After almost 1 year in the making (over 1 year in planning) we’re almost there, been blessed with a mild fall so was able to get alot done.
From the financing to the underground pipe installation, wiring, and the installation of the blower in the barn it’s been a huge challenge.
Had to build out a way to hang the heating unit in the barn. Barely got it in and raised up so I could chain it up.
This is a major upgrade for the farm, we’ll no longer be dependent on heating oil, our domestic hot water, house, and barn will be heated via wood this winter.
I was able to do the excavation work and pour the slab.
Sometimes God gives you a little present unexpectedly.
I was looking across the street at the last of the hay we have when 3 little figures were spotted running around. On closer examination I noticed three little kittens.
My wife is the master at catching animals of all kinds by hand, its as if she hypnotizes them and puts them in a state.
“Grizzly” gave her a good bite and drew a little blood, but within two short days was purring and playing with the other cats, now he’s completely forgotten that he was wild (feral).
He’s got moviestar potential!
We setup a trail camera on the border of the pasture.
Not sure what this is looks very cat like
We’ll be making soaps again but this time using the local tree and plants for their medicinal qualities.
This device goes back thousands of years.
By utilizing the Alembic Still, liquid can be distilled, which is heated by a flame; the “head” or “cap” (إِنْبِيق, ʾinbīq; Greek ἄμβιξ, ambix) which fits over the mouth of the cucurbit to receive the vapors, with an attached downward-sloping “tube” (σωλήν, sōlēn); and the “receiver” (قَابِلَة, qābila; ἄγγος, angos or φιάλη, phialē) container. In the case of another distilling vessel, the retort, the “cap” and the “cucurbit” have been combined to form a single vessel. The anbik is also called the raʾs (head) of the cucurbit. The liquid in the cucurbit is heated or boiled; the vapour rises into the anbik, where it cools by contact with the walls and condenses, running down the spout into the receiver. A modern descendant of the alembic is the pot still, used to produce distilled beverages.
We’re making Hydrosols, also known as “flower waters,” produced by distilling fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and other plant materials. With similar properties to essential oils, these aromatic waters are much less concentrated. Their aromas are often soft and subtle when compared to their essential oil counterpart. These aromatic products usually have a scent similar to their essential oil, but also can have a greener note. This comes from the water soluble constituents in the plant material that are not present in the essential oil.
Hydrosols have skin care benefits and uplifting aromatherapy properties; they make wonderful single ingredient perfumes, deodorants, facial toners, air fresheners, and aromatherapy sprays. And they are great additions to your DIY projects when blended with other flower waters, essential oils or used as a replacement for water in your favorite body care, perfume, or green cleaning recipe.
Bad news the bees didn’t make it.
Good news, we got a boatload of honey.
I walked down through about 3 feet of snow and had to make 3 long trips, the super was filled with honey and super heavy.
Blessed Thistle Farmstead 
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