From 2011 to 2012

The year of 2011 was full of new experiences here on the farm. It was the first year we raised cattle in every season from the below zero temps of February to the 90's of August. It was our first time raising pigs, and boy did we learn a lot, but thankfully we had good natured charges in Runt and Hamball, and lots of good advice from family and friends. It was the first time we have had to purchase green beans to can, and I learned that you never brag on your garden plants in front of them.

As we finish out the year, we find ourselves in the midst of a mild winter, or at least its starting that way. Every time it has snowed, it has mostly melted off before I got around to photos. This is our out the window picture from a few days ago:

We've been amused by the fact of a chicken that lays double yolks, we thought maybe this one was a triple, but was only a double:

Potatoes have been canned, in preparation for those late spring days when all the potatoes in the basement are used up, but there aren't any ready in the garden:

And for now, the garden is asleep. The strawberries and garlic hang out under their blankets of straw. Hard to believe just a couple of months ago this was a crazy mess of green and bugs.

For now, we'll be in these cool, still winter days. Stare at the Christmas tree for a couple of more days, and embrace the new year. Blessings to you and yours!