May 3, 2018

New chicks arrived today at the post office.  We got Cornish Cross to try this time, along with some black Australorps to replenish our egg layers.  To keep the chicks from getting out of the chicken tractor, we had to block the front and back sides at the bottom with cardboard.  We love our 4 x 4 brooder.  It does take a lot of storage space though.  We usually hang it.

Tomorrow is my daughter's graduation and we are doing a barbecue reception afterwards, so I have been working on decorations.  I needed a banner that would be long enough to tie across a picnic shelter.  In the picture, you can see that I used clothespins to help it stay together while the glue dried.

I have been making myself some jewelry and replenishing my clothes so I will have some that fit me now that I have lost weight.  The black set I made out of a thrift store necklace that only cost seventy-five cents.  The blue and white set was also from some vintage necklaces I picked up at the thrift store.  The red set was made from some glass beads I picked up at Hobby Lobby for $2.99 (with a 40% off coupon) along with some crystals I already had.  I even made my husband a new tie tack!  This is so much fun!  I also made a rack for my necklaces and bracelets using some leftover wood, some half staples (that my husband ground down the tips on - thanks honey!) and an olive jar.  I love creative projects!

Since we got some new bees, I have been worried about them drowning in the frog pond.  It has steep sides and it has happened before, so I wanted something to float in the middle of the pond.  I went to the dollar tree and bought a pot with a large lip on it and a pool noodle that I cut to fit the sides and strung it together with string.  It floats!  I hope it will do the trick for the bees as well as be pretty.  I planted some portulaca in it so it will hopefully grow and drape over the sides.  I also chose portulaca as it can remain dry longer and I didn't know how often it would get watered (there is no hole in the bottom of the pot).


The Asian pears and
Moonglow pears have quite a bit of fruit on them finally!  Yay!  After 7 years of having fruit trees planted, we are finally getting abundant fruit!  We got a few Asian pears last year, but only enough to eat and not preserve. I hope to get some in jars or dried this year.


The Liberty apple tree looks full of apples, and we even have a few peaches from the Leah peach tree (my daughter planted a peach pit and it grew into this tree and survived a move from our last home.)


Good things come to those who wait.  The irises have been beautiful this year.  Life is good. . .

April 18, 2018

Making progress on the farm.  We added another metal carport to build a section of the barn without animals for hay storage and a sink area.  We will add sides soon to keep out the rain, but may leave the end open for ease in moving hay in and out with the tractor.  We got 8 foot sides on this one for that purpose.

As my husband is a school teacher, we use spring break for larger projects.  This year, we finished up our last two paddocks for our rotational grazing plan.  We designed four paddocks around the perimeter to open one at a time for grazing and have a central location for the barn and water.  All we have left to do is put in the water for this plan to be functional.  One step at a time.  We are planning to rent a mini excavator this summer, when my husband has time, to add an automatic waterer and put a small sink area in the new extended barn, as well as use the excavator to add irrigation to the growing area.



Having a farm usually means you have a lot of stuff.  As I like for things to be organized and clean looking, I struggle with this daily and try to find ways to "decorate it in".  Growing the sweet potato slips beautifully has been one of those things.  This year, some friends gave us a purple pot which fit beautifully on top of a candle stand and works great for the sweet potato slips.  They are so pretty anyway, aren't they?





We decided we are finally ready to try bees again (last time they flew away in the spring).  This time we are joining a bee club for added support.  My husband is our bee keeper.  As I am slightly allergic, I am just doing cross training in case for some reason he is not available.  We went to pick up a 3 pound package this past weekend which my husband installed.  I was filming without a bee suit and had to quit when the bees got highly populated in my area.

During this time, I also was privileged to be able to help with some of  the props for Eastern Randolph High School's upcoming performance of Les Miserable (April 20th and 21st).  My husband helped cut out and install the handle of the cane.  Here are photos of some candlesticks, pocketwatch, cane, and a faux boulder.  Thank goodness for youtube videos on making faux rocks.  The students and teachers are so talented at this school!  I would highly recommend adding all of their performances to your calendar.

Saving the most important news for last, we are planning a purple and gold barbecue reception for our youngest child's college graduation.  Congratulations Leah!!  We are so proud of you!  Now all three of our children will have graduated from college!  Woo hoo!