Finally, a litte SUNSHINE!

For the first time in over a week we had a beautiful, sunshine-filled day yesterday! Not that rainy days are all bad, my potatoes shot up like rockets and I got a lot done inside. I canned a batch of rhubarb chutney (from 'Food in Jars'), organized and cleaned out my craft closet, got a lot of crocheting done, and made spice mixes, sprouts, dough, and kombucha!

But SUN, sun is the best of all! Our asparagus bed is all finished and planted. I can't wait to see them sprout up next year. We had a lot of leftover dirt from digging that so my husband threw together 2 more raised beds for me. I hilled the HUGE potatoes AGAIN and made a little trellis for the peas to crawl up. After some visiting with family I was gifted irises, sorrel, a black cherry tomato, and calendula to plant. I've only got the irises left to do today, and some bush beans I started from seed. I planted my cushaw squash as well and hope it does okay climbing up our giant arbor from our wedding. Today it's time to mow which is our most hated chore around here. I can't wait to have the whole yard mulched over and filled with raised beds, because grass is a total waste.

We've also enjoyed having the hummingbirds back for the year! We've also got a bluebird in one of our birdhouses and a whole mess of goldfinches hanging around. We also saw a Pileated Woodpecker fly by...boy was he pretty, and huge! All I know is lots of birds means a healthy yard full of bugs and seeds for them to eat.

How was your Memorial Day weekend? Rainy and yucky, or nice and sunny? Did you get a lot done?

Until next time,
xoxo Stacie

Where the green things are

I am so awful at keeping this blog up! This time of year I have no goals but to go to work, come home, and dig in the dirt. I find it really hard to stay cooped up and write when there is sod to be broken and raised beds to be built. In the morning I have about twenty minutes of quiet coffee drinking and computer time so my new goal is to try and get a little something written during that small window. Here we go!

Our ducks are HUGE! My husband set up a new pen with a pretty sweet gate he made from stuff laying around. We still can't tell their sexes for sure but a few days ago when wrangling them we heard the male raspy noise coming from at least two. The ladies are big 'ol loudmouths quacking like the world is ending. 

The new setup

We have one Silkie hen who has been laying on eggs in the rabbit barn, although we are crossing our fingers we aren't quite sure they are fertilized.  Time will tell! Of course the airmail chickies are doing great in the brooder. We've lost two, bringing the total down to fourteen. Keep your fingers crossed we have more hens than roosters!

Here they are, growing slowly

As far as the garden goes, things are taking off quickly. We had a couple days of heavy rain we really needed and things shot right up. The garlic looks fantastic with the shallots close behind. The potatoes have popped out and may have to be hilled soon. I've got to make some bean teepees this weekend because the peas are about three inches tall and if we get more rain I could blink and have them crawling every which way. Our beloved kale (both kinds) are getting large and beautiful. I can't wait to eat them! I'm getting my asparagus bed ready this weekend since I've got to pick up the crowns I ordered at the extension office this Saturday. Of course, I've still got a multitude of direct seed things to plant as well as a ton of seedlings that are quietly awaiting their time in my south facing window. It's just hard starting a garden from scratch when all you've got is sod. It takes a lot of blood, sweat, and rabbit poop.

Welcome to the jungle!

There's an update on what's going on around here. How about you guys? Any greenery sprouted? Any new baby animals?

Until next time,

xoxo Stacie

I have no shame! I'll leave you with this embarrassing picture ;)