This time of year is busy, but full of waiting. The greenhouse is filled to the brim. Plants are going in the ground. But harvest still feels a long way off.
Matt has an endless list of farm to-dos and I’m maxed out trying to wrangle three kiddos under 5, cook, clean, start seeds, and get them involved in the garden whenever possible. We run around a bit wild much of the day. And then enjoy a sunset farm walk, which makes it all feel worth the effort.
Here are a few bits from the week. May we always remember, learn, and grow.
The most exciting news – we got dairy goats! We’re lucky to be surrounded by many enterprising and talented farmer friends. Among them the dairy goat king and queen, aka Anne and Jerome of the Westcliffe Cheese Co.
Meet Floppy (cream colored female) and Stuart (the dark colored male). They are a mix of Nubian and Saanen dairy goats. They are sweet little ones and we can’t wait to one day be able to have our own milk and cheese.
The garden is filled with lettuces, leafy greens, kohlrabi, cabbage, beets, carrots, and radishes.
Spring in a high altitude garden means the plant babies require constant care and attention. The covers must go on at night as temps dip to freezing. But our strong Colorado sun means tunnels will quickly overheat if not opened first thing in the morning.
Luckily, Juniper is always ready to help in the garden. As soon as Matt gets his shoes on she runs for the door. “I need my boots!” she hollers. “I go outside to help dad!”
To be honest, it can be a bit of a hassle sometimes to include so many little hands. But then I remember that’s the entire point of being out in the middle of nowhere. The efficient-driven person inside of me needs to step aside and remember the entire goal of all of this is to be in the garden together as a family.
It’s the process, not the end point. Breathe, slow down, repeat.
The peonies are budding and I cannot wait for the explosion of color. Peonies are quickly becoming my favorite flower. And I may have impulsively ordered 240 more peony plants that will arrive in October.
Those are the weekly highlights. Of course there were also endless snacks, walks, silly songs, and never-ending chores. Such is life on the homestead.
