We’re currently weathering another winter storm, though this one isn’t as severe as the ones in January. It’s snowing in the foothills, and we had some sleet make its way to us here in the valley. Stuck indoors, cozy while the wind and rain howl, I realized that it’s been a while since I’ve given a generalized homestead update. Be warned: this one will be brimming with photos.

Despite our current wind, rain, and ice, we’ve had a delightfully warm past few days. I always fall for fool’s spring: that brief warmth and sunshine that makes the trees stir to life and the gardeners get excited. All up and down the block, the almond trees are in full bloom. Every February, when they unfold their lacy white petals, I’m reminded of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Aslan is on the move.” As I go on my walks, dark asphalt carpeted with fallen blossoms and leaves peaking out from dark buds, I feel as though Aslan is indeed on the move, driving out winter before him.

I’m itching to finish assembling my raised beds. I have never had a garden of my own: just potted herbs and plants that either thrived or died rather dramatically. So this is a novice’s experiment and I’m taking all of you along with me!

Work on our homestead has stalled some due to weather, work, and generalized exhaustion, but we’ve still managed to complete a few projects. Jake finished paving our front garden path, despite all the rain. It looks lovely, and I’m so glad it’s decreasing the amount of mud tracked into our house. My father also leveled out part of our front yard with the tractor.

We planted some of our trees in our backyard: peach, plum, and almond. Our current plan is to have the majority of our kitchen garden in raised beds in our front yard, where our house shelters it from the wind. The backyard will have more of our fruit trees and some in-ground rows for vegetables we want to grow for preserving.

I planted beet seeds in January and thought they didn’t make it after I saw my parents’ yellow Lab Max scarfing down the top layer of compost on my raised bed. However, against the odds, I’ve had some beet seedlings pop through the soil. I have no idea how many survived Max, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

My mother and I started some seeds for our gardens in the beginning of February — a variety of herbs and vegetables that now quietly grow under grow lights in the garage. Sunflowers, oregano, kale, calendula, and so many more.

Our next homestead project is to build the fence for our front garden: my parents’ dogs have a habit of munching on homegrown produce, so I don’t want to plant anything else until it’s safe from them. The fence will also help me keep a closer eye on Michael while I garden: now that he’s steadier on his feet, he’s exploring further and further and faster and faster.

My dad is finishing up the larger chicken coop in time for spring chicks: we will be increasing our flock soon, in hopes we will have a surplus of eggs this summer and enough to waterglass/preserve for winter. Michael loved stopping by to say hi and learn about the (powered down) staple gun Grandpa was using.

We have a few more joint homestead projects coming up: our beehives didn’t make it last winter, unfortunately, so we’re replacing them with hopes of a honey harvest in the late summer. My mom is very excited to get Michael his very own beekeeping suit — I’ll be sure to post pictures when she does.

Also, my dad and I — the Lord and free time willing — are planning on brewing some beer that should be ready in time for Pascha/Easter. He has brewed his own beer before, but this will be my first time helping in a major way and I’m excited to learn the process (and taste the results).

I’ve had a few knitting projects on the needles, but I’ve had to slow down due to hand and wrist pain. I have a few gift knits that are only a few hours away from completion: I just need to sit down and find the focused time to finish them. However, they’re all simple garter stitch or stockinette stitch pieces, and the repetitive motion irritates my hands and wrists dreadfully. It’s quite frustrating.

During a particularly rough day this week I decided I needed a comfort cast-on so I picked up the yarn I got for my Nightshift shawl as a Christmas gift from my parents. It’s bright and colorful and squishy and exactly what I needed to lift my spirits.

As my hands and wrists allow, I’m slowly moving between knitting projects, sewing projects, and my newest adventure: spinning my own yarn.

My dear friend Sarah Gene taught me while she visited over Christmas, and I’m absolutely hooked. It’s like magic: a stick, twist energy, and wool combine to make yarn. I feel like a wizard every time I spin.

I’ve acquired a few drop spindles and dyed top/wool and I’ve made two skeins of wonky yarn. It’s uneven and often overspun or underspun in areas, but it’s handmade and it’s mine. I’m quite proud of it.

So that’s our fool’s spring update: slow and simple progress as we wait for spring to actually arrive. But as I said before, even if spring isn’t truly here yet — it is coming. Aslan is on the move.