Applegarth Farm: Cutting down the Christmas Tree

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Cutting down the Christmas Tree

Yesterday was the day we decided to cut down our Christmas tree. Since we live in an old Christmas tree farm we just go out in the forest and look for a great tree at the top, the trees are rather large so taking off the top portion is the right size for a large tree. We had to fill in the gaps between some of the branches that were sparse by drilling holes and placing the branches to look fuller. We are in frugal mode, so it feels good to save the money on buying a tree. We have gone to u cut lots, and spent $35-50 on a nice tree. This year is different...neither one of us have a formal job, we are having to be very scrappy to survive the winter, and the holidays. This will be a handmade Christmas like no other.

We all pulled out the tupperware boxes of Christmas decorations from the basement, and began setting the memorabilia out. Some things have been with us for a long long time, and are like old friends when you pull them out of the boxes. We will be putting on the lights and decorating the tree tonight. I have planned turkey noodle soup for dinner, with homemade noodles. I also have the movie "The Santa Claus" pulled out to watch as a family.

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Our goal here at Applegarth Farm is to raise children that play in the woods and gardens, and know where their food comes from. To feed the animals and care for their young, to gather eggs, and milk goats, to eat fruit off of trees, and berries from the bushes that we grow, and to eat from the gardens. We are working towards, and teaching them to be as self sufficient as best we can.

With the economy in the state it is, our plan has become even more important. Being able to live on less is one of our goals. Working from home, or close to home is another goal, and growing and harvesting most of our food is a big goal we've been working towards.

We live in a handbuilt home, our heat comes from the firewood we cut, and cooking is often done right on our woodstove. We grow a lot of our own food, and are building our home slowly with cash for materials, and the time to work on it. All of the buildings have been built over the years by my husband from trees grown and milled right on our farm, or from salvaged lumber.

The beginning years started here with no electricity or running water, and were lived in a small cabin, slowy building and clearing land. We are still trying to live as self sufficiently as we can. I am a homemaker and work part time in the nursery (plants and trees) business. We are raising children, tending animals, gardening and cooking from scratch.

Some of the topics you will hear about are; gardening, cooking, beekeeping, chickens, rabbits, building and timberframing. Along with some of my adventures in soapmaking, candlemaking, animal husbandry, plus the everyday of what's going on around the farm. Future building projects include a goat barn, a root cellar, and a pizza/bread wood fired oven. Come learn along with us, and share homesteading skills you are learning. I'm looking forward to meeting others that share a similar path that we're on, or simply others who dream of homesteading.