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December 24, 2009
While I took a brief holiday from happenings on the urban homestead to give you a glimpse at our travels this year to Greece, Israel, Italy and India - life on the urban homestead goes on and I am going to try to catch you all up on the happenings.
But before we go back to our regularly scheduled postings, we are excited to announced that our film HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION received a nomination (from India’s CMS Eco Film Festival) and stunning crystal award from Yosemite’s El Capitan Film Festival
OK, NOW back to life — down to earth!
You know that saying that goes “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it,“ Well, that’s about sums things up here. With all that we do and things that need to do - we still manage to squeeze stuff in! How? I don’t know, but we do. But you know what? Honestly there are few things that haven’t gotten done but there’s always 2010 for that - because we ran out of time and some projects even had to be put on hold because of lack of funds.
The future is looking up. Why? Because we passed the shortest day! Spring is just around the corner!
Justin peruses Habit For Humanity salvage shop for goodies
Shed gets a roof
and a door!
The honey shed’s progressing - door and windows! Well, actually, turns out the new honey shed will now be a garden shed. Yep, change in plans. The garden hand tools will be moved from the old animal feed/garden shed into the new shed, leaving the old shed home to animal feed and beekeeping supplies. Works better that way.
Go flight. Farmer D via Skype for an interview with DCTV after their screening of Robert McFall’s film HOMEGROWN.
The lady organizing the event had this to say afterwards:
Last week, DCTV screened Homegrown to an enthusiastic NYC audience, followed by an insightful Q&A (with) Jules To say it was a successful event doesn’t give it the dues it deserves.
I wanted to take this time to extend my thanks beyond my call of duty at DCTV, on a much more personal note.
…..While less and less people in this country can relate to family business, small business, and the struggles that go along with it, namely in urban environments where everyone seems to only fend for themselves, I cannot tell you how much this film and the Dervaes’ story touched me. The sacrifices parents make for their children, and the sacrifices I now make for my parents, was a message that rang as true as sustainable farming practices did in Homegrown. Jules’ perseverance and dedication reminds me very much of my father’s.
Thank you for making such a poignant film, Robert. Thank you for being the honest, hard-working, humble people that you are, the Dervaes family.
Dara
Justin empties out one of the composters while Fairlight looks on. Actually, our goats love to eat dirt. No, I am serious. Goats are smart, they know that good dirt contains minerals.
New dirt - black gold. This year’s compost is next year’s soil. Like Farmer D says growing soil is the key to successful, small scale farming.
With the garden in transition, there’s lots of work to be done. Clay pot irrigation. Ollas in position and ready to be buried into the ground
Green tomatoes.
Lovely looking cabbage. Here’s hoping we get some decent head for some kraut!
Thursday, we entertained out of town visitors with a goat walk in Brookside Park
With the amount of drop in visitors this week - the goats got a unprecedented four walks in a matter of seven days!
Looking down into the Arroyo Seco - admiring the fall leaves
After some coffee and a couple of slices of Jordanne’s delicious crumb cake, another friend came by to take us and our guest to the South Pasadena Farmer’s Market for a bit of browsing. Not that we needed any produce, mind you. Instead, picked up a treat — lemon garlic pita chips!
On Sunday, it was entertaining (dinner) and goat walking. This time with Dan who’s volunteering his time helping with some of the “video to YouTube” projects that have been piling up.
Strolling in the beautiful Arroyo Seco. We are so blessed that this natural gem is located only 5 minutes from our urban homestead.
Working on improving, revising Urban Homesteading power point for the upcoming Eco Farm Conference presentation in mid January.
Winter treat - blood oranges. YUM.
Urban homestead improvements. Seems like every winter there are improvements and revisions to the urban homestead’s layout.
With the addition of a new shed, the guys are clearing out an area under the avocado tree and moving the composters and greenhouses. Hoping to make the urban homestead more efficient and organized. One thing we learned in our 25 year urban homesteading venture is that organization is key to a successful urban homestead.
A friend and fellow Freedom Gardener dropped in and gave us this lovely handmade gift which our cat Cassidy had claimed. Thanks, Sherilyn, for the gift - Cassidy says thanks too!.
Justin and the giant tromboncino squash. Almost as tall as he is! Justin wanted to mount in on top the mantle …. he was kidding.
1999- 2009 CELEBRATING 10 YEARS ONLINE - Sharing & Growing
:: Field Hand Appreciation ::
SB $25, LE $10 Thank you for your support.
Really means a lot to us and will help us grow onto the next level.
Want to learn how you can support out growing outreach - here’s how.
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Topics: Garden, Homestead, News, PTF Spotlights, Posts by Anais, Website Updates | Tags: goat, goat walk, greece, holiday, honey, israel, the urban homestead, Urban Homestead
December 24th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Justin looks quite the hunter in his plaid and hat. And I love that “kill”, good job.
December 25th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I like the pics of your walks with the goats. How do dogs react to the goats when you are out on your walks? I’ve been nervous to take my ladies out around town because of a fear that a dog might try to get aggressive with them.