5 MInute Update

Yes, I actually set the timer for five minutes and am typing a quick update post.

Calves- still only Choice. Not sure what the rest of the girls are waiting for. The bulls are not happy about their separation, but it will last for a few more months at least.

Pigs- Would you believe Gertie and Gwennie both went into labor at the same time? On a Monday morning, of course. Between the two we have 16 beautiful baby red wattle piglets, over half of them are already spoken for. We haven't decided if we will be raising any feeders this summer or not, we'll see what the demand looks like after Earthfest. A new pasture area for the pigs is in the works, as soon as Nate and I get time to fence.

Sheep- Shearing went well, our assistants all oohed and aaahhed over the wool, there may have been some wheeling and dealing, and plenty of claiming, but at the end of the night 10 of the 20 fleeces had new owners! Sandy C. has already begun working with Darla's fleece, and claimed it for next year! She even sent a skein of it over for me. My poor spinning wheel hasn't seen any action since last summer.

Boys- The boys are both doing well, getting anxious for summer and more time at home with their animals. Isaiah's having a rough day of it today- his ear tube (place two years ago) is coming out, and causing him some pain. They spent time this morning at the local easter basket extravaganza, and both came home happy.

Growing things- I have heirloom tomatoes, herbs, and peppers under lights in the back porch, my seeds and potatoes should get here next week. Now for more warmth in the soil so things can begin to grow outside.

My five minutes is up, More to come!

Hi Don M!!!

I know,,,

7 years old!

4 years old!

Our newest addition, Purry.

yes, it's been way too long since I've blogged. No excuses, though I have to blame pinterest for some of my computer time being pulled away from blogging. It's addictive!

Quick recap of Fall: it was filled with busy times, kids' activities, lots of butchering, lots of chores, breeding groups arranged, and a few birthdays.

We finally had the opportunity to enjoy our home-grown red wattle pork. Five pigs were butchered in November, and were delicious! I can honestly say that it is the best pork I have had (especially the bacon!) We have been enjoying it!

Ten lambs were also butchered this fall, with less satisfactory results- the meat was great, just not a lot of it. The lack of rain in the end of summer and poor pasture management on my part led to lambs that were smaller than average. We did butcher a 2 1/2 year old ram, and he tastes very good. I was skeptic, but other than a bit tougher meat, the flavor is excellent! Plus the chops are more than one bite.

Lyle was moved back in with sows Gertie and Gwennie in November, and Hero was moved to the herd of 17 ewes in November too. It will be a busy spring! The goat girls- Nora

, Brie, and Pippa just made a trip to Jackie and Will's farm this past weekend for a visit with two of their bucks. This puts goat kids arriving in June, but that's ok. T-Rex our berkshire boar also made the trip to visit their gilts.

Our weather has been so mild that the cows are eating a lot less hay than projected. Nate has been spending time at some workshops to increase his expertise on the beef and marketing front. I'm just happy he's so willing to do extra chores before he leaves. Doing chores by headlamp has its challenges!

School is going well and I am still very thankful I made the move. Learning how to deal with sixth graders on a daily basis has its challenges, but we are managing! The realization of how much stress I was under at my old position is more evident now that I have some time to step back and look at it. I take the time to relax and enjoy my family more now. The biggest difference is probably my ability to leave work at work.

With our crazy warm weather this January well up until today, (it was 41 yesterday, but 8 degrees right now) the spring bug has definitely imbeded itself in my skin. Seed orders, planning for the farm, lots of ideas. Our biggest challenge right now is determining how fast to grow the size of our operations. More to come on that front!

Bearer of the Crown

I'm behind on posts, but still trying to get some updates done. September brought the first homecoming for the North Woods School Grizzlies. This school year two local schools, Cook and Orr, were consolidated into one. For this school year school is held in Cook while the new facility is being built four miles north of town.

Kohen was surprised to be chosen since he is new to the school, but he was chosen as crown bearer. Some suit shopping and plenty of texting to insure he matched his walking partner Abbi, and he was ready. Typical Kohen fashion, not nervous at all. He participated in the afternoon coronation and also walked at the football game that night.

Gramma Jan and Annalise made the trip up from Rochester to join Nanny, Papa, and other family in the crowd. We were veryproud of our boy!

July Recap

Isaiah & LouLou

• Gwendolyn gave birth to 8 purebred red wattle piglets, all thriving.



• The weather has been HOT!



• All things are growing on the Rice River Lamb Co. Farm, including pigs, goats, chicks, sheep, gardens, and children.



• Our turkey hens hatched out ten baby turkeys, they were only around for two days before the dang fox got them.



• Did I mention we have a fox problem? Caused plenty of sleepless nights listening to those darn things hunting.



• 96 meat bird chicks are growing in my front yard, surrounded by chicken wire, encircled in electronet. Did I mention that darn fox?
  


• A new Scottish Highland calf was born, Porter, joining Goldilocks and Chuck as calves here so far.
  


• Made a game changing occupation move; I will no longer be teaching special education in Eveleth, but will be teaching at the North Woods School in our hometown, in sixth grade! I am very excited about the change, but felt a bit heartsick over leaving the friends, students, and connections I've made in Eveleth in the last nine years.
  


• Added a guinea pig to the mix, Isaiah's first pet of his own. Just because you can never have too much going on!



• Looking forward to finishing July out with some county fair time, yoga for the kids, and a pedicure. (Probably should have had the pedicure about two months ago!)

June

Really. It's June. Our weather is not attesting the fact, but the calendar is. Today was the last day of school for students at my school. I have one more day of inservice tomorrow, and then I'm free. Well, not really. Then the whirlwind of summer activities start.
The gardens are patiently waiting for some plants to grow. We had awful wind for two days, and then frost last night, so I'm not rushing it.
The summer looks to be filling up fast, but with fun activities:

• Annalise will be coming for a visit next week


• Kohen has a week of orchestra camp


• Timber Days in Cook, with the popular pet show


• Bible School


• Gardens, gardens, gardens


• Pigs, pigs, pigs


• Weddings


• Family Reunions


• Visits from Friends


• Farmers Market


• A new ram


• and plenty more.

I just am ready to develop a summer routine, but it will have to wait a bit. I am anxious to just be able to soak in the days on the farm. Nate and I both agreed that we enjoy vacations, but are perfectly happy being able to stay home with the boys and all of the animals we enjoy. We've expanded our nightly routine from cups of tea in front of a dvr'd program, to include last checks on the pigs and cows. The cattle are not scared of my headlamp anymore, they know that treats accompany it. The little pigs have grown so much they rarely use their ramp into the shed anymore, they just jump.

Kohen has his heart set on bringing a pig to the pet show. But you may not know this- little pigs have a BIG voice. They squeal, grunt, and scream when you pick them up now. Even the ones we've handled daily. I'm hoping a harness and leash will be the answer. That's on the schedule for next week: pig leash training. Never would have thunk it. Isaiah cannot decide his victim-er-entry. Yesterday it was Darla, today it was Daisy. For some reason I don't think Daisy (who has never been farther then her pastures) would do well. I can't hardly get her to move from one pasture to the next if she doesn't want to. I'm encouraging chickens, chicks, poults, lambs, baby goats... Hey, it's not like the kid doesn't have options. We are excited to share our options with Brody, Cam, and Annalise. Maybe I should get some tshirts printed for all the kids. Might make some other local kids feel left out if they don't have a matching t-shirt though.

This weekend I get to learn something new. More on that later.

Thankfully we have not lost any more sheep, though we are constantly on guard. The goats are all out in the north field now, with access to the barn at night. So far they are doing great with it. My plan is to start milking on Monday. We are all anxious for fresh, raw, goat milk.

Well, that was rambling enough wasn't it. I better go and get some housework done before my husband gets home (he took a day trip to Rochester for farm supplies) and accuses me of spending all my time on the computer.

Farm Maternity Ward

Baby turkeys hatching in the kitchen. Baby chickens and poults (turkeys) in brooders in the back porch. Two pregnant ewes and three pregnant goats hanging out in the garage. One very pregnant pig ready to move to her private quarters later today. One turkey hen brooding a nest of about 30 turkey eggs. Yep, pregnant farm animals and babies are everywhere!
The spring chores are gearing up here. Earlier in the week Nate and I cleaned out the barn, yesterday we cleaned out the goat shed. My body is feeling the effects of a winter spent not shoveling, suddenly thrown back into the task.

Saturday mornings are now spent watching a large number of children chase balls at soccer. Kohen loves it- even though last Saturday was miserably cold and rainy. Today looks like it will be a beautiful day.

Freshly hatched turkey poult.

The school year is quickly winding down, and summer plans are unfolding. June looks to bring String Camp, Bible School, some Annalise time, Timberdays and a family reunion. In addition I have doubled my own garden space in addition to beginning to work on the garden space for the farm next door. Cattle will be coming in just over a week, and we have yet to put a single post in the ground. The corral lumber is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, so then the fencing fun can begin. So far two of the cows have calved. I cannot wait to see the hairy babies!

Gertie's Story: When we brought the red wattles home the expectation was piglets around mid-June. I've been getting progressively concerned with how big Gertrude is looking. I'm thinking there may be a chance that she had an accidental breeding prior to leaving her original farm. I have to keep it as a possibility since I have been unable to get in touch with her breeders: they are not responding to email, and their phone has been disconnected. Hence, Nate and I scrambling to turn the goat shed and pen into a pig maternity ward. The plan is to move her later today and giver her her own space, more feed, and some extra attention. I'm very excited for our first litter of baby red wattles!

Poultry News: We had 20 chicken eggs and 14 turkey eggs in the incubator. We managed to have only one chicken hatch, and I took pity on the thing after three days and the boys and I headed to the farm store and picked up four more chicks for company: 2 production reds for Kohen- named Red Pepper and Red Apple. Two gold laced wyandottes for Isaiah with the names of TreeCutter and Tornado.

We have had seven turkeys hatch, one didn't make it and the other six are doing well. I'll probably clean the incubator out today the last two that have started to hatch did not survive to completely break out of the shell. However one of our turkey hens is currently residing on a large nest, so my hopes are for her to hatch out a brood naturally.

Our week was also busy with a sick boy. Croup, severe enough to warrant nebulizer treatments and steroids- and two days of missed work for this mom. He was still coughing some last night, but seems to be doing better.

The sun just broke over the trees- and is now shining directly in my eyes as I sit typing at the table. Guess that's my sign I better do some chores, feed some hungry animals, make some coffee, pack a soccer bag and get ready for a new day.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Happy Easter & Farm Updates

Happy Easter all my readers, especially Don M. from Texas! We had a great Easter, lots of time at home, a scavenger hunt for Easter baskets (that silly bunny), and dinner at Grandma Butchy's with my sister and her family. The boys have eaten WAY to much sugar, and took very late naps, so they are still up, but chilling in the great room with Diego.

SHEEP: I had hoped that Annafleece would give us an Easter lamb or two, but no such luck. The seventeen lambs we currently have are doing wonderful. The poor sheep are still hanging out in the garage, we had another couple of inches of snow this weekend, along with plenty of rain. Sam, Northwestern's neglected child (see previous post) was lucky enough to travel to school with me last Wednesday. Dressed in a pull-up, he followed me down the halls, slept under my students' feet at the table, and won the hearts of hundreds of children. We even took a quick morning walk down to Isaiah's daycare to visit 25+ preschoolers. He's still getting three supplemental bottles a day, his mom just is not producing enough milk or being a good mom. I'm afraid I know her future outlook...

GARDEN: I've been busy transplanting seedlings and planting more seeds. Last fall I made a few crazy purchases at an online gardening center auction that involved a LONG drive to pick up. But one of the purchases was a three shelf galvanized steel cart. It works perfect in the back porch, in front of the sliding glass door, with some lights wired to it. I start my seeds on the heated concrete floor and then transfer them to the lighted shelves to grow. They are doing great. Gwenny and Lyle, my gasoline free roto-tillers.

In related news, we've decided to add another garden this year. This one is between our driveway and the sheep pastures. Instead of working myself to break up the sod, I'm working the pigs. We installed portable electronet fencing, and opened a spot in the pasture fence for the pigs to move in. What three snouts can do in a day is amazing. I've been spending some time with them throwing chunks of sod into the pasture, but they are doing most of the work.

Speaking of PIGS, we will definitely have more in the near future. Gertie is starting to show that she is caring some baby red wattles. We are most excited about these additions. The pigs have done a number on the large pasture, but we are planning on building them a new pig pasture soon so that we can disc, plant and get the large pasture ready for rotational grazing of the sheep.

GOATS: The goat girls continue to get wider and wider. I gave them all CD&T boosters today. This vaccine is an important one to help the baby goats immunities when they are born. I cannot wait to see what we get from their breeding to Jeri's boer buckling. He had some nice color, so we'll see what we get. We are all looking forward to fresh milk again too.

KIDS- HUMAN VARIETY: The boys are loving the arrival of spring weather. K has stepped it up in the chores department. He is now able to get a bale of hay from the hay loft, onto the wagon and hauled to the sheep. Some grumbling is usually heard, but he can do it. His favorite job lately is anything that can be done while driving the lawn tractor. Having outgrown the battery powered gator, he's suffering through power withdrawal. He's also been stepping up and giving Sam most of his bottles when he is home. Don't worry, he still has plenty of play time, including playing in the nice black dirt mud, and tracking it into the mud room, and across my floors...or chasing the chickens around the yard with a stick...or "helping" his brother into the giant puddle along the driveway...

On this Easter I feel truly blessed to be living the life we are living. It's hard work, but things are starting to pay off. After Earthfest and some other opportunities I've had in the past month to share the what and why of our little farm with others, I feel so good about the life that Nate and I are creating. My boys are so happy, and learning so much every day. Watching K tell his kindergarten class about a five-day old lamb's life, and how to care for him. Or seeing how happy Is looks when he gets to help me transplant plants (he wanted the Easter bunny to bring him his own spray bottle for Easter, for some reason that didn't happen.) This summer is looking to be a very busy one for the farm, with new additions, and opportunities. I just hope that I can continue to enjoy every minute as much as I have been. Who knew that working this hard could be so much fun?

Making a Muck of It

Mukwah that is. Meet Mukwah. Great pyreness/mastiff. Gentle Giant. Mudroom Door chewer. Wanderer. Hopefully best friend and guardian to two boys.

Mukwah came to us via the Finnegans. The boys and I first appreciated him last fall. Last week they called and asked if we could give him a home. I agreed. Note the "I", (remind me that I need to have a "we" when making animal addition decisions.) I have an unhappy Nate. A furious Nate. It didn't help that Mukwah chewed on the mudroom door, or removed the mudflap from my dad's truck with those same teeth. The loping down the road until Nate caught up to him with the snowmobile three neighbors later didn't help much either. Nope, none of it has helped cement his place in my man's heart.

The little boy's heart is vastly different. He is in love with this dog. The big, gentle shadow who observes Kohen's every move. Mukwah comes to Kohen, he loves Kohen. The feelings are very mutual.

Mukwah was born in a barn and raised around a variety of animals. So far he has paid no mind to the turkeys, chickens, goats, sheep, or donkey. He did chase Hank, one of the outside cats, for about six feet before giving up.

Here's hoping that those soulful eyes start working their magic on Nate, and that Muk's place on our farm is permanent.

Winter...and that's all I'll say about that...

Shep modeling his latest accessory...snow.

Beautiful snow boy.

Kohen and Isaiah trekking out to the "animal rescue center" aka play system. (This picture was taken three weeks ago, and we've received even more snow.) Notice Kohen using a broom to "clear" a path. Isaiah made it out there but I had to go and rescue him back.

Kohen standing in front of one of the giant snowbanks.

A few weeks without internet and extra paperwork at work makes me a poor blogger. I'm going to take a page from cousin Chelsi and try to catch up, and be better.

First off, Hi Don M from Texas! Gramma Butchy is nudging me to blog more for you, so I'll do my best.

All the living things on our bit-o-farm have survived the massive snowbanks and bitter cold. I was a bit worried about Turk for awhile. In the coldest days (highs staying below zero, lows ito 40 below, he didn't come out of the pine tree for two days.) I guess his old age of five has taught him how to conserve his energy and make it through. Right now our numbers stand at 19 sheep, 3 goats, 1 donkey, 17 chickens, 7 turkeys, three outside cats, one indoor cat, one dog, and one guinea pig. The plan is to make the trek for the hogs in two weeks. I am excited for their arrival, but need to get a spot prepped for them. The south pasture where their permanent home will be won't work until the snowbanks reduce enough in size to get gates opened and shelters moved. Looks like they will be the first inhabitants of the barn.

I'm getting excited for spring, and starting to thinking about starting some seeds, peppers first. I'm excited for February to be here, it always feels much closer to spring for me.

Since it's Friday night and the boys don't have to be in bed at 7:30, the plan is to pop some popcorn, snuggle on the couch and watch "Ramona and Beezus." Geez, Taryn should be here!

October, here we come!

October First, wow! Here's a few updates, hope for time for a more complete post with pictures tomorrow.

• The first four weeks of school have flown by. They were very busy weeks, and my classroom still isn't in the groove I like it to be, but it takes time.
• Kohen still loves school, and loves his teacher even more. On the second day of school she gave them each a small 2x2 inch square of polar fleece "blankie" as a comfort item. Kohen might as well be nicknamed Linus. I had to spend ten minutes searching the house for blankie before he would go to bed tonight. It goes in his pocket to school each day too. Whatever it takes, right?
• In sheep news, I am down to my winter size flock of 17 (15 ewes, one ram, one wether) along with the eight still to be butchered. It feels good to have sold so many ewes to good homes. In fact two moved up the road a few miles and are being spoiled as backyard pets! My plan is to not breed until late November this year. I want to get a tighter worming regime completed first to combat the crazy deer liver flukes that inhabit all the pastures around here this year.
• In goat news, I am still milking Nora twice a day, and still getting a gallon of milk a day! She is such a good, mellow goat. Got to make the breeding plans for the goat girls too.
• Weekend plans include planting trees, putting the garden to bed (have to remove carrots and beets first), planting garlic, cleaning the coop, finishing siding the barn, and general fall cleanup. Is there really only two days in the weekend?
• Tomorrow night the boys and I get to attend a bonfire as our final "Moms and Kids" event of the season.
• Last weekend we attended the Roach Family Pig Roast. I wish there was a way to bottle up this event. It is the coolest, laid back, get-together around. I love Missy and Tom for their great hog roasting abilities and group hosting abilities. It doesn't hurt that Kohen has decided he is "in love" with their daughter! The combination of cool fall night, dozens and dozens of people you wouldn't see all in the same place, a wonderful assortment of food and goodies, bonfires, wine, home brew, I could go on and on. Thank you Tom and Missy!
• I'm trying to come to terms with Is turning three in a month, not sure I'm ready to be done with the two's stage. He idolizes his big brother, scary as it is.
• Koe is back to violin lessons. I am amazed at the memory capacity of his brain. He started back like we had never stopped for three months! We even played a pizzicato duet of "Boil 'em Cabbage Down" the other night at his lesson.

Tonight's Storytime Theme

There is a definite theme to story time tonight. It doesn't have to do with insects, farm animals, or llamas (the current reoccurring bedtime stories.) It has to do with a life transition occurring for a family member tomorrow. One that his mom isn't so sure she's ready for, or should be happening yet! He is more that prepared. The backpack is packed, clothes and folder labeled. We've been practicing the shoe tying.

Kohen with the newest family addition, Winnie, complements of the Carlton Animal Swap.

Kohen had another first yesterday, his first races with Papa. They traveled to Brainerd along with Chuck to watch the TransAm series race there. Of course Papa was kind enough to remind me that it's been so long since these races have come to Brainerd that the last time, I was still a teenager. Thanks Dad.

Saturday night's forecast carried a frost advisory, so mom and I spent some time harvesting tomatoes and herbs on Saturday while Nate and my dad finished putting steel on the barn roof. I also took some time to transplant some of my pepper plants. I've got to start them from seed much earlier next year. I've only gotten a handful of beautiful peppers from them so far, with many small ones still on the plants. Kohen was a great help and hauled the produce and plants to the back porch for us. Gotta love the gator! Wish us luck, and few tears tomorrow!

Kiting

We've had a few windy days this summer and Koe has been working on his kite flying skills. He's become proficient enough that he's stepped up from his dollar store kite to the large nylon one. Still, mishaps occur.

The grain pail just wouldn't give him the boost he needed. Thankfully Daddy has tall ladders around!

Post Please!

I know I have been lacking in blogging when even my hubby asks me if I've blogged lately, and he is usually complaining about my computer time! If you are on facebook you know things have been busy with the boys and Izzie's recovery. He did receive a clean bill of health from his Mayo doctor last week at his follow up appt., so we are grateful. The biggest treat is how much he has changed in the last few weeks without his tonsils and adenoid. He eats, breathes, sleeps, and talks so much better! His amount of energy and appetite have improved a ton! He is just happy now, and more mischievous. We are very glad that we went through with the surgery. I'm hoping his immune system will improve enough that I will use many fewer sick days this school year.
Speaking of school, Koe is getting so excited! We've already packed in the school supplies. I was lucky enough to hit some great rummage sales while we were in Rochester and stock up on clothes for this fast-growing boy.
Speaking of rummage sales, my grandmother and I are having a rummage sale today and tomorrow in Cook. Having it at my dad's vacant building (for sale by the way!) has been great. It's so nice to be able to set up and just shut the doors. I've sold a lot of baby clothes and gear, but have a lot to sell still. Hopefully tomorrow is a good sale day as well.
Finally, I wanted to link to the radio interview I did this morning on KAXE. It was their Friday morning "What's for Breakfast" Feature, but included not only what I had for breakfast, but what was for sale at the rummage sale, why my name has only one f, how I met my husband, and even the usage of a lemon zester. It was fun, and random, plus I get some great Homestead Mills pancake mix for doing it! If you have 15-20 minutes, it might be an amusing listen: link here.

Happy Fourth of July!

Isaiah, Kohen, Braeden, and Chase, ready to roll.

Dave Manick ready for Kohen to throw some giant jawbreakers to him! What a guy! He told Koe he would drive up to watch him in the parade, and he did complete with his snowmobile helmet to protect him from all the candy Koe was throwing out!

Much of our celebration took place yesterday at Orr's 3rd of July Festivities. They have a great children's parade and we made the drive to participate. Kohen, Isaiah, Braeden, and Chase proved their patriotism. So well in fact, they won the grand prize for their entry "Four for the Fourth." It was very sunny, and hot, but we made it through. With the help of some cotton candy! This morning we awoke to a lot of rain. From 3-9 am our rain gauge registered 5, FIVE, inches! Yikes!

Artists

Combine a beautiful summer afternoon, an easel bought for $1.00 at the Lion's Club garage sale, some old watercolor paints from my high school days, a few clothespins and paper plates, and you have two happy boys.

Love

Kohen with Opie.

Isaiah with Darla.

Now that school is complete for another year, my goal is to spend more time with the sheep. Since turning them out to pasture they haven't been socialized much. They are getting fat and lazy on all the grass and clover. Last night Darla and Opie received extra loves from the boys. I believe the feelings were reciprocated.

In other news, I will be on KAXE on Wednesday morning for an interview for their local food beet. KAXE is a community supported local radio station that I listen to every morning on my commute. If you are in the area tune in around 7:15 am to 91.7, or http://www.kaxe.org/. Kohen's favorite part of the morning show is Tuesdays for the phenology report, but hopefully he'll listen to his mom on Wednesday!

New Editions

It has been a busy spring. I finally feel as if I am catching up, just in time for summer to arrive. One more week of school, and then summer can begin.

Lots of news happening, I'll give a few bites:

• new editions: Manda lambed last Tuesday afternoon, in the front yard with the rest of the flock watching. This first time mom gave birth to a black krunet (white spot on top of head) ewe. She was licking her off as I pulled in the driveway. Both are doing well. Annalise, our niece, has been staying with us for the last week, and will be here until Friday. Her mom, Holly, had complications with the end of her pregnancy and has been hospitalized for over two weeks. Being 300 miles away the best way we could help out was to bring Annalise up for an extended visit. Having two 2 1/2 year olds in the house is a new experience; Annalise and Isaiah are only three weeks apart in age. We've been keeping her busy, and she loves all the animals. We'll bring her home on Friday when school is done, and get to meet new baby Gabriella as well.


• Nate's been busy with various small jobs this season, but no big building projects lined up for the summer. Anyone need a new garage, remodeling or additions?


• We've been rotating the sheep often as we wait for the grass to catch up. Having 30 ewes and lambs in two rolls of electonet makes for frequent moving. They did a great job on the front lawn though. We had them in the same area last year and that is now the nicest lawn on the farm. Good fertilizer plus the aerating effects of little hooves. It was an added bonus to look out the windows and watch the lambs three feet away. The kids loved it.


• Kohen had his preschool graduation last week. He looked quite something in his suit and cap and gown. I was only mildly frustrated with his on-stage behavior this year. In his attempts to counteract the bright stage lights he spent half the concert portion of the evening with his hands cupped around his eyes. Oh well, entertaining!


• We finished planting the garden yesterday. I'm happy with our efforts so far this year. In addition to the main garden I now have four raised beds along the waterline to the woodshed. They are filled with tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. My parents are also planting their potato patch garden with the three sisters method this year, and have also started another garden that will grow potatoes this year. Hopefully we have a better season then last year.


• June is going to be a busy month with classes for me, a BWCA trip for Nate and I, bibleschool, and Isaiah's surgery at Mayo. I'm hoping the lambs and garden can keep growing well through it all.

The Waiting Game

Not my favorite game! Nate is now convinced that all the ewes will lamb next week after I go back to work, not while I'm off. So, while we wait for more new lambs to photo, here's a wrap-up of what's going on around here. In no particular order. Kohen holding Johanna, Plum keeping a close eye on both of them.

Darla loves a good rub on the head from the boys. I didn't have my camera ready moments before when she had leaned over and laid her head on Kohen's lap. Isaiah was jealous and tried to pull his chair in closer, and ended up pushing Darla back.

The boys love their new sheep. Thanks Sabrina!

Kohen riding his new Christmas bike for the first time. Hopefully the training wheels can come off before the St. Judes trike-a-thon next month.

This is sweet Kohen "checking Anna" to feel for her baby.

"Checking" Kizzy's swollen belly. My hopes are for twins from this one!

Nate and my dad finished the second of three sections of the hay loft floor last night. The forecast is for rain today, so they worked while they could last night.

Isaiah taking a break in the sheep fold. His favorite place to be right now is with the sheep. I've finally taught him to move slower and not chase anyone. Progress!

If you remember back to Christmas, we bought the boys a john deere gator ride on toy. Kohen promised me he would do lots of work with it. I put him to the test yesterday, having him haul hay from the shed up to the ewes. They did well.

Our newest tenants. This pair of honkers has been residing in our big pasture for over a week. They are bravest in the evening and come up quite close to the chicken coop.

Some friends came over last Sunday, with their gator. Alex, Addison, Kohen and Isaiah enjoyed cruising together in their matching wheels.

Ok, time for another barn check! Have a GOOD Friday!