Well Mom's been here for a couple of days and I hope is content with the goings on. Mom loves to cross stitch (counted) and works on that and some puzzles (crossword and the such) when looking for a change.
My children love her do death and so do the critters except the house bird. Razzeldazzlewooohooo is a Sun Conure who doesn't like people other than the regular occupants of the house. He will attack anyone while he is out. He lands on your shoulder and proceed to chew on your ears, neck or any exposed skin. What the heck happened? I have no clue. He is learning to speak so my son is teaching him the phrase, "get the gun" when people knock on the door and the dogs bark. I think the bird is also barking like the dog which in itself is pretty funny. So any burglars be aware if the dogs don't get you the bird probably will.
Life on the farm is stable (no pun intended) with only one ill critter at the moment. Seems he doesn't want to be weaned and has gone on a hunger strike. Chicks are doing well and the turkey hens have brought in some wild toms. Now that will be interesting. I will have to get some eggs and incubate them to see what that bird will look like.
Late to do morning animal care...........yes it's kind of drooly out. Grey and damp. Makes the house eucalyptus smell good though.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Bulk shopping
I call it GROCE. That is all you can call it when you only grocery shop about every four to six weeks. Of course we have all our own meat, eggs and milk but there are other things we should have to prevent scurvy and the such.
So today I went to BJ's and spent over three hundred dollars. No I didn't plan to spend that much, no I didn't go hungry (for a change). Most all the items were makings for meals. I don't usually buy prepared foods and go out to a Japanese or Chinese buffet if I don't feel like cooking. That is always a treat.
So totally not what I had planned to do today. I was supposed to visit a piggery with a chef who wants local product and this farmer is willing to grow pigs on grain instead of garbage like most of the larger growers. However the farmer called and he had to go cut firewood (to supplement pig farming, we all have to do something) so he couldn't meet with us. I was then supposed to get some Chicken food and soy meal in bulk from the co-op and perhaps stop for a much needed cup of tea at a friends house. Didn't happen today.
My Mom is coming by for her birthday this week and will spend a few days at the least (one can only hope, sometimes she has to go home to take care of other things, we hate seeing her go).
So tomorrow I will go and get the grain and stop by some stores as Mom is looking for organizing bins for my son's room. We will see how it goes. Not like I have any money left to buy anything...........I can't stand shopping anyway, unless it is a hardware or grain store.
So today I went to BJ's and spent over three hundred dollars. No I didn't plan to spend that much, no I didn't go hungry (for a change). Most all the items were makings for meals. I don't usually buy prepared foods and go out to a Japanese or Chinese buffet if I don't feel like cooking. That is always a treat.
So totally not what I had planned to do today. I was supposed to visit a piggery with a chef who wants local product and this farmer is willing to grow pigs on grain instead of garbage like most of the larger growers. However the farmer called and he had to go cut firewood (to supplement pig farming, we all have to do something) so he couldn't meet with us. I was then supposed to get some Chicken food and soy meal in bulk from the co-op and perhaps stop for a much needed cup of tea at a friends house. Didn't happen today.
My Mom is coming by for her birthday this week and will spend a few days at the least (one can only hope, sometimes she has to go home to take care of other things, we hate seeing her go).
So tomorrow I will go and get the grain and stop by some stores as Mom is looking for organizing bins for my son's room. We will see how it goes. Not like I have any money left to buy anything...........I can't stand shopping anyway, unless it is a hardware or grain store.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Ups and Downs
Well as expected the poor little calf (named Maybe) didn't make it. We were not surprised. We also realized that he waited to die until after we left him for the night. He had been expired for a very long time. The other calf is strong and flitting about enjoying his nice, clean, large stall.
I will go and get a couple more calves this week since we are making plenty of milk. In the next few months I would rather use it than toss the milk to the compost pile. Sure it makes for great compost but the waste of it annoys me. With the constant monetary set backs the milk room (and license) and the slaughter room are moved down the schedule of jobs to be done. Frustrating to say the least, but such as it is, move on, suck it up, quit my whining you big baby...........
OK, into the hives I went today with the family looking on and helping (?)........
One hive is very strong and had created their very own comb on the bottom of the inner lid, filled it with the sugar nectar and was trying to make honey. What not enough foundation for you ? The other hive is very weak. No I don't know why but now I know why so many people recommended two hives to start with. Compare and figure it out. So I will guard one and leave the other more alone. Your supposed to tap on the side of the hive to make sure they are in there. The strong hive can be heard from feet away, the other you need a stethoscope.
Both queens were freed and nectar levels were noticeably lower and refilled. The kids were so excited with the comb piece the bees had made. Dave took a big bite from it and actually said it was delicious. I asked him if he had checked to make sure all the bees were off yet, he had grabbed it so fast.
So off to the rest of my day of fences, animal care, autopsy and anything that rears it's ugly head.
I will go and get a couple more calves this week since we are making plenty of milk. In the next few months I would rather use it than toss the milk to the compost pile. Sure it makes for great compost but the waste of it annoys me. With the constant monetary set backs the milk room (and license) and the slaughter room are moved down the schedule of jobs to be done. Frustrating to say the least, but such as it is, move on, suck it up, quit my whining you big baby...........
OK, into the hives I went today with the family looking on and helping (?)........
One hive is very strong and had created their very own comb on the bottom of the inner lid, filled it with the sugar nectar and was trying to make honey. What not enough foundation for you ? The other hive is very weak. No I don't know why but now I know why so many people recommended two hives to start with. Compare and figure it out. So I will guard one and leave the other more alone. Your supposed to tap on the side of the hive to make sure they are in there. The strong hive can be heard from feet away, the other you need a stethoscope.
Both queens were freed and nectar levels were noticeably lower and refilled. The kids were so excited with the comb piece the bees had made. Dave took a big bite from it and actually said it was delicious. I asked him if he had checked to make sure all the bees were off yet, he had grabbed it so fast.
So off to the rest of my day of fences, animal care, autopsy and anything that rears it's ugly head.
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