Ellen J. Pettibone and 3 of her 5 piglets. They are a month old today. Ellen is more like the Mong Cai breed of Asian Heirloom Hog. Long loin, VERY deep side (lots of bacon), small hams and shoulder. She probably weighs 225-265# or so. Her piglets are doing very well. I opened up another area for them to explore and graze. This breed of pigs (as with most Heritage or Heirloom pigs) can be grazed on pasture. I don't have that much open area that can be pastured, but was able to make a larger area for them. They are very very happy. With all the cheese I've been making and putting in the fridge, she's been getting all the whey. She really enjoys whey and I think it's helping her feed her piglets. They're nice and round...
Not this year (again) but perhaps next... This is an Arctic Beauty kiwi. It's a smaller, fuzz-less kiwi that is like the "normal" kiwis seen in the stores. This kiwi is a rampant vine and REQUIRES a male to pollinate. I brought this vine-ling from my old house in Lafayette some 17 years ago (Yes, you heard that right. I'm very stubborn about some things). I have tried and tried to get a male actinida (kiwi) to grow to pollinate her, but to no avail...
Now? I've finally gotten a male to take hold and perhaps be a good pollinator. HOWEVER, it appears that he bloomed almost two weeks before she began to bloom and only had three or four blossoms to her hundreds... *sigh*
I'll talk to him and hopefully next year or so I can get some grape-sized fuzz-less kiwis. *sigh*
At any rate, I think she's lovely and her blooms are interesting...
Now? I've finally gotten a male to take hold and perhaps be a good pollinator. HOWEVER, it appears that he bloomed almost two weeks before she began to bloom and only had three or four blossoms to her hundreds... *sigh*
I'll talk to him and hopefully next year or so I can get some grape-sized fuzz-less kiwis. *sigh*
At any rate, I think she's lovely and her blooms are interesting...
BUT. My grapevines that I bought 15 years ago will finally be putting on grapes! (I told you I was stubborn...) I've moved these grapevines at least five times and now they're finally going to produce some fruit for me. This is a seedless grape (as are the three other vines I've moved incessantly).
Although I will say that I've learned never to depend on anything until I actually have it in the house and processed. I have goats, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, guineas, a mule... Any of those animals can negate this promise of grapes to come.... Trust me, I know this firsthand. But I'll continue to hope...
Although I will say that I've learned never to depend on anything until I actually have it in the house and processed. I have goats, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, guineas, a mule... Any of those animals can negate this promise of grapes to come.... Trust me, I know this firsthand. But I'll continue to hope...
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