Our First Market of 2012

Trying on a new hat!

Jack Brock's wooden bowls.

A few of the Market Jammers.

Although it was warm and muggy we had a great first Saturday at the Market. We reconnected with some folks we hadn't seen since this past fall and met new folks which is always great. Angela made some $$ which is excellent! Our life is a fund raiser. lol

Having a three day weekend means I should be able to put the sealer on the outside of the new hen house and stain the floor too. Next will be getting the doors made, the window in place and extending the fence. Daddy is in hay-mode right now so I may have to wait a bit longer before the girls can move into their new home. Making hay while the sun shines isn't a cliche but a truism if you are a farmer!

Lettuce Lenny

So I've been wondering why the lettuce starts haven't been growing very well. Today I had a clue. I saw Lenny, my ginger kitten, sitting in the open cold frame. He moved off the lettuce when he saw me coming and was looking very innocent when I took his picture. His new favorite thing is to crouch out of sight, then jump out and scare the girls. He practically rubs his paws with glee when they squawk. He knows to be particularly careful around Anise, the little black hen, but he isn't quite so cautious with the others. He's never offered to hurt any of the chickens but does love to see them jump!

Thinking About Next Spring

I've been thinking about adding 8 or 10 turkeys to the farm next Spring. 

Considering either Beltsville Small Whites (photo to the left) or Midget Whites (photo to the right). Both are on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy list. Having a few birds for my family's table and a few to sell wouldn't take up much available space. I'm still mulling it over and figuring out the logistics. If I use some type of temporary fencing and housing a pen could be set up then removed when not needed any more. 

One of my co-workers has already told me she wants to buy a bird for her family's Thanksgiving. She had a dreadful time trying to find a fresh bird last year and finally had to settle for a frozen one.

A market friend uses a USDA approved slaughter house so I'll be asking Tye for more information on it. I'm thinking about having three turkeys to sell, three turkeys for family then whatever is left to be ground up in one pound packages. Maybe saving the drumsticks and offering them for sell.

Henhouse Update

 The Girls and I got our window box! For now it is only tacked on because it must be primed and painted but I think it definitely adds a "cute" factor to the building. The actual window will be added after it is also primed and painted. Barring rain I should be able to stain the floor tomorrow.

The bucket in the doorway holds Raspberry bushes waiting to be planted. For reasons unknown the Blueberry bushes are not doing very well. They will be removed from their raised bed and potted to give them a second chance to make something of themselves. They have a month to improve or they are history!

A frost hit the Grapes. One of them is coming back quickly but the other one not so much. I'm biding my time deciding their future.

Figs are doing well and the Peach tree has several lil peaches.

With the exception of the Blueberries and the one Grape vine I'm pleased with all last year's new additions.

New seedling are still popping up in the greenhouse. I'm truly loving this bit of plastic over metal tubing. Every day brings something new when I go into it's warm, humid interior. Several seedlings have their first true leaves and are ready to be transplanted into individual pots. I'm recycling yogurt cups and water bottles with the tops cut off for most of the seedlings.

Making a Lil Progress

A not so great picture of the new hen house. Only being able to work one or two days a week is making it take quite a while to finish. 

I may be adding a few more girls to the flock when the hen house is finished. One of my customers has offered me Blue Orpingtons pullets. I think they are gorgeous!

Better get a wiggle on. I need to eat a quick supper before going back to work.

A Hard Working Man

Our Daddy will be 78 on September 16th and is one of the most hardworking individuals I know. He's a dab hand at most anything he turns his hand to and is willing to try building most anything we can come up with ... if we give him a drawing to go by.

My sisters and I are blessed to have a Daddy who helps us when ever he can and as much as he is able.I thank him every time he leaves my farm for his help.

P. S.
It was raining this morning so I was unable to get updated photos of the work on the new hen house. My nephew-in-law Ivan will be putting the roof on it soon. Daddy and I have the siding on and one window cut out. Next we will be making a screen door and exterior door. We are using hardware cloth instead of screening for the windows and screen door for strength and durability.

The weather forecast is bad for the Plains states today and tomorrow. We, the Midwest, are suppose to get it early next week. So batten down the hatches and stay safe where ever you live!

New Coop Progress

The new chicken coop is coming right along. It is seven and a half feet wide by six feet deep and eight feet tall. We are going to put a half loft it to store my straw bales.

Most of the rafters have been built and, weather permitting, will go in place on Saturday.

Love my Daddy!!