Category Archive: farming

We started our day outside by catching these now full grown ducks (at least by size).   Then we put them in this pen so the dogs and other animals could come get acquainted throughout the day.

Chore #2 was to finish the pruning and tying the grapes.  There is a short row and a lengthy row.   I need to buy more grape plants to finish the second row.

Chore #3 was to get the raspberries done.  They are now 2/3 finished.

Here the chickens are coming in for the night and want to make sure there is a bit of a handout.   The sheep and alpacas have already had their treats.

By then the day (which started outside at 11) was over and the fellows wanted to collect their dues and go home.  And once again I am reminded why supervisors get paid more.    It’s hard work managing people.

Today was a perfect day to be outside gardening here in the PNW.   The sun peaked now and then, the temperature was about 50 with no wind.    With all these daffodils and a few tulips to plant, it was time to get going.   So I worked a spot in front of our 3 rhododendron bushes which is also right next to the asphalt driveway.   It is a spot that only has color when the rhodies are in bloom.   This year the plan is to plant nastursuims as soon  as the soil is warm enough.

The railroad tie is about 8′ long and the dark spot is where I plant.   It was such heavy clay that I could only dig far enough down to barely cover the daffodil bulb   Yes I know they and the tulips according to the package are supposed to be 6″ deep.  But I didn’t have that much soil, so after I finished getting all 25 of the bulbs in the ground, we put a couple of bags of topsoil over the them.  I would really like a color spot there.

In looking for the shovel (which I ended up not using), I went down to where Bill was adding chips to the muddy area by the chicken coop.   When I called him, the little lost duck answered me.   It took a bit, but we were finally able to catch him and reunite him/her with the siblings.     What a relief!

It is only December and already these iris bulbs have started sending up shoots.  They have been in the cold ground, so I’m surprised they are in such a rush   It is fun to watch the new life arrive.  They must want spring as much as I do.

Remember the baby ducks, Huey, Dewey and Louie?

We put them in the pasture last Sunday, thinking they would team up with the other ducks.   So I introduced them to the dogs, telling the dogs, “these are mama’s and I want you to take care of them” .    That could have gone a lot better if the ducks hadn’t decided to make a run for it as soon as the introduction was completed.    Running is fun and a game which Lacey still enjoys.   Even that might have ended quickly except the alpacas got in on the chasing game (have you ever seen anything so funny as an alpaca chasing a young duck) and suddenly the ducks were under cover in the bushes and I had no idea where they were.   Obviously they were scared and weren’t coming out just because I called.     I gave up, came back into the house and soon, there was one little duck at the back door.  I let him in, caught him and then took him out to the greenhouse   I also caught a bantam and put her out there with it so it wasn’t too lonely.     Since we had not seen any sign of them since the initial release, we sadly thought the coyotes would find them before we did.

Imagine our delighted surprise when the night before last, one of the wandering ducks showed up here near the front door   He allowed us to catch him and we put him with the other duck.  They are so happy to be back together.

This morning, the third duck was sighted, but ran before we could get it    Hopefully, soon it will hear the other two ducks and come up here.   What amazed me was that even though they were way down in the pasture, they knew the house was home and came here.

This morning we planted tulips and hyacinths –  some in the 3 planters on the back deck and some in pots.   I’m hoping this will work, but I haven’t tried it before.   When the plants in the pots peek out, I plan to bring them in the house to enjoy.  (I still have 100 daffodil bulbs to get in the ground during the next lull in the rain.)

The afternoon was spent shopping and fixing my quilting machine which somehow managed to get thread wrapped around an important wheel.   Yes, Liz, you warned me.   Thank you.

We ended our day with a light, delicious supper of strawberries and cashew cream, which was very satisfying..