Winter Blues

So winter is here.  It has snowed a few times.  I've finally faced my fears and braved the snow covered roads.  I'm quiter proud of myself.  I didnt freak out, or cry or anything insane.  Just drove like an old lady, que theme music for "Driving Mrs. Daisy", if you please.  Not something I enjoy, but at least now I know I can drive in the snow when needed.

I'm waiting on spring, so I can get out and trim my grape vines, and turn the ground.  I really want a motorized cultivator, but unfortunately they cost a little more than I can afford at the moment.  *SIGH*  Maybe next year.  Big project for Marius when he comes home in August is to insulate the outside of the house, i.e. Stucco, his specialty.  I can't wait for people here, who think they know how to do stucco, to see a real professional do it.  My baby is a perfectionist.  I'm not, but he makes me proud!

Don't have a whole lot to say at the moment, but thought I'd share my current thoughts as it has been a while since I've written anything.

Hope everyone is enjoying snuggling by the fires with cups of hot cocoa or boiled wine.  Don't turn your nose up, it's REALLY good!!!

Harvest time

So as you know I've moved out to the sticks.  Well it's time to gather all the goodies that were planted in the spring.  Not to mention making the wine!!!!!

I've picked 1 1/2 hectares of corn.  And cut about 1 hectare of corn stalks.  Still got another 1/2 hectare to cut & bundle.  Corn gathering is hard work and takes all day.  But my chickens have food, I've got cornmeal, and fuel for fire.

This week I'm helping 2 neighbors pick their grapes, then they'll help me with mine.  Then I get to be Lucy from the episode where she went to Italy .....you know what I'm talking about.  Must have CLEAN feet!!!!

Anyway here's a few picks of my corn crib and the corn I've still got to put in the crib!!!

Country Livin'

So as I mentioned a while ago, we purchased a house and some land out in the country here in Romania.  The house is located in a small village about 21 km outside of the thriving "metropolis" that is Tulcea.  The village is called Bestepe - which incidentally is a Turkish name.  Bes (besh) means 5, and Tepe means mountains/hills.  Yes.  I'm living at the foot of 5 mountains. 

  My house is up on a small hill in the center of the village.  And from my property you can see the Danube river and some of the small ponds around the river.  It's really quite beautiful even in the dead of winter when everything is grayish in color.  But now that spring is coming the green is starting to creep in.  I've got all kinds of fruit trees on my property and lots of grapes.  Yes I have a vineyard; now all I've gotta do is learn how to make wine.  :/

  The only problem I have is that because my house is up on the hill and the roads up there are heinous, I can't get internet because the companies haven't run any lines up there.  Seriously the roads are just dirt lanes with some rocks. The mayor there won't fix them.  No one is asking for asphalt, just to level out the earth and put in some rocks so that we can drive directly to our houses, or walk our kids to school without needing rubber boots all the time.

  I've been all moved in for a month now and I've lost about 10-15 pounds.  It's about a mile from our house to the school, so I get to walk a total of 4 miles everyday.  I walk the kids to school, then walk back home.  Then of course I have to walk back down to the school to pick them up and walk them back home.  Also I've gotten pretty good at splitting wood with my little hatchet.  ;)

  My cat caught 2 mice so far.  Yeah, I know.  I bought poison, but I think these mice have evolved or something - cause they ain't eating it.

  I've taken some photos of the house, land, etc., but I forgot to bring my camera with me.  I'm in Tulcea at a friends house using her computer and high speed internet!  Next time, I promise the next blog will be nothing but pics.