today on the farm

We are in full swing around here and are picking projects off the list one by one. But we're making progress! Last week spring hit us hard and we were overwhelmed. But on Saturday we sat down and revamped the master list, talked through the order that everything needs to be done, and got our heads around all that is ahead. And it's a lot. But we signed up for this! And we do love it. Especially all of the darling animals we love and enjoy. Today I decided to get my camera out and document much of the day. Here is what I saw:

Our laying hens have gone all World War Two on me. They are each digging a bunker and settling in for the day. It does look very comfortable, sort of their own tempurpedic hole. But watch your step on our farm...you may twist your ankle in a chicken bunker.

This is new and fun! We planted wheat and oats on Monday. And the third plot will be feed corn for our pigs next year. It's a learning venture like everything else with the plan to learn what we can this year and then see how we want to do it next year.

These two have been working hard together all week. Ivar has definitely grown into a serious helper and loves to be right by his dad's side. This is the pig pen we built this weekend. I've got more pics of this process to share in another post.

And there's Alden, happy as always, watching the sheep and keeping an eye on the rest of us working on the pig pen. He's a charming boy. And so, so agreeable.

 The sheep had to keep a close eye on the new digs for the pigs.

Ivar and Elsie have been playing Laura and Mary all week. Except it's actually 'Pa and Mary-who-can-still-see.' They play in their woods and make soup and food and go for "trips into town" by the well house. Today I saw them buying things while in town and I greeted them, "Hello Charles. Hello Mary, so good to see you." Elsie froze with wide eyes and shook her head, "please don't say that mom. It makes me feel weird inside." I said, "does it embarrass you?" And she said, "yes! It totally does!"

I was a little sad that I don't get to play along. So later I stopped by with a basket with a cloth that held chicken eggs. I told them I was a neighbor coming by with a gift. Elsie opened it and said, "I thought it was going to be a real snack. Go back and take the eggs out and put something in here we can really eat." So I guess that is how I'll get to be a part of this story line...

Today the broiler chicks moved out of the garage and out into the chicken tractor. If you could smell my garage. Yikes!

They Layers came to welcome the Broilers to the neighborhood. Or to tell them who runs this farm. Hard to say.

And finally we moved the pigs out into their new pen. They were a bit spooked to be out of the barn, and it took some serious coaxing to get them out, but all is well that ends well. As Rory said, "Our marriage has so many of these unique, shared experiences and they're all layered and compacted on top of each other. We are like steel-reinforced concrete or fiberglass...all of these things packed one on another. It's building one very strong foundation." And it is. We are in this together. It's a lot going on, but it's good fun. It feels full and right.

Now I'm off to bring more slops out to these guys and to feed Miracle his last bottle of the day. And then I am going to hit the hay.

have you seen our bumper?

Last week I walked into CarTime and explained our situation, "Last Saturday during the blizzard, my husband went to Aldi and somehow lost half of our bumper. We're not sure how, but he thinks it may have happened right here on this frontage road. So I just wondered if you could give me a call if it ever turns up. Like when these huge snow piles begin to melt, maybe it's been plowed over and is under all this snow."

The guys working behind the counter looked at me and nodded a wee bit condescendingly.

"If we have to get a new bumper it's going to cost us $400. What a stupid way to spend $400, you know? I can think of lots of other ways I'd rather spend that money. So will you call me if anyone happens to see it? Here I'll write down my name and number for you."

I left, sort of embarrassed but more hopeful than actually embarrassed. It was worth a shot.

Next I drove to Aldi to do a week's worth of grocery shopping. I unloaded my entire cart onto the belt and told the girl working the register, "Three things. First, my last pineapple I got here was pretty awful. I don't need a new one, but can I just get that money returned?" "Absolutely. It will be a separate transaction. We'll take care of it at the end." "Great. Then my second question. Do you take checks?" "Nope. Just credit or cash." I panicked, "Oh my word. I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry. You have to stop scanning my food. We just cancelled my credit card because some guy in Florida ordered Boston Market with my card. I only have my check book." She was calm and kind, though not impressed with my Boston Market true story, "It's okay." I quickly problem solved, "Can I come right back and get my groceries? I could run home and grab my husband's card." She replied, "I'll just finish this transaction and put it on hold. You can come back later tonight and get your groceries. We'll hold your cart in the cooler." I was so impressed, "Wow. That's very helpful. Thank you so much." Then she asked, "And what was your third thing?"

I wanted to disappear as I said very ridiculously, "Oh. Well, we think we lost half of our minivan bumper here during the blizzard. Has anyone happened to turn it in?"

church parking lot snow piles

Our church was cancelled on Sunday because of the blizzard, but Monday we went to a special prayer time and my kids saw the huge snow piles the plow had left. They begged that we come back and play on them sometime, and on Wednesday I made it happen. Here was the blizzard on Saturday and Sunday. It was the real deal:
So since it is April and we have the snow, we decided to go and play in the snow. And it was so fun for them. They played hard for an hour and I drove in circles around the parking lot, trying to sooth Alden who was not into this activity as much as his older siblings. Hattie happily sat in the passenger seat as we drove round and round and round the small lot.

So we got one last hurrah out of winter snow. Seize the day, I say.

Elsie came downstairs this morning in a tank top and shorts and said cheerfully, "I'm just going to start wearing summer clothes now." I loved her attitude. She didn't have an ounce of annoyance or complaint in her. Just an announcement that she is moving on. Good call, Elsie, let's all move on now...

prodigal pottery

Oh this is so fun. I can't wait to introduce you to this ministry. Since Miracle became a Miracle, I have had a few back and forths with a blog reader (and now friend) in Alabama. Isn't that so fun? Unto itself, I have always loved the relationships and connections I have solely because of this blog. It's amazing to me.

Susie asked if she could send us something and on Saturday, during the blizzard, this arrived in the mail. A darling little lamb ornament in honor of Miracle. I love it so much. It will be hung on our wall as a darling reminder of all we have seen.

So the lamb alone is adorable. But the best part is that it is made by women who are fleeing domestic abuse or homelessness, finding their footing and living in safe homes across Alabama.  The ministry is called Prodigal Pottery and you really should go and bop around their site. It is beautiful and so inspiring.

The website says, "Prodigal Pottery's mission is to provide a safe and therapeutic work environment for women in need that develops healthy professional skills, interpersonal relationships and spiritual depth. We transform the lives of at-risk women by providing them with meaningful employment, while equipping our staff with the entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed."

The scripture just above their mission statement is, 'For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.' And they began to celebrate. 

I love that last part...they began to celebrate! Amen! I want to celebrate this good work being done in Alabama too!

So check out their etsy shop. I  love the leaf soap holders. What a perfect gift. And the oval platter. Their products are truly gorgeous and completely unique. (It also makes me want to start playing with clay again!) So check them out. And thank you so much Susie (and Jamie!) for such a thoughtful, heart-felt and surprise gift. It really means a lot to me.

Miracle is back in the house

Tuesday morning I went out to the barn to take pictures of Rory and Miracle and when we got out there it was obvious that Miracle was not well. He had been slowly showing signs of poor healthy over the previous 24 hours, and when we went out for morning chores he was barely able to stand on his legs.

Rory called the vet and immediately she suspected pneumonia. She said there are many cases of barn animal pneumonia this spring because the humidity and temperatures have fluctuated so greatly for such a long time. She recommended a special medicine that they only carried at their Owatonna office. So Rory brought Miracle back in the house for extra warmth and care and then made the drive to Owatonna.

We were very worried about Miracle and unsure if he was going to rally. But the little kids were so pleased to see their pal back in the house.

So Miracle is hanging out with the family once again. Which means he will not be lacking for entertainment. This week Ivar and Elsie have been building a kitty cat club house for the kittens out of boxes and tape. It is darling and hilarious and very, very entertaining.

Now Miracle has been in the house another whole day and has had two doses of antibiotic and b-complex. And he's looking better. I will tell you what, this is one very well-loved lamb. And he's got quite the life story to tell!