WHAT'S GOING ON
CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
White, Wonderland Winter 2018
The winter weather gave us so many opportunities to explore it all! We took many trips out to the woods using our snowshoes. During our explorations we found animal tracks, mushrooms, down trees and even natural ice art. The chilly weather also gave us an excuse to continue our culinary growth; We made cheddar crackers and sugar cookies with crisco and bird seed frosting for some hungry birds. We continued our woodworking skills with community service projects, candy machine building and deer making. Once the weather warmed up just a bit, we made 32 oz of syrup from our maple trees' sap. The winter ended with a few repair projects and a brand new bridge!
The winter weather gave us so many opportunities to explore it all! We took many trips out to the woods using our snowshoes. During our explorations we found animal tracks, mushrooms, down trees and even natural ice art. The chilly weather also gave us an excuse to continue our culinary growth; We made cheddar crackers and sugar cookies with crisco and bird seed frosting for some hungry birds. We continued our woodworking skills with community service projects, candy machine building and deer making. Once the weather warmed up just a bit, we made 32 oz of syrup from our maple trees' sap. The winter ended with a few repair projects and a brand new bridge!
A Busy, Filled-with-Fun Fall 2017
We began this fall by finishing our log cabin! We then continued harvesting the remainder of the crops, preparing the garden beds for winter, inviting our new puppy, Dolly, to the center, practicing some team building activities, building a slack line and woodworking. We continued the fall with canning, hiking, hosting our first ever Harvest Festival, completing community projects and just all around enjoying nature! Thank you everyone for such a wonderful fall!
We began this fall by finishing our log cabin! We then continued harvesting the remainder of the crops, preparing the garden beds for winter, inviting our new puppy, Dolly, to the center, practicing some team building activities, building a slack line and woodworking. We continued the fall with canning, hiking, hosting our first ever Harvest Festival, completing community projects and just all around enjoying nature! Thank you everyone for such a wonderful fall!
Summer Camp Has Been So Much Fun Summer 2017
This summer was full of games, learning, building and exploring. From gardening to bubbles to animals to fire, we have done it all. Not to mention hiking, painting, mushroom hunting and pond scooping. What an amazing summer!
This summer was full of games, learning, building and exploring. From gardening to bubbles to animals to fire, we have done it all. Not to mention hiking, painting, mushroom hunting and pond scooping. What an amazing summer!
The Afterschool Program Has Been Busy Spring 2017
We have begun planting our garden and orchard, building our play space and having some fun with shelters, hammocks and the sandbox. We can't wait to show everyone all of the amazing additions we have made to the center and teach about everything we have learned!
We have begun planting our garden and orchard, building our play space and having some fun with shelters, hammocks and the sandbox. We can't wait to show everyone all of the amazing additions we have made to the center and teach about everything we have learned!
The Afterschool Program Has Been Busy Winter 2017
We have been very busy doing our chores, ice skating, building up our garden beds, planting bulbs, cooking, woodworking, studying wildlife and playing in the snow. We can not wait to begin construction on our outdoor play space.
We have been very busy doing our chores, ice skating, building up our garden beds, planting bulbs, cooking, woodworking, studying wildlife and playing in the snow. We can not wait to begin construction on our outdoor play space.
The Afterschool Program Has Begun Fall 2016
The children attending the Afterschool program at Life's Forest have been very busy! We have made luminaries, cared for the chickens, begun making soil, held our first community event (bonfire) and did some cooking. The fun will only keep coming!
The children attending the Afterschool program at Life's Forest have been very busy! We have made luminaries, cared for the chickens, begun making soil, held our first community event (bonfire) and did some cooking. The fun will only keep coming!
The Garden, Chicken Run and Coop Construction Summer 2016
The coop is complete with nesting boxes. The Chicken run is predator proof. The garden area is receiving its fence. Everything is moving along so fast! I can't wait to begin planting some cover crops and cold hardy plants. We are also planning to plant the orchard this fall inside the chicken run. The trees will provide shade and safety from flying predators.
The coop is complete with nesting boxes. The Chicken run is predator proof. The garden area is receiving its fence. Everything is moving along so fast! I can't wait to begin planting some cover crops and cold hardy plants. We are also planning to plant the orchard this fall inside the chicken run. The trees will provide shade and safety from flying predators.
Beginning Construction of Educational Garden Spring 2016
We've been doing a lot of work clearing a site for the new educational garden. The sun can now shine down on our 80'x80' space for about 8 hours per day. We also blazed a pretty trail to the garden from the house. After all this hard work, its time for a bit of seesaw fun!
We've been doing a lot of work clearing a site for the new educational garden. The sun can now shine down on our 80'x80' space for about 8 hours per day. We also blazed a pretty trail to the garden from the house. After all this hard work, its time for a bit of seesaw fun!
Land Surveying Winter 2016
I know, I know. You are probably thinking we are crazy for trying to survey some of the area during the winter. Well, this has been the warmest winter that I can remember. It was 70 degrees on Christmas Eve! Anyway, today we went out and practiced measuring by determining our pace, figuring out which direction was which with a compass and even mapping the property. Pretty amazing piece of land… mostly flat with a crazy amount of rock and stone history making its peak just about in the center of the property at what we call the ridge. There is even a swamp in the south east corner.
I know, I know. You are probably thinking we are crazy for trying to survey some of the area during the winter. Well, this has been the warmest winter that I can remember. It was 70 degrees on Christmas Eve! Anyway, today we went out and practiced measuring by determining our pace, figuring out which direction was which with a compass and even mapping the property. Pretty amazing piece of land… mostly flat with a crazy amount of rock and stone history making its peak just about in the center of the property at what we call the ridge. There is even a swamp in the south east corner.
Crafting Fall 2015
It has been a bit of a cold week here so indoor crafting it is! We made the most amazing trees by weaving some yarn and fabric strips through a stick. The result is a beautiful reminder of the constant change that Earth and all living things go through. The changing of the seasons is one huge reason why we love the north east.
It has been a bit of a cold week here so indoor crafting it is! We made the most amazing trees by weaving some yarn and fabric strips through a stick. The result is a beautiful reminder of the constant change that Earth and all living things go through. The changing of the seasons is one huge reason why we love the north east.
Amazing Animals Summer 2015
While weeding the garden we came across some very interesting insects. Some were helpful like the ladybug eating the aphids off the roses. However, some were not so great to have in the garden such as the tortoise beetle who was caught red handed eating our potato leaves! After a bit of remediation we went for a walk to explore other insects. We found the most amazing caterpillar; It had a true face on one end and then a false face on the other end! We did some research and found out that this is a type of mimicry that is designed to throw off predators to the hind end of an insect. This makes the predator think it is sneaking up on the insect, when it is actually approaching the true face of the insect.
While weeding the garden we came across some very interesting insects. Some were helpful like the ladybug eating the aphids off the roses. However, some were not so great to have in the garden such as the tortoise beetle who was caught red handed eating our potato leaves! After a bit of remediation we went for a walk to explore other insects. We found the most amazing caterpillar; It had a true face on one end and then a false face on the other end! We did some research and found out that this is a type of mimicry that is designed to throw off predators to the hind end of an insect. This makes the predator think it is sneaking up on the insect, when it is actually approaching the true face of the insect.
Building a Wagon Spring 2015
After all of the times that we have used the wagon, it seemed time to explore how the wagon works. We studied the Gator wagon we have and designed our own. There had to be sides that stuck up so that things in transport would not fall off. The addition of a handle made things much easier. The wheels are roundish but make for a bumpy ride (kinda fun). We all agreed that the next wagon we build will have wheels that can be turned to the direction we would like to go. The wagon has a bit of a mind of its own.
After all of the times that we have used the wagon, it seemed time to explore how the wagon works. We studied the Gator wagon we have and designed our own. There had to be sides that stuck up so that things in transport would not fall off. The addition of a handle made things much easier. The wheels are roundish but make for a bumpy ride (kinda fun). We all agreed that the next wagon we build will have wheels that can be turned to the direction we would like to go. The wagon has a bit of a mind of its own.
Weather Study Winter 2015
What beautiful weather we have been having. We decided to take a snow shoe around the property and observe the weather. We were amazed to see that it had snowed last night as the temperature was so close to not freezing. The big question that everyone had on their minds was, "What makes snow stick to trees?" After some brief research, we found that warmer air makes for wetter snow. When the snow is wetter, it sticks to things more readily. We also saw some amazing wing marks in the snow from a large bird and even took a quick sled ride down the hill. So much fun!
What beautiful weather we have been having. We decided to take a snow shoe around the property and observe the weather. We were amazed to see that it had snowed last night as the temperature was so close to not freezing. The big question that everyone had on their minds was, "What makes snow stick to trees?" After some brief research, we found that warmer air makes for wetter snow. When the snow is wetter, it sticks to things more readily. We also saw some amazing wing marks in the snow from a large bird and even took a quick sled ride down the hill. So much fun!
Canning the Harvest Fall 2014
After the amazing harvest this year, we have to make sure that none of it goes to waste. Jam, salsa and pickles oh my! What a great way to savor the taste of summer all through the year. The pickle recipe is amazing! My favorite bread and butter ever!
After the amazing harvest this year, we have to make sure that none of it goes to waste. Jam, salsa and pickles oh my! What a great way to savor the taste of summer all through the year. The pickle recipe is amazing! My favorite bread and butter ever!
Harvesting the Crops Summer 2014
All summer everyone has been working hard to weed, water and tend to all of the delicious fruits and vegetables that are growing in our garden. We had a great yield of beans, squash, herbs, strawberries, grapes and tomatoes. The chickens really enjoyed the tomatoes!
All summer everyone has been working hard to weed, water and tend to all of the delicious fruits and vegetables that are growing in our garden. We had a great yield of beans, squash, herbs, strawberries, grapes and tomatoes. The chickens really enjoyed the tomatoes!
Building a Compost Bin Summer 2014
Here in our little piece of land, we generate a great deal of leafy leftovers. Whatever the chickens don't eat we pile up in a mound and let nature get to work. Within a few months we have amazing new soil to cultivate the crops. Lately, however, the crows have begun to make quite a mess of the area. We have decided to build our very own compost bin. The whole thing can be lifted off the base for easy access to the soil, you can just lift off the top to dump in large piles of leaves or you can just lift the hinged door to add daily scraps. LOVE IT!
Here in our little piece of land, we generate a great deal of leafy leftovers. Whatever the chickens don't eat we pile up in a mound and let nature get to work. Within a few months we have amazing new soil to cultivate the crops. Lately, however, the crows have begun to make quite a mess of the area. We have decided to build our very own compost bin. The whole thing can be lifted off the base for easy access to the soil, you can just lift off the top to dump in large piles of leaves or you can just lift the hinged door to add daily scraps. LOVE IT!
Chick Cultivation Spring 2014
We are introducing chicks and egg production to the center. We have decided on Buff Orpingtons due to their heartiness, easy-going nature and excellent egg laying abilities. The chicks began growing in our brooder and are now comfortably living outside in their new coop and free ranging for insects and other food. We can't wait to taste their delicious eggs come August!
We are introducing chicks and egg production to the center. We have decided on Buff Orpingtons due to their heartiness, easy-going nature and excellent egg laying abilities. The chicks began growing in our brooder and are now comfortably living outside in their new coop and free ranging for insects and other food. We can't wait to taste their delicious eggs come August!
Animal Tracking Winter 2014
The wildlife has really become much more daring and easily viewable with the long harsh winter we are having. Almost daily we can view a large rafter of turkeys exploring the grounds looking for any type of food. Wild turkeys can travel as much as 2 miles per day foraging. |
Maple Sugaring Spring 2014
The sap has been flowing quite well here. We have collected and boiled many gallons of sap and made delicious maple syrup. We even enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast! Did you know that true maple syrup is one of the only foods that you can safely continue to eat even after it has molded? Of course skim off the mold first, but then happy eating! To protect food from spoilage by molds and bacteria without refrigeration, you want to reduce water activity below 0.8. You can do that by drying out the food, or brining it with either a high salt or a high sugar treatment. Maple syrup typically has a water activity of about 0.87 to 0.88, pretty hostile to most molds. |