Another Perfect Day

There was a rare sighting of the house cleaning bug in the Chase home today.  Even my husband acknowledged it by asking "what made this side of you come out?"  While I enjoy a clean house as much as the next person, it's well known that I'd much rather be outside weeding, turning the compost pile with the tractor or even cleaning the chicken coop than my own house.  But there was company coming for dinner,  and it was raining out, so-what better opportunity to clean? I woke up this morning and decided to take some time and relax before Jason woke up-just reading, jotting notes on the calendar and finding new blogs to follow.  It's a rare treat for me- sitting down- and I totally enjoyed it.  I found a blog you should check out... inmykitchengarden.blogspot.com it's fabulous!

So, tonight we had wonderful grass-fed  beef, twice baked potatoes, asparagus and baked beans.   I'm thinking more and more about how to become a locavore, without going broke.  I'm working on testing the waters this summer, growing my own beans, potatoes, corn, etc.  We'll see how it goes.  I'm reading more and more about how people prefer to preserve food by freezing than canning.  But I don't know if I want to part with the tradition of canning.  I really enjoy it.  But I have to acknowledge that more of the nutrients are preserved with freezing than with canning. Anyway, it's late, so I guess I'll give up pondering that one for now.
Have a great week!

Hooky!

Well, I guess you can't actually call it playing hookie if I took the day off, but I felt like I was getting away with something.  The weather was beautiful, a little breezy, but sunny and 67.  I couldn't ask for more!

I let mama (Paula) and her girls outside today for the first time.  They really enjoyed scratching around in the dirt and taking turns jumping on Paula's back.  I'm not sure why they do that, but it's so cute!  You can see in this picture how protective she gets when anyone gets close.  She strains her neck and ruffles her feathers up.  She has really been a great little mother hen.

So far, this has been the epitome of a perfect weekend.  I got to spend some time out in the sun, had an extra day off, successful flower delivery, work on the fencing and dinner with another friends two nights in a row.  Simply wonderful!

Oh and I even got the chicken coop cleaned out yesterday.  I wouldn't even post a picture of my own bedroom right now, but check this out...

It only gets this clean twice a year, because I use the deep litter method.  But oh, how refreshing it feels when it is clean.  The poor chickens got confused because I forgot to put the milk cartons they know as their nests back after I finished cleaning.  So this morning I went out and found two eggs on the floor where the nest is supposed to be.  They're quite the creatures of habit.

You can see that the bees have been out enjoying this weather too.  I have to go in and treat for mites again tomorrow.  They seem to be doing really well.

More soon!

I love daylight savings time!

I got out to work this evening after work... Yay!!! I even got a few things crossed off my "to do" list for this weekend.  One such thing was cleaning out the goat's stall.  I used the tractor as my over-sized wheel barrow.  It's so much easier since the compost pile kind of far from the barn.  I hopped off the tractor to go check the bees and as I was walking away, I heard the emergency brake trip and watch the tractor start to roll!!!!  Not my idea of amusing.  So, luckily I learned a lesson the easy way.  I was able to hop back up on the tractor and set the brake before any damage was done.  Lesson learned... Never aim the tractor down hill even with the emergency break on; at least not with the tires straight!  So the bees are fine and I survived too! :)

Ikea to the Rescue!

I finally got a grasp on the closet under our stairs in the garage.  We bought some shelves and now I finally have my canning organized.  I have lots more room for canning now... watch out this fall!

Also occupying our garage is our mama hen and her four little chicks.  They looked so cute peaking out from under her tonight. :)

Pleasant Surprise, Sunny March Day

Today was great!  I stayed up until 3:30 this morning visiting with a good friend, which was definitely time well spent.  I don't know if a real farmer would ever do such a thing though. :)

Our little chicks are doing well!  I got some great pics of them today.  Here are a few of them.  I'm still trying to decide what to name our four little sweeties.  I know one of them is going to be "Olive".  Haven't decided which one yet.  :)  

I over-seeded the back pasture today and pulled a bunch of blackberry starts.  Hopefully that will help keep them under control this year!  The goats kept me company while I spread the seed.  I hope I did it right; I keep thinking I need to do more.

Tomorrow is daylight savings time, so we'll get another hour of sunlight tomorrow  Yay!  Hopefully that won't translate to one hour less of sleep.  We'll see...

New Baby Chicks!!!

I experienced the best surprise last night when I went out to feed and check on the chickens.  Our little broody has hatched 4 little chicks!  I had purchased 6 fertilized eggs for her, but I've never done this before, so I didn't know if it would actually work out.  I'm so excited!  I ran inside as fast as I could to get Jason... and the camera!  :)

 There's still one egg to go, we're still waiting to see if that one hatches.
I put a little rabbit waterer in the crate with them and a little dish with starter grower feed.  It's cool to see how quickly they learn from momma what to eat.  Now I'm going through the dilemma, to vaccinate or not to vaccinate.  Anyway, they seem to be doing great and she really is a great little momma, so protective. :)

I can't wait to see if the next one will hatch.  :)   Hope you enjoyed the pics, even though they're a little fuzzy.  I think it's a little apropos.  :) 

Goodbye Friend

This doesn't have anything to do with my farm, but it's about my life, so hopefully you'll indulge me. This week I lost a longtime friend and co-worker, Pat Blackford.  She was one of the most genuine people I've ever known.  She was always sincerely happy for me; she soaked up anything I told her about the farm, she enjoyed the harvest party last year and she was always excited for any project we had going.  She always thought to ask about Jason.  The best part is, I keep thinking of her scrunching up her shoulders and giving me a big hug, and an "oh honey, I'm so happy for you."  What a wonderful memory to leave me with.  Thank you Pat.  I miss you and I really wish you were still here.