Tracy’s Big Earthy Mid Life Crisis - (BEL)

Happy Sunday Y’all,

This is new boot Tracy checking in.  I made it through WEEK 1 at Wheaton Labs.  My husband Sean and I arrrived last Sunday coming from the “Big Easy”.  My oh my, what a journey.  A journey I’m incredibly grateful I choose to take and even more grateful for the opportunity I was given to study and learn with INTELLIGENT AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE.  My husband and I lived in northern Minnesota for most our lives but spent a few years being empty nesters and Yoopers in the U.P. until the snow did us in. The U.P. Is pristine and gorgeous but SISU is not me 😂  So we moved to Crescent City in late 2023 where we experienced beautiful and bizarre things.   It definitely was fun and at times frightening but exactly what we needed at the time.  Anyways, we found our way north and in another M state.  Montana has left us  breathless (literally and figuratively).
  Everyone here has been kind, welcoming and helpful. Thank you thank you ❤️  It’s been a long time since I’ve lived in community but I’m finding myself enjoying it. I didn’t document much the first week but I’m hoping that will increase as I adapt to the changes.  During the first week I helped with junk pole fence construction and was even allowed to use the chainsaw.  I planted potatoes, squash, watermelon, pumpkins, cucumbers, radishes, kolarabi, parsley, cilantro and probably other thingys in the amazing hugelkulture berms here at base camp.  I did a lot of “Chop n Drop” and irrigation (great job for us NOOBS).   I assisted in the deployment of the mighty sunshades and the welcoming hammock chairs.  I learned that the paths along the berm need periodic maintenance and Seth and Paul helped teach me proper path techniques.  My new office equipment will now include a horihori (awesome gardening tool), sickle, pick axe, shovels, trickle jugs, and watering cans.  I couldn’t be happier about this too.  

Living in community includes taking care of the nest.  On Sunday’s all boots partake in a “ cleaning blitz” that is scheduled from the 9-10 am hour.  It was great seeing everyone working together to take care of the living space.  Once  the nest was shiny and clean we all got to choose a project that  improves the nest.  Today, I choose to  harvest dandelions and make useful things.  Harvesting them in the mountain sure was different than what I was used to back in Minnesota but I got it done 💪 Once harvested I washed the roots and put them on the drying screens. The plan is to roast them once they’re dry.  I hear they can make a cup of coffee or tea that REALLY bites at ya.  My hopes are that they help with a well needed springtime detox from the winter months for all that need it (and my New Orleans debacle 😉).  I’ll experiment with different additives to lighten that bite.  I’m open to suggestions too from experienced or nonexperienced brewers.  I separated and cleaned the greens.   My husband and I enjoyed  an apple dandelion salad with a peppered lime dressing.  I’d like to add some bacon chunks to this next time.  I bagged up the rest of the greens for the  community to use if they choose.  I also dried some of the greens for a tea leaf like beverage.  Lastly, I mixed up dandelion honey butter to go with all the scrumptious homemade bread we gorge ourselves with before bedtime 😋

The mention of bedtime reminds me I need to start winding down.  My body is a little sore after this  first week.  I’m used to crunching numbers and creating spreadsheets. Look at me now tending to gardens and building fences. I’m so excited for all that is to come.  Stay tuned as I share my journey. As I look out the window unto my new OFFICE my mind feels settled and my heart is full!  Thank you for taking the time to read my experience.  Happy gardening y’all 👩‍🌾❤️

Welcome Tracy! (and Sean)

Those screens with dandelion leaves look like works of art

What a great day!  I might be exhausted and sore but I feel accomplished and proud of the days work.  Soil testing was the first item on my list.  I took a couple of samples to help me determine my course of action for the morning.  Watering became the mission.  It was clears she was dry.  Gate and fence mending also took place.  I harvested some dock for lunchtime too.
Peeling logs is quickly becoming one of my favorite tasks.  Maybe it’s the time of year that makes it so easy but there is an unexpected pleasure in stripping them down.  They will be used for a firewood rack and other projects. Lorenzo and I knocked them all out in no time.  Yay team!
The last task of the day was repairing the yoga yurt.  The top rain fly came loose and needed to be secured before the next rainfall which I heard was “soon”.  I think this task took us a little longer than we thought but we got it.  More work is needed but that will be another day. At this point I think our minds and bellies were inundated by the idea of tacos, ice cream and good company.  That’s all folks.  This gal needs her rest. Thanks for tuning in.  

Rain Rain Don't Go Away!  It was so good to see some moisture come through today.  Even though the rain fell we continued our efforts watering as much as possible.   I took more soil samples and I liked the results.   She is still thirsty though.   Watering is definitely a huge part of the day at Allerton Abbey and basecamp.   We stopped by the Tipi site and watered the newly planted sunchokes too.  Then we fell, delimbed, buck and peeled a tree.  Look at all the new terms I'm using ☺️  
After lunch Seth, Lorenzo and I made candy.   You heard it right.   We make candy here at Bootcamp!  Rhubarb candy and it is so good ( I sampled some from the batch that was made before I arrived). We started with the harvest then prepared the candy with a simple syrup.   We loaded these delights onto the drying screens and then lit the handy dandy rocket assist dehydrator.   This was my first time using the dehydrator and the first time lighting a rocket mass stove.   Kudos to Seth for helping me with this.  I can't wait to taste these sweet and sour treats. Next on the list Seth and I did  some chop and drop while Lorenzo cut some firewood for our guest to use at the shower shack.  To end the day we sharpened the chainsaws.   Again, thank you to Seth for showing me how to do this properly (also my first time).  That's all for today.   Thanks again!  

Hi Tracy. Do you just dehydrate the cubes of rhubarb? Or do you add something sweet?
I have a lot of rhubarb and I make a sort-of jam/sauce with it. Without sugar it's too sour for my taste.

Hi Inge,

Yes, the rhubarb was tossed with simple syrup. Simple syrup is sugar and water 1:1 heated on medium heat in a saucepan until sugar is dissolved.   Once dehydrated they make a perfect sweet and sour treat 😊

I mix sweet fruit, dry or fresh, with  rhubarb when i cook it to add fructose instead of sucrose.  This comment brought up the thought that I might use some of my left over juice to soak into dried  rhubarb and then redry it.

Ooooooo….i really like this idea.  Thank you for putting that in my head 😊

You have some great photos here. Especially the drying screens, like somebody already said. 😎