Minimoo

Been thinking about this feature of the greenhouse for months now - finally got around to making it happen.  Filled in the underside of the exposed purlins on the west side with more tin.  Last task will be to cut and mount some steel with the appropriate radius to cap off the exposed opening in an artful manner.

Got a big bonus today.  Finally spotted Mao's new calf hanging out with mom just NW of TFL.  Drove over with snacks and got a chance to get up close and personal.  First new calf of the season.  57,74,40,0,B

The Return Of GungaDean

My (not so) little pal Gunga came back for a visit today.  This was him just over a year ago.

My Earthbox shipment arrived.

Finished up the last tiny end bits of siding on the west side.

Got a Ural tire changing lesson from Chuck this afternoon - Mr. Floppy stood guard while I was away.

Solar oven chicken for dinner.  67,73,40,0,B

signs of spring...

Another foggy morning out here - didn't burn off till 12:30.  Headed south for errands and got some good views of the fog rolling away. 

Had two good signs of spring today.  Spotted bluebonnets blooming at their favorite spot along HYW118 on the way home from Study Butte.  My old friend Caroline (the longhorn) stopped by for a snack today.  Haven't seen her for 3 months. 

Clear, calm and warm all afternoon - perfect weather for finishing up the siding on the west side of the greenhouse.  54,69,38,0,C

damp donkey day

Drizzle this morning then cold/cloudy/breezy all day.  Mr. Floppy was not amused.  Was checking Christopher and Meret's facebook TINY house film page this morning and saw a comment from another John Wells. Came up with the perfect project to start on a "stay indoors" crappy day.  Sent out a facebook friend request to 100 guys named John Wells.  So far 20 have accepted.  Not sure where this is gonna go but eventually we may rule the world.  32,37,35, .17",B

TINY a story about living small

Spent a great day with my new friends Christopher and Merete from Boulder, Colorado.  They are shooting a documentary about the tiny house movement. I forget where I first heard about their project, but I sent them an email a couple of months ago to see if they would like to visit the Field Lab - and here they are.

It all started over a year ago when Christopher Smith bought some land in Colorado and decided to build a small trailer house.  (He chose this route due to building restrictions for permanent structures in his area - something we a blessed to avoid here in south county.)  The amazing thing is that he had no prior building experience yet he has just about finished his mini mansion on wheels.  He and his girlfriend Meret Mueller thought it might be interesting to make a short film about the process. Their research for the project led them to include other folks like myself in their film to help tell Christopher's story... "a meditation on the relationship of home to environment, of quality and simplicity to a life well lived."

I'm looking forward to seeing the final result - the teaser on their website looks great.
http://tiny-themovie.com/  Make sure to check out the link to their facebook page for lots of progress photos of their homemade home.  48,61,33,0,B

OMGLOLTGIF

54,62,40,0,C

nuthin' but sun today...

...so much for our rain forecast.  Finished closing in the "porch" on the east side - more polycarbonate and some roofing that I pre cut months ago.

Something from my JD spicy salad mix seeds I planted has gone to flower.  Had to check what was in the seed packet and compare the plant to some google images.  28%Black Seeded Simpson, 17% ea Green & Red Salad Bowl. 12% Marvel of Four Seasons, 11%Bibb, 7%Arugula, 5%Curled Cress, 3%Mizuna.  Searched the whole list...turns out it is Mizuna.

There just might be the first TFL longhorn arrival of 2012 out there somewhere.  Benita has had a new friend hanging out with her for about 2 weeks.  I named her Mao.  She was starting to show signs of dropping a calf soon.  Mao disappeared 2 days ago but showed up late tonight really hungry and afterbirth hangin out of her.  It has been my experience that the mamas tend to park their newborns in a safe spot and head out looking for food.  Hope she brings the new critter in to visit soon.  58,69,30,0,B