Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[tortoise]

Somehow eggs got into the incubator.

 

[flowerbug]

sneaky little things how they get a round...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Let the goats have a little pasture time today.

 

[baymule]

Oh what fun! They are having a great time and enjoying themselves.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Is it the weekend yet? I'm tired!

Worked on garden fencing today. Got most of it done, but I need to scrounge around and find some more materials. Thankfully nothing is sprouting in that area so no rabbit damage, lol.

It was windy all day and I feel like I've been sandblasted. Lots of wind and no rain and we've got a mini dust bowl around here.

I decided a while back that I've wanted a pond long enough. So, I got on my trusty tractor when it was muddy enough that the ground was soft - months ago - and started scooping mud out of a low spot. Voila - a pond, lol. It was about the size of a nice kiddie pool, lol. But - it held water until this week. Actually, it still had some water in it but it was low enough that I could work on it. I started scooping again and made pretty good progress. But, I ran out of soft stuff to scoop and while the FEL is great for scooping - I've been told that it's not really intended for digging. Especially in the dried up hard as concrete stuff that is imitating dirt out there right now. I'll keep plugging away at it when the conditions are right and hopefully someday I can actually call it a pond instead of a big mud hole.

 

[flowerbug]

are there bean plants yet?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

are there bean plants yet?

There are definitely bean plants!

Garden Update:

The purple dove beans are up! The white zucchini germinated faster than the black zucchini but both are up now. Potatoes are going to going to town - they're in tubs. Tomatoes and peppers are transplanted. Tomatoes are doing better than the peppers. Okra is spotty. Might need to replant. Tried a new variety and it apparently sucks, lol. Will replant with my old favorite, Clemson Spineless unless there is miracle germination soon. I wanted to plant some pole beans and red rippers on the okra so I might need to regroup and get some trellis's out there so I can get those climbers planted with or without okra. I need to pull the rest of the carrots soon. I've let some of the watermelon radishes and black radishes go to seed. I've got a mess of collards I need to eat! I'm still getting a few sugar snaps so I'll leave them until they get heat stroke, lol. Malabar spinach is coming back on it's own. I was a little worried because we did have a couple hard freezes - but they're apparently pretty hardy.

I've started another batch of Kimchi and will can half of it when it's fermented. The other jar I'll keep for snacking. I'm almost through the 50 lbs of onions. I've got caramelized onions canned and a few for the freezer. Lots of dehydrated onions so far. I've given away probably 10 lbs of the onions to a neighbor and my son.

Started actual weaning for two of the does. I'm not milking them and their babies are at least 3 months old. Those girls need a break! I'm milking 2 does every day and 2 more occasionally when I lock them away from their babies. I like leaving the doe babies on some of the mama goats (as long as they can maintain their condition) so I can milk them at will. I'm getting plenty of milk for us and the pig and even the dogs get a treat occasionally. I ordered new cultures and will start some cheese tomorrow.

No rain to speak of lately besides the 14 drops we had this morning. Somehow I don't think that's going to do the garden or the pasture grass much good. We're officially in a severe drought. Oh yay - that'll help hay prices, right?

 

[Mini Horses]

Hay....gonna be real hard situation, even with rain!

I have several does with kids and I want to start some milk sharing. try to let the kids have all they want first 2 weeks. I did collect colostrum for freezer. Have one that gonna kid tonight or early morn...going to check her again in a few. A FF but, should be fine. Couple of the moms haven't been milked before so, that needs to be a home for the day attempt. The feed pan will be encouragement! I need to keep 2 or 3 in milk into winter this year...cheese needed and my soap maker buyer wants milk.

 

[Mini Horses]

My FF had twin bucklings at daybreak. Up and nursing...destined to pay for hay! . Gotta love it. Nice udder and tame, so a milk line candidate.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

My FF had twin bucklings at daybreak.

Congrats! I've got one buckling left that might meet the bander and eventually the freezer. Haven't decided yet.