Until the return of Persephone...

Well, now that we have returned home, life goes on and things are back to normal. The seasons don't wait for anyone and it is time to harvest the persimmons! Here is Justin testing out the new fruit picker on some of the higher fruit.

No problem.

Persimmon cookies anyone?

Millions of persimmons!

So sweet!

There were plenty left for the birds.

Better than the real thing

As the days get even shorter and nights quickly nearing the first winter frost we are trying to find new ways to keep warm! Here's a quick non-dairy "eggnog" recipe for everyone that I whipped up tonight. Warm up some vanilla soy-milk (almond or rice milk also good) add a teaspoon of local honey to a cup along with a sprinkle of fresh (if you have it) grated nutmeg and enjoy. This is sure to warm the toes!

 

November Changes.

Until She Returns.

The Great Escape

Urban Chickens get a taste of country livin'...

We built a temp "hotel" for the girls while out of town...

Vacation time for us!

My friend John has a way with hens and calls them "Miss"

With my Brother, George, and his budding pack gone (to Oregon visiting family) for Thanksgiving and a flock of our own to care for here, we decided to make a dash for the Sierras and escape the holiday madness last Thursday. With Dad, Mom, Justin, Mark, Donna, David, Josh, Clinton and I all staying at one of our favorite casinos in Reno NV it was quite a family gathering for us. My Auntie Judith and her brood joined us the next day. For us, getting everyone together can be a challenge and over the years we've adapted by finding places that can accomodate our large bunch so we can be together. The upside; no one has to slave over a hot stove during the holidays and we get to spend our precious time having FUN! Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving get away! (We don't just farm you know.) 

Ice Skating!

Dance Dance...

Gelato

mmm.. Pistachio

Thrift Shopping!

Best Vietnamese Food Ever.

Mom and I

Thankful that we are all together <3

All partied out.

LOVE seeing things like this. "Turn off all lights when leaving"

Black Friday

The day after Thanksgiving is what's known as Black Friday. It is the biggest shopping day for Americans and refers to the term, being in the black (turning a profit). Well, it's scary to think what chaos the massive deals some big box stores have driven people to. Last year at a Long Island Walmart, an employee was trampled to death as people burst through the doors in a frenzy to get the most out of there money. Police that came to his aid and even a pregnant woman were also inured in the madness! Is it a coincidence that the Black Friday sounds so ominous? 

Well, maybe there is a way to save money and avoid being crushed by a mob... The day after Thanksgiving Justin and I ventured out of our rooms after spying several thrift stores and pawn shops the day before and stumbled upon a darling little shop called Junkee Recycled Clothing. I made out like a bandit finding treasures that Walmart goers could only dream of (maybe) and saved money in process. To me there's nothing quite like finding unique and vintage clothes for cheap.

The funny thing was, after we got back to the hotel, I switched on the Reno local news and they did a short piece about how some people are avoiding the holiday shopping rush by patronizing thrift stores! It gets better, Junkee Recycled Clothes was one of the featured local shops and guess who was shown shopping there??? Me and Justin got such a laugh out of seeing ourselves on TV (even if it was local news) and it was nice to see television promoting something a little less commercial and a bit more sensible for once. 

Hoping that everyone is having a great holiday season and finding good ways to save money this year!

How do I look?

Down to Earth

Mums

Seedlings

Beets and Carrots

Cabbage

Winter Veggies

Point of Use

Energy Efficient Water Heater

Okay, I don't really have a thousand bucks laying around but I've had my eye on this awesome point of use water heater for some time now. The energy savings would be amazing and it comes with a fifteen hundred dollar federal tax grant. Most importantly, there will always be hot water when we need it and not just being heated in a giant tank all the time for no reason. So, if anyone out there wants to support this cause... ;)

The littlest things...

Grey water reclamation (pretty much a big bowl in the shower)

Composting is the bees knees.

It's amazing such simple things can be good for the whole planet :)

Mail!

I got a surprise package yesterday from my Aunt Paula! She sent out an amazingly beautiful fiestaware deviled egg plate and a pie dish all the way from Ohio (which sadly got pretty damaged from the shipping).  She also sent me some of her recipes! I am so excited to hear from relatives and plans are in the works to visit next year. :) Memories of fireflies and my two wonderful Aunties, Paula and Janet make me want to take a road trip! Time to get a more efficient car!

Vineyard Silliness...

I finally got some of the pictures uploaded that I wanted to. These are from last Friday (the 13th) when we were out at the Vineyard hacking up a rather large tree branch than had fallen onto some of the grape trellises during the storm a couple of weeks back. Weather has been pretty okay sinse but on Friday it was absolutely spectacular; blue skies, little song birds, sparkling sunlight, and the most amazing view in Placer County. Well, maybe I'm just partial but you can see for yourself and tell me if I'm wrong.

We actually were halfway through the day when we noticed it was Friday the 13th but these things tend to slip by when there is work to be done. The tree that fell over a few of the rows at the bottom of the hill was quite a job so our friend Bryan was very happy to help us cut it up with his chainsaw. Here are some of the pictures of our productive, and silly, day in the Vineyard!

If a tree falls and no one is around to hear it...?

007 

Firewood.

More Firewood.

Autumn

Done!

Here are some of the beautiful sightings that Justin captured for us! There are so many amazing things to be seen out here. Our method of farming is very gentle on the land and we are lucky to have lots of open pasture and wild habitat all around us. There is really something to be said about protecting rural farmlands from being bulldozed and turned into ugly suburban mini-mansions. Once, I spotted a flock of wild peacocks amongst the trees!

Beauteous!

Lamb's Ear

Unknown Alien Plants..

In a magical forrest

Death makes angels of us all...

And gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws...

the Woodpecker's pantry

Beurré Bosc Pear

Me and Granny Smith

Syrah

The site for our new organic Mandala Garden to be...

On top of the tree removal, we have been clearing a space for the new organic mandala garden at the Winery. We hope to have most of the black berries dug out and the beds plotted out by the end of the month. Next, a cover crop will be planted and tilled in to get the soil good and fertilized by spring planting. All the things we have a hard time fitting in at our Urban Farm will go here; pumpkins, corn, and things that need lots of room will most likely find there way into this larger space. In theory, this should make crop rotation a breeze and have the capacity for a rotating chicken dome. The dome will house a few chickens who will lay fresh eggs and help keep the soil fertilized and picked clean of any pests and leftover plant material. Photos of the Mandala garden progress soon!

A beautiful winter squash harvest!

Favorite <3