Flag-Flying Horse Cart 07/24/2009
 The first order of business was for Kathleen and the girls to get Magic all decked out to pull the cart. These boots (the horse's that is) are a really great way to allow your horse to go barefoot...  They just slip on the hoof then that metal tab in front flips up and clips into place...and Magic has his boots on!   He also got the royal treatment with ribbons in his mane.... and also tied onto his tail...   Hitched up and ready to roll! And off they go!    Back again and ready for the next crew...and it is quite a crew! You betcha they can't wait to do it all over again! : D  Moving the Mustangs 07/19/2009
 So, of course, more riding was in order before we trekked over to our land. Our little Heather was up first on Babe...  Then it was Caitlyn's turn...  Now Asheley...who also happens to be living in her new cowgirl boots we picked up at the thrift store a couple of weeks ago. They even go with her PJs at bedtime!  And Andrew's turn at trotting...My friend Heather's getting more of a workout than she bargained for! All of the kiddos want to trot now...and keep on trotting!  And now it's finally my turn on Babe. Heather's giving me some pointers here...and I'll take as many as I can get...believe me!  But Babe is an easy ride...she's got a nice easy canter...and a lovely jig trot that I could literally do all day long! And she's very sweet besides...wants to please!   Now Heather's brought Reno out and is getting him warmed up. She's done incredible things with these horses since she's gotten them. All of her hard work is definitely paying off now! And I just get to enjoy it all! Yippee!  Ready to head out. We went for a short trail ride down Sawyer Rd. then headed over to our land where the horses have been happily munching on lots and lots of grass. Now we just need to get our Babycakes over as well!  On Friday we had another little adventure when our neighbors, the Grant's, cow got out at 3:00 in the morning....so they were out in the dark with flashlights searching the fields in the fog...and she was still missing the next day. Their daughter, Eliza, saddled up her horse....Heather and I saddled up Babe and Reno...and with all the other kiddos on bicycles and scooters....we took off across the fields to look for Abigail...the very naughty cow! We saw her footprints going west toward the hay fields and woods...by the way, there are no fences and acres and acres of woods...so that cow could've been anywhere in the surrounding county. Turns out she was just a couple of fields over...munching in the hay field and staying close to the shade of the trees...which of course she darted into the minute she caught sight of us! After quite the theatrical cow chase...that should've been video-taped....they finally got the lead rope hooked to her halter and she decided she had to FINALLY behave herself and come along home. So it was 3 horses, the gaggle of bicycles and scooters, a 4-wheeler, and several on foot with a big blue bucket of feed leading a very, very naughty Abigail back down the road to home sweet home. Then it was time for a big splash in the Grant's pool! All's well that ends well. Did I ever mention that I LOVE this country life?? : D Ann's Garden 07/08/2009
 Despite all the wet weather, Ann's garden is looking lovely...don't you agree? She and her daughter also just finished organizing her under-the-stairs food storage to make room for this summer's produce...once it starts producing. She's much closer to having her annual stock of food supply figured out than I am. They have 7 in their family and the amount she's laid up over the past couple of years is still keeping them in good stead this year...even if the gardens don't do as well as we all hoped for this year. And that's a very comforting feeling! And a noble goal I'm striving for as well! As they say, "One step at a time"....   It's nice to be surrounded with inspiring friends to encourage us on in this homestead quest...I must say! Speaking of inspiring, I also met her friend, Kathy, who was an absolute delight...and taking on the homestead life with gusto! She told me that she was part of a little yahoo group of Christian homestead women dotted across the U.S. that encourage and coach each other in all the various homestead fronts. Very cool idea...and what great support!  These youngsters were also enjoying a stroll near the garden....  And if that weren't enough, I'll show you Magic pulling their flag-flying horse cart... coming up next! : D  Clean Clucks 07/06/2009
 But our young 'pooper scoopers' have got it down to a science now. The contented peep-squawks with the corresponding scratch-scratching from the hens is its own unique reward...and a clucky heartfelt thanks! : D  Our Garden 07/05/2009
 And this little area is designated as Asheley's 'play plot'....every garden needs one of these....at least when there are little ones around who want nothing more than to be up to their elbows in that garden dirt! : D And below...visions of our little garden from times past...fair to bursting at the seams. It still amazes me what a nicely tended tiny plot can do!  Tweaking the Tractor 07/03/2009
 As our tweaking of the tractor continues, I've just fastened a tarp over the top with clothespins to the chicken wire. We also have a gate at the front of the cage...  ...with the same style latch as is on the other door of the house. We'll probably put another latch at the bottom of this little gate, too, so persistent little predators can't push through...  Over on this side, this string has been rigged up to pull open a small hinged door for the chickens to go in and out of their house. And we can shut it at night once they've gone into roost...  So far, so good...it seems! The tractor itself is pretty heavy to lug around...much more so than we thought it would be...so we may have to come up with a better wheel arrangement solution. But overall...with a bit more tweaking...this chicken tractor/egg mobile is working out beautifully! : D  The Roadside Stand 06/27/2009
 What I'd really like to point out, though, is that this doesn't have to be a full-blown complicated expensive endeavor....at least not in our neck of the woods...and I would venture to guess not in yours either. So here's my local example. My neighbor, Kathy, is a horticulturist...but don't let that confuse you...you don't have to be a horticulturist to garden...or have a roadside stand! What's so neat about what Kathy's done next door is the sheer simplicity and charm she's created for their own little roadside stand this summer. Take a look and you'll see what I mean...  She came up with that clever sign back there just this week...and is only selling perennials that she's started in her greenhouse or has dug up around their land. Everything's $2 bucks...pretty simple...  The pots of flowers are set on this wagon and she's placed an info card on a popsickle or long wooden stick with a plastic sandwich bag pulled over the top to ward of the rain...  Here in Maine, we can still incorporate the honor system...hence the plastic coffee can with a slot cut in the top for money to be dropped in...  And this is my favorite! Their Aracauna hens are laying like crazy right now...so this says "Fresh Eggs Cheap Cheap"...I love it! And I'd also love to see your version of the roadside stand this summer, too! Send me some pix or a link to your blog and share some Roadside Stand inspiration with the rest of us! I'd dearly love to see what you come up with! : D Seedlings 06/25/2009
 Starting seedlings is so easy! I've got a friend who is still intimidated by the whole process (Jen!) and I'm only laughing because I know exactly how she feels! I've been ridiculously intimidated about the whole gardening kit-n-kaboodle and am still fascinated at how simple...and yes fun!...it all is! And I don't want our children to fall into my paralysis trap either, so we'll just get them gardening early... before they come up with any preconceived notions to the contrary!  So here goes Heather. By the way, our children are far from intimidated anyway...as opposed to their mother...and think it's nothing but incredibly interesting and wonderful. And please don't ask me why this all has seemed so very complicated to me! I know....it's not. But when I venture into garden sections and see books 5 inches thick on everything imaginable from tools....to soils...to temps...to...I'm gonna stop. I'm confusing myself! No, for kiddos everything's an adventure to them...and they don't bother with garden sections in bookstores....  Heather's planting cukes (hopefully a good pickling kind), cantaloupe, green beans, basil and dill, and carrots (their favorite!)...  And Caitlyn's turn now. We're using a seed starter mix...as opposed to regular potting soil to start these seeds. She's planting green and colored peppers, more cukes and green beans...and of course, tomatoes! : D   I also learned that it's best to keep the seeds warm and in low light initially. I set ours on trays in our downstairs bathroom on top of the washer and dryer. That room stays on the warmer side...and was especially warm once we were brooding the chicks. It's got me to thinking that it would be nice to have a room dedicated to brooding poultry and seed starting. I'll have to think on that more! 
 It's been 4 weeks to the day today. I took the tall bean plants out 3 or 4 days ago and put them into the ground in the garden. Next I'll need to get some sort of lattice for the them to climb up. But can you believe what a difference only 3 weeks makes?? It's very cool! With all the wind and rain we've had the past 2 weeks, I've not put the others out yet...but they're getting close! Gradually I began introducing the seedlings to more light...but not direct sunlight. Once they've got some healthy leaves, I let them get some direct sunlight...but not for long periods of time. Keep them moist but not over-watered. For the herbs and carrots, I had the clear plastic lids to put over them. These work great for stacking the trays...like on top of the dryer...and keeping things moist and more regulated. Again, it's not rocket science. Just watch them and feel the soil. You can figure it out...and I'm always thrilled to see how things like this are SO forgiving! As of the past couple of weeks or so I've started the 'hardening off' process. All that means is that you get the seedlings acclimated to the outdoors...sun, wind, and rain. I set the trays outdoors where they don't get blasted by the wind...but do get the cool drizzle or some sunshine and breezes. Some gardeners transplant their seedlings into larger pots...or you can just put them into the soil if night time temps aren't dipping too low. That's it! Actually that's not really it. There's lots and lots of great info on how you can tweak and adjust for better plants and greater harvests, etc. But just getting started...just do it!...is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Trust me! I'm so glad I did! Hopefully summer will be in full swing very soon...and we'll be ready to enjoy some honest to goodness fresh from the garden veggies! Yum! : D  Choosing Chicks 06/20/2009
 In the back section of the store, these big tubs hold all types of tiny birds...and a cacophony of tiny peep-peeping...   They really do have quite the set up back here, don't they? I'm realizing more and more that this whole brooding chicks thing just doesn't have to be that complicated. Thank goodness. The heat lamps are just suspended to strapping boards going across and a bunch of multi-plug-ins and extension cords to connect them all. Pretty simple. My kinda deal! ; )  And all 25 of our chicks are in that box...headed out for the car...  Let's see....unmedicated chick feed: check. Another waterer: check. Another feeder: check. Another lamp and bulb: check. And a box wee peeps: Check!  So now we're home. And we have ALL our poultry in our tiny downstairs bathroom! Even the big chicks...that can hardly be classified as 'chicks' anymore....are tucked in here, too. But they do still peep...with a few of these weird cluck noises thrown in once in awhile! And, by the way, they make the sweetest, softest little 'coo' sounds at night when they go to sleep. I've seriously considered keeping them in the house at night...just to hear that sound! It's so soothing...really! All you insomniacs take note...this might be a sure anecdote! Puts me right to sleep...I know, call me crazy...  Broiler chicks on the left...and turkeys on the right. I'm afraid this will be the 'cutest' these turkeys will ever be! Although to their credit, remember Ben Franklin wanted the turkey for our national mascot....over the bald eagle. I'm relieved the good Benjamin didn't get his way on that one...I have to admit!  And our sweet cooing Aracauna hens (and perhaps one that might be a rooster... verdict's not in yet) in the crate...next to the dryer...   And, yes, they are irresistibly adorable! And yes, you will want to pick up the little fluff balls constantly! And yes, we are trying to exercise all due and necessary restraint.... somewhat! And yes, this wee peep business is way too much fun! : D  A Spruce Up 06/17/2009
 And I have a zealous paint crew, too!   We decided to go with green...a 'mountain spruce' green...to be exact. Hope it'll 'spruce' it up some! har. har. And Heather and all my friends who follow me on Facebook that have now heard my horrible pun...at least twice now....just ya know, grin and bear it again! (I could really use that big cheesy grin smiley face at the moment!)  It came out a little more blue-ish green...OK 'army' green...than I was actually hoping for. But all in all, what do you think?? It's a pretty nice spruce up! I'm sure our ROAMantic chickens will love it!! : D  |  Summer Fun!
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