenhouse around each plant. All three were planted March 28 and have doubled in size as of today - Apr. 24.

Henry Field's catalog says, "Jet Star's tasty, mild-flavored fruit matures early with tremendous yields. Large, attractive globes have few scars or cracks. Indeterminate vines produce heavily." Along with Jet Star, I've planted a Roma and an heirloom Yellow Pear. Hoping for enough to enjoy and some to share!

Blessed Be,
Julie Epona

Introducing the Girls

2007-04-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

Eventually, I'm sure, I will learn their names. Right now - they're just squeaking at 2 days old.

Looking for beginnings mid-Spring

2007-04-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take the plunge and begin a blog today. I'm not sure where this will lead, I have my rope and my towel here with me.

Today it didn't rain.

I've started my chicken flock and bought 6 2-day old chicks: 4 Black Australorp and 2 Golden Sex-Link hens. There may be a rooster among the Austra's, but only time will tell. By mid-summer I should have fresh eggs each morning and a great little bug-eating group of ladies. The future site of the Chicken Run is pictured above.

The Garden is well under way, with various bulbs, sunflowers, pole & bush beans, 3 tomatoes and some mixed lettuce. I'm envisioning fresh garden salads this summer from my garden.