Pics as promised

Just a few pictures of the farm. First is the chickens looking like I might be about to give them a treat. The second picture is a closeup of the hops.

Enjoy,
Rick

Happenings on the farm.

Well my peculiar rain dance (scraping and priming the garage) worked. In the afternoon on Sunday we got just under a half inch of the wet stuff. I also pulled the onions as the tops had fallen over. We also harvested a few cucumbers and Jess made refrigerator pickles with them. We still have the chickens as well. The roosters voices are changing. This morning one of them let out a weak cackle and then appeared frightened by the sound. Ahh, Adolescence.

Pictures tomorrow.

What is it all about.

I started scrapping and primming the garage yesterday. A friend of mine suggested that I pick up a carbide tipped scrapper. I didn't get a chance to try it out yet but I will be using it a quite a bit tomorrow I think. I got a small part of the front started and I am liking the look of it. I figure that once I get going on this project the rains will come back, but for now at least I am slowly "eating the elephant".
we had some friends out today and got some wires run into the library. It wasn't much but I had not advanced that project in several months. For that reason alone it still felt good to get something done. Another bite from another elephant.
Also a note to all my friends. I am not mentioning names here unless you specifically tell me you don't mind. I guess it just seems polite to respect everyones privacy in this manner.
Well I think that is enough fro now
Goodnight.

To Rain or Not to Rain.

Well today a great deal of rain moved through the southern half of the state and still managed to miss the farm. I am listening to the channel nine news weather guy right now and he says we are S.O.L. for any rain in the foreseeable future. I really don't like that guy at the best of times, right now I think he is in dire need of an ass whoopin'. In all honestly though he is the worst weather guy in town. In a town with Pat Evans that is really saying something.
OK I feel better now.
As for the farm, things are dry but good. The hops were under attack from Question Mark caterpillars but they have been removed. I lost a lot of leaves on the cascades, but the Fuggles escaped most injury. The Fuggles are really growing fast and are developing cones already.
The chickens are growing quickly as well.
Prayers for rain,
Rick

Help is good

Well yesterdays workday at the farm went well. We spent some time reinforcing the deck and it is much improved. Also the pole barn doors were scraped and painted and flowers were planted. I also painted a bit on the bunker as well. Then we roasted up a leg of lamb and had it with salad, sweet corn and vodka soaked melon. All and all a great day.
Today we also got quite a bit done. We tended the chickens. I also ran a hose out to the garden for the first time this year. We still haven't had any rain in like 3 weeks. I gave all the beds a good watering, especially the rhubarb. I finished the days work by trimming deadwood out of the small hail damaged maples.
To all out friends that helped us, Thank you!

Another update.

Well it has been almost a week. Alot has happened this week. My friends have returned from an overseas deployment and Jess and I are very grateful for that. As for the property, Not a lot has changed. We are still in dire need of rain. The weather guru's tell us we may see some rain tonight. I hope they are right. Otherwise we have fed some of the Swiss Chard to the chickens and they love it. They also seem to love time out in their yard. We will have to adjust their enclosure as they have eaten through all the leafy weeds we were growing for them in the current one.
Tomorrow we are having friends out to help us on the farm. We hope to have a roast.

Time spent VS cash saved

I purchased a new string trimmer today. I bought a nice 4 cycle unit. I used the unit to trim back the overgrown mess that was the garden. It worked like a charm. I was hoping to use it for cutting straw for use as chicken bedding this winter, but it tends to chop the grass up to much. I guess I will have to consider forging myself a scythe blade this fall.
It got me thinking though about the amazing amount of labor that is required here on the farmlet. I have begun to realize that the biggest limit on this endeavor is both my ability and the amount of hours I can dedicate to it. To that end I am looking at the way I spend my time here. I hope to be able to identify areas that may be worth an investment in better equipment.
On another note we finally got some rain today. Only about 2 tenths of an inch, but every bit helps right now.

The food movement

Today I saw part of a show called endless feast. It was great. I didn't see the whole episode but what I did see impressed me. It looked like some hospitality group had arranged for a dinner to be prepared on a local farm by local chefs. The episode I saw involved local free range goat and organic vegetable mixed with a fresh seafood stew. Most of the food was prepared on the farm and served there as well. I also like the idea of hosting a big dinner for family and friends at the end of a growing season. I have been kicking around an idea like this for a few months. I may yet announce an Autumn fest this year. More likely though I won't do anything like this till next year. Let me know what you all think about the idea.

A Berry delightfull fourth of July

Well today was a holiday so all we did was butcher chickens,spray weeds and cook. We took the time to enjoy a great grilled lunch and dinner. For desert I made a sauce of wild black raspberries and goose berries, which we had over iced cream and chocolate. Not a bad day at all.
We also got some rain today and the grass looks like it needs to be cut.

Last weeks recap.

Well things have gone pretty well here at the farm. The chickens are staying in their new enclosure. They seem to be the stars of this page so I am including another picture. Jess and I went to the town fair last weekend and had a look at the local chickens. For some reason black Araucanas seem to be popular in Cannon Falls right now. We also had a look through the FFA and 4H exhibits. I only saw 2 wines that were entered and no beers. I may have to enter something next year if I can figure out how.
Otherwise the hops and straw making are going well. I seem to be having a problem with my Rhubarb this year, but have hope. The raspberries transplants are still doing well. The garden has kind of run away on me though. Oh well.