Sunday, June 9, 2013
Happy Birthday Hailey!
Ahh - Saturday & Sunday Mornings!!!
Veronica (aka Roni) knows how to start the weekend!!! She's my climber. I'll find her on the roof, at the top of many trees, leaping from one tree to another. I worry how's she going to get down? But she always makes it. This picture was after one of her adventures. I noticed her eyeing the hammock from the tree; and caught her enjoying it!!! Too cute.
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| Roni on the roof Sunday Morning. |
Here's how the rest of the farm spends the morning.
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| Patti - watching Roni on the roof. |
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| Princess - Her favorite spot on the patio. |
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| Calli - she must have worked all night - already napping. |
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| Crosby - in the safety of the workshop - but enjoys and open window. |
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| Hoss worked all night too - catching a nap on the patio. |
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| One of the three Serenity's Girls - Baby chicks behind her in their pen |
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| Junior - working the farm |
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One of the chicks - First Day Out
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| The Mom's and their Kids. |
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| Sierra and her boy - the two sisters are just as cute |
For us -- the day is filled with more chores (of course). But the battle with Bermuda is still on!. We are winning -- I hope. Time will only tell.
Peaches are ripening and we are picking a few to enjoy -- still a little green.. but still delish!
This year we reluctantly thinned the fruit on the tree -- any fruit within 6" of another got picked and sacrifices. Really! This was one of the hardest things to do - deciding which ones remained and which ones goes. Surprisingly, it resulted in Large Fruit instead of the small ones we had last year. A hard lesson learned, but we'll enjoy the fruits of our labor. LOL...
Ben enjoys the hard peaches (still a bit green)... Picture perfect! In the bacground is the asparagus fern. I'm surprised out beautiful and light this bush is. Excited to start cutting some and enjoying with dinner.
We inspected the beehive an are concerned we lost the queen with the transfer two weeks ago. Seems like we have less bees but the ones that are still here are still busy making honey. Hopefully they are raising their new queen if we lost our other one. The book - Beekeeping for Dummies (which I definately consider the bible for new beekeepers) says is can take 24 days to raise the new queen. So, we'll check it out next week and see if we see progress. If not - I guess we will order a new queen. So many things to learn; but worth it. And too many "ah ha - we should of..." moments.
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| View out the back door. Neighbor's Longhorn bulls in the distance. Everything is so green because we have been blesses with Rain... A small shower hits just after this set of photos were taken Sunday Morning. |
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Summer Routines
June 4th and feels like summer! The overnight weather has been delightful (low 70's) but it still gets up to low 90's during the day. Makes working on the farm very HOT! Although I enjoy the outdoors so much. I don't get my inside of the house cleaned as good as it needs to be.
Late last year before the roof was replaced, we insulated the attic, put in the insulation blanket and a solar attic fan and the whole house fan. So far, if I run the whole house fan overnight until the temperature hits 72 degrees; then shut down the house - the Air Conditioner doesn't come on (set at 78 degrees) until 5pm. Amazing!!! The insulating and fan investment look like they will be paying off.
This weekend and week (so far) the routine has started and we accomplished quite a bit.
Last night we cooked a large pot of Spaghetti & Meat Sauce in hopes Ben's brother would stop by for a visit before he goes to work. Didn't get to see him, but we sure enjoyed it anyways.
Hopefully, I will get better at sharing and including more pictures.
Hope you have a great beginning of summer! Hugs to all.
Late last year before the roof was replaced, we insulated the attic, put in the insulation blanket and a solar attic fan and the whole house fan. So far, if I run the whole house fan overnight until the temperature hits 72 degrees; then shut down the house - the Air Conditioner doesn't come on (set at 78 degrees) until 5pm. Amazing!!! The insulating and fan investment look like they will be paying off.
This weekend and week (so far) the routine has started and we accomplished quite a bit.
- Lawn mowed. Doesn't look like a manicured lawn - but it is green and a nice soft ground cover.
- Groomed Hoss - Almost all the winter coat is gone.
- Burning -- cacti not Bermuda this time!
- Harvested the Garlic (a 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full).
- Weeded the garden (still)!
- Picked our first Peach for 2013.
- Patio Winter North wind protection taken down and put away.
- Even had time to visit with the neighbors.
- Picked my first Red Tomato for 2013.
- Chicken care
- Goat care
- Hoss care
- Cat care
- Beehive inspection
- Weed and tend to garden (water as needed)
- Pick Eggs
- PLUS go to our Jobs, Eat, Sleep and Clean!...
Last night we cooked a large pot of Spaghetti & Meat Sauce in hopes Ben's brother would stop by for a visit before he goes to work. Didn't get to see him, but we sure enjoyed it anyways.
Hopefully, I will get better at sharing and including more pictures.
Hope you have a great beginning of summer! Hugs to all.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Seven Year Anniversary!
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!
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!
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Busy April -- Kidding, Chicks, Bees and more...
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| On Fire! |
3/31/2013 - Ben burns my Scarecrow "accidentally". His battle against Bermuda grass gets a little out of control.
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| Before Scarecrow |
4/2/2013 - Stella was the first to kid - 2 boys!!! Too CUTE!!!
4/2/13 -- 8 Chicks - Golden Sexlinks
4/3/2013 -- Sierra - Triplets: 2 girls + 1 boy
4/6/2013 - Crosby (Rudy's cat) comes home with Ben
4/7/2013 -- Serenity - Triplets: 3 girls
4/7-11/2013 - Business trip to Austin
4/13/2013 -- Honey Bees Arrive
Crosby goes missing. I trust she will come back soon.
4/17/2013 --
Planted Tomatoes in the garden
Dehorn Serenity's Girls w/neighbor
4/18-19/2013: Vacation Days
4/19/2013 - Missy - Twins: 2 boys
w/Neighbors visiting
4/19/2013: My New Scarecrow - We call him "Chuck" - in honor or our new friend from Schwope's drilling crew.
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| New / Improved Scarecrow |
4/20/2013: YES!!! 1 day later - Ben did it again -- no more scarecrows for him.. much less he's banned from using fire without supervision. This was not the only casualty. He also got 2 waterhose and my Irises that were blooming.
4/25/2013 - Belle's - Twins: 2 boys
Saturday, February 16, 2013
3 weeks + 3 days -- Finally we have WATER
Feb. 16, 2013: Funny how things happen - Go out to do laundry on a Saturday morning to hear the water pumps just whining!! That's not a good sound. Shut everything down - do some self checking and call the professionals. Ends up the relay switch to the deep well pump is tripping. We are able to reset it throughout the weekend to have enough water for a shower - but no Laundry done and very few dishes.
Monday, Feb. 18: Professionals come out and do their test on Monday. There is a short in the deep well pump (+700' below ground) - we need to replace the pump. OK - They deliver us a tank of water and we'll be back in business in 1 day + several $$$ later. We get laundry and dishes done but should have waited.. OOPS - WRONG - more issues.
Tueday: Pulled the well pump - get stuck. Keep working at it and finally it releases. Yeah! Another day lost because of the troubles - will be back tomorrow.
Wednesday & Thursday: Back down the hole with the new well pump. Gets Stuck at 450'. Up and down / up and down - different tools for the small rig - still no success getting past the 'issue'. It appears when they pulled the pump out - it caught up on some cracked casing and the well walls seem to have collapsed around the water line (approx. 450'). Calling the Drillers (Big Rig) to go into the same hole to drill out the obstructions.
Friday: Management comes in with pricing and options!! YIKES!!! May be able to start on Monday or Tuesday - but there are a lot of trees needing trimming.
Saturday/Sunday - We choose to trim our own trees to save $$$'s. Really - we needed firewood anyway - so not a big deal - good physical exercise; but, just not in our spring time plans. Ultimately, we are ready when they show!
Monday thru Thursday (Feb. 25 - 28): Big Drilling Rig shows up and our purchased water is holding. We are being very conservative. Rig shows up with pipe trailer, generator, water truck and crew. Geez. Didn't realize how much it takes to re-drill a water well. Up and Down / up and down... obstruction and debris coming out of the hole -- but still not getting past 450'. Appears to break thru but only find out they are "directional drilling" off the vertical hole. NOT a good thing for water wells -- maybe oil - but not water.... the neighbor would not appreciate the tap into his supply ! There seems to be a linoleum casing that's clogging the hole and the drills can't push past. Decision made to abort and drill a new well. YIKES again!!! The OLD well has given up the ghost - but new rules force relocation away from property line. Scramble to find Deed of Trust, Property Plat and whatever else they need to get this going to pull permits with County. New well will cost $$$$$$ - amazing - we count our blessings. They will not remove the equipment and will get started as soon as all permits are processed -- Government!
Crew shows and relocates the equipment over new drill site. SIGH!! Here we go again. Neighbor says; "2 days - you'll have water!" - Yeah! I'm ready.
!!!WRONG!!! - Site prep for sludge. - Can't let the mud flow onto neighbor's property! REALLY? Just mud? Trenches dug and diverted the sludge into the pasture... what a mess.
Drilling - UP and DOWN -- up and down... the rig continues to go.
Saturday/Sunday (3/2-3/3): To save more $$ and time - we extend the trench to "save" the neighbor's property from the sludge! Ben just likes reasons to play on his tractor.
More Drilling - UP and DOWN -- up and down... and... and... finally hit 710' Wednesday March 6.
Casing dropped and some clean up - should have water in a day. (again WRONG)!
Monday 3/11 - Original crew shows up to drop new well and connections..
Tuesday 3/12 - Crew comes back Trenches and makes final connections --- We finally have water running into the Tank!!!
Concrete Slab poured several weeks later and the old well is finally plugged. Finally peace and quite again on the farm--- with water!
Segway note: The Driller "Charlie" ends up being a family friend! He deer hunted on a lease in Sisterdale with Ben's brothers and father for several years. Small World - Rucka in Boerne? Yard Art displays a sign "Life is too short to live in Houston" -- could they be related? YES - Ben's from Crosby and he's the brother. Charlie HATED being the bearer of bad news. But we have another friend in the area! Common interest and common connections (not like Facebook connection - a personal one!).
So when you come to visit; we'll offer you a beer or wine; because the water is Priceless!!!
Monday, Feb. 18: Professionals come out and do their test on Monday. There is a short in the deep well pump (+700' below ground) - we need to replace the pump. OK - They deliver us a tank of water and we'll be back in business in 1 day + several $$$ later. We get laundry and dishes done but should have waited.. OOPS - WRONG - more issues.
Tueday: Pulled the well pump - get stuck. Keep working at it and finally it releases. Yeah! Another day lost because of the troubles - will be back tomorrow.
Wednesday & Thursday: Back down the hole with the new well pump. Gets Stuck at 450'. Up and down / up and down - different tools for the small rig - still no success getting past the 'issue'. It appears when they pulled the pump out - it caught up on some cracked casing and the well walls seem to have collapsed around the water line (approx. 450'). Calling the Drillers (Big Rig) to go into the same hole to drill out the obstructions.
Friday: Management comes in with pricing and options!! YIKES!!! May be able to start on Monday or Tuesday - but there are a lot of trees needing trimming.
Saturday/Sunday - We choose to trim our own trees to save $$$'s. Really - we needed firewood anyway - so not a big deal - good physical exercise; but, just not in our spring time plans. Ultimately, we are ready when they show!
Monday thru Thursday (Feb. 25 - 28): Big Drilling Rig shows up and our purchased water is holding. We are being very conservative. Rig shows up with pipe trailer, generator, water truck and crew. Geez. Didn't realize how much it takes to re-drill a water well. Up and Down / up and down... obstruction and debris coming out of the hole -- but still not getting past 450'. Appears to break thru but only find out they are "directional drilling" off the vertical hole. NOT a good thing for water wells -- maybe oil - but not water.... the neighbor would not appreciate the tap into his supply ! There seems to be a linoleum casing that's clogging the hole and the drills can't push past. Decision made to abort and drill a new well. YIKES again!!! The OLD well has given up the ghost - but new rules force relocation away from property line. Scramble to find Deed of Trust, Property Plat and whatever else they need to get this going to pull permits with County. New well will cost $$$$$$ - amazing - we count our blessings. They will not remove the equipment and will get started as soon as all permits are processed -- Government!
Crew shows and relocates the equipment over new drill site. SIGH!! Here we go again. Neighbor says; "2 days - you'll have water!" - Yeah! I'm ready.
!!!WRONG!!! - Site prep for sludge. - Can't let the mud flow onto neighbor's property! REALLY? Just mud? Trenches dug and diverted the sludge into the pasture... what a mess.
Drilling - UP and DOWN -- up and down... the rig continues to go.
Saturday/Sunday (3/2-3/3): To save more $$ and time - we extend the trench to "save" the neighbor's property from the sludge! Ben just likes reasons to play on his tractor.
More Drilling - UP and DOWN -- up and down... and... and... finally hit 710' Wednesday March 6.
Casing dropped and some clean up - should have water in a day. (again WRONG)!
Monday 3/11 - Original crew shows up to drop new well and connections..
Tuesday 3/12 - Crew comes back Trenches and makes final connections --- We finally have water running into the Tank!!!
Concrete Slab poured several weeks later and the old well is finally plugged. Finally peace and quite again on the farm--- with water!
Segway note: The Driller "Charlie" ends up being a family friend! He deer hunted on a lease in Sisterdale with Ben's brothers and father for several years. Small World - Rucka in Boerne? Yard Art displays a sign "Life is too short to live in Houston" -- could they be related? YES - Ben's from Crosby and he's the brother. Charlie HATED being the bearer of bad news. But we have another friend in the area! Common interest and common connections (not like Facebook connection - a personal one!).
So when you come to visit; we'll offer you a beer or wine; because the water is Priceless!!!
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