Tuesday, September 13, 2016

So much to Do!

We have had a few nice days, some much needed rain and there is still a hint of the aggressive heat of this past summer. The Hummingbirds have gone, it is so strange as the last few days they flew around me and yesterday two perched on the squash outside the bedroom window and stared at me. Today we have seen not a one and the feeders are full. Were they letting us know they would soon be going to their winter  homes? I already miss them!



We have been busy with all the things we got behind at and Ralph got the first of the cover crop, minutes before the rain. The harvested area of the East Garden in now in Austrian Peas and Sorghum Sudan grass. We purchased a small spreader and then Ralph went over it with the power harrow and that seems to have worked well, scuffling the seed into the ground and then packing it firmly.

There is a lot more to flail mow and last night Ralph mowed while I took photos of the poultry. I so wish I could explain how good they are for ones spirit. Ralph was getting exasperated with them as they tried to get every bug the mower disturbed or scratch tasty roots right in front of him.

So here is the evenings work in photos!

A hen with 3 chicks, she was having quite a time as the chicks went crazy looking for bugs and ran in 3 different directions after them. Just as she got them rounded up after one bug hunt they would rush off on another!


We really love the Buckeye hens, they have grown into lovely hens and have such character. They always look so serious!


"Shoeless Joe" our main rooster, he is really quite special and knows it. He is so good to the hens but most certainly boss Rooster!

He does take a good photo.

The Buff hens are sweet and so friendly, anyone who wants sweet quiet gentle chickens that are a lovely golden should get this breed. They are chatter boxes and always clucking or brawking!

 The young Royal Palm turkey's go everywhere and walk at a near jog, they chase grasshoppers all over the big field.

This is where Ralph had mowed, the poultry was all over it. They get a lot of grubs but they also like the fresh chopped weeds. 

Now I know there are no photos of the actual working going on but it was. I just got distracted by all the goings  on.

Remember the house chick? Well she is still coming in to the house to roost on her chair. If we do not get to the door when she wants in she has now taken to perching on the yard light above the door! She knows we will not miss her here.

Here is an example of a snack around here. Litchi Tomatoes and a yellow Tommy toe. So tasty!

We had this strange cloud formation to the east of us after a storm blew through here the other day, it bathed the place in a strange pinkish/orange light, quite beautiful.

This is the sunset on the west side of the place the same late afternoon as the odd clouds.

Now this is not one of our Chickens. She is a Silver Laced Wyandotte that belongs to our neighbor who cuts our hay. He has a nice small flock and they are free range too. She was watching me as Ralph and Jim discussed the hay field plans.

 Some of our Black Mexican Corn, I think the drive for crop uniformity has taken a lot of the fun out of harvesting. These cobs are just such a wonderful range of colors and even the sizes are handy. Small for children and the LONG ones for corn fanatics. It is not a sweet corn as such, but in the milk stage just as the color starts to show faintly, it is really good table eating!

Now last but not least...I love cut flowers to brighten a table but we have not got them here...yet. I also love the feathers from the turkeys so this is my vase on our table. I never need to water it!


 I hope this meander about the place has entertained you. We have nicer weather to work in so there is a lot on the go, but thats part of a small farm, growing your own food, being more self reliant and living well. I look around us and I  know money cannot give us any more than the gift God bestowed on Ralph and I with this opportunity.  God Bless you all and be safe and live well.







14 comments:

  1. Your chickens are so pretty. I really like the Buff too, and that is a fine looking rooster. Our hummingbirds are still around but I'm sure it won't be long before they leave.

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    1. Thank you for the compliment, I will tell the chickens! I did see two hummingbirds tonight. We have been having 15+ at the feeders at one time so it is a lot quieter. We have 3 feeders out and it's a true delight to have hummingbirds come. They also love some of our flowering plants.

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  2. The cooler weather has made it more enjoyable to work outside.
    I miss having chickens... maybe next year!

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    1. It is so nice to be able to go out into more normal temperatures. Could you run chickens with your sheep.

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  3. What lovely chickens you have! I just loved the photo of your sweet house chicken. I was going to ask where she roosted at night - a chair back is perfect! I have a bowl in my hutch that is filled with assorted feathers that have taken my fancy - I love your arrangement!!

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    1. The feathers are so beautiful...to us...I am glad other normal people collect them too. The vase is a quart jar that had a chip, I used twigs from the yard and hot glued them to the jar, easy and it looks crafty!

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  4. I like to look at fields after they have been mown. Hay is a big deal here, and when they get it all baled and picked up, there are big stretches of field that look like a golf course.

    My chickens make me mad sometimes, but I secretly like them ok. My wife and daughter really like them, so we keep them as semi-pets I guess.

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    1. The smell of fresh cut hay is rather nice and we are amazed at how fast the hay grows back. Chickens are both fun and aggravation all in one. We had scrambled eggs for breakfast so that makes up for the aggravation! They did eat the barn cat food until we made a shelf the cats can get to but the chickens don't!

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  5. I had to add my own comment. It seems our posts have been close to home of late, weather, projects, weeds, poultry and plans. We just have not got the heart to discuss politics or the insanity of the Powers that Be. Last night we got a phone call from a division of Gallup Polls. The questions they ask are worded in such a way they can be used in any direction. Nothing like straightforward yes or no answers and not one question about the economy. He did ask how much money we had spent shopping in the last week. I smugly said none. So I have added my two bits to the political scene and it made me realize I enjoy our "fluffy" posts and other bogs that tell the tale of the life they lead on a small farm. Do take care.

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  6. What a nice post! We get calls from people that are just collecting data and I also find that their questions are such that they are not getting the true picture. So I question any data that comes from these areas, feeling that it has been "engineered". I try not to rant about politics because it's just pointless but it frustrates me so.

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  7. I LOVE your chickens and the one on the porch light is very clever. It is good to grow your own food. GREAT shots. Hug B

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    1. Isn't a camera a wonderful thing! The skies here are amazing with huge thunder heads boiling up, brilliant blue on clear days and luminous with mist in the mornings. Yes our house Chicken has things well in hand (claw)!

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