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Greetings farm fans!
It has been some time now since the last entry to this blog. Over the past months snow-covered ground has given way to lush grass and spring time weeds. As you all know, the house project of last summer is complete. The Spencer women are breaking in new traditions and ultimately forging a new way of life at Belle Lea Acres. Instead of an old mobile home, or a well-worn Air-stream, our home provides a rather comfortable abode complete with heat, air, running water, and plenty of sleeping room for visitors. As Spring inevitably leads to Summer, we're looking forward to new adventures with gardens, grass, wildlife, and guests.

Linda, Erica, and I mowed the lawn this week, planted much of the garden, and prepped for the summer season (which means hanging a hammock and airing out the screened in porch). We also installed some greenery around the house as well. It's been a productive week and we hope you enjoy the pictures below. More to come soon!

Our same garden plot from last year before we planted a single seed

This part of the garden is food for visiting children: Broccoli and Brusselsprouts, 

A rain shower approaches just after we sow a few rows

Our little secret: What you see are rabbit food pellets, what we call slow-release soil nutrients

Waiting on you!

 

Quilting Traditions Pasted On

      The history of America can be seen in the history of quilts: in the rich heritage left by self-sufficient women who helped settle this land, in the families whose history is sewn into quilts one patch at a time, and in the legacy of the quilting arts passed on to children and grandchildren so they may carry them forward to the future. The women in my family have been quilting as far back in time as I can trace. Now I am proud to be the next generation to learn this craft. It brings me great joy to carry on this family tradition and create beautiful works of art that other generations will wrap themselves in each night.
     My mother has taught me how to read a pattern, cut out the necessary pieces, and how to operate her sewing machine. I have been practicing by "daisy chaining" (sewing together many pieces to save thread) and have completed over a hundred small squares. I chose what is called the Wyoming pattern and picked three bolts of material that I thought would look best together. Take a look at one square that I have finished and tell me what you think!

A Winter Walkabout

Erica and I took a long walk a few days ago. A thick snow has fallen over West Virginia, though the forecasted warm temperatures at the end of this week threatens to melt the accumulation. Anyway, there are a lot of picture included below. Some from on high, some from down low; some on the property and some off. Though snow complicates long distance travelers (especially those from the Deep South, myself included) it is incredible what one can see standing at some of the higher points of the property. With no leaves on the trees and with snow on the ground, pay special attention to the definition of each ridge. We saw eleven deer but didn't get any pictures, maybe next time. Quite special.

This picture, and the few following, are from the purview of Ron's hunting spot. The whitest spot below is the holler.

Still at Ron's spot looking North

Bigfoot?

There are four springs that run down into the holler. It's nice to know that mountain spring water does not always come in a plastic bottle.

 

 

For those with facial hair, or looking to grow some, beware of condensation.

This shows the creek (or crick) from the low-water bridge. 

Friar's Hill Road

More Meowers... or Not

Much like the Summer time, the cats have a propensity for sleep. Below are some recent pictures of the cats since the cold air of winter has settled in at the farm. Big Meowers (the white/black one) has spent a lot of time inside while Millie is in and out of the house. It looks like they have some company outside too!

 

 This is where it gets weird... Is that a cat in the compost pile?

 It looks like it has a friend...

 

I had heard that the rodent carcasses that both meowers have been leaving around the house were being cleaned up by a couple of possums. Now there's proof.

Jams, Jellies, Spreads, Butters and Conserves

Tis the season to make some delicious treats for my friends and family. This is my first time making jams and such. It is much simpler than I expected. I have found several recipes that I am dying to make, but for now I must limit myself to four. First was the Brown Sugar-Vanilla Banana Butter, next was the Spiced Blueberry Jam, tomorrow we will be making the White Chocolate and Raspberry Spread, and the final one will be a Nutmeg-Apple Conserve. Yum! 

 

 

Winter Wonder in the Wood

The leaves have fallen and the temperature continues to plummet. Winter is almost here! Here on the farm we go out far less but when we do we remember to bundle up. It appears our winter may be as wet as our summer. With the many rain showers and snow fall we have had trouble crossing the low-water bridge. We must be careful not to get caught in the flash floods, they can be fatal. A few times we have been flooded in which makes it hard for expected company and keeping appointments. Good thing we keep the cupboards stocked at all times. Here is a look at the end of autumn and beginning of winter.