[null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRNqa7c5998/T5gcvmWHlFI/AAAAAAAACoE/bziZHYOzqNM/s320/Auction+3.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRNqa7c5998/T5gcvmWHlFI/AAAAAAAACoE/bziZHYOzqNM/s320/Auction+3.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Auction", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 239}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsqCh-bAY_0/T5gcwI1QYJI/AAAAAAAACoM/Ty--Rzb6tEc/s320/Auction.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsqCh-bAY_0/T5gcwI1QYJI/AAAAAAAACoM/Ty--Rzb6tEc/s320/Auction.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Auction", "rendered_width": 304, "rendered_height": 320}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNvZ4teRd5c/T5gcvJ42IYI/AAAAAAAACn8/dF0cud5Qqws/s320/Auction+2.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNvZ4teRd5c/T5gcvJ42IYI/AAAAAAAACn8/dF0cud5Qqws/s320/Auction+2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Auction", "rendered_width": 239, "rendered_height": 320}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1LWwtt14O8/T5t5z9dhuqI/AAAAAAAACo8/kxUHilMVJpo/s320/Rhubarb+2.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g1LWwtt14O8/T5t5z9dhuqI/AAAAAAAACo8/kxUHilMVJpo/s320/Rhubarb+2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Rhubarb", "rendered_width": 226, "rendered_height": 320}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQbssrZwABw/T5tEOSysKII/AAAAAAAACoY/_svWUwfZ-Tg/s320/Campfire.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kQbssrZwABw/T5tEOSysKII/AAAAAAAACoY/_svWUwfZ-Tg/s320/Campfire.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Campfire", "rendered_width": 239, "rendered_height": 320}, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK3murmXj4Y/T5ShO9Ci2DI/AAAAAAAACn0/RBkM66Xa5vw/s320/Petunia.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK3murmXj4Y/T5ShO9Ci2DI/AAAAAAAACn0/RBkM66Xa5vw/s320/Petunia.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Petunia", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 239}, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3xuv2D0FcQ/T4tHVnAaeEI/AAAAAAAACm8/6K34-OHD8uI/s320/Huckleberry%2B2.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3xuv2D0FcQ/T4tHVnAaeEI/AAAAAAAACm8/6K34-OHD8uI/s320/Huckleberry%2B2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Huckleberry B"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrabe-LVrkM/T4tHURuzczI/AAAAAAAACmY/AUt49cWne4Y/s320/Fawn%2Blilies.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrabe-LVrkM/T4tHURuzczI/AAAAAAAACmY/AUt49cWne4Y/s320/Fawn%2Blilies.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Fawn Blilies"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQUDNTJudYM/T4tHT92lZ2I/AAAAAAAACmM/E6XvwwrAMUg/s320/Curly.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQUDNTJudYM/T4tHT92lZ2I/AAAAAAAACmM/E6XvwwrAMUg/s320/Curly.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Curly"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmiuJVwIht8/T4tHqlUNDXI/AAAAAAAACnI/y2KyRo7YMRY/s320/Huckleberry.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmiuJVwIht8/T4tHqlUNDXI/AAAAAAAACnI/y2KyRo7YMRY/s320/Huckleberry.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Huckleberry"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8j2FXVsmSDo/T4tHVZ8ClBI/AAAAAAAACmw/9IJu7fBimF4/s320/Hellebore.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8j2FXVsmSDo/T4tHVZ8ClBI/AAAAAAAACmw/9IJu7fBimF4/s320/Hellebore.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Hellebore"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLeP9ueH664/T4tHrUoiLuI/AAAAAAAACng/3xsZD47vLTw/s320/Spirea.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLeP9ueH664/T4tHrUoiLuI/AAAAAAAACng/3xsZD47vLTw/s320/Spirea.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Spirea"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87UTL8IUJfs/T4tHU2Sl-5I/AAAAAAAACmk/nztf85MFRpY/s320/Frankie%2B2.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-87UTL8IUJfs/T4tHU2Sl-5I/AAAAAAAACmk/nztf85MFRpY/s320/Frankie%2B2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Frankie B"}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAqyJtqNXso/T4tGpOlzWXI/AAAAAAAACl0/_7cp7N95VpA/s320/rhubarb.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAqyJtqNXso/T4tGpOlzWXI/AAAAAAAACl0/_7cp7N95VpA/s320/rhubarb.jpg", "formatted_filename": "rhubarb"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb9VwNXAsI0/T4s8-kZuecI/AAAAAAAAClE/50mgvbc194M/s320/Rhubarb%2B2.jpg", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb9VwNXAsI0/T4s8-kZuecI/AAAAAAAAClE/50mgvbc194M/s320/Rhubarb%2B2.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Rhubarb B"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcm4DiLPWog/T4tH8RDy9QI/AAAAAAAACns/CIweY2s29sI/s320/Primula.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rcm4DiLPWog/T4tH8RDy9QI/AAAAAAAACns/CIweY2s29sI/s320/Primula.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Primula"}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGa4BefM0kQ/T4s8-Ns1SDI/AAAAAAAACk4/3BWmO7vv8n4/s320/Primroses.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGa4BefM0kQ/T4s8-Ns1SDI/AAAAAAAACk4/3BWmO7vv8n4/s320/Primroses.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Primroses"}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr-rAJNnbls/T4NtSELIOgI/AAAAAAAACjk/oXNqJSeQi6M/s320/Outside.JPG", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cr-rAJNnbls/T4NtSELIOgI/AAAAAAAACjk/oXNqJSeQi6M/s320/Outside.JPG", "formatted_filename": "Outside"}, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png", "src": "http://www.linkwithin.com/pixel.png", "formatted_filename": "pixel", "alt_text": "Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger..."}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "//3.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S3sUaqPnDfI/AAAAAAAAAS4/jGBjTMqMF5s/S220-s80/Profile.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S3sUaqPnDfI/AAAAAAAAAS4/jGBjTMqMF5s/S220-s80/Profile.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Profile", "alt_text": "My photo", "rendered_width": 66, "rendered_height": 80}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S1KxU_lJSyI/AAAAAAAAANw/25dpc0fx6Eg/S220/Gardens+at+Mucky+Boots.jpg", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S1KxU_lJSyI/AAAAAAAAANw/25dpc0fx6Eg/S220/Gardens+at+Mucky+Boots.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Gardens at Mucky Boots", "alt_text": "The Veggie Garden", "rendered_width": 220, "rendered_height": 165}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S1KxaBj2lDI/AAAAAAAAAN4/tNt88yYNIlQ/S220/Perennial+gardens+at+MB.jpg", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S1KxaBj2lDI/AAAAAAAAAN4/tNt88yYNIlQ/S220/Perennial+gardens+at+MB.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Perennial gardens at MB", "alt_text": "The perennial gardens", "rendered_width": 220, "rendered_height": 165}, null, {"document_url": "http://muckybootsfarm.blogspot.com/2012/04/", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S1KxwhLde7I/AAAAAAAAAOA/W5bN-4bPaBQ/S220/Welcome+to+Mucky+Boots.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-K__UGJWgOg/S1KxwhLde7I/AAAAAAAAAOA/W5bN-4bPaBQ/S220/Welcome+to+Mucky+Boots.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Welcome to Mucky Boots", "alt_text": "Frankie, William and The Boots", "rendered_width": 220, "rendered_height": 165}, null, null]
Do I need to remind you how much rhubarb I have? I could pay off our mortgage.
Posted by Miriam at 8:08 PM 5 comments: Labels: life at Mucky Boots, life in Duncan


Camp Mucky Boots There is a wonderful fire pit at Mucky Boots, right by the pond. It is made from brick and stone, about 15 feet across, with a nice, deep pit. Until now I have regarded it mostly as a weeding challenge, because of all the unwanted vegetation growing in the cracks between the bricks. But last night, for the first time in our three years here, we had a honest-to-goodness camp fire.

There was one other occasion when we burned brush in the pit, but it was a utilitarian event in the middle of the afternoon. Last night was different. Last night there was atmosphere: dusk, then dark, then a starlit sky; hot chocolate and snuggling; and a background chorus provided by the frogs calling our pond home. It was magical.

Here's a taste, just for you. Think of it as the Mucky Boots version of the fireplace channel. Posted by Miriam at 6:26 PM 6 comments: 

The Comfort Queen gives a lesson on priorities Today felt like summer. It was warm, it was sunny, and all around us flowers sprang open and trees popped out leaves. It could - and maybe should - have been a day for weeding, and transplanting vegetable starts into the garden, and raking the winter's worth of pine cones littering the driveway. But Miss Petunia the Comfort Queen had another idea about the best way to spend the day. Posted by Miriam at 5:25 PM 6 comments: Labels: animals, life at Mucky Boots, spring


Walk in the garden Labels: animals, perennial garden, spring


A gardener's apology This is our fourth spring here, and it has taken me that long to develop an understanding of how little I actually know about gardening.
For sure, I have been diligent in my attempts to figure out what the heck I am doing, and I am learning all the time. But I think I am only just now at the point where I have learned enough to know how little I know. And that realization has grown hand in hand with a heartfelt appreciation for the skill and passion of the gardeners who came before me here at Mucky Boots.
Let me give you an example. When we got here I was irritated by all the valuable real estate taken up with flowering plants (yarrow, bee balm, lavender, daisies, poppies) in the vegetable garden. I was a serious gardener, darn it, and I wanted to grow vegetables. I learned to appreciate the beauty pretty quick, but it wasn't until I read my first book on companion planting this winter that I really understood the beneficial role all those flowers were playing, in warding off bad bugs and attracting good ones. When I closed the cover of the book I wanted to say "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" for all the times I rolled my eyes at yet another yarrow plant tucked into the corner of a bed. Not to mention the medicinal value of many of those plants, which I am just starting to appreciate.
Here's another example: I have just recently learned that most perennials need regular dividing if they're going to stay healthy and productive. So I started to make a list of the ones I should think about dividing ASAP, given they haven't been done since we got here. What was on the list? Rhubarb, hostas and primulas, for a start. And then the penny dropped - that's why there's so much of all that stuff around here! We have rhubarb galore, way more than any two people can use - enough that the other day the father of our neighbour, looking over the fence, said in a voice full of awe, "That's a lot of rhubarb." Some clever person, someone who knew about dividing perennials, divided those rhubarb plants faithfully until she ran out of room, then started putting it in the perennial beds, where it makes a colourful early show, with a nice coarse texture that complements all the finer stuff we seem to have. But there is no more room anywhere, and so I am going to have to be even cleverer: I am going to have to start giving it away. And there are beautiful deep purple primulas everywhere, giving a wonderful spring boost of colour exactly when we most need it. I know darn well neither of the gardeners that came before me here would have spent all the money to buy that many plants - instead, they came for free through regular division. Now, everywhere I look, I see echoes: Siberian irises here, and there, and there. Lilies by the house, by the pond, by the chicken coops. More astilbe plants than I can count. Globe thistle in every direction. I already feel surrounded by a chorus of plant life every time I walk down the verandah steps into the garden - now it's like a multiple exposure, where I'm seeing the fruit of all the work done by the gardeners that came before me, in each of the springs that came before this one.
Now it's my turn. Rhubarb, anyone?
Posted by Miriam at 3:08 PM 4 comments: Labels: life at Mucky Boots, perennial garden, vegetable garden


The great outdoors Posted by Miriam at 9:35 AM 7 comments: Labels: chickens

 Posted by Miriam at 8:17 AM 7 comments: Labels: life at Mucky Boots, visitors