June 20th 2014

Farm happenings

We cleaned out Theodore pen today. It was......... Hard. There was no joy in it and the kids growled how much they didn't like the pig anymore. I still think he's cute. I got my first 4 pallets and have his little outdoor getaway all planned out on paper. I just have to figure out how to use the power drill and we'll be in business. He's still enjoying his daily walks and eating the plantain weeds growing in the yard. They seem to be his favorite.

I heard back from my feed guy today about my jersey heifer!!!! She's in Fairbury, about an hour away from us. We were planning on a calf because it was the most cost effective way to go for us now...ahem, we're broke... But it turns out that with cattle prices up, apparently jersey prices are up too. Back to the calf thing, he didn't have any, but he did have a smallish 17 month old who just wasn't fitting in with the herd. I consulted with Lloyd my farmer friend and he said the price for her is outstanding. We just can't afford it right now. But Lord Lord!!! Pleeeeeaaaassseee!!!!! He will provide a way if this darling is destined for our family. We'll go visit her when we get back from Florida, just to see her and so I can pet and hug and squeeze her. And while I'm doing that I can give the sad droopy puppy eyes to Doug Surprenant.

Strawberries seem to be dwindling. I don't know how many I have because I keep forgetting to buy a scale when I'm in town. But it seems to be a good amount for some more preserves and strawberries through the winter. With all the rain we've gotten my corn is on a roll! Cucumbers are growing nicely and the tomatoes have revived with the fertilizer I used!! Beans and peas are growing taller and the onions are smelling delish!!

Chickens are huge!! They need an outdoor pen! So far I'm really liking the leghorns. They're my favorite and the cutest still. The brown ones are in the ugly duckling stage of adolescence.

Were heading off to Florida in a week! I'm nervous to leave all the animals behind but thankfully I have great people to care for them. Thank you Emily Olson and Diane Gilbert- Shutter!!!