Dogs and Snow

Aware that we have been a bit lax in keeping on top of the podcast or posting anything at all, I thought I would add this video I took today when I took the dogs out. We have had an unusual amount of snow, which makes getting around the property a little challenging - the dogs seem to like it though.

Proof that at least the dogs and I are still living. Will have to post a picture of AJ with a current newspaper.

Podcast 69

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Chicken update
duck – lame duck
chicks appearing – natural rearing with their mothers/surrogates

Lotte
Produce update - 3rd summer

• tomatoes
• garlic
• onions
• potatoes
• carrots
• peppers
• beans
• peas
• zucchini (courgette)
• berries
• grape vines
• water tank

AJ visit to England

Work on house
Mortgage (short), good interest rates, buffer against future disasters
Envirofoam – basement insulation
Ecowater – water softener
New windows (energystar rated)

Non-house things things (which will not add value to it) too
New sofas and other furniture
2 new netbooks after various laptop disasters

Future works
New roof, skylights, verandah restoration, kitchen door, carpet, flooring, bathrooms, closets, insulation and dry walling. Work on wiring happening in next few weeks. But probably not solar panels for now.

Bad things AJ – his father's death
Matt – the economy

Good things
AJ – Lotte and turning 40
Matt – Skype, white woodwork, clean water, lots of produce, rainwater harvesting.

Parade of Sail at the Tall Ships Festival

Just to prove that we do get out of the Valley occasionally, last Monday we went in to Halifax to enjoy the Parade of Sail as part of the Tall Ships Festival which takes place every two years.

It was a fantastic day, although the UV index of 9 meant you needed to keep moving and find shade often.

Below is a video of the different ships we saw.

Tall Ships 2009 - Parade of Sail from Matthew Guy on Vimeo.

Video Tour and Progress Update

A rather longer than intended video tour of the garden July 2009.

Tour of the Garden from Matthew Guy on Vimeo.

Podcast 68

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This week's podcast studio (photo from Feb)

Chicken update
6 boys rehomed. Egg production is up. Celebrating by recording in the greenhouse – the chickens' winter home.

Harry
Sad news is that Harry died. Luckily Chloe recovered after a night in the vets and anti-biotics. We got another cat with undue haste as we were worried about Chloe. Caden has now joined the family. Harry had an amazing character the short time we had him – he was a beautiful loving, affectionate naughty cat. We miss him a lot.


Harry


Caden


AJ's garden masterclass
Weekly tea, cake and gardening

Starting to plan the season
Some seedlings being planted, getting ready for the snow to melt to start work. Also want to tidy some of our woods.

Produce
Quince jelly, mango chutney, curries, naan, yoghurt – making so much from scratch. Some days I have had a 100% homemade lunch – soup, with homemade bread, followed by homemade yogurt with homemade jam in it. Almost as nice as last summer when our meals were often 100% garden produce.

Bad things
Matt – tax returns
AJ – preparing receipts for taxes

Good things
Matt – sunshine
AJ – Spring

Podcast 67

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Visit from Carolyn
Was great to see her
Check out www.frugalandgreenish.com – her well written blog about all things greenish and frugalish.

Chicks
Hatched, grown, flourished – almost as big as their parents now. 5 boys to try to pass on.

Recession
Downshifting is very “in” now – TV programmes have gone from Property Ladder to The Home Show - all talking about making do. Living within your means rather than on credit.
Growing food, knitting, making gifts.

Jeep sold truck bought
Our own little bailout of the auto industry

Energuide survey
Got results – not much hope of any grant money – scored 57 points

Plans for 2009
Work on the house
Build AJ's business
Grow even more vegetables
Optimistic about it

New TV
Flat screen – we have been really consumerist – works with our UK DVD player – great picture and right size – it is our main form of entertainment. Works with our resurrected laptop.

Matt been to PEI
Matt – NS, NB, PE, ON
AJ – NS, NB, AB, ON

Bad things
Matt – TV
AJ – power outages

Good things
Matt – life
AJ – 6 months free Sirius satellite radio

Christmas Tree 2008

With the world in recession and crunched by credit we downsized our Christmas tree for 2008. No fossil fuels were used in this years tree harvesting.



Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Peace on Earth and Good Will to All.

Matt and AJ