best gifts

The larder is almost empty. Few jars of tomato, peach and pickles remain, strawberry jam is all gone. There are still blueberries in the freezer, but the apples have gone mushy (and I got stung by a yellow jacket when I went through the apples). One winter squash left, barely any chicken. 3 eggs yesterday from 400 hens.

Then there are signs of hope..a beautiful carrot located and consumed. The geese make their massive nest and the first if their massive eggs. When the ducks line up to check into the goose nest the line is short one duck, and we know there is a nest somewhere on the farm with a momma on top.

So while there might not be much food left that we stored last year there is promise of much to be here, and soon. 600 peas went into the far side of the hoophouse yesterday..snow peas and English peas in equal amounts..for 40 CSA members..and 200 are already 3-4 inches high..broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seedlings look great, more go in this week.

The fruit trees are not flowering yet, but buds are swollen and ready to pop.

We will make it, no question.