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I feel like taking a long nap, in fact. For those who may have wondered what I mean when I refer to "the Oak Grove," our house and barns sit in the middle of an oak savanna, a prairie biome that predates white settlement though ours is second growth as far as I can tell. At this time of year there are a lot of leaves. I mean, a LOT. We haven't counted, but there are more than a hundred large oaks on our land, many of them 80 feet or taller. They tend to drop their leaves all within a few days of each other.
That's what you get. Some years the leaves drift to ten or twelve inches' depth in places, but this year the release has been spread out over a couple of weeks and Gary has made a pass with the mulching blades on the tractor. What you see here and in the next photo has accumulated since that first mulching (or "munching" if you like.)
And here's a view of the lane going back to the pastures from the barns. The last hay wagon of the year is still sitting behind the arena here, though we expect Cody (our supplier) to pick it up soon. He called and asked if it was ready. Last year he left the last one standing here all winter, but it's out of the way and not a problem for us if he does that again. Several years ago we had one still in the arena when heavy snow and ice hit, and it stayed inside under the roof through the winter because there was no way to get it out. No immediate ice or snow expected here yet, though. It's over 60F this afternoon and was even warmer yesterday.
And above you can see some of what's happening inside the house. We visited the farmers' market yesterday and got eggplant and zucchini. Combined with tomatoes, onions, sweet pepper, garlic, and a little cayenne, then simmered slowly for several hours with a splash of red wine, these make a classic ratatouille. We like it with rice and a dab of sour cream. Dessert is pumpkin pie, still in the oven at the moment.
That's what you get. Some years the leaves drift to ten or twelve inches' depth in places, but this year the release has been spread out over a couple of weeks and Gary has made a pass with the mulching blades on the tractor. What you see here and in the next photo has accumulated since that first mulching (or "munching" if you like.)
And here's a view of the lane going back to the pastures from the barns. The last hay wagon of the year is still sitting behind the arena here, though we expect Cody (our supplier) to pick it up soon. He called and asked if it was ready. Last year he left the last one standing here all winter, but it's out of the way and not a problem for us if he does that again. Several years ago we had one still in the arena when heavy snow and ice hit, and it stayed inside under the roof through the winter because there was no way to get it out. No immediate ice or snow expected here yet, though. It's over 60F this afternoon and was even warmer yesterday.
And above you can see some of what's happening inside the house. We visited the farmers' market yesterday and got eggplant and zucchini. Combined with tomatoes, onions, sweet pepper, garlic, and a little cayenne, then simmered slowly for several hours with a splash of red wine, these make a classic ratatouille. We like it with rice and a dab of sour cream. Dessert is pumpkin pie, still in the oven at the moment.
