We are slowly encroaching on one of my favorite times of year. The snow and ice is receding up the mountains and eventually daffodils will be sticking their noses up out of the soil to welcome the warmth of the sun onto their faces. Days are noticeably getting longer. Dreaming between the pages of seed catalogs has ended and I have put in my large seed and bulb orders for the year. Bring on Spring!

Though I would like to sit nestled next to my wood stove waiting patiently for the plants to tell me winter is over, I cannot. There are still things to be done during this cold and dry season. Pruning of the hardwoods is a simple and rewarding task. My blueberry bushes were ready for trimming; the apricots, pluots, plum, nectarine, peaches and apple trees all also had their canopies cleared and controlled. I used the cut branches as treats for the rabbits and goats. Its hilarious to watch them chew down the bark with their eager mouths. I know the trees will be full headed with leaves and bearing fruit soon, the critters and myself will have another juicy treat to enjoy before we know it.

Winter this year has not been a time of rest; unlike last year. I am getting ready to knock 2020 out of the park. Our homestead business has been able to flourish and I am excited to see the miracles roll out. I’ve kept busy with beeswax wrap and dryer ball orders and am blessed by the support I have seen in the last couple of months. I churned out over 200 needle felted dryer balls since December, though my hands are sore my heart is soaring!

From shearing, washing, and creating I am finding my passion for fiber is something deeply rooted. And I can not wait to see where the adventure takes me. I have located a somewhat local Angora goat herd to purchase bottle babies from and am excited to have my own mohair fleeces within the year. I want to continue to spin, weave and felt beautiful creations for others to enjoy and hope that it continues to be a viable portion of the homestead business. I also hope that bringing in educational videos and seminars will help others follow their dreams of living a more self sustaining lifestyle. (Stay tuned as we hope to include a YouTube channel within the next few months!)

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Our bees, a very large portion of our homestead business are going strong with great heat signatures and healthy flight patterns on warmer days. The low hum of each box is a reassurance that spring is coming and this year will be booming with growth and wellbeing. I can’t help but do a little waggle dance for the incoming blessings. I know hive splits will be a chore soon but I look forward to seeing our hive numbers increase as well as help others start their beekeeping passion. (Pre-ordering hives will be announced soon!) We will also be trying our hand at queen rearing to see how we want to proceed with our bee business. The directions are, in some ways, endless!

As we look toward a full 2020 what would you be interested in seeing and hearing more about? Do you come to this blog just to see images of baby animals, pretty views, gardening or would you be interested in learning more about processing fiber and creating things? Or is bees, honey and wax more your style? Let me know as I hope to include even more in the coming months on our self sustaining homestead life.

PS. It’s late but…. Happy New Year! May you have success, health and growth this year. God bless!