Hooray for the first day of summer

I am so pleased that summer is here... I love all all the seasons, and feel invigorated at the welcoming of each and every one.  The critters are well... They are funny to watch as they interact one with another.  I'm sure they say the same about us...LoL

For the Layers, we have lost a few eggs lately due to a big black snake that has found the nesting boxes to be his own fast food hang out.  Every time I go to get John to shoo him away, he is long gone...with a belly full of eggs...
Speaking of eggs, the shells have been thin lately...  Looks like we need to pick up some oyster shell to supplement.    

For the meat birds, we can most likely set the table mid July.  I am confidant in the processing now more than ever... 
They literally never have a moment of anxiety and I am proud of how hard we have worked at making that happen. 
This photo is of the meats.  As you can see, they are very different in apperance, build and temperment than the layers...one of the layers has snuck over to get a bit of their feed.

a month ago

today

The gardens are small this year, but doing very well.  Didn't have the resources to do all we hoped for, but needed to keep the concept going.  The sunflowers will be lovely, and the watermelon divine... I hope.  The past few seasons have been invaded by roving hens looking for a treat...so we shall see.

Thanks for your support friends as we become more self sufficient and love the working of our land.  I am satisfied and content as I see my husband grow in confidence and as my child begins to learn the cycle of life and the law of the harvest. 

Kimber is understanding the joy of the tithe of which I am eternally grateful.  Because of your donations she is able to count her very own coins and give a bit back to the Lord. 

These are concepts of sacrifice and confidence that are best learned in youth, before the cynics and unbelievers mock our faith in God.

click on this for some mellow tunes
summertime with kenny g

Love much, 
Cynthia 

Gathering Eggs Springtime 2011

                                                      On our way to get eggs...

Beatrice says.... "A little peace and quiet please....?" 

Another success 

A basket full of treasures

Running up hill, and no eggs lost..!

Her big helper, Josie, who is the real chicken of the hen yard...lol

More than anything, I am surprised at how much Kimber has grown this season....:)

Easter in Eggs and Super Yum Snack

egg carton
picture of the Savior
12 plastic Easter Eggs 
12 slips of paper with the following scripture references

small cup (such as one used to take the sacrament at church)
30 dimes
small rope
small piece of soap
scarlet fabric
small nail
dice
soil
white linen
smooth stone
spice (such as cinnamon, cloves, allspice)
yeast packet or air




matt 26:39
matt 26:14-15 fulfilled by zechariah 11: 12-14
matt 27:1-2
matt 27:24-26
matt 27:28-30
matt 27: 31-32
matt 27: 35-36
matt 27:50-51, 54
matt 27:58-60
matt 27: 60
matt 28: 2-5 and mark 16:1
matt 28:6

put the item with its scripture in the correct egg beforehand or for a puzzle of sorts do it together as the activity.

For your treat to eat, yeast rolls or purchase the frozen rolls (rhodes) and before baking insert a large marshmallow into the dough with the family and bake and when it is done you will notice the roll is empty .. as was the tomb. see below : ) and a big ole hug to Nancy Whitten for sharing this fun activity. We are looking forward to gathering the items and having this be an Easter tradition.   

http://sisterscafe.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter-breakfast-rolls.html

string cheese and bread

The hens love cheese, especially string cheese. Kimber's farm chores are to feed the hens kitchen treats and sometimes collecting the eggs. When feeding them she stands on a step ladder and tosses treats over the fencing.  They go crazy for the cheese, maybe they think it's like a worm...(?) Who knows really, it's all good protein I suppose..lol :p
Kimber gets a good laugh watching them race for the treat, and then to chase each other about hoping the treat will fall and become fair game again.   

 giving chase for the cheese...

a yummy little snack lands nearby... the ladies are focused and ready...!

Treats are done, but they are optimistic and hopeful that a wee snack is still waiting to be discovered behind the next blade of grass.  


When Kimber collects the eggs she loves to count and sort them. I'll have to capture that photo moment and share later. 

Photos

 Blinging up the eggs with Grandma Lillian's English teacups

 A subliminal message of bacon...  

 Speckles and colors and sizes

 How we play connect the dots out on the farm ... : p

 Cleopatra and Bronwyne

 Ophelia

 Juliet

 Daphene

Romeo..who against his wishes, has taken a vow of celibacy. 

Spring has Sprung

We are thrilled for the good weather... it makes the critter chores much more enjoyable...lol

Our donkey plan fell through... I know you were all excited for a waffle making donkey like in the movie Shrek... but we need a healthy critter first.  The one we had our eye on had health issues and it would have been too labourous to get him up to par for a family farm. 

John installed solar lighting in the hen house, and it's awesome....!  Did you know chickens can't see in the dark ?  

They also don't have teeth to chew their food, so they need access to grit... crushed rocks/oystershells/eggshells ... which they eat and it aides with their digestion, and gives harder shells for their eggs.  

: )ciao for now