July on the Mountain
Goldilocks Summer
If you like this post please hit the ❤️ Your feedback matters to me.
Like June, July on the mountain flew by. Foraging, farming and fun have been high on the priority list. Though the days were hot, a few nights dropped to 4 Celsius. It was a blunt reminder that although the days are hot, we’d better make the most of it before the snow flies.
Foraging with Friends
A friend organized an afternoon of foraging on their property, it was a blast! They have a similar property to ours but with a bit more water. Seeing the difference in how the same plants grow was interesting. She taught me some new edibles including the Columbia Lily, which tastes delightfully sweet and fresh.
Bunny Bites
Having just harvested some rabbits and with a potluck wedding to go to, I decided to make bunny bites. I battered and baked nugget-shaped pieces with some garlic scapes. They turned out well (if I may say so myself) and were a hit. Even the kids liked them.
Tidying the Yard
The yard was becoming cramped and looked like a scrapyard. Though I loved gazing at my trucks through the window, it was time to move them to their own space. Curt and I spent two days driving or pulling trucks up the hill to a new yard.
When a seized brake let go while I was being dragged in the red one I incurred a bump on the back of the head. After that, I decided to wear a helmet. Unfortunately, the helmet didn’t help my shin when a heavy transfer case sitting on the seat of the blue one bounced off and attacked me. It was a bit chaotic, it hurt - but it was a fun couple of days and I love seeing them all in an orderly line.
Yard Tea
The yard has gone through an evolution. When we moved here it was a purely wild space, full of shrubs and trees. I didn’t know what most of the plants were as I mowed and cleared to make space. Over the years it’s becoming a little field of grasses and wildflowers. Nearly everything that grows in the yard is edible and makes a lovely tea.
Ahead of the Hay
With a hayloft freshly built in the barn, we decided to get ahead of winter preparations and fill it up. In three trips with the snowmobile trailer, we piled on as much as we safely could and slowly pulled it up the mountain. It feels amazing to have most of the winter hay put away, and the goats definitely approve.
Building the cap and hanging out in it
The truck cap is now ready to be used as a camper for short trips. Considering that I painted the inside white while being terrorized by bugs, I’m happy with how it turned out. Now I can take it for short trips, to visit friends and stay overnight. It’s also handy for transporting goats and animal feed.
The Goldilocks Summer
Summer this year reminds me of the very first one.
Hot, but not too hot - cold but not too cold - just right.
The berries are abundant and it seems as though all of the plants and animals are thriving. After some challenging years, I’m relieved. Being here can be tough. The weather is more extreme, access is limited, and keeping up with daily life is a lot. This year has put new wind in my sails. Seeing success and our efforts being rewarded, it’s as though the mountain needed to set ground rules.
Now that we’ve found an understanding I feel spoiled and embraced by this wild place.
Love reading your stories Amy, you guys have come and accomplished allot in the past few years!
Keep up the good work, I find it very interesting what you and Curtis have accomplished
Hugs
Alida
Excellent accomplishments! It's a wonderful feeling seeing the hard work pay off and the property evolve and begin to return those efforts.
Well done you two!