10/08/2026
They are forecasting rain on the weekend followed by sub zero temps, so with being on days off for last couple days, I worked at getting the last of the harvest in. Tuesday, after washing a batch of eggs and doing chores I dug the potatoes prior to going to town for egg delivery and then picked them when I got back 3 hours later. 67,420 grams (148 pounds) went into the pantry. After evening chores, I finished off a triple batch of crabapple juice and put away some ferments. Supper was just a roast beef sandwich with zucchini slices and ice cream for dessert. Washed another batch of eggs before bed and did up the dishes.
Yesterday, before I started the harvesting for the day, I put away a washed batch of eggs from last night and then I decided to make a batch of Einkorn, spelt, all purpose sourdough bread. Then it was time to put away the 8 birds I butchered on Sunday that were chilling in the fridge. After chores were done, I spent the next time going through the garden harvesting what turnip there was, dug up some dandelion root, pulled the beets, saved some greens for soup, ruthlessly harvested the cabbage, picked what broccoli and cauliflower there was and harvested some more tomatoes I missed. All done while my water for today's butchering came up to temp.
Finally, at 1630 hours I started to butcher. Only 8 birds but that is about max for what fridge and water chilling space I have. Not the production many do but as there is just me, I do small batches at a time. I finished shortly after 1800 hours and after cleaning up and a quick coffee, went out to the garden to work at finishing the harvest...the carrots. The wind was non existent, the temp was chilly but as the sun set, it was just a really gorgeous evening. The carrots, planted on July 9, are much better than I expected them to be and I am quite happy with what I got dug last night, a 5 gallon pail. One more row and a bit to harvest in daylight hours.
So prior to chores, I shaped my loaves and baked a dessert for supper then went out to do evening chores. When I came back in about an hour later the dessert was ready and so threw the focaccia into the oven and started making a supper of stir fried fresh root veg, zucchini and leftover roast beef followed by my dessert. So good. While it cooked I washed and chopped the dandelion root. It was a late supper, but so good.
As I ate the supper, I baked the remaining 3 loaves. My two pans are a little large so the loaves have a tendency to flatten, but hey, it works! As I find that freshly harvested carrots in a 5 gallon plastic pail like to sweat which affects storage, I decided that I would wash the carrots. I threw them in the washing machine with some towels and ran the machine for a few minutes. They were not very dirty so it did not take long. Transfer them to the spinner to remove the excess water and then spread out on a towel to dry over night. By this time, the 8 birds had been chilling in ice water for about 6 hours and so it was time to drain them, place in bags and containers to go into the fridge to chill for a couple days. After a cleanup of the chilling container it was time for bed. The dishes will have to wait.
So today I will do the dishes from last night, put the carrots away and work at digging the last of the carrots before I head back to work tonight. Hopefully I get them out but if not, tomorrow. The cold and rain is not supposed to start till Thanksgiving Monday.
All in all, despite the lateness of the garden being planted, I am quite happy and certainly am....feeling blessed.
