First Light

Yesterday was the big day! On approximately the 1-year anniversary of the conception of the Nid and the Nidulari project in general, I spent my first night under the roof built with my own hands, had an ice-cold shower in a shower I plumbed myself, and even used the not-so-state-of-the-art composting toilet for the first time! Miracle of miracles, everything works as intended. The interior has a long way to go; currently I’m working on a kitchen counter and living-room seating, along with keeping an eye out for some nice (translation: cheap/free) doors. Then the floor needs to be water-proofed, shelving installed, the bathroom ceiling/loft floor painted…the list goes on. Still, it’s wonderful to be moved in!

At the same time as all this moving-in silliness, I’m also building a permanent, stationary chicken shed. It’s an 8’x10′ structure made of mostly up-cycled materials – reused lumber, reused roofing tin, scrap plywood, leftover fastenings, etc. The coop will comfortably house about 20 hens, with a deep-bedding method which will also act as our kitchen and yard waste composting system. This will be simpler than moving chicken tractors daily over rocky and uneven terrain – leaving the chickens at risk to mongoose – and will simply require bringing the weeds to the chickens, rather than the chickens to the weeds.

It’s freezing here tonight – some 68º or so – and I’m shivering as I type. Therefor, t’will be a brief post! I would like to remind you that the Good Samaritan of Haiti coffee morning is being held here at Little La Grange on Saturday, Dec 13th, and that Nidulari sourdough bread will be available for purchase that day also. Quantities will be limited, so please pre-order if possible.

I just finished boiling up another batch of sour-orange marmalade, slightly spiced for a perfect winter treat! Available in pints and half pints, from me directly or at Cruzan Gardens every week Tue-Sat! There are only two Wednesday bake days before the holidays, so get your orders in now: through my order form, through Cruzan Gardens, or through Prime Produce (for C’sted pick-up).

Stay warm y’all!