It's been a little sticky around here. Would you stick around for mulberry season?

A question that I often answer with a resounding, yes! I can see the appeal for the city dwellers... socialization, shopping at your doorstop and a variety of events. But what they miss is the peaceful serenity of a pollution free morning of coffee on the front porch overlooking the vineyard with the melody of the birds and chickens. Spring offers a variety of florals and unique aromas. Plus the lambs baaing from the neighbors adds to the rebirth of the season. We love walkin

March came with warm temps and loads of sunshine but also some very curious pigs. Let me set the scene. We were busy weeding the garden until about dusk and I went to feed and let in our pigs. And they were not snorting impatiently at the gate. I called for them and nothing, no pigs. I hollered at Art and after zero signs of them after searching the woods, hillside, fields, and door knocking on the homesteads nearby. We went to bed without the pigs tucked safely inside their

The hens are laying again. We are back up to 17+ eggs a day. We also had 11 new chicks hatch and then a sparrowhawk decided to have three too many snacks. Art had to build a new chicken run over the mama hen condo to protect them from aerial assaults. The enclosure was a success. It prevented another attack and all eight chicks are accounted for. Mama hen is recovering from the trauma. Art continued building... a frame for a new greenhouse to add to the garden. The frame is

We've taken this month to evaluate what's working, needs work or can go. Three major things that made the list is the Orchard Guard Tower, pomegranate orchard and the old pear trees. We've had many conversation about where and how we would be build another cabin on the property. We love hosting and could see some potential of one additional cabin on property. Orchard Guard Tower The problem is where in the garden/vineyard could we place it. An ongoing discussion but the needs

A little raki brewing from our grape mash after we finished the last round of drying persimmons. It took four days to finish off the mash to make about 50 liters of raki. If you've ever had raki you know it is a sip not a shot kind of slow burn liquor. Very similar to moonshine that my late great Hatfield ancestors cooked up in the hills of North Carolina. Raki from Grapes We had a few wonderful visitors stop by and tour the homestead and had a few guests stay over at the Or

November was a bit gloomy but we still had a productive and beautiful month

The seven year itch living in Albania

Welcome to fall aka the JUICY season here at Homestead Albania