Merry Spring!

The days are stunning. Green things are poking up and sprouting everywhere.

I had the first fresh wild salad of the year and the first one in months. It was simple and delicious! Dock, sorrel and cress, with a light vinaigrette dressing. I made the dressing with olive oil, my homemade apple vinegar, a little honey, homemade orange extract and cracked peppercorns. It was hard to stop eating!

The ducklings have gotten huge. They’re Pekin and much bigger than the Runners we’re used to. We got them out into the goat pen, where we’re building the new chicken pen. But will have to bring them into the barn at night for awhile because its ti be in the mid to upper 20’s at night all week. But at least they can get out al day for sun, duck baths and leg stretching. They’re wonderful things, I’m so glad I decided to have a couple.

The chicks are growing well and I’m hoping to get more hatching eggs later this week. It was supposed to be last week but that fell through so I’ll try again. If things go as planned  *o*  we’ll get Buff and Black Orpingtons and more Ameraucana. I’m looking forward to the Black Orps, we’ve never had them before.

After we get the main chicken pen finished, we’ll start on brooding pens. My plan is to raise a few of each kind again to trade/sell for more homestead income. We’ll see.

I’m very disappointed about the sheep. I was so looking forward to them and the loss of the bargain hurt pretty badly. Things are as they are but I can’t help mourn the situation. a bit.

Our internet is currently down so I’m going to free wifi when I can to post and check email. It’s a pain but certainly better than no internet!

I’ve also invented a new kind of bookmark out of bent wire and a hand tied tassel. I have some floral wire that I use for the armatures for some of the dolls I make. I was looking at it while weaving a hammock one day and saw these bookmarks. I’ve been making them veraciously ever since  :)  

The main focus of the farm right now is The Garden  : )   : )   I’m behind getting things started but never behind on plans and goals!  I’m actually planning a smaller garden this year to have a better chance of actually getting it all done.

2014 Plant list - Only Organic & Heirloom

Main Garden--

Corn – Bloody Butcher

Pumpkin – Musquee De Provence

Summer Squash – Straightneck

Beans – Black Valentine

- Peso Pasado 2

- Pole Lima

Zucchini – Black Beauty

Carrots – Parisienne

- Danvers

Tomatoes – Gypsy

- Speckled Roman

- Red Cherry

- Roma

Cucumbers – Unknown saved seed

Peppers – Purple Beauty bell

- California Wonder red bells

- California Wonder green bell

- Emerald Giant green bells

- Golden Bell yellow bell

- Pimiento Peppers

- Unknown purple sweet pepper ss

- Hunter Pepper

- Corno Di Toro Rosso

- Unknown very hot pepper ss

- Jalepeno

Lettuce - Wild Moon Lettuce mix ss

- Purple Wing

- Crimson

- Red Romain

- Paris White Romain

Mustard – Black

Arugala – Rocket

- Unknown saved seed

Spinach – Viroflay

- Bloomsdale

Melons – Moon & Stars watermelon

- Collective Farm Woman

Potatoes - ?

Sweet Potatoes – Unknown pale color

Misc – Bunching Onion

- Chives

- Garlic Chives

Edible & Medicinal Flowers--

Flax

Arikara Sunflowers

Chia

Nasturtium

Elsewhere—

Popcorn – Strawberry

Gourd – Bushel Basket

 Herb list to come  :)