As Spring is a season of growth and change, it seems fitting that we should be reflecting that growth and change in our lives. As the blossoms were emerging and raining fragrant, white petals from the cherry trees, I packed up my household in the little farm cottage that I rented the last year and a half, and moved on to a homestead of my own. Although this was very different from the sad goodbye when I moved off of my Elmira homestead that I had poured my hard work and heart into, there was still a little pang over leaving this farm I dearly loved to set out on new adventures on the homestead of my dreams to share with the love of my life. This has been a wonderful place to call home, so in the midst of the busy hustling and bustling of packing and moving, I felt I needed to take a moment to give this place that had been so good to me the gratitude it is due.
Living in the middle of a working organic orchard was such a treat all throughout the year. The Spring brought seas of different colored blossoms, the Summer brought abundant ripe fruit, the Autumn brought golden colored leaves, and the Winter brought neat rows of trees with carefully pruned branching patterns. This one cherry tree hanging over the edge of my balcony was especially dear to me, bearing white petals and then ripe red cherries that I could pick right out my back door. Although I’m moving on to a place with mature fruit trees of my own, I will never forget what it was like living in the midst of an orchard.
After the epic moving day that went until 2AM with my partner and a couple of dear friends was behind me, I came back to check on mail and say goodbye to my dear little farm cottage. I spent a few minutes reflecting on what a good place it had been to live, raise my children, grow and change. While many of the things I packed up and took along in the move were concrete and tangible, so many were not. I also have a lot of good memories to take along with me.
I got all of my garden potted up and moved, along with one raised bed for greens. There are so many beautiful garden spaces to put the plants in with other established things growing, that I feel very spoiled by life right now. I was also very fortunate to have an old friend show up out of the blue the day after moving with his truck and raft trailer to help me get the firewood and raised bed, completing my move. I love when life works out in serendipitous ways like that.
While potting up my perennials and herbs, I got the Nootka Rose garlic
crop all weeded and mulched. It will get summer watering due to the proximity to the blueberry patch, and I plan to check in on it over the coming
months to harvest in August.After all the transition of the last couple years, I am very much looking forward to harvesting my own garlic crop again.
crop all weeded and mulched. It will get summer watering due to the proximity to the blueberry patch, and I plan to check in on it over the coming
months to harvest in August.After all the transition of the last couple years, I am very much looking forward to harvesting my own garlic crop again.
The chickens had an exciting move as well, going from their chicken run to free ranging at the new homestead on forested hillsides and hazelnut orchards. Moving their coop and the quail coop was a bear, but seeing how happy they are in their new place made it all worth the while. Now my only problem is secret nests in the woods, as Paul Bunyan and his ladies seem to be feeling a little too liberated with all the room to roam.
I was able to enjoy my bed of greens right up until moving day, and it was so lovely with all the colors and textures of winter lettuces, arugula, cilantro and kale, I captured a couple photos to remember it by. This was my first successful winter greens garden, so it made me quite proud.
My wonderful landlords generously offered to let me get some seedlings started in the greenhouse that they would water with their things since I don’t have a greenhouse yet on my new place. I’ve got cherry tomatoes, basil, Copra onions, ground cherries and bell peppers sprouting away for my new garden.
As new things bloom in life and I head off on new homesteading adventures, I am feeling very grateful for where I have been as well as where I am going. It reminds me of how the places we inhabit become a part of us and make us who we are in the world, and how they can care for and nurture us just as we care for and nurture them. I will carry that year and a half at Empty Gate Farm wherever I go in the world, and for that I am thankful.
When the dust from moving settles a little, I look forward to sharing all the wonderful things about my adventures on the new homestead!
Dear Lara,
I wish you a wonderful beginning on your new homestead.
Do you still work on the farm or are you able to concentrate full on your own homestead?
I understand why you feel grateful for your "old" place…
Heike
Thanks Heieke. The really cool thing about the farm was that I didn't work there. I just rented the cottage, so I got to have a working farm going on all around me and just took care of my own garden spaces and chickens. I still have two part time jobs, so I am learning how to fit homesteading in with working, but will get it figured out as I go!
Congratulations, you sound so grateful and so happy! Life is good!
Congratulations on your big move! I wish you a successful first growing season. 🙂
impossibleway.livejournal.com
I'm excited for your new journey. I've always admired your homesteading and creative spirit. You inspire me.
Thank you Valerie. It sounds like you've got some good new journeys going on in your life too!