Scenes From a Teeny Tiny Farm

 I must have looked like a nutsy "mature" woman today.  Carrying a brimming paper bag of returnables from the car to the grocery store, two fell, I see a car headed my way so I'm trying to kick one of the darn things to the side of the aisle without much success.  Suddenly a young kid comes whipping over to grab the buggers off the ground and hand them to me.  Sometimes you look your age...

On the bright side, it looks like the spring weather will hold for a bit so Rick hooked up the hose going from the house to the donkey yard.  No sustained overnight freezing temps. Which translates to no more lugging water via the wagon.  It's the small things that make all the difference.

It's a good thing our hay guy is returning to Michigan soon.  Our winter stash is dwindling and we'll be ready to get a new batch of last year's supply from him.  

Although with this new weather pattern, 1st cutting has been coming in earlier of late.  The donks will be delighted when it does.  

Chickens are loving the spring weather with the advent of free range time.

You know when friends would visit donks and both roos were showing off, invariably they'd ooh and aah over Sharone.  I, however, think Pippi is one good looking fella, just as handsome as Sharone was.

Now here's a perplexing incident.  Perhaps a week ago I found the oddest egg in the coop.  Sure looked like a shell-less hard boiled egg.  I brought it to the house to show Rick and he, of course, sliced it open to investigate further.

Because of the "rings" he theorizes the egg developed abnormally slowly until finally the hen's egg laying apparatus released it.  Yes, that is the scientific explanation.

I need to close the pasture gate this week so donkeys do not interfere with the spring grass growth.  Basically the donks have been using it as a napping site.
Here Gabby gives "the look" to Sugar and Spice, clearly indicating they are two slackards. 

For those who prefer to eat vegetarian/vegan foods, here is a thumbs up recommendation.  I've only tried the garlic & herbs but plan on taste testing all flavors. 

Last night I made a rice/beans/sweet potato/red pepper dish with a homemade sauce.  The roasted sweet potato was definitely the best part.  If you'd like me to post the recipe, give a holler.

 

Basking in the Start of Spring

 We had a glimpse of spring for a couple of days and it was sensational.  Chickens got free range, donkeys basked in the sun and happiness abounded.

And now we have late winter tugging at our knees.

Yesterday while the hens were paddling around the donkey yard in mid-60 temps, I called out to Ethel.  And she walked right over to me.  I was so tickled.

This was during the afterglow when she realized I had no treats.

I have to believe her name recognition is the result of spending time in the basement last year following the hawk(?) attack.  We spoke to her daily using her name.  
When I only had three girls way back when, it was easier to reinforce names.

You'll be relieved to see the winter spillover manure pile slowly disappearing.  Pips and Roxie and Peggy relished what was left of the pile and said "butts to you".

 Before we leave the chickens I want to return to the last post where we all said good-bye to Sharone.  The post title referred to the jinx month of February.  Not a joke.  I have not figured it out after 11 years of chicken keeping, but it's true I have often lost a bird in that dreaded month.  When the month slipped by without incident I'd said, "whew"! 
But why?  We've all made it through the worst of the winter and them, boom, someone gets sick in February.  If anyone has any ideas I'd be anxious to hear.

I'll leave you with a glimpse at Gabby.  My lovely who keeps her chic public display, even in the worst of times.

Oh shoot, forgot to take a snap of the orchid starting to open up.  I look at the buds every day and huzzah they are starting to burst open.