Building the shed

So, we needed a place outside the Mini House for Jim's carpentry equipment. It became necessary to build a wee shed. Here's Jim putting the deck together.

That went so well that he put some walls up, all assembled on the deck, then erected and banged in place. Took a half hour to raise and secure all four. Thanks you for your help in putting them up, Shannon! And on goes the roof.

 

Paint shed, ask son-in-law to help move boat forward so we can build the front door. That's Chris Moizer, pulling a couple of tonnes.

Move in. Build stuff. Maybe I'll need a side bar to show all the cool stuff Jim builds.

Spring! No Really!

 

There is no place like home! Our passive solar house took care of itself while we were away for 8 months. Our raised garden beds will be ready for an early planting of seedlings, but still might need the plastic row covers to warm them up a bit. Here's Farmer Jim bringing in water that we draw by hand from our well. 

We arrived at winter's half time, after spending the first half taking our boat down to Florida. Yes, we enjoyed the warm, salty air and all the lying about, but it is so-o-o good to be home. These snaps were all taken on the same day, you can see there is still quite a bit of snow.

Jim started the lettuce seedlings  last week, look at those babies go! They make a unique bedroom accent, don't you agree? Can't wait for the Milford Market to commence, it is usually the Saturday after the May long weekend. It is easier to eat local and organic now than ever before, so many markets are springing up. We even enjoy locally raised meat at our market. 

...And my trusty steed/lettuce delivery vehicle. After this week's news story of gloom and doom regarding climate change, it makes me happy to know that there will always be enough oil for bike chains. It can be a challenge to take up commuting by bike, but I found it easier with each trip in to town; I got a bit more fit and a lot more organized.

Hope you all are enjoying whatever spring there is around you, stay well.

So what we have here, my dears, is a drive-shed. For our three vehicles. Two electric bikes and my good old standard Oversized Trek bike, which I love so much. 

 We got the sides on and thought about a roof, but...ya know!

 Then we moved in.

 And so did some barnswallows! Boy, those birds are quick!

Anyhow, have a good look at our garlic. They really are quite big! 126 juicy, crunchy delicious bulbs, all divided up for one single bulb given to us by our good friend Jackie, thanks Jackie! When we saw how well that one  bulb did, we decided to see whether we could grow it to sell at the Milford Market Square, looks like a go, but for next year.
More later when we around to a roof on the drive/woodshed.

We "took off" our   first cut of mint last week.

Then hung the bundles to dry from the rafters in the Mini House. The place smells very, very fresh. I have dreams of brushing my teeth!!!
I am always surprised at how one can enjoy fresh mint. One gentleman buys a bundle every week from me at the Milford Market, just for the aroma. I like a sprig muddled up in my water.  A few handfuls chopped up in whatever cooked/sprouted grain makes a beatiful salad beginning. We have a few varieties to blend together for a delightful tea, but I won't think about tea weather yet...it'll come soon enough.

Sprummer is here!

Yeah, spring and summer sorta amalgamated. And here we are. Hot.
But we are here, home from our latest sailing adventure. After selling the boat en route (!), we UHauled everything home from North Carolina and settled back  into the mini house. The spring showed up in a hurry and gave way to summery conditions, hence my new term, sprummer.
Seeing how we did get home early, we decided to plant a market garden and see what would happen. Well! The first thing to come up was the grand rapids leaf lettuce. The rhubarb and aspargus didn't need any help, they do their own thing. But then we got two or three nights of frost, that spoiled whatever had come up, but the good news is that we are now getting subsequent stalks and they are tasty.
The red leaf lettuce and spinach seeds didn't sprout, time to renew the seed stock! The beets and chard are looking good, though, and we are doing a rain-dance that will be a sure hit with the weather gods!
So Greenbush Greens will ride again, literally, delivered by bike to the Milford Market Square, which runs every Saturday from 9-2pm.

Fair Pilger, we wish you and your new daddy calm waters and fun new cruising in Texan waters.
It's good to be home and not lose the tan we got during our Bahamian winter!

We Have New Neighbors!

Well, Pilger does, anyhow! We have moved her to a new anchorage; Black River. Just down from the cheese factory. A little tricky to come into, but if you have been shown the expanse of rock shelf just under the surface, you can slowly move in. It seems to be a bit windy, and a rather long row, but there really is nothing to hit. Picton harbour is just too busy, plus you need to keep the anchor rode short-scoped so you don't swing and take someone's 20,00$$$ paint job off. Jeez! Why do people spend so much dough making their stuff pretty when it only drives the cost of insurance and become prohibitive to other plain folks? We rather LIKE out Trem-Clad! Touches up quite nicely and even looks "shippy". Oh well.
More pikkies to come when we get back from our next cruise, hopefully to Kingston.

The Hoop-Houses do it again!

Jim will be providing lettuces, green onions and whatever else pops up, to the Regent cafe. Here they are, the wee dickens! Started indoors March 7, transplanted April 1 (no foolin'!), they are going gangbusters! The plastic covers help the soil hold whatever heat it collects, keeps bunnies out too.
That top photo shows the hoop-covers off right right now. They are easy to get on and off, depending on how you design them. The supports are made by cutting lengths of some old strong pole-like stuff (in our case, some lawn chairs with the seats rotted off) and some poly-water pipe. Hammer the poles as far as they can go, then bend the pipe over to get the right shape, allowing enough length to not blow off in a wind. Get some 4mil plastic, attach it to 2x4 pine the same length as your raised bed. Roll on, roll off. Enjoy!