We had a hay day!

We had a hay day, and honestly while it was happening it really was not fun.  Last year we had the luxury of a few extra adult hands and equipment that did its work as needed.  This year it was just us and the kicker off the baler kicked out as did the elevator up to the hay loft.

It really would have made for an excellent reality show...... Young Family of 10 attempt to bale hay by hand on one of the hottest days in July.  We did our best to document the event with many photos and a few short video clips.
   

While Paul finished up the baling the three older boys and I loaded them up in the pick up truck.  I was behind the wheel but promised James if he gave good effort with the lifting I would practice driving in the field with him sometime so he could help drive if needed in the future.

For the moment though, we just had to get through the task and no one was excited about it.  

I pulled more than my weight with the unloading and stacking.  As did the two girls inside. Maryanna and Clara were responsible for feeding the younger three, changing diapers and putting them to bed, something they have never done on their own before.  

They did okay until bedtime when Henry and George came charging out to the hay field barefoot and half dressed in jammies screaming for me to tuck them in bed.  I had to tell them we all were being stretched, I pointed to Paul who was barely stopping to drink, I showed them my clothes covered in sweat and hay, and the older boys also all pooped and sweaty, even the girls were doing hard jobs and it was their job to simply rest safely in bed.  I promised they could participate in a few years after many many good nights of growing sleeps.  They took it well and we proceeded without anymore (little) kid interruptions.

William is who is so observant of wildlife spotted a snake wiggling out of one of the bales.  We took a short break to release the creature but we're not sure it survived.

I kept pushing the older boys and at one point I was called a "monster".  I was told, "you have no idea how miserable I am", "I just may die in 5 seconds", and countless "why are we doing this"? and "how much longer do we have to work"?.........

And honestly Paul and I did not say much, we'd simply pass by with thumbs up too focused and too tired for anything else.     

With the younger three in bed Clara and Maryanna were eager to help the big kids.  For them it was exciting and they gave it every once of muscle including those that made their eyes shine and smiles bright.  They may not have been able to lift bales but their enthusiasm sure lifted our spirits.  

We worked till moonlight getting all the bales off the field.  The fireflies and bats joined us and it was a beautiful display.

The next day was Sunday and usually we observe it as a day of rest but with rain in the forecast we needed to get the bales in the barn.  A neighbor came by and helped us rewire the elevator and that made the job actually possible for us to finish. 

It was another hot day.  The younger ones participated still in their church clothes. And after experiencing all the bats waking up in the barn the night before Peter took refuge with Archie in the shade of the hay wagon.  

I believe we ended up with around 250 bales. We've actually been concerned about the productivity of the hay field but decided it was a blessing this time around, we may not have been able to handle more than that.  Paul wondered how a big mac could cost only $.99 - we are working so hard for our food!

The best part about finishing was reporting it to my parents, I got to apologize for all the times I complained and tried to hide from the work they provided for me as a kid.  Looking forward to a similar conversation with my own children many years from now.

Here is a short clip.  The work looks easy because it was once we got the elevator running. Glad to have the help of many hands and glad the work is done!

Family Hay Day from Freden Farm on Vimeo.

Garden report 6 - what's working what's not

I'm happy to report that the garden boxes were the best investment of the season.  It is so easy to hop out the front door, take 5 steps and pick lunch.  We are eating a lot of salad and sauteed greens.  It is nice that all this space needs is occasional watering, replanting and very frequent picking.  

On the west side of the house the snacking tomatoes are happy.  We have one cherry and one yellow pear tomato plant.  So far the yellows are the only ones ready to eat, the kids have been watching each fruit individually and brag out how delicious it was when they find one ripe. It has become kind of a game and I'm not sure I like it.

I have a beautiful hot black Hungarian pepper plant between the two tomatoes.  I'm not sure I know how to cook with it but is is pretty.

Along the side porch rests the brick pathway project that was suppose to be started and finished 3 months ago.  Besides that everything else is fragrant and blooming.

Along the back I've allowed the volunteer hollyhocks to remain where ever they please. 

We've cleared out a junk bed behind the garage and not sure what to do with that yet.  It is east facing and below the giant black walnut so I lost most of what was planted last year including rhubarb and tea roses.  All that is left is hollyhocks.

I actually have big dreams for this space as a screened porch/outdoor kitchen.  But with the pace of our brick pathway I'll have to maintain patience with this vision.

In the big garden we let some carrots from last year go to seed.  I'm not sure yet how to collect the seeds but I'll leave that to Peter since he is in charge of seed saving.  After reviewing how much I spent on seeds this year Paul offered to pay Peter for all the seeds that are collected for next year's use.

The romas are looking much more plentiful than last year! That is a good thing because we just used up our last jar of sauce from last year.  I think we need to double what we canned then.

The potatoes are blooming.

There are signs of grapes.  Unfortunately the two baby goats Spike and Greta have found their way into the garden and chomped down a few vines.  They are listed on craigslist right now for $75 each and if it happens again it might be edited to FREE!

Here is Clara's garden.  The cosmos is taking over and we look forward to some happy blooms.  I showed her how to mulch with grass and she kept at it until a giant dragon fly spooked her.  It was black and she asked me if "it was an evil fairy".  I promised her it was not but still she has not been close to her garden spot ever since.  

The corn is coming up.  We have a bi-color and a patch of broom corn.  

We've put nets over the blueberries and checking everyday for ripeness.  I'm afraid they will be much like the "snacking" tomatoes, eaten faster than they can be returned to the kitchen.

The hugel beds are producing very strong plants.  Peter has observed the kale there is almost double the ones from the front beds.  I do have concern about the squashes.  We have already lost 3 due to fungus.  It has been a wet summer and I'm wondering if the density of the plants is trapping too much moisture.  

Here are James' bird house gourds.  He refuses to use straw mulch because he thinks it is "embarrassing", he asked me why I can't just buy wood chips, "like normal people".  I remind myself that he is a teenager and will not try to figure out the reasoning behind that one.  This is his space and he can do as he pleases.

Across another hugel bed the Asian greens are going to seed and so we let them.  The sunflowers are just about to burst into bloom and it is a constant task of chopping down the emerging weeds.  For the most part though it is productive plants that are taking over.

Here is the pea tower.  It did not happen as planned.  The old fan guard on top was not strong enough to hold the weight and the bailing twine is disintegrating before our eyes.  Net year I'll look for an old bicycle wheel and use stronger twine.  The peas are producing it just just does not look pretty and failed to create a secret hiding place for the kids.

Maryanna helped me picked a pile this last week and as she was snacking and picking she lost a tooth.  It fell out then fell somewhere beneath her feet.  We couldn't find it so she decided to find two the biggest peas, drew a picture of what happened and hoping the tooth fairy accepts that in lieu of her tooth.    

This batch of heirloom Hungarian heart tomatoes could use some more support also.  I've got it on my list to get some heavy stakes for them.  

The best part of this report is that we are eating! Here's a sample from Charlie's baby bowl.  Rice, broccoli, pac choy, eggs and a sprinkle of bacon.  

p.s. one should always wear their glasses when picking and washing broccoli.  After a few chomps while still picking I discovered those sneaky worms.

Looking back on report 5 

A return to the bees

This season I've grown weary with all the work that's been required of me.  Everything that seemed so exciting and new in the first year of farming has shifted to feeling like heavy responsibility.  For that reason I'm sorry to admit that I've totally neglected the bees, they were on the bottom of my care list.  

My way of checking on them was noting their activity in the garden or heading out to the hive and simply putting my ear to the box and making sure they sounded active. I told this to an experienced bee keeper a few weeks ago and her response made me feel ashamed.  

The truth is I am so inexperienced in all that I'm doing, learning as I go with a book in one hand and at least 3 children trailing alongside me asking me hard questions and another 3 crying for my attention in other ways.  For that reason I'm not sure I'm an adequate care taker of anything here on the farm, nothing is allotted my full attention.

But with the bees you cannot attend to them with anything less than full presence and attention.  I knew this was a task I could not do on my own with a few children, I needed outside help.

Luckily just last week I came into contact with a woman who's been tending to bees for over 20 years and works at the MSU bee lab.  She lives only a few miles from us so we were able to set up a private consultation.  And what a difference it made!

I learned so much in the hour we spent inspecting our hive together.  So did Maryanna and William.  I learned the gentle speed at which to move and speak when opening the hive, how to properly operate a smoker, to use a turkey feather for brushing instead of a bee brush, and what signs to look for.

I have a Warre' hive , the bees build their own comb down the bar.  It differs from a Langstroth hive where there are frames set in for the building of comb and honey.  Right now I have just one hive but I have intention of adding a Langstroth hive in the future so I can experience both and decided what direction to continue with.  Some claim that the Warre' hive is more ecologically friendly and better for the overall health of the hive and Langstroth may cost more to set up but definitely produces more honey.  I personally lean in both directions.  

The bees were gentle and upon opening the hive I fell in love all over again.  It is hard to describe the energetic experience of interacting with the bees, for me it is as soothing and sweat inducing as yoga.     

We discussed propolis, the sealant produced by the bees, it has amazing healing properties and can also be misused.  In the natural world of healing many believe anything "natural" is harmless but the truth is all things must be used with wisdom and discretion.  I am happy this woman discussed this important message with me because another bee keeper misled me into believing we should collect and consume as much propolis as we could.

On the top we see the white pupa of a drone (male bee).  It looked good, no sign of mites.

Below you ca see the pattern in which the comb is built.  The holes vary in size for different laying needs.

We were not able to locate the queen but did see new larvae which is a sign that she is active in the hive.

Below you can see the even laying pattern.  That also is a sign of a strong hive.

I have three boxes on right now.  The top box is ready to harvest, we know that because the honey is capped.  The honey is capped when it reaches a moisture level of %17 and if it is harvested before that it will ferment.  

The middle box is actively used for brooding right now and the comb is just getting started in the bottom box.  I just ordered some new top bars and will replace them in the top box when I harvest the honey.

We broke off a piece of the capped honey and it was sweet with such richness you could not take but one bite.  We were all licking our fingers and chewing on the wax - what a treat!  Looking forward to many more peaceful afternoons attending to the hive.

Garden report 5 - Neglected

Sorry to report I did put much time into the garden this past week.  I was away and then totally exhausted from the all night episode with George.  Also I've been down my two biggest helpers, Paul and James are away at Scout camp.

The good news is we've had lots of rain so not all garden needs were neglected.  

I thought I'd wait to post after a full weekend of tidying it up but then I'd be robbing myself of an honest record of this year's garden experience.  

First up - hugelbeds. Though my linear mind may still be struggling with the concept of a hugelbed , the rest of me is quite impressed by them.  The plants are strong and since we free casted seeds everything is so randomly placed.  It will be interesting to see how they all cooperate, maybe there is a social lesson here for my family? 

Here is a close up where you can see a lot of grass creeping in.  I decided a few weeks ago it was not wise to pull weeds out completely because of erosion so now I'm simply clipping them and letting the plants I want in there crowd them out.  Again, we'll see.

How many different plants can you identify here? basil, tatsoi, mustard greens, kale, peas, zinnias, squash, watermelon.....this is wild!  I need to study them more closely so I know where to harvest from.

In other corners of the garden Peter is still dedicated to his sunflower house.  More than anyone else he enjoys working with plants. 

Here's Maryanna's little garden space.  She was wise to put time into mulching and I'll gently remind her it needs a little bit more work.

Clara's garden looks a lot like her room often does.  And just like her room she'll need my help for sure to make sense of it.
  

The front bed holds our herbs and while I was away Paul' mom brought by these painted brick labels.  She got the idea for them at an old light house up north and I love the way pop out.  This is also a great literacy tool for kids.

The front beds are doing well.  Honestly there is very little work beyond watering here.  This is where we go for our everyday eating.  But the truth is I have been neglecting meal time as well.  Our meals lately have been as simple as a pile of fresh picked and washed peas and raw kale with a cup of raw goat milk, that and a lot of yogurt and granola.  Tomorrow though I've promised to make the bacon/kale mini frittata muffins.
    

Tonight we had some asian greens that are about to bold, pac choy and tat soi.  This is Clara's favorite because "they taste so mustardy".  My cooking from the garden muscles are feeling kind of rusty still.  Looking forward to some tomatoes and peppers and squash to really get me cooking. 

Here's a look back on 

Garden report 1

Garden report 2

Garden report 3

Garden report 4

A new plate for everyone

Every year for Christmas Uncle Dave gives the kids a coupon to paint pottery at his store.  It is so much fun to paint something unique and get to use it everyday.  

I wish I could say we have a collection of them from past years but they get so much use and don't usually survive more than two years.  A few of the children have saved little pieces from their dishes in their sentimental box.

This year I remembered to take a photo of each piece before first use.  May they enjoy many full plates of yummy food!

    

                         

Off on my own and back again

This past weekend I had the unique opportunity of venturing out on my own to participate in a small nature retreat.  Though part of a group, most of the work was completed in solitude, and in this rare solo and quiet state I gained much clarity and restorative energy.  

It was two nights of uninterrupted sleep, and two and half days of very little chatter and absolutely zero housework.  Meals were provided and it was a time to be fully immersed in the light of the shinning sun, the glow of the fullest moon, and find company among the plants, animals and rocks.  

In my journal I recorded doodles and drawings, practical plant information, and pages of insight.

I missed Paul and the kids for sure, enough to want to spilt out a day early, but I didn't.  I stretched myself when the solitude felt uncomfortable and returned to my family a fuller me.
       

Upon return the kids ran out to greet me, so many arms reaching out and so many little stories that were anxious to be shared.  Paul greeted me with an exhaustion I have not seen since the years he worked as an investment banker.  He asked me how I did it on my own every. single. day.  I appreciate his acknowledgment of the heavy load I carry. 

Paul did a great job of caring for everyone.  Remarkably they were actually on time for church!

There was so much to catch up on, hugs, kisses and dishes and laundry.  I started with the hugs and kisses and decided to face the rest after bedtime.

I put Charlie down first.  He is learning new words everyday and even three days away surprised me.  We read some books, sang a song and I put him down.

I then called the next two boys up to bed.  Henry was quick to fall asleep (I brought him home an herb filled sleep pillow from the retreat) but George was struggling.  He thrashed and cried and complained about a stomach ache.  I assumed he was over tired and ate too much junk food while I was away so I simply let him be.

As I approached the kitchen I could clearly hear him throwing up.  I thought that a run of the stomach flu was an unfair transition from a weekend on my own.  I got the bucket and towels and cleaned him off.  This happened over and over again until I ran out of towels and it was past midnight.

I headed to the downstairs bathroom for more towels and discovered an open bottle of the herbal tincture blue cohosh.  It's purpose is for inducing labor and I had it unopened and on hand over a year ago just in case I needed it for Charlie's birth.  I had put the pieces together that George got into it, and I could clearly see that half the bottle was empty.

I asked him if he did eat "the yucky brown medicine" and he nodded his head.

I googled it and when I read toxic for children fear set in.  I prayed for direction and I felt impressed to call a healer we worked in Ann Arbor.  It was after midnight so I prayed again, asking if there was anyone else who could assist me.  Again the answer was to call this woman so I did.  I was relieved that after just one ring the phone went right to voice mail and I didn't have to disrupt her after all. 

Within 10 minutes I received a call from her.  I apologized for waking her up but she said, "you didn't wake me up, the Spirit did, I was told you needed my help".  She then explained that she has only phone in the house and it is kept in the laundry room.  I felt much comfort in her willingness to listen and be of help.  

She did confirm the toxicity of blue cohosh and reassured me it was not so dangerously toxic but it was a stimulant, in the family of tobacco and it was important to watch for rapid breathing and fast heart rate.  I was told that vomiting was the natural defense of the body and I should watch for signs of dehydration. I was advised that because of the distance to the hospital I should head to ER so he could be safely watched and evaluated.  I felt peace in that direction so we went.

In the ER George was given medicine to stop throwing up and offered as much fluid as he would take.  The stimulant was still active and this funny little boy talked and talked and laughed and laughed until 5 am.  We were released at 6 am and I got a quick 2 hour nap before it was time to face "normal life" again.