Projects, Pigs, Pals...

Pigged!

Feeding and watering the pigs is always fun! They are so cute and have such interesting personalities....and their favorite thing to do is to rub against me to scratch their backs. This means I leave the pig pen covered in mud. Sometimes, they put their noses against my legs to smell where I have been and I leave with a perfect oval with two small holes from their snout. Trust me. If pigs had thumbs, we'd be working for them...

Clara, more faithful than the pups... and won't be still...

Out of the 21 goats, Clara is the most faithful. Where ever I go in the pasture, she is right by me and will knock the others out of the way if they dare to get closer than she!

Me, 18, Monterrey Beach

Been cleaning out pictures this week during the particularly hot and steamy parts of the day. I found this picture and could taste the way the day felt to me.... Isn't it funny how a photograph can trigger such a tangible memory? I spent the better part of two years, three months of it on beaches, bumming around the country starting when I was 18. This day was cool, by beach standards, and the sun was sparkling, the sky astoundingly blue. Delicious...

Cutest booties ever...

Finished the baby blanket and sweater and had enough yarn left to make these adorable booties. Honestly, they knit up in less than 30 minutes and are the cutest things ever! And, since they took so little yarn, I see that these might become my go-to project for leftovers! I like to give pregnant students a little something handknit for their babies and these would be perfect -- fast, inexpensive, and useable!

Evening walks..

Every day ends with a lovely walk. The pups love the swimming that comes with the walk... I love the stillness to bookend my days...

Equipment repair

And, as always on the farm, one repairs rather than replaces. Installing new handles, a little scrub of a wire brush, some oil, and these are good as new. This week, I am teaching myself to change the oil in my tractor. It won't be today, however. The rain has poured all night and we have flash flood warnings. So, it is a "finish in the house" day -- touch up some paint in the upstairs bath, finish the three doors in the dining room, rough up the trim in the downstairs bath and repaint.

What are you into this week?

Rhythm

Being home creates a sort of rhythm for me; and, it is never tiring or boring. I cannot imagine ever feeling as if there were nothing to do. Days are simple and each has its unique flavor.

Today: 

 my flour container is an old coffee jar

Is bread day... Since I have broken two joints on my right hand (yes, I am right-handed!), I am using my bread machine. The Mister loves plain bread, so that is what will be waiting when he gets in tonight. 

 Cooky, please?

 
Babies everywhere! We have 16 right now of which 11 are bucks. I go out and sit on the rocks in the pasture with the girls in the afternoon. They sun and search my apron pockets for animal cookies. They are such pigs! 

Working on the garden. the white posts mark the berries; the yellow mark the end of the asparagus rows; and, the rest is tilled and ready for planting. We are going to build a pallet fence around the garden this year to keep the deer out. I have  found a neat product called "PlotSaver" that we will use, too. My friend Arwen and I have been stalking the pallet fences on Pinterest. Her's is up and can be seen here. While you are there, check out her aprons and repurposed items! She is so talented! 

And, in the afternoons, while having tea, I watch this: 

 hello, Ms. Phoebe

oh, waitress!! more, please!

I can't keep this filled! We have hummers from April 17 - ?? every year. This year I have four feeders up and they are not enough! 

 aren't you done, yet??

And that's my cue. Miss Annie-Bananie has something of great urgency --- she hasn't been kissed or petted in five whole minutes.... So I am off to get some stellar kitty love and see what the day brings! 

Have a marvelous week!

There Should Be Pictures

And there will be. But, for now, words will have to do.

Things are super busy at the farm getting ready for, gulp, winter already. The garden isn't in; we are still having temps in the 40s, but I have determined that this weekend it will go in and either rot in the ground or overcome the cool nights.

Firewood is being gathered. Last winter we had nearly enough, but not quite. I ended up buying two loads of wood at the end of the season. While it was still cheaper than using propane or kerosene, it was too much money when we have so many fallen trees at our chainsaw's end! So, more wood stacked now to dry will lead to better economy in the winter! As a sidebar to that, it is hay season and we have already brought in our first trailer load.

We have four kids this season -- three bucklings and one doe. They are all within a few weeks of age, so they play together so sweetly. This morning it is "king of the rock" and this afternoon it will be "king of the trees." They nudge, push, and leap on each other until they collapse and down they go for a quick snooze! They are so like human babies  -- it is a hoot!

All the grading and excavating is done. Water is at the barn! Hooray! The drive has been extended to the back door -- honestly -- why didn't I do that years ago!?? So much easier on me! The ditch has been piped and filled in (no more snakes there!) and the huge dirt pile is gone! It makes me smile every time I come home to see so much cleaned up out there! Now, to the planting and re-landscaping of the yard!

New doors have been ordered for the house. My 100-year-old doors finally started to split; it has broken my heart, but I managed to find a contractor who would custom build them for me. They have the same look and, yes, they will be purple! Can't wait for that!

And, lastly, we have a project of mega-excitement getting ready to take off -- I hope. We had a lot of damage on seven acres around the creek from all the flooding this spring. The U.S. Soil and Water Conservation Department has grants for creek bank repair and remediation. As a part of this, we will get a new line fence to keep cattle and other livestock out of the creek, hardwoods on either side of the creek, a well for our animals, and, we hope, a bridge to the back three acres. As it is a grant, we will be responsible for maintenance for 15 years. Easy peasy! As a sidebar, you remember the artifacts I share from time-to-time? It appears we may have a Native American camp site or other site along the creek. The State Cultural Anthropologist will visit, do few little digs to assure that we are not disturbing anything, and then issue a blessing. It is all so fascinating! Beginning farmers have so many options, if they will just get to know their Farm Service Agent. Of course, I will have my camera working by then and be able to document what happens here.

So, we have been covered up, over, and around this summer, but what fun we are having! Pictures next time!

What are you into these days?

What's Happening?

Can you see the rainbow? This was taken in late October. Thank goodness!
It reminds me that spring is a'coming!



This week has been busy on Lazy Bee Farm. Heirloom seeds from Southern Seed Exchange are on their way; potatoes from the Wood Prairie Farm should arrive any day now. And a cold frame (thanks, Jane, for the suggestion!) should be delivered Monday. Soap making is going hot and heavy now; the house smells divine from the many essential oils I use. Needles are out to start dishcloths and the loom is being dressed for tea towels.

I feel that spring is nearly here, although it is just mid-February. It must be the combination of the 50-degree days and the lengthening days. Last night, I started unwinding my portable fence for the asparagus and blackberry beds. I have about 50 blackberry plants to tuck in the earth tomorrow. Yes, I plant by the signs, doesn't everyone?

We have a bit of worry, as well, though. Our Mia, the Nigerian pygmy, has been under the weather. I have tried everything --- worming, drench, supplements, and even two shots -- antiobiotics and a vitamin cocktail. Nothing seems to help her. She stands and stares into space. She will not eat grain and is nibbling the hay. It is as if the life has been sucked out of her. The fecal wash came back clear and free of any parasites. The vet is stymied, too. So, we are just trying to keep her unstressed and comfortable. She is still on her feet, but her temperature slips up in the evenings. I just am at a loss and feel so helpless.

This weekend promises to be busy. We picked up a load of wood from the below-the-mountain farm on Wednesday and need to cut at least two more loads this weekend. And, hay needs to be moved up the mountain as well as some fencing to move Miss Hollie. March 12 there is a Future Farmer's Association feeder steer sale nearby. I want to have seven on my bottom pasture, so this is the time to buy them. They will have pigs, as well, so I suspect one will come this way. I have just the place for them --  Right Under the Neighbors Who Built on the Property Line. Their house is perked on the side of the mountain rather than back 50 feet as the original owers had planned. Thus, they stand on their deck, drinking, fighting, and yelling while all the time watching us. They even lean over the rail if they can't see what we are doing clearly enough. Thank goodness they are only here a few weekends a month. So, the pigs will show them farm living at its best, don't you know!

What are you plans for the weekend??

Okay... Just a LIttle Mean...

Took two bucks to be castrated this morning; the new owner wanted wethers and, after a little dickering, we decided I would take care of it.

The Mister and I loaded Chuck and Charlie into the carrier in the back of the Forester / Goat Mobile and off we went. Because the Mister had to go on to work, I had the chore, er, pleasure, of taking the boys into the vets' office alone. They were really good. Except, as with children, they pottied themselves all the way there and back, which meant I was pottied on all the way there and back each time I picked them up.

Since they were so knocked out when we got home, I had to leave them in the back of the Goat Mobile until they woke. Chuck was up and at it pretty quickly, bawled for his Momma until I lifted him out, and then went right in for a little Momma love. Charlie, however, has had a tough time waking up. He will wake a little, thrash, roll, pee, and bawl. Then, he is right back to sleep.

I have giggled in the most unkind way! And, it reminded me of this:



I guess you can see how really sick my sense of humor is... Poor fella and poor Charlie. Charlie will have extra cookies tonight. And I won't giggle in front of him. Really.

Waiting Room Blues

Expectant fathers were forbidden to enter the inner sanctum of childbirth until the early 1980s. I was one of the first at our local hospital to have a husband present AND natural childbirth. Next to giving up caffeine, this was probably one of the most trying times of my life.

Until now.

We are waiting. Three does are are nearly ready to explode. Obviously, as Hawthorne rather obviously demonstrates in The Scarlet Letter, your sins will find you out. And, the does mishaviour while we were visiting the Airman in August is becoming all to apparent.

Holly, our Dexter, demonstrated this same truth on Monday. After several months of wondering, "Is she or isn't she?" we found out she was. She presented us with a darling bull just as we arrived home. He wasn't even cleaned off yet. I'll post a photo as soon as I can get one.

Meanwhile, don't fret if you hear a "boom!" from the South. The explosion you hear will be my head... and having to deal with a bunch of January kids. This was not the plan. Thanks, girls. Mean it.

Life Resumes, Sort Of

Gee. I haven't written in so long, I feel I must reintroduce myself.

Hi. My name is Matty. I am your tour guide for the Lazy Bee Farm or, as it is lovingly called, Pandamonium Palace.

Daddy responded well from his surgery, but has challenges with adjusting to the "device" and new meds. So, he is still a visitor with our friends in Winston-Salem. They are a fine staff, these folks, and are not loved and appreciated nearly enough. Each level of care has the most professional folks and we are grateful beyond words. Hopefully, Daddy will be home in another 72-hours. Cross your fingers.

Now. For other news. Pictures to follow. Promise!

We have a new little gal on the place. Lacie kid on June 4, presenting us with a darling DOE (thank goodness!), who delights us with her skipping and neighing to her momma. As it was my nephew's birthday he had the honor of naming her. He choose Lanie, a combination of Lacie and Louie (her dad), he explained. Lucy is still waddling, so we hope she will kid this week. I don't know how much longer she can drag that bag! If you have ever spent a summer carrying a passenger, you know how hot June can be! Pictures to come!

Potatoes are blooming! So lovely! We have been blessed by not having bugs, as yet, but my lime is ready to dust should they show up. Let's hope they don't! Shelly came and we hoed one night. Let me add here that hoeing is not for the faint of heart. I thought I would throw up. Never eat dinner and then hoe in this heat!

Soap making is full force. Shelly and I have been so fortunate to have great soap sales this summer. I hope we are getting quite a little following at the farmer's markets. We have split our markets to catch two; she is at the Marion market and I am at Wytheville. Should you come through our area on a Saturday morning, stop and say "Hi!" Both markets are young, but there are fine local products available every week. Plus, you'd get to see us. What more could you want? If you'd like to see our markets, look here. Scroll down to see the Marion market.

Weaving was slow starting, but is now full speed in the evenings when I haven't a brain to read or think. The first towel is nearly done and is such a lovely piece. I am thinking of taking some to the market or reviving the etsy shop. What do you think?

There are lots of happening on the farm, but I'll save some for tomorrow. Gee, I missed you guys!

If it's Thursday, Lucy's in charge...

When I bought the goat herd last summer, little did I know what life would be like.... I have learned about worms, parasites, birthin' goats, hay, feed, and about thirty things to do with goat's milk, except drink it. What a vegetarian is doing with a goat is beyond all understanding. I like the way the goats smell -- even the bucks. I like their whiney. I love their sense of humor. And I particularly enjoy the fact that a buck will wee-wee on your feet if you make them mad. I enjoy that, sadly. Especially when the victim is a traveling ---- fill-in the blank that I would prefer not to spend my time with. And, we won't discuss what I am doing with chickens.... Let's save that for another day.

So, here I am, with three milking does and two doelings. And five kids. And four pygmies. And three bucks. And one wether. How I went from five goats to this large herd is beyond me. Our vet tried to explain to me that boy plus girl of anything means more little boys or girls of anything, but I already knew this. What I didn't know was how what seemed impossible, wasn't, at least to goats.

Never was this more evident to me than when our pygmies gave, surprise!, birth to twins from, wait for it, an Alpine buck. Twice their size. Three times their weight. And we didn't even know it until we had babies. It just seemed impossible. However, there they were. Four kids. All from Maestro, a very large, very, er, plain, Alpine buck. When we realized who the kids' daddy was (that was a terrible line, wasn't it??), I asked the vet how it could happen.

She tried to explain: "You have a BOY goat, right? And you have a GIRL goat, right? Well..."

I stopped her: "I understand that, but he is like three feet taller than either of the girls. I don't get it. Did they ...??" I just couldn't fathom it.

She sighed. "They laid down and..."

I ran from the stall, yelling, "pink elephants!pink elephants!pink elephants!"

So, it comes as no surprise to me that the gals seem to take days to be in charge of the herd. Today was Lucy's day. I just love Lucy. She is a very blonde Alpine with little dangly bits that make me think of Hasidic Jews. It is such a kick to pull on them and her beard. She seems, actually, to like it. She is the only gal currently being milked, so she is quite eager to be the first in the feed line. In reality, she has to be last so the milk doesn't sit too long. But this doesn't deter her. She spent the day following the shade around the side and back of the barn and milking parlor. As the sun moved, Lucy moved. Finally, she stood up and began to call me.

"Bah," she lowed softly.

"In a bit; not time," I responded.

She chewed her cud a bit -- all of five minutes.

"BAh!" she called a little louder.

"In a little bit; it is too early," I protested.

She walked around to the hay rack, pulled some down, and chewed another five minutes.

"BAH!" she bellowed.

"It is only 4:30. You can wait!" I answered roughly.

She chewed her cud and stomped her feet.

"Too early," I argued again.

She stomped, bah-ed again softly, probably calling me rude names, and laid back down, chewing her cud.

Five minutes later, "BAHHHH!"

I sighed. "Okay; be right there."

My son laughed. "You shouldn't have put the clock out there; they can tell time."

I giggled. "Only Lucy."

I picked up the milking bucket and headed to the barn. Can't keep Lucy waiting.