Surprises

My parents drove down from North Georgia yesterday to spend a few days with us. They wanted to be here for my birthday tomorrow. It has been cool and a little rainy so far and I hope the weather will clear so we can spend some time rocking on the front porch. Daddy has been helping Lon with the chores and Mom helped feed the babies today.

The main project he and daddy are working on is trying to fix a washout on our driveway at the creek. The large amounts of rain we have been having is causing a gully of sorts to be cut across the drive. It seems the pipe under it has been stopped up and diverting the creek water to flow over instead of under. After digging out the mud and muck, they have hauled large rocks from different areas of the property to edge each side of the pipe area. Then brought extra gravel from off the drive to build up the top. It looks great and we are praying it will stop the problem from continuing. With the excess brush cut away from the area, I can envision lots of woodland flowers along the bank to add some color and make the creek sparkle all the more.

Lon brought in the eggs this evening and perched on top of the basket full was a mini egg. He asked me if I had sneaked in some doves or pigeons when he wasn't looking. It is the tiniest egg we have ever collected in the 2 years we have been raising chickens. I am puzzled by the size, not knowing if it came from a young pullet just starting to lay or what. All of last years babies should have been laying good size eggs by now. Or it could have come from one in too big of a hurry to let it develop into a normal size egg. Although when the food bucket comes out, they all scramble like crazy to get their share. The other surprise today was we collected 32 eggs and the second day in a row! I do believe the increasing daylight and the return of "buggie snacks" is making a difference. At this rate we may see 3 dozen a day this week. WOW!

Abounding in eggs, both big and small,

Deborah

New Visitors . . .

Things are progressing here at the farm after the birthing two weeks ago. All of the babies are doing great and have transitioned to bottle feedings well. Sucking down milk likes pros. Except Glory who still refuses to put her pretty little mouth around one. I've orderd another type to use with her, but they haven't arrived yet, expected them 3 days ago. No amount of coaxing will change her mind, she even went two feedings without eating and still wouldn't take a bottle. It's like dealing with a stubbord child, but this one you can't reason with no matter how hard you try. So she is still taking nourishment off of her mama, Sugar. That is until the new nipples arrive hopefully on Monday.

Our visitors today were Dallas and Cody, who brought their Mom and Grandmother with them. The boys wanted to see the baby goats! They arrived around noon and in time to help with the mid-day bottle feeding. Of course the two boys picked out the two bucklings to feed. Leaving the doelings for the "girls" to feed. The weather wasn't warm enough to let the kids out into their playpen to play. So the boys are coming back in warmer weather to see the goat babies kick up their heels and jump around.

Dallas feeding Pepper

Cody feeding Buckshot

Dallas holding Annabelle

But they did feed the chickens and turkeys some scratch grains. Petted the mommy goats and saw Sassie do her "teeth trick". Dallas is another horse lover in the making and enjoyed leading Sassie around the barnyard. Then up to the upper pasture for her to graze for awhile. Thanks Dallas and Cody for your help today with feeding the baby goats and helping out. Smiles were seen on all faces present and I believe they had a wonderful visit. You guys have an open invitation to come back anytime!

I decided to go ahead and start the seasonal changes in the house today. I usually wait for the first day of the month to change the flags and little decor items throughout the house. But the weather is so pretty and it just felt like time to make the swap. So all the Winter Snowman decor was packed away and Spring items were pulled out. Yes, I know we still have three more weeks left of winter but. . . . well I am ready for warmer days! It looks cheerful and reminds me that Spring is just around the corner. Despite the predicted snow for next week, I think for the most part it is really just a suggestion.

I had plans to work out in the yard and gardens today, but the wind still has quite a chilly breath. I am anxious to start digging in the dirt, but know that it will be quite a few weeks before I can plant any tender plants out. Yesterday at the feed store we bought a few more fruit trees, bushes and vines. We now have Apple & plum trees, blueberry and fig bushes, grape and blackberry vines to add to our future fruit harvest. They will need holes dug this week, so I may get the chance to satisfy my craving to dig in the dirt then. We need to get them planted soon as they need to get established before the heat of Summer arrives. Looking forward to all the beautiful Springs blooms they will put forth. The peach tree in the back yard is already showing buds swelling with the little warming trend of low 50's we have had a couple of days in a row.

Waiting to get my hands dirty,

Deborah