It always seems like on the farm that nothing is happening. Nothing. Until I look back and see that there's something happening EVERY DAY. We're still in a drought here in Indiana. I'm over it. I was whining that my new bunkers made out of logs (my raised beds) weren't doing a nice job. Well. We're watering, the chipmunks and voles have populated the beds and all is as it always is. We're getting tomatoes (what the raccoons and voles aren't eating), jalapenos, poblanos and zucchinis. It's interesting to note that green beans simply don't grow when it's hot, hot, hot (106 F. regular temp and hovering in the high 90's and lower 100's) They just don't do anything even with regular watering. So, I put landscaping fabric OVER them like a floating row cover to see what they might do with some sun break. We'll see. Either way, I plan to plant some beets and such in that area soon.
We've had several WWOOF'rs come and help on the farm. Drew came and helped put in the electric fence in the woods. It's been too hot and overwhelming to finish the tensile fence so we just dropped back and put in electric. The goats are happy and so am I. Thanks, Drew!
Danielle just left after close to a week. She took some great pictures (I never have time or enough pocket room to take my camera or pictures) - thanks Danielle!
I bought two llamas at the last Veedersburg sale. I think I overspent, but am fairly happy with my purchase. They were used to goats and I think one will go to my friend's house to help protect HER goats. They prefer to be in at least pairs, but we'll see how they get along.
We got one of the hogs butchered - Slim Barrow - and got his component parts to the folks I traded for a computer. I think they'll be pleased but Fat Barrow is pretty leery of me right now... He misses his brother, I'm sure, but Slim Barrow lived a great life and his passing was as humane as I could possibly manage. Thanks, Slim Barrow.
Other pigs: n Agni and Murphy are in a pen together, bonding. Prudence the tiny gilt is in the barn getting handled regularly so she's more friendly. I'm not too impressed with her structure, but she's small and has a opinionated attitude I like.
I'm logging off part of the woods - it's time and it funded the pricey hay we have here in Indiana this year (and most other parts of the country as well). I hope to have enough to fund a new, tin roof as well. I'll post pictures of same when it happens.
I also bought a young mare mule. She put me strongly in mind of Raven the Standardbred with her seal brown coloration. She's just two, but miles further in her training than Cyrus who has YET to be saddled. It makes me a bit nervous with the hay situation but I have faith.
I also bought some Khaki Campbell ducks and two Pekin ducks. They're very happy to be turned out into a pen and are gloriously splashing about in their "pond."
Due to the late frosts and drought, we have no fruit on the trees. No pecans, no apples, nothing. I do think I saw 3 or 4 pears on the Bosc tree, but the drought may get them yet.
On to some pics!
We've had several WWOOF'rs come and help on the farm. Drew came and helped put in the electric fence in the woods. It's been too hot and overwhelming to finish the tensile fence so we just dropped back and put in electric. The goats are happy and so am I. Thanks, Drew!
Danielle just left after close to a week. She took some great pictures (I never have time or enough pocket room to take my camera or pictures) - thanks Danielle!
I bought two llamas at the last Veedersburg sale. I think I overspent, but am fairly happy with my purchase. They were used to goats and I think one will go to my friend's house to help protect HER goats. They prefer to be in at least pairs, but we'll see how they get along.
We got one of the hogs butchered - Slim Barrow - and got his component parts to the folks I traded for a computer. I think they'll be pleased but Fat Barrow is pretty leery of me right now... He misses his brother, I'm sure, but Slim Barrow lived a great life and his passing was as humane as I could possibly manage. Thanks, Slim Barrow.
Other pigs: n Agni and Murphy are in a pen together, bonding. Prudence the tiny gilt is in the barn getting handled regularly so she's more friendly. I'm not too impressed with her structure, but she's small and has a opinionated attitude I like.
I'm logging off part of the woods - it's time and it funded the pricey hay we have here in Indiana this year (and most other parts of the country as well). I hope to have enough to fund a new, tin roof as well. I'll post pictures of same when it happens.
I also bought a young mare mule. She put me strongly in mind of Raven the Standardbred with her seal brown coloration. She's just two, but miles further in her training than Cyrus who has YET to be saddled. It makes me a bit nervous with the hay situation but I have faith.
I also bought some Khaki Campbell ducks and two Pekin ducks. They're very happy to be turned out into a pen and are gloriously splashing about in their "pond."
Due to the late frosts and drought, we have no fruit on the trees. No pecans, no apples, nothing. I do think I saw 3 or 4 pears on the Bosc tree, but the drought may get them yet.
On to some pics!
The almost dried-up creek. Flint creek. If it wasn't for the springs, it would be. The fish aren't amused, I'm sure.
The white female llama is named River and we've named the grey/brown fellow Maurice. Claudia trimmed them through the mid-body area and they'll be cooler now. I like them both but one will go to Linda's house. We'll be taking them down to the neighbor's place (she's got the South East Llama Rescue at Westpoint, IN) to have her look them over and help us trim River's feet. Maurice let us trim his and all's well with his most likely.
TT (Tom Turkey) is recovering his feathers nicely but I'm told he's too massive to be able to have a female for babies (eggs). He's about 50-60# and just too large. Bummer, Tom, just bummer. The goat bucklings where he came from chewed off all his breast and rear-end feathers so it's taking a while for them to grow back. Turkey's heads are naturally unfeathered though. THAT is normal along with that long, red snood. Depending on his moon? His snood can retract and his head will get more blue... Lovely.
While Danielle was here we made mozzarella and ricotta cheese, yogurt and two batches of soap. The prep work is always so involved. But the end products turned out nice! I like to flavor my mozzarella with Canadian Steak Seasoning. Wonderful. Pepper, garlic, salt, dill seed, etc. Wonderful.
Ducks prior to being let out into the pen. They were very very happy to be outside and have a larger pen. The brown ducks are Khaki Campbells and the white ones are Pekins.
Agni the pig says it's time to go back to work! I'll post more soon! PROMISE. (and a pic of the new mule soon too!). At least I THINK this is Agni. Either way....
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