Good Friday ~

Yesterday had it's trying moments, but all in all it was a good day. I was able to get my car tag, purchased groceries, had a pleasant drive through the countryside, found lots of garden goodies, ran a few errands and enjoyed 75* weather. You can read the whole scoop here.

Today I am sure will hold a new set of challenges all of its own. Somehow we need to get a roll of hay from someone close by, as all of our stock pile is gone. Planting in the garden will be a sure activity as well with everything I've bought this week. I would like to wash my car, start my flower garden, ride through the woods with Lon on the 4-wheeler and grill out. Just your normal Friday activities. Of course there are the everyday chores of house & barn to do too. All of the bee hive boxes need a coat of paint in preparation for their arrival soon. Lon went with our bee mentor, Clyde on Wednesday this week to pick up some additional bee supplies that need some attention too. I have been waiting for warm, dry weather to come so I could start staining the porch chairs, not sure the day has enough hours for my list of have-tos and want-tos. What do you think?

Lon came home with another load of free pallets this morning. They will go a long way in constructing some usable items for the farm, maybe even a shelter or two. We have put many to use over the past year in the shape of goat shelters, hay feeders, gates, milking stand, etc. The projects can be read about through out the posts on this site. If you have special interest in one let me know in the comment section and I will find the link for you.

One pallet project today revolved around a small shelter of sorts that we had built a couple of months back. Today we added to it and devise a sheltered place to put the large round hay bales we get for the goats and horse. They eat at them regularly, but often waste a good bit on the ground. Putting our heads together we came up with a plan that looks like a God-send. (Which it is). The new roll is safely tucked under cover, secured on all 4 sides with spaces big enough for everyone to eat through. No more jumping on it (Samson) or pulling it down to lie in (hens). We are hoping that it will last us for awhile at least until everything greens up good. We are quite proud of our ingenuity and gave each other a pat on the back for a job well done.

Picking up this new roll next door to the feed store allowed us to get the chicken feed too in one easy trip. While there I made use of my waiting time to look over the new plants that had just arrived. I don't know about you, but I love to be the first to look over and pick from plants that have their shipping wrappers still attach. It's like picking from the cream of the crop! Needless to say we didn't leave with just what we had came after. There were a couple of packages of vegetable seeds, another tray of tomato seedlings and a few pots of herbs tucked under my feet as we pulled off.

Working outside was hot! Today's temperature soared to 85* the highest yet. Wouldn't you know it the breezes we have been having for weeks just puffed away leaving us with nothing but still air. Lon went over to help a neighbor lady with a tree in her yard. She is expecting company on Easter and wanted it cleaned up. We were given the wood from this old, old oak to add to our wood pile for next year's heating. It should continue to age out perfectly and give us the hot heat that it is known for.

We have decided to leave the kids out around the clock with the rest of the adults. They have reached 7 weeks old this weekend and are learning so much from them. With the night time temperatures staying stable it is a good time to introduce them to sleeping outdoors.

The farmers here abouts say it is good to plant your crops on GOOD FRIDAY. I even over heard two older women at Wmart this week say the same thing, so it must be true. I'm sure the Farmer's Almanac probably speaks of the same success as well. We were not able to get everything in the ground today. But asked the Lord's blessing on what is planted and continue to pray for a good harvest come late Summer.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Deborah