It was another weekend of dodging rain showers. Work a bit and stand under shelter a bit.

Yesterday another lamb was sold. He left for his new home in Georgia. (We loaded him in the rain!) I worked on the sales page and got it updated some more. A couple of lambs are left to go on it but they were being camera shy so I will have to try another day.
The fences are all repaired now so everyone can get back out in the fields. Even so, the ground is so saturated that there are no dry spots and I had to treat some of the milk girls for foot scald. It has rained every day for 10 days....

Today we had to get in the garden. It was really too wet but the potatoes and onions had to come out before they start to rot. Doug went to get the baskets from the shed and uncovered a Yellow Jackets nest. He was stung numerous times. That made a bad start to the day for him! I was talking to my sister when he made his run from the devils. I covered all the stings with charcoal and we headed back to the garden. Thankfully, my sister and her hubby came and helped with harvesting. Even so it still took quite a while, once again being run to shelter from the rain on several occasions.

Not a bad harvest! Red and yellow sweet candy onions and lots of yukon gold, russets, red and purple potatoes.

The Clean Up Begins

Doug was up early to start the repairs to the chicken coop with the help of some of his guys. I was up early baking. I fixed his breakfast and called him up. As he stepped in the door I said, I'm molding, I'm molding, I'm molding and collapsed in a puddle on the floor. Hubby was not amused. Oh, well. We must try and keep our sense of humor being that the rains have come and gone again all morning, sending them to seek shelter in the barn.
Thankfully the skies cleared around 11:30 and with no more interruptions a lot was accomplished. The coop was almost finished. A few supplies were needed but we chose not to leave the farm today and will get those tomorrow.
Before:

During:

After:

The chickens are now on dry ground in their new "pala de poulet".
I guess that's one way to get a shed off the back!

I did barn chores today. Rearranging animals, worming, tagging and just general cleanup at the barn.

A Muddy Mess

Supplies arrived late yesterday evening to begin repairs on the fences and chicken coop. Luke, Doug and some of his guys were slated to start at daylight. It was raining. AGAIN. Since last Thursday we have had almost 9 inches of rain. They worked as hard and fast as they could but rain was continuing to send them to shelter- 30 minutes on, 30 off, was not getting a lot done, so at 1:30 they called it a day.

 The gravel is so saturated that trying to repair the drive just squishes the water out and leaves ruts. They will have to be repaired at a later date. At least we can drive to the barn!

In the meantime the animals are having to be kept in small paddocks until fences are repaired and they can return to pasture. This is not a healthy environment and I stress each time I slog through the mud to fill water buckets, wash out feed bins and feed hay and grain. I have already had to treat for foot scald and now some of the younger goat kids are starting to show signs of stress with outbreaks of diarrhea. I have moved the youngest to the barn in stalls filled overflowing with shavings in hopes that I can hold the "bad guys" at bay. Bad guys being coccidia and parasites. The sheep are holding their own...so far.
We certainly could use a few dry days!

A Little Harvest

Usually by this time of year we are buried under an avalanche of produce. The harvest today wouldn't cover my feet. Sigh. What a weird year.
I picked 1 1/2 quarts of blueberries, 3 Poquito squash, a handful of yellow pear tomatoes and a handful of jalapenos.

I love the Poquito squash. Though not an heirloom it is fun to grow. It can be picked from egg size on up. The last I picked we sauteed with fresh sweet onion and served with crumbled bacon. Delish!

Maybe tomorrow will bring a little BIGGER harvest.

The New Sheep

The new sheep are settled into their quarantine area for the next few days. They are glad to be out on pasture and happily munching hay. They are all very laid back and very curious, actually coming up to check me out.

I am very pleased with everyone thus far. The pedigrees are fantastic. A huge amount of Tongue River and Yeoman in the lines which are some of the first and hardest working breeders of Icelandic sheep. I am really excited to be adding these genetics to our flock.