Heating Up!

The weather has been incredible up on the hill and so have the deer fly swarms! With today bringing in continuous sunshine and slight breezes, the plants couldn't ask for better growing conditions. The next few days are forecasted to be in the high 80's to 90's with high humidity...ugh! But that doesn't stop us....
 
Construction on the Greenhill Earthen Oven has been rapidly progressing with Luke leading the charge and me lending a hand from time to time. So far he has managed to whip out the post and beam roof structure to keep our oven dry, as well as finish the stone and mortar well-head base that will be the foundation.

Here is a picture of him breaking up chunks of cement/urbanite bricks that we combined with sand to fill in the below ground portion that extends below the 4ft frost line.

Today we made a trip down to Corriveau Ruthier masonry supply and picked up our 25 fire bricks which will be the baking surface. The rest of the day was spent hunting around our property for a deposit of clay that we will mix with straw and some sand to form the cob exterior.

In the gardens things are beginning to really thrive. Weeding is a constant chore of course but its amazing and delicious fresh vegetables really are. We are hoping to attend our first farmers market of the year within the next 2 weeks, offering bread, certified organic vegetables (chards, radish, lettuce, herbs, basil) as well as Soothe Hand Luke's and Luke's Lips.

Our solar system is also under construction. The trench is dug and the ground posts frame of the panels have been finished. Now the panels need to be mounted to the frame. At that point the electricians will come in to rewire the house and install the inverter/charge controller. It will be a lot different around here with continuous power only adding to the potential that we have as a farming homestead.

Again all are welcome!
till next time
the greenhill collection