Life on the Farmette

This morning Chester and I sprayed the fruit trees with a mixture of dish soap, rubbing alcohol and water. It is supposed to help keep the bugs away. We also sprinkled some Epsom salts into the soil at their roots, lots of websites recommend its addition. We are new to orchard care, and still need to get the soil tested, but I am excited to try out some of the mild techniques in hopes that they are very effective. This evening we hope to enlarge the asparagus bed. We did plant some over 3 years ago, but we only just realized that it isn't nearly enough for all the asparagus lovers in this household!

We have a hen that insists on going broody, we know from past experience with her that she isn't likely to give up, but this year we don't have any roosters! So, we thought she might just adopt some day old peeps. Jason bought the minimum amount of pullet chicks from Tractor Supply, six, and we tucked them under the hen... no luck. She was not fooled. Ah well, we tried! Now we are raising the six little chicks! We had brought home six other pullet chicks from Tractor Supply a few weeks ago, they are about half grown by now!

I just love starting my days with a cup of coffee and hanging out a line of wash... Normally, laundry is low on my list of favorite things to do, but when the weather is so suitable it becomes one of my favorite pastimes. I think there is something therapeutic about pinning up a row of clothes, and watching them dry in the warm breezes, then gathering them again, so crisp and unwrinkled, every fiber having absorbed the smell of fresh air and sunshine...

The pasture doesn't extend into the honeysuckles and brambles very well yet, and goats love browse, so we try to gather some for them regularly. Hazel insisted on helping. At first, she tried carrying the big bucket, but it was heavy for her. She still insisted until her wagon was brought out. What an exciting job it became!

The goats were very appreciative and Hazel was ready for a break from all that hard work!

We are all learning lots about goat midwifery. The softening of the ligaments, the swelling of the vulva, what the different types of discharge signify, the bagging up of the udder, the change in the appearance of the belly as the kids position themselves for delivery.... all very similar to human obstetrics and gynecology! Most importantly, we need to remember that the gentle mamas need lots of TLC before, during and after their labor of love. We are in awe of the wonders of nature and the many ways it shows the signature and glory of God!

Our little kid was born early in the morning of the 15th. We are calling him "Friend," a tribute to my recently renewed fondness of all things Quaker.

There's lots more to share, but I guess I will save some things for another blog post....