Spring Shots

Spring? Oh, right, it's still winter. So they say back east anyway. Here, on the other hand, is a balmy 64 degrees. Though it was still 15 degrees this morning, so I guess it's still kinda winter. Anyway, I guess I always take pictures of plants and animals come springtime, so I thought I'd get an early start...

 Moses and Charlie have made friends, somewhat reluctantly

 Moses is so tolerant of such an "immature" kitten

 But then, he's generally happy to fight back... reminds me of a couple human boys I know...

 We started our lettuce and spinach early since it's been so warm- and they've been just fine at night at 15*. In the background are the leeks, onions, and a few tulips (I thought they were garlic- oops) that have reactivated.

 Charlie is also learning to be patient, Tirzah is also learning how to keep the claws away...

 Our fat furball

 The garden tunnel is officially up, covered, and ready for soil amendments and irrigation!

 But for the moment, it makes a swell indoor playground!

 And the chickens. Love em or hate em, they do make fine eggs once they start laying again!

One days' allotment. Anyone wanna buy some eggs?

 The big kids have started playing patio hockey on their rollerblades with old pieces of pvc pipe and a baseball bat. Some bruised shins, but no serious injuries...yet.

And the indoor seedlings have been started in soil blocks! 

Here's hoping for a good gardening season!

Charlie Snuggle Stubs, the 2nd

With Cory still missing, we decided to procure a buddy for lonely Moses. Enter Charlie Snuggle Stubs the 2nd, 8 weeks old. The original Charlie Snuggle Stubs lived in Mexico about 25 years ago. We decided on Charlie because of his funny mustache (Charlie Chaplin-like), and Christian filled in the rest. :) Here's hoping he lasts!

just because

 Cement truck pouring the footings for the garden tunnel

 This is why they make skirts with shorts attached.

 Learning R this week

This Day

Here's my grace, thanks, joy list for today... because some days you just have to start writing before other emotions take over!
- Not too much complaining about extra schoolwork
- Phase 1 of the tunnel passed county inpection
- Speedy cement truck
- Cement splatters washed out of pants and jacket
- I had just used the last check that I put into aforementioned jacket (that I put in the washer)
- The sharpie that was also in the same jacket pocket kept its lid on and therefore did not leak all over my load of lights
- I was wearing work overalls when I dumped the paint tray on my leg
- My mishaps cheered up the kids
- The pies are still edible
- It was a warm enough day to open the windows to let the smoke out
- Afternoon solitude
- No one cut from the glass that broke
- Proliferation of eggs
- Dishwasher worked today!
- Silly, puppy-like cat who runs and flops on his back, waiting for a tummy rub

Carrots are Cool

This afternoon I went out and, like a mole, dug headfirst into our carrot pit and pulled out a basketful of beautiful, long, crisp carrots... that we harvested in the Fall! Not only can they last for a super long time in moist cold dirt, and not only do they grow in weird, twisty shapes sometimes, but did you know that carrots absorb toxins? The good news with that is that they're uber healthy... or they can be. The bad news is that they also absorb toxins in the soil that they grow in! Yikes! There's one GREAT thing about growing your own food- you know exactly what's going into your food and therefore body. In our case, lots of compost and "pre-digested hay". :) Fun times. Time to eat up- it's almost time to plant a new patch! We're going to have a lip-smacking garden stand this Summer, so stop by sometime! :)