Monday, June 27, 2011

Last day at the ranch

Tomorrow we are heading back to the city.
We managed to keep busy anyway. The weather turned warmer. 
We had a visit from the neighbor, who invited us over to harvest his rhubarb.

That was some huge rhubarb, and lots of it! 
We shared with another neighbor, and will make juice out of our share.

It was time for Matti and Nicholas to get hair cuts!
We didn't really use these old clippers!
In the afternoon we vistied Tuuri, where Matti attempted to eat the Boss Meal. No success, too much food!
In the evening it was time to clean up, pack up and harvest some spinach for freezing. 
The neighbor farmer was harvesting, too.


Sunday, June 26, 2011

waiting for a storm

All day our storm chaser Nicholas was waiting for he forecasted thunder storm. 
All storms missed us, not even a drop of rain today.
We did get to see some pretty cool cloud formations tonight before sauna.


My summer feet
And once more enjoying the pretty wild flowers along the ditch.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Fun in the rain & sun

Vanha isäntä ja navetta (old man farmer and his barn)

A fun day of activities. Made a fire in the house stove, to dry and heat the place. BLTS's tasted great (Bacon, lettuce, tomato and spinach). Matti beat the hallway rugs, Tiina vacuumed the cobwebs from windows and corners.
Beating the grass and dust from the hallway rugs
BLT on toast
Bacon, lettuce, tomato and spinach on locally baked carrot bread
Sun shining behind the barn
Harvest - red onion, spinach and lettuce

Friday, June 24, 2011

Midsummer in the land of the Midnight sun

Happy Midsummer to everyone!
We grilled some stuff, then enjoyed sauna in the woods at the neighbour's house. Walking home at 1 pm it was light, and quite warm. No wind, not many clouds.
  

Picked some traditional flowers to decorate the deck.


We share the Half Acre with some of God's creations

When we are away there are some house-sitters here... some of them will eat the house, some are looking for other stuff to eat...some have to be killed, others thrown out. Spiders are left alone - most of the time.
 Bug on window
Bug on door
 Bug on wash cloth
Spider on the wall

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Happy Midsummer!

We are back again at the Half Acre. We planted a vegetable garden at  Easter and can now see the results:




Not many weeds, but the lettuce, spinach, onions and peas are growing well. Some beets as well, and carrots, I think...

When we arrived the weeds and hay in the yard were tall as usual, and had to be cut down with a scythe. It was raining and about 16 degrees.
The herbs are not yet growing very tall, but the dill and two kinds of parsley seem to be coming up.

Spinach


Lettuce


These pictures were taken at 9.30 p.m. but it is as light as daylight. This time of year it doesn't really get dark, but on a cloudy night we get a sort of dusk.