LLR Farm Journal:
 A summary of life on the farm!

  Monday 04/07/08

Dave and I hooked up Lexi to the cart this morning! Everything went extremely well. We stopped half way through to adjust and consult the book; Lexi stood patiently for us to figure out what we were doing.

I pulled radishes, weeded one bed and picked strawberries. I realize every time I pick that I have forgotten again to put beer bait out for the slugs and snails. I have got to do it soon!

Sue came by to see her new pottery studio! She did not take it with her since she was on a fed run and would not have had room for everything. She seems tickled pink about getting it! She was also happy to get the radishes and her milk bottles returned. She has a new cow coming soon also, a light colored Jersey named Cookie. I think I will have an opportunity to get to know Cookie intimately in the future.

Dave and I puttered about doing odd jobs and killing time until it was time to go pick up Elsie. Hattie was so excited when she saw us come home with the trailer! Elsie has perfect manners on the lead (thank you Melissa!). We led her out of the trailer, through the barn to the stanchion, gave her two vaccines and then led her to the pasture. She is very sweet! Hattie could barely contain her excitement. They seemed to hit it off right away, we did not see and Alpha cow struggles, and before dark Hattie was grooming Elsie like only a cow sister can.

We also brought home a little banty rooster. He immediately got in a fight with the largest of our hens, the Light Brahma.

They eventually called a truce, no blood was shed. Eggs that are fertile have higher Omega-3 content (heart healthy). When a hen lays a fertile egg there will not be any development of a chick for about three weeks (by that time she has built a clutch and begins setting). It is the hen sitting (body heat) that really kicks off the process, which takes another three weeks. So, for anyone wondering about eating eggs from a hen with access to a rooster, all I can say is they are healthier and there is no chick inside for quite some time! When we gathered eggs this evening one of the hens has become “broody” (wants to sit—before the rooster arrived), I got pecked three times before I figured out to move faster and pick her up out of the way!

Dave and I finished off a beautiful day watching the sun set out by the fire. Glorious!

 Tuesday 04/08/08

Dave and I saw a hawk land on the chicken enclosure this morning. We were afraid he was trying to figure out a way to get in there to the easy prey, 10 minutes later we saw him fly off from the back pasture with a snake! I guess he was up there to be able to see under the tree canopy. I am surprised a snake was even out yet since it seemed a little cool to me.

I planted more carrots and weeded the garden beds. Things are coming along nicely. The comfrey plant is blooming; the blooms are bluish purple and bell shaped. The potatoes are blooming also, and the artichoke has come up!

We picked up our friend Mikey from Florida this evening; he is staying for a week to celebrate his spring break. He has grown a few more inches since last year!
 

Wednesday 04/09/08

The weather was cool and cloudy this morning. We actually need the rain now as things are drying out.

The last JMG meeting was today.

Charlye and Josh enjoyed classes today; they only have 3 weeks of school left.

The hens gave 15 eggs, 99% is a great percentage!

Dave and I enjoyed a little fireside time this evening. The rain never materialized.

Our cousin Katie arrived from Florida today. She graduated from college in Dec and has been visiting family in Fla. Since. She looks well and is nearly ready to go back to OR or WA to begin her career. She wants to work in women’s health.

 Thursday 04/10/08

I worked half a shift this morning, and went to see Dave on my way home. He was at work with my favorite crew. Luckily they did not have any patients since we got the giggles!

The rain materialized today, barely .10 inches.

I have been stalked at night by Monk the cat and have not been sleeping well. I went to sleep early tonight to try to get an extra couple of hours in before Monk assault started! He likes to lick my hair in the night, chew on my watch or sleep very near my face; none of these are humorous at 0300!

Any other time of the day he is the sweetest cat ever!

Hattie and Elsie are getting along well. Lexi tries to chase them or play games with them, so we have the cows in a different pasture from her.

Friday 04/11/08

I pulled a few weeds and picked strawberries this morning. This afternoon I spread some mulch on the rose beds. They look much nicer!

The hens laid 11 eggs today.

Steven (ds) came in tonight to visit for a few days with Katie.

The weather was perfect today!

Saturday 04/12/08

Don and Melissa, our friends we bought Elsie from came by for a farm tour today. I hope they enjoyed the visit as much as I did!

Katie and I drove over to Sue’s house to deliver some pottery supplies and pick up the cream separator. She has a few new doelings; they are the cutest kids ever! She sent us home with homemade goat cheese and milk. Yummy!

We all watched a great movie this evening: Across the Universe. I highly recommend it, the Beatles music is fantastic!

A puppy showed up on our front porch this morning, crying and bleeding. She looks to be about 3 months old, and it looks like she has multiple bites or has been shot with buckshot. One rear leg especially is hurt, she won’t stand on it. It is a mystery how she got on the porch. Thankfully hydrogen peroxide took the blood off everything. I don’t believe her wounds are fresh, I think she exacerbated it by trying to walk. We took her through the entire neighborhood trying to find where she came from, no luck. We gave her water and a few kibbles of food, as well as a generous dusting of DE to kill the fleas. Animal control and the pound are apparently unavailable on the weekend, so I will take her on Monday if we can’t find her owners.

Sunday 04/13/08

The puppy was gone from her spot this morning. I spied her heading out across the back pasture; she never turned back or stopped when I called Lexi up. I guess she is following her instincts to her next stop. She was walking well, with just a hint of a limp.

Our friend Lisa picked up Mikey today and took him to the airport so we could go to church. We enjoyed his visit so very much!

We attended a Birthday gathering for our friend Kent this afternoon. It was a treat to see all his aunts and uncles again, as well as his grandmother. The weather was sunny and beautiful, perfect for sitting outside and visiting.

This evening we had family dinner at Mom’s with Katie. Katie made a lentil casserole that was wonderful. Mom and Katie made grilled veggies (squash, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, sweet potato, and carrots), it was fantastic!

Monday 04/14/08

We were quite disappointed to discover frost this morning when we woke. I am worried about the beans and tomatoes especially.

After taking Char to class, Josh and I went to the butcher to pick up the pork. The pigs finished out at 168 lbs and 199 lbs. We have enough pork to last well over a year. There were 65 lbs of hams, 16 lbs of bacon, 34 lbs of pan sausage and 38 lbs of link sausage we had made with cheese and jalapeno added.

Katie left today to meet her boyfriend Grant and his band as they travel through from Austin to New Orleans. She will continue on the tour with them for a couple of weeks, and then she will travel with a friend along the East coast before returning to Olympia. We have enjoyed her visit tremendously.

Steven left today as well, the house is very quiet all of a sudden!

We attended the 4-H meeting tonight. Josh did very well at the two nominating speeches he gave, though he was not elected. Char will serve as County Council delegate for another year.

Tuesday 04/15/08

Today was a beautiful day. It seems like this spring is especially nice, though it may just be my memory slipping. It has been a year since the last one. J

I weeded the garden, planted replacement melons, watered everything and put down a mat of hay around the strawberries. I feel the need to get their fruit out of the dirt.

I cleaned out the greenhouse and rearranged. All the pottery things are boxed or put away. It looks different, though nice.

I bought two more bell pepper plants at the Feed Store/Nursery this morning. No one there had any suggestions for getting rid of stink bugs. I have only seen two bugs, and hope to keep it at that.

We had leftover baked chicken made into stir fry for dinner. The hens are giving 13-15 eggs a day. Very manageable!

 Wednesday 04/16/08

Work was a little slow but nice today.

The most amazing thing happened! The company I interviewed with last August called to schedule another interview for THE job of my dreams! I hope to get that scheduled in the next few days. They are opening up another position (and have rescinded the hiring freeze).

 Thursday 04/17/08

I puttered about the garden for a bit; pulling weeds and picking strawberries. Barbara Kingsolver writes about the progression of produce in her book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and I agree, though we have a different progression. The blackberry vines are flowering which makes me excited about the next treat to come.

The corn has 4 leaves on, though a quarter of it did not germinate. The watermelon plants are about 3 inches tall; they were not affected by the frost. In fact, the tomatoes and beans look to be unaffected also. I replanted a couple of watermelon and several cantaloupes that did not germinate.

Dave managed to catch the hen that keeps escaping from the pen. I think the holes have all been patched so hopefully she will stay in now.

Friday 04/18/08

Dave and I emptied the section of the barn that has all his tools and welding equipment. We then leveled the floor and put down concrete blocks we took from the former pottery studio. He now has a wonderful place to work and fabricate.

We moved the lawn mowers to the studio area after putting rubber mats down for them to park on.

I started a few eggplant seeds, a pink variegated variety.

Elsie is getting less shy of us, and allows us to approach her in the pasture for treats or scratches.

Dave discovered a skunk out by the hen house tonight; we are certain that is who has been digging in the pasture.

Hattie does not have any signs of impending calving, though her udder is definitely getting larger!

We attended a get together of cow forum families today. What a treat! The food was wonderful, especially the mango salsa and the purple sweet potato pie. It was a treat to get to meet so many families that we have so much in common with. Sue brought one of her cows (Lucille) in to be milked and gave milking lessons to anyone that wanted one. One little girl (2 years old) milked Lucille, her smile was huge!

We left full of sunshine, good food and very contented feeling.

Sunday 04/20/08

Sunday school and worship were nice. I am taking a break from teaching in a few weeks, and even though I enjoy the youth, it is time for a rest.

The weather was warm and beautiful today. Dave and I puttered around the barn doing odd jobs and cleaning up.

Dave loaded the trailer with items to take to the metal scrap yard, I dragged the pasture, we took out an old flower bed (and discovered a rich worm and soil supply underneath), and we enjoyed a little fireside time.

kfc milkmaid!


little roo

Monday 04/21/08

Work went well; I worked with my favorite crew today which is always a bonus!

Doodle (our 9 yr old Lab) disappeared before I left for work this morning. I could not find her anywhere. The gate was open so we were sure she had gone walk about.

Dave called me later to say she was under the porch, and may have been there all along. This is definitely odd behavior for her. She is not eating, and is acting sluggish.

It is worrying when a lab doesn’t want to get up and wiggle.

I’ll take her food and let her fast for a day; she did vomit last night so maybe something is upsetting her system.

Tuesday 04/22/08

Happy Earth Day!

I have to admit I forgot it was Earth day until we took a trailer load of scrap iron to the metal recycler near us. They gave out t-shirts and invited us back for free lunch later.

Doodle seems to be under the weather still. I was afraid she was going to die last night so when I got home I made sure the kids kissed her goodnight. She was barely lifting her tail at that point. She is drinking plenty, so that is good news.

We have started putting Hattie and Elsie in their stanchions for meals (most of them anyway), so that we can spray them for flies and brush them. We got some “spot on” fly and mosquito killer for Lexi. It works in much the same way as the spot on products for dogs. Hopefully it will give her a break from the bugs.

Wednesday 04/23/08

I worked half a shift today; it was odd that we only saw one patient in that time.

Dave spent much of the day watering and moving hoses to insure everything got a thorough watering. We have not seen any rain for several days and the afternoon highs are in the upper eighties.

Dave had a hard time getting one of the hoses to work after he had attached a sprinkler on the end. He went along the entire length looking for a kink or something to stop the flow; when he took the sprinkler back off to look at it closer there was a snake inside the hose! I am so thankful I was not the one to discover it! Yikes, I get shivery just thinking about it. Dave smoked a pork roast and pork steaks, they are delicious.

The hens are laying 12-14 eggs, very consistently. This is a great amount for us! The little rooster seems to be happy and enjoying himself ruling the roost.

Thursday 04/24/08

We picked the first harvest of bush beans this morning! The green beans and yellow wax beans are delicious. It looks like the climbing beans will need to be picked in a few days. The climbers have nearly reached at the top of the arch. The squash plants are HUGE! I’ll get a picture of them in the next few days. Dave and I keep remarking that the garden looks the best it ever has. I know we say that every year, but this year things seem even better. I wonder if it is because the soil has finally reached a good compost level.

Dave was delighted to get beans and salsa in his lunch. We made Mango salsa yesterday, using Angie’s recipe. It is so easy and so good!

4 ripe mangos chopped, 1 large purple onion chopped, one bunch of cilantro chopped and two jalapenos chopped (no seeds). Mix the ingredients and let it sit covered in the fridge for an hour or so. Dip with tortilla chips. It is even better the next day.

I made a pot of beans and rice with the leftover ham bone.
 

Friday 04/25/08

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!

Char and Josh arranged the upstairs game room area for Steven (our eldest), he will be back at home for a few months to save up for his own place.

I saw two humming birds a few days ago, and have not seen any since. I hope they return!

The “Big Bag” brand of fly trap we hung about the porch and barn seems to be working well. The downside is that the attractant in them reeks of rotten eggs so I try not to be downwind of it.

I felt and saw Hattie’s calf move today! Her udder continues to grow, as does her girth. She is due four weeks from tomorrow.

Saturday 04/26/08

I think the ducks have been helping the bug population in the garden. They walk about at will eating bugs and looking for treasures, though they do not bother the plants. I have only seen 4 stink bugs so far this year, this is a wonder.

Their duck compadre is still sitting on her little clutch of eggs. When she throws one out we take it, so far there has not been a single fertile one. I think we should take the nest away and let her join her friends at bug hunting. She hisses when we get too close, so I am not sure how this is going to work out.

We spotted a skunk out by the back barn after dark, it got away. Maybe I should say we got away too, since we did not get sprayed!

Doodle is back to her wiggly self: eating, drinking and acting normally.

The hens gave 12 eggs today.

Sunday 04/27/08

A cool front has moved in, it is almost chilly this morning!

I hope the forecasted rain comes to pass, we could use a little. Church and Sunday school were enjoyable.

I baked several whole wheat loaves and dinner rolls today. I am thankful that we have a reserve supply of flour, oats and rice.

Monday 04/28/08

Josh and I picked up Steven today. He will be staying with us for a few months to be able to save up for his own place.

Charlye says she did not enjoy class today, in both class periods they practiced the timed essay writing for the SAT.

She is getting faster, which is of course the point.

This morning I discovered many holes in the pasture, as I was standing amongst them I noticed bees or hornets flying in and out of them. In 1994 was stung 200 times by ground hornets. I got queasy and adrenaline feeling and left the area as quickly as I could. After researching online (love the internet), it sounds like they are sand bees and are basically harmless, just want to each make their own hive. I would estimate there are thousands of the holes in the pasture. My research indicates they are easily dealt with (pyrethrum kills them).  The plan is to treat them at dusk or later so they are not so active.

Charlye and Josh attended the 4-H County Council meeting; tonight was elections and many of their friends were elected.

Tuesday 04/29/08

The weather continues to be very nice, cool in the morning and warm during the day. The only thing I would like is a rain shower. It has been more than a week since we have seen rain.

We liberated the duck from her nest today. Not a single egg was fertile. She is enjoying the pond and scavenging for bugs.

Dave climbed the extension ladder and took new aerial pics of the garden. It has changed somewhat in the last two years. The updated pictures are on the Garden Page.

Steve picked up several applications today and filled out many more online, he feels confident about the job search.

Dave smoked pork ribs for dinner, I added fresh beans and wheat rolls, wonderful!

Wednesday 04/30/08

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!

The kids enjoyed class; their last class is next week.

Steve continues in his job search. We are attempting to get him on our insurance so he can drive the truck vehicle. Our insurance company is not as anxious to take our money as I thought they would be. Not for any fault of Steven’s, the company just has limitations about adding people on.

Today was beautiful and sunny; no rain.

We harvested the first batch of new potatoes! We also picked many beans and pulled the last of the ready carrots.

Thursday 05/01/08

I made stew in the crock pot with homegrown veggies, by lunch time the aroma had filled the house!

A book that I found on Amazon arrived: To the King’s Taste: Richard II’s feasts and recipes adapted for modern cooking, by Lorna F. Sass (Met. Museum of Art, 1975)

It is fascinating! It has the medieval recipe, and then the modern recipe follows.

I visited with my friend Chari today; she has just returned from Canada and had a wonderful time. Some of her highlights include trying Ethiopian food and being asked into the kitchen at a crepe restaurant!

Friday 05/02/08

I forgot to report that the sand bees are gone, the spray worked.

We took Elsie to be dehorned this morning. She also had blood drawn for tests, TB test, tattooed, a wart removed and a lengthy visit with Dr. Umlang. That in itself makes it a wonderful day for us! He is the best vet I have ever met.

For those that don’t know the story, we met when we took a dying goat into the clinic, he saw us come in, waved us to the back and did CPR on the goat for many minutes before introducing himself. We have been clients/friends ever since.

He did a very nice job removing Elsie’s horns, and reassured us the incidence of infection is extremely low, though to call if we have any problems. I won’t post all the pictures here, there are many and they are graphic. Email me if you would like to see the process.

We made a trip to the nursery for a peach tree and came home with an orange and lemon as well. The lemon tree is in bloom and smells heavenly!

The kids and I did our semi-monthly grocery shopping and errands. It is much more enjoyable with company, though grocery shopping remains one of my least favorite chores.

One of the chores we did was going by the County Clerk office to register our ranch brand. This was really exciting! The clerk pulled the over-large ledger and we looked for a brand that matches, none did so we filled in all the spots, drawing the brand at least 6 times. Our brand is a horseshoe shape with the capital letter M inside it. Meanwhile the clerk let the kids take down a ledger of old court fees and crimes, they had fun reading from that! “For the offense of possessing untaxed whiskey…” A picture of early 1900 Conroe emerged!

Charlye attended a birthday party tonight that was also a theme party. The theme was a 1920’s political rally and dinner, though it was of course a murder mystery! Charlye wore one of Dave’s suits and played the part of the Mayor. She looked really cute and said she had a wonderful time!