2011 Homesteading To-Dos

Our homesteading To-Dos are what we have on our list of , need to be done, in the 2011 year.
Our list is as of follows:
1. finish greenhouse
2. get wood stove for greenhouse
3. plow another garden space (as the kids are growing)
4. raise veggie plants for family members as well as for us.
5. get calf and 2 dairy goats
6. reduce grocery store dependency by 5%

Changes

When things change around here they really change. The lambs are really growing and pouncing all around. They are fun to watch as they play. We received another one tonight - its a GIRL!! As of now we have 3 boys and a girl. They have also started trying hay.

Our chickens still have not laid any eggs but hopefully Spring is right around the corner and we will receive some then. This morning while feeding the lambs we heard what sounded like a wounded dog. With further investigating we discovered one of our hens is a rooster and he was trying to find his crow! Its still weak but in due time I am certain he will find it. I stood out on the back porch this morning listening to him, it was entertaining to say the least. Seems to me one of the kids must have picked out of the wrong box when choosing their chicken last Fall. All is good though we are happy to have a Charlie in the group. I think the hens are happy also.

Planting seeds starts soon and we are gearing up for that. We have a lot to do in a short amount of time. Lots of prays are being prayed for the hopes that the seedlings do well and the garden thrives this summer.

Well hope all is good on your piece of land, Have a great day!

Chicken coop

Like I promised here is a picture of the coop. The ladies love it. They have a run in the back but tend to stay in the fenced in area just under the coop. I still have a few finishing touches to do on it but for now its live able. The weather changed quick so spring it will be finished painting and letters.. Enjoy

And then there were 3

We have been very busy here on our bit. Raising lambs that have been orphaned due to either the ewes having too many( 2 are from triplets the other is from quads) or the weather getting bitterly cold. We have been having fun taking care of these boys' every needs. The one in the front left is named Biscuit, the black one is named Ace, the one in back well we named him Gravy. The boys in front will be 2 weeks old this weekend while Gravy will be a week old this weekend. They are fun to watch as they now are strong and run and play. The cat has no where to hide when the lambs are on the lose.
The weather plays its toll on these babies. With us having temps in the 40s for the last 2 days we are now having temps in the low 30s and snowing like crazy, Its hard to keep them warm. We are using a heat lamp light over their pen. Now we wait for others to be brought to us. We pray all the ewes will be able to take care of their young and keep them all warm but if they can't we will be here.. waiting.... with open arms to take care of these little bundles of joy.
Have a great day!

Winter Blast - again

At eight o'clock this morning it was -1.5 degrees outside. That's cold! No wait that's frigid. We have another 3-4 inches of snow on the ground and more expected for Monday evening. This has been a winter to remember. Now with 60% of the winter still to come we have had more snow then we get all year. I do hope this makes for a good growing season.

It always amazes me that no matter what the weather the chickens always act like its a perfect day. Cold - nah - just right all the time for them.

I do hope wherever my friends are they are warm. Have a Happy winter.

Let me introduce you to

BISCUIT!! He is 4 days old today. He is 1 of 4 lambs born to the same mother. She was unable to take care of all of them so our neighbors asked us to take care of him. Hes a very sweet addition to our family and we have really enjoying this opportunity. Here on our Bit of soil its really hard to determine what we will get into around here. I think that's what keeps us going in these lazy snowy winters. The kids are also enjoying the lessons being learned by helping us take care of him. Its alot of work, just like caring for a newborn. But work that I enjoy and I have raised many animals on bottles. Horses, kitten and goats to name a few. can't wait ot show you more pictures as he grows.

Do you have any bummer babies ( bottle babies)?