tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65532393442553621162024-02-21T21:46:09.941-08:00Chickens, Children, Compost, and Chaos!It is every man's obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it. ~Albert EinsteinFamily of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-52445127539411962012015-07-14T19:47:00.004-07:002015-07-14T19:47:35.685-07:00Ode to TOBY <br />This Father's day one of the best dog's that has ever lived,.. died an untimely death after being hit by a car. We miss him.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnF4U_dXbxLh0buju524RHnEGZHQtQyk200XvwR5RdsMamN8uKqbEjCpepsLczZMfnPGqrup6niRGjAdB6ovBvP3x2m6YNDY4oBh6WBw7hkd6IOr16KGTW0IDvfKXFuR3BZgt3RiegcfMp/s1600/toby+sitting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnF4U_dXbxLh0buju524RHnEGZHQtQyk200XvwR5RdsMamN8uKqbEjCpepsLczZMfnPGqrup6niRGjAdB6ovBvP3x2m6YNDY4oBh6WBw7hkd6IOr16KGTW0IDvfKXFuR3BZgt3RiegcfMp/s640/toby+sitting.JPG" title="TOBY : " You left this world way to soon and your presence is missed every day"" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TOBY March 2011- June 2015<br />"Your presence is missed everyday"</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP3rI_WjHgTI76Mg70UpK1YDLn3lz4DCpDC24bfxsKsmK_aPLE6SOjjjSxkvCArLbSkjHhyphenhyphen4cTOna__lq5pZBtHWqY_xziR5QelfOCOh9jZMVtRgFvQIo2AyHCfGdrC-XaEH1DQSBSu4s/s1600/puupy+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEJbprew4uHqjc45kz3o2-CW9xcCFAdK0WddW0aypte346U0JG8Q3c4xm6kCAezImabgvid53i2Fvt3lhOWi6Cv9RQPo22VvieIq2F8KKUo46Pqx25r8psnQFKze4lEF-Q73aVbhhQlzK/s1600/Ethan+and+puppy+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEJbprew4uHqjc45kz3o2-CW9xcCFAdK0WddW0aypte346U0JG8Q3c4xm6kCAezImabgvid53i2Fvt3lhOWi6Cv9RQPo22VvieIq2F8KKUo46Pqx25r8psnQFKze4lEF-Q73aVbhhQlzK/s400/Ethan+and+puppy+crop.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmy94dT2fraF8tCZWvzFXWZNiWXDH2eDb2Whu4xIluGe61DKJy5ZKlaO5J3zrvTSIFyacApM13OOQhTjzRJ3dj8Axl_1gS7tmicH2dcBkIun8MQD1f0Q8RNeQ0nveHiKBP8SI11Ufanrf/s1600/DSC01575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmy94dT2fraF8tCZWvzFXWZNiWXDH2eDb2Whu4xIluGe61DKJy5ZKlaO5J3zrvTSIFyacApM13OOQhTjzRJ3dj8Axl_1gS7tmicH2dcBkIun8MQD1f0Q8RNeQ0nveHiKBP8SI11Ufanrf/s400/DSC01575.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3Yss4qf4F_51HHcMKUxeZNQBp0edWEEKsY7yBENKku7SOYCv6eV4ZYl0OIFWYfXExmhki4ofR48BFAbPnTw0pTyDhBZPOfWEyqYFlNbS3BoHeBYYiVKa6Tyg5VKtUDziYYaj4Al_Wp-D/s1600/306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3Yss4qf4F_51HHcMKUxeZNQBp0edWEEKsY7yBENKku7SOYCv6eV4ZYl0OIFWYfXExmhki4ofR48BFAbPnTw0pTyDhBZPOfWEyqYFlNbS3BoHeBYYiVKa6Tyg5VKtUDziYYaj4Al_Wp-D/s400/306.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD-XdW1sXAhWbu6pc5HgF2K7bIh-CzwyLCoPnOsdwLnhEmYFQ7sUPhyphenhyphenWw2SlwZBsFqzHp6-jK9-IBW_eUTcwOpFRWfkRDOZ0-sJrJVdIeMustV9qkvhv6zIJ0jUtEXGZLiGsyNnG4d24o/s1600/new+summer+2013+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD-XdW1sXAhWbu6pc5HgF2K7bIh-CzwyLCoPnOsdwLnhEmYFQ7sUPhyphenhyphenWw2SlwZBsFqzHp6-jK9-IBW_eUTcwOpFRWfkRDOZ0-sJrJVdIeMustV9qkvhv6zIJ0jUtEXGZLiGsyNnG4d24o/s400/new+summer+2013+050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeeESvt3a-jBmsFE0z_UZDZ3GZ1egSjqmWDHoUIV1V4qdrzpiuI5bGYcwtjETZMqwiEafeg3Aw4tNperjYzZbrfdpszq1s1tJrqNedulPBuLhz63oMFxuvgwrmRC0c9HzcHfDNayNaKFW/s1600/DSC01543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeeESvt3a-jBmsFE0z_UZDZ3GZ1egSjqmWDHoUIV1V4qdrzpiuI5bGYcwtjETZMqwiEafeg3Aw4tNperjYzZbrfdpszq1s1tJrqNedulPBuLhz63oMFxuvgwrmRC0c9HzcHfDNayNaKFW/s400/DSC01543.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-25671013475667882572015-02-09T15:09:00.000-08:002015-02-09T15:09:24.695-08:00It's a girl !<br />
<br />
Well actually it has been four girls and one boy and likely at least that many more on the way. So far things have gone pretty smoothly for rookie sheep farmers. We are hopeful the trend continues. It has been a little stressful; primarily worrying about the cold weather and not being around if there are any delivery issues. But it seems that Mother Nature does a pretty good job. They are actually up on their feet about 30 minutes after they are born, scampering around by the next day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2A-9hjpf2WeMlKhRUvR2U131Q39UHNAog6MWV5jRp9oV3l5aYQncs28nsVYlzzCM3FSpzrnnT4Y0YxxPOvkwWfzrW1cw_yn8KiBQ9JPUyoF-WjF75marDwPnjIAHPTg-QAUPdCzyVBJyz/s1600/DSC01559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2A-9hjpf2WeMlKhRUvR2U131Q39UHNAog6MWV5jRp9oV3l5aYQncs28nsVYlzzCM3FSpzrnnT4Y0YxxPOvkwWfzrW1cw_yn8KiBQ9JPUyoF-WjF75marDwPnjIAHPTg-QAUPdCzyVBJyz/s1600/DSC01559.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These twins are not even a day old yet. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOd0TpCv8TDPGikC2BvSQj97w7k6eNwJ2WXc7ummId_zmeOetTOvW76iL1dgDBg6PZAvZ8nDjOu_JHH7HkYJ3udZPc8iTYAemoa5OXHstwY8NrwxLOHCU54JtD7LBVVfk3iZyu54ixti9/s1600/DSC01555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOd0TpCv8TDPGikC2BvSQj97w7k6eNwJ2WXc7ummId_zmeOetTOvW76iL1dgDBg6PZAvZ8nDjOu_JHH7HkYJ3udZPc8iTYAemoa5OXHstwY8NrwxLOHCU54JtD7LBVVfk3iZyu54ixti9/s1600/DSC01555.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The singleton and one of another pair of twins are one week old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9ENpYMO4wUmkc5nQB8S8nAEocrxZHfe6-4WehS95EASzEGqqEGM1iPDR64hoYJHzEiEE9YPMmm-yqFhpIgN5lFznC-TRqDeqA4MMcFI6cgPu_2o3VyZDRnGWm4ebMz8hPucWcJz7rRXD/s1600/DSC01545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9ENpYMO4wUmkc5nQB8S8nAEocrxZHfe6-4WehS95EASzEGqqEGM1iPDR64hoYJHzEiEE9YPMmm-yqFhpIgN5lFznC-TRqDeqA4MMcFI6cgPu_2o3VyZDRnGWm4ebMz8hPucWcJz7rRXD/s1600/DSC01545.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud mother of the singleton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn_Dd_fkKm_45uYqnUCtVfNe0LsnXL-WiiNDiKnAl0IKEj-D1wUZwE0NalyRWAsl984sr9Uq2SpSFtNNEdct6DxowWFF6FOnFH6GTaI_ews3ul3ZkxfVs6MMF-jcvNSSx82ipfBXdhg34/s1600/DSC01544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn_Dd_fkKm_45uYqnUCtVfNe0LsnXL-WiiNDiKnAl0IKEj-D1wUZwE0NalyRWAsl984sr9Uq2SpSFtNNEdct6DxowWFF6FOnFH6GTaI_ews3ul3ZkxfVs6MMF-jcvNSSx82ipfBXdhg34/s1600/DSC01544.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judy and her twins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnviCHn33kem0Jmf5Eg82b9Egkg7Lk118ZpY_axdu6O3921ESZVUHACyHzZfMVqbPGnS-L-EHF4EQDQuIbwHTyl7zU94zsrVfTnfy8aAtAtP07hbwjLGFq9jXwX3J_STxwx-hm3Fk6Cwa/s1600/DSC01550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnviCHn33kem0Jmf5Eg82b9Egkg7Lk118ZpY_axdu6O3921ESZVUHACyHzZfMVqbPGnS-L-EHF4EQDQuIbwHTyl7zU94zsrVfTnfy8aAtAtP07hbwjLGFq9jXwX3J_STxwx-hm3Fk6Cwa/s1600/DSC01550.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and her twins...or maybe Judy? They start looking alike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFJXWjiLgv53lkqYfRO_0uFg3cw34ssyRegJzUoksLYVyW8V5woHnCJCO7UShKnkoLAsk75ZhbTp5rjmR8AcGFaqgVxqM2V5btoxT7ky_vUHk49sm15ycoImzW4M0X_HskiF1o81CFK07/s1600/DSC01552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFJXWjiLgv53lkqYfRO_0uFg3cw34ssyRegJzUoksLYVyW8V5woHnCJCO7UShKnkoLAsk75ZhbTp5rjmR8AcGFaqgVxqM2V5btoxT7ky_vUHk49sm15ycoImzW4M0X_HskiF1o81CFK07/s1600/DSC01552.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewes waiting to deliver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdJEcMg3TQuemT_dpWhp1IX-k6Fyg3d9NzW56XhdFNgf4FSE-mpEbw0Ear22q2SklXQ_0U3Iq9Tgqlxtjw2GwoUtb7HlO4mZMHAkV3AE3bOaZjDIkEOYW1yHpISKlBCT82gTMmcHfMyOn/s1600/DSC01553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdJEcMg3TQuemT_dpWhp1IX-k6Fyg3d9NzW56XhdFNgf4FSE-mpEbw0Ear22q2SklXQ_0U3Iq9Tgqlxtjw2GwoUtb7HlO4mZMHAkV3AE3bOaZjDIkEOYW1yHpISKlBCT82gTMmcHfMyOn/s1600/DSC01553.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent, the proud father of this season's lambs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99Im3qXwtWABnlH5glgTz71PGregCsb6tuhXttU4AyMBZ9qykFbboUWkhg_0bTncNGedPJfF8R49OYK-J9y0mUe2gefV6-CdUyCldyHdypLGAJaCTzN23IqEwGOgJBKQPCuUAAbymFoPC/s1600/DSC01543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99Im3qXwtWABnlH5glgTz71PGregCsb6tuhXttU4AyMBZ9qykFbboUWkhg_0bTncNGedPJfF8R49OYK-J9y0mUe2gefV6-CdUyCldyHdypLGAJaCTzN23IqEwGOgJBKQPCuUAAbymFoPC/s1600/DSC01543.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby the farm watch dog keeping an eye on things. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-9056012189318892014-11-14T17:50:00.002-08:002014-11-14T17:56:56.646-08:002014 Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsdfdgnHR2MXSnD11_LhZjxefmRCGSN6nims-HpNbArd7LZXge0BO8hR5u9Y3UIN-l04LcjqHuKGw8jNhIch14TxMV9tS1L56wPvBosQ3lMLuoWw_Q0Gai0qnTIa8CAWQNZ21HFvZMCfl/s1600/fallhomestead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsdfdgnHR2MXSnD11_LhZjxefmRCGSN6nims-HpNbArd7LZXge0BO8hR5u9Y3UIN-l04LcjqHuKGw8jNhIch14TxMV9tS1L56wPvBosQ3lMLuoWw_Q0Gai0qnTIa8CAWQNZ21HFvZMCfl/s400/fallhomestead.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It has been a long busy summer, thus the extreme lull in activity here. We are still at it though. Unfortunately full time jobs, kids, and farming don't allow much time for taking pictures and blogging. None the less this annual fall posting will give you a glimpse of some of the things going on down here in NC. Picture groups are somewhat random because I have yet to figure out how to move them around on this sight in a timely manner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznt0aNBBV7iYotpo5uc1OPUb3OArdhLZh4gcH6iWZ_M4FUgJlx_2ueNfykmhX1ST5zi38ju1cDr6_YHpm2KyyI87-_3titRG9M-e7iVmVEQL5Ahh71RTqQLLWTVQNJNG2IPRux-X2n2UG/s1600/sheep+and+tallgrass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznt0aNBBV7iYotpo5uc1OPUb3OArdhLZh4gcH6iWZ_M4FUgJlx_2ueNfykmhX1ST5zi38ju1cDr6_YHpm2KyyI87-_3titRG9M-e7iVmVEQL5Ahh71RTqQLLWTVQNJNG2IPRux-X2n2UG/s400/sheep+and+tallgrass.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our biggest new project this year was the start of our hair sheep flock. We have really been enjoying them. They are not that much work and something about watching them out grazing in the field or frolicking about promotes a sense of peace and brings a smile to your face. We had a couple tragic experiences initially with an escaped lamb likely running into an electric fence and dying and later a set of still born triplets. But things have gone well since those initial events. We now have eight adult ewes and one ram. We should have some lambs come February or March. We did harvest two lambs this fall and have about 60 lbs. of beautiful meat to experiment with over the winter. We have tried a couple different dishes so far and it was very tasty!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TsaG6H8ImD5RQ2adduXXy98BECvdfqgBkeVeLgdZS9iXGN3_7_KmHsb6_ntXflCfaOQGarZyvb3kK7Lf6qpd23905_ceBMCL0gSQIFk0KdUYyj_WbGkx_DBWSjQ0PA_u588pPPPJk7xO/s1600/DSC01277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TsaG6H8ImD5RQ2adduXXy98BECvdfqgBkeVeLgdZS9iXGN3_7_KmHsb6_ntXflCfaOQGarZyvb3kK7Lf6qpd23905_ceBMCL0gSQIFk0KdUYyj_WbGkx_DBWSjQ0PA_u588pPPPJk7xO/s320/DSC01277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Part of the sheep learning curve is not to ever do this again... transporting new lambs home in the back of your <i>Ford Explorer</i> can be very messy and smelly! Although they otherwise were sursurprisingly quiet and calm... like it was normal procedure to them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBauRCEQkykC-RpAu8-ZsuS9KBXhiOI2aKQ4LKqhwPsQEypMaghm7CuwXMyf_E198BB9wJhwqV6BdBaFpUkBVWdIgcbPpdW5chDcRZLGnyR0fQ960USDEcGs93tlma1f1TRjCCLyUKgge/s1600/barnfall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBauRCEQkykC-RpAu8-ZsuS9KBXhiOI2aKQ4LKqhwPsQEypMaghm7CuwXMyf_E198BB9wJhwqV6BdBaFpUkBVWdIgcbPpdW5chDcRZLGnyR0fQ960USDEcGs93tlma1f1TRjCCLyUKgge/s400/barnfall.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next a few pictures of our renovated barn. I am very proud of the transformation over the past few years. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SospvvYC_aEiIFy17OAVnrTu6J-WnWI0jkAvPrnJXjqCxx7jRX9TgOamgHuZTewRuqg4zsye3k2CuuxrYO1FeJnAWABXU0GxdS1FUTmsNKrCFEWHVYEA9qN5hudxVp9INjhQxr4tJ7Bh/s1600/DSC01285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SospvvYC_aEiIFy17OAVnrTu6J-WnWI0jkAvPrnJXjqCxx7jRX9TgOamgHuZTewRuqg4zsye3k2CuuxrYO1FeJnAWABXU0GxdS1FUTmsNKrCFEWHVYEA9qN5hudxVp9INjhQxr4tJ7Bh/s320/DSC01285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">This is where the sheep hang out when it is raining, sunny and hot, or extremely cold. The open area is available all the time. The back corner is for hay storage. Next two lambing pens, and one storage area for feed and stairs up to loft. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK-Xmq1ra6iEC7uRWiwt5hkw9aTfGgkpb1kQn0NFeMclD7Xj7TsIbkzsGpV4qtlCe6AOVfInnPNlYLsMgxFo4XP7lJVSqmGf7p0_GN1qjL3v0F-d6whsGNtNDBHq9K2K1Mwfi5yRlQADN/s1600/DSC01479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfK-Xmq1ra6iEC7uRWiwt5hkw9aTfGgkpb1kQn0NFeMclD7Xj7TsIbkzsGpV4qtlCe6AOVfInnPNlYLsMgxFo4XP7lJVSqmGf7p0_GN1qjL3v0F-d6whsGNtNDBHq9K2K1Mwfi5yRlQADN/s400/DSC01479.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the "farmer cave". One of my favorite places on the whole property. It is wired with electricity so we have music, lights. There is a nice view overlooking the back pasture and garden. A great place to hang out and relax, visit with guests, read, and have a beer. I think I got to spend about 2.25 hours up here this year! But I enjoyed every minute !! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOSYQtLDvqMJN4QIlDhYM95nTJt7NsXbdXZ2WYJzxkNVqKH0Ca4bCgcBjrB6xmDvDaHwGEEzc-bKynui8fb4PVTYGeI7lqasxSoDDpbOJvMZXCjZx3b1VBv020mYWHV8IH2Y26yIlOjdJ/s1600/loftview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOSYQtLDvqMJN4QIlDhYM95nTJt7NsXbdXZ2WYJzxkNVqKH0Ca4bCgcBjrB6xmDvDaHwGEEzc-bKynui8fb4PVTYGeI7lqasxSoDDpbOJvMZXCjZx3b1VBv020mYWHV8IH2Y26yIlOjdJ/s320/loftview.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZRQv4haxrzAhiX-HWvOZYQRMCkFZ2OazgYwMasUVyZ5OwzB357jtc44H8p4vVy3HBSrFtgIhfoHHAooaN-cZxkr5FxfZAL8UCqf_4jpZrFGUEBl4d-7oYaf_v_ca0eLcAPkeXl5g8IiB/s1600/gardenfromloft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZRQv4haxrzAhiX-HWvOZYQRMCkFZ2OazgYwMasUVyZ5OwzB357jtc44H8p4vVy3HBSrFtgIhfoHHAooaN-cZxkr5FxfZAL8UCqf_4jpZrFGUEBl4d-7oYaf_v_ca0eLcAPkeXl5g8IiB/s320/gardenfromloft.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View of garden from loft. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTADAELFO6JYDDB9Jkyfn_zj0QE5gl32UuRiTLeqofxAyuD6jEMy6K8snh9eLapF4S0dN6gBedh3J5FkVeRTNH_UuOzzIRyM9Z-JpBumO0xwfPWUI4tKYJkFmIVTaK4wUGrkaHP776BBi/s1600/filedsheeploft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTADAELFO6JYDDB9Jkyfn_zj0QE5gl32UuRiTLeqofxAyuD6jEMy6K8snh9eLapF4S0dN6gBedh3J5FkVeRTNH_UuOzzIRyM9Z-JpBumO0xwfPWUI4tKYJkFmIVTaK4wUGrkaHP776BBi/s320/filedsheeploft.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back pasture. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gqQpkTzP9oIXi9wQDPEPQYblG82dOqnV8r3sWvcAC9NQFCC0hXZo4ZY81DLZXSzM-nxZUCRiJ7C7iM7TVTNsiI152l7qugKWwm3gvOrVkGx2KvXiFkEzcfKxQDHQTrH-qla3fZdus89H/s1600/DSC01466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gqQpkTzP9oIXi9wQDPEPQYblG82dOqnV8r3sWvcAC9NQFCC0hXZo4ZY81DLZXSzM-nxZUCRiJ7C7iM7TVTNsiI152l7qugKWwm3gvOrVkGx2KvXiFkEzcfKxQDHQTrH-qla3fZdus89H/s400/DSC01466.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FgsNUSSPmibJGUP4THZNthxVYAgdauVQEmBo6dn7SmEuoTyz790CBhoNEZ0JcjtczPIsNQT-55vtf9vjA0AlT7zbyfaOwerBDx1ZolsUFZ0NLriVJBi_q200sPnxPmDSghyphenhyphenz4C6x3crb/s1600/DSC01461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FgsNUSSPmibJGUP4THZNthxVYAgdauVQEmBo6dn7SmEuoTyz790CBhoNEZ0JcjtczPIsNQT-55vtf9vjA0AlT7zbyfaOwerBDx1ZolsUFZ0NLriVJBi_q200sPnxPmDSghyphenhyphenz4C6x3crb/s320/DSC01461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So moving right along... this is a shot of our little hoop house that will allow us to grow greens probably into mid December. When freezing weather is anticipated the plastic is pulled over the top and secured with clamps turning it into a little green house. Right now we have about three-four types of kale, some chard, spinach, different leaf lettuces, cilantro growing in it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGgr8IDmBmI0qUW-lc2wVC7wp6Gc-LPAEOjxPbrpZZZFx6iDvh54hmCsQfML2Gxez4UC8Ym85VkVCco712mLPet2PisAlcc_Wbuw8-ZLJj7jjCzUwZWtfl40umnFz8JGsVMYf1qa8Riz_/s1600/DSC01462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGgr8IDmBmI0qUW-lc2wVC7wp6Gc-LPAEOjxPbrpZZZFx6iDvh54hmCsQfML2Gxez4UC8Ym85VkVCco712mLPet2PisAlcc_Wbuw8-ZLJj7jjCzUwZWtfl40umnFz8JGsVMYf1qa8Riz_/s320/DSC01462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This guy is likely going to be the center piece of our Thanksgiving meal this year. Below are his three girlfriends. He is very protective of them... i.e. he attacks me every morning when I feed them and let them out to range. We had planned on keeping them all to procreate, but after doing the math it did not make economical farm sense considering the cost to raise to maturity and the work involved. On the positive side we learned that we could keep them healthy when separated from the chickens and had NO losses this time. Last go round we lost half of them due to a chicken vector parasite. These will keep for a year plus in the freezer. So next year we get a year off from turkey farming. We also scored a great deal on a chicken-plucker on <i>Craig's List</i> this week so I can't way to give it a try. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkmFT79SRY0bs1R0a00iry3R8Lu_uPwdPdykbgNKnLIG_RXJ4qfO-Skdi67x0tLpCsFXGpw07RgAXQ7eknHakvUxhtRzEERHDA-n3mCOfMgBt9yWVujut3IxopK5P_eDAAsA0JAoOwnKO/s1600/DSC01464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkmFT79SRY0bs1R0a00iry3R8Lu_uPwdPdykbgNKnLIG_RXJ4qfO-Skdi67x0tLpCsFXGpw07RgAXQ7eknHakvUxhtRzEERHDA-n3mCOfMgBt9yWVujut3IxopK5P_eDAAsA0JAoOwnKO/s320/DSC01464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXad7zlT5W0t1xyeJVX20OdL7DdoeeVBRtDalEn-OrGJOP2YMeW1C1Rn05yEXwYkoaR-Rtyd5AvDjJBtOJcEvRN0JT5QLNZjhkF7G5fCFZ8LG0VArjNix8ThDa-ELZZVagdyjwlH1F6bw/s1600/DSC01470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXad7zlT5W0t1xyeJVX20OdL7DdoeeVBRtDalEn-OrGJOP2YMeW1C1Rn05yEXwYkoaR-Rtyd5AvDjJBtOJcEvRN0JT5QLNZjhkF7G5fCFZ8LG0VArjNix8ThDa-ELZZVagdyjwlH1F6bw/s320/DSC01470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is my pioneer woman and our new cat, found in our work parking lot earlier this year as a very small kitten. He has adapted well and is enjoyed by all of us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcBkgESiRuXhuqyZXIO21HSUOEp0UQHq5SPoF-2FLKovsttxgJnCQLp30H07MuV6_wpTleKzCftHFFcDdHtEQiulUyJ6GSqJCtPDamj0wc0FK7KB3vFk-8kibBAXjf_70eLxPdoou3wMW/s1600/DSC01467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcBkgESiRuXhuqyZXIO21HSUOEp0UQHq5SPoF-2FLKovsttxgJnCQLp30H07MuV6_wpTleKzCftHFFcDdHtEQiulUyJ6GSqJCtPDamj0wc0FK7KB3vFk-8kibBAXjf_70eLxPdoou3wMW/s320/DSC01467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We lost both of our hives last winter, which I hope was due to the hard winter that it was. We re-started with packages and they seemed to have thrived well over the summer. I managed to make it through the whole summer with no stings... thanks to my astronaut suit and extreme caution. That takes a little bit of the fun out of it all, but I think they made a big difference in the garden production. Also it forced me not to mess with them unless necessary, which probably made me a better beekeeper in the long run. We did harvest about 50 lbs. of honey and I think they still have plenty to make it through the winter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVM3Q0mHOWQW8e9xD0KR_-GS23W-AOgCFgxQ-tjZJ4_Lp4GQOTpAmOmz9XW86MmhPMShhdJPT-Jnc5DUZoH_B6kJsOFhkJG2lwR4Q9ZYFq7itqZ58F29SvV150VT9q3JKERPnRzem9Y62/s1600/DSC01318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVM3Q0mHOWQW8e9xD0KR_-GS23W-AOgCFgxQ-tjZJ4_Lp4GQOTpAmOmz9XW86MmhPMShhdJPT-Jnc5DUZoH_B6kJsOFhkJG2lwR4Q9ZYFq7itqZ58F29SvV150VT9q3JKERPnRzem9Y62/s320/DSC01318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of our honey harvest. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFySPTxgQMs8IVCHO1Eo5VJeQ8-1K_UeLY420OFkTjxf8NGeLxUjb9KAw7QKYKmxsuKIHn0meCunbajQQOVia1SWdEQ7TWKUwWguirmqJhZE1t_Xrk29e-MgOgEPFa4GIC1Tc-tMYiTEY/s1600/DSC01484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFySPTxgQMs8IVCHO1Eo5VJeQ8-1K_UeLY420OFkTjxf8NGeLxUjb9KAw7QKYKmxsuKIHn0meCunbajQQOVia1SWdEQ7TWKUwWguirmqJhZE1t_Xrk29e-MgOgEPFa4GIC1Tc-tMYiTEY/s400/DSC01484.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If the kids do a good job on their chores for the week we let them pick their favorite chicken out to sleep with on Friday night! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffaFqQWfeq_45VYg2dJwdgyngoAO9K_uI4FbHhLjlvk1WlA8L3X-uwKtTpHaAUaAuqsYzIXQTXuv-IcN0lPyXPBP04h_lPEnLQCgGiSFkwUkNmSb1GE3shQCQPZM4e8UUxy8KGO50RjpC/s1600/DSC01485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffaFqQWfeq_45VYg2dJwdgyngoAO9K_uI4FbHhLjlvk1WlA8L3X-uwKtTpHaAUaAuqsYzIXQTXuv-IcN0lPyXPBP04h_lPEnLQCgGiSFkwUkNmSb1GE3shQCQPZM4e8UUxy8KGO50RjpC/s320/DSC01485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We did have the opportunity to make it to the beach a couple times this summer. Once with the pioneer woman's family from OK. The other just the four of us to our favorite little motor lodge that allows pets. Below are some random pictures from our trips to the Emerald Coast!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhILRNJWYg-67cy5zt7JItQxBSP85LeCOohazqbkaovo4fzLOnxl-JboHCybgijVGuHsQjABDyFkD-qQESgNWYds-f-tLlisuA607BGTKmE8W6v28wJ5vWMWYBLNq76-J4qdtApFVnFwWX/s1600/kidscousinbeach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhILRNJWYg-67cy5zt7JItQxBSP85LeCOohazqbkaovo4fzLOnxl-JboHCybgijVGuHsQjABDyFkD-qQESgNWYds-f-tLlisuA607BGTKmE8W6v28wJ5vWMWYBLNq76-J4qdtApFVnFwWX/s400/kidscousinbeach.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids and cousins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kFvOouO0YjrNQduQf9FpWy2adWC6PXUO9ndVvEA_6UpOUDD8e7oeyYM51P5AS9yceWo2SHrc85vBl41ROhfMzCgl59NNKU96UtFFCxcf9n4LBYinjI-cRIVlsXZqpR84GbVT3zznXGdF/s1600/aki+cool+beach+pose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kFvOouO0YjrNQduQf9FpWy2adWC6PXUO9ndVvEA_6UpOUDD8e7oeyYM51P5AS9yceWo2SHrc85vBl41ROhfMzCgl59NNKU96UtFFCxcf9n4LBYinjI-cRIVlsXZqpR84GbVT3zznXGdF/s320/aki+cool+beach+pose.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kFvOouO0YjrNQduQf9FpWy2adWC6PXUO9ndVvEA_6UpOUDD8e7oeyYM51P5AS9yceWo2SHrc85vBl41ROhfMzCgl59NNKU96UtFFCxcf9n4LBYinjI-cRIVlsXZqpR84GbVT3zznXGdF/s1600/aki+cool+beach+pose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutbR3UkY1onwXNgoCd4ci5gfOuj_eBXn4Ciries55K0sfFnFLGKpVHw9U_aqoros25rGRnDPj9-ZCB-QXyS5hfZQnqXDQdoyLTvioStTs5uYg8aFN0ZEFL4ICS-BoYkfRChHJbwgzsxi1/s1600/karenmikebeach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutbR3UkY1onwXNgoCd4ci5gfOuj_eBXn4Ciries55K0sfFnFLGKpVHw9U_aqoros25rGRnDPj9-ZCB-QXyS5hfZQnqXDQdoyLTvioStTs5uYg8aFN0ZEFL4ICS-BoYkfRChHJbwgzsxi1/s320/karenmikebeach.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeB67k3x3SwIoaxM0L8L9S4TwUmyPvJSnEGVeJMh0oqplp-Nncerd0hGzM7vpRV1-L9ELUH5mnvWjvj6RXMuWnVCeVwngu663lVwzMPqHB1-iEUcgoIshPmh-tNlGoaeEq6hYe71j_9s4/s1600/ethan+aki+each+more+waves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeB67k3x3SwIoaxM0L8L9S4TwUmyPvJSnEGVeJMh0oqplp-Nncerd0hGzM7vpRV1-L9ELUH5mnvWjvj6RXMuWnVCeVwngu663lVwzMPqHB1-iEUcgoIshPmh-tNlGoaeEq6hYe71j_9s4/s320/ethan+aki+each+more+waves.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifINxrweLKlkg85b2aahEq2n-TiESlRi3UQt7iqcjOybbj4chN1uYOy5CE5UwPKbHCAuPU1Pas27W5C6ktxtwSQf5fm6Fzj6RCxT39COBQrFjoVfSkqV3_wj12C3aU4JBJUf4LPGhuolz/s1600/familybeach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifINxrweLKlkg85b2aahEq2n-TiESlRi3UQt7iqcjOybbj4chN1uYOy5CE5UwPKbHCAuPU1Pas27W5C6ktxtwSQf5fm6Fzj6RCxT39COBQrFjoVfSkqV3_wj12C3aU4JBJUf4LPGhuolz/s320/familybeach.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOEswE733K_NK9RMwDC5yf9l-1l9iyECUzGu_GDrmjpQm_Pe7obbi-G-KQ2KoAyCVFPxRtIedq8oCbeaRHv7FyyUtkMTRcpQx5zXM6-2FNiR9N1g3vtMWhFJlzwkznDyiJX751OBSbmSj/s1600/beachsunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOEswE733K_NK9RMwDC5yf9l-1l9iyECUzGu_GDrmjpQm_Pe7obbi-G-KQ2KoAyCVFPxRtIedq8oCbeaRHv7FyyUtkMTRcpQx5zXM6-2FNiR9N1g3vtMWhFJlzwkznDyiJX751OBSbmSj/s400/beachsunset.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So the next few pictures are a little morbid,... but a few weeks ago we saw a deer (yes that is a deer, I know it was on the small side) run into our neighbors fence and break it's neck, our dog was in hot pursuit and we let him think he was finishing him off as he rattled it's neck. A few minutes later we had it strung up in a tree and gutted it out. As homesteaders you never let a free meal go to waste! : ) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was cool out so we let it hang over night so I could watch some <i>You Tube</i> videos to figure out what to do next. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUQ1dIMuLgRGxA57fTj8WFqQYd5wV2UUhpgbveiODaS3dvStHC4iQAFqW8qPFJnOdTlpnYncoAdPc7IMk2GVed-g7eMpJN4ztD2UZmmyPGzlnbE6USYWvCvynGITLqoOk0IM786eyqajM/s1600/DSC01415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUQ1dIMuLgRGxA57fTj8WFqQYd5wV2UUhpgbveiODaS3dvStHC4iQAFqW8qPFJnOdTlpnYncoAdPc7IMk2GVed-g7eMpJN4ztD2UZmmyPGzlnbE6USYWvCvynGITLqoOk0IM786eyqajM/s320/DSC01415.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwV5jTavkUi3XjiNZ2ZAKPimcoJTEhm8_dDhJyoNKy0LouuWe-EqT4cMWsU-vmJzSdahWBT2qSLglRQ5syWq2qxYqEffTeu1kFJSXX3_CKYsZ3cR1qtMUC6sxHKaIiNc3YXI8AyOB5CJz/s1600/DSC01414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwV5jTavkUi3XjiNZ2ZAKPimcoJTEhm8_dDhJyoNKy0LouuWe-EqT4cMWsU-vmJzSdahWBT2qSLglRQ5syWq2qxYqEffTeu1kFJSXX3_CKYsZ3cR1qtMUC6sxHKaIiNc3YXI8AyOB5CJz/s320/DSC01414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_WBDUw7wpgBtJxK0JTLrYjaLWB_E76oJ0Lyi9FTpiNU1ieXRvtrf1Jc6hFj_ug2E0yaFxJIHYQ4KYYg9E7Bc82-1dwxeAAjtdr4yNoPsFf6vsIv7n7AH-Tgv41EMGZ3niRaAb3UG4jt0/s1600/DSC01438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_WBDUw7wpgBtJxK0JTLrYjaLWB_E76oJ0Lyi9FTpiNU1ieXRvtrf1Jc6hFj_ug2E0yaFxJIHYQ4KYYg9E7Bc82-1dwxeAAjtdr4yNoPsFf6vsIv7n7AH-Tgv41EMGZ3niRaAb3UG4jt0/s320/DSC01438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby enjoying some vension leg. After all he "got" the deer! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXbJfukjgWpQMKzdMOfL3EP6MhWxt2YOIlchI1sFWh-_d15sk1XZfvN5kblnYZVUWMGrOAr4eS1LYcYaf1HcmBl3k1yUy3Q06oRrx4KnTa2C4aQnnJnusJDTbkq0kSYB11ElOZA3xHkCd/s1600/DSC01446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXbJfukjgWpQMKzdMOfL3EP6MhWxt2YOIlchI1sFWh-_d15sk1XZfvN5kblnYZVUWMGrOAr4eS1LYcYaf1HcmBl3k1yUy3Q06oRrx4KnTa2C4aQnnJnusJDTbkq0kSYB11ElOZA3xHkCd/s320/DSC01446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The "primal cuts" to be aged in the fridge for a week. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK6a0qsBSeAaZq9ZNL08_xJVaDRqnRYqgBeSGYXqqZG0XTLYxNhH1y9VGy7CgF5TyNNYD5D5k4OsHF2UVi-EM5Y1q28a42goCJ-J5BRjXMrbNEReUmFLCMIu7gOWg8BDeVYUil1UAOweN/s1600/DSC01454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK6a0qsBSeAaZq9ZNL08_xJVaDRqnRYqgBeSGYXqqZG0XTLYxNhH1y9VGy7CgF5TyNNYD5D5k4OsHF2UVi-EM5Y1q28a42goCJ-J5BRjXMrbNEReUmFLCMIu7gOWg8BDeVYUil1UAOweN/s320/DSC01454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ah!... the end product- venison pot roast which was AWESOME! We ended up with enough meat for easily eight future meals. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxgUwtFfPmjJDdjtQsaPTZX4g8hU-Vga6DIPdIdPZCiV9pwGi44yEHHqAqdmt5dKbwcOXKnp_IH7TTiMohhdJoaLYGoQ-GbjaU8AXdIDns53-2KEJFCnp_m_587L3DKKjNxvBBGW9wDHS/s1600/DSC01456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxgUwtFfPmjJDdjtQsaPTZX4g8hU-Vga6DIPdIdPZCiV9pwGi44yEHHqAqdmt5dKbwcOXKnp_IH7TTiMohhdJoaLYGoQ-GbjaU8AXdIDns53-2KEJFCnp_m_587L3DKKjNxvBBGW9wDHS/s320/DSC01456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK2-1CbYIYvWyDao3Uu_xVah3R5AJZEpwWWreupv9qk4zpFjzXOVrapSfU4v-9x5FDIBwDho-hXCCrQpMJOZp01kbXtGfu76o0CBeeK16KXo7PhI6HhQC5FqJoNHGbyUtU1AVoBUFAgUw/s1600/DSC01450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK2-1CbYIYvWyDao3Uu_xVah3R5AJZEpwWWreupv9qk4zpFjzXOVrapSfU4v-9x5FDIBwDho-hXCCrQpMJOZp01kbXtGfu76o0CBeeK16KXo7PhI6HhQC5FqJoNHGbyUtU1AVoBUFAgUw/s320/DSC01450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random picture of some of our sweet potatoes and butternut squash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Early this October we managed to get away for a weekend to a co-worker/friend/farmer mentor's property in Virginia just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We camped out in tents around his pond.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Soo7YN5vQ5YLgZGZFhGuXtZrgHikxzopUq6N7TRxZIwnetVTj9gYXhPxgpcKeUQcW_5uFxrdW0Kwksa5Ya4lCwRvC8uheerOzUbTlzIsjmoIgLgvzPY9oxCkDNt3CdSFdmWO7yLB8xs/s1600/lyndom+farm+pondAM.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4Soo7YN5vQ5YLgZGZFhGuXtZrgHikxzopUq6N7TRxZIwnetVTj9gYXhPxgpcKeUQcW_5uFxrdW0Kwksa5Ya4lCwRvC8uheerOzUbTlzIsjmoIgLgvzPY9oxCkDNt3CdSFdmWO7yLB8xs/s400/lyndom+farm+pondAM.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our tent in the morning, if you look close you can see the frost on the ground. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_yfL60EAjtrQepkoqIU-OSP5lZghOi5mwei00HMnek1TNlzHFYcc8Hqeyv8uyxMpCAwIRoUW5mbnBkonqWVZ6OdgF-I3qK62LtfUqRDy3PvbZ7T0LS5SnMQ9CAy9enfRT7bTAsyBMpC/s1600/lyndonanddonkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_yfL60EAjtrQepkoqIU-OSP5lZghOi5mwei00HMnek1TNlzHFYcc8Hqeyv8uyxMpCAwIRoUW5mbnBkonqWVZ6OdgF-I3qK62LtfUqRDy3PvbZ7T0LS5SnMQ9CAy9enfRT7bTAsyBMpC/s320/lyndonanddonkey.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friend Lyndon </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_MQoNeNRE3qhULUxUhqEpRbAEI0WhQ4QhvdZn6_X12UgzF3y6Q1iefGc5026YriI7yYqtcV8NriNPHtlQUnmBBjkszT1_f7fvTEzulClSnRcWEydoIGG0M90A9SHwc-g4Cx8lDdV5B2G/s1600/akiandgoats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_MQoNeNRE3qhULUxUhqEpRbAEI0WhQ4QhvdZn6_X12UgzF3y6Q1iefGc5026YriI7yYqtcV8NriNPHtlQUnmBBjkszT1_f7fvTEzulClSnRcWEydoIGG0M90A9SHwc-g4Cx8lDdV5B2G/s320/akiandgoats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B38ePCHTZwaQhpoFYB19yrxpyRc4-1nUdrqawDHAazrSpK8rSqypPxe7LzAmLwIq6OcWaQeh7BddHl0PhkpGrh642DdlNqMqhwVrS1uHktP_ZEUsJB_PZ9_Tjcoz5VEPlczLx2pA6AMJ/s1600/alpine+goats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B38ePCHTZwaQhpoFYB19yrxpyRc4-1nUdrqawDHAazrSpK8rSqypPxe7LzAmLwIq6OcWaQeh7BddHl0PhkpGrh642DdlNqMqhwVrS1uHktP_ZEUsJB_PZ9_Tjcoz5VEPlczLx2pA6AMJ/s320/alpine+goats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zgWcBBWjxkAzfIpa2LEbNlA0xUyKuGJRmObIZ7ds8mWz_vNNrSsYyEPIoqyH-Lby1GggL_ezmbr6RGoiNo3q_uJcIc_-LfaGCxMdwj_uZk2V01DwkAjXrVlQrFzS4pWSoHki4av09vid/s1600/ethan+and+donkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5zgWcBBWjxkAzfIpa2LEbNlA0xUyKuGJRmObIZ7ds8mWz_vNNrSsYyEPIoqyH-Lby1GggL_ezmbr6RGoiNo3q_uJcIc_-LfaGCxMdwj_uZk2V01DwkAjXrVlQrFzS4pWSoHki4av09vid/s320/ethan+and+donkey.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb3rc-H3t0oaPNgBYVJBvP1eDS4zS3nbpJfR27o4AsS74lyHHI1EuVyIHPtymZlcIVfIigY-5nXfGQvxOnz73SghiMxdTJ7GQjV_fPaXByVYm2gx7W9E712bXd-FeMeM4DwhGVwd7qi7j/s1600/kisansmike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb3rc-H3t0oaPNgBYVJBvP1eDS4zS3nbpJfR27o4AsS74lyHHI1EuVyIHPtymZlcIVfIigY-5nXfGQvxOnz73SghiMxdTJ7GQjV_fPaXByVYm2gx7W9E712bXd-FeMeM4DwhGVwd7qi7j/s320/kisansmike.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...at Lover's Leap along the highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XFn5S1yptMX1ekjj3C1jqjMf_9Y-YNv9ssE0AJsr9QUYMVsbMhFUK35_9KMSp1ANvV4zYCA_UJF3_xC_5SAa7fNrFhmcsI1gjHG6ndDM3evDWUlI-g8CmhD-sMlteO0tfohHYzznwCXt/s1600/akiboobs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XFn5S1yptMX1ekjj3C1jqjMf_9Y-YNv9ssE0AJsr9QUYMVsbMhFUK35_9KMSp1ANvV4zYCA_UJF3_xC_5SAa7fNrFhmcsI1gjHG6ndDM3evDWUlI-g8CmhD-sMlteO0tfohHYzznwCXt/s320/akiboobs.JPG" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our son? ! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So that is a "quick" look at some of the 2014 happenings down here. We will try to be more prolific in our postings in the future. </div>
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-10618903864644279852014-02-13T13:47:00.000-08:002014-02-13T13:47:46.080-08:00February Blizzard!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AhWYUrZ7VIeNqZh_cggrOnpAFOW4rkvy7GV3M-erosiLZ2h6m0zr6Q529F71PrIoZ7NCXNJDpm5bL0BB3_UWr3YdTkRrVwrU2cU4jZCWk5HcCBDDd3XPLiaFhKCqQHuw7z_P-x100ix_/s1600/DSC01238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AhWYUrZ7VIeNqZh_cggrOnpAFOW4rkvy7GV3M-erosiLZ2h6m0zr6Q529F71PrIoZ7NCXNJDpm5bL0BB3_UWr3YdTkRrVwrU2cU4jZCWk5HcCBDDd3XPLiaFhKCqQHuw7z_P-x100ix_/s1600/DSC01238.JPG" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
Seems winter is not ready to give way to spring yet. We received five inches of snow yesterday evening and awoke to a winter wonderland! This was the view from the kitchen window this morning. It is 04:00 pm now and it has pretty much snowed all day. The kids are all excited because they know this means no school for at least a couple days. I'm getting cabin fever and it has allowed me a chance to dust off this old BLOG site. I have many things I probably should have entered on here to document our farm progress the past several months. But let's just say that after a long fall and winter we are finally sheep farmers! Yup, ... the barn restoration project is pretty much completed, loft, sheep pens, hay storage area, lights, doors and all. We also got our perimeter fence installed around the back pasture. Our five one-two year old ewes arrived almost two weeks ago. Along with their three lambs. At least one of the other two ewes will probably deliver this month. The sheep are Katahdin/Dorper crosses. Both are hair sheep breeds that will shed their winter coat( like a horse) and will not require shearing. We plan on maintaining a maximum flock size of about 10 mature sheep (including a ram we will pick out this fall from elsewhere. We will harvest the "extra" lambs after about 10 months for meat. In the summer they will feed mostly on grass from the pasture.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHt1ktt_8llVBvKNNy-aU0r-ZK1iTGlIPoNUSTXC9D_0sbUd_s8_sPmBGzZgttIqsarRBpVxJWCPznkTByYGYiiiliSjMV1TqDT769SRBvDuZtLaKuZS1rtYKOhcWeoZ_M8kX9R1GhmJj/s1600/DSC01243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHt1ktt_8llVBvKNNy-aU0r-ZK1iTGlIPoNUSTXC9D_0sbUd_s8_sPmBGzZgttIqsarRBpVxJWCPznkTByYGYiiiliSjMV1TqDT769SRBvDuZtLaKuZS1rtYKOhcWeoZ_M8kX9R1GhmJj/s1600/DSC01243.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR7luEth_-7PEdrxL0n204fYMSTLyZZ5jebdmqWWl2rshFEMN4c9C_FTPI8eQUeSVG6ERZpEhGXSyyYE73nHg-pz6DvmmkuN2-yxFgzplsyix_ypO0ZRbsIxNcR9AC47uT1xBDQciny_h/s1600/DSC01240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR7luEth_-7PEdrxL0n204fYMSTLyZZ5jebdmqWWl2rshFEMN4c9C_FTPI8eQUeSVG6ERZpEhGXSyyYE73nHg-pz6DvmmkuN2-yxFgzplsyix_ypO0ZRbsIxNcR9AC47uT1xBDQciny_h/s1600/DSC01240.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of the new lambs, about 7 weeks old. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0mI337fteALjB5KUiHxxtdg3T2LTT0Ij8wTVMLBVrJeXSuZhYa4LzXo92tG-SB97jdHnkLJmTUjO4Mzy8kWBlyCN9_2rl0aHS4Wl4XoznJ2pCLWUcGH_tOCwuFuqLHcvAjIQE2qCgSIP/s1600/DSC01241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0mI337fteALjB5KUiHxxtdg3T2LTT0Ij8wTVMLBVrJeXSuZhYa4LzXo92tG-SB97jdHnkLJmTUjO4Mzy8kWBlyCN9_2rl0aHS4Wl4XoznJ2pCLWUcGH_tOCwuFuqLHcvAjIQE2qCgSIP/s1600/DSC01241.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0G2H036YN9yFTR4ZiLP-pRkhVsh1cQFjNjLZ2v2jwlFo2BadCGIeX1WOZ3659YkPHnGhmtv-mgEvL-fuksedNHLhMYVICD81WBtJps_mVnBQ4L7kKdVBvi0Nphd3_EWFLQaBxefJX1zF/s1600/DSC01246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0G2H036YN9yFTR4ZiLP-pRkhVsh1cQFjNjLZ2v2jwlFo2BadCGIeX1WOZ3659YkPHnGhmtv-mgEvL-fuksedNHLhMYVICD81WBtJps_mVnBQ4L7kKdVBvi0Nphd3_EWFLQaBxefJX1zF/s1600/DSC01246.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lambs in the foreground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-H6zE5HsBa89qMos9Nl7X1S40hbD7EdykSWWujlpbhuvswFcK_pcEuPqcV9AFfdTdHpzFVbMOfkieMVpzoDWbTXS1m_dVv1Ot2yEQP45PXnyqr0O3EGsCzkg7YRRbjyxTKaEqAWKOLdr/s1600/DSC01249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-H6zE5HsBa89qMos9Nl7X1S40hbD7EdykSWWujlpbhuvswFcK_pcEuPqcV9AFfdTdHpzFVbMOfkieMVpzoDWbTXS1m_dVv1Ot2yEQP45PXnyqr0O3EGsCzkg7YRRbjyxTKaEqAWKOLdr/s1600/DSC01249.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aki and Ethan enjoying the snow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmfA385mhb3kT3iPHWquzeVUgQvvk0oZJIR8kcMunULg0Kftmg_WwE2F5PA8CHJVqPRH2aJ6XNR_ufjuekzW1_uL-K1BOnrpxxOPC_6lb44aWrGOd9yum9O4RxYZ2qOg8NUrbNt31HIwF/s1600/DSC01255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmfA385mhb3kT3iPHWquzeVUgQvvk0oZJIR8kcMunULg0Kftmg_WwE2F5PA8CHJVqPRH2aJ6XNR_ufjuekzW1_uL-K1BOnrpxxOPC_6lb44aWrGOd9yum9O4RxYZ2qOg8NUrbNt31HIwF/s1600/DSC01255.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Me, I am going to go relax in front of the fireplace until the snow melts!</div>
Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-74054042978287979732013-08-18T13:01:00.000-07:002013-08-18T13:01:38.624-07:00Summer and Farming...you never know what your gonna' get!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jcCPTVQ3E1Uqlkzd80VO0UoS8ShR7PPd0G5mKfRK4-Gq9WousB6t_a9f48aAFDGN8qn02piraU3q421mZaPjnA4DIEkSTuvd4XY3HvrklN_jSSmrDmuCpgopmzMnVUVuoZaZsXn6mavu/s1600/new+summer+2013+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jcCPTVQ3E1Uqlkzd80VO0UoS8ShR7PPd0G5mKfRK4-Gq9WousB6t_a9f48aAFDGN8qn02piraU3q421mZaPjnA4DIEkSTuvd4XY3HvrklN_jSSmrDmuCpgopmzMnVUVuoZaZsXn6mavu/s320/new+summer+2013+079.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think any farmer always starts out with visions of bountiful harvests and nice green pastures every time spring rolls around. But in the back of his/her mind they realize that there are never any guarantees. I guess that is probably true about life in general. But as I get older and a little wiser I realize that you really do need to appreciate the things that do work out right, and learn life lessons from those things that don't. And as the saying goes: learn to accept the things you can not change. So with that in mind I will share some of both, but mostly the positive...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E3-l2zKk2dNZWR2LOrlaQ5_aKtIx5Y_YBoiJJNZhI2SbWjwWVknxtzDoBBs2O1x-X7Xm8hPjcn9PCx3Kl1_3yggCBB7-_33yo-ypgu75HLysJjT86YVK0VQaFILetRtxsZaDghd9muUx/s1600/new+summer+2013+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E3-l2zKk2dNZWR2LOrlaQ5_aKtIx5Y_YBoiJJNZhI2SbWjwWVknxtzDoBBs2O1x-X7Xm8hPjcn9PCx3Kl1_3yggCBB7-_33yo-ypgu75HLysJjT86YVK0VQaFILetRtxsZaDghd9muUx/s320/new+summer+2013+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The honey bees did very well for this being their first year on the farm. Despite one hive having a set back with no queen for a short while, they raised a new one and regained their overall colony strength to probably make it through the coming winter. The other hive managed to gather enough nectar to produce enough honey to share with us. It is amazing to think that it takes an estimated million trips to flowering plants to gather enough honey to make a pound of honey! In addition to the 50 or so pounds we left on the hive for their winter stores, we stole 22 pounds (I would like to think of it as "room and board" though). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zt8o6r58SRstHQnK2_emYF1uWZ-G6wXrT2UnrZwKwzHkVMqfKKvGKAtcobQUsuJ3BDT15YI4X5uOTqb5nDDSD1SGypbjPW7PpRZMf5eO_81Tfztsgv0FbRvo-6TsRoPt8F0y1a1fxOUa/s1600/new+summer+2013+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zt8o6r58SRstHQnK2_emYF1uWZ-G6wXrT2UnrZwKwzHkVMqfKKvGKAtcobQUsuJ3BDT15YI4X5uOTqb5nDDSD1SGypbjPW7PpRZMf5eO_81Tfztsgv0FbRvo-6TsRoPt8F0y1a1fxOUa/s320/new+summer+2013+074.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSdrQvHWt0xcvisVrbqcI7Hgq43cHGdhyphenhyphensv5ACR5pcoTpgaVVZboOo3LKmzTDxm2aZagj9A_9g_TA9Qy5Dqwiigo3yHxaVUV39eLm89j2AtLs13b6x6igO-KEPPOL1DimfBWWWvBZt8Lr/s1600/new+summer+2013+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSdrQvHWt0xcvisVrbqcI7Hgq43cHGdhyphenhyphensv5ACR5pcoTpgaVVZboOo3LKmzTDxm2aZagj9A_9g_TA9Qy5Dqwiigo3yHxaVUV39eLm89j2AtLs13b6x6igO-KEPPOL1DimfBWWWvBZt8Lr/s320/new+summer+2013+077.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJXKNMQFitoRhGNPNZCStzDiHgCfkcqv2xiWV0vOBDRvkP40rrCuI2HW6wsynMtnTOv_OGju2XvxDc_fzHveUuQgaPM4t5sjEKYiLcwgP9_0uypck58I0pwKJxmJJvnsIKA6Aj-T6qWxP/s1600/new+summer+2013+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJXKNMQFitoRhGNPNZCStzDiHgCfkcqv2xiWV0vOBDRvkP40rrCuI2HW6wsynMtnTOv_OGju2XvxDc_fzHveUuQgaPM4t5sjEKYiLcwgP9_0uypck58I0pwKJxmJJvnsIKA6Aj-T6qWxP/s400/new+summer+2013+051.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GB-X0fCAmbMNz-yo6wNVpK5OPGcP12DyJ4jgkGLvts4t1Fuj6ndThp5E9swqKoktplqGhwvmFWcclUdeWu2zqwcL95ZOJ_9Mzk1eukYG5MJnwy3LeImXvbD1Wb-pNMVGq05mA2apyczH/s1600/new+summer+2013+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GB-X0fCAmbMNz-yo6wNVpK5OPGcP12DyJ4jgkGLvts4t1Fuj6ndThp5E9swqKoktplqGhwvmFWcclUdeWu2zqwcL95ZOJ_9Mzk1eukYG5MJnwy3LeImXvbD1Wb-pNMVGq05mA2apyczH/s320/new+summer+2013+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIMpQaUR_V7grncFNGPWv-ZmQ5v630joeaPmeHEzRcAoEJqSHjZGqiO2BuKnac3VwiU1QCfgK5TN1z2_Sai1gATqwRJGovpzhBIjIcXwRho0jpGl5K5pDLFyoWL_qY6eYySvlKebqtBcU/s1600/new+summer+2013+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIMpQaUR_V7grncFNGPWv-ZmQ5v630joeaPmeHEzRcAoEJqSHjZGqiO2BuKnac3VwiU1QCfgK5TN1z2_Sai1gATqwRJGovpzhBIjIcXwRho0jpGl5K5pDLFyoWL_qY6eYySvlKebqtBcU/s320/new+summer+2013+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKjpPu6nQSLraXWIW3ZWbQHDXFCcxbD6GB8_2jHbsMyw8BBFl01O6OwpJDhy8ElmrYv3rAxAJ8QK509DejqeSTcQCEyd2NJA9kKJsxqsAR3ueE-Oi8JUbF1SeJ5fHDrifGNrcoQA86f69/s1600/new+summer+2013+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKjpPu6nQSLraXWIW3ZWbQHDXFCcxbD6GB8_2jHbsMyw8BBFl01O6OwpJDhy8ElmrYv3rAxAJ8QK509DejqeSTcQCEyd2NJA9kKJsxqsAR3ueE-Oi8JUbF1SeJ5fHDrifGNrcoQA86f69/s320/new+summer+2013+064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlC-R-HYwzbzrwMFGUYu8oTb13llWno0YIzjdeI6-qlMb-ZflRF4C2dxslOIGHH8sG15lmQFnnx-K37fjFqk3pK7mQMsPz3AeM7_C2QPoFmeR6u6zOLgrK2pGjpiMtTtukyNOPrPspJWz/s1600/new+summer+2013+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlC-R-HYwzbzrwMFGUYu8oTb13llWno0YIzjdeI6-qlMb-ZflRF4C2dxslOIGHH8sG15lmQFnnx-K37fjFqk3pK7mQMsPz3AeM7_C2QPoFmeR6u6zOLgrK2pGjpiMtTtukyNOPrPspJWz/s320/new+summer+2013+090.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wish I could say this was the happy ending of this story. Unfortunately, a week after these pictures I was stung and had a rather severe anaphylactic allergic reaction and ended up going to Urgent Care for steroid injections, and epinephrine. Seems beekeepers can develop an allergy to bee stings upon repeated exposure. I need to do some more research and see if this means the end of my beekeeping days. For now I keep Epi Pens stocked at home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seems like many things grow big down here in N.C, Springtime usually brings out the black snakes that are actually good at controlling rodents. Unfortunately they also like to raid bluebird houses and eat chicken eggs. They also are good tree climbers! Our neighbor happens to be a snake enthusiast. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6s1Z9t9_mhQjzDmJX82dmQJQhN8ZyZzxRx9eJHNyiVe6DhTPZFykIQDdTIwqcvqMF5njXuoMMm-OC7rPf5gr_RBl_vsnGKhakuBHK2qrwA6Udy2lcn9z5yBvrlczmmHz-pOd8mmtAuMu/s1600/new+summer+2013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6s1Z9t9_mhQjzDmJX82dmQJQhN8ZyZzxRx9eJHNyiVe6DhTPZFykIQDdTIwqcvqMF5njXuoMMm-OC7rPf5gr_RBl_vsnGKhakuBHK2qrwA6Udy2lcn9z5yBvrlczmmHz-pOd8mmtAuMu/s320/new+summer+2013+014.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgfUTe79BOXsRe9vzw6VHyfoyj7fsDv8swUZIb1YxYCzDk6vp98Xk8MpwPX5nHFuCDW6rc0iqib8Y_MIgXV0ALxuQ2W-Uy2Y2qSFKrAHE4EcMfaQ5FxXKAwFkRQ3HR2R2cnxZaMFAn39x/s1600/new+summer+2013+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgfUTe79BOXsRe9vzw6VHyfoyj7fsDv8swUZIb1YxYCzDk6vp98Xk8MpwPX5nHFuCDW6rc0iqib8Y_MIgXV0ALxuQ2W-Uy2Y2qSFKrAHE4EcMfaQ5FxXKAwFkRQ3HR2R2cnxZaMFAn39x/s320/new+summer+2013+021.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The barn continues to be an ongoing project. This summer I removed the dry rotted, termite eaten siding from this north facing side and replaced the rotten framing pieces. A very tedious project involving hundreds of saw cuts. Fortunately Ethan took to the chop saw and was dependable with a tape measure, that helped a lot ! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ8-tr0076ncXvxrg-5qwthL_pfwYoo4D0bURVejAlHdYaQHGd68l2zWlFgRbBkGNi1yJO7ICskJd74o2yzo-8D0i_pC_QYal95lZvAZsF7be6j9oaH3PSwVpHhJW_JSTXWq5yJ2qQNSY/s1600/new+summer+2013+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ8-tr0076ncXvxrg-5qwthL_pfwYoo4D0bURVejAlHdYaQHGd68l2zWlFgRbBkGNi1yJO7ICskJd74o2yzo-8D0i_pC_QYal95lZvAZsF7be6j9oaH3PSwVpHhJW_JSTXWq5yJ2qQNSY/s320/new+summer+2013+043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdTZxe9bX-TThOG2Cv6oyRxpVRXq77UQxwG6UlRYgCKU5uHcDsn1a3c3Ytjq-AlZkhSrZqVkjae9VIMMpYLOco_ngUt6VWN-E4z1RsX5Kon4PvaoWd8trYxphdnL-J17GdH39ISP2Oa6X/s1600/new+summer+2013+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdTZxe9bX-TThOG2Cv6oyRxpVRXq77UQxwG6UlRYgCKU5uHcDsn1a3c3Ytjq-AlZkhSrZqVkjae9VIMMpYLOco_ngUt6VWN-E4z1RsX5Kon4PvaoWd8trYxphdnL-J17GdH39ISP2Oa6X/s320/new+summer+2013+046.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL0vudf5HF8U2-HXmMFtzaJxtpKQ74MPoiVCX_08NwCssyQ46t87ne7GRlGAaHK5ZfLg2z3Ay9Pw648FUP1rdyU_yzqlkSUPKH6GISE2T3i1l9DSrpFs1eoXw3Hw_RwDKpf4v6OUGi6aW/s1600/new+summer+2013+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL0vudf5HF8U2-HXmMFtzaJxtpKQ74MPoiVCX_08NwCssyQ46t87ne7GRlGAaHK5ZfLg2z3Ay9Pw648FUP1rdyU_yzqlkSUPKH6GISE2T3i1l9DSrpFs1eoXw3Hw_RwDKpf4v6OUGi6aW/s320/new+summer+2013+049.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TJlcj9sYpC4nbE3PO1KnaQMldruqJm6v2zLrQYo53PbexbtGZ5FbOyeNcW5w44YWpNJcp2aT0MgD2oQYjLMVJ5aPF6Ly2qutAdqiEIuFfSKtncBtJ7gnNY94aUrY4aHQyD35KxT6m26h/s1600/new+summer+2013+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TJlcj9sYpC4nbE3PO1KnaQMldruqJm6v2zLrQYo53PbexbtGZ5FbOyeNcW5w44YWpNJcp2aT0MgD2oQYjLMVJ5aPF6Ly2qutAdqiEIuFfSKtncBtJ7gnNY94aUrY4aHQyD35KxT6m26h/s320/new+summer+2013+099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next I need to replace some floor boards in the loft, install some drop down stairs. We plan on making a little "reading/ wine drinking" lounge in the loft that will over look the field and sunsets. Oh, yeah...Karen also plans on it being a dance floor. Below is a view of the left and right sides of the garden from the loft. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A2xzwZ7g1Pq1oYOUpZ3IpheKuUsaIJLX9Gsa9Y0XU3PmBc8sNIRgABeqJImFCQiHj8yyWPTH0cTOQCqWnhyYZUOiF4cTyem7gi1_rKHIpnrBRRir35m2BAuFu-14cPIRRrYKMBSemlq9/s1600/new+summer+2013+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A2xzwZ7g1Pq1oYOUpZ3IpheKuUsaIJLX9Gsa9Y0XU3PmBc8sNIRgABeqJImFCQiHj8yyWPTH0cTOQCqWnhyYZUOiF4cTyem7gi1_rKHIpnrBRRir35m2BAuFu-14cPIRRrYKMBSemlq9/s320/new+summer+2013+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2HmRPvwHzLUnAniRr6hZBxYmTRFik-q6mvk3yGbx8pdECfS9umjAm2ukyCgxcKED8deuiUj5TqTLgn8blnHfqgNzmi0ProI3DZ3Tap2A7TJYU4pbDXLCb9pla2NWGCyocl4ZJjpkzMc0/s1600/new+summer+2013+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2HmRPvwHzLUnAniRr6hZBxYmTRFik-q6mvk3yGbx8pdECfS9umjAm2ukyCgxcKED8deuiUj5TqTLgn8blnHfqgNzmi0ProI3DZ3Tap2A7TJYU4pbDXLCb9pla2NWGCyocl4ZJjpkzMc0/s320/new+summer+2013+040.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JVQ00AwUvCNrOJ1ht34Q5UufbBOND6nhcDhQ9t0cG_XVDSOAEmNG2B-kT8bgnt15cpjIr109mZVVZKhepQhizqheBDE7HxAzEK4bl9jROvp_4TqQLqowLfg9E4gX_cV5KoWhGWHuFtz3/s1600/new+summer+2013+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I am hoping to get the pasture prepared for some hair sheep to raise for lamb meat in Spring of 2014. That is going to involve soil testing, fertilizing, perimeter fencing, and over seeding with more pasture grass and clover. The last installment of my farm vision. <br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">Remember a couple BLOG entries ago when I showed these sprigs of sweet potato starters. With a little initial TLC (daily watering) they sprang forth to a lush viney overgrowth...I am sure there are hundreds of big sweet potatoes under there!!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb959tLoWez1V0T_KZ6Z4GaElztbh_Bd9EY2TgZ1PC4E267T7-Q4VzMHZnjaB3pjReA0-xkUj5cIiujb3nNf1CHdZuCvIYRqKkZTzDZD2uE3yf_b9FQp2l-Cf4-MQH34T_BfRdOSbQnKov/s1600/spring+and+horse+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb959tLoWez1V0T_KZ6Z4GaElztbh_Bd9EY2TgZ1PC4E267T7-Q4VzMHZnjaB3pjReA0-xkUj5cIiujb3nNf1CHdZuCvIYRqKkZTzDZD2uE3yf_b9FQp2l-Cf4-MQH34T_BfRdOSbQnKov/s320/spring+and+horse+026.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring 2013-sweet potatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMypn8e-YmfHREB1nJOTHHMLeZlzObPY18554xztTbVDwGPp4Sgo7n44w3Gcj_kPNMbnEgSGtlfNpR_0v7WXeiUiSpuUN7iW4RtU0Lps1OSENyLgqXq_8XuoZOu1pGvIWC47HOP6FBDLc/s1600/new+summer+2013+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMypn8e-YmfHREB1nJOTHHMLeZlzObPY18554xztTbVDwGPp4Sgo7n44w3Gcj_kPNMbnEgSGtlfNpR_0v7WXeiUiSpuUN7iW4RtU0Lps1OSENyLgqXq_8XuoZOu1pGvIWC47HOP6FBDLc/s320/new+summer+2013+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer 2013- sweet potatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After two attempts at planting the blackberries they came in quite strong. I have visions of a bountiful harvest next year, though I should know better. The raspberries I had to re-plant three times, last fall and twice this spring...they are doing OK, but I wonder if they just were not meant to be here (not shown)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9zt9L4aHR5LZNHa_M-QEzDD37Q5tyTFkOW88XHv9fSQuk1NGjEL70bg5EysK635lwC_ZXl3f8vEuyd1EEbi9DEFcfANCn3uMN0hDxguzTj8vu4O9afJ8IpEY-k_hgxEsqmbXF0NY_8cP/s1600/spring+and+horse+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9zt9L4aHR5LZNHa_M-QEzDD37Q5tyTFkOW88XHv9fSQuk1NGjEL70bg5EysK635lwC_ZXl3f8vEuyd1EEbi9DEFcfANCn3uMN0hDxguzTj8vu4O9afJ8IpEY-k_hgxEsqmbXF0NY_8cP/s320/spring+and+horse+025.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spring 2013 black berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEAQV0Smu1tZJSbzfi0xFPTpV_SlVi028E6bamFp2rATmiZYTDHdDv5nYfmyi2RUTpYPw_ZkPSzvnCenQNYWpfBwhDcS8WKJfLdGiyNDsdEfIpjsttSCS05FWzkniyXehFY6jt3NVXxds/s1600/new+summer+2013+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEAQV0Smu1tZJSbzfi0xFPTpV_SlVi028E6bamFp2rATmiZYTDHdDv5nYfmyi2RUTpYPw_ZkPSzvnCenQNYWpfBwhDcS8WKJfLdGiyNDsdEfIpjsttSCS05FWzkniyXehFY6jt3NVXxds/s320/new+summer+2013+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">summer 2013 black berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VZKFrBRBKYCE1fO4KYNG_mBZ_DXUcl6301O2JlTnpfV1z0e-U_rM_OL3v84PoTBaNiOmwkpH1d8S1wr-vsqyrRyYJN-CtMtqcIOZ1q1Mlsww0-Bc1fMD74sY2iR6KUzRjiuHeote4fc-/s1600/new+summer+2013+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VZKFrBRBKYCE1fO4KYNG_mBZ_DXUcl6301O2JlTnpfV1z0e-U_rM_OL3v84PoTBaNiOmwkpH1d8S1wr-vsqyrRyYJN-CtMtqcIOZ1q1Mlsww0-Bc1fMD74sY2iR6KUzRjiuHeote4fc-/s320/new+summer+2013+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pioneer woman and her best friend...next to me of course! And yes that is an apron with her cowboy boots...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7w67nDgZl0KtSo3rjHIan8scteXCPExlr1dGw1BuGolIdaFaxofdk2pRFG9_zQBoQRllzXQ34QhplRj4IjZtRNebT6gbuxktLjzO5CIJJuwZiuqwSzSfb-c3hq5A5QLMVpxdzFADUdzh/s1600/new+summer+2013+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7w67nDgZl0KtSo3rjHIan8scteXCPExlr1dGw1BuGolIdaFaxofdk2pRFG9_zQBoQRllzXQ34QhplRj4IjZtRNebT6gbuxktLjzO5CIJJuwZiuqwSzSfb-c3hq5A5QLMVpxdzFADUdzh/s320/new+summer+2013+098.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeInZZvqZfnT1rF1DVLHJMXyTqpU7ghmbFg-LxuG3ix0znLzyz9qM8WyNIYxigrH2IXhHrFhro9bjhxfRJyhbW_tltMGfljDu0iU8Ei6Dw8DsDHENxW6OrE003Qq-CSWVvgVbxXX77CXUJ/s1600/new+summer+2013+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeInZZvqZfnT1rF1DVLHJMXyTqpU7ghmbFg-LxuG3ix0znLzyz9qM8WyNIYxigrH2IXhHrFhro9bjhxfRJyhbW_tltMGfljDu0iU8Ei6Dw8DsDHENxW6OrE003Qq-CSWVvgVbxXX77CXUJ/s320/new+summer+2013+094.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our first fresh figs this year !! There are lots!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Overall the garden did well. The tomatoes were a little disappointing, we had a lot of rain this summer, a whole lot! Which meant a whole lot of rotten tomato plants. But, the sunflowers did well...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4vaHuh7yWU9WbKb5ucTdCY3vbYqkBCnpFIfcd9z7eUNpZxctfJgxxRZNqIO2S3FQ8euJbwZZ7wl-LceXkIXBO4_qOahLBZKCuLcuEW5iANGKEtnYTtGE4ssx2IjaSqmHadOfsqiaRGHz/s1600/new+summer+2013+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4vaHuh7yWU9WbKb5ucTdCY3vbYqkBCnpFIfcd9z7eUNpZxctfJgxxRZNqIO2S3FQ8euJbwZZ7wl-LceXkIXBO4_qOahLBZKCuLcuEW5iANGKEtnYTtGE4ssx2IjaSqmHadOfsqiaRGHz/s320/new+summer+2013+083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1V1pZ0NW2nyDevTTuQEOV0i2eSMOo0OvVooII68NO0801112_x8xX8RY-AJx-dysRJbsGIGHf4ubKXes2I6PT6qUD1RSnIzxv7nnwOM5Bx4MfOJyqf_SuyMW1026A9oCfY0YExhwFXRn/s1600/new+summer+2013+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1V1pZ0NW2nyDevTTuQEOV0i2eSMOo0OvVooII68NO0801112_x8xX8RY-AJx-dysRJbsGIGHf4ubKXes2I6PT6qUD1RSnIzxv7nnwOM5Bx4MfOJyqf_SuyMW1026A9oCfY0YExhwFXRn/s320/new+summer+2013+095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfn7Dx0VLsTq6RV1YOgHJQ2zofFWXDG7qBMG3rdU4WcbVsi-jO4dm0zOPH5kRD3g8uVwqASTv28pxlgNZWWf6f06GWbyPuXn37aYgDtkSi80cN4MQwSsATydzq7x-ln80f0uA6bSNUOrs/s1600/new+summer+2013+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfn7Dx0VLsTq6RV1YOgHJQ2zofFWXDG7qBMG3rdU4WcbVsi-jO4dm0zOPH5kRD3g8uVwqASTv28pxlgNZWWf6f06GWbyPuXn37aYgDtkSi80cN4MQwSsATydzq7x-ln80f0uA6bSNUOrs/s320/new+summer+2013+097.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
And so did our first garlic harvest, as seen nicely modeled here by "my pioneer woman"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31tCqj0cypl-6TSZGmp383-R3cBz6UIqq6-mo6e1ORUJuTtPWzckIuygC2yuLI76OdI_IlUibyiJ22NGmUmvKrElAeYzuqIMhvqzV7KAXhEs4CJBnMlib67ijvHe1uAIwlHtOfREL8Ej4/s1600/new+summer+2013+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31tCqj0cypl-6TSZGmp383-R3cBz6UIqq6-mo6e1ORUJuTtPWzckIuygC2yuLI76OdI_IlUibyiJ22NGmUmvKrElAeYzuqIMhvqzV7KAXhEs4CJBnMlib67ijvHe1uAIwlHtOfREL8Ej4/s320/new+summer+2013+100.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuO8u7X1VC6vj-CtLaZqkw5lYPgwhbcKch7vLkUaNCI1pNR7XOhqkIrBP6b-INXY465W9QFFD99Kk0eKTlTJZ7mtt-Mb9-HhGvyge78xGjXm9p29cmamhgNqfeuWJiTB9vYXq_BCOwUZR/s1600/new+summer+2013+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuO8u7X1VC6vj-CtLaZqkw5lYPgwhbcKch7vLkUaNCI1pNR7XOhqkIrBP6b-INXY465W9QFFD99Kk0eKTlTJZ7mtt-Mb9-HhGvyge78xGjXm9p29cmamhgNqfeuWJiTB9vYXq_BCOwUZR/s320/new+summer+2013+101.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And "Ted" the dove is still keeping an eye on the place!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdB2JEi2Mw2ek-0zVcYM-1_K4Z4jnJj5EsiNT_YP_2B4fDtptsURO-1gTOeod28OXMJpIJRu-HGeWec9u43cRwYJ-ahF_5LLwXBZTi2rBueq4SysKlkR6pZh0mTIVjk6Ce3QrUzrq7fSZ/s1600/new+summer+2013+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdB2JEi2Mw2ek-0zVcYM-1_K4Z4jnJj5EsiNT_YP_2B4fDtptsURO-1gTOeod28OXMJpIJRu-HGeWec9u43cRwYJ-ahF_5LLwXBZTi2rBueq4SysKlkR6pZh0mTIVjk6Ce3QrUzrq7fSZ/s320/new+summer+2013+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So all in all a good summer on the farm, perhaps next year we will have lambs romping in the field, the pastures will be green and bountiful, and we will have just the right amount of rain and sun to produce a plentiful tomato harvest.Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-70888094496414274412013-05-05T17:53:00.001-07:002013-05-05T17:58:50.971-07:00Spring time and Company!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes we are actually alive down here! Fact is, we have been so busy that I have not had time to be posting anything to our BLOG. But I am determined to do better for the months to come. It is absolutely beautiful down here right now. Spring is certainly here. We had a very nice visit from my sister Trisha and Mom a few weeks ago. We pretty much hung out at our place, I actually put them to work some, but tried not to abuse them . We were blessed with very nice weather. Below are some pictures from their recent visit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV94sAW9EOMkQ1sXvcWXVec15J-nG3sJm-4cF0C3AHMiTn8rOn0Otodi_AFKvrlTbEdA93KWMfZoA1nrT24OWzFwjx5y_CD88VbYU1ubhbMlepM3vQvE8G9YuO52Qs90xEFo5SeZ0355EJ/s1600/spring+april+2013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV94sAW9EOMkQ1sXvcWXVec15J-nG3sJm-4cF0C3AHMiTn8rOn0Otodi_AFKvrlTbEdA93KWMfZoA1nrT24OWzFwjx5y_CD88VbYU1ubhbMlepM3vQvE8G9YuO52Qs90xEFo5SeZ0355EJ/s320/spring+april+2013+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Trisha and Mom getting some vitamin D.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtQw1fbQt0fzLFAdlfnIi9wA7dLgJTqGe3PkiaGdYW9f58nWJ0DjZgwBIWsxS4r9ymKK_dvNwtddxTX-R4vF2EogcSnAigM4yRakANiZDebLWPOBPpPfIQeQxUJZkVg0aVlFl0XsG_Q7G/s1600/spring+april+2013+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtQw1fbQt0fzLFAdlfnIi9wA7dLgJTqGe3PkiaGdYW9f58nWJ0DjZgwBIWsxS4r9ymKK_dvNwtddxTX-R4vF2EogcSnAigM4yRakANiZDebLWPOBPpPfIQeQxUJZkVg0aVlFl0XsG_Q7G/s320/spring+april+2013+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Trisha, Shalo, Mom and Aki starting to clean out the garden beds...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QY2DFxE-Yy8x12u0vtvHRkeGI-oMfUvJgw6xBmlUMaoahlVFOiQwzS-JDF2F0K77Nm61PExx1V6l3qbY38iG7h8obp09ktDwqU3w5nO0zSTQZ1_L2UL54yK7c5fpTaBNvGcnsl1VBwgh/s1600/spring+april+2013+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QY2DFxE-Yy8x12u0vtvHRkeGI-oMfUvJgw6xBmlUMaoahlVFOiQwzS-JDF2F0K77Nm61PExx1V6l3qbY38iG7h8obp09ktDwqU3w5nO0zSTQZ1_L2UL54yK7c5fpTaBNvGcnsl1VBwgh/s320/spring+april+2013+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwSox67gwn4AjfyeK-6NtY-RXB0nuFveOa6iE3EdHDF0OsT2psKcDNIY34hywFcX8rS8lwA2rv5_L_ZSuHs84sQZnh9M77DHOCaNwk18j_Pt-X9aEhyphenhyphenM-bk-7QjcGRGB-3MRzXpkjMZwi/s1600/spring+april+2013+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwSox67gwn4AjfyeK-6NtY-RXB0nuFveOa6iE3EdHDF0OsT2psKcDNIY34hywFcX8rS8lwA2rv5_L_ZSuHs84sQZnh9M77DHOCaNwk18j_Pt-X9aEhyphenhyphenM-bk-7QjcGRGB-3MRzXpkjMZwi/s320/spring+april+2013+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Trisha was kind enough to volunteer her flower gardening skills and work with Mom and Shalo to start a new flower garden where we had a big tree removed last fall.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhGJCDcn5soyKifWzb_p5EDQAMIVMeGBiAO3qRnTjHB9uZqpt6GLGx6KGPbX1-eMQxDZvMMUGngMXaW7c9T960oc9JllTy1VR5OsgPICAEIyyXQnapuZ2bEzhoBU1Gmcm9UVu3yYoFZ-S/s1600/spring+april+2013+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhGJCDcn5soyKifWzb_p5EDQAMIVMeGBiAO3qRnTjHB9uZqpt6GLGx6KGPbX1-eMQxDZvMMUGngMXaW7c9T960oc9JllTy1VR5OsgPICAEIyyXQnapuZ2bEzhoBU1Gmcm9UVu3yYoFZ-S/s320/spring+april+2013+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I know Mom will want to kill me, but remember those yard butt signs?!....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4lvbOQGaCIfQv2BTeOyakp87LJsPBd0BT-nHBwpvM3MdY38xL0dRRfjQZJPZPUK7i7gkisXhn7WBsUufyC_hP2pHv5z78NWLUiAVxY5egX6a29c1XRovDsVnD_IeJzmYlLzrUAXcWwaH/s1600/spring+april+2013+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4lvbOQGaCIfQv2BTeOyakp87LJsPBd0BT-nHBwpvM3MdY38xL0dRRfjQZJPZPUK7i7gkisXhn7WBsUufyC_hP2pHv5z78NWLUiAVxY5egX6a29c1XRovDsVnD_IeJzmYlLzrUAXcWwaH/s320/spring+april+2013+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1nr104iyWeXAeoyDVVJ6MwMxdGRICBRjboDfT8LeuMx_RUMeqI86xbo5u0uWKCWP344k_HZoAjTCWv7-vmxXaEMLZY3sjKHhwQOGL3it60pVm7UdM0nLp0Lb6RJgw9CZhzVSmjLoCNCZ/s1600/spring+and+horse+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1nr104iyWeXAeoyDVVJ6MwMxdGRICBRjboDfT8LeuMx_RUMeqI86xbo5u0uWKCWP344k_HZoAjTCWv7-vmxXaEMLZY3sjKHhwQOGL3it60pVm7UdM0nLp0Lb6RJgw9CZhzVSmjLoCNCZ/s320/spring+and+horse+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This is not our horse, but the neighbors just down the road, this little girl was born with no human assistance this past weekend. The mare is an Irish draft horse, the stud stallion is back in Ireland. We are told there are only about 500 of this breed in the USA, The foal will turn grey as she ages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KL_glFNivm4Nh-1_uICRQM4LJqctSUl6PoWls7G0mguEtkKfm5bzV6adH5WyTigk8Ew_2tOByNzXc7rJd7CS_Vc1eCC0ZmzVxl00VWJYd1Q73HIPSzw5pLj_aXYoscFwRQ3YXaGBiVjd/s1600/spring+and+horse+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KL_glFNivm4Nh-1_uICRQM4LJqctSUl6PoWls7G0mguEtkKfm5bzV6adH5WyTigk8Ew_2tOByNzXc7rJd7CS_Vc1eCC0ZmzVxl00VWJYd1Q73HIPSzw5pLj_aXYoscFwRQ3YXaGBiVjd/s320/spring+and+horse+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This IS our pig, thanks to Mom and Trisha</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0tX8LrP7wrcmGAUM8PbnaBkhL3YWemX-NPD3GjQix8cCCq1ELPHD9iU6xkQxLmbbJ-BPcPugvYuAUoEL82TVV1hWotv0tiT3bqluA38wglDPyIWe6eUJcTTvgQOtuG-_79xCXjt5yzNT/s1600/spring+and+horse+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0tX8LrP7wrcmGAUM8PbnaBkhL3YWemX-NPD3GjQix8cCCq1ELPHD9iU6xkQxLmbbJ-BPcPugvYuAUoEL82TVV1hWotv0tiT3bqluA38wglDPyIWe6eUJcTTvgQOtuG-_79xCXjt5yzNT/s320/spring+and+horse+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These are our first beehives on the homestead, they seem to be thriving with all of the spring trees and plants blossoming, I am hoping they will help with pollination of our mini orchard and garden as well as supply us with honey, though I an not counting on the honey until next year, we'll see...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4hCTNTw1siY9aoduDfE8U17axjGaa_po4OZiVBgsDtU_np8QA-BbpU7cyY3K83v4s91q-wlMC9eIzgnfaqILVEUwykPk03_MgTNNAzzae5he54h9Msi1S_c1JO8bRoIZLWmcsULX8jce/s1600/spring+and+horse+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4hCTNTw1siY9aoduDfE8U17axjGaa_po4OZiVBgsDtU_np8QA-BbpU7cyY3K83v4s91q-wlMC9eIzgnfaqILVEUwykPk03_MgTNNAzzae5he54h9Msi1S_c1JO8bRoIZLWmcsULX8jce/s400/spring+and+horse+021.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I put this picture in here for Trisha to see, it is currently covered with light lavender colored blossoms. It is right outside the garden and is a great shade tree in the summer. I am told it is a cotton wood tree.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtcamkqvu9YvMIAHKfeCsTV7EsyBctTUnH5zKxG5LwBvKb9JrwFx_qZ4-qfgLgCKlkdx6_vgyp8jb0Xgzt6k5TMw9E2iXUN-cwKr8CvCFuI8z_zQ3H9-etXw2Vu-VWIO1kqzZOegKfIqe/s1600/spring+and+horse+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtcamkqvu9YvMIAHKfeCsTV7EsyBctTUnH5zKxG5LwBvKb9JrwFx_qZ4-qfgLgCKlkdx6_vgyp8jb0Xgzt6k5TMw9E2iXUN-cwKr8CvCFuI8z_zQ3H9-etXw2Vu-VWIO1kqzZOegKfIqe/s400/spring+and+horse+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This splash of color is from our crimson clover cover crop in the garden<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMaDRZbSmawP4K21yyPWmy7lZZUF-FsBMDHImBUzP-18Xrn0Sd08Gp0CQKia0eQ7DRIazuLsrp63sE1MDaEUgr0J0l7RSgOOghA_WfPPTrkd3WXfnhscXAVoLwC3E4S1Wc9f7DKSaQcQz/s1600/spring+and+horse+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMaDRZbSmawP4K21yyPWmy7lZZUF-FsBMDHImBUzP-18Xrn0Sd08Gp0CQKia0eQ7DRIazuLsrp63sE1MDaEUgr0J0l7RSgOOghA_WfPPTrkd3WXfnhscXAVoLwC3E4S1Wc9f7DKSaQcQz/s320/spring+and+horse+025.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is our new row of blackberry plants, raspberries below... I am hoping I can do a comparison picture in a few months and show them several feet high!? Though that might be wishful thinking. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYR-SYx-Jv2MDaal_ocs5QScThKnJ5T99POH8-Lfw6416v19jeykMbfqwGimp3Q29ONJrFZoQa17KkAJv_FGqzHHzJIXDlkMmgr5ZuLRk5s8sraF1YB1YPXcs3LlZYgxSS2tKOo3S-P-c/s1600/spring+and+horse+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYR-SYx-Jv2MDaal_ocs5QScThKnJ5T99POH8-Lfw6416v19jeykMbfqwGimp3Q29ONJrFZoQa17KkAJv_FGqzHHzJIXDlkMmgr5ZuLRk5s8sraF1YB1YPXcs3LlZYgxSS2tKOo3S-P-c/s320/spring+and+horse+024.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xrDneNR9a4rQRBwfy6myY22LA-EqcLEuWAqfWDqnlU8nTuspU2oZHkXBM8PhUkLAWWhFLCxyclNFmGFajuOPzKmYAQN9GYbw__3LCheN5u5_FRb6-RQms41ySXkDf7aIiZMai6he3ISZ/s1600/spring+and+horse+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xrDneNR9a4rQRBwfy6myY22LA-EqcLEuWAqfWDqnlU8nTuspU2oZHkXBM8PhUkLAWWhFLCxyclNFmGFajuOPzKmYAQN9GYbw__3LCheN5u5_FRb6-RQms41ySXkDf7aIiZMai6he3ISZ/s320/spring+and+horse+026.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And these sickly looking sprigs are sweet potato slips, the planting directions said not to worry if they look pitiful, that they will "spring to life and provide a bountiful harvest"...I am trying to keep the faith! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEQPgfT0OGIVy6mGvAIehSWBQHBvoY6regLeKAbo_kZP2BI3G1FChpLdR_XJ5dEPWdZFWS2Ltfs75kF3PWJZggpmF4cBQJOJOeDgb_Ygg967EH18FGgUuIVeBicU2mJmsh4Fa5Xl2hzXp/s1600/spring+and+horse+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEQPgfT0OGIVy6mGvAIehSWBQHBvoY6regLeKAbo_kZP2BI3G1FChpLdR_XJ5dEPWdZFWS2Ltfs75kF3PWJZggpmF4cBQJOJOeDgb_Ygg967EH18FGgUuIVeBicU2mJmsh4Fa5Xl2hzXp/s320/spring+and+horse+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that is all I got for now. There really has been a lot of activity down here, but need to do better keeping the camera on hand. I am just trying to get back in the groove after a long hiatus. Hope you all are doing well , more to come</div>
Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-28262141408433332872012-11-25T10:55:00.000-08:002012-11-25T10:55:54.320-08:00Fall Catch Up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk22XxN4JJ5jcZnGZDVAb1QlgIUnDH1ARSo_Cwq13DRR9suPfcuAGV2LTIn0C94vZCUU3P0E2Dq-tX4Fqb29snOn0VLXOQCK0hYmAwY7ckgZNRNeuBz7u1H5REmFflfJQ-W1z0gLeZqIM/s1600/261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk22XxN4JJ5jcZnGZDVAb1QlgIUnDH1ARSo_Cwq13DRR9suPfcuAGV2LTIn0C94vZCUU3P0E2Dq-tX4Fqb29snOn0VLXOQCK0hYmAwY7ckgZNRNeuBz7u1H5REmFflfJQ-W1z0gLeZqIM/s400/261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Greetings again from NC.  Life as always has been busy and that has resulted in quite the dry run here. But fall, and soon winter is here, and I am hoping that means we can take a breather from the unending projects down here on the farm. This entry is really a "catch up" of some of things that have been going on down here over the last couple months<br />
. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUmeCKQ7NpnhFJBV_-7sSPsmXzhEfYAuJdNn31BqnQw2fIO1NML43ys1_ZFcyWeuLGwhrDd3fhfTqSxDf3aMYlHEcnGLhh77hYW9JVnIGkpj6sirDVMxzGt4gwIjJ99W3K1tfnh8qcjV9/s1600/272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUmeCKQ7NpnhFJBV_-7sSPsmXzhEfYAuJdNn31BqnQw2fIO1NML43ys1_ZFcyWeuLGwhrDd3fhfTqSxDf3aMYlHEcnGLhh77hYW9JVnIGkpj6sirDVMxzGt4gwIjJ99W3K1tfnh8qcjV9/s400/272.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br />
The garden is pretty much put to sleep for the winter with the exception of this hoop house, which is a poor man's version of a green house. It gets covereed in plastic for the winter. It is 11/24/2012 and we are still harvesting broccoli, chard, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cilantro, lettuce, and carrots from it. It will be interesting to see how long it works until things finally freeze out. We managed to get seven fruit trees in this fall. Plum, pear, apple, and peach. The two fig trees planted this spring have quadrupled in size. We should have a good crop next summer! </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAseN9kgiUl46Z2Ym9P6DTe-0DUfpe-h5TooWj61VcDqZmUwp13Sgz-jzpdO6bV4P270gGbHfGNAsuGdNZ9RKzavqWqd6axEKqJrRWY4-eKtZv9wkUKzVvRhCXXv_0_H5T_FR3b6UGcAdj/s1600/275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAseN9kgiUl46Z2Ym9P6DTe-0DUfpe-h5TooWj61VcDqZmUwp13Sgz-jzpdO6bV4P270gGbHfGNAsuGdNZ9RKzavqWqd6axEKqJrRWY4-eKtZv9wkUKzVvRhCXXv_0_H5T_FR3b6UGcAdj/s400/275.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These two bear plots are being prepped for blackberries and raspberries. The blackberry plants are actually already in. I also got the cedar posts in already for the future support trellis for both of them, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIVL64NPFnofzFxV00GkUo3ofP2Mpb6iNMlWIbIea9pKlsIGK2cj8KtybUp03s_765h5RsdtZiw1JWAKpRPnWfuE61fHuOtSc6I0dxhdn8TP61F2Tfj0Uz-W44tajlqBxnEsAz8KiO6_s/s1600/281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIVL64NPFnofzFxV00GkUo3ofP2Mpb6iNMlWIbIea9pKlsIGK2cj8KtybUp03s_765h5RsdtZiw1JWAKpRPnWfuE61fHuOtSc6I0dxhdn8TP61F2Tfj0Uz-W44tajlqBxnEsAz8KiO6_s/s320/281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />
This is a bench I made from a Black Walnut tree we salvaged from the neighbor last fall , it is pretty permanently installed near our outdoor fire pit. <br />
<br />
<br />
A good part of our past few weekends this fall was used making firewood. We had to take down one big dead oak tree as well as split a lot of the bigger pieces of wood from last fall's wood pile, which seemed to have toppled over from our novice wood stacking skills. </div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhQeIzdjgnKBsl0XxiZGMRkDUAcVC6TRBXmXfQ5OZBeQnCyVA52cAS79dN0Gg2NEmlR7c-G1rna53QaeJqgDZGSxG7Nq9NSyF5SlYPRrf5wSLGnTBzoXbRAGLRFLrI9TYFi_503x7z50_/s1600/290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhQeIzdjgnKBsl0XxiZGMRkDUAcVC6TRBXmXfQ5OZBeQnCyVA52cAS79dN0Gg2NEmlR7c-G1rna53QaeJqgDZGSxG7Nq9NSyF5SlYPRrf5wSLGnTBzoXbRAGLRFLrI9TYFi_503x7z50_/s320/290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of last fall's wood pile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgh0CKFw-rpNL5X_ziR_R4AExXbqpe1G1J2hJAo7Y0tZpx13wj642_0ORS1wjM7N_LL0WWFB8xdWH5c2pWIS1AmqzZCa9K9cSnSkejsB5CkK31uN5mufk8fdq4GmfEso8JfZbHqw5gJ9Z/s1600/289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgh0CKFw-rpNL5X_ziR_R4AExXbqpe1G1J2hJAo7Y0tZpx13wj642_0ORS1wjM7N_LL0WWFB8xdWH5c2pWIS1AmqzZCa9K9cSnSkejsB5CkK31uN5mufk8fdq4GmfEso8JfZbHqw5gJ9Z/s320/289.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New wood 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We ended up renting a log splitter for a weekend and with Ethan's help the thing ran for 8 hours each day. By Sunday night we were all exhausetd and finally had to throw in the towel as the sunlight dwindled. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP9hcGd7wnRJ5uEhZGDvrT9UqLCrzRpI1sCH_jy9NLuNXsO7ynVHzB0wb_rXROttgiQta5urrhOHYhAsPrxTAkB2qa7QKW7yupVsG1en-Uw6gx2cRcCVsPTeeLZFmolKDvh0gQi0haE-b/s1600/295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTP9hcGd7wnRJ5uEhZGDvrT9UqLCrzRpI1sCH_jy9NLuNXsO7ynVHzB0wb_rXROttgiQta5urrhOHYhAsPrxTAkB2qa7QKW7yupVsG1en-Uw6gx2cRcCVsPTeeLZFmolKDvh0gQi0haE-b/s320/295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZfrtdCSQZSh8-suPQt0XW-Z6XMFl-vot0sMK5n6EfYY0eO8pe08k8tSQFtV1e-AuUsPMaS4j33ZQzmRyoYPPgZAYV0UI5A23MWMSYDD3FtcUEYw91sVTb2t4qXzNvEZ-3RBsDGme29lP/s1600/297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZfrtdCSQZSh8-suPQt0XW-Z6XMFl-vot0sMK5n6EfYY0eO8pe08k8tSQFtV1e-AuUsPMaS4j33ZQzmRyoYPPgZAYV0UI5A23MWMSYDD3FtcUEYw91sVTb2t4qXzNvEZ-3RBsDGme29lP/s320/297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5A5CyI7fETUY_rZu6f4LjzUEP_VzZkV3PjCUDTzWd32tj1ueZofnEgfFm1W-zhrRZlZcBCzc6WvPP1pofMdnDkCcfn6STtNIiowFIJRwzAO5nTfpDwB0i7Odo2iqVqjbgtaqhP1S52RPM/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5A5CyI7fETUY_rZu6f4LjzUEP_VzZkV3PjCUDTzWd32tj1ueZofnEgfFm1W-zhrRZlZcBCzc6WvPP1pofMdnDkCcfn6STtNIiowFIJRwzAO5nTfpDwB0i7Odo2iqVqjbgtaqhP1S52RPM/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I think Dad would be proud of my obcessively and neatly stacked new wood pile this year! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2eOwkT3V7PEmIqKAJ8RLMFE5_KS7Ewp1u_ZcsAmBuCEA3iJf2UiCpTzcNTDFpjIORTUjLoSvSOyP72ppy9HBXsCjJ5zu0FhAwn1KOUzgn9krqoFf95o_ebbvrZoQxykm_hc3TmOmQP5G/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2eOwkT3V7PEmIqKAJ8RLMFE5_KS7Ewp1u_ZcsAmBuCEA3iJf2UiCpTzcNTDFpjIORTUjLoSvSOyP72ppy9HBXsCjJ5zu0FhAwn1KOUzgn9krqoFf95o_ebbvrZoQxykm_hc3TmOmQP5G/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To make life easier this winter we built this wood shelter for closer to the house. The main wood pile is quite distance from the house. Shalo helped build this, and the following weekend Ethan and I knocked the rack below out in less than two hours. It is on the side porch that conveniently opens up right into the living room with the fireplace. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwpEx7McOPEwyXDthfgTdRLOfNb2EJzS32UXB0RYqZN3l7Vftl_P6FBxsFQeYmdD1Yh6rhCfqS9ETjsRnTE-ytwInLxICxlVeR1selrPYOsEmAaFs3XRhRDgecgga2S2epKujtu-xwf-e/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwpEx7McOPEwyXDthfgTdRLOfNb2EJzS32UXB0RYqZN3l7Vftl_P6FBxsFQeYmdD1Yh6rhCfqS9ETjsRnTE-ytwInLxICxlVeR1selrPYOsEmAaFs3XRhRDgecgga2S2epKujtu-xwf-e/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The spring chickens have finally reached maturity and we are averaging about 12-14 eggs a day now, with a nice variety of colors! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6B5tWAvon0CqlB-Xec6lPliZCtUztZJZMMzA3ysBfj-UgvB8n5w8F38OgQ2SxADE17m6oKncwace8Uk5Zmn9rQbrD-sbFsWPrJKMIJNC2M_62MIQ5gkset5Pc_w_lEG9DXn8s6H-w0B3/s1600/266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6B5tWAvon0CqlB-Xec6lPliZCtUztZJZMMzA3ysBfj-UgvB8n5w8F38OgQ2SxADE17m6oKncwace8Uk5Zmn9rQbrD-sbFsWPrJKMIJNC2M_62MIQ5gkset5Pc_w_lEG9DXn8s6H-w0B3/s320/266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4QgLB9UmVJNfi9modDTzw2IdgVIJta1q3vFZySGcHECNKa3mT7jVe1uBZ9_W3kxgAfoXy_9cEt7-AETOD7T9Qxi-kOb0eKnvwn7uSzN1XADwnPcarxoiugpEJWRxtLoHcMiz7KwRRl84/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4QgLB9UmVJNfi9modDTzw2IdgVIJta1q3vFZySGcHECNKa3mT7jVe1uBZ9_W3kxgAfoXy_9cEt7-AETOD7T9Qxi-kOb0eKnvwn7uSzN1XADwnPcarxoiugpEJWRxtLoHcMiz7KwRRl84/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This fall Karen volunteered to try her hand at mowing the field, she took to it fast and I welcomed the help! There is something enjoyable and almost mesmerizing about coursing up and down the field on the tractor...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb1_GzHrh1VWp-BPACRLYDoEMMZlfTLdhJDcnn4xRVopKM6JszXyvAFqZPBSMeNg4l7Ngcng2C_rL4UbimzAo-Gpew54_nz-AfuXGOKRwAU851qYbnGt5WIIlq6np9-R7oPFiHszwaW3A/s1600/243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCb1_GzHrh1VWp-BPACRLYDoEMMZlfTLdhJDcnn4xRVopKM6JszXyvAFqZPBSMeNg4l7Ngcng2C_rL4UbimzAo-Gpew54_nz-AfuXGOKRwAU851qYbnGt5WIIlq6np9-R7oPFiHszwaW3A/s320/243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRIzMex2Q1jXQ9ladfpZKXZ_biwMUik0JgfObJLVeJAwIwQWz1CN6dnC0_sAoqosBqI09Ws1C33fOpNoR-6xYB7QADzZUSwxRuxf0cRhkLg-AHnn2hfkhycViqKLnhkMpoCbPxIB8i0fm/s1600/244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRIzMex2Q1jXQ9ladfpZKXZ_biwMUik0JgfObJLVeJAwIwQWz1CN6dnC0_sAoqosBqI09Ws1C33fOpNoR-6xYB7QADzZUSwxRuxf0cRhkLg-AHnn2hfkhycViqKLnhkMpoCbPxIB8i0fm/s320/244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After some recent yard work, routine "farm" equipment maintainance, and generally a long summer of hard work we took a weekend off up to a cabin in Virgina for some R and R .....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjF_iGCbhk25OYfHHrVOG4Lo4ZsunShtjCTfFT5T2ivNXGTbk4B3P_Cq6Fm_dRo_YJ9ChnzyJ5sqd_or5a-gPFcDpdUBY4FQxvh5PrmPRagLXP1IEck0ie6ZA7_kdCgmnqwXq0ObS3mVb/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjF_iGCbhk25OYfHHrVOG4Lo4ZsunShtjCTfFT5T2ivNXGTbk4B3P_Cq6Fm_dRo_YJ9ChnzyJ5sqd_or5a-gPFcDpdUBY4FQxvh5PrmPRagLXP1IEck0ie6ZA7_kdCgmnqwXq0ObS3mVb/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujWvBeFIhZqqw6ZA7AwYJjbeVcGfj5wHDacYiRDNEVl2yl5Y4Dw0eFtHI0aAbos7xY1QqswIBJuWmkAsJF521PB7n01bni22_oo9MjB4JanHYA4QEdKvSEfjowO7JnuvvPsHP2XNM8QCY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujWvBeFIhZqqw6ZA7AwYJjbeVcGfj5wHDacYiRDNEVl2yl5Y4Dw0eFtHI0aAbos7xY1QqswIBJuWmkAsJF521PB7n01bni22_oo9MjB4JanHYA4QEdKvSEfjowO7JnuvvPsHP2XNM8QCY/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OootfJ_M34xKIRj4w2QC_0Fe6Yv5lvB6zi-dmzcuq6cuvFEHLMnrb-FkzEQMWAo18IrHI6b6OhU9yIMf5blImTA74w5CrmKU-epnMDEN0N9pZrwMz2QWraK7vo80xr8iCe84Iv9633lM/s1600/299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OootfJ_M34xKIRj4w2QC_0Fe6Yv5lvB6zi-dmzcuq6cuvFEHLMnrb-FkzEQMWAo18IrHI6b6OhU9yIMf5blImTA74w5CrmKU-epnMDEN0N9pZrwMz2QWraK7vo80xr8iCe84Iv9633lM/s320/299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C0suNkXcW8D4uDnOj6ZsV-iyQg6xfPVEZSUV05fFz1JdefpRg6FfQpkzmzSvs8yxdpFSRUImZhw52HHOLZasGWer11ue9Yx5X0liOZBFJxkjSQGPaqZLy1ehae-V6fE1hkoYv0YpI9fJ/s1600/306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8C0suNkXcW8D4uDnOj6ZsV-iyQg6xfPVEZSUV05fFz1JdefpRg6FfQpkzmzSvs8yxdpFSRUImZhw52HHOLZasGWer11ue9Yx5X0liOZBFJxkjSQGPaqZLy1ehae-V6fE1hkoYv0YpI9fJ/s320/306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeX0kPwvRGJjZUlfjfifSQCo86QUeNFIacg9cdLcZAAnmSnRjcKFUFQ4XUBnQerLK7DC1YK1dgUSNT28xwO5lQ0oNqyZKvwwEOrIsMT4bmk3zEWjFBQWIDCGxbYkP93IUhDxjaCQnEsUH/s1600/298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeX0kPwvRGJjZUlfjfifSQCo86QUeNFIacg9cdLcZAAnmSnRjcKFUFQ4XUBnQerLK7DC1YK1dgUSNT28xwO5lQ0oNqyZKvwwEOrIsMT4bmk3zEWjFBQWIDCGxbYkP93IUhDxjaCQnEsUH/s320/298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-49722758691228771152012-08-24T07:07:00.000-07:002012-08-24T07:07:04.722-07:00Dog Days...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zxvk7yBKz_FIj-riEFx9lyBc0I75gd5dcNHa_s6U7K_XRDo4pI4Vb8veK75aHhIBCZhWg51MYjfhElj_53gKnbtOyw5z0Vani7f3gmCCkdyXEz8_1kueAoLl4NZMxvtxG4_2O04GpZrl/s1600/rainbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zxvk7yBKz_FIj-riEFx9lyBc0I75gd5dcNHa_s6U7K_XRDo4pI4Vb8veK75aHhIBCZhWg51MYjfhElj_53gKnbtOyw5z0Vani7f3gmCCkdyXEz8_1kueAoLl4NZMxvtxG4_2O04GpZrl/s320/rainbow.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Summer seems to be winding down here, with some mildly cooler temperatures, and not quite the seemingly constant pressing need to get something else done. Though my "to-do" list never seems to be any shorter. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The latest big accomplishment has been a little more progress on the barn restoration project. Finally we have gotten the front side of the barn resided. The project took a good month of weekends because there were only a few hours I could work on it in the morning before the sun started shining on the work area making it unbearable to work there. This fall I hope to get the North side finished as well. Then I can focus on some minor floor repairs in the loft area. Then we hope to have some simple furniture up there to hang out, read , or watch over the field as the sun sets and the deer move in for their evening grazing ritual, hopefully some day they will be replaced by some sheep or a couple beef cows ! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarkDWWb0vinUtpHizJYqPfjS4qt1jiudTOzwsYWdvuw3FFE7F9UBCKp5oyNG5uhCRybCthGp_HHiQ71v9Vq-75dTATbX7Cztd0Q_lnciOnXSoKGwHBvSm5fKbbFmPCCgX9dgKIEv1NjTT/s1600/barn+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarkDWWb0vinUtpHizJYqPfjS4qt1jiudTOzwsYWdvuw3FFE7F9UBCKp5oyNG5uhCRybCthGp_HHiQ71v9Vq-75dTATbX7Cztd0Q_lnciOnXSoKGwHBvSm5fKbbFmPCCgX9dgKIEv1NjTT/s400/barn+old.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Before: Summer 2010</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwvmI6U-bThkIyA5yiJj4deRiJIjOP7gMGi-m2E8cVWWhfk8e9RhkSXifvu9bM04VcRbNfrSS4w_05MY8BEky5OGVHkHzyJ4QVShQasBAcZtaO6XMIUNf0TLFb7QpGp87x9IuUIHEFNjI/s1600/barn+front+siding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwvmI6U-bThkIyA5yiJj4deRiJIjOP7gMGi-m2E8cVWWhfk8e9RhkSXifvu9bM04VcRbNfrSS4w_05MY8BEky5OGVHkHzyJ4QVShQasBAcZtaO6XMIUNf0TLFb7QpGp87x9IuUIHEFNjI/s400/barn+front+siding.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>After: Summer 2012</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The poultry flock has been blessed with little problems from predators this summer. This improved a lot after one neighbor with a chicken killing dog moved away, and the other completed a deer fence around their entire property. We also have been trapping and "relocating" occasional opossums and coons. Toby also recently treed a coon who likely killed three of the neighbors chickens recently. He made for an interesting evening of front yard coon hunting that was eventually successful. Unfortunately the carcass got wedged in a crook,... fortunately the vultures found him w/in 48 hours and took care of him.<br />
<br />
One of our broody hens successfully hatched and raised three chicks and four guinea keets, one of them now thinks he is a chicken and continues to follow her around. Also, we successfully hatched a clutch of guinea eggs in an incubator and now have 11 young keets we need to sell. Our spring flock of layer chicks should be putting out eggs any day now. I think we have about 26 of them in addition to our other 7-8 adults. That will be a lot of omelets and quiche!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuShtDYIgcWeRQcvngbCiA3Ew8vnxdQ1HVNXehwLwXx29gZ27E01Zae4GGixH5nUiM8NfIexxdy_irKogC4xSu-cLDEqrXEGrLDcU6mhhoq5Ey3KjUU1-9BEJ4SPyjdZOyRoVyawlFiqR7/s1600/DSC00936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuShtDYIgcWeRQcvngbCiA3Ew8vnxdQ1HVNXehwLwXx29gZ27E01Zae4GGixH5nUiM8NfIexxdy_irKogC4xSu-cLDEqrXEGrLDcU6mhhoq5Ey3KjUU1-9BEJ4SPyjdZOyRoVyawlFiqR7/s400/DSC00936.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Incubator keets , 4 weeks old</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZim-qcygH8iWHx5JSHKYZF-nTj7Ze9G3072egIrEsnPx4EaxkHiPr3NH7aED_tfZZ-bmFD756ox66mqnAndfM4XeFS4cpPaow0T2WoBL86TZqhiEAFcsoQ3_O4yAIADQLZQL9Mq55ThC/s1600/DSC00919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZim-qcygH8iWHx5JSHKYZF-nTj7Ze9G3072egIrEsnPx4EaxkHiPr3NH7aED_tfZZ-bmFD756ox66mqnAndfM4XeFS4cpPaow0T2WoBL86TZqhiEAFcsoQ3_O4yAIADQLZQL9Mq55ThC/s400/DSC00919.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mother hen with babies, (photo a month old)</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The chicks that hatched were from some cross breed eggs from a friend who had a rooster, as we did not. And of course, as you all know, you need a rooster to fertilize the eggs if they are going to hatch. We ended up with one very interestingly feathered and colored charcoal gray bird that we think was aptly named <i>Bruno</i>, after the singer <i>Bruno Mars</i>... what do you think....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx7dDOPd1xfEcUgnqVSK628xratskV5lASCwHNYvYwKA3uUScxKamkbHOg_rP8O3KoGGfXo9vE8Ea-oUjQisloBwuT0-br4YELBC5XZ6hYRundbyRwnsgAIuUWyOm711pGYnTPKLDC6l2/s1600/bruno+close+up+chick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhx7dDOPd1xfEcUgnqVSK628xratskV5lASCwHNYvYwKA3uUScxKamkbHOg_rP8O3KoGGfXo9vE8Ea-oUjQisloBwuT0-br4YELBC5XZ6hYRundbyRwnsgAIuUWyOm711pGYnTPKLDC6l2/s320/bruno+close+up+chick.JPG" width="287" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTVpZ1s2t1BVfA6WWCiXwxepwHiEGfk0myTCte4HiC7iqCE0dI93SnzGejPMs9F1rdaC8mFgCq6R79iopuCX5ccj-5y3AVb9c_S7kJxIrnVftg8d776G7PyWO-djYqUfu38utZH9QlH7a/s1600/bruno+mars+two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTVpZ1s2t1BVfA6WWCiXwxepwHiEGfk0myTCte4HiC7iqCE0dI93SnzGejPMs9F1rdaC8mFgCq6R79iopuCX5ccj-5y3AVb9c_S7kJxIrnVftg8d776G7PyWO-djYqUfu38utZH9QlH7a/s320/bruno+mars+two.jpg" width="228" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The garden blessed us with a bountiful harvest of veggies this first year. We canned a lot salsa, spaghetti sauce, whole tomatoes, chutney, barbecue sauce, some pickles, green beans, froze a lot of peppers, zucchini, summer squash, beans, snow peas, pesto sauce, jalapenos. Also a lot blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries in the freezer. This past week I have been tilling in some cover crops and will replant an over winter cover crop in most boxes. Currently tomato plants and generally cleaning things up. Will try to get fall garden in this weekend. It should supply carrots, turnips, salad greens (most of winter), radishes, arugula, collards, etc. This winter and early spring plan to plant some of our own raspberry plants, blackberries, and some fruit trees. That should about fill in the space remaining.<br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP39Hr12U7DcUs8a-4ZO_PwNZFq6IL3fMzYbUkpz-bXcdvkl63QcbtKSQmvUbqNsXzTOhpPyfTLvy4MZqPSCmp3BM8KEtkRDXEHVkPr9F3fAOuayEuBuom6W7uQin5HAP4sSQX-ciKSql/s1600/DSC00928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyP39Hr12U7DcUs8a-4ZO_PwNZFq6IL3fMzYbUkpz-bXcdvkl63QcbtKSQmvUbqNsXzTOhpPyfTLvy4MZqPSCmp3BM8KEtkRDXEHVkPr9F3fAOuayEuBuom6W7uQin5HAP4sSQX-ciKSql/s400/DSC00928.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-35997919393029421132012-07-05T08:14:00.000-07:002012-07-05T08:14:00.634-07:00HOT, again....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQU5Kt4Md87Q9N7Q7Om-_or1pUhClgpyOCtem_Fq8QqpVo7OnxnKabj-PIHDywNCzef-2N-Pu6MO_AjP2VRWSaxdNZfHZ5WXVEraM4k_WfX5JXlxut4hePrLEknu4w1HnfNDBeQL_ujw7/s1600/purple+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQU5Kt4Md87Q9N7Q7Om-_or1pUhClgpyOCtem_Fq8QqpVo7OnxnKabj-PIHDywNCzef-2N-Pu6MO_AjP2VRWSaxdNZfHZ5WXVEraM4k_WfX5JXlxut4hePrLEknu4w1HnfNDBeQL_ujw7/s320/purple+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Don't let the pretty flowers fool you, it has been HOT down here in NC! Temps in the low 100's and upper 90's. Which I guess is close to the norm, but after fall, winter, spring, it seems I always manage to "forget" how miserable July and August are down here.<br />
<br />
Despite the weather things are going well. The garden has been providing a good supply of fresh vegetable, and we have put up enough beans, pickles, squash, peppers to see us through the winter already. the tomatoes should be coming in any time now. We have gotten very little in the way of rain lately and have been watering parts of the garden every night. I feel we are just managing to keep things from burning up.<br />
<br />
I completed the walkway from the garage to the house. That was a major project I will gladly cross off the "To Do" list. The rocks were watered for the picture and to clean them off., they are not that shiny.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29RCcTh_YQZ28_nCGXNKcjwM2SC5exCQBf2viL0STfdB5HYs1lrHHF-VyxWNRz4i6-Hh_ovkOhq4aoz8PUrMZgS6KR-5mPeGyvZH0HtRycgUrdXH3VjYKYvhMLmyIuTIYj_D7X6uJOzpp/s1600/walkway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29RCcTh_YQZ28_nCGXNKcjwM2SC5exCQBf2viL0STfdB5HYs1lrHHF-VyxWNRz4i6-Hh_ovkOhq4aoz8PUrMZgS6KR-5mPeGyvZH0HtRycgUrdXH3VjYKYvhMLmyIuTIYj_D7X6uJOzpp/s400/walkway.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W1s8lRoZMeu4bEjoGl0e3osgxR1YEX9LfuH2xvCuYGnEOU9ZUL9KGZBrSmz3HOO5jgyvnRGSSGXRrSuWm-0UZVRFjeQwhNj29QckfUhVCNYc3E1yLXz37aXEi9RQi6UXQQX65GYCnQt2/s1600/closeup+walkway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W1s8lRoZMeu4bEjoGl0e3osgxR1YEX9LfuH2xvCuYGnEOU9ZUL9KGZBrSmz3HOO5jgyvnRGSSGXRrSuWm-0UZVRFjeQwhNj29QckfUhVCNYc3E1yLXz37aXEi9RQi6UXQQX65GYCnQt2/s320/closeup+walkway.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIjirmDjWDPb1JJGMXPNyybtaNGgrA9Md8sfT1k4vuqyUkciA8BeaGhfytxqHjR8qwxbNQ-VgIww_27ToJSjS8i2v62WUptu5M5SJECl9fPDT_spCifIgMvo41xOkjxOJhTQ7MFFs_UQT/s1600/DSC00888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIjirmDjWDPb1JJGMXPNyybtaNGgrA9Md8sfT1k4vuqyUkciA8BeaGhfytxqHjR8qwxbNQ-VgIww_27ToJSjS8i2v62WUptu5M5SJECl9fPDT_spCifIgMvo41xOkjxOJhTQ7MFFs_UQT/s320/DSC00888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is an evenings quick picking of summer squash, peppers, and a few stray early tomatoes. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGIPZ6XqfhQW-f9vlrJcnxUisSUwQhS96uiZghtIh1uL3dgBvvrh_P6_64jObMqlNdjEwgMa-3nuix6hK2kx_nmC5C-AVrkXgtyTWUeXNEFFPH8G_Y7HnrZPzuQef6YhqvCdzy9pGGpq5/s1600/DSC00891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGIPZ6XqfhQW-f9vlrJcnxUisSUwQhS96uiZghtIh1uL3dgBvvrh_P6_64jObMqlNdjEwgMa-3nuix6hK2kx_nmC5C-AVrkXgtyTWUeXNEFFPH8G_Y7HnrZPzuQef6YhqvCdzy9pGGpq5/s320/DSC00891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These are some of our 26 teenage chickens, should start producing eggs by October. I am pretty sure I heard a young rooster crow the other morning! We will see.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9IVMzgkndSkk4BAAlczcuqzH7M9A9W4ZcFFRods6-RZYRVlIU5rBcDdIVz_9Il9LYm01HzzRUKakLNiuUbZcV0Xf244h_8dFTWFVWlZZa3KP3OlgZ5Cfd2yNWGqEniTJIYAeeuXC0Mj9/s1600/mom+and+chicks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9IVMzgkndSkk4BAAlczcuqzH7M9A9W4ZcFFRods6-RZYRVlIU5rBcDdIVz_9Il9LYm01HzzRUKakLNiuUbZcV0Xf244h_8dFTWFVWlZZa3KP3OlgZ5Cfd2yNWGqEniTJIYAeeuXC0Mj9/s320/mom+and+chicks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is Momma Buff who went "broody" this spring and hatched out these four chicks from a friends fertile eggs(well her chickens' eggs!) She has been a good mother to these. She also hatched out five of our own guinnia eggs a few days after these, unfortunately she did not want anything to do with them,and killed one. At that point I had to seperate them. They are alive and well under an intermittent heat lamp.<br />
<br />
Our guinna hen went broody on a nest of 20 eggs out in our field, but that might be a whole 'nother story....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IM1mBeerfWfJOInfCkJ1ONQHWqswVpja0WnSMx2mXpJyYtHN8kpUsV3j9MhcYtd1WUzbyQ7Iosi-3XbSHZAl5MJurxrUaO2_Z5uf6tqBk3XD6htBU17r5O0oA71uJR1-3-IU6-H_ZXCO/s1600/toby+sitting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IM1mBeerfWfJOInfCkJ1ONQHWqswVpja0WnSMx2mXpJyYtHN8kpUsV3j9MhcYtd1WUzbyQ7Iosi-3XbSHZAl5MJurxrUaO2_Z5uf6tqBk3XD6htBU17r5O0oA71uJR1-3-IU6-H_ZXCO/s320/toby+sitting.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Toby continues to grow and has been an excellent "farm dog " to date!<br />
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-49582677925010731212012-06-13T09:31:00.001-07:002012-06-13T09:31:27.819-07:00Springtime Happenings...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KzV1BgD98HdeChhY2UEr_mh6QQYgPYgcrNP4-wj_qQb9qQex7BTl72wBRlxlpaLseINkUxSfCveRQdqeN3fVbDsNfQqy-RgH6jMr5EBFpnjerf15_0wa0C2O4ZZ14tks_QG_0HGRsvaz/s1600/DSC00820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KzV1BgD98HdeChhY2UEr_mh6QQYgPYgcrNP4-wj_qQb9qQex7BTl72wBRlxlpaLseINkUxSfCveRQdqeN3fVbDsNfQqy-RgH6jMr5EBFpnjerf15_0wa0C2O4ZZ14tks_QG_0HGRsvaz/s320/DSC00820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Greetings from the yet to be named farmstead...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring has been very busy down here, thus the lull in activity here. This is a hodgepodge posting of just a few happenings, seems I never have the camera available when I'd like it. There's one New Years' resolution out the window! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So that friendly turtle face is just a passer by I noticed walking by my stone pile that has been waiting for a couple months to be turned into a path. I noticed this girl(?) wedged between two stacks of rocks. Hopefully she wasn't there too long. I think she came up from the big pond across our yard to lay eggs, or eat chickens?...Anyway we released her and found her walking up the driveway a couple days later, this time heading out to our field. We have not seen her since. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgMAj19zdSPiKJKzy9IudEZ6A_29ksrTvW9wFArpaFqP3A0TwfznNH8joeglwH6usQupcltrNh5uyQmV-kWaNMQOGcayqVYsuQjN6gIeSzb7RYF9jL5rwru7h5wjdYytUM7qEcYpHIJNl/s1600/snapper+with+kids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgMAj19zdSPiKJKzy9IudEZ6A_29ksrTvW9wFArpaFqP3A0TwfznNH8joeglwH6usQupcltrNh5uyQmV-kWaNMQOGcayqVYsuQjN6gIeSzb7RYF9jL5rwru7h5wjdYytUM7qEcYpHIJNl/s320/snapper+with+kids.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also encountered, captured, and relocated lately but not pictured (darn it!) was a five foot black snake, and a big possum and raccoon that had been repeatedly climbing up the chicken coop wall and crawling in between the rafters(pushing in hardware cloth put there to keep them out!) and eating the cat food. It took me a while to figure that out, but I was wondering why the cat food dish was empty the mornings after I put it in the cat section of the coop at night when the cats were not even in there sometimes. Luckily they did not get the baby chickens that were right next door and accessible. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The baby layers have done well. (pictures coming soon) we started out with about 45 and only lost one runt. One got an injured leg, but we managed to nurse her back. After giving and selling some we still have about 25 left. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupVD59b4PDLhG9h2hLfsK-ELdM4rpsK4br1xY_wFDP01W9NEZg0ClGHn9UdMAy158w-OAK36WKlD1zaaXkmRRbsm-FpxwirQC6e0SZBU5KgGEqtkwsyXDC26Kvxp_IKjtMatZrxA1yPdy/s1600/DSC00839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupVD59b4PDLhG9h2hLfsK-ELdM4rpsK4br1xY_wFDP01W9NEZg0ClGHn9UdMAy158w-OAK36WKlD1zaaXkmRRbsm-FpxwirQC6e0SZBU5KgGEqtkwsyXDC26Kvxp_IKjtMatZrxA1yPdy/s400/DSC00839.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The garden has been doing awesome, this is a picture of some general growth a few weeks ago. The tomato plants are now four to five feet tall and with many baby tomatoes and blossoms. If no plague strikes we will have plenty to eat fresh, can, freeze, and share. Same it appears, for the cukes, cantaloupe, green beans, peppers, and squash. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDI1vcpNRpv6MaSFXF9U3wn0kZjPgbpDJDNV8iySnH_Dp9j4bYNNchHaTtj7ncEC6Bdq7F6VyCfxgkNRL-U0WU80HLshb5VA4RaNTwPEYNdkNtdinMG2Mb6FAekX1bV7y1ARWGmSYhTna/s1600/DSC00827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDI1vcpNRpv6MaSFXF9U3wn0kZjPgbpDJDNV8iySnH_Dp9j4bYNNchHaTtj7ncEC6Bdq7F6VyCfxgkNRL-U0WU80HLshb5VA4RaNTwPEYNdkNtdinMG2Mb6FAekX1bV7y1ARWGmSYhTna/s400/DSC00827.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is an average picking of lettuce and arugula over the past few weeks, but now dwindling with warmer weather. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharqQTAggimoNPPKZKPFNaNBfo9-T4EdljydohPMnLXsEAh-MXwA-DirSypiDSU358HsE068UqSB390FHnW41HYGtqkiy8-csHMQE8UWe9mCF-eke-1aW4_JjmvvEtXiTsbMTCTKgNbY4n/s1600/better+lettuce+and+radishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharqQTAggimoNPPKZKPFNaNBfo9-T4EdljydohPMnLXsEAh-MXwA-DirSypiDSU358HsE068UqSB390FHnW41HYGtqkiy8-csHMQE8UWe9mCF-eke-1aW4_JjmvvEtXiTsbMTCTKgNbY4n/s400/better+lettuce+and+radishes.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The radishes were beautiful with no worms or pithiness, but like the lettuce, we planted way more than we could consume. Need to work on that next year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X_rs1SRQEvTSRL4gepbSCb1ykfCFYPfog8CVrVnWvYLMnyjMK4nkHhhHaUOn4COe6j9tQ6AhyRuCCcvSZMVctfumf442R6GqzFGtz3Lxz8bwSQM8ebw7_SOpOt3hPDAZHTm-MnUzm6PB/s1600/dill+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_X_rs1SRQEvTSRL4gepbSCb1ykfCFYPfog8CVrVnWvYLMnyjMK4nkHhhHaUOn4COe6j9tQ6AhyRuCCcvSZMVctfumf442R6GqzFGtz3Lxz8bwSQM8ebw7_SOpOt3hPDAZHTm-MnUzm6PB/s400/dill+closeup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I never get the dill to be ready with the pickles! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmnQz04vJof5OYuMrZd31kp8K0KvR5oPV93gpaLOLCWBTvvYtSeqVEElibjSkoK0MF51ggszXkuGeb-tMGrd2A3RXwEwtL8JnUGhFQsby06kbmAcBcf1A4AK1EQzPLQDUK11rsN6RjDJz/s1600/sage+closeup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmnQz04vJof5OYuMrZd31kp8K0KvR5oPV93gpaLOLCWBTvvYtSeqVEElibjSkoK0MF51ggszXkuGeb-tMGrd2A3RXwEwtL8JnUGhFQsby06kbmAcBcf1A4AK1EQzPLQDUK11rsN6RjDJz/s400/sage+closeup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We planted a lot of herbs that have done very well so far. Planted this sage, and thyme in the foreground from seeds indoors. Also rosemary, chives, and basil that have done well too. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTj9LxO3pgmYcxN0-pK5nlczqlrzVEb7Lv1vsi77LPjhiE8TEZ-q5-IxyLPjnf-2y6alRRnAvjg7-HO1WLRYlyJLtNGIp0LtBSFqrKU9x_MBMD70PwQLVz10lqFR4_YcZa4VbqHZme6bK/s1600/herb+garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTj9LxO3pgmYcxN0-pK5nlczqlrzVEb7Lv1vsi77LPjhiE8TEZ-q5-IxyLPjnf-2y6alRRnAvjg7-HO1WLRYlyJLtNGIp0LtBSFqrKU9x_MBMD70PwQLVz10lqFR4_YcZa4VbqHZme6bK/s400/herb+garden.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For the first time our herb barrel has done well. The secret?- a sunny location and lots of water. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg314KcpvtSkjrqSi1xYHe174NwRbRuRgIl3dilk3TBoq0xWe5qUiNsp_p_2IIvnH-YWmUwfy0KMP3rU7l4ruBmyZzBtFjDKMOgL0jiAKJN5J4zOFtPgFKzc0c7IDEMbsnTGQVOIwu9desE/s1600/shalo+and+toby.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg314KcpvtSkjrqSi1xYHe174NwRbRuRgIl3dilk3TBoq0xWe5qUiNsp_p_2IIvnH-YWmUwfy0KMP3rU7l4ruBmyZzBtFjDKMOgL0jiAKJN5J4zOFtPgFKzc0c7IDEMbsnTGQVOIwu9desE/s400/shalo+and+toby.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Speaking of growth Toby is quickly becoming a big dog, and Shalo has really taken to being his primary young caretaker.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGmQUEwPcsftnRb7oSjP_yQs7bQxxaI2YxosAR7YtOqJeSNbejnO108BkEYGMD4KFBjQSHFN1ZeyPoPdOXaaSqyy-Liy9K99QeZeg0ldLES7eeEhNi5r4LftduhpMBD8XQEf2OvTXIUaa/s1600/kids+by+fence.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGmQUEwPcsftnRb7oSjP_yQs7bQxxaI2YxosAR7YtOqJeSNbejnO108BkEYGMD4KFBjQSHFN1ZeyPoPdOXaaSqyy-Liy9K99QeZeg0ldLES7eeEhNi5r4LftduhpMBD8XQEf2OvTXIUaa/s400/kids+by+fence.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The kids are all growing as well, yes they are all standing! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s6r6K1j3I5EZDU3765VAeD6oOiLVTbCFQH9AzZOudDK_Ee9g6ohCskx63yYnT-Hq_HeU-sn5xz247H986KKsmEz1k6RdBcwRmcW9uyi0NIGmMjw6QHVkfeRxjUWppzQmOWjmDR1klp3H/s1600/DSC00832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7s6r6K1j3I5EZDU3765VAeD6oOiLVTbCFQH9AzZOudDK_Ee9g6ohCskx63yYnT-Hq_HeU-sn5xz247H986KKsmEz1k6RdBcwRmcW9uyi0NIGmMjw6QHVkfeRxjUWppzQmOWjmDR1klp3H/s640/DSC00832.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is my next <b>BIG</b> project, these are just some of the stones,...still waiting for me to make them into a nice walkway from he garage to the house! More pictures of that coming soon! But Jacob is in no hurry, he finds they make a nice warm perch at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5Wj134GRR4LKRtEmeKi20_3ziMl5hnNgBIPlk2MybSn3YW_v5ifja1mdNjqPmmSl03hxepKqzRO18dtI5SG8W2UB2RrYBhxi7RtuXlHZWsbtRddw6NGrXiJ1xxbEbWIkv9bp5cruuSqh/s1600/DSC00836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5Wj134GRR4LKRtEmeKi20_3ziMl5hnNgBIPlk2MybSn3YW_v5ifja1mdNjqPmmSl03hxepKqzRO18dtI5SG8W2UB2RrYBhxi7RtuXlHZWsbtRddw6NGrXiJ1xxbEbWIkv9bp5cruuSqh/s400/DSC00836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-18370024142840737422012-04-30T14:39:00.000-07:002012-06-13T09:51:12.772-07:00Spring is in the Air!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt8ibWPpe87DbCUs3ZbFBSAVDV3tFazK7jqjWmZFq8udU71SarDtrrelkStlvw1VHndlyWmw6q2t9upNnRepFVZqAe1XDuHnZ4omPZ8FugMgsA4EodLsRCNhLDVKM7cWFRVn6kSejVvBs/s1600/DSC00761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJt8ibWPpe87DbCUs3ZbFBSAVDV3tFazK7jqjWmZFq8udU71SarDtrrelkStlvw1VHndlyWmw6q2t9upNnRepFVZqAe1XDuHnZ4omPZ8FugMgsA4EodLsRCNhLDVKM7cWFRVn6kSejVvBs/s400/DSC00761.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Busy days at the little farm. After a fall and winter without the beef cows across the way we are excited to see the return of a new herd of about 30 black and red Angus cows. I suspect some of the previous herd is in freezers across NC. As usual the days have been busy around here as we continue to work at revitalizing the old buildings and getting the garden started.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZxfpbD6Fb6ajWFoSp3PFGPVzAyr-qdjXQoin0HdQKjXcN8Xs-VBoNc2GcddmikGJdkil_dEwVloq4dZbLpTpBXfI1zY0adzLGFjkRcLEHrA-7wtIGhPbVyGEdn9pJLI5LJvjC2Bs9psv/s1600/DSC00782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZxfpbD6Fb6ajWFoSp3PFGPVzAyr-qdjXQoin0HdQKjXcN8Xs-VBoNc2GcddmikGJdkil_dEwVloq4dZbLpTpBXfI1zY0adzLGFjkRcLEHrA-7wtIGhPbVyGEdn9pJLI5LJvjC2Bs9psv/s320/DSC00782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We have gotten the new metal roof on the garage and replaced the two front support posts that were rotten and termite ridden. That job was hired out, as we just can't do it all. Though I think we could have if we had the time. This fall I am hoping to get it resided. The framing is actually pretty sound. I dream of adding rain a water collection system at the back which would probably catch enough water to water the garden. There are two "lean too" sections behind the main "garage buildings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkyN5fUjEClP4PHza7UIiTxfiHCYu3r7LCkmpjLrAsvgwjonor7KiFHObdYj1LlKSgiUip6qBGqjbujVUNJURylFqmXVHJOi3fJ28WzYgO5GJoT6ppWRYAdjEgHeu37wWDbLCfyYYYV7u/s1600/DSC00757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkyN5fUjEClP4PHza7UIiTxfiHCYu3r7LCkmpjLrAsvgwjonor7KiFHObdYj1LlKSgiUip6qBGqjbujVUNJURylFqmXVHJOi3fJ28WzYgO5GJoT6ppWRYAdjEgHeu37wWDbLCfyYYYV7u/s200/DSC00757.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friend Andrew tilling new plot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJmekPizc8vEV9EABwIyr8V_tivaZrEo8EH6fMzGcnrWx7pcl15M___veVOGXwSfkl1YYoX7w9juCUIjIBbtD5fkUp1zWFpbIEOLz9aOHKPWK6vAxU2jC9qCZF3RCFctLQNIpW5dhLc6s/s1600/Karen+on+the+boradfork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJmekPizc8vEV9EABwIyr8V_tivaZrEo8EH6fMzGcnrWx7pcl15M___veVOGXwSfkl1YYoX7w9juCUIjIBbtD5fkUp1zWFpbIEOLz9aOHKPWK6vAxU2jC9qCZF3RCFctLQNIpW5dhLc6s/s200/Karen+on+the+boradfork.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen working the Broad fork</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The garden plots are all prepped for what we will plant this spring and summer. That was one of the most laborious and time consuming tasks so far. The ground was hard as a rock(almost) and after the tiller broke up the top inch or two of sod, the rest of the deep soil loosening was done by hand, and foot. The broad fork is my new favorite hand tool. With some effort it will loosen the most compacted soil to about 12 inches deep. It took about 6-7 hours of work to prep each 5 x20 foot bed. We have 10 beds...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_KAmHxyRUhA5Epi12yGz3uTC3aR6jlNogvs0eHO0GjaQuiN7VtX8w3M8QlQKtfl3q9Tzsj5lxKLAZNgGmeoCVhSWuvFrV6iQiLqtd5YKWTYHU6Rb7qEFZCUMe0O4d3C7_GpHjUG7QZE1/s1600/DSC00768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_KAmHxyRUhA5Epi12yGz3uTC3aR6jlNogvs0eHO0GjaQuiN7VtX8w3M8QlQKtfl3q9Tzsj5lxKLAZNgGmeoCVhSWuvFrV6iQiLqtd5YKWTYHU6Rb7qEFZCUMe0O4d3C7_GpHjUG7QZE1/s320/DSC00768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato and peppers heading to garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwcASbXQTg2efSzQlcZSKqNdb5cP-Wb8hxnOg4T4Fqv3E_gQIjIH-8-a9p_3pt-EFEgqUvD6fmSMb_WUwHCwGcEAHfBpXoQ-3-VrJD8Pd1buul-tzeS0sdW2mdm7_HXs67AKLhAmneI93/s1600/DSC00803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwcASbXQTg2efSzQlcZSKqNdb5cP-Wb8hxnOg4T4Fqv3E_gQIjIH-8-a9p_3pt-EFEgqUvD6fmSMb_WUwHCwGcEAHfBpXoQ-3-VrJD8Pd1buul-tzeS0sdW2mdm7_HXs67AKLhAmneI93/s320/DSC00803.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tomatoes, not a vineyard...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have the tomatoes and peppers in and a raised bed of various salad greens that will soon be harvest-able. We had to cover them up a couple nights this past week after a cold front brought some frost this week. It looks like we dodged that bullet. I lost a little sleep over that. After raising the plants from seed, and planting over 40 of them it would have been a tremendous loss. Hopefully no more temps in the 30's at night. When it warms up a little more we will plant the beans, summer squashes, cukes, and melons. Strawberries are ripe and and Karen and the kids picked several small pails and we have been eating them all weekend. Karen and Ethan also made some jam to enjoy over the rest of the year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HupMLB1AOUlpq_zs_8I8z2N-cNppF0EOjkyJPytQOgU3ndmu75F05GWg1sNQHebXRm9CU4C3h8H5yqdBhSG9gAHRtR1qX_TwRF8B9_El45CJDE2cBLfWc41U1q1s2dTwfIqP8QmIcsUJ/s1600/DSC00802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HupMLB1AOUlpq_zs_8I8z2N-cNppF0EOjkyJPytQOgU3ndmu75F05GWg1sNQHebXRm9CU4C3h8H5yqdBhSG9gAHRtR1qX_TwRF8B9_El45CJDE2cBLfWc41U1q1s2dTwfIqP8QmIcsUJ/s200/DSC00802.JPG" width="133" /></a>After the garden is in, the next big project is going to be laying the five tons of flagstone for our walkway from the garage to the house, about 115 feet. <i>Surely</i> that will be a piece of cake! :) I think we are looking at several weekends of hard labor there.On a brighter note, our new chicks(45) to replenish and build our laying flock arrived in the mail this morning just as scheduled. We will keep about 20 and sell the rest to friends and neighbors. I forgot to get a picture of them. Next time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">And last but not least an introduction to the newest member of our family... just arrived last Friday, semi spontaneously, and we have yet to come up with a name that suits him. He is part American bulldog, part shepherd, and only God knows what else, but we like the final package. If I do say so myself I have never seen a cuter puppy! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEJbprew4uHqjc45kz3o2-CW9xcCFAdK0WddW0aypte346U0JG8Q3c4xm6kCAezImabgvid53i2Fvt3lhOWi6Cv9RQPo22VvieIq2F8KKUo46Pqx25r8psnQFKze4lEF-Q73aVbhhQlzK/s1600/Ethan+and+puppy+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEJbprew4uHqjc45kz3o2-CW9xcCFAdK0WddW0aypte346U0JG8Q3c4xm6kCAezImabgvid53i2Fvt3lhOWi6Cv9RQPo22VvieIq2F8KKUo46Pqx25r8psnQFKze4lEF-Q73aVbhhQlzK/s320/Ethan+and+puppy+crop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP3rI_WjHgTI76Mg70UpK1YDLn3lz4DCpDC24bfxsKsmK_aPLE6SOjjjSxkvCArLbSkjHhyphenhyphen4cTOna__lq5pZBtHWqY_xziR5QelfOCOh9jZMVtRgFvQIo2AyHCfGdrC-XaEH1DQSBSu4s/s1600/puupy+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJP3rI_WjHgTI76Mg70UpK1YDLn3lz4DCpDC24bfxsKsmK_aPLE6SOjjjSxkvCArLbSkjHhyphenhyphen4cTOna__lq5pZBtHWqY_xziR5QelfOCOh9jZMVtRgFvQIo2AyHCfGdrC-XaEH1DQSBSu4s/s320/puupy+close+up.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As the kids say...OMG!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Until next time....the view from the back four.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5YNM2VZFXGWFI00pGi9uRMRuED8oqp5PV01okjfwewi4mzZ8Wv8sRIfLQ0VAXE7Q3kOSY64dcxcLKGorpOlgDUVh1WSjW78dAOMfo4gAXv2iuwchm_e5NCH-v3fArgfNIXGrru7qdBEj/s1600/farm+at+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5YNM2VZFXGWFI00pGi9uRMRuED8oqp5PV01okjfwewi4mzZ8Wv8sRIfLQ0VAXE7Q3kOSY64dcxcLKGorpOlgDUVh1WSjW78dAOMfo4gAXv2iuwchm_e5NCH-v3fArgfNIXGrru7qdBEj/s400/farm+at+sunset.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-8135655909952418842012-04-05T14:54:00.012-07:002012-04-05T15:18:59.381-07:00Spring Projects....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728038564294789954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWWeCID9xVzThzA3PiIErqN4gfrFq74BVjq4WTGYAIGCnR7u-aoFCvyfAP9TFHuT-MH3jTgjCn7S5jQReh3NBW5Egryg97OO9jw3ZsN-djc26QD8WTlNVV-YmKAGISM6Ffv11ugT9rKbK/s400/DSC00730.JPG" border="0" /> So the spring weather has really opened up the opportunity to get more things done around the farmstead. Our biggest priority right now is getting the garden ready for planting. Before we can even contemplate doing that we needed to put up a deer fence. This took about two weekends to erect the posts and then get up the actual fencing. Although the post hole auger was a help we still had to drive the metal posts(13 of them) almost two feet into the ground by hand and sledge hammer. Hard labor pretty much sums up that job! Thanks to Ross "the deer hunter" we got them all in in the ground in a few hours. Ethan was the inspector.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728038673842716754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUFaZIJZz-v2AK-ZdTCZuA1eSCSDHp6alHWfRasUtsgNE2Z6s1hZjcw9iMOUlguVsMIwRlWtxmY8hM8T2a6RWQ7cANyZ4lviBsgQYQ60l7x8At_4DkbqlnXSDU1xYK-NUg2LjufnUVNjS/s400/DSC00732.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728038812477965170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8x_emKkUem20gE3KOyYbeFf9iOoBZcYgdnv6Ni6ZQy716yA_0fink2IWXLRvABjXNcyETe9RsPKGNfa8-zxoAQADPODyoJz-4swemLuHYDf6SVOl8rWSImh2qWgkCh9b_ksooPdAP2ud/s400/DSC00735.JPG" border="0" />The only reason we are smiling is because we are done!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728038949416055618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ74bsyLhafccziVMLvUgEDoaQrK4w1OcA1rghZc7BG9yaLB_hhsyJ1Q-LwEsyXdq_ZqJd2lqWrkJASglAr0_OowsKgZn2tEHS9KsXHfcD0rUKNIeIs6t4ZyZcUWHOgh6Q-nH5T8yA1Qjm/s400/DSC00741.JPG" border="0" />The following weekend we were on our own to erect the actual 7.5 foot high fencing. The garden space is 78 x 78 feet. It will take me two to three years to use all the space as planned.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzldN-uMx9SqSkDAz_rIbDgEF0IIKTe2-kkNZ0LbWOg9OuhGS-yiPcQtQhp8wXovgZtaFOZ6drGRQ0B3L1cMX1_Hl0RBLGvrxw5StieJvH4Q1ezVxx0DyPCkdZXUzm2c5U7adGTMFoKIq/s1600/DSC00742.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039071448163074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzldN-uMx9SqSkDAz_rIbDgEF0IIKTe2-kkNZ0LbWOg9OuhGS-yiPcQtQhp8wXovgZtaFOZ6drGRQ0B3L1cMX1_Hl0RBLGvrxw5StieJvH4Q1ezVxx0DyPCkdZXUzm2c5U7adGTMFoKIq/s400/DSC00742.JPG" border="0" /></a> This past weekend I had a couple friends from work come over to help do some barn restoration. Primarily replacing some dry rot and post termite ridden framing. I had the place carbon dated and it dates back to the early 1900's...just kidding, but probably close. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039422805160690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-XAo6Hy8NbEFnaDsMnEUqqhAqBKrvwZ0ydC2IakqAHOTAaaAhPwWYg32nRilJyIy5xdM2JqCqgDd0rNDJe0DFsPD7fka0pjQUsmPZ1sj4OZ7aI5xZvygfDpcuu7mUEp_1EEkuLVPyXXS/s400/DSC00746.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039219537966290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tSWP0R7uk2KNlbPpRiAEmH-OHIKcUCIB7DBLK6LWm_mO-Bpj2fcY4Er2zJ-0g5cfUTW84olnYto_DtsQzjZzHasX7jQ_DtWaq0GweRedQ0AMZMEgORuk7nzfD3N4ViAXDG8P-NDNXYkh/s400/DSC00744.JPG" border="0" />Hard to appreciate from the photo but this pole was dry rotted pretty much from bottom to top.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039317651146786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrANl1wOf5FduRVeAn35G4Ae_eLBgT6wLhMB9WBJWbvfkS028O1r1573BBWPRD0jTLmuI-qanAQZDSxFQyTtUXqXs_sIh0dHrc4qSENfSRzQc5_z1N65CYbkMLiMlxRmOQjNEBhUYREI2_/s400/DSC00745.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039518897433298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2lhKug3p_ZyUey5ED3WvC5kChC1kJhHksyhSFzttPRTXPzP5lz2v7vCUY7vrvuV0W_6h2njErB1oxsues3U8HbxzJ2jmR0MRfUml1mmuuLgwKpm_1SdfAR-GyZsm8jvmXUcMyQzbIYI6/s400/DSC00747.JPG" border="0" />Look at this picture slowly as we were very proud of our work... and it took the good part of the day for three of us to complete. You can't appreciate some of the inside work we had to do at the top of that corner post. I was a bit worried thebarn would cave in when I cut out the bottom section, but it did not budge. The rest of the framing is decent, a few more 2x 4 to replace inside the front and it will be ready for the siding to go up. </div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039622237044082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJ4iyE1RGCUNZF2hyphenhyphenA5M0EAzX0dh12RQCGgjRzWktUwKWg2uzW7pKJxryfM6AucjsmpGRQ57ecxZOctjYX3zfKjJ0Yk2pelbaQfOnrcR1XNVlEDRfWkkocSBxwNHm3qlgu4TZnC9PqREm/s400/DSC00748.JPG" border="0" />This a view of the garden from by the front of the barn. You can see a few of my garden beds...almost a weeks worth of work there..but that is another story. </div><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728039730670438754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiB8XDET6l65igz8ptAcJOuxVbaQ7f5WZToI0a_Hb0E3_qT-P2gvSxAYaz_TqpW1H-72OtPa3KpQ_KVckfDrKSbjl0RRypxnZJzpIOLMqRfN0ZQqmuswD5WS_deDJ3GV4PaKTw0-5gLj6/s400/DSC00749.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-19754746020679953812012-03-12T09:10:00.010-07:002012-03-12T10:16:31.896-07:00Warmer weather, more projects...<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719043994237729810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1_dhlJrkCPFEwRL-St3YD10GyOikGeX2saFb6b95q7p8jq1-EydUHvdtdRIs8m5STD1cJGEOyKH1-4uL8U7blFfAL9dJLWscehYb6JLUARAv1OuNknj5GvbaaGnq4QBaxu7XbTzn7XU5/s400/chickens+in+coop.JPG" border="0" /> We had a beautiful weekend of weather here in NC. This is just a look at the chickens and guinnias waiting to get outside in the morning to start hunting for bugs. </div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719044158151976162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-cX2_CQLFu-AVZmlSnS76-yMowY5HipY3j0-vwmO0I3plpkmV52NdUU5qTloJXTPKehPgZzFFUnV4WSS1iua4Q93eDDACFuhSpztM-XgeHC4VwpZJQNRW9Fkxj41qHKwbSoI5Qb1KWq0/s400/DSC00712.JPG" border="0" />This was my new "toy" for the weekend. A trencher. I spent most of Saturday digging (not diggin') 300 feet of 24 inch deep trenches from the house to the garage to the barn. The electrician laid the conduit to run the wire next weekend. We figure it will be a nice family project to put all of the dirt back !<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719044499150451138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPaaW8d7kxxt-2QJwnBSa_L-o1ts1M07T6jD5iqrcQMn1r51lylHbxYGP1Q173sMI-tUfcb_OTdDniDGVe9LLNwpJE1anYosoJ4ZHNMiU-fDQmdeU-cussCTK3XeP9P-7WIpBljG326pD/s400/DSC00716.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719044370714896818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFpULAAz1pL51d4sQXao0OGP5jnBz-gs25Oe8RDw0UC1x1oRYD48kLqeankc2trGUsPjYyfjLJCDtnnPxejMrXi6SO2xvYdWwBFQsX4l3ageLC1S56AxU3a2IvEpbL3UHDBJOUsih5kdY/s400/DSC00715.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719044984745744194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvcvW7yP6d2VxX9HVtrN9BoOuZlgokf-GEkGeENlyfqzYJexK-gGcpDt8GAVSoXKhmPywA6_LdttxNLX9a6rKUFiRRaG_W1ykfwpnC5oJlTu0xbO1IvsSPk67BZA4K0fk1z11J-gBZF90/s400/DSC00717.JPG" border="0" />This is one of five bluebird boxes Ethan and I made from salvaged barnwood. Our yard seems to be some kind of bird haven with a lot of bluebirds, bluejays, robins, finches, cardinals(state bird), woodpeckers,... and occasionally a dead bird from the cats.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719056093829032418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw5mjHBZdVGCDZi0emf0c0pspCOhFMyuH4iIo50JY_45NrLuU42LIG9PfBr-GldWseqo0HdZrMQ-Uc5qoPOW1TxPOS7IKOVEGJG1s6DHp8PPgWZ9kCr8H0Sam61S7qGKbnF8Yk8STeqcO/s400/DSC00721.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719059366274428066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLjIM-J0aW4wYAMfhObipCCYiavl36l8VkX-OpgKUShWBEMZPJzfQqiz8wDPuF3dYelX14hELYYw0yggCN4isUNr7hbnxIxTxgFkGlyoiPNH_5Ia-7oy9PqrJGYpaF8OlIbjuTDP4eAum/s400/DSC00722.JPG" border="0" />Sunday Aki and I spent some time in the sun together on the front porch starting some of our garden plants. These are our peppers, herbs, and some flowers. Next weekend we will start the tomatos.<br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719044692513947090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8bRQsR6qWO5cwbnE14WG4F0dV5mqOJeQbaxbhrifV93z97IJ_NsajdUG3DxldunhjJwZ8ZfWt0D_puicM66TzDC25lbDEvze3XmDEjI3qb5g3MRXN1tmCnQ3h4q99Ek7SWY5i6gD9brF/s400/DSC00719.JPG" border="0" /> And this would be Jacob, the bird hunter...after an exhausting day of doing next to nothing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-27698882187152877622012-03-08T13:08:00.007-08:002012-03-08T13:35:32.688-08:00Snow!, a couple weeks ago...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidShGfOH4bpvEs6dYDJSVF51nKnH32RBQh6OEXV-MXoUXIBjXKcEnrQkIxc1DAqRZkgVpSiDtLMrS5PH_P7Cs_VyMV-P7mmen_FzqE4LC8xh7awpMKKVMOgRVH0A12FR6CS3S4vYHOewml/s1600/DSC00704.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717642326614994594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidShGfOH4bpvEs6dYDJSVF51nKnH32RBQh6OEXV-MXoUXIBjXKcEnrQkIxc1DAqRZkgVpSiDtLMrS5PH_P7Cs_VyMV-P7mmen_FzqE4LC8xh7awpMKKVMOgRVH0A12FR6CS3S4vYHOewml/s400/DSC00704.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zEGB9CPR0YLkg81nIJtdF2aAOhS6aKS0xpjspv5rbhw8A5jzZKrfsHiX2FEri41bq-HDuqzVo4wl1Cfz0mKEPntC8zlQq3iyv18WHkfYTWZXTW7d_mYy1FqgbKmXi3RfB42yICtWxg8J/s1600/DSC00700.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717639491588089922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zEGB9CPR0YLkg81nIJtdF2aAOhS6aKS0xpjspv5rbhw8A5jzZKrfsHiX2FEri41bq-HDuqzVo4wl1Cfz0mKEPntC8zlQq3iyv18WHkfYTWZXTW7d_mYy1FqgbKmXi3RfB42yICtWxg8J/s400/DSC00700.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A0fp6AWhPy4p-eWGOOkC9o83EzvyoYfkhJcBHdRbO9R49vk2oBRToqiNUGg5Glc098IEqRoXZ2tIT8NascN_UJJFM7raMYcGWTOkEbfdjY1M1waMMFL-93ywl3JaZVYwbZFk8ueb1nl8/s1600/DSC00698.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717639303621889346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A0fp6AWhPy4p-eWGOOkC9o83EzvyoYfkhJcBHdRbO9R49vk2oBRToqiNUGg5Glc098IEqRoXZ2tIT8NascN_UJJFM7raMYcGWTOkEbfdjY1M1waMMFL-93ywl3JaZVYwbZFk8ueb1nl8/s400/DSC00698.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Hi Folks it has been a dry spell here again. Pretty much we have been holed up waiting for spring. I wanted to share a couple pictures of the only snowfall we really had this year to amount to anything. But this is actually from a couple weeks ago already. The house has performed amazingly over the winter from an energy efficiency standpoint. Our only utility bill is electricity and our monthly bills over the winter have averaged about $85,... a far cry from our $500+ natural gas bills last winter in the rental house! </div><br /><br /><div>We actually are having much more mild weather now with temps often reaching the 60-70's. Trees are starting to bud out and bloom. With that comes a spring list of things to do, so I'll keep you updated on current happenings this spring </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-26665606230103825892011-12-19T13:06:00.000-08:002011-12-29T10:15:04.160-08:00Merry Christmas, etc.<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Sorry for the lack of activity here. Things have been a little slow with the cooler weather and darker days. But I finally took some new pictures to catch up on things, so this is rather long!<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691597165740775714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRVo7bwF4bOozkWwlznx0450NSWjLTxdoq3pVRHlfVv5zCXWEtimO9Uks3bsU2HAmfJdy8vNSdHfyaWAjb8qXjd36jOwpjCIVj80kDnvjBvxm8mC7v5F2KetbhdzYp6io-F6ztKPR-6vc/s400/ross+deer2.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div>Our friend and deer hunter Ross has had a successful fall hunting season. He bagged two good sized bucks from his perch up in the barn loft, the door of which overlooks our field. We have a group of about 15 deer that stll arrive nightly. He and our family are now well stocked with venison for a while. There are still plenty left, including another good size buck which he is "saving" for next year. This might be him below?(from our bedroom window) </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691602178211268466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_MEDruCpsMLv_lCVCslldMrNwY2QCFjA5n6JlN8AHXbFPygAy_3Yd4ekw2d4wHyNb6lqm7ikOs-OzmYRyOm1pjhVDox1ChaltAmQYm1Hmj2n44IKJHJbR_cKP-sEQ5hevoLkt-evd3wu/s400/buck+backyard.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I have been busy the last couple weekends building some good sized compost bins. I was able to build the bulk of them from re-used lumber from the section of the barn we tore down this summer. It took about half a day to scrounge enough to use. A lot of it was split and rotten. I hope I get a few years out of them.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691597992985943714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHa3HUTu577ZKuZ11SNtDYNtseHqggLMXdUS_x59TVGFcDZP0PXwK4PAmrSM1IYIIZbXjaxutqHybTvfxGYthg5srBTaaqfrK8ZqbeHd4k9khESkchmMNzT6mN9BYr-eDlWKZwqgnDX0m/s400/close+up+compost+bin.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691598319901799282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQ6TuMr0vdux2wKGOtN9Al9CzOcx7GCZNK3SSvhZumf-NHhWi8yZAA6J4B19655q0V_14AzECkHPmb0jLUbfSXsjtZlpqtYb4kx0j0ivcM09rVk9ijiWGDqfm55m3KWfrzLhZVfHD7vdL/s400/chickens+and+compost+bins.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div>Unfortunately the current compost pile had to be hand moved so I could place the new double bin where it will stay until it falls apart. There is never a lack of physical activity around here. The bin in the foreground is a beehive style, you can break it down layer by layer. I think we have a good supply of compost material to get the garden started. That is our old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">guinna</span> hen cage in the far ground, they moved in with the layers so I re-purposed it to hold our shredded leaves for mulch in the garden this summer. Beyond that is a pile of leaves yet to be shredded.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691599100367859202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6XX4QSLTkGGW5bm5umhPSereEzDM8RvOh_DS9vC3gngTJpy9d_-1vjDGji2M844a5OfbLXiZ3O00RVqdCn1DocrXu54qtHKcR5vZZ40RY_ijg5JlgFlXkyqv5aE7O1tlboet3P7r4kdm/s400/rock+garden.JPG" border="0" />This is our rock garden that Karen and the kids cleared out of weeds. The rocks accumulated around these trees during our land clearing and the building process over the past year. We planted a lot of wild flower seeds in between the rocks. We will see how it does this coming summer. I hope the chickens did not eat all the seeds we planted. I likely will need to fence it off if things grow until established, or the chickens will have a good time eating all the seedlings.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>And now some more random pictures....<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691600166086603330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLmlNAJ_nS3XMnZlrWD8ynOzs_TmpmWwbD70GFjSQ9nypFP0CJJ2T-8hG1mlOfAN088ui4lF8MRTyujm69lQfTXx4ycxSqpgPWm2-z8eHnmr0HifPeAbwke4XL2BUt_DBLtCy53IuQ6R4/s400/TG+turkey.JPG" border="0" />This was our first turkey we roasted for Thanksgiving...it was AWESOME!, as was the one we just had for Christmas... still not sure we will take them on this summer or not though. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691600908920424178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcuh7rvaja2P0JlhQX_pWElUBs__aCfKitNJwsxYnoMRWnDcAgHd-Yz4dfL8-mRvuD3eW5H-DP9eCJo5VLKUJ4mPPRu5kMc4qM8J87Lj-6Ujoqgi77fJuZpiyEDjNtZKsyJxBiF0xJqIU/s400/close+up+eggs.JPG" border="0" /><br />Speaking of birds, the laying hens have stepped things up lately in the egg production. The last few days 9-10 eggs a day for 14 birds. Pretty good for the winter! I think Ethan had a talk with them when I kept <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">threatening</span> they would be chicken soup if they did not start producing more than 4-5 a day!<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691601573357944306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnDm3cS5unRPOekHSi3vly869YaOxLa144FLB4DBSJgL6h6cch17RDnCoXCY7oojXdVsdj_X6d1l3q5xsT13e-zLm1e6emsVJKLts8s3it6TojN5cPPNva6O_4z9GzquqYBgPgXqkbN6q/s400/ethan%2527s+neck.JPG" border="0" />Speaking of Ethan, ...we feel quite lucky he still has his head attached! This is the aftermath of him trying to duck under a fence at the last minute while riding his bike at full speed!! That mark goes around to the other side as well. Fortunately the fence was just a taunt cord with some give in it, and his guardian angel was looking after him!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>Speaking of angels, ...<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691603882516589874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkfuV653sYfMXKy2JziPhvmF2Sj5fWi3TVKBO4bV5-KoAdTQAYVjmGFTGSenIFIdUpyL0kfwvzR1E41M9YG1zxlDvyp1nagvoToczf4NRxr-VNyW4WFH2WZn2mV-G6u8w-UFadX2H0WJH/s400/kids+by+tree.JPG" border="0" />O.K., angels might be a little strong, but they sure are cute! Speaking of cute....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691604338885799538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18p4EB6B0M7hrrgej1B7Ckrh-thceCKLuwPnwTOJ0iOnGYlpmShE4aMDuJPJooc5iN46mhc0-g4v18cIjEwdXVhnCzG4HTk9gmA3aWKxNf8I4K4a-ygLm9kt8uQhQ9VN0ejM_ZeKn0IQg/s400/KAren+and+me+under+tree.JPG" border="0" />Ha ! Just kidding, ... speaking of just kidding....<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691605309106785026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 351px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z3IgRZdLbiee3ktDYBG0jMlgYfrv6UeJUQWeuxyUX3jlJiWsXqqWc4c2YFk-wbjkJaEk3blz4MJEw21jTQTXun4JssoQiUKBAvnlyVeksVYTLufmlH47ePkliPZWgaceZZ19Os3qABwi/s400/family+picture+by+barn.JPG" border="0" />Our version of American Gothic! ... Karen preferred the more traditional family picture...<br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691605912651233138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGpFPXdq7vkyETRtKbXd3osO-OkgtutaQWt74ofCOO0cNZjDm0tO1P77qxGVpCh7iyriZswsHqKnCsLFMxGEmtbRHuatS6Fyfb5Qbi54vvShyphenhyphen_dePq3SHzXO5g8UeZbm05Ph9qrKiNHel/s400/family+picture+by+tree.JPG" border="0" />Still trying to get used to that green house! Speaking of green...<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691606440305012770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtn9FPaT_zY557cx16FHnfYnk0agXOmxQykpvC4qPq-Xchwupd9YJzu-WUFh24MUGhhi6kD2WJmQR3TXvctnC3baGsdOgU48JT3wkSnC80r5dHAtegykY6yXZBC5SdbJ5-oteEKQNAPv9/s400/xmas+bowl.JPG" border="0" />This might just look like an ugly green bowl to you. Actually, it was a Christmas gift from the kids that makes me smile <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">every time</span> I see or use it for my breakfast cereal. When I unwrapped it, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Shalo</span> promptly and proudly told me "We got it from the dump! " ... that's my girl !... As many of you know we can be on the frugal side. We are well known at the dump for checking out the recycle building. You never know what you are going to find! This was actually a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Veitri</span> brand bowl from Italy. And these are the crazy shoppers ... </div><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691608427598127794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheD6QSazopSaEgHBYopvlXiDKLVg8M0ksjS19uRBA-yqVuzTRTvYZkD_rbIbZbRkrjVw4UyKp7_sSYLqzgB12FKNfEfpaWUlgzhoSwc0EP-JUnTBsWlGJD_xmi0YOqIp_0gGG6dT1_QZEF/s400/karen+and+shalo+by+barn.JPG" border="0" />I will accept an ugly bowl from them anytime! </div><br /><br /><br /><div>So that should catch you all up with us down here. It has been a busy, yet rewarding year for our family. We have a busy, year ahead with many more projects to go. We feel blessed in many ways and are thankful for them them all. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...and upcoming year!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691610008564213970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wXsAOab73PSTbfYqQSJ30Nk-vrbLPBzlmhQolLgEvOUn9n3TMEcalLVpQZPktBfV33bnnLsitSPAH2bqEygvS_t1JIdWlJf56nrhP45tsXMJXf_WrNc4-60U8pURfJy3TMgic7rJbq3_/s400/house+at+night.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-45360538366376294422011-10-28T06:13:00.000-07:002011-10-28T06:29:05.896-07:00Fall Harvest and Shed update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_AqcPtv3QmbMNaYndhxH9oz5tmc1Ny_Q_C7zM14L7jX5z63L0FpGXfSgscHU19iyE9l3H3Wxiq6yf9axuXCcT-ekLa7xXDhYFmozI3tHzQwCdsVjM7IuN_e2nt_8MsafGNTXccqCgt9b/s1600/new+shed+and+barn.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668531092268768386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_AqcPtv3QmbMNaYndhxH9oz5tmc1Ny_Q_C7zM14L7jX5z63L0FpGXfSgscHU19iyE9l3H3Wxiq6yf9axuXCcT-ekLa7xXDhYFmozI3tHzQwCdsVjM7IuN_e2nt_8MsafGNTXccqCgt9b/s400/new+shed+and+barn.JPG" border="0" /></a> Just a quick update. The shed is nearly completed, ... other than getting the front window in. It blew over one day and broke during the construction process. I just got it back from the glass shop yesterday. But otherwise I am quite pleased with how it turned out. That stack of lumber in front of the barn is the siding for the front of the barn and north side of barn. Yet another big project, but after building the shed, I think that will be pretty easy. The hardest part will be replacing any "rotten" framing underneath, which overall is rather minimal. It may wait until spring. I will dry stack the lumber in the barn for the time being.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKChH_VEdBOs0EtDrre-j_Q9E4CWa42qfJIBFXjmnam4pxJFo2CaXN8dlPGHeny8ajZ6DQT4PwSsSnkFT52y4ylZ4mY33uxQwk6P-hE-FGQkG-eonfNc9q-8qjElQfDwSZwqK6o0Rk5p0/s1600/Ethan+and+ranger+rooster.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668530769582099762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKChH_VEdBOs0EtDrre-j_Q9E4CWa42qfJIBFXjmnam4pxJFo2CaXN8dlPGHeny8ajZ6DQT4PwSsSnkFT52y4ylZ4mY33uxQwk6P-hE-FGQkG-eonfNc9q-8qjElQfDwSZwqK6o0Rk5p0/s400/Ethan+and+ranger+rooster.JPG" border="0" /></a> This Saturday is out fall harvest of the meaties. This is Ethan starting to say good bye, he really will be glad when they are gone I think, as he did not particularly enjoy cleaning out their three waterers every night. We have 45 left out of an initial 56. Neighbors dog got about six, hawk one, one gimpy one that had to go (despite our initial efforts to nurse her along) and one of unknown causes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-91640053998236892352011-10-11T17:19:00.001-07:002011-10-12T09:24:50.133-07:00From Barn to Beach...Things have been pretty busy down here the past few weeks. Karen and I have been continuing to plug away at the barn addition/coop, the kids have just finished up their fall break. The coop is turning out nicely. Below is a shot of the walls framed up. I divided the area up into a garden tool storage area, a chick brooder area, and the far section is a 12 foot chicken coop area. It should allow us to easily have up to 30 -40 layers should we choose to be that crazy. Currently we have 14 hens. I don't think they are all laying yet, as on a good day we are getting only 8 eggs. Some days only 3-4! I suspect they are hiding some where we are not finding them.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662396030782784898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfDjt4OCTUWHnuDQzibBaQ1oq_AwCCvn9nO57H7xR7gWSH3LU0M46nMl3l1UZ1PosvWUQjFzginNwkFHdy3uqm3bY0rvdyOmCfrkm9gAyo-57O_MsS22S8cBQkQiQn9r2UnIvyNUoPICk/s400/DSC00476.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662397789661390002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o4WlKwGd75_0RDlEK1US890P_ZtpBI7bA3hwWqEYq130xY1TfDHpjSS6ZbH324vp5CM8_zfTcscEz1XWHtOIFFtEZU2jGZtS1t6fPyQYRmA60uIirhq5fQN3T9aa9n4KjDrXweccfnm1/s400/DSC00480.JPG" />Karen patiently spent an afternoon helping me heft the rafters into place and listening to me curse how different the birds beak notches were for each one, mistakenly I cut them all at once after the first one fit perfectly... if I ever do anything like this again I will know better. But all in all the roof framed up quite nicely.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662398435743685346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglc1Iz0V0sNtlrhegJWb8RZJ853EZSh1HOL2nmWLW8eFVaEk27gWNkvU3LibuwH5ObV1rPxLo5Kgmr-IVjLD2x2Dphayp6Zb92EMVlwvVj-A_D1qje1JczyjzkGYjG0ZrP-DabKYgB8NIg/s400/DSC00478.JPG" />Aki is a good helper if you keep a close eye on him!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662394247131960562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oyKdTjXDNuzWgCaEf-k0IBuiYENEfhlHFjwOvKWyP8gld3oHS7qvTvtIbGsc2K1HycmXxXEiDufH3WnZ3wbaVSbVRxfakqn-soj9SGKrFbpNnKhdywpoKxlodpKif2zblmXMcJlVbcPC/s400/DSC00506.JPG" />Putting up the metal roofing went pretty well, again I had to have Karen help heft and hold each panel until I could secure it in place. There was a brief learing curve with the screws, but overall it turned out nicely. The hardest thing was keeping from sliding off! The roof is actually finished, and I have the front of the addition sided and windows up. Hope to finish siding the ends this coming weekend. It is a slow process with the batten board siding. Lots of cutting and nailing. But it is looking good. More pictures soon.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662395106075975634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLRUjjJFsmJItjtEFJXNQb7jZv_jfdIvCusR9jICWu2i0Jbj6mCBMy-iJkymHQQ86w1WQGN6LGWKm42dEuC72GAABTYHJDR34QW1kbO3elOJcHO9pHZYpQTAVqUilxk_zBSPBP_-rSQvo/s400/DSC00514.JPG" /> Towards the end of the day the turkeys dropped by to check things out!<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662399201039078466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKErm-ckJOJ3b1digJa2qb8_c7L5rkyU3bWNE17SSzNyFOfyodKd4jC9XLOARLdHLIQC53X0tACYMasPCZpEOzWok2gihFRusxlR_Mn1-KK9sKfBaJRuDGBLkdfc4VsV86GghBSWM8F01/s400/DSC00519.JPG" /></p><br /><p>Actually, I think they were trying to stake their claim on the new digs for a new roosting site!<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662401002476869810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPip4DJortL2OtEwxhDeyBPy304v2nS2l0ZfZcMF270PRsSCTIn5C0OjE0Rxm6VY3QU0Ov7B2UeT25-3XWT-1Qtq3CTlc4nAnNNdn-sEqZe_N1F-oItiQIZxmzo7UJNjkZVwMNCRQvazDr/s400/DSC00483.JPG" />We took a day off to take a day trip to the beach in Wilmington, NC... it was about a three hour drive. Nice weather, relaxing,.. but a long drive for a day trip. I think worth it as the kids had a great time...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662409816298904978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlNOGh-GwFAreDvqMAuLjWjxViKODAHHU4-3Mt9iIOQP6fH1vscrNjxyhQjhx4g02dQzdp5nYeBMkmggDRb0WHjkFAevk4le7nY7MQ8F-yBrZp2SEDSr_-DqmR65XEf_5ew4F3YimPGjl/s400/DSC00491.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662404105046292914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLxYdhj597BNwwdDfsCe9-BSZ3JPxlHK7gTeK9P5JGGY-k4bvFSwF9WtHZwqb5Rdr4iEIUPdRCpeFRnZtHKtGfu3Qv8csZivzkogK2Aoo6SfTDI7-gtWGxoPS38TVCqOhzRtTFqJOByGe/s400/DSC00497.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662401524057269970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniyWM9Rl2Z7e-VAkjfyz3-ZsLjLJoJNzZ7iuzqLcq38zILVEkIEWsKTfXpjdsxc7vKXOrk_3WQV4DgwNGg3Ot8tU939NfX16ZRNhGETJbaijBl5T1KXGahjoN1cG4yl3tgbmbzq98wNoE/s400/DSC00492.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662409140784090370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeWeKHDkegLIv1hAivF3pSyCuVPFH_oMQkdmXO5PT3ImEyqXbtajGzbmeVgrf1wpnW8FjheH__NoNgSamMd-4MW3g8e96T7Q6uUD_Yr3efCrpYppHc_QboYMh9U9_-i6Ng7K1ZabF7rxB/s400/DSC00500.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-16871847092134435132011-09-13T08:21:00.000-07:002011-09-23T12:07:14.265-07:00Finally... Cooler Weather!<div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655604377398517154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x5hbn5B5rbnfqT6dRBR03BuSGn_gRj5iUiSH1fkb8zOj2ln8CCWdz6TdiBtzyS79OcFqLnePQYs9DzXil7y5uvznCRjYvxW3S-y24D8RBfEN7-XJmemnd2EjYiB6iauVXyDl9Ecqf9ul/s400/DSC00469.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">a lot</span> of news down here this past week. The weather has certainly been more pleasant. And the last tropical storm blew in some very nice rain early last week. We also just got grazed by a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tornado</span>, and only lost a few big tree limbs. We are anticipating temps in the seventies this weekend, and fifties at night. Looking forward to that. This past weekend the kids wanted to camp out in the field. We pitched the tents, we could not get to sleep, and all came in by midnight to the comfort of our beds. I am getting too old to sleep on the ground, especially after a long day of hard labor preparing slab area for new shed/coop. It may not look like much , but that was hours of hard labor, digging footings with pick ax, spreading gravel. . </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655604670065658914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVngHmgZ6LH3YII6EluGP-i0hmGtVqta7r-IHIUS3qrTm-coyEny6VVS7TkwKl1cGl3Q-XmSansLv5RqYh4-iD6CVK-dKVSS53N_vpMzpUotwIe4EFdEPYC8w6tAvEyFiZBGzgn33CKsgd/s400/DSC00466.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655604467708668818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61T1u9YyNFDIqBqSpccSf4XvlitzsPOPLu87AoiK-KGE16NHG_juXJE02uOpHj_5wriCKwhMAtHeYHmK03eqKI1cwsPOMQJjFEHDh-FtQD8RYX45uHZC42ttULZdvK39vsI3ckarr8Kml/s400/DSC00468.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The turkeys are in the freezer except for the left over three Bourbon Reds(above, wondering where their conrads are...) Which we were hoping to breed in the spring. The turkeys were not fun too harvest, I had to wrestle them down to the ground to catch them. They were BIG, the biggest tom dressed out at 30+ pounds ! Not sure if we will do again next year or not. Will have to see what we think after we try one or two of them.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655604570059327074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvWO1dAavmvGx-JyvuOpzHT3trQeKMraW3cYNhPzQjOB0lcYIQCckL0iUREqQGqKIzLgWumiXX8Oau7tT60MDI2Wr4AygCUXUwgbxFEfp3n84aZTDIuLkazQG7lfGKAi55wMPrwfGqL_q/s400/DSC00465.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We got the new metal roof on the barn, they did a good job. I have the sight prepared to pour the slab for the lean-too shed off the side. This will serve primarily as out chicken coop, which needs to be done like yesterday! I will also section off some for a garden tool storage area, and a chicken brooder area. Hoping to get that started this weekend, if slab gets poured this week. I found a local saw mill to cut some rough <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sawn</span> lumber to match current batten board siding pattern at a reasonable cost. One week later... slab is poured, foundation blocks laid. I got the end walls framed up, and hope to finish framing this weekend(09/24/2011)</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655604746445208386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RutLp0wSPJdYAZ3p07LuDL77E8TFqXTxXAluACBIK8VfG7WAZ_TUQ7hOv6cV1FlcJ21zRk9F58j3FuimnbLy7X0YZAI9unDx755oIvrqODE1SFJVT45x9xqueFdRlwdM9_PySOoGtdjd/s400/DSC00474.JPG" border="0" />And this is Ethan tending to our "9-11" fire which kept burning the whole weekend in memory of that horrible event...it also allowed us to get rid of piles of junk wood from when we tore down the rotten half of the barn. Surely undoing a years worth of effort to decrease our carbon foot print!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655604286379077266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguY5hxRw2213IL336gJ6YXxZc8mGb5zOycLmGieGD8Wq8UBG_414VZHb2TkO4oq9Mv_NWOKSqI7p_himL13x8wpPKTy9h6G0bA9HOEcNrAWLdNgCtMoydPQr4D7yLCRggvlk932QY2TXU/s400/DSC00472.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br />And just an update on the colored rangers, to date they are 7 weeks old, about six to go...this picture is two weeks old now. Unfortunately I heard some of the young cocks trying to crow this morning! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tha</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">t could</span> be a lot of crowing as they continue to grow for 6 more weeks!Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-83052315809791040392011-08-29T12:58:00.000-07:002011-08-30T08:21:47.706-07:00Poultry Farm Happenings...So hurricane Irene came and went and we sustained no real damage. We did experience some pretty strong winds, and got a measly 0.3 inches of rain.. which I am thankful for, as it is the most we have had in a month or so. Usually a hurricane brings several inches of rain, which is what we really could have used. Otherwise things have been going well. The layers are coming of age and we are starting to get a few small eggs each day. In full production I anticipate about ten a day. Two of our "hens" turned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">ou</span>t to be roosters! Alas the first one liked to wake me up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre-</span>dawn with constant crowing... he also was a bit rough with the young ladies... he crows no more. His <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">predecessor</span>, also a very similar appearing Light <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Brahma</span> has better early AM manners, or is blessed with the fact that the sun is coming up more around 06:20AM now instead of 05:50AM. Or he saw what happens to un-mannerly roosters... he seems a bit gentler on the young ladies so far, but perhaps his hormones have not <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> kicked in. Time will tell.
<br />
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646370712248957842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAegg6uCfGO9ZdIwb3iBEktrYaPQcMe1q4XbeUB4Bg8pxNrgdFtewHLD32LlFAkxBcwjtfwQez4XzXty6LBl6Rl1DM3sUZgpl6oxfVyjI5irAXSAeowsx7GtUiCleqTRk5VHOY0WufHPEi/s400/Chicken+and+herbs.JPG" /> "Chicken and Herbs"
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>
<br />
<br /><div>
<br />
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646370629711502818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlucRmh6DPiY5aQEzQNkn-SrQgitGb4Xi7MpBXZRFlOmsxGMCKH_2LZcYbZSGZSDGHAEC-smIupGPlKoYCdid2X4wK3Cko-gP_dcK39qH8mVL4YfwPDA5TF33mgac6HXNtr0RccsLm2lFh/s400/dusting+chicks.JPG" /> Hens dusting in the compost pile... this is the day after the hurricane.... dry, dry, dry!
<br />
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646370393779016754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-cUu-PQGW6MCqr3pBnBUSY8XnqOYmnYjgbwD0j-kcuayiktEkA8Nnz0Nvr1W53nU4gQQf_8IqC8A3hUtc0wIW7a1G_4pyTPKmc5xISpXmiYsW3SUnYn_c1Srjk_f0Y3lYlxJ_9Cq2Wax/s400/DSC00455.JPG" />
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>Our new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">meaties</span> ( Colored Rangers, or Freedom Rangers) are about 4 weeks old now. They should be at harvest age in early November. I like them so far, they are pretty active, supposed to be better foragers then the Cornish Cross we did previously. We moved them to pasture by hand this weekend, one or two at a time. We could not get them to move on land...
<br />
<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646370276649995714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OiR0_dET78DFjC7COjS37zC3BdI-N1V1VAK6Zr5-avxYmpAWQAKTwC6OhHvtxRWMkplnzwSnQ8YkFeUiqhrtfFRktJ97Z9EeRo1ySIwEl1gFe37DnCobl4IfGZbUJzOYxrQPgk2UGiRc/s400/Aki+and+chick.JPG" />
<br />
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646370183478748178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdDsDCH9_5SEPStRftU5uk14PQvdGpzsF9pSlASvbmj8qirBmqhW21GhOw-hokU4Yb5QfQg2lWKEB08eR7oPXrSn1-EJkThWUVUrM1lM4JqMyJU5fNGFsuuGq2XbBA80hEbdclnWYLK3g/s400/Chick+Magnent.JPG" />
<br />I think the chickens have been like pet therapy to Ethan, he loves holding them, watching eggs come out, making the rooster crow, mate, etc..</div>
<br />
<br /><div></div>
<br />
<br /><div>I took our last sick turkey into the local vet school diagnostic facility this AM. They will sacrifice it and do a necropsy( like an autopsy). So hopefully I can find out what I was dealing with. I had a preliminary call from the poultry vet who thought it might be a viral transmitted liver cancer. Waiting on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">histopath</span> results.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div>
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646370502216690194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncM4btKsAiwawgrikrK1GLk04-py54cXHm3bRG5pmVWZq0MIyhPrcwu-0kQPt8Y4jTI8uxsV4nOmZ4Zdhr8zXDcdLAUdgn13YceTCNqEaxOTC768MlQPkYVZqIP6TpdF5Z4b0ve9IC1HN/s400/barn+and+coop+area+darker.JPG" />And finally the barn is getting a new roof this week, this I hired out, as I won't be much good with a broken back, leg , etc. Our kind neighbor came over on his <em>Bobcat</em> and saved me a week of back breaking shovel and wheelbarrow work by digging down the foundation sight for the future chicken coop. I plan on putting it on a full slab, with a low block foundation wall. I am sure we will get some good rain in the next couple days... now that the barn roof is torn out...even then, it would be a welcome sight.
<br />
<br />
<br /><div></div></div></div></div>
<br />Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-32866446277462832762011-08-15T09:11:00.000-07:002011-08-15T09:28:09.443-07:00The problem with free range turkeys...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBHhBy2AY5GrU-ZASt6Da6ZghWK69nj4wVTrz2bZgtPFRLmziHJhgxoWDViHnF_HmdKSaRZwAsltNaRRJJ4PP1Ym-XOYcIHj0NaEO7jitP7lIF7kYIwv5nAg0BkgMs70Ssm-iLLwxi2F5/s1600/DSC00443.JPG"></a>
<br />
<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641116222664050786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3nHw3gwr3ToK4Bt8SSx4M2eRgFCvXFqEnYNx9aS_33id0BlDvOLN5GZd4N13bsNuaaTJg-NpH4Go_Qow29ESddrbKAWVmRB-ZBAgXy1WmrOGsxe0NRrnobric9cDWpgDJxOJou3qwKOp/s400/turkeys+backyard.JPG" border="0" /> We finally had a little break in the weather,.. upper 80's instead of upper 90's... which was a welcome change. I thought I would let the turkeys out to see what they would do with some open spaces. Turns out instead of wanting to roam the 4 acre field they felt more comfortable sticking around the human folks. They spent hours roaming about the yard, hanging out with us while we sipped a cup of coffee out in the yard Sunday morning. Later, when we were inside they came knocking at the front door, I guess wanting us to come back outside to play! </div>
<br /><div>
<br /><div>
<br />
<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641116308458049378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_fddZBdh_MrdTuTZwSSlppOmZYYg9AGKt5yCco0xPv0NFYp3kTd9Ea4NGjvBRiLLLX8voOp2cevtVuj7AQ2mnc9PIER6jOiX9-G9jd72ovXuc4bcrJW3hI5AwnvrUolyuGF6Hq2UETS6/s400/DSC00439.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div>
<br />
<br /><p>It all seemed real cute, later we saw them perching on our cars,... later we discovered those big claws can put some big scratches on the hood of your car!! Oh, well... that is one good thing about having an 18 yo car! </p>
<br /><p>We recieved our 56 meaties (colored rangers) they are currently stinking up our screened in porch in the wading pool brooder... which needs to be cleaned out daily and woodchips replaced... that many chicks produce a lot of chick poop, which will hopefully enrich our garden next year. I am sure I will have picts of them after I get them out in the chicken tractor in another week or so. </p>
<br /><p>We are looking forward to the cooler weather. It will make it so much more enjoyable doing things outside. We are anticipating a new metal barn roof in a few weeks, and building the chicken coop soon after that. I found a local saw mill that will cut the rough cut siding for our barn at a decent price. The problem with that is we may end up having to dry stack dry it for several months before we can hang it. Sounds like a spring project. Though it will go up on the coop this fall? </p>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-17174524905181386482011-07-25T07:44:00.000-07:002011-07-25T08:43:34.379-07:00Inside the homestead...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633301336782742082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0nnxL9RlxpOD3KE8h7M13QC0UKcSKiRB3jtbpgZOzndmmqs2xU6-cqgALwWyiBiYCVcMp1cpcOcFb4KoBrRCUxyl1Hw6H-YnaFwLkUwCw_AEve8m1yz2NsugVhOHf8zB01rN144dgqhr/s400/DSC00425.JPG" border="0" />With the hot weather I have been cooped up inside more, so finally took a few <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pictures inside</span> the house to share, though it is really hard to do justice to things. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">With</span> the camera I have, I really can't fit much into a picture inside the house. I'll share some random snippets so you can get a general idea of how the inside of house finished out. No particular order.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633301449310173746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s-Su5ohqn5h7Ih3jWHx7HsYLSVwpuYSvCptZFoPEmiDYTx8SONLzEVvJrjLvSdF5w1wVRpAPIbLCmfR9Qz3gXCivXojeOeAmewMx_hMnXDMAnLK6GrTAWpI0BdMYwPZqlZFG16vocaTw/s400/kids+somersualt+front+yard.JPG" border="0" />Well, this is not exactly inside, but it was the view from the BF nook window last evening...<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633303293652770514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_O10eJxuNw6p-blMMT24-afMo32xtTvspErLEwnQIKoLOiga_hy2cTcC9LeR1ReLZWUtBpQBvKTvbFS_YRVrEE21pkVFC2Irr53k-1YbCNT5VCESIz0iXG-Wze-7hO7VyVUu0pp8Rq3Iw/s400/DSC00433.JPG" border="0" /> Kitchen in the morning...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633303165771390818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMgYgWgLh6FC-CgahoPOx8bQ9qc1ieJacyFDV54LsKzvbq30E4bxwoLFSfUlYQG3sIaEB37gcBRYZh14Ja5jAq57KYE2wZhniD9HAcdeM7-nz6-mZgi1gKAvgpDpXrNyXnRZPwil1TNnp/s400/DSC00417.JPG" border="0" />From up on the balcony, looking over kitchen and into the BF nook...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633303062803147586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN52Q48Hl9zb26MznufcvLyF9g9wY7sL8Hdht8JnrvvfHjaWCXYqzjLdZ2WzO0fgcHjtNNVxBmQGBn2y8tJsCrMKuoaI5Ue8sfT-9Lfvse8uw-dsjy7UHYasTFfjBAuNSESvI8aM-TuPgk/s400/DSC00414.JPG" border="0" />Karen's favorite room, ... in full production it appears...<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302933197224242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbLeACm_HiPAcblPmAFtBecLRNIaX58nfhwuhayZ0ELgRXE17XVh41a_3pP0Db9NwtReTq5vGcr0qaa45REgjmvXoRDXeVPna9_b8BVj8C2w6cyWuNx8mCRnLQ1c18jUN1lMx8RY7UnQp/s400/DSC00412.JPG" border="0" />View from the reading loft upstairs....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2NNXbubEENsOuL09FsZfsAfminZ4ydhcZKIPVUXav9ikHN6QrQXDjg2J66mlcJ4QgxlFyQlmitWpOpX9mwFHhFidghRApvh0i6z70Q4ajBGK7JtREsCEC3irCTW2M-AA4VeJL0l4zoQw/s1600/DSC00413.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302829401213490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2NNXbubEENsOuL09FsZfsAfminZ4ydhcZKIPVUXav9ikHN6QrQXDjg2J66mlcJ4QgxlFyQlmitWpOpX9mwFHhFidghRApvh0i6z70Q4ajBGK7JtREsCEC3irCTW2M-AA4VeJL0l4zoQw/s400/DSC00413.JPG" border="0" /></a> Upstairs balcony,...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPiWxB17a-ksAR9-YNtx8bLBDo3IFYYcZRr3O0HRbc7xuqF3sHjih2ajEbbnxvYQIa3Csuw1a3-n5ueFey6mqRl3ca9_9Gs2nthSqGRolDU7FLa9zrU-2F2l0yg8dBWo5B-v1N5_3Gw_X/s1600/DSC00411.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302707007983218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPiWxB17a-ksAR9-YNtx8bLBDo3IFYYcZRr3O0HRbc7xuqF3sHjih2ajEbbnxvYQIa3Csuw1a3-n5ueFey6mqRl3ca9_9Gs2nthSqGRolDU7FLa9zrU-2F2l0yg8dBWo5B-v1N5_3Gw_X/s400/DSC00411.JPG" border="0" /></a>Downstairs looking down hallway west to east....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh9ReiEssTS8EFJZpOz-2ae1GV0K9n-jxLjUCmdsewPDfeGn5PfsLm19WtEmpJPKLxcIMKJzoAf8-jujKjrOIDoEZ1OLo3Ha8_8CFHb78gOuhJNW8lHHWP_bFa9SpQagUKYoz9T_sP5i5/s1600/DSC00410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302617727036498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzh9ReiEssTS8EFJZpOz-2ae1GV0K9n-jxLjUCmdsewPDfeGn5PfsLm19WtEmpJPKLxcIMKJzoAf8-jujKjrOIDoEZ1OLo3Ha8_8CFHb78gOuhJNW8lHHWP_bFa9SpQagUKYoz9T_sP5i5/s400/DSC00410.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dining room,....pass through in the upper right corner, fireplace to the left....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SObCW1KQQ6KSVX-LxcYWgzMafGTPZX_HExSd8jeuZCIaiZB2abZ_W-XmJcmfVjARLdF-3-av7JwVRrrVbm28ED6J4X9eizLjJesxTzxmXHaj03lHSbQKOTh_bif-aeq3ksILaEN74jBV/s1600/DSC00409.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302538500777682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SObCW1KQQ6KSVX-LxcYWgzMafGTPZX_HExSd8jeuZCIaiZB2abZ_W-XmJcmfVjARLdF-3-av7JwVRrrVbm28ED6J4X9eizLjJesxTzxmXHaj03lHSbQKOTh_bif-aeq3ksILaEN74jBV/s400/DSC00409.JPG" border="0" /></a> Living room....east end of house..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7772poXVUqRJ-6_MFDb3n7PWS9HDcnm_UjJNBAZshovPQO5DlmHudNMUAXdjrtPSvLsXEhCIj2Y8nRZq7uyZS7FW7A4depJ-L74moIJCBkNKTW5Zen_6zevOYTLaMxe-cWtQueKrRtmn/s1600/DSC00408.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302436567289474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7772poXVUqRJ-6_MFDb3n7PWS9HDcnm_UjJNBAZshovPQO5DlmHudNMUAXdjrtPSvLsXEhCIj2Y8nRZq7uyZS7FW7A4depJ-L74moIJCBkNKTW5Zen_6zevOYTLaMxe-cWtQueKrRtmn/s400/DSC00408.JPG" border="0" /></a> Fireplace between living room and dining room...<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633302323037252850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR3ys99zo71-N1ARCPYEFw1co08XeDam6xGL4ZurOS_SXZoKwxejZZjbLsOUmoIPLuGnaoFnjoiUxFF9qdB8IA1KijqUiWA2shcmm3bPcVxiWeJbwXe6atwpLXdKNdhHPl3MZD-dqlZCF/s400/DSC00406.JPG" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sun room</span> doors which lead into the West entry area screened in porch...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633309576584099778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiE94KLpiw1X-oKo2HnJSid3L734blWhkZhXHouXMFQj2GmIx3DqtVZYqNFY-zROwRNYNpG7kxikYA1fLuaxB1WocwqAD4tWY19bAJAnIAR_RqcTMS5nvvh2FhysN3i_oWwecNtobUVer/s400/DSC00407.JPG" border="0" /><br />View from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sun room</span> out to front yard....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-89000614420013103212011-07-18T08:33:00.000-07:002011-07-18T10:50:34.440-07:00Barn Razing!!<div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630717976367820626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErzemrSFgCneQNWqh4OM9Fa6pw4grrnuSCpIFWMqHR1BpeUkQrVoYvyKSEFZqffUA710hKfu7C6y_YIonS5kek46H5yL1vyzw8O48b-YNRlOqb7w7woCDKRlW6nYtZOdTuwLpk8Ub7UNZ/s400/DSC00347.JPG" border="0" /> I know there has not been anything new here lately, but we have not been sitting around watching the sunset <em>every</em> day! This barn needed some serious TLC. As you will see below the right hand lean too section was in a serious state of disrepair. Our goal was to salvage the main left side structure which seems pretty solid. We decided to add a support beam down the center to give it a little more support. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tha</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">t could</span> have been a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">separate</span> BLOG entry in itself. It took four adults and a couple kids manning hydraulic jacks to get our beam up against the ceiling and add the posts underneath it. Overall it worked out well... and no one had any posts fall on their head..almost but not ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630718639185920018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHievCfjiPp-q2ScIJdbtDBly3Ld0W80TSVGRovxDL8bjoPXpVqXkxbtUsdbfidkb7bxMB27V62chbRo2AxxKBYBC2xsSD8n0OKJuhyphenhyphenL_pc1QPXcCV4mcPa4aaIoA3ANC-T0HecEU4kNvw/s400/DSC00348.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630718471023525602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixblOGV4oZVUJ_hECc82Y_hMxwOm65LKuoGoWnI67PfsVsDdr0Jr9LAhV_jZK9Ir1Qx8SSyu-JqKFCszd1HEgGj5_L8hBWHpXnmCa5S9DbDd-Qfe5rui-ih5JLWV46-q0Xi3FVYksxXNGO/s400/DSC00343.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is a look at what we were dealing with on that right hand side...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630718850217307602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaj0oJuypVnAQwvEEdIRpXHOgpOCgYd-6HTrZfW-Mc0Wrt4gfvaO2choLZ8vfl3zggWyGOMLlqSPyyIIrhpx9BXGZUuWq9GRAsLpqEYfrpWimlVR-kMruJJ-Vu82-OFs93vhGIRtYmHi1/s400/DSC00368.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Although none of us really took down a barn before, I think we had an excellent crew, we were constantly deliberating how to do it without killing anyone. We decided to start with the roof removal and salvaged the newer pieces of metal previously installed with good intentions...<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630719075161930658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHmT9ld6M7Czo9JvfusLNqPlsqs4A5GEOOqRjo5hMEdkYlJIEZwMJxyhN1S6WdQr78DD9oNtfZ8mHE1a9sut5LQ4EVwTk0owvyIkYoJSyeFPNKLGVHtHsWmd6IxnbIlb67kxs9J5ezHzY/s400/DSC00376.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Next we started stripping off the siding, again trying to salvage as much wood as possible. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630720280331917202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24i8XaLwi6T3QcUElbSELCevg4QzUOCRJt071tV0P4Q-jWKYSrw9eenuUIXqW3xHAlgxzvnMPGLszJeMFaYYBCJwNzOY5iJzqV4xN1LRL_fOEAnjluc-IqlFe74KPQm13ENXBsc03GUOK/s400/DSC00390.JPG" border="0" />We noticed some interesting building techniques with cedar support posts notched out for supporting true 2 x4 framing pieces. I have plans for using two of these for either <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">clothe line</span> poles or hammock supports. I would guess they are at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">least</span> 75-10 years old. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT6CQ9bqm1bDZ2fsU0i6U11Bca0ylG3mXp1b-Bco0UldnTgKgbq19CdqiPfkvpBpPceIPfP7x9zGYXjQEu0xJlHhXnc9Zv90a74ggXZxcXWeVf0U83LrIp1rb6F9zzrcTDur0gCQMfHJ8/s1600/DSC00389.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630720459118587730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT6CQ9bqm1bDZ2fsU0i6U11Bca0ylG3mXp1b-Bco0UldnTgKgbq19CdqiPfkvpBpPceIPfP7x9zGYXjQEu0xJlHhXnc9Zv90a74ggXZxcXWeVf0U83LrIp1rb6F9zzrcTDur0gCQMfHJ8/s400/DSC00389.JPG" border="0" /></a> After the siding was removed we decided we would need to take the roof rafters and floor joists out one at a time, and one end at a time, .. which worked out well... we all took turns using the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><em>SAWZALL</em></span> that we sent Karen to <em>Home Depot</em> to get... she did well, and I think it paid for itself in one day! <br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkj1x2G1YRdJDYSH1SDE_LrzWoRty0J1EWEQ_8fvGzT7x_BvuoLNbqo01se9cZ1rLtoZNqaux9SPiMQBpajuxdYFaqIryU74WOEyWaMw6XG6k5NZW5x8ITiJuPE7UKKPhxDNfzr6zkXBK/s1600/DSC00387.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630720131685263586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkj1x2G1YRdJDYSH1SDE_LrzWoRty0J1EWEQ_8fvGzT7x_BvuoLNbqo01se9cZ1rLtoZNqaux9SPiMQBpajuxdYFaqIryU74WOEyWaMw6XG6k5NZW5x8ITiJuPE7UKKPhxDNfzr6zkXBK/s400/DSC00387.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln44BCqP1iXfFnGVwNt5CEgxOBeAS1QycfH4WjYYIuDmB7PjrorNGtZ5_e9FedHX4sLUNpPvJNG1335qDr9VbGA2n08K-PYNC_dHk_ERUz_r0BbvIKR7d85DGGMcDMNmxwcVwCFItybNx/s1600/DSC00384.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630719923022620546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln44BCqP1iXfFnGVwNt5CEgxOBeAS1QycfH4WjYYIuDmB7PjrorNGtZ5_e9FedHX4sLUNpPvJNG1335qDr9VbGA2n08K-PYNC_dHk_ERUz_r0BbvIKR7d85DGGMcDMNmxwcVwCFItybNx/s400/DSC00384.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAukiGblhPRHHiMacDEwUT-aj4vkabi-xnHSmilL2ycgKTh6LoRFWEjk-QEj81STD4N32FT59w7-wKONfKucAWzhmbO-nDyl-thib03e2unz85clNQeA0UvIxe05VmxTS_7m7GL7rGnl9V/s1600/DSC00386.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630719741409796514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAukiGblhPRHHiMacDEwUT-aj4vkabi-xnHSmilL2ycgKTh6LoRFWEjk-QEj81STD4N32FT59w7-wKONfKucAWzhmbO-nDyl-thib03e2unz85clNQeA0UvIxe05VmxTS_7m7GL7rGnl9V/s400/DSC00386.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhoy-QEJ6GciLMurkdEGgxh7Xh4m0U74SPKKr52Eh4UM-TVsuCB43PNeYJ40EoDd7RNRYO2aI-iwPywDiDe7G5jYuP1P7Df9Mgkt9J4OCdATyVYX4AmtvA3aVraSPKd1JAQi7hQhd5jUC/s1600/DSC00379.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630719598011632706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhoy-QEJ6GciLMurkdEGgxh7Xh4m0U74SPKKr52Eh4UM-TVsuCB43PNeYJ40EoDd7RNRYO2aI-iwPywDiDe7G5jYuP1P7Df9Mgkt9J4OCdATyVYX4AmtvA3aVraSPKd1JAQi7hQhd5jUC/s400/DSC00379.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8ZvVasciDKRPq3tsFgjhgq6OW0uqAKCjJ9w7PScLV1wzHdmFTnFWGmjzA1b6Y0dzxzcgZVfghLIF_NLp_gJL162DebK92nQftAG6gew35OqRNiQgTOFE66EOd_ddnkOr4K0CylFq3UOl/s1600/DSC00375.JPG"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630727649561760434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgkKgH8TrtI8ZUilOQgNQ5fH_DCKRw8ZTah3xBLi4Lr-HZ_oo6G0UBO4CxlcQ4PDW9r2J4pRjuE4SGRH_i7EcVRjLXDooQDpe4MPSWRfBLrKMzyISjFgxkXjYWVYFZ22m6LdhTPV3mUo_/s400/DSC00392.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630720622622024514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-5cN-7a2xDKcVMS5mblUqvehEtNxEixYQSDbSkYcuDUJ3_ohyphenhyphenKqYLRTYDhyphenhyphenoHseD8x4l98Ak9UFIr91yoVeoDlX9WNBzRq60sp48tgziJtqZNLX-iH3xaEYofzMWyWDzbz-G1lt5YJ8E/s400/DSC00391.JPG" border="0" />And this is Brenda, who showed up in a long summer dress, obviously to assure we would not make her get her hands dirty!! She did play an important role cheering the guys on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">every time</span> another rafter crashed to the ground....<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630727746215288466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRW-iokHWiAQCSa0GQgVG3tmhaqoBAEqE9WipmCLNTxyhysci233Z3SevxDTxubDkIhHHm17OkmrR0aQihIlNAk65bUTZrr9YnQZ2NBhDumBaMFC8OuJHAFsr4BIonrwZnl1ZTYr2DLXR2/s400/curtic+andrew+in+the+PS+room.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>She particularly like the view in the " Patrick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Swayze</span> Room" !!<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630720828472176066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRpe31EKeZ2qy-dZpGI092PqFuJtFnZReO5ear74AuJSoGOze34zo_Ik3_lvAlUU_JEQJleTVMY8D1HucUHfJqEjioGa-3lSaERP356W2lfOtrIlLQfRfjdHRRV-5X-Z8yb5k9kcFNhcx/s400/DSC00399.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>Finally the last wall came tumbling down to the ground.... about 9 hours later.. not bad for a days work!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630720980254290546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKCn6uMBF2kwaMG0hXG0_kBTkTnADDjavCaF8918_DfQ4OX6dhVM655LsDy5efpAZKI33HRHtoZg4lKMF6AecjIVjqADcTpdnySfLKnjek4sPpzVhj3CiZohD2TQkgvGStIlpff76g2-I/s400/the+crew.JPG" border="0" /> This is the exhausted, but proud demolition team. From left to right: Curtis, Andrew, Anthony, myself , and Karen' s dad. I can't thank them all enough!<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630721453900635426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHzwc7fi7qmJ_AbwB0ht1fyAl8YFPS1OgJxPxDifEwo43IONmMA9wxW50Dhd1kGSFslnZhhJFpJ_NdxSHI3xAp4aYgfmSPB1eFSI2Zy2n-pd0BxgXM5hM5a1APU7HxDY1bkZYGhQ8037P/s400/DSC00380.JPG" border="0" /><br />And last but not least the nail pulling team!!! ...</div><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630721280560882530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjtofod2AM-_CXcz0_nKMYBf2OmXCgsUAnLpWlxfLx83Nk7h1tMWRS09ZBDtZon7YGcyHlS9zOQGAu6lCxWO8fL0VLrksTULoqoPt7NK9lJH4O5mo1ZuMFuO3ULUk49Qr3uFXRsfd_wGi/s400/DSC00404.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630721125540598402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwtdqmpu7yo1a66YhOOx10LWRAsO3Br86KHiIJuXk29RWGlNtSPWSqa1YEZanBPVCjQg_PHAEKhMpnC8IrqNdg7UdMOmoi8UJCGiIOgT0bXNEnH3gqHkXOPwY9YYNdnWWR9l7Z-oLloZv/s400/DSC00394.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630717101657346018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ3r5a0-Igwm7r2-du3O4us5MN8NugrI9HPZeOViBOAnoDAudijHrA-XSY3nkdHxvtxXJt6BL0ODPDxQrrFH0g87yLCIzaj9USgvO9Eg_5z6ClwWhscQ6q_zHrPMdUrcH50Rip4XZQetB/s400/DSC00341.JPG" border="0" />A previous weekend project, the nest box for future chicken coop. In case they start laying before it is completed.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630716705653964546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3KXggeNg0C3D97OlTL0c_FuLYZixMf0umDSF9LRZFXis9Jr4e852Fype7uotvGHPTssMgioie6ggjMu7KuoyWmrz-cuJrHqGv2M5mquuUjK-wDtSz9drOq70e8HoB3d_-aVYNwrDuQVJ/s400/DSC00338.JPG" border="0" /> And another weekend project, replacing the termite ridden, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">delapitated</span> stairs in the garage building!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630717008440447794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIK344M6aguAd5aS6nY1eAtnhlf0ZJFHQhXemk0dv84YyKCwbiz2LlGDYy-JzcZB21g64Qos1Tk_WZgqQDK42M9qptXMR9Z1aloKaGdRLovTQrv6ZXJXxt-jjVHoY75g8sDhtpS0LIEO8/s400/DSC00340.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630721660399537442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKEA3pAa6VsIpqgw4bY2xGzUthH36pGrI-AkaI8DYuyaWMaoVW1KNJ83pkyQglVjkl5FQ0MOIAjFojUiHNImDOZLQKCktwdEICt8U5aGeqeuPsJXNC470JJb24TVh6B7J7Xb5rLOIcpnc/s400/tom+turkey.JPG" border="0" /><br />And last but not least,... a little photographic update of the turkey progress...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-28562598499534040772011-06-20T11:35:00.000-07:002011-06-20T12:17:05.040-07:00The Outdoor ShowerAs I continue to whittle away at my "To Do" list I have gotten the outdoor shower enclosure finished last week. I am very pleased with how it turned out. Per my brother Mark's advice I made it a free standing structure. Attaching it to our new house was making me nervous. I think it weighs at least a ton, and won't be moving anywhere. This is the progress after day one. I think that included getting the lumber.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620372686592636402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DHtlGs6Uu0Sg-jU_ZD7x3MyeNndAClKoAsRUCq-aYH1j7YanckPc8rFZZyLeiBha255lYMrKiVNXIX6qabCirW6ekTGx3celfrk-B54wIuwwygIWQvQ0OiNrP8D5mh0vX_7Hs8moZgFK/s400/DSC00312.JPG" border="0" />By the end of the next day I had the Trek like decking installed, and finished framing it up<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620372798389964098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iHaacbK70tJHg8MioIXLjLMmax0wyEPvHcQbsFIQf3Vof0CuvlNIFHhEVT3X7tUIMsUurYRhvk2V65AdGSualzJVjq11D-RkJwL2m6p254BO7rISO1FEd9f7fPF3_m8erG1MUg5s8eg3/s400/DSC00318.JPG" border="0" />I had to special order the cedar 1x6's, so that took an extra day. But I am very pleased with the finished product.<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620373095630265234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdKby3YNUY_D8r1K0HIahIqwvWSC4mQxRK0Itc_QUuUvvou058tKVHrvBJ0aQMP4lEofsigVlsIx3Oomwsi-wcN_1hqgj-Rz3gbzb_ft4Zxp3gT52-u5hABu6UV2482lP_aTg0m3E231O/s400/DSC00324.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620372967752233346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ak1Ohp4Q4DB232wOYDav-N8mmOcK7SiGyCxgorNAG6sT_cobJXRQHasKjHMze-FgnK228vwhtjXMio_nEoHKAgrHQBtbXhjYPj9rW4XteIdqEsA-Rs68KdP6LMndCyry2EUKiTPOYeA8/s400/DSC00339.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I took Ethan for an evening of fishing at the pond just up the road after the project was completed. He was pretty successful!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620373213120403442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38ZoeV3_ap0oe-DzCJDh2EWt88th3tCeApVMDhwirtRJHLn5zlMergveVG6a8iZ8ec4L42m8MK8RO0vbSJ-01Tm6Cl0eoErARMRybchH2TTjuyub0g_7iVT_VaxYouKBtYQlW95ky-dMW/s400/DSC00335.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-81008811062265027612011-06-02T12:55:00.001-07:002011-06-02T14:30:56.797-07:00Finally, house completed!!...mostly...We are relieved and very happy to say that the house is pretty much done, at least enough that we can move in this weekend. We think it turned out very nice. Will take some more pictures after we get moved in. But here is a quick peek at the outside. It has been hot already, it will be interesting to see how easy it is to keep cool. The extended eaves have been doing a good job keeping the direct sun out.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkOveqpd5jZmBUpveIDUZpUnRlfeJndp61Rbj_LFRGP45BsM7xYD4tX4Eu-XXOs3ZhEDA0CAQZmYDB_w-9SHNhrOKIM86i3jKYkazD6yiQCY4_ONUadgkMQwkLXECekAGx_zpBmTc2lu9/s1600/DSC00279.JPG"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613713588094862578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9OhuewUgYeTcSP-y2xCvvLZGEnKGinJ2PhnhVKoYgmOKST_MVmnbR33LpSWla0eCrsaBrksSWahBDSUg0Ek2vr1atLfO0aB2Hi71V0JuGp9Qb9KyVTObyBizlF41tBL2GyyXVVAvTW8m/s400/DSC00294.JPG" border="0" />Things have been very busy here with the house nearing completion, and critters growing. Below is my Memorial Day weekend project,... the new turkey shelter. We had them in the meaty tractor which meant they had to sleep on the ground. The turks are turning out to be pretty high output in regards to manure... which meant every two days it had to be moved. Since it is so hot, it needs to be mostly in shade. Shade was limited. So now they go in this structure at night to roost, and they get to forage in a pretty big electric fenced in area during the day. It is built on skids so I can move it once a month or so. Hope it is sturdy enough for that!<br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613713887596945778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIInpcs51lXD42lvfsfojs0mLv2ZaOrEYnJUxUnqV3r9r5dcTeH99W3L_KTZOF4APJgtW4OtgbB3nmJpySZj9-we502SIYAO2d8oLA3rNVQVZzF7uW09PHl9y636Pg1KHzqgJHIVuJF0RV/s400/DSC00302.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613714225659841554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-acuRObHk0rksJAFNBMZ3rw8tWUW6Ozro9yWTg0ZFNboqUyz992vHcF_fAGUFGCyEQXZxL9_N1lc3spjS-jracXqyqlcQGcSrll2J5PqAyoDZfZiAyEgdCEx3gCkxsrJBzsLSfCNL35tS/s400/DSC00301.JPG" border="0" />Our field was getting overgrown as we waited for some tractor parts to fix some minor leaks, the parts finally came, didn't fit, so we tightened things up for now and bush hogged the field. If I had known the neighbors behind us better I would have asked them if they wanted to make hay out it like they did with thiers shortly before. maybe next time. This is our friend Curtis, who lucky for us, loves tractors!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613713716000354018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRmyLDaONg0SC6m2gNTjcUklFEAkkGZXNpbBucRyI1AzDTheiuPEi1hF70mX4k-tD8LPDvmQ50RdOuhYTtOFLknNrCw1xCt0zVUzw8_10z75iWtp8goerzfjsuGOpYM1h-Cgh0oYz0ZTV/s400/DSC00272.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6553239344255362116.post-43933541302067056592011-05-15T17:57:00.000-07:002011-05-16T10:24:34.525-07:00Chicken Harvest Time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQStuV3eN8InEa-oEdiknhH97PsihTuYau3Ql6Ul3LaBizdbkqhlYmcbvEbOzTf28M02bCjUOM8zKvaO8Q2leCpt7k3z1qu8vrtdo9sc684eb5mwsjCAA-kx1llW9GLri9hIgPpodsRK6o/s1600/DSC00221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607305505477252962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQStuV3eN8InEa-oEdiknhH97PsihTuYau3Ql6Ul3LaBizdbkqhlYmcbvEbOzTf28M02bCjUOM8zKvaO8Q2leCpt7k3z1qu8vrtdo9sc684eb5mwsjCAA-kx1llW9GLri9hIgPpodsRK6o/s400/DSC00221.JPG" border="0" /></a> We were blessed with cooperative weather and an enthusiastic and quick learning crew of friends for our first annual spring chicken harvest at our new farm. We started the process at about 08:30 AM and were completed with all 49 birds just before noon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefzqcHsi6AoAgj7qXvcs8Ip7BOMMgdvwtoJ7iBLV2XLDSpRA6p7ZG4xuhet_ziAsrf9Sx0ub3rvKj3GX7EKrkkEtVfmhNAm0ZvkR4CYCY6Aiiu0FSE1VcK_pq9kDvuFOmlCPjWhF6R-53/s1600/DSC00219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607305390104354194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefzqcHsi6AoAgj7qXvcs8Ip7BOMMgdvwtoJ7iBLV2XLDSpRA6p7ZG4xuhet_ziAsrf9Sx0ub3rvKj3GX7EKrkkEtVfmhNAm0ZvkR4CYCY6Aiiu0FSE1VcK_pq9kDvuFOmlCPjWhF6R-53/s400/DSC00219.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of our meatie roosters trying to seek cover from our catching crew....<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607304907180993138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbia1qhysz0FjAAz8PixwH9zw2SHGsAoFQUml0QgdLXbTSVdCDYZeUqFcE5yDwuRcQbzLZLeHu6_sR48JnQPEJe2WDkNAEqbfExMILwmhg5TGKFzhPC7zQJc7Nds56-Q6vL8cHr20lMOKE/s400/DSC00222.JPG" border="0" /> The killing station<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607305090841858194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOKzehlHmQq0Ba_VyNRbIXXcTUsS8G52eXpotiC-FquRkfohIhyphenhypheng2c4c8bKx2vNHhe4ueKW-ABNYKFDH29KdYK1vOD5yLJdq-nUlegL6408FqaaznVSfEtvyNAKLVoYX27JbvyxxS5NPe/s400/DSC00223.JPG" border="0" />The scalding pot and plucker in the background, which we rented from a wonderful lady again this year from Rougemount, NC.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607305219661660594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qAK0_VxtEufECGjP8gk1tCoXi9XffxM7EG-vUMbxO8-tLYCclIW-Y8sUC2nk2syaYG8mS1-quHfLJvP7SbYSApjTkmR9M6pSsRMXo6X7oGpJv749APGh5T3q54JzXbaay9SkUaiZE3hK/s400/DSC00224.JPG" border="0" /> The eviscerating station....<br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cffawdj_LEX9yNfhyphenhyphentoYTwbuJUnzD8wJGbRe7ClVUclfxdy85TmR_LUqpzv0ER5idF8W4NyEJly0Xu3-5fMi4_yain0dbdPMU_MS3b_t4aNJ5a60Y7PnW5rLSK-lcuctHW_nJq3DxZ0i/s1600/DSC00242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607304661304483010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cffawdj_LEX9yNfhyphenhyphentoYTwbuJUnzD8wJGbRe7ClVUclfxdy85TmR_LUqpzv0ER5idF8W4NyEJly0Xu3-5fMi4_yain0dbdPMU_MS3b_t4aNJ5a60Y7PnW5rLSK-lcuctHW_nJq3DxZ0i/s400/DSC00242.JPG" border="0" /></a> Terry was our chief chicken catcher, an important job which keeps the overall flow of the process going. This keeps the eviscerating station supplied, but not over supplied with plucked chickens...he did have some occasional help...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607304492023231682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPZiekOHHNBojZolKnw6jBuFB7NCPbihbmFr0EEsxXfdpF32Y37lc6OFHObtrNP-er-ZJ8vKMaQANMgykeImSvzBqcVNhCm-EgW8N2QFrL6p1SbZVfg1MjGu1WSa7eqoxh0XPET0EOgE_/s400/DSC00251.JPG" border="0" />Curtis is a friend from work who joined us and helped out pretty much at all stations of the process...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pqqUAGiBZJLzdMpOifxVpsAH4QXFGZ5iq-gRMmnuU7IEiMbB1esPcjLs3OSd3x8TahRH-Qrj-j0Nm0rmgTjf7M3CuO_pRI4HAgUP9iwDvgXdLelnZ0slvDAP5_oWyVILhmeR-cDfXVEZ/s1600/DSC00225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607304390743542114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pqqUAGiBZJLzdMpOifxVpsAH4QXFGZ5iq-gRMmnuU7IEiMbB1esPcjLs3OSd3x8TahRH-Qrj-j0Nm0rmgTjf7M3CuO_pRI4HAgUP9iwDvgXdLelnZ0slvDAP5_oWyVILhmeR-cDfXVEZ/s400/DSC00225.JPG" border="0" /></a> Ethan would help fetch one when he wasn't busy warding off predators with his "Airsoft' rifle!..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI5RhMGagchaP__RPgs8RRlCas2r2JeBkrUPTm2bbOAZnJMGOVmD_pFhCzz7hW6cvKW29llCV2mNwmgrB9rRJTESjlxgpt988mwf8UxFBtw86uxq3LnCt5cO0Yzj4qTtg215oK99WAJWt/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607304248772571106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkI5RhMGagchaP__RPgs8RRlCas2r2JeBkrUPTm2bbOAZnJMGOVmD_pFhCzz7hW6cvKW29llCV2mNwmgrB9rRJTESjlxgpt988mwf8UxFBtw86uxq3LnCt5cO0Yzj4qTtg215oK99WAJWt/s400/DSC00253.JPG" border="0" /></a>Terry developed a calmer, gentler way of transporting the chickens to the killing cones...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DOeoB6KcZY0bw78Ldg-zvmk3X4Y2IyEqwgtxzLSllpaxx5f4whQoyn2mnIdAgdCBil7Fpy_9MgR-zmOL5dcuKYSiyBGxpYc5OdB6MP0_vvkOPDBxJX7xdqgM2vv2_JJ3AAsTpPj5of7R/s1600/DSC00229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607303476701724946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DOeoB6KcZY0bw78Ldg-zvmk3X4Y2IyEqwgtxzLSllpaxx5f4whQoyn2mnIdAgdCBil7Fpy_9MgR-zmOL5dcuKYSiyBGxpYc5OdB6MP0_vvkOPDBxJX7xdqgM2vv2_JJ3AAsTpPj5of7R/s400/DSC00229.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Andrew who quickly caught on to the killing station and did an awesome job, it is not for the faint of heart, though he had the patience of a saint all day, and even helped our seven year old son do the deed...<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbIIGg47nvS_oiGut3mesqZCzaFUUviIhfkO90I6ReZPJoHJ8cnCqu8nbfCTgz8RoD45TMD2j_j31MD7wsCNF6U22jcSgkNeFpWQgjzuY3nfRwQyQi86IIigOwSLAPA_w9aF_v9anQBDf/s1600/DSC00236.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607303131027990834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbIIGg47nvS_oiGut3mesqZCzaFUUviIhfkO90I6ReZPJoHJ8cnCqu8nbfCTgz8RoD45TMD2j_j31MD7wsCNF6U22jcSgkNeFpWQgjzuY3nfRwQyQi86IIigOwSLAPA_w9aF_v9anQBDf/s400/DSC00236.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607303238823456802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhJdY5VkkJh0Nx6gGEbdKIg-IXPSlGD3SQ_29yOK-suNLgQFQyM4QQtcujU8wx8ArbqgteJUsLj5O5moAojKgd5vYpD1e5tIyjdQpsEwCqKVj1dg8DUjOBUsyiSVE06NKj6Y9NYYQiMtQ/s400/DSC00234.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607342493788530562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-eo1GblHcE0JW37yaZjxL1JjR7O4QnPlwzZ0gfRi3ymlDwLuL1-ocUtZTjMH5e9KKM5PjYY_L5SqPrTRdCiHxhAq5KH7XnMG73n3fa_V7Ch-ShiFpJqhKYU2H_Pq3jTX-K8hMNPNi314/s400/DSC00244.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607302925157032754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSKnKLxWV8OOKGzlYxlQODC45f73lGwJkXWO6TIDwdu-TgQPqOz52DFT9KlgrucacsL2Xh5TDWdhFfNNm7arAqzRpPAuckLzH9I_MlqiSPCixlUg0QyQh8uVEpEXKzrKVlbKSzKPzpErP/s400/DSC00230.JPG" border="0" />Aki, Andrew, and Curtis at the scalding station...<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607302162889207010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6O7BlU18Umw7tWP5wShLU06-2iHlwNE86qnF2oiJlaS3tilg3YvF3JaWrl3C-6sy3lNVPHyTqGNPoyDMkfR2TSZoCgHdMDPpLSX55InQ1oYiSEEpmVZL1zOoVZVDJZtevWYPA15Gl2z8/s400/DSC00233.JPG" border="0" /><br />The plucker is perhaps the biggest neccessity for doing this many chickens as quickly as we did, it can pluck up to four chickens at a time in less then one minute!!!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607302271119185314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALqBzLt57qzIo5EoLW3nNwFpamB2-K5GI5Skz71y9nxA9yT3nG9RYQIM7661dzvgzvgRCLhAGQ2IJE8EQnFuUoJcO5nPcAo7-jnaEspCbog2rdETqic0FTWAwCwXOuHwStaMxMeNJPoxK/s400/DSC00231.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6O7BlU18Umw7tWP5wShLU06-2iHlwNE86qnF2oiJlaS3tilg3YvF3JaWrl3C-6sy3lNVPHyTqGNPoyDMkfR2TSZoCgHdMDPpLSX55InQ1oYiSEEpmVZL1zOoVZVDJZtevWYPA15Gl2z8/s1600/DSC00233.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607302478551191186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73jLDxEngS3niSL_LQudBlxETJSOe0aehEOd5_jRkA6ufo2t_OY5oG3Qr063J3p-lUEyjzTaOsvn-zP5gxwLAUheZy72FYSCpT2t4Nvf1JYWCDZ_d5xNwSnnTe20OGULgHZIRg6BWrPtq/s400/DSC00249.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607302754521338706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEwKWJvdnBPPoUHWxu2B93DU1TDYEwkm6kfYNTNvdUsHvGlrP8UwQ9p_vrW-AsYPoe5ihnNGhF1rAxBH3wOxJbNvs0PFzMx-wRgyN9PuHqJryYb2T0MI7OCoQwseqwe9wKXmVqx3M5Qq5/s400/DSC00238.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Beautiful,..... no muss, no fuss!! </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjLLh9ZepMVTJADzOrrlsfR4K7A0jpaQAFqzIYtUHrSFHHJRGV3wTfqb13uBVwEeDdWZrrF9sWkXaMDRSZiPQuSnVxCQcYK_BQG6LtsSTc1XUlrEnbn5yopoAUxREMOQcO0pqAfXpDLTt/s1600/DSC00248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301972124860562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjLLh9ZepMVTJADzOrrlsfR4K7A0jpaQAFqzIYtUHrSFHHJRGV3wTfqb13uBVwEeDdWZrrF9sWkXaMDRSZiPQuSnVxCQcYK_BQG6LtsSTc1XUlrEnbn5yopoAUxREMOQcO0pqAfXpDLTt/s400/DSC00248.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Karen, Tracy, and I worked the eviscerating table.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopQ6teOkD2fT6YOd26fh-r36UTzWs53qp6qVpr2vklsZkVUO4MqHQBE2LCxFdBnWdpVFLThMI-zUdPPed8Da3tDOPInHBXljhC9XOzie6LdsvcaaTNpwmETXc_ScVCApdpcfd5OlnO3Xo/s1600/DSC00227.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301758446543186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopQ6teOkD2fT6YOd26fh-r36UTzWs53qp6qVpr2vklsZkVUO4MqHQBE2LCxFdBnWdpVFLThMI-zUdPPed8Da3tDOPInHBXljhC9XOzie6LdsvcaaTNpwmETXc_ScVCApdpcfd5OlnO3Xo/s400/DSC00227.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our friend Tracy claims she never gutted a chicken before, we are not so sure, as she seemed all to effiicient at it for a rookie. With a little experience one can gut a chicken in about 5 minutes or so.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607113522709034178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1DWAuC8viEzDKNDcVYhhj5LgaWlqVEXHC7EEvVzlPU3XBzCIO-4QU7yCU7wFZbly4SadaOnpiJXBdOjkshGiiDYOmWKDehnXc83vGPwgpbOOoYZIjcVdd7wpfpg52ohR771fnoi5RqOj/s400/DSC00258.JPG" border="0" /> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>The following day Mike gave them all a quick final going over and rinse. We bagged them up in shrink wrap bags that gave them a nice compact professional look.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607112873686768530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxlatrd_Fsgr-8TLjhfCh_r_d1yxX80evMRfmr1HO-yAYhiNVm1acS95J70q6reRnx64sA5pJQFRhZuAY-UZ7s6SX437LAR6htL4bD9NXrQ_vjC4auIh9yBA-kdP5TWFNQbLU1gOmTd3I/s400/DSC00262.JPG" border="0" /><br />Next we will try turkeys, which we moved out to the land the following day. I was worried they were too young and might not be able to handle the night time temps, but so far so good! They are now just about 3 weeks old, but quite fiesty! Not sure how we will handle them in October when they weigh 20-30 pounds! But we have some time to figure that out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301469123019858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLRlR6EUwJOor2Tb-7KpuitRXKmxprO_0pq3XICenmBhialL43YWUK3zdXUT2i5l5WhTHbjXg8nwHb0HufAfsTIRS6-yq2Gf-EatR9uGKZnb-DCMeiZQQeuwcMP5mdcelS6ubaa77kP3c/s400/DSC00264.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Family of Five Farmershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00202990038668502166noreply@blogger.com0