I admit to wondering if the projects here at "Wibbly Wobbly Acres," will EVER be done. I suspect not. If one wants to live as sustainable as possible, one must put forth a bit of effort. ::snort::
The 4th was a beautiful day! We planned to work on the greenhouse project...Cory had to work....Izaak planned to work at their house and then come help here.
FIRST - we "welcomed" a couple unexpected guests. When we were playing Disc Golf on Sunday - Cy discovered the moose was Mama Moose and there was a tiny baby with her. They were content to stay in the woods, we were content not to play disc golf until they moved along. Today, they decided to claim the rest of the yard.
Woot! Look at the greenhouse.
Look at all the cotton. I'm becoming less a fan of cottonwood all the time. One of our neighbors had a shop vac outside and was vacuuming his yard. We laughed. Now, I'm thinking of doing the same.
Stacia made this yummy, from scratch, 4th of July Cake.
Izaak purchased and then grilled chickens and steaks.
The day before a holiday. Our plan was to finish raising the greenhouse walls and roof....but Michael had a crown come loose last night. He called the VA and they said to bring it in to the clinic and they would glue it back. Since I don't go into his dental appointments, and it was in Anchorage, we decided I would stay home and continue working on my list. They ended up sending him for an afternoon appointment at a civilian dentist. He had a root canal. OUCH. He goes back next week to get the temporary crown replaced. He enjoyed catching lunch with Josiah while in town, stopped by a mechanic and did some other research while waiting for his appointments.
It is becoming my habit to bake a couple of loaves of bread in the a.m. This allows me to get a loaf into the freezer a few times a week. Today, I experimented with a french bread recipe....it worked. (We ate them on the 4th and the were yummy). The oven gremlins raided the garlic pull aparts...by the time dinner arrived 1/2 the pan was missing.
We have lilacs under the living room windows. They are in full bloom and the smell is heavenly. I am going to dry some blooms and see if I capture the smell for winter. LOL
The boys worked on the greenhouse as they could. Arielle took Benny out for some fun in the sun. Bre brought Gideon and Bella after their naps. It hit 82* today - that is plenty warm in a home without an air conditioner.
Stacia made this wonderful flag cake for tomorrow.
If you'd like to see and hear glimpes from the day...click below.
We've suspected for a few weeks that Helga was a ROOSTER. I heard her crow a couple of weeks ago - week and pathetic - and nothing since. I've been suspiciously watching "her" comb and wattle grow.
Helga
This morning I opened the coop with my customary, "Good morning girls!"
Olga and several others rushed out the door. OLGA looked at me, straightened her neck and CROWED. WHUT?
Olga
I ran to get the camera to catch her trick for my Chicken pals. As I came back Helga was letting loose with a volley of crows from inside the coop. No denying it - we have TWO Silkie Roos. I got this breed as the hens are known for being broody. They were supposedly "sexed" from the hatchery. I thought I may get a roo next year and there would be a hen to hatch some chicks. Plans change. We named the Silkies Olga (seen in the door below) and Helga as they were the guards of the hen house....now it makes sense.
Olga guards the hen house
Lucille Ball wonders what has gotten into Olga and Helga!
I am wondering about a red who is getting a bigger comb and wattle and is a bit more stand offish than the other reds. We'll know soon if we have three roos. We wanted none - as we have grand kids and they terrify me. However, I am seriously considering keeping one. The others will need to be re-homed. Though others around here have more nefarious plans for them. They'd best quit the 0500 crowing. ::snort::
The day was full of more than Olga's surprise. Have you ever had your Crocs shrink? Mine have. They used to be loose and now my whole foot barely fits in them at all. It's odd. These are my garden/chicken shoes....I've been leaving them out. Do you think the sun effected them?
Michael and Alex continue to work on the greenhouse foundation.
Nolan got all spiffed up (more glimpses on the video) and went for his first job interview.
As soon as the boss realized he is 19 and not 30, she offered him a job. He'll take the food handlers test tomorrow and begin on the 4th.
Michael was worn out after dinner.
Stacia and I enjoyed playing with Bella and Bubbie (Gideon- Brother) today. Bre and Izaak spend all their free moments working on their new house. Carpet will be laid the 12th. We're all getting excited for them to be able to settle in.
Bella helped me weed the garden and water the berries and trees....
I think I'm going to get a lot of strawberries
Slim pickings this year in the orchard. LOL
Gideon loves to chase the cotton around the yard.
Here is a clip of our Rooster Discovery
And....the goings on the rest of the day - building, playing....
*Note - Google had changed how my videos were being uploaded. I've figured out the work around and the clips are better again. Three were bad. I can't fix them.
It IS my intention to keep up with our blog and our YouTube channel.
We are FULL speed ahead with projects around here. Many nights we are working until 10 or 11 p.m. and we fall into a shower and bed.
I'm up early working on "my morning routine" - which centers me and keeps me sane. Since the blog and the channel will both provide a family journal/record.....I do whichever is easiest. I'm having trouble with Light Room on the new lap top and haven't had time to figure it out. I will.
In the meantime, I seem to be posting more videos than blogs. If you've not subscribed to our YouTube channel - you may enjoy doing so. Click the link or search for Courageous Joy at You Tube.....
I looked out the window and the chickens were all in the coop. They ran out as soon as they heard me. I set up a chair and thought it would be a good time to capture some photos. They are 7 weeks old here.
The one with the crest is an Easter Egger and a Red is in front
The Red is Lucille Ball
They all seem to have a need to peck at the holes in my crocs.
The crocodile offends them most.
Helga stands guard...she switches off with Olga.
Rosie Proudfoot of the furry feet
I thought it rude to just shove them in the coop. It was good Michael came out to move them along, I could have been waiting until mid-night.
Helga (the white hen) turns out to be Heinrich.....we discover in a few weeks.
Our first wildflowers!
We found this little evergreen. Nolan and I transplanted it to the front. Building that privacy fence.
I found my rain boots - which are my garden (manure) and chicken boots now. The only problem being the chickens LOVE to peck at the PINK dots.
Stacia and I pulled weeds, hauled dirt and planted sunflowers here and there and everywhere.
This seems to be the sweet spot for the woods...they are green enough to provide privacy from the road and neighbors....but not so green that they are over-powering. LOL
The moose have been eating these trees. We haven't seen them for a bit of time, but they're here. We really hope Mama moose does not have her baby in our yard. We have things to do.
The guys kept working on cementing posts, now that the holes were dug.
You'll have to see the video (which I've yet to publish) to get the import of THIS statement: Stacia and I worked on hauling dirt and manure to the first garden plot. We dug the dirt from the side of a hill.
We all rested well at the end of the day. All a bit frantic as June is approaching and the garden spots aren't ready; the fence isn't up and the trees are planted. The moose may be just around the corner.
