TODAY WE WALK IN OUR WOODS - TOMORROW, WE WORK....

 Our Beautiful Woods....our lovely pond...

It was a beautiful day - unseasonably warm for November...a light breeze and warm sun. So, we decided that we needed to get out into our woods and check out our beautiful property. The animals were all safe and busy doing their thing - so, we decided to take some hours on this beautiful day and go for a walk around our 40 acres.  We took our two dogs also - Sadie, a Goldendoodle and Tipo a Chihuahua.  They had been closed up quite a bit while we were getting the animals settled.  But now that all is well, we decided that they needed some attention too.    

There were old bluebird houses on posts out in open areas.  Also duck houses around the pond.  They all looked so weather worn, had been there for years, I'm sure.  We spotted a flock of Sandhill Cranes out in a field next to our 40 acres.  They are probably gathering to get ready to fly south. Dancing and making all kinds of noise - were they celebrating before their long trip?  

We spotted a few whitetails as they ran off when they heard us - no matter how quiet we tried to be.  Our two dogs were being quiet also, just walking along - they are not pups anymore - getting older and sweeter and slower everyday - just like us.  They didn't chase, because I don't think they even saw the deer.  We just caught a glimpse of their white tails flagging as they quietly and quickly ran away.  

The air is so fresh.  Our woods are thick with pines and cedars.  So many different birds were up in the trees flying back and forth high above us.  We could hear a Raven telling everyone that we were there.  The warning system of the woods.   We watched this warning system fly from treetop to treetop, continuously following us down the logging road as we walked back to our log cabin.  

As we were walking back to our cabin, we spotted a big pile of 'poop'.  We walked around it and decided that it might be bear poop.  Kind of exciting, kind of scary that one would be that close.  (We would later find out with our night camera attached to a tree - that bears passed through our property frequently).  When we turned around looking for our dogs, they were both rubbing in this pile.  An unfamiliar treat they couldn't pass up apparently. We were so glad that we had missed it on our way out or we would not have been able to continue our wonderful walk.  We pumped water into a big tub and washed each stinky dog separately.  I found some hair shampoo and washed each one over and over until they were 'sans bear poop'. 

As the dogs ran around, air drying, we sat for a bit.  What a treat, we feel so fortunate to be out in the Northwoods.  Not a person in sight - only beautiful trees, wildlife and the air is so fresh. 

Time to possibly get a little something done, still a few hours of light - or maybe not.  Maybe we'll just walk around and talk about future plans for our new home and property...and continue to enjoy this beautiful day.  

TODAY IS FREE RANGE DAY FOR THE CHICKENS - WHILE WE WORK ON THEIR REMODELED, LARGER, COOP....

 

WE'RE FREE....

First Day Free Range - Taking a walk down the driveway - they did turn around when we called them.   Just checking out their new place....

There is an old, dilapidated smaller wooden building standing alone not far from the house.  From the look of the contents - it was storage for nails, Christmas lights and all things little and metal....

We built a temporary 3-sided coop for the chickens in front of this little wooden structure, and we attached 10 tennis panels to it - sides, front and top.  That would give the chickens coverage, a place to roost at night and a grassy (until they eat it down and smash it down by walking on it) area to run around in and also to be able to be out in the sun.   

They've been in their temporary quarters for a few days now and we thought while we were out there working on their renovated, larger coop - we would open the tennis court panel that contained the door - and let them out to free range.  It took them awhile and then once, one went out - it became a steady line of chickens departing for the yet unknown 'fun things' they could get into today on this 'new to them' property.  

THE BEFORE (the AFTER will be on another Blog - stay tuned)

This is the existing smaller, old, dilapidated building - that we would go on to renovate, attach the tennis court panels to - and build new roosts, nest boxes and a feeding/watering station.   

We went into this old building with magnetics that were attached to a stick (my husband had several from when he owned a construction company).  They would be used to detect and pick up any nails that got away during construction.  They worked well for our purpose.  The previous owners had 50 coffee cans full of all different kinds of nails and metal tidbits and many of them had spilled down onto the dirt floor.  So, we needed to pick them all up before we let the chickens in....it was quite a job. The floor was a mixture of gravel, dirt and sand, so we had to rake, metal detect and then use the magnets over and over.  I thought that we should just put down a wood floor - but chickens love dirt - for their dirt or dust baths - they flip around in the dirt/dust to control parasites and prevent feathers from becoming too oily.  It also helps to exfoliate their skin, shed old & loose feathers and of course most importantly to smother insects & parasites that might be living on them - kind of a beauty/health spa treatment.  

We were busy raking and picking up nails and all kinds of old metal objects - but we would stop and watch the chickens running around having a good old time.  One time while we were taking a water/fruit break, this one particular feisty hen was running with beak wide open after a flying bug - I don't think she caught it, but it was quite an impressive attempt.  We could just sit and watch our chickens for hours - they are so entertaining - and now we have the time - so, I think we will take the time more often.... Before we moved here, we were both working more than full-time jobs.  We were always in a hurry.  I would run into the barn, open the little door to their coop, say good morning Chickies, throw food all around and hit the road to work.  But now, it is the time to do what we have dreamed about doing for so long.   Taking moments to enjoy and relish all of the small things that really matter.   

About 4:30 p.m. - the flock starts filing into the temporary coop (where we had kept them for a few days).  They had a busy day and were ready to roost and rest for the night.  We counted them as they entered - and they were all there - safe and sound for the night.  We could hear them fluffing around finding 'their chosen' or 'chosen for them' positions on the three roost branches we had put up for them.  We peeked - most of them were on the top roost - a few in the middle - and two down on the bottom roost - as long as they are all happy and safe....Good Night Girls & Boys...

Tomorrow is another day...we'll stop for the day and continue working on their new coop tomorrow.   We decide that we will pour ourselves a well-deserved glass of wine and sit out on the death deck - now covered with plywood - until we can tear it down and rebuild.  Maybe our owls will be near and call to each other - and they will allow us to take part in the conversation again....But, for now...lovely silence and an incredible feeling of satisfaction for a day filled with meaningful work and silly moments....

HOW DO OUR ANIMALS LIKE THEIR NEW HOME - we think they are adapting well....

 

As we pulled onto our 40 acres with our last trailer - we were so relieved to be here - finally.  I said in a previous Blog that we left the animals in the hauler for the night (they were the last load) - because it was late, we were tired, and it was dark out - and we didn't want to release them into unfamiliar fields.  

We slept in the truck right near the animal hauler the first night. So, after breakfast in town we let them all out - sheep ran out all in one big pile, the llamas were concerned and deliberate - the chickens ran around like the little crazies that they are - and the peacocks are contained in an old machine shed - and releasing them to the outdoors will take some time.  We have had peacocks just walk off - and keep on walking - and I would not want that here - too much wildlife around. 

The chicken coop and enclosure are temporary.  We would feed them in there for a few days and then allow them to free range.  They usually don't travel too far away from their food.  But they are funny - each rooster has their little group (usually a few hens and possibly a 'lesser' rooster) and so these groups do travel in different directions - but usually within our sight.  Or, in the past, we could call them, and they would come running using the old 'buck, buck, buck, come on chickens' call...in a high shrill voice. Annoying to all except the chickens.   Not many of the hens are laying right now, but we put a few crates in there even for them to just sit in... And, my husband installed three branches across the coop for them to roost and figure out their positions.... top roost, bottom roost, or in the middle.  There's quite a hierarchy in chicken coops.  

The sheep and llamas are sniffing and investigating everything...loving all of the grass and weeds and of course their regular feed.  There have been so many different wildlife traveling through this acreage for so many years the smells and scents must be overpowering.  We will have to walk the fields where the llamas are because they can get a disease from white-tailed deer called Meningeal Worm.  It does not affect the white-tailed deer but is deadly for the llamas - can cause paralysis and usually death. So, we looked for signs of white-tailed deer in their fields - poop - and also for plants that we know are toxic for sheep and llamas.  Responsible owners of sheep and llamas should go out in the spring and look for the plants that are toxic to their stock.  Usually, the animals are pretty savvy and only eat it if they are very food deprived.  We ordered many large bales of hay - so we are good for the winter.  We dropped a large round bale in their pen today - cut all of the baling twine and they all jumped into it. The little ones jump up onto the top and everybody sticks their sweet faces into the fresh hay.  Quicker than we would wish, they knock it all down and they each carve out their own soft beds.  With part of the original bale  still left intact, they love to lay all around it, doze off and then wake up and start eating hay again.  They are ruminant animals.  1/3 of their time grazing, 1/3 of their time chewing their cud and then 1/3 of their time just relaxing....tough life. 

The peacocks are flying down to the floor of the machine shed but spend most of their time roosting in the rafters. We have to be careful when we open the big doors to the shed that they don't fly out.  They are busy checking everything out every inch of the shed, eating and pooping (everywhere).

We're off to a good start with our sweet animals.  We will probably make sure their living quarters will be upgraded before we even think of ours.  We do have the Victorian home in town, where we are currently sleeping and showering - so, they will come first - before winter really hits.  After all, we purchased them, contained them and now it is our full responsibility to give them their best lives...and we do....Welcome to your new home sweet animals and birds. 

NOW TO ATTACK THIS MESS - BEFORE IT ATTACKS US

 These are both 'before' and 'during' pictures - I will show 'after' pictures on a blog in the future.....

To those of you who read my blog, you know that we purchased a 40-acre parcel with an old log cabin on it.  We have determined that it was constructed in the late 1800's.  There are also a few dilapidated buildings, a large machine shed and an older mobile home on this acreage.  This 40-acre parcel is in the middle of hundreds of acres of state land/wetlands. So, it's just us and the local wildlife.  

We are the only ones on this gravel, dirt road.  The previous owners appreciated the isolation because they used this land to hunt.  The wildlife was all very relieved to know that we are not hunters - mostly vegetarian.... with a little chicken here and there.  

This old log cabin is still as sturdy and strong as when it was first built in the late 1800's.  All of the occupants since then (except the original occupants) added poorly constructed, cheaply built additions to it over the years.  Mostly, because it's hard to cut into 100-year-old logs to put a log addition onto the original cabin.  We learned that several generations lived in the cabin and then it was used as a 'camp' by family members for years.  Fortunately, there were several windows originally in the log cabin and they were somewhat updated.  We would replace all of them with double pane windows.  But what they did over the last few years was to cut in sky lights in the roof.  Which actually turned out to be a really nice light for the cabin and also for my plants.    

Anyway, how to be able to lift and get all of this garbage out the door and into our several industrial dumpsters that will be picked up in a few days.  With what these dumpsters cost, we needed to fill them up and as quickly as possible. The largest items to be disposed of were several refrigerators, several sofa beds and as I said before, tables that were built out of two by fours.  All really heavy, hard to move items.  We both went at the couches and furniture with a Sawzall. The sofa beds are large, heavy and bulky.  So, we went at those first - cut them in half and dragged them a piece at a time out to the dumpsters.  I insisted that my husband put a big piece of plywood on the deck - because if you remember we named this deck - the death deck - because of the holes and structural problems.  A person could fall through very easily - especially if you are carrying/moving something.  So, I felt better with the large piece of plywood covering all of the scary parts and our trips to the dumpsters continued. Nothing felt better than when you could drag something out onto the deck and then push it off into the dumpster.  

The cooler November weather was very welcome with us having to do so much physical work, and for so many days.  But of course, it was getting darker earlier.  So, we would turn on big construction lights that my husband had and keep working until we just couldn't anymore.  Seems as though as long as you don't sit down, you can keep going.  But, if you sit, you're done.  Tomorrow is another day.   

At the end of the day, we would sit quietly and listen - to complete silence.  It was glorious....We would join in on the conversation of two owls that were hooting back and forth.  They didn't seem to mind.  We were just a different animal to them. I wonder what we were saying to them....

WE MADE IT - OUR OLD LIFE IS NOW IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

 WE MADE IT - OUR FINAL TRIP....

We pulled our final load onto our 40 acres just as it began to snow. Fingers crossed; we had hoped that the wintery weather would hold until we had completely moved all of our things.  We have made 10 trips pulling trailers each time.  Our large, enclosed trailer carried a lot of our furniture, personal belongings, kitchen wares, all of my craft items and just general stuff.  It would take us about 4 hrs. each way from the hobby farm we had just sold, up to our new property & log cabin in the UP.  Now we are here - finally here.  No more trips, and the winter weather held.  It is November in the UP, so, no telling what the temps will be or how much snow there could have been, if any.... We really lucked out.

Our last trailer in was our animal hauler containing chickens, peacocks, sheep and llamas.  It was late at night, when we arrived, so we didn't want to let them out of the hauler and into a strange field in the dark.  They would rest in the trailer until morning. So would we, but in the truck.  We were so tired and so relieved to finally have all of our things in one place.  I believe I could have slept anywhere that night.  I would wake up during the night and I could see that it was still snowing lightly but, there was no real accumulation.  I would fall back to sleep knowing that we didn't have to unload and then turn right around...again...So, my mind and body could rest and be at peace, at last.   

We pulled the animal trailer over to the fenced in fields and opened the door - the sheep just ran out in a 'who fits threw the door first' pile.  The llamas would step to the door, surveying the area before they would gently step out - one by one.  Llamas are such amazing animals, very deliberate.  We drove the chicken cages over to the not yet improved coop and released them into the area that we had temporarily built.  We had slapped up some plywood for cover and some tennis fencing for all four sides and also the top for protection.  They ran out, flapping their wings, feeling free at last.  I had set out their food and water and they were thirsty and hungry.  I put out a container with some loose dirt so that they could dust themselves.  Not one by one, but all at once, not sure how they all fit or if some of them were even touching the dirt.  But they were all in there.  Next were our big birds, the peacocks.  We have to take them out one at a time because they are large, have long heavy wings and long sharp toenails. The way that you handle a peacock is to grab them around their body, fold their wings down and watch out for their feet.  Then, you can just lower them to the ground and let them go. We were releasing them into a big, closed machine shed, where we would keep them until they could acclimate to their surroundings, know where their food was located and where they could roost at night, which was in the rafters.  They will generally stay around where their food is, but in our several moves, we have had at least one, walk off and just keep going. It might just still be walking, who knows...

We stepped into the log cabin from the 'death' deck as we called it - not safe, never sure if it's going to hold.  We just wanted to take a quick look and reacquaint ourselves with the giant amount of the most useless piles of stuff in the world.  Floor to ceiling on the main level, but also in the basement and small upstairs. This pile was mainly composed of furniture made out of 2 x 4's, numerous sofa beds, beer cans, spent shells, trophies for anything and everything and several refrigerators.   all of the very hardest things in the world to move.  Soon, we would have to begin to figure out how to get this all out of the indoor style wood door, that was used as the front door.  It was barely hanging on and needed to go to the burn pile.  

Anyway, not today.  We were in need of some breakfast and a few cups of coffee.  So, off we headed to the closest gas station that actually had a pretty nice restaurant in it. Lots to talk about.... but not today...our bodies and our minds needed some rest.  It was a huge move - our ten trips pulling an enclosed trailer and the final trip with an animal hauler.  We also purchased a container trailer that we had completely filled.  It had to be driven up to the UP by a company.  We also hired a company to trailer up all of our heavy equipment, skid loader, tractor, etc.  Big move, and it was all finally here. 

Breakfast first and then back to the property to check on our animals and then just walk in our woods...The woods that were the first real attraction to us.

COME ALONG ON OUR JOURNEY TO BECOME AS SELF-SUFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE....

 

My husband and I were both born and raised in Chicago and the suburbs of Chicago.  We loved all of the wonderful museums, stores, restaurants, great school systems and programs and all of the opportunities that they provided to us and our family.  

After our two children were out on the nest, with families of their own.  We decided that maybe it was time for us to leave the nest also - stretch our wings - and try something different for the 2nd part of our lives.  

We have always been Midwesterners - and so that is where we always felt the most comfortable and at 'Home".  We were familiar with all of the seasonal changes and that was what was "Normal" for us. We have vacationed in many parts of the United States and also to other countries, always thinking about possibly retiring there - but the Midwest would always call us "Home.  

My husband is a contractor and I have always worked in the Human Services field.  We have purchased and remodeled, lived in and sold several homes during our working years.  So, living in a home during renovation is not new to us - and certainly packing up a great deal of things and moving quite a few times is not something we are unaccustomed to - but this move was the largest renovation and move that we had made to date. Our last move before the "Big Move" was to a hobby farm in need of a lot of TLC.  So, we renovated it and loved it very much.  After moving to this hobby farm, we acquired many animals - horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, llamas, peacocks, chickens and all kinds of ducks and waterfowl.  It was paradise.  This hobby farm ended up being on 15 acres (we started with 70 acres and sold off). The area was still agricultural but was becoming more suburban than we liked.  So, we decided that we wanted to move everyone and everything to more of a rural, isolated area.  

My husband saw a listing for 40 acres with a 100 yr. old cabin, a mobile home and several dilapidated buildings on it - in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  So, we took a ride.

We were both mesmerized by the beauty of the woodlands, the pond and the area.  The log cabin had been a 'camp' for hunters and was basically a dumpster.  The log cabin stood strong while people filled it to the brim with junk and the most useless garbage I have ever seen.  There was a KEEP OUT sign on the log cabin - we laughed - And then, WE BOUGHT IT.  But what we also did was buy a turn of the century Victorian home in a nearby town where we would live until we could make the log cabin more comfortable. Thank goodness we did - our hobby farm sold in days - and we needed to start moving north to start our new adventure.  

And, so, begins our next adventure - probably the biggest to date - all of this was even a bit much for us seasoned adventurers - but, we felt we were up for it.  Our hope was to become as self-sufficient as possible on this beautiful piece of land with our sweet animals and hearts and minds full of hope. 

Several years have passed since we moved to the Northwoods and we want to share all of the stories of how we got here - and also about future plans for our 40 acres and where we are headed.   

 

STARTING SMALL - PLANNING AN HERBAL GARDEN FOR SELLING & PERSONAL USE

This year is going to be different - I say that every winter/spring.  And, I actually still believe me....But this year, over the winter, I collected a few books about herbs and read quite a bit online about growing herbs.  So, this really might be the year...the year of different. While there is still some snow on the ground, my gardening soul begins to speak to me - spring is coming, yes, spring is coming. Hallelujah.  I gather up my gardening notebooks from years past and begin to sketch this year's plan.  I can't wait to get to the store and stand in front of the seed packet display.  I used to be excited about looking at clothes & shoes, then toys and kids clothing, now it's seeds and bird feed. When I arrive at the store, there were already other gardeners standing in front of the seed racks.  We all smiled at each other as we step up to the rack of dreams.  I'd have to say that some of my favorite conversations have been right there in front of the seed racks.  We all feel the same.  Winter is long and difficult for us gardeners to not see anything green, growing or blossoming.  I have a lot of indoor plants that sort of help tide me over.  But there's nothing like walking in my gardens each morning checking to see what happened when we weren't looking.  New buds, new leaves, flowers opening.   

So, I begin my favorite shopping - seed shopping.  Usually, I just grab everything that looks pretty and interesting to me.  But, this year, I am going to choose by category.  I'm going to start with my favorite, most often grown and used herb seed packets.  It is early in the season, too early to start my seedlings outside, unless you have a heated greenhouse (we're working on that).  I'm going to start some of my favorite herbs indoors - just to get the feel of winter out of my bones and start feeling a bit 'springier'. I plant and label all of the seeds and check on them every morning.  And, low and behold, they start coming up...what a great feeling.  I feel like shaking off the winter dust and take a run outside and start turning over some soil.  But that will probably have to wait until the snow is gone.  

I start my herbal garden by planting basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary, peppermint, oregano, chives and cilantro.  I'm not using the little starter trays for these - I'm putting them directly into medium sized terra cotta pots - because I may always keep them in the house. Hard to know when I can begin planting outdoors because living in the UP, Michigan can be unpredictable.   I start dill, lavender, summer savory, tarragon, lemon verbena in the starter kits, water the seeds, put the plastic clear top over the little guys and place them on a table in front of the window.  In the next month or so, when they have plants at the stores, I will look for the different varieties like garlic chives, pineapple and orange mint, of course, my favorite chocolate mint, lemon thyme and lemon, purple and cinnamon basil.  

The mints, chamomile and lemon verbena will be continually snipped and dried for my favorite soothing teas.  Freshly grown and dried are so much more delicious and potent than store bought.  Basil and oregano are a must for the large number of Italian dishes that I make.  Cilantro, one of my favorites is used in Mexican dishes and our all-time favorite, white bean chili.  I grow flat leaf parsley for soups, it has so much more flavor than curly.  Curley is good as a garnish.   Lavender is a tough one to grow and maintain - so, whenever I have any fragrant purple blossoms, I pinch them off, put them in a fabric bag and just sniff them as often as possible - nothing like the scent of lavender.  Dill will be for my cucumbers, potato salad and fish.  Sage, rosemary and thyme will be for when I roast or bake chicken.  I'm reading and learning how to use all of the other herbs.  Mostly I love to walk by my plants, inhale deeply, rub their sweet little leaves and take in their strong, delicious fragrances.   

I bought these little jars, made by Ball with a screw on top that you can also turn to a sprinkle side. They are great for storing dried herbs and then being able to dispense them as desired.  

Living in Zone 4 - it is highly unlikely that any of the herbs planted in the ground would make it through the winter and come up next year, but I will mulch them well and we'll see what happens.  

So, my plan this year was to plant my herbs mostly in bigger pots and in window boxes.  A few in the ground - dill, thyme, sage and chamomile. I read that some herbs do better growing alongside certain other varieties.  Parsley, sage and chives do well together.  So do lemon verbena, dill and cilantro.  Basil and rosemary are two of the most popular herbs, but they do not make good companions.  Mint and rosemary shouldn't be planted together.  But planting oregano alongside basil & tarragon will help prevent pests.  So much to learn...and, I'm loving it.  

I used to just buy plants, plant seeds, water and hope for the best.  Now, I really enjoy reading about their special needs and really nurturing them.  We'll see how that all works this year....Happy Gardening.