Come Closer, Take a Big Whiff!!

Well that time of year has begun once again. My favourite, yet one of my busiest times of the year, Fall.... I love everything about it, the smells, the food, the fact that the boys go back to school. :) Don't get me wrong, I love my boys more than anything, but when September rolls around and I hear that big yellow bus coming down the road I really do get that warm fuzzy feeling down deep inside.

I also love fall because it is harvest time, and harvest time came a few weeks early this year, on labour day weekend actually, I went out to the garden to find everything in sight dead. It had went down to minus 3 that night, and perhaps if I had of read the paper, listened to the radio, or even turned on the dang T.V. I would have known. But I didn't see it coming, and I woke up to a dead garden. I really wasn't overly upset, it has been a long trying summer, and I am ready to start bringing in my bumper crop ( I hope!) of veggies. It began with all of the dead tomato plants, from my pretty boat, and picking the 10 lbs or so of cherry tomatoes. I did that outside in the sunshine and warmth of a nice fall afternoon. I made my 9 jars of green tomato Chow Chow 2 nights later, it is just too good to resist, but to make a mental note that you all will witness, next year remind me to purchase a dang food processor! All of my beans and pattison were already inside the house and most of it was already pickled in the pantry. I had run out of jars, so I had to go out to Canadian Tire to buy another case or, 2, ha ha actually 3! But I should have enough extra ones now to do my beets as well. So that must have me up to a good 75 jars now, but they aren't sitting around empty, they all have good food in them, or will very soon.

My next mission is to begin digging my potatoes 4 - 65 foot rows to be precise, that is a lot of taters to dig, let me tell ya, but the bright side is that we don't really have to buy potatoes for a good 10 months of the year, we have a nice little cold room in the basement and they all go in there on the floor, in their original dirt. Next will be my beets, all of them will be canned and I might even go and buy a big bag of them when they go on sale for cheap at the grocery store, because pickled beets are a real favourite here in this house. Last out will be the onions and garlic, they will be hung to dry in the cold room above the potatoes, to be used for the winters cooking.

After the whole garden is out, I will till the soil, toss on my compost pile, clean the chicken coop and for good measure spread all that manure and shavings finely on top. I will till again so it is all together and composts properly over the winter. Then I will plant my garlic, you see I married an Italian, and although my Mom was a very simple cook with very little to no spices at all other then salt and black pepper, in my house we really enjoy our garlic, herbs and spices. But garlic does best if you plant it in the fall, you have to think of it like a yummy tulip that needs that cold spell then the very early and wet spring. That is what makes it happy, and the only way to grow it up this far North.

If you were to come to my house this time of year you can usually smell the kitchen out in the yard, the boys step out of the school bus and smell the air, and on top of the smell of poplar in the fall (another favourite around here) will be the smells wafting from my kitchen window, they come in and take a little walk around the kitchen to see if I happened to have any extra little pieces hanging around for them, I usually do, and it will tide them over till its time to sit down for supper. The smells are of canning and preparing winter meals in bulk, I do my meat pies and cabbage rolls in the fall as well then again in January. Normally making a good dozen meat pies in one afternoon, then I am set for the first half of the winter and Christmas. Cabbage rolls are made by the hundreds, then frozen in meal size portions so that I can have those quick and easy meals in the winter when the weather is just too nice to spend the day inside cooking.

Christmas baking doesn't usually begin till later October, after Thanksgiving has passed and it has cooled off some more in the house. Our woodshed should be full by then and a few of cord of firewood will be tossed into the basement because we will be lighting a fire at night here and there, especially if I wasn't using the oven that day. Hockey will have begun and we will be looking forward to waking up to that first snow fall, the kind that makes little boys giggle like little girls, and the kind that makes my hubby grin ear to ear because he gets to get out the snow plow and play in the yard in 4x4. Then hens will all be locked in together and relying only on me to provide food and water for them, the extra roosters will be butchered and made into soup for cool winter Sundays. Yup, I sure do love fall.

Fall means winter and that means time to dig out all the winter gear, and/or go buy new coats, boots, hats, mitts, and vests, I would like to take this opportunity to mention something close to my heart. PLEASE do not buy anything with real or fake fur on it. The "faux" furs that come from China where the majority of our clothing comes from is not fake, and very often the furs are from cats and dogs, they are skinned alive and left to die with no remorse. It is estimated that10 million dogs are slaughtered annually in China. Real furs often passed of as fox, lynx, wolf and rabbit, are also very often from dogs and cats, just dyed and trimmed. At Chinese fur farms the animals are abused and neglected to the extreme. Please don't buy any furs, real, or fake. Even the fur trim around your boots or mitts can be from a dog or cat! We as privileged folks must quit supporting such barbaric practices and then it will end feel free to do your own research, I actually encourage you to. Look up videos on You Tube about the Chinese fur trade, but be forewarned these are not for the faint of heart and not for a true dog or cat lover unless you are willing to make a stand and quit supporting them and to pass this message on to your friends and family. This is an excellent and informative video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkw_OUnVXqM
Thank you evryone, and keep warm this winter without the furs. We do!

May you always walk in sunshine.......

Letting Go

How do we know when it is time? Time to let go of something, some one, some hurt, or some grudge. At what time looking at your old dog, and seeing the wagging tail and clouded over eyes do you say, OK, I have to let him go. I am telling you it's not easy, taking a life is never easy, no matter the manner or the breed of animal.

I butchered my 2 big ducks yesterday and I gotta admit, it hurt my heart a little bit, I wasn't really expecting that. The chickens were different, they had no names, and were meant to be food from day one, but even them, those very first few that went onto the chopping block, hurt my heart. It got easier with them as I did more of them during the summer, but I would still apologize when I would catch one. Knowing what fate was holding for them in the minutes ahead. The ducks though, had names, and came when called and became pets. It had a little more sting to the gut when I had to look into their eyes before ending their lives. They kind of had to go, I ended up with just males, they were starting to fight, and ducks eat more then their fair share and of course I wasn't getting any eggs. So unfortunately into the freezer they went. We have yet to decide on what to do with "Olivia Pig" if we will do her ourselves or bring her to the slaughter house. I just know that with her, I can't be there, to watch her life end, the last breath taken from the big wet nose. She is too much of a pet, to friendly towards me, so because of that I can't be there. Nope, can't do it....

A year and a half ago we had to dreadfully make that decision over a dog, a very beloved dog. "Corky", my Moms stud dog that I took when she passed away. We put a lot of time, money and love into that old guy. He was 8 when we got him, in a little rough shape too, I must admit. Off to the doctors he went right away and he went in for dental and neuter at the same time. We slowly got his health into check, and onto a great new diet of good quality dog kibble, and exercise, and NO MORE boiled eggs! He did great with us, was still acting like a puppy, up till the Christmas before we had him put down. He seemed to go down hill pretty fast. From waggy tail and running to sleeping all day and peeing in his bed when he slept. Our daily routine for many months was first thing in the morning, I would carry him out to the back lawn and lay him down, he would hobble around the back yard, and do his business while I changed the bedding on his pillow and cleaned his bed all fresh again. Then I would carry him back in and he would get a hose down and quick blow dry to get the stinkies off of his underneath. I would generally plop him onto the floor in what ever room I was gonna be in, he liked the company and I tend to talk to my dogs a lot as I work. This would be done a few times a day. Sometimes he would get bored of watching me and hobble back to his bed to take a nap. He didn't whine and cry, in his bed, or when I carried him till the very end. Then out one last time before bed, with another quick clean up, drink and snack to get him through the night. Then one day I suddenly realized that he would often yipe when I picked him up, I called the vet to make his appt to go to the bridge. But the day before he was to go in, I called and cancelled needing more time because he had a few good days in a row and I felt that he and I just weren't ready. Big mistake, his next few days were awful, very rough and full of pain. Yet his tail would still wag at the sound of his name or a pet on the head. But I called the vet back and asked to get him in soon because he really wasn't doing so well. What an awful feeling bringing him in that day, knowing that his body, but not his breath would be returning home, and that it would be my fault.

I cried when she gave him the shot, but I watched a peacefulness and relaxation sweep over his body, the tenseness of months of pain flooding away from his shoulders, back and neck, he licked my hand as if to tell me that he was OK. Then, in a long drawn out sigh, he was gone. Oh how I sobbed and I was left feeling like I was loosing the last bit of my Moms legacy, and that I should have done better by the old man. That I should have done more for him and that Mom would have been so upset with me for letting him go like this. My heart broke, and ached and I felt sick. My vet however told me that the timing was right and that we gave him 4 and a half really good years and that my Mom, if she was here would have loved that I let him go to the bridge peacefully instead of moaning in pain alone, because of my own selfishness.

We buried him that evening. Only a few feet from Oscar, the boys cried as we said our goodbyes and told him that we would miss him greatly, and trust me that little old man was missed, and still is.

We do crazy things because of selfishness. We hold on to grudges for years, hold onto bad memories that only hold us back and hurt us, we keep truly loved pets alive when their time has come, and they are begging with their eyes for us to please let them go. When it comes to taking the life of another living breathing creature, it is difficult, and if you have been lucky enough to never have had to make that decision, I hope that you will never have to make that choice. That you never have to experience that kind of heartbreak and very often, regret.

Forgiveness is hard for all of us, I think that it is human nature. I bet that most of you still remember the bully from grade school, or the first disappointment caused by a friend. If we can't let go of these things how do we forgive ourselves for taking another life? Well I can't answer that one for you, I wish I could, but I know that I feel better because it hurts a little, that is better than if it didn't hurt at all. That is when I think we need to worry, when taking a life becomes second nature. So with that the best that I can offer you is when your done reading this, go hug your dog/rabbit/cat/guinea pig/parrot, whatever pet you might own, and look into his eyes so that he knows that you love him. Do it everyday and then you too might know when the time has come, he will tell you in those eyes, they peer right down to the bottom reaches of your soul, and your heart knows, know matter how much it hurts...

Life between shucking peas and shovelling dirt....

Summer in the North is so fast that it feels like its gone in a blink. So in the North on a small farm there is rarely a moment of rest, and NEVER a minute of boredom. All chores and tasks on the farm are completed by the whole family and they are nearly always learning experiences, or turn into one of those "remember when" chores. We can usually laugh together, then at the end of the day look out at what we accomplished as a family, while we eat our home grown chicken, and a salad with fresh veggies from the garden. Really I don't think that life gets any better than the one that my family has built for itself. I mean, ya, money is often a little tight and we have to keep watch of the bank account, but I wouldn't trade if for that little 30 x 90 lot EVER!!!

Civic holiday weekend we took off to a little town called Notre Dame Du Nord, its a quaint little town of only a few hundred people right on the Quebec/Ontario border. But for one 3 day weekend a year it turns into a redneck "big town" with well over 10,000 people crowded along the edge of one down town street while transports race up the hill with a full load of lumber, the black smoke rolling out of their pipes like an old coal engine train. Some even have train whistles on them, its really neat, and for my 3 truck enthusiasts life really doesn't get any better for them. As for myself, well I will put it this way, it takes a little getting used to, I found that at the bottom of the hill it smelled awful of burning rubber, and raw burning diesel fuel. Apparently to the guys that is a good smell, but too me, not too great, it was everywhere, choking and blinding you. So we tried the top of the hill where the trucks don't smell. But the trucks go so fast at the top of the hill it was scaring me, yes I am a total wuss. I am OK with that too. We had a great time overall and I got a few good pics of some great looking trucks, and some crazy hillbilly men! Next year is up in the air for me, not too sure if I will be attending or not. The boys go every year, and love it, they come home stinky with smoke and looking a mottled grey colour. I will see what next year brings for me....

We have also managed to make it out to my in-laws cottage a few times this summer, only about a half hour drive from home, we know that it will be a good afternoon. We eat great food, have better conversation, and create some dang good memories for my growing boys, who are actually blessed enough to have Grandparents, and Great Grandparents, in their early 80's they are still healthy and live out there for the summers, on the lake living the quiet and peaceful life like they have been for the last40 years or so. The other day was actually their 63 wedding anniversary. Holy Crow, that's all I can say!

My friend came out to the house one day last week and we butchered the last of the meat birds, aside for one. She is the one that was attacked by the dog and survived, we felt that she deserved to live a long life after what she went through. She has affectionately been named Tracy, after a friend that has had more than her fair share of battles. Anyways one of those hens must weigh about 12 lbs cleaned, they are just beautiful birds and the first one we butchered went right onto the BBQ grill, we ate like kings that evening, fresh chicken, sweet potatoes, salad and a raspberry cake. Well worth all the work of cleaning and plucking those last 6 birds. I tried to send a bird home with them last time, and they wouldn't take it so my solution was to feed them supper. It sure was fantastic too! :)

My garden is doing really well, my peas and beans are ready for picking, I have a few lbs of fresh peas in the house today that need to be shucked, and put into a pot to be steamed for supper. The beans are just to say ready, we have started picking the odd one, but in a few days we will once again have beans coming out of our ears, no one really complains about that either, the Swiss chard is growing like a weed and we have been eating from it for the last week or so. I have potato plants out there that are up to my armpits and must be 4 feet wide, I have actually seen hedges smaller than those plants, we are just hoping that the potatoes underneath are as well endowed as the plants above the ground.

My hubby brought me home a tandem load of sand last evening, so my old unused well in my dog kennel is now gone, and filled with sand, the top tile from the well was pulled off with the big truck and just kinda rolled off with out breaking, so I think that I might keep it, and use it for a planter, possibly filling it with fresh herbs to be used in the summer months, we can paint the concrete with pretty designs and flowers, now just to figure out where to put it. I still have about half that load of sand, and it will get spread in the low spots in the dog kennel, and on the front lawn where we yanked out the trees, to landscape. Then we can just plant the new pyramid cedars and spread topsoil and grass seed to finish up my front lawn. It really is never ending, the boys and bassets are loving the huge sand pile in the kennel. Hoover was so excited when he saw the pile through the patio doors, giving me that "really? for me?" look. The boys and the hounds have been busy digging holes and running around on top, well I should get out there and get to work, gotta spread it by the wheel barrow load..... Gonna be a long day, perhaps with a Mr.Freeze break and some fresh scrambled eggs for lunch...

At a loss for words....

What an awful and devastating day yesterday was. My boys and I took off for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon to help out a family member to return to a dog in my chicken yard, with dead chickens around. The shock when I found her out there with feathers from my ladies everywhere including in her mouth. I literally screamed when I saw her, I grabbed her by the collar and drug her out of my chicken yard onto the back lawn, sat on her and gave her a good slap and shake because she kept turning and biting my hand and kept trying to wiggle out of her collar to get back at the few remaining birds. I must admit, at that moment I wanted to kill her, seeing my girls feathers and bodies around me, I drug her into the garage after many stops to pin her and regrip my hands to try and keep her from biting me. Once in the garage she coward like a little pup getting scolded for peeing on the rug. I went out to my totally empty chicken yard except for a handful of dead and dying chickens, and I almost sobbed. My boys were crying at the sight and we were wondering where all the rest of the hens were. A neighbour from across the road came over to state that I scared the crap out of his kids because when they were watching from well over a 1000 feet away it looked like I was choking the dog, he wasn't pleased with me at all, especially after hearing me call the dog pound and tell them that they had till today at noon to get the dog or I was going to kill it. I tried to explain that the dog was fine and that they couldn't see all that was happening from so far away and that the dog had just killed a bunch of my birds, he didn't care was only concerned about how I treated the dog, by dragging it by the collar. Shameful I must say the way he treated us, more concerned for a killer dog than the peace and sanity of my boys.

I grabbed my phone and called the police, because I didn't want that dog on my property for the night and I knew that they would take it away and I could at least have a report made up. When the officer came, who I must add was very friendly and sympathetic to my kids who were quite shook up still, seeing the birds dead and dying of fatal wounds. He took my statement and got all the details of the dog and what happened to the best of my knowledge. Suddenly from way out in the bush comes 2 of my hens, picking their way back, a little scared and nervous, but oh, the relief I felt when I saw them two. I explained to the officer that they will most likely be hiding all over and those that are physically able will return home in the next day or two. I was told to call him with the final count of dead birds in 3 days. The dog owner would be traced by her rabies tag, and hopefully found and then we will see what happens from there. It certainly would be nice if the owners were to show up in a few days and apologize and offer to pay for my losses.

So this is who made it and who didn't. 7 red hens returned to the coop last night to sleep, there are enough feathers around my yard and my neighbours to account for at least 2 of the missing 4. "Big Red" our biggest layer, and "Goldie" both thankfully returned. My female guinea hen was in the hen house when the dog was here and stayed in during the whole ordeal, her mate, unfortunately never returned and she is pacing around outside calling him constantly. Guinea's unlike chickens mate for life, so she is really missing him. I am hoping that with all her calling that he just might show up today. Out of my 9 meat hens I had left, 3 were dead, and 1 is in pretty rough shape, but is walking, eating and drinking, so I will give her a fighting chance and if she lives we will name her Tracy and she will become a permanent resident not destined for the dinner plate because of a chance of disease, and due to the fact that she survived. I had 4 black layer chicks that were set to start laying in about 6 more weeks, 3 of them returned to the coop last night, the remainder was found with her best buddy a meat hen, both dead. My two bantam hens were both found, "Cluck Cluck" returned late, and the one with the chicks didn't live in the coop and was able to hide during the ordeal and protected all 4 of her little ones from danger, (thank goodness). "Foghorn" our beautiful and protective rooster was nowhere to be seen and a bunch of his feathers were found beside the pond. No sign of him though at bedtime last night when I locked up the rest of my ladies, but then I was awoke this morning to a big "COCKA-DOODLE-DOO" I ran out of bed and ran into my youngest bedroom and told him I heard the rooster, he was pretty shook up about loosing our beautiful rooster. We tossed on our shoes and ran out to the coop, and there he was underneath, crowing his head off, unable to figure out how to get to his hens. When we got him out he looked awful, his beautiful plumage of tail feathers was gone, just a little stump like a chick, his talon on his right leg is broke off almost at the leg, it looks a little bloody but he can walk, with a limp mind you. He looks, well he looks awful, but he is here and is pretty proud to say he fought off that beastly critter and saved his own life, and I could bet that possibly a few of his hens too.

So when I look out today to my flock, and see that half of them are still here, that I lost 9 birds in a quick afternoon, birds that were healthy, and some that had names and were good layers I feel a little sad, but relieved that most were fighters and made it back home safely. My boys both had a hard time sleeping last night, me too actually, and now I am don't feel safe leaving my house, Will I be constantly worrying about the ladies, and what if that dog returns again? Then what?? I must be grateful for natures instincts that saved the ladies, I am going to have to go and get a few more guineas because my lady keeps calling for her mate, again and again. I wonder how long it will take till their nerves settle down, how about mine, sheesh. Chicken farming.....

Summer sunshine....

Well summer holidays have officially arrived for the boys and me. Thank goodness because the chores were beginning to pile up around here. The bassets and Pebbles are enjoying the summer heat and sunshine. To be honest, so are we. The garden is all planted everything is up and green, almost smiling at me. My Momma hen is still strutting around the yard, unfenced, raising her 4 little ones who are sprouting adult feathers now. My female guinea fowl has been making a clutch of eggs under a balsam just out of the chicken coop. I am going to leave them and see if she just might set when she has enough of them to make it worth while for her. I went and got 4 more baby ducks last week. They are supposed to be more Indian runners, the 2 yellows definitely are, but I am doubtful about the 2 brown ones. The big ducks (of course) are not being the slightest bit friendly towards them, showing no hospitality whatsoever. The dog kennel is now white with dandelion fuzz. No more yellow to be seen.

I bought a hummingbird feeder yesterday, we have noticed a hummer hanging around the clothes line, even perching on it. He is so small and elegant. There are no wild flowers, or really nothing much at all for him to eat, so I felt bad and bought the little guy a feeder. I hope that he is able to find it, and might even bring some friends over for a visit. I don't really know why I never had one before, not even a wild bird feeder in the winter. Well that will change this winter. We have Whiskey Jacks hanging around often, as well as a Mourning Dove. I can hear her, and her lonesome song. She always sounds so sad, perhaps some seeds will cheer her up.

So way out back there has been an old 10 or 12 foot long wooden boat. She is a pretty little boat, looking old and worn and neglected for many a year, but a pretty lady none the less. I have been eying this special boat with holes in the bottom, and small pieces of wood rotting and falling off, for 3 years now. Not wanting to get rid of her, waiting for a special purpose, that I knew over time I would figure out. She is green on the outside, dark green, with a bright red inside, rather stunning when we drug it out of the bush the other weekend to clear the area for the laying hens to scratch and peck. Well, she has found her purpose, we perched her on the front lawn, hubby made a beautiful cedar log cradle, and there she sits near the front door, on the lawn. I have filled her with dirt, and planted 60 or so strawberry plants inside, she is due for a fresh coat of green paint, maybe even next week. I also put a nice little string of white lights and a solar bow light inside. I was able to find 2 cute duck statues that really resemble my runners. I perched them inside to guard the berries. It looks great. I really hope now that the plants live and offer us plenty of fruit when next summer arrives.

Sometimes the smallest things can give us the most pleasure. Rescuing an old boat that likely brought its owner out on many voyages onto local lakes, the days catch laying on the floor before being gutted and cooked for supper. Somebody once really loved that boat judging by the unfaded red paint inside. Now, instead of being hauled off to the dump, getting buried, and rotting slowly away, she bares new life. I am going to name her after my Mother. I will be watching for little plant sprouts and will get a pic of those too. I hope they grow, imagine walking out your front door and picking a bunch of fresh strawberries....

New Name!

So as of today my blog is going by a different name. The change is because this clearly isn't about a basset puppy anymore. For the main reason that Hoover isn't a puppy at all. Well I suppose that in his heart and maturity he really still is. But technically he is no longer a puppy at the ripe old age of 2 and a half.
Also because this has become more of a farming story, with a little bit of basset thrown into the mix. I hope that my die hard basset fans aren't too upset with me, but Hoover really isn't that exciting to write about. It is kinda the same old thing day in and day out, mop up pees then scold dog, feed dog, play with dog. Clean up dog kennel poops, feed dog again, wrestle with dog, tell dog to be quiet now because the 1 hour program of TV a week that you manage to watch just began and you can't hear what the heck Meredith is trying to tell Derek, but she looks like she is crying..... By the time the basset wrestle is done so is the first half of Greys and you are left wondering why in the heck you bought that second basset again, when one REALLY was ENOUGH!!
So here I begin again so to speak, with a new name and a new out look on the whole blog. Hoping that you will have patience to read about canning pumpkin occasionally, plucking chickens, mowing the lawn, gathering eggs, grooming a rabbit, and of course there still will be basset stuff. I mean come on they are still good subjects, they are still dorky. I will still try to toss in the odd recipe for you here and there, as I have gathered a few over the last year. So I look forward once again to your comments if you are still reading, and if there is anything you would even like me to write about when it comes to the hounds, farming or even gardening.
By the way too, I had 4 beautiful little black chicks hatch this morning, they really aren't any bigger than your thumb. Adorable, I will get a few pics as soon as she is ready to give them some food, so that I can snap a pic. They are calling for cold tonight so my garden is all covered and most of my birds are already tucked up in the coop. But still have more chores to tackle. So until next time, hopefully soon, take care of yourself, and those that you love! :)

Not too punctual.

So apparently I am not so good at keeping this up. Wishing that I had more energy or more time or both would be even better. Time just really gets away on me lately. Running the farm, working all the time and taking care of my hounds and boys seem to often get the best of me.
The bassets are doing really well, Pebbles too, she turned 9 this spring. Time goes too fast, it seems as though it was only a year ago that we got her as a little fluff ball and she was getting pushed around the yard in the back of a Tonka truck. Her health is well, she is beginning to have troubles with her knees, and a few problems with her teeth, so most likely she will be going in for dental work this fall.

Hoover is still silly, and rather bad.... Just never a dull moment with that hound around. He will still sneak and steal a roll of toilet paper if given the opportunity. Will still let out a little pee on my floors here and there too. Not very impressive at all I must add. Odie though has fit in really well. He is still a clown and still likes to bark. I think that he has put on even more weight, so he is currently on a little bit of a diet to thin him out a little. It is raining here at the moment, and the smell of wet dog surrounds me. Nice, Welcome spring!

The farm has expanded, we still have 3 ducks, all males. Dang, not impressed at that at all. We will hopefully be able to get a female this summer and possibly set a few eggs. We have 11 nice big laying hens, a few that have been named, 3 bantams (one of which is our rooster who goes by the name of "Foghorn"), and 2 guinea fowl. Also have 4 black layer chicks, all due to begin laying around the beginning of September. We are getting a dozen eggs a day and even managing to sell a couple dozen a week. I can't even begin to explain how nice it is knowing that we are eating farm fresh, with no chemicals. Let alone how the hens, have became such pets. We also ordered 20 meat chickens, they arrived on April 13th as little tiny things, about as big as a bunch of golf balls. They have now grown into relatively large white chickens, nearly 4 lbs each already.

My garden did surprisingly well last fall. We got tons of fresh veggies out of there. Made plenty of zucchini recipes from breads to casseroles. Did canning after work for a good month straight. Almost to the point of having too many veggies to handle. Due to the fact that I changed jobs as well, there just wasn't enough time to get everything done. So the blog suffered. Then once a habit it becomes difficult to get back into. So here's to hoping I can get it made back into a habit once again. Well thats about it for today, will post again really soon...