I know it has been awhile since the last post. Things have been very hectic with bad weather, illnesses, and job loss issues. Now that I have a new job things will hopefully settle down (fat chance!) We have just come back from an Easter weekend away at a friends cottage, in Salvo, NC, It is way, and I mean way out on the Outer Banks (“Nights in Rodanthe” was filmed uo the road.) We had a blast making sand castles, flying kites, visiting Cape Hatteras lighthouse, and the Wright Brothers Memorial park. We want to go back soon! It was our first time away from the farm ; I had a friend from my old job watch the animals and everyone survived! This gives me hope for our longer trips in the future. We have been trying to slowly do cheaper improvements on the house, due to this awful economy. We tore the raccoon hut down off the outside of Hunter’s bedroom window (yay!) and Pete got the waterfall and pump working in the pond (after the death of a few giant bullfrogs that got stuck in the filter) Plastic lattice was tore down from around the cinder block shed, in prep for its demise, when it will be torn down and the cement floor used as a patio. Plans are in the works for a new shed to be built next to the patio, which Pete will be building himself. I have begun the enormous task of figuring out landscaping and a veggie garden with very little funds. Tomato seeds are growing and I just planted the beginnings of strawberry plants today. We borrowed a tiller and the garden is almost ready. Hunter wants to have his own garden as well. My new favorite book is “The Encyclopedia of Country Living” by Carla Emery. I have borrowed the library’s beat up copy more times than I can count and I still have not put a dent in it. The carpenter bees and wasps of all kinds are out in mass around here. Just can’t get rid of them. Welly’s horns are growing and Candice’s hooves need to be trimmed badly. We extended the fence line out near the road and over the side ditch, giving them more room and, for a short period of time, more brush to eat. Cluckers, our hen, has been laying an egg a day…they taste so much better than store eggs! So much work to do! I will include some before/after shots of the garden/pond area soon.
