Seven years ago this weekend we moved from Leander and into our new home in Boerne on Ranger Creek Road. The last 7 years have been a wonderful experience for the both of us. We are still learning home improvement skills, gardening tricks, what it takes to have a farm and definately animals care. We showed up with two house dogs; (rest in peace Bogey & Bacall) and two parakeets. Now have had 4 donkeys; over 40 chickens; many goats - currently 5 mommas and 12 kids; 1 beautiful Pyrenees - Hoss; and 5 fun cats -- & OH don't forget the +30K honey bees!
I have loved getting to know the neighbors, sharing life's stories and experiences. I also love being so close to my Mom and sister, Paula - watching her family's growth. And mostly enjoy the out of town visitors of old friends and family; whether it is for the day, the weekend or a week. Most recently, my cousin Ray showed up out of the blue - passing thru enroute back to Dallas area. His daughter had gotten into fire ants and he stopped at Walgreens for ointment. Here he found "Mom" (Aunt Donna to him). Fate - Laura happened to be in town so she brought him over and we had a nice small family reunion after +30 years.
Egg collection continues to be a daily task and milking goats is a new challenge I am beginning to take on. My neighbor has been milking her goat for a couple of weeks and has shared milk and cheese with us and --- surprisingly it was delicious - not musky as expected. NOW I'm excited to put my girls (and myself) to work.
Gardening the last seven years has been bountiful! We sure enjoy the effort to raise our produce. This year, we have planted tomatoes, jalapenos, asparagus, strawberries, gords, sweet potatoes, garlic, and many herbs. Battle with bermuda continues!
Many years ago, the guest house renovations were completed but the main house has had little interior changes. New windows, woodstove, insulation, new roof, and carport have been the biggest changes. Now that is all buttoned up -- maybe we can start on the master bathroom; working our way around to the kitchen, living areas, etc... This is a big project!
We added a new garage - which serves as a wonderful place for the woodworking. Most recently we built our replacement beehive box without all the 'mess' encroaching into the living areas. This has freed up the former workshop / laundry area - for my hobbies (yet to be done) - but still hopeful. Summertime puts the outdoor shower back into service which is a refreshing change.
For all that we have done - there has been only one injury resulting in a trip to the ER for Ben; but that's not to say we haven't shed much blood, sweat and tears! No regrets for the last 7 Years! NONE - I love my home, farm, life opportunities and the future to come...
Happy Memorial Day to All!
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
May already half over!
Can't believe it is already May 15th. Where does the time go?
The routine has started with the bees. We have to suit up on Wednesdays after work and one day on the weekend to check the hive and give them more syrup. A little more work than we thought; but already see the honey and honey combs. We started building the new hive which will give them more room to make honey and separate the queen and brooders from the workers. Getting to very interesting. Now if the just will pollinate the pomegranate fruit tree! That's what they were brought here to do! Time will tell.
The garden war against bermuda is well under way. Ben has burned and burned and burned. He started tilling deep and we still see bermuda grass in places. So another added chore is to walk the garden "daily" and we hand pick and dig out any green we see. It will be a small garden this year with hopes this fall can be planted fully. I have been able to get all my herbs in, picking strawberries, and making peppermint and wintergreen mint tea. The tomatoes are small but promising to be good.
In all fairness to Ben, I promised to tell on myself. I purchased one of the As Seen On TV Pocket Hoses, that retract automatically and do not kink. Well it worked GREAT until last weekend - (5/11). Yes I got ahold of the burning torch and got too close... NO I didn't hit it directly - just was in the vacinity. But it exploded. There - it's all out in the open - now both of us have to be supervised while burning.
Our newest cat, Miss Crosby, (Ben's dad's cat) is getting adjusted to the routine and shows up always at the right time for breakfast and dinner. I can now pet her without a hiss, scratch or her running away. The other cats can get close, but still all keep a distance.
Chickens have been trying to brood; but we decided not to allow it this year; since we have the new 8. They are just about ready to be co-mingled with the rest of the flock and not worry that the cats will get them. If you want Eggs, I've got them. We get between 18 - 24 a day... I've learned you can scramble them (keeping them raw) and freeze them in ice trays. About 3 egg cubes = 2 eggs scrambled. Not idea; but a way to store them for baking and scrambled egg recipes.
Now the fun stuff! Watching the young kids (goats)! There are 12 running, bouncing and playing around here. It is adorable how they just POP off the ground. When separated from their mom; I can hear the cries in the distance. Wait patiently for mom to respond - and she does. Music to the ears!. I can sit and watch them for hours. I want to start milking the moms and try my hand at cheese making, soap making or something fun.
Well it's time to get to the jobs -- Happy Wednesday 1/2 way thru May day -- Friends!
The routine has started with the bees. We have to suit up on Wednesdays after work and one day on the weekend to check the hive and give them more syrup. A little more work than we thought; but already see the honey and honey combs. We started building the new hive which will give them more room to make honey and separate the queen and brooders from the workers. Getting to very interesting. Now if the just will pollinate the pomegranate fruit tree! That's what they were brought here to do! Time will tell.
 |
| Ben getting the smoker 'smokin'! |
The garden war against bermuda is well under way. Ben has burned and burned and burned. He started tilling deep and we still see bermuda grass in places. So another added chore is to walk the garden "daily" and we hand pick and dig out any green we see. It will be a small garden this year with hopes this fall can be planted fully. I have been able to get all my herbs in, picking strawberries, and making peppermint and wintergreen mint tea. The tomatoes are small but promising to be good.
In all fairness to Ben, I promised to tell on myself. I purchased one of the As Seen On TV Pocket Hoses, that retract automatically and do not kink. Well it worked GREAT until last weekend - (5/11). Yes I got ahold of the burning torch and got too close... NO I didn't hit it directly - just was in the vacinity. But it exploded. There - it's all out in the open - now both of us have to be supervised while burning.
 |
| As Seen On TV - Pocket Hose Blow Out |
Our newest cat, Miss Crosby, (Ben's dad's cat) is getting adjusted to the routine and shows up always at the right time for breakfast and dinner. I can now pet her without a hiss, scratch or her running away. The other cats can get close, but still all keep a distance.
 |
| Crosby getting more comfortable at her new home |
Chickens have been trying to brood; but we decided not to allow it this year; since we have the new 8. They are just about ready to be co-mingled with the rest of the flock and not worry that the cats will get them. If you want Eggs, I've got them. We get between 18 - 24 a day... I've learned you can scramble them (keeping them raw) and freeze them in ice trays. About 3 egg cubes = 2 eggs scrambled. Not idea; but a way to store them for baking and scrambled egg recipes.
Now the fun stuff! Watching the young kids (goats)! There are 12 running, bouncing and playing around here. It is adorable how they just POP off the ground. When separated from their mom; I can hear the cries in the distance. Wait patiently for mom to respond - and she does. Music to the ears!. I can sit and watch them for hours. I want to start milking the moms and try my hand at cheese making, soap making or something fun.
Well it's time to get to the jobs -- Happy Wednesday 1/2 way thru May day -- Friends!
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