When you need to go out and feed the animals, but you don’t feel like walking, and you are wearing your Rapunzel costume on top of your Cinderella costume with a side of little house on the Prairie.
Author: Ryan Kraeger
"I only remember the very first part of the book where he described the man of steel and velvet and I remember the deep chord that phrase struck. I remember the image I had of a hand of living steel wearing a velvet glove, a hand that could crush or caress, strike a killing blow or wipe away tears, lift mountains or cradle an infant. The rest of the book was an afterthought."
From an essay about Aubrey Andelin's "Man of Steel and Velvet".
Elderberry Elixir
Monday was a bit of an off day. Mommy and Daddy both had to work, but Auntie Mate was here to shepherd the kids through school. They did a great job being good for her. On Tuesday, we tried to get the house back into the normal swing of things, and to push ahead on… Continue reading Elderberry Elixir
Cider Fest 2025!
Well folks, as expected, last Saturday was Crazy! We had more than twenty families come over, from Church, homeschool, work, 4H and neighbors. We processed more than a ton of apples into who knows how much cider! We canned 100+ gallons the day of, and parceled out another 20-ish gallons for people to can at… Continue reading Cider Fest 2025!
Refurbishing the Cider Press.
The last weekend before Cider Fest, Mommy and Daddy and Winnie drove down to Chehalis to buy a new cider press. It was in very decent shape for being over a hundred years old, and it was a fun outing. Unfortunately, when trying to replace the guide on the spout end of the tray, it… Continue reading Refurbishing the Cider Press.
Final Preparation for Cider Fest
Cider fest is tomorrow! It's coming fast. Daddy had the day off work, so he was able to help Mommy out at CC (our homeschool co-op) in the first half of the morning. In the second half he got all the rest of the firewood split and stacked out of the way. The new 8… Continue reading Final Preparation for Cider Fest
Our Holy Family Picture
In case you didn't know, the reason our farm is called "Three Hearts Farm" is because we are under the patronage of the Holy Family. The Three Hearts represent Jesus, Mary and Joseph. There are many reasons that we chose them as our patrons, but the most obvious is that it is fruitful for us… Continue reading Our Holy Family Picture
Garden Snacks (not just for people)
Saturday was a run-around kind of day. The older three kids were all over the mountains with Deedee and Papa, picking apples, so Winnie got to be an only child for a day. She is very good at being an only child. Takes to it like the proverbial duck to water. Fortunately she only gets… Continue reading Garden Snacks (not just for people)
Bumping Along
Exciting times this week! We sold our old much used Chevy Colorado, and bought a newer more gently used Chevy Silverado. The kids were wild with excitement, and have named the truck "Bluey". Because it's blue. It makes an excellent boat, cave, vermin lair, or castle as the need requires. They are currently slaves, plotting… Continue reading Bumping Along
Uncle’s Wood Splitter
This is what happens when you hit too hard. The handle had been getting splintered a little at a time for the last few weeks. Sometimes with this cedar, with the twisty grain, you'll make a deep split through the middle, but leave a chunk on the near side that catches the handle just below… Continue reading Uncle’s Wood Splitter
Cutting back the blackberries by the shop
The small man is ready for anything. He has brand new red clippers. The snowball bushes between the shop and the carport have grown a bit out of control in the last two years. More to the point, they are overgrown (and undergrown, and through grown) with Himalayan blackberry. Earlier, the kids cut a tunnel… Continue reading Cutting back the blackberries by the shop
Little Farm in the Big City 