<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Homestead Albania]]></title><description><![CDATA[Join our adventures and journey homesteading in northern Albania. A small vineyard, garden, orchard and home. ]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/home</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 03:58:44 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://el.homesteadalbania.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Is the Albanian countryside right for you?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A question that I often answer with a resounding, yes! I can see the appeal for the city dwellers... socialization, shopping at your doorstop and a variety of events. But what they miss is the peaceful serenity of a pollution free morning of coffee on the front porch overlooking the vineyard with the melody of the birds and chickens. Spring offers a variety of florals and unique aromas. Plus the lambs baaing from the neighbors adds to the rebirth of the season. We love walking the property to...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/is-the-albanian-countryside-right-for-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e4d3485e3a88e8e09cf23e</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:13:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_b525b1475c7b403caa58563962d181dd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Misadventures of Mister and Roger]]></title><description><![CDATA[March came with warm temps and loads of sunshine but also some very curious pigs. Let me set the scene. We were busy weeding the garden until about dusk and I went to feed and let in our pigs. And they were not snorting impatiently at the gate. I called for them and nothing, no pigs. I hollered at Art and after zero signs of them after searching the woods, hillside, fields, and door knocking on the homesteads nearby. We went to bed without the pigs tucked safely inside their pig chalet. The...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/misadventures-of-mister-and-roger</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ca96409ff7d57ccdbaf689</guid><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:05:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_0bd0231bbc1a4f2aac633a95fa7ecb71~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reporting for Guard Duty]]></title><description><![CDATA[The hens are laying again. We are back up to 17+ eggs a day.  We also had 11 new chicks hatch and then a sparrowhawk decided to have three too many snacks. Art had to build a new chicken run over the mama hen condo to protect them from aerial assaults. The enclosure was a success. It prevented another attack and all eight chicks are accounted for. Mama hen is recovering from the trauma. Art continued building... a frame for a new greenhouse to add to the garden. The frame is welded, panels...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/reporting-for-guard-duty</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a25af33a2716aeb218a5c5</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:23:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_c2dd49e58a8a49559872b3e45bf83c63~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New year new plan]]></title><description><![CDATA[We've taken this month to evaluate what's working, needs work or can go. Three major things that made the list is the Orchard Guard Tower, pomegranate orchard and the old pear trees. We've had many conversation about where and how we would be build another cabin on the property. We love hosting and could see some potential of one additional cabin on property. Orchard Guard Tower The problem is where in the garden/vineyard could we place it. An ongoing discussion but the needs work is the...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/new-year-new-plan</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69774bc68aff15125e7aba62</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:57:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_ede96c6be37346428ed661f61d9fd9d7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Last Dance]]></title><description><![CDATA[A little raki brewing from our grape mash after we finished the last round of drying persimmons. It took four days to finish off the mash to make about 50 liters of raki. If you've ever had raki you know it is a sip not a shot kind of slow burn liquor. Very similar to moonshine that my late great Hatfield ancestors cooked up in the hills of North Carolina.  Raki from Grapes We had a few wonderful visitors stop by and tour the homestead and had a few guests stay over at the Orchard Guard Tower...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/last-dance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6953a05938ffacc7266b94ca</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:28:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_fdad4d5b0070416d8c9184224b369575~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Peel, Slice and Dry on Repeat]]></title><description><![CDATA[November was a bit gloomy but we still had a productive and beautiful month ]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/peel-slice-and-dry-on-repeat</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6929ad6ce4368d687caf373a</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:23:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_862e0aefb8304f33b5e27eb54764157b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The seven year itch ]]></title><description><![CDATA[The seven year itch living in Albania ]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/the-seven-year-itch</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ffa154dc39b5e10eb1d8dd</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:12:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_4173295822054635800df66190a4184a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sweet aroma of fall]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to fall aka the JUICY season here at Homestead Albania]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/sweet-aroma-of-fall</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68c8f5fb5892bef5c4dfdb5a</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:44:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_72c2968f8eb743ddaec71d1760de9331~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A blistering month of highs and lows]]></title><description><![CDATA[The heat is back and in full burn mode. Several hill sides in the surrounding area have scorch marks. We've ventured to the spring fed...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/a-blistering-month-of-highs-and-lows</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6897927edaa3e7f3d0d4788c</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2025 18:57:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_e71003136b764337bcf6b369aaad3a65~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fresh perspective]]></title><description><![CDATA[Our garden has been on overdrive mode for the last few weeks. The cucumbers, peppers, squash, eggplants, and tomatoes are bountiful. We...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/fresh-perspective</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688aeee17472a1932ffe02ae</guid><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:20:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_68a03795c1ac4f6f8ae484644ac93b63~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Living in Albania]]></title><description><![CDATA[The love rush one might feel they first settle in a new place tends to dull after a few months or years. But after seven years and I feel...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/living-in-albania</link><guid isPermaLink="false">685e70564cc67cb11b86f853</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:26:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_c38d0138ab6f436a830ca2d116cc77b8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A stunning turn around]]></title><description><![CDATA[After the heavy frost damage in April, we've bounced back, almost. The pomegranate orchard has growth but little production at this time....]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/a-stunning-turn-around</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68347ce7f9ceab41119f9915</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2025 19:03:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_8513eeba4cd248a9b6e0776b8637947f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[And we have lift off...]]></title><description><![CDATA[April started with heavy frost and snow capped mountains but we survived, mostly. The orchard is still recovering from the major loss....]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/and-we-have-lift-off</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68111fa2817ff566b37bd4fe</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 17:50:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_f75b6bfa9c584fb5b38cf899f6711ae0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tiny wins but so many losses]]></title><description><![CDATA[Much of March has been wet and cloudy, but we've had a few sunny days. We managed to work and till the garden. We planted two rows of...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/tiny-wins-but-so-many-losses</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67e554d2d2725ec5006c91fc</guid><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 30 Mar 2025 15:41:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_0d57c4e03fd0422d89defbf1e3f3e07b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[To catch you up]]></title><description><![CDATA[February came with sunshine, flowers, and new guests. We were busy bees this month here at Homestead Albania. Our Orchard Guard Tower ...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/to-catch-you-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bf43c68c4221c847f7d6cd</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:25:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_988e3c456dd04669bd4abba995ace905~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Just a little trim]]></title><description><![CDATA[Piles and piles of limbs and vines stack up every January. Art has successfully cleaned the entire orchard, (800+ trees). He focuses on...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/just-a-little-trim</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679b3f591b3241abdb173a9d</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:29:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_15d8517797fa4023a0cee909b1abf176~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Build It and They will Come]]></title><description><![CDATA[Build it and they will come is our dream for 2025. Over the last seven years we've been asked about accommodations here at Homestead...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/build-it-and-they-will-come</link><guid isPermaLink="false">676ec740fbb20972b5054e44</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:35:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_88991369255f488da411e735ff3772fa~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Squeezed the last bit of fall]]></title><description><![CDATA[November was stunning. We had mostly warm beautiful blue skies and sunny days. A vast changed to last years three week gloom and rain...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/squeezed-the-last-bit-of-fall</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6749aa12d536db5bba7b4265</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:04:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_4b8a0d8fe75a48ba9497c9d78ec18205~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Six years on the books]]></title><description><![CDATA[That's right, Art and I have called Homestead Albania home for six years this month. I left a fancy IT job in New Zealand and moved to...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/six-years-on-the-books</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67238817352272d24340ab71</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 20:10:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_ad96c62e8c714611ae645f19cf9a9e8f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The magic of fall in Albania]]></title><description><![CDATA[September was a very busy month but oh so tasty. We've picked figs all month long. This makes our longest fig season in six years. We are...]]></description><link>https://www.homesteadalbania.com/post/the-magic-of-fall-in-albania</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f97205610cdfe90da22fec</guid><category><![CDATA[Homestead]]></category><category><![CDATA[Vineyard]]></category><category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 13:53:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/539217_d6fa5f81af0647d19e151df0955ccfba~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Kim Malaj</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>