Farm work (Whew!)

We have finally gotten so we can work on our land.  The tractor is up and running great.  The Blacksmith has learned to use it and we are off and running.  We had a few glitches with the tractor when we first got it, so it had to spend some time away from home for repairs.  The biggest delay was due to finding parts for it.  But that has been resolved and we are working. 

 

 

 

We have a lot of clearing to do to set up our garden and goat pastures.  We have several piles to burn and it is very slow going.  Now that it is turning fall it will be easier to move all the limbs and trees with the leaves being gone. 

 

 

 

 

These two piles are in the area that we have designated to be our garden area. 

 

 

 

This particular pile that the Blacksmith is tending is in front of the spot where we are going to build our barn.  It is a large flat area just right for it.  Behind it is a ridge that slowly drops down off the mountain that we live on, down to some railroad tracks.  Behind that is a tree farm for the local paper mill.   The open area going down the ridge was cleared by a local pulpwood company, that bought our pines that were on the ridge. 

 

While we were at it the Blacksmith had a chance to pull out his anvil and get it set up to see what he is going to need to get started using it.

 

 

 

And his forge.

 

 

 

Hopefully, we will soon have a pole shed to set this all up under so it will be protected from the elements.

 

Besides working in the yard, I have had two windfalls to come along.  First, there is a business in our town that has a huge black walnut tree that had a huge abundance of walnuts.  We stopped and asked the manager about them and before I could even finish my question, he said for me to take all I wanted.   It took two days but I got six and a half barrels of walnuts.

 

 

 

As you can see the ground was covered with them.  This was the second day of picking.

 

 

 

These four barrels were filled with walnuts the first day.

 

 

 

These in the back of the truck are two and a half more that we got the second day.  We got alot but left alot behind for someone else should they want them.  Now, I need a corn sheller to use to remove the husks.  I know that sounds weird but it works.

 

My second windfall is our neighbor has crabapple trees that are just loaded with crabapples.  Our neighbor told me to get all that we wanted as they were going to go to waste.  So far, I have two buckets of crabapples and plan to make jelly and possibly some jars of spiced crabapples. 

 

 

 

Well, that is enough for today.  Will let you see how the jelly turned out, once I get it made.