L'Chaim! (to life)

We've had AMAZING weeks here. Truly amazing. The weeks that really make it all exactly what we expected and all that we want to do! Babies. Babies. Babies. Everywhere. Leviah said it best 'It's like it's baby season around here!'

meet Craig (front) & Cecile--twins from Clover

Video minutes after birth.

So far 4 kids from our goats. It was the first birth for all of them, and they all did amazing! There are 2 left that haven't birthed and while we *think* they are pregnant, we could very well be wrong. We are new at this. So new. We milked one mom briefly, and tasted. Warm milk is not my thing, so that was a big deal for me...but, hopefully we'll get the hang of that too and be able to take advantage of an other product from this homestead.

Hopefully.

The garden is well underway as well, and it's a weird year to be sure. It seems un-productive and we've only harvested Spinach thus far. Which I love. We're working on setting up systems that will allow us to harvest spinach and lettuce and kale year round. Still in the planning stages there.

nursing piglets--caution, image may offend those who think breastfeeding lewd.

Our first ever wwoofer is coming this weekend. That is intimidating too! We want so badly to make this place an open-type environment, but in reality housing strangers is just a little scary. I can't wait to get the knack of that, because we could use the help. So many plans.

But, the point of this post is just to say. l'Chaim. To life. (if you are not familiar with Fiddler on the Roof, well familiarize yourself. And listen to the song again and again. l'Chaim!)

and because it's mother's day this weekend I have a special treat for you.

I'll be the chunchy chicken mama

The chickens are coming! The chickens are coming! Oh wait, no--they're here. That is how most things in our life come to be, we think it & then we do it. I prefer to think this behavior spontaneous, not irresponsible- I'll let you to decide for yourself.

Anyway, they are here. We bought 4 young chicks for only $2.29 a piece at Southern States Farming Supply store on Friday. They're soft, sweet, & adorable, all traits that we expect will change in just a few short weeks--traits that we eagerly await being replaced by incredible edibles.

Just like the bees have been, we think the chickens will serve several purposes. First, the eggs. Secondly, the poop--GREAT for gardens. Third, they eat pests from our crops & dispose of unwanted chicken scraps. They'll eat about anything. And fourthly, they're fantastic for Naomi. She is our little farm-girl, even if our farm is quite pequeno. She has already assumed some responsibility (as noted in the title for this entry) for the chicks & is learning about the care it requires to take care of other living things. Although she's also loved experiencing the bees, this will be her first year actually participating in hive maintenance & will probably be from a distance.

And fifth--not to forget, having chickens is a great way to make a connection between reality and our dinner plate. We are very exclusive about the meats will eat, and although that's been a difficult & inconvenient life-choice at times, having these chickens will only strengthen this conviction. We firmly believe that we're the stewards of this earth & we need to understand where our food comes from & respect it.

Here's the low-down:
Breeds:
3 are New Hampshire Reds--good for eating & laying brown eggs
1 is a Leghorn-good for laying white eggs
We expect to get some eggs by July (approx 5months old)
A few other breeds we researched & recommend are Rhode Island Reds & Sexlinks (although these are hybrids but you're certain to get hens not roosters due to coloring)

There's a great & concise book that we got at the library called
Pocketful of Poultry by Carol Ekarius

I'll also keep you posted on the chicken tractor we have yet to build...pressure's on!

And for those of you building your garden. have you:

1. Made a list of what you want. Exclude things you DON'T want/eat (for me that's cucumbers). Only grow things you have interest in, whether that's herbs, flowers, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, etc...
   
2. Ordered seeds? Try Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
   
3. Built beds?
4. Gotten seed starter trays? (particularly for tomatoes & peppers)
5. Purchased compost? Topsoil? Hay? (all this sounds like a lot, but it comes together as you'd expect it to...simply.