There was so much to do to get caught up with the homestead before leaving it for two weeks to go to Steemfest. I had a long list, and I am getting close. First thing was first, I had so many tomatoes that needed to be harvested and processes sitting on the vine. I had a challenge this year to not waste anything I grow from the garden. I didn't have time to process the tomatoes so I decided to harvest everything that would be ripe while I was gone and donate it to the two local food distributing places I knew of. I have shared with people I know, I was time to share it with the people who needed it, the invisible in the community.
It was a beautiful day, crisp clean air. It was wonderful to have the smoke cleared by now. We almost had to evacuate because of a fire. It was a scary moment thinking of packing up the quail, ducks, cat and dog and staying somewhere waiting to see if the fire comes close. Our area as fortunate and the loss was minimal. North of us was not so lucky. I hope all the people who were effected by the fires find miracles in the ashes, and a new life filled with hope.
My old adventurous indoor cat Midge, enjoyed some time in the garden while I picked the ripe produce.
Last squash plant of the season, this one was the healthiest and outlived the mold plague.
Fall appearing on my apple tree.
As I picked the tomatoes I tried to be present with the plants, knowing this is one of the last harvest I will have this year. These plants have been with me since march. I have watched them grow, flower and fruit. I had to take out one that was dead, it felt sad to say goodbye and exciting to think of how great next season is going to be. I love these cycles, life's ways of easing you into your own phase of life, showing the unity in all things mirrored thorough the seasons.
It felt good to gather and share today, a ceremonial gesture of the last harvest.
I am so inspired by people like 
We left our garden produce there making us smile and giving us the feeling of being a part of something bigger than ourselves. This is urban homesteading at its finest. I feel fulfilled and happy that NONE of my precious produce will go to waste while I am at Steemfest.
The Ducks........
The ducks are finally getting settled in. The first week the two hens, Eos and Stormy, picked on my drake Lil Wheezy mercilessly. It was horrible to watch, to be fair it was mostly Eos. I think Lil Wheezy was the bottom in the pecking order where I got him from. They would pull out his feathers and he would hang his head and make whimpering noising, it was pitiful. I was worried that they would not let him breed them because they obviously had no respect for the Wheeze.
They also were not eating the food I gave them. I tried all kinds of things and they only wanted leftover rice and greens from the garden. I have feed them so much of our greens that we haven't had any. I was stressed they were not getting enough protein since they need a high amount.
This week both my problems solved themselves, Lil Wheezy has been ruling the coop with an iron fist and the hens respect his authority. Not sure how it went down but I am really happy about it.
And they are eating their food so it is not so hard on 
I raked out the quail house like I do every two weeks and put the straw in the duck house. The quail are not as messy as the ducks so I find this has worked well.
Clean, raked quail aviary.
I like to do this so I can dry out any moisture and keep it very clean. Keeping quail has been more of a meditation for me than a livestock experience. I have learned to slow way down when I am with them and drop my energy and get grounded. My morning coffee sits with them has been really good for my overall mental wellbeing throughout the day. They are so sweet and peaceful. They love the cleaning days and hop around me the whole time watching with interest in what I am doing.
I lay out wood chips to make it smell fresh and give them a soft nesting place.
And finish with straw so they can tunnel through it and feel wild, they love the fluffy straw.
I also transplanted some potatoes starts. They were taking over a bed that they were not supposed to be in. I was able to get a bunch of starts and get a jump on planted potatoes. The original potatoes where from some that sprouted from Costco. This is the second season on those potatoes that would have been thrown out. I love how nothing goes to waste when you start growing food and keeping livestock. A symbiotic flow, ancient in its roots.
I also made some Steemit inspired clothes to wear to Steemfest, and yes it was 
Got most of my packing done. I leave in TWO DAYS!!!!!!!!
My ticket is from WOW air, very cheap but you can bring only one small backpack under 22 lbs. So I took my time packing, everything that made it was very intentional. I am happy with the amount I am bringing and would not want more. It makes it easy to be spontaneous when you can move about quickly.
I am excited to go to Steemfest, although I will miss my garden, birds and 
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Big Love
Ren