Peter and I are dreaming of the day when we'll be able to add a farm dog, barn cats, chickens, goats, and even pigs to our little homestead! But for now, we're content with the chaotic bunch we have around - our neighbors' dogs, the enigmatic Tilda (our Scandinavian toad), our loyal army of Gerards, and the occasional feral cat who strolls through like they own the place. It's a wild and wonderful menagerie we've got going on here!
Before there was Skinwalker Trash Dog, there was George...
George (not his actual name...we have not cracked the code on meeting our neighbors through their dogs) was a friendly, curious, high-energy friend who was an early visitor to the homestead when we were first getting settled in. He loved to show off his extraordinarily fast zoomies through our yard and enjoyed playing in the water when Pete was taking care of the gardens. We enjoyed George's company, but he wasn't around for long. Our best guess is that he was being cared for temporarily by our neighbors and has since moved back home. George was cool!
Then came our newest visitor...Skinwalker Trash Dog...aptly named by our youngest son when he was here for a weekend with his friends and realized this skittish dog was getting into any trash or recycling that wasn't properly secured outside overnight. Though again, not his actual name, this moniker was inspired by a mystical shape-shifting character from the realm of video games - quite a fitting match given Skinwalker's trash-eating talents and stand-offish behavior. Let's not forget his unique feature - heterochromia, where each of his eyes is a different color. Despite his stunning appearance, Skinwalker prefers to keep his distance. He cautiously approaches our yard, prowling the perimeter with a critical eye, yet any sudden movement or prolonged gaze sends him scampering back into the shadows.
Maybe one day he will decide we can be friends, but for now, he is a welcome visitor and observer. We also are not sure who he belongs to. Houses are spread out down here, and although we have met some of our neighbors, there are quite a few that we don't know yet.
Tilda, the Scandinavian toad, made a surprise appearance in a sweet spot this morning. We are planting some blueberry bushes and a dwarf cherry tree and Tilda decided that the bowl we were using to hold the little trees suited her just fine as a cozy get away from under our back steps.
Yesterday, Peter and I harvested some more vermicompost from our hard-working worms, and I tried my hand at making a video about how we do the work. It is a bit of a hot mess! Mad respect to videographers and YouTubers who do this all the time and make it look easy! We are going to try again next month; maybe this month's video can help create a gag reel!
Gerards are doing their wormy thing and making a TON of vermicompost! If you are doing some fall planting, consider getting some WilderWorm Compost from our online store as a multi-vitamin for your plants!
We are continuing to plant perennials that will provide the food for our two bee colonies, which will be coming to the homestead in March of 2025! Speaking of bees...next weekend, Peter and I are heading to a Homesteader Conference in Front Royal, and we are excited to sit in some sessions about beekeeping and to meet our favorite farmer, Joel Salatin! If you are looking for a great read about what we are doing on the homestead and the "why" of the permaculture model, check out his book, The Pigness of Pigs.
Lastly, as an act of faith that we will one day have chickens to rotate through our open field area, Peter has been clearing trees and today he tilled some earth to plant grass that will one day be for our chickens or pigs or goats. Although we are thinking woodland pigs and goats may work better on our property rather than having them rotate in our field.
Also, we will never have to join a gym...homesteading is hard work!
Afterthoughts...
Although our summer garden had a few epic fails (watermelon being the saddest), the brussels sprouts are totally showing off! They're the rockstars of the garden right now. Fingers crossed we'll be feasting on these for Thanksgiving dinner!
Last one...the Smurf Juice
During our visit to Alaska in June, Peter and I visited a small tea shop in Juneau called Harbor Tea & Spice, as suggested by one of my sisters, to sample the Ice Cave Blue Blend tea. Although we didn't try it at the shop, we brought some home with us and brewed it this afternoon as a delightful treat. Its appearance resembled Smurf Juice, but the distinct blue color is derived from the Butterfly Pea Flower, making it a tea exclusive to Juneau. It certainly makes me want to return to Alaska...and start over with our tea garden in the spring.
Delicious!
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