Stan & Joyce Orchard
Trying to figure it out since 1975.
Errant Antler
A dozen or so elk, all wearing their fuzzy, winter coats, visited us on this frosty morning. One of the two young bulls was sporting an antler growing in the wrong direction. Hope it grows back properly this spring.
Christmas Cactus Blooms!
Nice weather, family is all together, lots of great food, and Joyce Carol’s old Christmas Cactus decided to bloom. Despite the madness engulfing our world, we take all of this as a good omen for brighter days ahead. Hope all of you are enjoying the day.
Our Newest Neighbors
The property just to our west, behind our barn, sold recently. They have completely transformed the place. A new orchard literally appeared overnight. This weekend beehives appeared. Can’t wait until spring when it comes to life.
Out For A Walk
My Beloved and I used to walk a lot. She can’t do that these days but I’ve been trying to walk a mile a day. Today our son and his 13-year-old daughter joined me. Still amazes me that we all live here. Despite the madness that seems to have enveloped the world, it is the simplest of things that bring so much joy. Be happy, my friends.
Foxglove In October?
The Orchard Compound is covered with foxglove during spring and early to mid-summer. But this one decided to march to its own drummer.
Amazing Value
In January of 1988 I got these boots as part of our coverage of the Winter Olympics in Calgary. Never needed them up there. But over those 35+ years they got used and abused here on The Orchard Compound. Snow, mud, manure, etc. They finally fell apart last winter but they still worked even though they were full of holes. Today cheap replacements arrived from Amazon and these were retired. If you’re looking for good boots I highly recommend Sorel.
Onions
We prefer small onions. These were planted in late winter. We have larger ones growing now for fall/winter harvest. Tasty!
Cuke Summer
Cucumber plants love the greenhouse.
Lunch Visitor
Our son was out cooking lunchtime salmon on his Traeger when he spotted this guy about 40-50 feet away. We didn’t share.
Frisky Morning Visitors
These three newborns acted more like goats than elk during their early morning visit. Never tire of watching them.