Asparagus, etc.

Just a quick update.

Fencing
We're still quite busy and currently in the middle of the fencing project - a little over 5000 ft. of barbed wire. Kyle and I put in a long day last Saturday and we hope to have enough fencing in place this coming Saturday to move the cattle to the newly fenced pasture. Completion of the chicken plucker has been delayed due to the urgency of the fencing.

Barn Raising
It is currently scheduled for April 17-21 and I am headed off to Cullman, Alabama in the morning to pick up the supplies we will be using - posts, metal roofing, trusses, purlins, bracing and fasteners. For the barn rasing phase of construction we hope to have a roof-only structure in place with electrical service and lighting. One of the men that will be participating in the project is heading up the electrical design for us since that part is a little outside of my comfort zone. I am looking forward to learning quite a bit about installing electrical service during this project. We plan to post updates about the barn raising along with pictures.

Garden Update
We have already harvested the first few asparagus spears. There is just no substitute for fresh asparagus. For those of you who have horrible childhood memories of canned asparagus, let me assure you this is a completely different food. You must give it another try.

Keith

Blessed and Busy

We've been busy here at Allelon Farm.

Potatoes, broccoli, and cabbage have been planted by now, and trays of colorful annual flowers are showing up; I can tell my mother's been shopping!

Earlier this week, Keith, the kids and I went to Top of the World Farm and enjoyed the wisdom and gracious hospitality of the Sanders family. What a great family, and what a terrific set-up they have--for the entire extended family. Quite inspiring. We finally got a taste of raw milk, and think that a milk cow could definitely be in our future--maybe not real near, but hopefully not too far in the distance. And we had some great chicken fajitas, which included a very good garlic yogurt sauce: yes, they blessed us with not only a tour of the farm and much wisdom they have gained from six years of experience, but also with an incredible lunch.

In a way, our so-wise 15yo dd liked the visit to Top of the World Farm better than the one to Joel Salatin's Polyface Farm (except for exceptional friends we made at Polyface) because the Sanders are so much closer to where we are farm-wise; it was easy to see us initiating some of the things they are doing, after having their farm only six years, whereas, we have many, many years and dollars to go before we could do some of what Mr. Salatin does.

And yesterday, the Wiggin family, wonderful friends in faith, came over for the day. The three men (Keith, my father, and Mr. Wiggin) and boys (a 14yo, our 10yo, and an 8yo; a 12yo was unable to help much because of a recently broken arm, but he helped entertain our 3yo) put many posts in the ground and made a great deal of progress toward getting the perimeter of our back pasture fenced. Mrs. Wiggin brought the bulk of the food for the day, as well as entertainment for the girls and me. First, she helped the girls make bread. (Our 15yo dd had requested her recipe.) Then, she led us in making beautiful greeting cards, providing all the supplies, instruction, and inspiration. It was wonderfully relaxing, and we now have quite a few lovely cards to use when the need arises. Making cards is something she very much enjoys, and includes her family in it at times, but she has only sons. Hopefully, the girl-time was as much of a blessing to her as she was and is to us. After dinner, Mr. Wiggin led us in a very good, thought-provoking Bible study. What a blessing to have friends like this.

Exciting plans are in the making for a barn-raising next month. We're very much looking forward to this event!

Mary Susan