Agh, this winter has trudged on and on. The weather is unpredictable and we’ve had an inordinate amount of snowfall. According to some sources, between October and now, the power has gone out at least eleven times, for a minimum of six hours, more often than not, considerably longer. As this is a small island, it’s inevitable we lose power during a late evening storm and the repair crews can’t get here until the first ferry in the morning. They do an incredible job, and I wholeheartedly applaud them, but this wintry weather is quite enough, thank-you-very-much!

Roo, bless his little heart, turned six months old yesterday. He’s a whopping 44.3 pounds of joyous, loving, sharpei. Here’s a pic. I think he looks like a tadpole.

Last year was all about the house and I’m delighted with the results. I have the tile for the kitchen and laundry room. Those jobs will get done during the summer months. The bathroom reno will have to wait, as will the baseboards. This year is all about the garden.

I developed my five year plan and a “fellow in the permaculture know” dropped by to walk the property with me and go over my notes. I’m pleased he agreed with my ideas and added some great ones of his own. (No surprise there!) In between snowfalls, I bought and planted a bare-root apple combo. It has Fuji, Braeburn, Red Delicious, Gala, and Honecrisp grafts to the main root-stock. How wonderful that tree will be in the future! Tomorrow afternoon I meet Peter of TreeEater Nursery on Denman Island and pick up the following: 2 Autumn Olive “Portunguese Superhero, 1 Goji Berry, 1 Goumi Berry, 1 Jujube – Li, 1 Pomegranate, 2 Paw Paw, 2 Persimmon, 2 Seaberry/Seabuckthorn, 1 Honey Locust, 4 Comfrey, and 2 GOBO! Yeehaw! This is the beginning of my forest garden, I’m bursting with excitement.

First things first, though. Clearing up the brambles which were cut down last year. What a mountain that is. Each time I slot time to get outside and tidy up, it snows. I am hopeful this weekend will be different. Things must get done this weekend, rain or shine. On Thursday the faller will arrive with his crew. They’ll tidy up the front part of the property to let in more light, that’s the side the persimmon will go on, and they’ll cut back the maples. My intention is to let the maples naturally coppice. That way, I’ll be able to supply some of my own firewood about every six years or so. I’m hopeful to get some seeds started in the greenhouse soon too. More bull-work required getting the veggie garden area ready — sigh — brambles.

People comment how nice the property is looking now and they’re pleased to see it come back to life. This heartens me greatly.

Harold lounges in a rather ungentlemanly pose in my lap and Roo is plastered to my side. It’s a challenge to type.

My challenge reducing plastic continues. The stuff is on everything. I wish the government would ban it completely, but that seems unlikely. Shopping bags would be a good start.

What projects are you working on this year? Are you working on Zero Waste? What successes and failures have you had? Do you have a Forest or Permaculture garden? I hope you’ll comment!

I am grateful for my many blessings.

With loving and warmth,

Brin