Catching up

As part of our attempt at self reliance, we wanted to build our own shelves and storage spaces. It started with a floor to ceiling bookshelf along our front wall and didn't stop!  One of my favorite custom pieces was this cubby hole coat rack. The cubbies are now packed with paperbacks and the hooks are filled with bags, scarves, and coats. It's a strong rack build with love. It also has a matching trough to rest your wet boots. 

Here is a close up of the hooks Andy carved. They were low hanging branches from our maple tree out back.  That poor little tree finally grew tall enough so it is just out of Andy's reach!  

Andy again needed to make use of space and quickly put this dust buster holder together. The girls helped measure, hammer nails in, and paint it!  All I did was ok the final product, color, and location.  It is at a height handy enough for all of us to reach. 

Harvest Fair!

Today marked the 26th year for the Seattle Tilth's annual Harvest Fair!  We were invited to share our Oscars (broilers) and help educate those attending about the importance of knowing where your food is coming from and how easy it is to raise chickens for meat right here in the city. We were given advice, gave advice, played, danced, and networked with other urban farmers!  It was a long day. It was exhausting to explain the process with every person that walked up. The girls created a display board that said what breed our birds were and a few facts about chickens and broilers. A lot of people read the board and a lot of people were surprised at what they learned. Good job girls!  

The hardest part of the day was being set up right next to the GOATS!  As many of you know, Matilde wants a goat more than any other pet, so being next to them was tough. She would sneak off and I'd panic for a second and realize she was watching the Eloise and Snowflake. She said (more than once), "I'm gonna get a goat, and I'm gonna name him Douglas!" We saw a lady get squirted by milk, so of course she ran over to check it out. When all of the sudden she was squirted too!  The owner was milking Eloise and pointing the teat right at Tilly!  It sprayed a stream of milk from her feet up her leg and on her face!  Tilly was waiting with her mouth open and screamed with excitement when she was hit!  She ran off laughing and told her papa what had happened.  She is such a goof! 

It really was a fun day, and all of us enjoyed being a part of it!  

The girls said goodbye.

Today was an exciting day!  Andy and the girls processed our first rabbit. We decided to eat Mary first since she wasn't producing any offspring. To be sure, we both palpated her tummy today and also a few days before. I would have hated to cut into her and have kits in the womb, but we were right to say she was barren. I couldn't get over Matilde continuously asking if she could "take out the guts!"  Andy just shook his head and answered no.  Evan and Tilly were great through the whole process.  They have both come to an understanding of why we raise animals and are grateful for the food they provide. 

Along with the rabbit, we harvested about 10 pounds of chicken with only two birds!  Two chicken breasts weighed in a whopping 2 pounds by themselves. I couldn't believe it. Amazing what 10 weeks of food scraps will do to a hungry chicken!  Tomorrow I get to make chicken stock with the remaining carcasses and can it for later use. Busy day tomorrow!  

Four days worth and I'm all caught up!

We have been out of town for a few days. We headed south and roughed it as a family for a bit. The girls had a blast, but our trip was hindered by a stomach bug that took out half the Smith population. We're better now, and we did end up enjoying our time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

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Here is dinner!  We each caught a fish...errr...the girls and I each caught a fish. Well....Evan caught two, but one was on Tilly's pole, so according to Grandma R's logic Tilly said, "my pole, my fish!" 

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When we got home we noticed the hops were really taking off!  Nice big flowers are such a treat to look at!  Sorry the picture is so dark.  I'll attempt a better one soon.  

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I thought I'd be nice and start a basket of fresh veggies and eggs for the new neighbors next door. Andy reminded me that they are kind and I should also be kind. So here is a start. I plan to add more once the onions are done drying. Should only take a day or so. 

Walking on...

Poopoo, whooooaa!  

Man, for as cute, preppy, and girly she is, she really is just a dirty farm girl at heart. Look at those feet!  She's walking right through chicken poops! 

Front yard to table

What a good feeling it is to have the girls want more salad, grab the scissors, and walk outside to refill their bowls! Matilde loved hand-picking the leaves she wanted to eat! Evan was just excited to finally get to harvest the lettuces we planted. 

For the Birds

Tilly made a few bird feeders last week, and we decided to place a few in the front trees.  There are two in this tree, and the small orange dot in the background is another for Mr. Matt, our friendly neighbor.

 

Not too bright, but still cute! & Raspberries

I dug up the front boxes today and the girls "helped" me move the grass. It was a good idea, but they didn't make it too far! 

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The raspberries are now boxed in and protected by a net. We'll see if it helps to keep the hens from eating up all future growth.