We are up to 20 gallons and still counting. They are still ripening and more to come. One doesn't even need to bend over to pick ( great for backs). The jelly is all made for next year, I just keep making more. The leaves are drying and soon they will be turning. This year in addition to tilling I think we will put in some fertilizer. Nothing better than a sun warmed raspberry freshly picked.
The season is winding down. We have a few more long weeks and we will be getting the more last minute rentals.
The ordinance committee is going to go through the first rough draft at the next meeting.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Finally
Finally updating our post.
First order of business.... the raspberries are doing great. They are as tall as I am and this year they are extremely fat and juicy. We have had to call in the recruits to help pick. Not counting what has been eaten, we have picked 15 gallons and still counting. The jam is all made for next years guests, if I ever forget to put a jar in a cabin please come over and ask for one. It is our special treat for guests. The bees are close to the berry patch and I am hoping that is why they are so successful.
The ordinance is now in the drafting stage. The draft puts everything on the table and the next order of business is to go through it and add and cut as the committee recommends. It has been fun yet exasperating to be a part of the process but it will also be nice to be done and have a working ordinance for the county to enforce. I also personally think it has been a conflict for our committee of 7 to have a mother and son appointed. I feel they have the same interest and are actually one person when it comes to a vote. They have already shown that they do not think independantly. Maybe some of you out there can comment on that.
The chickens are molting but still laying. Production is down when they molt and they look ugly. They have had to stay within the fence this summer. I know there are a lot of guests that enjoyed them wandering around, you can still visit them and throw any food into their pen, remember, they eat almost anything.
Our guests this year, as usual, are a treat to meet. One guest commented that he was glad they did the inner tubing as the last activity during their stay. If they had tubed sooner it is all they would have been doing.
First order of business.... the raspberries are doing great. They are as tall as I am and this year they are extremely fat and juicy. We have had to call in the recruits to help pick. Not counting what has been eaten, we have picked 15 gallons and still counting. The jam is all made for next years guests, if I ever forget to put a jar in a cabin please come over and ask for one. It is our special treat for guests. The bees are close to the berry patch and I am hoping that is why they are so successful.
The ordinance is now in the drafting stage. The draft puts everything on the table and the next order of business is to go through it and add and cut as the committee recommends. It has been fun yet exasperating to be a part of the process but it will also be nice to be done and have a working ordinance for the county to enforce. I also personally think it has been a conflict for our committee of 7 to have a mother and son appointed. I feel they have the same interest and are actually one person when it comes to a vote. They have already shown that they do not think independantly. Maybe some of you out there can comment on that.
The chickens are molting but still laying. Production is down when they molt and they look ugly. They have had to stay within the fence this summer. I know there are a lot of guests that enjoyed them wandering around, you can still visit them and throw any food into their pen, remember, they eat almost anything.
Our guests this year, as usual, are a treat to meet. One guest commented that he was glad they did the inner tubing as the last activity during their stay. If they had tubed sooner it is all they would have been doing.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Spring in Custer State Park/Mothers Day
What a wonderful Mothers Day. We touristed in the Southern Hills. The family and extended family started by caravanning to Hot Springs. The first destination was the Mammoth Site. It was very cool. The amount of bones is amazing www.mammothsite.com.
We took our time and as we had 11 in our group we took up almost half of the tour group. It was fun to stay after and take it all in at a slower pace. It was such a nice warm day that we decided to take advantage of our proximity to Cascade Falls. The water was mild, the day was hot so the kids went in. We found a cray fish, enjoyed the sound of the creek, kids playing and the beautiful scenery.
Of course on such a warm day ice cream is necessary to cool us all off. The Dairy Queen was perfect and what a nice surprise to have free Sunday's for all mothers. Off we then went to Wind Cave Park. The Buffalo were serene nibbling on the grass and rolling in the dirt. I was hoping to see some new calves and we were not disappointed. They were so cute staying close to mama. Autumn was loving the Prairie Dogs. The only thing we did not see were elk. It was fun stopping in the Needles and climbing on the rocks. We made so many stops, that was what made it fun. We would all pile out of the cars like a fire drill. The final stop of the day was Sugar Shack for a big juicy burger. We were all tired and hungry.
Perfect day for a MOM.
Of course on such a warm day ice cream is necessary to cool us all off. The Dairy Queen was perfect and what a nice surprise to have free Sunday's for all mothers. Off we then went to Wind Cave Park. The Buffalo were serene nibbling on the grass and rolling in the dirt. I was hoping to see some new calves and we were not disappointed. They were so cute staying close to mama. Autumn was loving the Prairie Dogs. The only thing we did not see were elk. It was fun stopping in the Needles and climbing on the rocks. We made so many stops, that was what made it fun. We would all pile out of the cars like a fire drill. The final stop of the day was Sugar Shack for a big juicy burger. We were all tired and hungry.
Perfect day for a MOM.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
County Ordinance and spring
The work we have been doing for the past 5 months is paying off. We officially have a committee formed and blessed by the Pennington County Commissioners. The task of this committee is to formulate a vacation home rental ordinance to address the current overly prohibitive ordinance.
Government wheels turn slow, our first informal meeting - not to be confused with public meetings - is Monday, May 16 at 2:00 pm in the courthouse. All other meeting will be public and public input is welcome and encouraged.
It will be nice to have our Log Cabin and Boxcar Cabin compliant with county regulations. Keep tuned for the latest.
On another note. Spring is here!! Dandelions are in the yard and the chickens are happy. Six eggs from six chicks. The cat is getting fatter and the dog is happily following Tally to the burn pile as he gets pine needles cleaned up from the yards. I am almost finished with the Cottage spring cleaning. I have the kitchen floor, table and lower cabinets left. We finally got the microwave up on a shelf. It looks great and feels good to take care of our babies (cabins).
Our daughter took up golf this spring and is on the team at her school. She loves it and is actually improving. Time for me to get back to work.
Government wheels turn slow, our first informal meeting - not to be confused with public meetings - is Monday, May 16 at 2:00 pm in the courthouse. All other meeting will be public and public input is welcome and encouraged.
It will be nice to have our Log Cabin and Boxcar Cabin compliant with county regulations. Keep tuned for the latest.
On another note. Spring is here!! Dandelions are in the yard and the chickens are happy. Six eggs from six chicks. The cat is getting fatter and the dog is happily following Tally to the burn pile as he gets pine needles cleaned up from the yards. I am almost finished with the Cottage spring cleaning. I have the kitchen floor, table and lower cabinets left. We finally got the microwave up on a shelf. It looks great and feels good to take care of our babies (cabins).
Our daughter took up golf this spring and is on the team at her school. She loves it and is actually improving. Time for me to get back to work.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
April 27, 2011
We started the deep spring cleaning today. The Cottage is first this year.
We are taking a rest from the kitchen remodel. The walls are painted, the floor is installed and the cabinets are ordered. Not much to do except enjoy it. We are loving the dining room.
We had rain off and on all day. Guess April showers bring May flowers. The Pasque flowers are coming on strong in the woods and the crocus in our garden are showing their colors.
We are taking a rest from the kitchen remodel. The walls are painted, the floor is installed and the cabinets are ordered. Not much to do except enjoy it. We are loving the dining room.
We had rain off and on all day. Guess April showers bring May flowers. The Pasque flowers are coming on strong in the woods and the crocus in our garden are showing their colors.
On another note, the Pennington County Commissioners have started the ball rolling on our ordinance amendment. The committee has been formed and will be officially designated at their next meeting. We need to address vacation home rentals in this county in a proactive manner. The extremely limiting current ordinance just begs to be ignored and it is. We could not believe how many vacation home rentals within Pennington County are registered with the state of South Dakota. It will be interesting to see the direction this goes at the first meeting.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
March 29, 2011 still cold
We had gentle snow all day yesterday but nothing on the ground. Thank goodness the ice is melting and green grass is finally showing though, there is still snow where the ground is shaded. Squirrels are chasing each other in the trees and hiding nuts, rabbits are gathering and the sounds of birds are everywhere.
Tally is sanding the drywall and I should be texturing tomorrow or even this afternoon. The ordinance amendment we are working on is progressing. These things take a lot of time but are all worth it in the end. Short post.
Tally is sanding the drywall and I should be texturing tomorrow or even this afternoon. The ordinance amendment we are working on is progressing. These things take a lot of time but are all worth it in the end. Short post.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March- is Spring coming to Happy Trails?
The days are longer and with the addition of more snow it actually feels like spring. Water is running off the roofs and the ice bergs are slowly receding. It seems so slow this year. I know it will be soon that we are turning on water in cabins and beginning the deep spring cleaning. I love when the cabins are freshly deep cleaned. It is so satisfying. I love our job.
On to the construction project. I now have an insulated kitchen/dining area. The house became so cosy and nice. I realize there is a lot to do but just the fact of being warmer has made life wonderful. We have also been experiencing some great Black Hills inversions. Rapid City has been so cold and overcast while we in Silver City have been in the 40's with nice sunny days.
On to the construction project. I now have an insulated kitchen/dining area. The house became so cosy and nice. I realize there is a lot to do but just the fact of being warmer has made life wonderful. We have also been experiencing some great Black Hills inversions. Rapid City has been so cold and overcast while we in Silver City have been in the 40's with nice sunny days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)