Bees, goats and garden

 It's been really cold and wet here the past few weeks. Not how it usually is around here. We have winter, then we have summer. Just like that. It just doesn't happen like this a lot.

I got these 2 nucs last Monday. Put them in their new hives on Tuesday. I can see that on cold wet days, they pretty much stay inside. But when the sun comes out, so do the bees.

The Outback hive, in the goat yard, is doing great. Very active. I have not taken the lid off this one to look inside yet. I didn't want to disturb all the work that's been going on in there. I know the queen is big and working. I will have to though, this afternoon. I hope to add another box on this one.

This is all my company when I go check on the hive. Sp many goats! And 6 or 7 are not in this pic. I have 6 does and 9 kids. They've stayed away from the hive though. I'll keep 4 of the doe kids and sell the 3 bucks and both of Zarah's doe kids and her. I'll put the 4 doe kids in with the sheep when they're ready to wean. My friend Ron came last night and got his 2 ewe lambs! So now I really am at 12 sheep. The shearer is coming this Sunday to shear. I'll know which ewes I'll be keeping then, when I find out who's wool is better. So there still may be some moving around yet.

This is the Garden hive. I do lift the lid on this one most every day, to check to see if there are still bees in it. They are still here. Just not as active as the other hive. This is the hive that has the young queen that had no brood in the frames yet. They're really nice and easy to work with so far. I have to shake this lid to get them all off so I can put it back on. So far so good!

I can see that the bees are really working on wax and propolis, sticking the frames together. They haven't even been in the outer frames at all. A bee friend said to go ahead and give them sugar water, which I did. I'm going in this afternoon, to see what the queen's been up to. It's too cold this morning.

I've started, a little at a time, to stake the tomato plants. With all the rain, they have just taken off. I'm also trying to get everything mulched too. (It sure makes things look so much better and helps keep them cool and wet.)  My 2 very least favorite jobs in the garden. Well, #1 least would be weeding. Which there are a whole lot of out there. But it'll all get done eventually.

I am off to spend the day with my favorite person. My mother. I need to look for linoleum for the studio. And paint too. Big job, that little house. But will be worth it in the end. I can see it all done and ready to work in. Can hardly wait now!

A fiber studio-shop. Right here at Outback Farm!

This is the little house next door. This is where we had to love til the bigger house was gutted and remodeled. We had to put a roof on this house. Plus fix the ceiling that had caved in. We lived here from July til just before Christmas. It's 500 sq ft. The whole right side is living room. The left is kitchen and bathroom. Then the best part is the front porch. It needs to be painted outside and in. I want to paint it a light green. And do something about under the porch. I can't put flowers or bushes around the porch because sometimes the sheep are in this yard.

I've used it as a barn the past few years, to store hay bales. It would hold about 180 bales in here. I also used it for raising chicks and turkeys in a big brooder. You can see it to the left. I had to take it apart to get it out the door. But, with 2 sides off, it will make a great work table.

                                                                It's a mess for sure!

                                                    I just got most of the mess off the floor.

So now, the plan for this house. I have thought about using it for a vacation home. Or for a couple who could help out on the farm and stay here for free. Or as a real barn.

But, if you look in our house, you'd see a sewing machine on the dining room table. Along with sewing stuff in the window seat and table. And side cabinets.

Also felting stuff in totes in corners.

Plus lots of totes of raw wool. And washed wool. And lots of bins of yarn and yarn paraphernalia, like crochet hooks and knitting needles. And unfinished projects here and there.

All this stuff is taking over our house! And it's not a big house at all. I need someplace to put all this stuff. And we have an extra house. So why not make it into a studio-shop for fiber and art and sewing, like quilts and stuff? Why not? Why have I not done this sooner? Huh?

Well, money is a huge factor for sure. There just never seems to be enough of it. For one thing, these animals cost a lot to keep! I make a little money and have to spend it on them.And when I do have extra money, there always seems to be something  that needs fixed. So it never gets done. It just sits there, looking so lonely and forgotten. And it has the coolest front porch, in the shade of the cedar trees, with a porch swing!

I sold 18 sheep last week. I have some money now that I WILL use to get this project going. And this will get the husband up off that recliner in front of that tv! He can help paint and make shelves and work tables. Yes he can! And he will too. This is what he needs right now. His ankles are completely healed. Just has one little tiny almost healed up diabetic ulcer on his right foot. Which is almost healed. So there is no reason for the man to be sitting around all day, right? Right!

I am just a little excited about this project. We are getting more and more traffic out here because of Mt. Cove Farm 5 miles south of us. There is a restaurant. A huge barn for events and weddings. There are motorcycles and bike riders all weekend, up and down the roads. We are also starting a farmer's market on Sunday afternoon down there. So I think a little fiber studio will be a good thing here. With yarns and wool and things like that from local people. And nice comfy chairs to sit and knit. Or make quilts. And there's a kitchen for making pots of tea. I think it's a great idea. What do y'all think?

Weaned! But NOT happy about it.

My 3 bottle lambs are weaned!! I started giving them less and less milk every day. Then just stopped a few days ago. It's SO nice to m=not have to bottle feed 3 huge lambs anymore! It was not fun at all. It was ok with just 2 of them. But 3 is a pain. And Cara is the biggest, but 5 days younger. She'd knock the nipple off the bottle and get milk all over more times than I can count. So they are done! They're eating grain, hay and grass, so they'll be fine now. A little over 2 1/2 months. I still have my little goat baby I'm bottle feeding, but she's ok.

And this is my little tiny flock of sheep. One of the little black rams isn't in this pic. I'll have only 12 after my friend comes to get his 2 lambs this weekend. And the shearer will be here Sunday to shear the ewes. IF the weather is good. It's been raining every weekend so far. But I am not complaining. We need the rain. These pastures should take off now, if it warms up. And with so few sheep, it should grow better.

See my 3 girls at the fence? They are so sweet.

Those 2 big lambs in front are leaving this weekend. My friend Ron already has Bilbo, the black Hobbit ram, at his farm up the road.

I just have the 2 ram lambs that are from Amarillo's quads. I'll castrate them in the next few weeks. They're not very big boys. They'll be 3 months in a few weeks. They are so cute. And will have some nice wool.

I am going to clean out the little house-barn today. I need to make it into a studio for my wool and sewing. There's a kitchen I can use for making jelly and salve. I'll probably take this computer over there and the tv too. So I think I have a lot of work ahead for me. I sure need more room. It's about 500 sq ft. Big living area. And a bathroom. So I can spread out and not have to put stuff away or move it from place to place, like I do here in the house.

I hope you all have a great week!