Vacation to higher altitude, how they garden plus beets, beets and more beets

The first half of the week we decided to head up the mountain to see how things are grown and what animals people raise.  We went to Steamboat Springs which is in the northwest area of the state and closer to Wyoming. Oh, and because it is Dude's favorite paradise place.

There is still snow along our route. Yes, this is July. 

A big sport, besides kayaking, paddle boards and tubing, is fishing. 

Steamboat usually has 4 months of winter. This year they had 6! The runoff is strong. 

They don't have the vicious windd we have out on the plains due to the protection of the mountains.

We did see a herd of Alpine goats, one of our favorites. Along with some llamas and sheep. I met some fellow yarn loves and they pointed to Yampa Valley for sheep herders who raise lambs for wool. Spinning wool is growing up here in popularity.

It is hay cutting time. 

So cool seeing the ski runs in the summer. 

Greenhouse growing was seen everywhere away from the town.  Where your garden is planted matters in high altitude growing.  Planting with southern exposure is important. Those who live in Denver know the frustrations of buying a north facing home... it takes the snow a long time to melt.  Raised beds are another handy move to use in the mountains and container growing is every where. Of course, cool weather planting does well - greens, lettuce, spinach, carrots, potatoes, beets, etc. . Their average  of  frost free days are 59, that's tight.  A lot to learn growing at a higher altitude ...and a lot of patience. 

Today we are back on the homestead.  I started the day in the greenhouse since the temperatures reached 100*! What a difference from the 70's and some low 80* days in the mountains.

Spring lasted a long time here and I need to clean it up and out. 

Beans are finished and needed to go!

I was going to clean out all the beets but there were so many (and I already canned a case of beet relish!) I only took half to work with today. 

Took all the lettuce out and 1/4 of the mustard greens. 

I did have an audience.  Hello little friend. (Yes, those are Norman's whiskers in the picture - grin)

I did dry thyme and some oregano. 

Then it was time to deal with all those beets! 

First up , borscht.   

It turned out wonderful.  I have two quarts left, one to keep, one to share. 

Then canning a batch of pickled beets. 

I ended up with seven pints plus one to eat this week. 

There are more, some are in the oven right now as roasted beet with balsamic vinegar. I will serve with goat cheese to go with a steak dinner.

That's it for now.  Time to read... here is our book club read this month. 

I did finish this book and loved every minute of it! I won it from a Homestead Book Club. I will pay it forward and purchase another, I really enjoy it and was inspired by it. 

peace

Remembering life

There times in everyone's life when one must deal with grief.  It comes when you least expect it. It is quick with a gut wrenching punch.  But deal we must, and our homestead is not immune to the sadness it brings. No one escapes it.

It was a cold and snowy day. We received news that a loved one had passed on. Tears came and silence flowed throughout the home. We prayed and cried ... and cried some more.

We spent the time with family gathered in close.  We kept the noise off.  When someone dies we want it front page news and quiet at the same time.  We don't want them forgotten. We talked and walked it out.

We found new grass from the seed we planted a year ago! No matter what,  there is always new life. 

We worked with garden stuff...more new life.  

Crocheted to bring life to trees in Virginia far away. 

Sewed and cried some more, bringing new clothes to life. 

And read for silent reflection. Life is fragile we know this. Over and over we find that life can change in an instant.  May we see the life that surrounds us and pray that in these trials we continue to find joy. 

peace 

Focus of the Homestead

I have been refocusing on what I wanted or thought of when I was dreaming of a homestead. Homestead is more a feeling I wanted, an old fashion thought of home and family.  This week I have been trying to get back to that. 

First I disconnected the apps from my phone -facebook, email, etc. I was too "into" my phone and not the homestead. 

Second I got back to what I love ... gardens, canning and crafting.  It is already cold here so the garden part was mostly in the greenhouse, mulching and layering the trees and berries outside and planning what I want next year - less animals (not eliminating, just less and focused)  more garden.  

I canned more jelly.  I found I have a knack for it and figured out there is a craft and science to it. For example... when you need a "rolling" boil , it is not the same as just boiling.  I sold over 20 jars of jam this week and 4 jars of pickles without trying. 

Crafting - I used to participate and sell at craft fairs in my younger years almost every weekend but that was when I had kids around to help, plus I love that time with them.  I got brave and signed up with a friend to sell at a craft fair this weekend. Even if we don't sell much I loved making the crafts and along the way teaching others.  Maybe I will get into teaching others with small classes. 

Soaps 

 Candles

 Treasure boxes for tea, travel jewelry, rosaries, whatever!

Another refocus is time with family and friends. Starting simple ...going back to having meals together, Sunday brunch and at the table (ohhh good...more crafting... making table clothes and placemats. )and saying Grace. Dude is really enjoying this piece as he hates eating out. 

So, that's it ... refocusing and really thinking of what we wanted when we were dreaming of this place.
                           peace