Misadventures of Mister and Roger
- Kim Malaj
- 51 minutes ago
- 4 min read
March came with warm temps and loads of sunshine but also some very curious pigs. Let me set the scene. We were busy weeding the garden until about dusk and I went to feed and let in our pigs. And they were not snorting impatiently at the gate. I called for them and nothing, no pigs. I hollered at Art and after zero signs of them after searching the woods, hillside, fields, and door knocking on the homesteads nearby. We went to bed without the pigs tucked safely inside their pig chalet. The next day we searched the hill side, behind and around the farm again, nothing. And we took the bikes in both directions and asked more neighbors, zero, zilch, nothing. Even drove to the neighborhood behind the hill and asked around. It was nearing the end of the day and we were running out of hope. Art and the neighbor left to go ask around again and I (Kim) went to check on the chickens and heard a rustling in the woods beyond the fence and then one face and another. Mister and Roger found their way back home and they were two very very thirsty pigs. And two days later they found a hole in the bramble fence and made another curious stroll away from the property but thankfully returned home before bed time.
We had a busy month in the garden. A row of onions and a row of potatoes were planted and already sprouting. The remaining rows were prepped for the spring starters. We planted a few tomatoes, squash and spring lettuces left over from the greenhouse starters. We transplanted chamomile plants and have a few flowers. And a lot of time was spent weeding the winter garlic and onions. Art laid the irrigation lines for the garlic, onions and potatoes as we are entering a dry run after this week's forecasted showers.
We finished the greenhouse complete with spring greens, arugula, tomatoes, cucumbers and added a few hanging baskets for cilantro, oregano, flowers and strawberries. My sister in law brought her avocado trees from her balcony in the city. Fingers crossed we can keep her beautiful trees alive. We've already enjoyed a fresh salad from the greenhouse.
The bees, butterflies and ladybugs are thriving on all the new blossoms from the rosemary, dandelion, collard green seed flowers, cornelius cherries, pear, plum, quince, pomegranate and apple trees.
We were also very busy in the orchard. After last year's frost damage it was a massive clean up of the dead limbs and we painted the bottom of the trees to insulate the bark from any frost and help deter pests from crawling up the tree.
We did a food forest inventory of the vines and trees in the garden, vineyard. orchard, and our woodlands. Drum roll please...1288 total trees and vines that are producing us a little something scrumptious. It's magical what eight years and a tree makes him happy husband can create. Our first fruits we will harvest are the green plums, mulberries and spring pears.
The aroma of the walk around the property is sweet and so pretty. The cherry, pear, plum, apple, quince and grape blossoms are all open right now. And we have found our first pomegranate bulbs.
Little cornelius cherries are just starting to make their appearance.
The transformation of the garden as it comes to life is Art's favorite time of year. We've been documenting the land and all it provides for the last eight years. Every single day we are still in awe that this is our home. We had snow showers in the highlands and are sitting on the front porch with views of the green trees, flowers, and the snow capped mountains.
We had a busy month sharing our space with new guests in the Orchard Guard Tower. We had one group like it so much that they extended their stay two additional nights. And they may have befriended our little star Red the Rooster. Special thanks to Laura for giving us permission to share her and Red. I know I sound like a broken record here but we love hosting and sharing the homestead with guests who stay and even those who just stop by for a tour. If you are planning a trip to northern Albania please let us know if we can fit into your busy itinerary.
Speaking of chickens. Our mama hen Sky and her baby chicks (all named after characters from Bob the Builder thanks to our great nephew Cal) are doing well. The new enclosure has prevented any additional loss from the predator hawks. And we have one more broody hen expecting her chicks to hatch in less than three weeks. We are averaging about 20 eggs a day at the moment but still have to search the front stoop shoe shelf, grass in the vineyard, old wood lean to and the metal scrap pile for eggs. We have two perfectly fine coops with nesting boxes but our hens still find creative places to lay their eggs.
Despite a very busy month we did manage to squeeze in a bike to the lake day and captured two new birds a common sandpiper and little ringed plover.
We had several returning birds to the homestead this month.
I returned from the US after a few weeks visiting family and friends in early March. I also completing a mini book tour. If you missed a tour stop but still want a signed copy of my novels, I have a limited stock available to ship from the US to your home.
And if you are new to our blog please let us know if you have any questions. Cheers to a beautiful spring season.
