Basil!

I planted my basil seeds today. I am really looking forward to making pesto! I love it tossed with pasta with tomatoes on the side.

I watched a Garden Girl video today where Patti Moreno made a cucmber salad. It looked so good. I can't wait to give that a try. My radishes and carrots are looking good. I can't wait to harvest. My peppers seem about ready to harden off, maybe in about a week when it warms up again.

The new little chickies are growing like weeds. The look a little different each day. The Barred Rocks are in that 'so ugly they're cute' stage. The red sex-links are still fluffy and adorable.

Chris got Rascal out for a snuggle this evening. He is still nervous and hard to catch but does OK when being held.

I need to finish filling my latest raised bed this week, as well as building the third. I have at least four more to go to accomodate all my plantings. I have been thinking about ordering some more Smart Pots to give me more growing room.

It is storming right now. It rained this morning, but was calm most of the afternoon. I was able to do a little work outside, like pulling weeds for the chickens and changing the bunny pans. I took the opportunity during that lull to get the basil seeds planted.

I am looking forward to this growing season!

Still planting...

I got the bush beans planted today. The carrots and radishes are springing up, but the peas look amazing! I can't wait to have a spare day to really get cracking on my raised beds and get more stuff in the ground. I have more peppers to get started and I hope to get them going tonight.

My heirloom tomatoes have been disappointing. They haven't had a very good germination rate. I should still have enough plants to be worthwhile, but it is a let down.

Hub is wanting to till a plot behind the chicken coop. I think that would be helpful for my pumpkins, gourds, watermelon, and corn.

I got a surprise on Monday. I came home and went to check on the four Barred Rock chicks. I thought, "They are so cute. Even the yellow ones are cute." I did a double take--there were six more chickies in the brooder. Chris couldn't help himself, he just had to get six more red sex-link pulllets! So now we have 22 chickens. I guess we will be expanding the coop!

Rascal!

I finally have new pictures of our newest critters! Rascal arrived yesterday and he is the sweetest little scrap of bunny goodness! He is a mini Rex, black with tan accents. He is so quick, but doesn't mind being handled.

We went to Newburgh today to the herb festival. On our way down, we stopped at Rural King to pick up supplies for Rascal's cage. They had chicks, so of course I had to look. They had Barred Rock pullets, four of them left. We went ahead and bought them. So, we have more chickens here at Cackle Berry Farm. The more the merrier!

I can't believe...

I can't believe it is supposed to snow on Monday. This is a lovely Saturday. We have been outside a lot. Hub mowed the front yard. I planted radishes beside the carrots. The peas are up. It is so mild, it is hard to think we may get snow. I am ready to be done with snow!

I am hoping we can construct two more raised beds tomorrow. I can get them filled and ready to plant this week. I plan on getting more of my seeds started indoors this weekend. More peppers and leeks.

Dad is having surgery on his carotid artery on Monday. I am quite worried, but I'm sure he'll be fine. He goes in at 6 AM and his surgery is scheduled for 8 AM. It is supposed to take a couple of hours, but I know it might go longer. I have Monday and Tuesday off work to be with him.

I am working on my homework assignment and hope to complete it this evening. This is my team project, so I have a little more research to do.

I am determined to finish this degree although my heart really isn't in nursing anymore. Maybe it is just the management side of it. I am hoping that with getting our consumer debt paid off, I can semi-retire in about five years. Then I could stay home and grow potatoes, just working when I want. Very cool thought!

For Crystal

Here is a photo of the small pen we made for our chickies when they were small. The bin in the background is the brooder. We put it beside the pen to block the sun and wind a bit.