Around the farm...

 I might just start a new series on Mondays here. Around the farm Mondays. This is the 2nd one. It's just so pretty here, I have to share.

There are so many things bursting forth with new life, it's just beautiful to see. I know it's like this everywhere right now. Or at least I hope it is. It's been such a long winter. And this weekend, we will be back down in the 30's at night. We started a fire again last week, because it's just chilly.

I hope you can look past the kitty doing what kitties do, but here are my 2 lilac bushes I got a few years ago. They are looking pretty good so far, if I can keep Stella from digging them up. 4 years old and still acts like a puppy.

I have 10 blueberry bushes around my herb-flower garden. 1 has not made it, but the rest look good. I had let the sheep out in the yard last month and I think they got some. I had to cut some of the dead branches off. And last year, I got no blueberries because of the chickens. This year, I will have to put netting over them if I'm going to get any at all.

Same with the elderberries. Birds got every single berry. They do every year. But this year, I'll try to cover them too. I have a huge one up front. But I'm starting to get them in the yard and I would love to have my own elderberries.

Can you see way across the road? The Bradford pear trees are in full bloom. The bees head straight over there and are covered in white pollen when they come back home. You can also see how green that field is over there. I call it the Monsanto Field. They plant corn and the next day it's knee high. Then a few weeks later, it's taller than me. Pretty scary. They were over there a few weeks ago spraying something.

Last fall I planted clover for a cover crop. It's so thick and tall now. I am waiting for blooms. The bees will be all over it. I don't want to have a garden because there's so much good stuff out there for the bees. I might have to just plant the garden over  on the other side this year.

This is the little bee garden I started last year. Never saw a bee here at all. I heard bees love blue, so it's all blue flowering plants. It needs to be weeded then I need to cut all the dead stuff.

The sheep pasture is getting greener every day. They want to be over there, but I'll wait a few more weeks. I've been letting them out back and in the back yard and in the big pasture. They have a huge round bale of hay too. So they can wait a while longer. I'd like it to be at least 4" tall.

I added another box to the hive. They are already up there in it. I just do not want them to swarm. They're doing so good now. I talked to a friend last week who got 2 hives when I got mine a few years ago. Mine got the wax moths but his thrived. He kept adding on more boxes. He didn't even feed his for the last 2 winters. They got lots of honey last year. But last week, he went to check on them and they were all gone. Both hives. So sad.

The garden is also full of Henbit too! The bees are loving it. Can you see the one little bee here? And also full of dandelions too. I've been drinking dandelion tea since they's been blooming. So far so good on the allergies! I did have itchy eyes Sat. for awhile. I put local raw honey in the tea. I love it! Good spring tonic too.

And it seems I am stuck at just 13 pounds lost. Can't seem to get past 237. I didn't even look this morning. I'll just wait again til Saturday. I think I need to start exercising. I want a bike too. I live 5 miles from the end of W. Cove Rd. then it goes up Lookout Mt. My goal will be to ride there and back. 10 miles. And it's a beautiful ride too. So I should be able to work up to that. Just need a good bike now.

Hope y'all have a good week! And happy 1st week of spring to you all!

Dread pics

I have 14 dreads so far. I had to re do 2 of them this morning. Roots were really loose.

So this is how I wore my hair today. I washed it last night, and it's been raining, so my hair is a big ball of frizz right now. And so grey. But I love it.

And it's hard to take a back shot with a big Canon.

                                                      Maybe you can see the dreads here.

                                               And here's some curlies. It's just messy right now.

Look how frizzy! Good grief! Hopefully, they will get tighter. The wrapped one is the oldest. It's loose at the roots so I decided to wrap it. And I like wrapped dreads. I'd like to get some beads too.

(I almost forgot to say that I am doing the twist and rip method. But it will only go about halfway. So a few of them I have finished with a braid. That's why the little colored rubber bands are at the bottom. And I like the loose wispy ends too. And I will probably only do a partial as I really like my hair and don't know if I want to go all the way with dreads. Plus I have seen a few videos of reasons why not to get dreads. And all have mentioned if you don't like people looking at you, or attention drawn to you, then you should not get dreads. Because people will stare. or make ugly comments. or want to touch them or smell them. Ew. So probably only the bottom half will become dreads. But I am liking them so far.)

So this is as good as I can get. Maybe more later when I can get someone else to take a good picture.

And I have lost 13 pounds in 2 weeks!!!!!!!! I am so proud of me for sticking with this. I feel SO much better eating this way. so I am down to 236 now. I want to get under 200. I hate being this heavy. I WILL DO IT!

Y'all have a great weekend! First day of spring here was wet, cold, dreary and just plain ole yucky. Hope it gets better.

Goat baby day!

I haven't had goats since last year, but I still get calls from people who need help with their goats. Some questions I can help them with. Some I refer them to other more knowledgeable goat friends.

This morning, about 9, got a call from a friend up the road who's doe was about to give birth. He was a little anxious. He saw feet and didn't really know what to do. So I was there in about 5 minutes to help. This is Ada, who he had gotten from me several years ago. I had her and another of his does here last year to milk for awhile. So I was trying to figure out how old Ada is and I'm thinking about 7 or 8. I didn't think she should have had any more kids. She's not the healthiest doe. But she did.

So we got the little shed all cozy for her, with some hay and water. Blocked it off from the 2 nosy wethers and Ada's daughter from last year. We waited. And waited. Then we went back to the garage because it started raining a little. Went back up and she was laying down. Got back up. Layed down. Pushed a little. Got back up. For those of you who have goats, and have waited for kids, you know what I'm talking about. She'll push. You'll see feet. She'll get up and the feed go back in.

This went on a few hours. So I decided next time I see enough feet, I'm grabbing them and helping her get it out. And we did it! She had a little cute white buckling with black slots. Cute elf ears. And I think she's done. It took about 5 minutes to get her up. And I tried to get the kid to nurse. But we decided to leave to alone so they can figure it out. She's done this before. I have bottles, so if they need one I can run it up there in a few minutes. But he looked good.

Yeah, that was fun and exciting. But I don't miss it. And I didn't take my camera.

And, the phone guy had to hook me up in my studio. So finally, I have my computer over here. Now for a little day bed.

We have water!

 The plumbers showed up early yesterday morning. Lots of trucks and guys. And a very loud ditch digging tractor. They started at the water meter at the road. The worked their way back to the house. At least 650'. I was so worried about my bees. You can see how close they had to get to the hive.  So I got my bee suit and hats and gloves, in case anyone got nervous about the bees. I stood out there with the bees while he got closer and closer. And right when he got beside the hive, he took a break. Geeze.

But ti all worked out. The bees were all out and about, busy as could be. And not paying any attention to loud tractors and strange guys at all. So again, I worried  for nothing.

I did go ahead and add another hive box on top. I haven't really had time to do a thorough check on the whole hive, but have taken the top off. I can see where they are building comb and are all up in that 2nd box. So decided to give them more room to grow. They are going across the road to the Bradford pear trees, in full bloom, and bringing back white pollen. So cool! I love to just sit out there and watch them work.

This is my new garden faucet. I am more happy about this than the whole water line. I have wanted a faucet out there in the garden since we moved here. I have been hauling hundreds of feet of water hose all over from the studio to water everything. I hate it! So this will help so much. Really happy about this.

It is mess out there now. It was so wet that they blew a hose on the tractor while filling the trench. So they had to stop and came back this morning. They had another job they had to get to so will come back with a smaller tractor to finish all this mess up. I want it leveled and all the huge rocks moved.

And now we have more reliable water. Having to go out and flip breakers every few hours was getting old fast.

Around the farm today.

This is the most beautiful day! Nearly 80. I was sitting on my studio porch, spinning some Romney wool, and it sounds like spring. I was trying to think of how winter sounds. Rain drops. Squishy mud. Sheep bawling. Not too much noise. But spring sounds like new life! Birds chirping and hopping around, looking for fat juice worms. Looking for the best nests. Flying all over the place. Bees buzzing, gathering all the pollen off the trees. Sheep munching grass and hay. Slurping water. Wool growing like crazy! Chickens singing the egg laying song. Or Black Bart, calling the girls to come get some bugs. Spring just sounds different.

So I started walking around the yard, seeing all the new life popping up around me.


This little red maple I planted like 5 years ago. It has pretty red leaf buds. It's a really slow growing tree, compared to just silver maples. But I love them in the Fall.

This is my biggest of 2 Red Bud trees. I do believe we will have the pretty purple flowers this year on this tree! This is my favorite tree.

The day lillies are popping up all over. This bed needs some work and clean up.

And we have 3 really old apple trees in the yard where my studio is. And the sheep are in this yard a lot. And they seem to like apple tree bark. I really need to get some kind of wound spray before we lose them. This is the old Yates apple tree. My favorite apple. There is a really old variety that my mother-in-law called an early June transparent apple. It's really good cooked with the peel on. That's about all they're good for. But we love them and were so happy to find out that's what this tree is.

Here are some apple blossoms starts on the old Granny Smith apple tree!! The bees will be all over these trees when they are in bloom! We also have 6 more younger apple trees and 3 pears down in the lower garden. They are all looking good too.

And this poor ole Clematis vine. It just keeps on growing, despite the fact my husband's weed whacked it down way too many times to count. And the sheep and goats have eaten it to the ground a few times too. But it's a persistent vine and keeps coming back every year. It's beautiful when it's in bloom.

Sp lots of new life all around these days. I love spring. But it just doesn't seem to stick around very long any more. We might get a few good weeks of nice weather where we can open all the windows. But them BOOM, it's 100 degrees and the AC comes on.

I am down 10 pounds since Sunday. I won't weigh again til Saturday. I am doing way better than I thought I would. I am eating real food now. I feel SO much better. Not all crappy like I did before after I'd eat. I hope I can keep this up.

I did 6 more dreads this morning for a total of 14 so far. They really look bad and probably will for awhile, til they get to where they are supposed to be. And they are underneath so I can hide them if I don't feel like showing them to the world yet.

So y'all have a great week! I hope it's like this where you are.

Losing.

  I have lost 5 pounds already since this past Saturday! I feel so good too. My hands feel lots better. And I haven't had to drink any soda water because I feel so bloated.

  I decided I need to lose weight and eat better. So I have stopped eating sugar and anything with flour. Basically just  eating fruits, veggies and meat. And kombucha. No coffee because I had to have a lot of Natural Bliss creamer. It's SO good but has sugar. I've been drinking dandelion tea with my friend's honey. (I hope to have my own honey soon!) And of course cheese and eggs too. And fresh raw cow's milk.

  I really do feel so much better. And down 5 pounds already!!!!  I haven't even craved any sweets either.

  I'll be getting into the garden soon, when we dry out. So I'll be more active then. Can't wait to get started again. I have all kinds of plans. Just need to have some dryer ground.

  So y'all please send some good thoughts my way so I can continue this way. I would so appreciate it.

  So in the water situation, we have none. I am so bummed about this. We were using the well water. It's never been used this much, ever. I've only used it to water the gardens some. And the animals. So, it's been flipping breakers. Like a LOT. A friend came today and seems to think it's the well motor thing. And that's about $500. As much as I like the thought of using well water (it's free) we will just go ahead and get the plumbers here and get the new water line done. Plus, I'll get a faucet in the garden too! That is something I have wanted for years. Can't wait to get that. So, in the meantime, we have no water in this house. I am thankful for the rain, which is in several buckets now. And a 50 gallon barrel out back that catches rain water. That's our toilet flushing water.

And we should be getting all this amazing wool sheared off this month! Can hardly wait. But would like it a lot dryer please.

This guy...

 He's the best rooster we have ever had. Black Bart. I think he's a Black Giant? His girls are a mix of the same and Black Sex Link. I had 10 hens, but 3 died back in Nov. Not sure why. So 7 are left. By the way, got 7 eggs yesterday! I love my hens.

So yesterday was beautiful. Warm and sunny. Just perfect. We had our oldest and youngest grand daughters with us. Chloe, the oldest, had some popcorn. I told her to throw some down and see what happens. She did. Black Bart was right there. The hens were scattered all over the yard. He starts making his clucking sounds, calling the girls to the food he found. He's amazing. All the girls come running and he backs up and lets them eat. Never ate a single piece.

Chloe threw more down and the same thing. He clucks, the hens come, he steps back and lets them eat.

I told the girls, this is the kind of guy you want to find. Someone who will give you space, but is always there to protect you, no matter what. He'll give you the last bite of food. He won't be jealous, but let you have your time. He will fight for you. He will always be watching for trouble. And will love you til he has no more breath in him. That's the kind of man you want to look for.

He's also never ever tried to hurt anyone. Never even made a move like he would either. Such a gentle giant.

He's the best, Black Bart.

#7 is always off doing her own thing.  A loner. Marches to the beat of her own drum. She doesn't need any help I guess.

Are we done yet?

I am hoping after Friday, we are in for a bit of a dry spell. That's what Paul said, anyway. As much as I don't really believe the weather forecasters, I want to believe this time. Going down to the 20's tonight (Thursday) and cold Friday, but on the uphill climb after this. I am ready.

8 dreads now!

Feels like Spring today.

 But just for today. We have windows open because it's SO hot in the house. But we need to keep the fire going because tonight, after a day in the high 60's, it will be down in the low 30's with a pretty good chance of snow and crud. Schools will be closed probably. But today is really nice.

The girls are out in full force, gathering all the pollen they can get on their little tiny legs. Can you see all those beautiful colors they're wearing? Busy bees today!

And the daffodils finally decided to go ahead and bloom. The ones out back had just a few little blooms so I didn't get any of them.

And the wood pile grew! Our good friend Kidd and his son CW came by yesterday and had a truckload of wood. Kidd was worried we'd run out. He's such a good friend. This is where most of our wood has come from the past few years. He has 20 acres up on the mountain and goes through and cuts all the dead trees for us. So thankful for good friends.

Yesterday was my day with mom. We went to the new Hobby Lobby. They had the cutest bandannas  for just .99. She got a few for her little dog so I decided Bubba and Stella needed their own. They looked so cute with them on. Of course I couldn't get a good pic of Stella. But this one's good of Bubba. He's so sweet.

Sure wish I could get out in the garden. But it's a mud pit for awhile. Some friends are already getting veggie starts going in green houses. So jealous. One day, we will get out there.

And I have 6 dreads now! I've been washing my hair with home made shampoo bar a friend makes. No conditioner. So it's like a big frizz ball with this wonky weather. I haven't been brushing it either. So I have several strands of hair that just want to be together, so I'll twist and rip them. So now I have 6! It's so fun. But going to be a long slow process, doing it myself. I only want the bottom done, so I can sort of hide them if I want to. People are so strange and judgmental, if people look different than they do. I have always been a little bit different. I never liked to go the same way as everyone else. I like to do my own thing. So this is something I have thought about doing for years now and it's just the right time to do this. For me. Not anyone else. And I am really liking it. I will get a good picture soon. But right now, my head is a frizzy mess!

I hope you all are having a great 4th day of march! It's hump day y'all!

Trees

 I love trees. And something about bare trees, all naked and waiting to give birth to new leaves, is so awesome to me. And the first signs of little tiny baby green leaves makes me so happy! Like they're telling me that winter is finally over and new life will be popping up all over soon. Such a happy time.

And they seem to have so much character, these bare naked trees. All their curves and bends. Some are rough and some are smooth. Some are so old, they are just barely standing straight. Like the first strong wing that blows will just knock them to the ground.

Some grow up together, all entwined with their neighbor, but with no arguments, only love for each other. Some have stories to tell, if they could but talk. Oh, the sights some of these old trees have seen in their amazing lifetime. I would love to hear those stories.

Trees are amazing and I hope they will be around forever. And soon, these same trees will burst forth with beautiful leaves for all to see and enjoy!

Bees all out all over the place today!!! Loaded with red and yellow pollen. oh, what a happy day!

Bees are doing well.

Yesterday, the bees were out.  Some were full of red pollen from the maple trees. They've had big fat buds on them for over a month now. I love seeing the bees coming back to the hive with legs all full of red pollen.

Lots of dead bees in front of the hive too. But that's a good sign. That means the live bees are cleaning house and making room for all the new bees that will be hatching soon.

You can see all the buds on the maple trees. So pretty. It's the 2nd day of March. And we will have lots of rain this week and a chance of more snow Thursday. They are calling for 1 1/2". So probably no school. Again. School was out Tuesday through Friday last week.

I am SO glad to tell February goodbye! It's been a crazy month. There is nothing but mud out there now. And I hate mud. I was just worn out this morning. I got a wagon full of old hay to lay down for a path for the sheep to walk on. And me. It just wears me out trudging through all this mud. Worse than sand. So, more rain and snow this week. Maybe we'll have dry ground one day.

The lamb and the hen.

Went out this afternoon to gather eggs. Can you see that black thing at the top of the hay bale?

It's a hen. She had the best ever nest in the top of this hay bale. Nice and comfy. She was there to stay for awhile.

   Til Cassidy, the sweet lamb, came to see what she was doing up there. All by herself. All comfy cozy.

           She asked the hen, "Can I see what'cha got in there? Is it something good? Huh? Huh?"

                                                                    And the hen left.

                                                                              The end.

Snow on trees...

 I love  bare trees covered in snow. It's so pretty.

And the big tall majestic cedar trees, bending with the weight of the heavy snow.

Husband went out and measured the snow on top of the Trooper. It was 6" Looks like so much more. In some places it is more.  We lost power last night about 11. Normally I wouldn't mind at all, except now we have well water. Which is run by an electric pump. So no power, no water. I have to have water, like all the time. We have wood heat, so we're ok there too. But water? That's scary. But it came back on a few hours later. I am SO thankful. My mom or Mrs. T never lost power either. I was so happy about that. If they did, I would have had no way to go get them. We are quite snowed in way out here.