Progress Report

03/24/06 04:17 PM Filed in: House Construction

The guys are using the alaskan chain saw method to cut the timbers for the house. They are getting close to being half way done... probably 2 or 3 more weeks to go depending on how many "interruptions" there are. The "interruptions" include cutting wood (we didn't have a chance to put wood up for this year, so we need to gather dead wood as needed), getting hay to the animals (the round bales froze to the ground, it takes 3 or 4 of us to loosen them and push them over to the horses or cows.. a morning's job), getting the maple trees tapped, fixing fences (never ending chore on a homestead), and whatever I need strong arms for.

We are just starting some indoor seeds, and getting the fruit and nut tree seeds stratified. That means chilling them in moist sawdust for a couple of months before planting. Each has its own set of instructions, and I have 23 varieties that I've ordered.. sorting it all out.

The girls have been playing with the ponies and mules daily. They are taking them for walks and getting them used to the saddle and scary things. Some of the kids have been up on one of the mules and one of the ponies. They are getting used to having their feet handled, and I have started trimming (finally uncovered my trimming tools). We are also learning to make horsehair rope.