Emandal

Emandal, where everything stays the same, yet is constantly changing.  Who knew that instead of a newsletter or two a year, we’d be trying to keep everyone updated several times a week… or several times a day, some experts say!?  Since I just joined Facebook on Christmas this year, and have yet to make a post, I’m a little slow on the uptake.

It’s winter on the farm.  Egg production is down considerably, but we have over a hundred younger hens vying for room on the roosts, and by May, in the nesting boxes.  We’re all a little skittish about going into the chicken house these days, as they are extremely aggressive, and have attacked us from the knees down consistently (no blood… they ARE small).  Maybe with their bold temperament, they’ll manage to evade the bobcats, foxes and hawks, come spring.

Cows get fed twice a day, the ostriches, llamas and goats seem to manage on one.  The cats, however, if they were to have their way, would get fed at least a dozen times daily.

It’s the season for cleaning up, fixing up, and making plans.  Casey has painted the office and library floors, and will start tackling some cabin projects after the new year.  Whitney has organized files, gotten registration ready to go out on January 15, and has been interviewing and hiring diligently.  Not only has Jade been uploading pictures and editing the new website, and doing numerous posts for Facebook, she’s cleaned out the greenhouse and barn, written up the garden plan and has most of the seeds ordered, ready to plant when the time comes.   While Tom visits, he usually has a project, too…. this time, a new door for the greenhouse.  I’ve been helping with the website, getting ready for a Bread and Jam Workshop I’m giving in January (YES to Banana Nut Rolls and Meyer Lemon Marmalade…. Not So Much to Persimmon Marmalade), writing down recipes for our savory cookbook, preparing pots of soup and dozens of loaves of bread for my CSA, and getting the calendar in order for our upcoming season.  When Malanyon returns from a Kentucky/North Carolina Christmas with Sarah’s folks, he’ll plunge right back into fixing and building, planting and harvesting.

The garden still has kale, parsley and crisp, juicy, baby carrots, and if one waits until the frost has disappeared, spinach, lettuce and arugula.  Without mowing since fall, the lawn is lush.  The cows have pushed through the gate a time or two, ecstatic with the tall green grass, cover crops and weeds.  So far, they’ve left “our” food alone.

So hooray to things staying the same, yet always changing!  Here’s to the upcoming 2013 season on the farm!  All the traditional times, plus an Emandal Staff Retreat July 1-5; a 4 day session just for adults in late August (Your Muse/Your Time), when all the kids are back in school; Not JUST Cowboy Poetry and our 3^rd Annual Apple Pie Throw-down, September 14; a weekend of baking and creating (Baskets, Bread and Fiberfest!) in September; a glorious celebratory harvest meal in the garden (with other delightful touches…) on October 5.

Take care, stay warm, keep in touch.