Snow and Seeds

The first major snow storm of the season is falling and we've a couple of inches on the ground. Vision is a few feet, only double digits, and we're expecting six inches...depending upon neighbor, television, radio or computer. More than likely, one of them will be right.

The deer we saw on Cove Creek at the other end of Tazewell County. Dave's family owns land there and it's a good place to see wildlife, pick dye materials and enjoy a good view.

It's got to be winter because seed catalogues are arriving. One of my favorites is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, in Missouri, a rare seed catalogue. They have some wonderful seeds, both native to the USA and from around the world. I'd love to attend their Heritage Days, the first Sunday of each month, April through December; looks like it would be great fun, informative and educational as well.

A couple of years ago, I met Jere Gettle of Baker Creek, he's an impressive young man who is doing his part to change the world for the better. He's a proponent of locally grown food using sustainable methods; none of that gene-altered or mass produced food in his catalogue! He married last year and I wish he and his wife, Emilee, many productive years and happiness. I share my prayer with you...may God give you the strength to do the work He has set before you both.

Another favorite catalogue is Stark Bro's also in Missouri. Daddy has been buying from Stark Bro's for years and they have fine fruit, nut and landscaping trees. I'm eyeing the Northcountry Blueberry bushes, Arkansas Black Apple and Northstar Pie Cherry trees. The Barcelona Filbert/Hazelnuts look good as well as do the butternuts, chestnuts and pecans. Everything will produce in zone 6, where Thistle Cove Farm is located. I think a persimmon tree would do well here and the Prok American Persimmon looks good.

Bountiful Gardens, out of California, has heirloom, untreated, open-pollinated seeds. They say radiation in the harvest is reduced by 30% when biointensive composting and double-digging methods are used. Their catalogue isn't as flashy as the other two but, still, some good and useful information.

All the sheep and horses have been fed for the night; everyone has shelter from the storm. It's best not to brush the snow from the backs of the animals, snow acts as an insulator to keep them warm. Winds shouldn't be heavy tonight, just 10 to 20 mph, everyone should be fine. Barn cats have wooly fleeces to sleep upon and they curl up together so no troubles there.

There are three loaves of bread rising in the oven and we'll have creamed chipped beef over home made bread for supper. I make the bread what I've got...today I used wheat, rice, white and bran flour with all sorts of seeds, nuts and grains added. It's a wonderful, dense, chewy bread and popular with friends and neighbors. When used for fried bread and topped with butter and fruit, honey, jelly or maple syrup it makes a fine breakfast.

Stay warm and safe; may God give you the strength to do the work He has set before you.