The last of the homegrown apples sat in a bin on the porch, looking like a gaggle of old crones ready to share laughs over stories from their younger years. They were russets, dense and firm, known for their storage properties. The porch was too dry and cold for pristine preservation, but those conditions concentrated their sugars, making them perfect for one final fresh apple pie.

The yard is filled with puddles in the sun and ice in the shade as temps spike up to 10-20 degrees above average this weekend. We try to avoid north facing entrances to buildings because of this winter "feature", but in a couple spots were were stuck with them. The main entrance to the coop-greenhouse complex is a skating rink again. Dunc and I will be doing some ice busting and working to add some traction tomorrow. Normally I might use ashes, but the ducks travel the path regularly, so that's a no go for their little webbed feet.

All the animals are getting anxious for spring. (Me, too!) I got my seed orders in last weekend, so those should be here soon. Today Duncan took the beehive wrap off that he put on just before the deep cold hit. With temps reaching around 50, the bees have been able to do some cleansing flights, but there's no pollen or nectar for them to harvest yet. From the amount of bee poo on the cover, it looks like the hive is fairly strong. We did make some sugar water available in case their stores are running low.

Though it's tempting to do some yard cleanup with these warmer temps, but I know we'll be back to freezing soon. It's important to wait until daytime temperatures are consistently 50–55°F (10–13°C) for at least a week or two before cleaning up most yard debris. That’s when many overwintering beneficial insects become active and emerge safely.

We can safely start on some tree pruning in the orchards and the south hill. I can also start a little early "spring cleaning" inside. Clothes might not be drying too well on the laundry line just yet, but they still smell nice after hanging out, even if they need a touch up in the dryer.

This Week’s Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Use up what’s left well. Turn the last of the stored apples, roots, or pantry goods into something celebratory — honoring what carried you through winter.
• Prepare without rushing. Order seeds, prune trees, organize tools — but let nature set the pace for outdoor cleanup.
• Protect the small helpers. Leave habitat in place until insects emerge, and think twice before “tidying” away something that still serves a purpose.
• Strengthen the paths. Whether it’s adding traction to icy walkways or smoothing a rough routine, small practical fixes prevent bigger slips later.
• Feed what’s waking up. Bees, soil, family, or yourself — early-season nourishment sets the tone for what comes next.

Resilience isn’t racing toward spring — it’s tending the threshold between seasons with care and patience.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

This week's featured articles...

Food preservation is a wonderful skill, with many different ways to explore your creativity while creating delicious food. Storage crops are always an important part of our gardens, allowing us to feed our family year round, even with a relatively short growing season. I've updated our overview of food preservation methods to help get you brainstorming for the growing season. All the photos in the article (except the ham) are from our homestead.

Sweets for your sweet - since it's Valentine's Day weekend, we have an old fashioned chocolate pudding recipe and chocolate pudding cake like my mom used to make.

On your mark, get set, plant! These are some of the fastest growing vegetables to help you get your first harvests as quickly as possible.

Speaking of vegetables...

I’m speaking at the online Spring Gardening Summit happening February 23–26, and there are 20+ gardening experts coming together to share practical, real-life strategies for:

• planning and setting up a successful spring garden
• growing more food, even in small spaces
• improving soil health naturally
• managing pests and weeds without chemicals
• using and preserving what you grow
• and so much more

The host and all of the speakers have been working behind the scenes to create an event that truly supports gardeners at every stage, whether they’re just getting started or want this season to feel easier and more successful than last year.

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