Springing The Chickens

Nothing does my heart better than to give the little specialty chickens their access back to the outdoor tractor again.  This morning was Spring moving day for Topaz, Chanticleer, and our little D'uccle hen whose name escapes me at the moment (I will have to wait till Sid gets home from school for that one :) 

We are in the process of scoping out which beds to set our first salad greens, leeks, and radishes to seed in.  No worries about spinach, it over-wintered and is thriving!  Since we can't rely on this amazing weather not being interrupted by a little jack frost, we are going to order two high tunnels for beds that we will attempt all season gardening in. 

The garlic is managing to push it's way through all of the heavy straw that we had piled on it's winter resting place and it looks to be strong and healthy.  

I find the sun's higher location in the sky and the music of frogs, yes they're out already, songbirds, and roosters all around to be amazingly energizing and relaxing at the same time.  I'm looking forward to a weekend of 4-h, sunshine, soccer, and gardening! Happy Friday!

Re-Grouped

After a week of emotional ups and downs, we disappeared for a couple of days this week to Lake Geneva.  We were able to take advantage of a great mid-week special at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.  Two days and two nights of non-stop activities for the kids and R & R for mom and dad.  It was just what this families collective soul needed to re-group.  We were thrilled to find such a gem so close to us and hope to make another get away over the summer when the outdoor activities are in abundance.   We are getting ready to spring forward and are taking that opportunity inventory our seeds,  pour over catalogs,  and put a farm bag 2012 game plan together.  Happy Friday!

April's Postcards

Well I ended April having taken a ton of pictures, but our ol' trusty (and 9 year old) Mac finally died Friday night.  So the pictures are a captive audience within my Canon.  I plan to be blogging this week, while I wait for my new shiny Mac to arrive, but please excuse what is destined to be a litany of iPhone photos :)

April was wet and cold, yet we made the best of it and it was a memorable one indeed!  Today, the first of May, has greeted us with a gorgeous bright sun that will warm our hearts into a fast approaching summer.  Here is a little bit of what April brought me through my lens.

Spring Carol

As I slowly walk and listen,

I can truly hear.....

So when the earth is alive with gods,
And the lusty ploughman breaks the sod,
And the grass sings in the meadows,
And the flowers smile in the shadows,
Sits my heart at ease,
Hearing the song of the leas,
Singing the songs of the meadows. 

Robert Louis Stevenson

excerpted from Spring Carol

As The Garden Begins To Grow

I seem to have been struck with a bronchial infection of some kind that leaves me getting winded doing menial tasks.  As a result of spending the entirety of yesterday on the couch, I am a little more restless today.  So as the kids are enjoying 50 degrees running and exploring outside, I took a little stroll to check the progress of the garden.

The cold frames are humming along.  This first one has a few of the greens that over-wintered ready to make another small salad and the cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and brussels appear to be hardening off nicely.  

The salad greens and rows and rows of radishes are sprouting.  I see a radish green salad in my very near future!

B has utilized every bit of the completed compost to top dress most of the garden beds, and the garlic, shallots and potato onions are beginning to put on a show.

My mouth began to water seeing the alien ruffles of the rhubarb emerging.

Last, but not, least...the chives are beginning to flourish.  Charles hasn't discovered them yet, but I'm sure he'll be coming in the house any time after grazing on his favorite snack!  Crazy Kid!

It seems we are well on our way!

Just Hangin' With My Peeps

 I saw this craft on one of the multitude of crafty sites that I follow in my facebook news feed and I can't remember which one.  I think mommy savers, maybe.  Anyway, one of my friends made a couple of these right after and they turned out so cute, that I had to jump on board.  Find yourself a wreath of any substrate and wrap it in ribbon.  I like fat ribbons that have a little bit of wire in the edges.  Then, take out your trusty glue gun and hang up your peeps.  That easy and a simple festive start to spring!  Have a great weekend!

Fighting for Spring

We had a full week of gorgeous weather that hinted at spring.  As the grass slowly began to emerge from under it's down-like blanket of snow, I got to try out my new boots.  I headed into the yard and picked up after the dogs and collected fallen branches from months of winter winds.

It was so nice to be working outside again!  I could hear a few birds testing their voices. So in my exuberance, I refilled all of the bird feeders and watched a joyful feast ensue.

Sunday morning it began to sleet, then drop these amazing large wet snowballs, then just downright ice, then rain.  This pattern lasted all day long.  At the beginning of the storm I was upstairs and happened to glance out the window overlooking the service berry tree.  This lone bird was sitting there, hanging on to dear life as it was pelted with snowballs.  It was holding a silent, stunned protest grasping against the dramatic change.  Ultimately, she flew to safety, seconds after I took the above shot.  It's not a great one, but the movement to me illustrated her battle to hold onto spring.  It looks as if that fight will be won another day.

The Sound of the Thaw

 Last night's gorgeous sunset two ways, real time and  with some zoom action

After an extended deep freeze and copious amounts of snow, yesterday was 45 degrees and the day that we took our junior girl scouts cross country skiing.  What an amazing day! The girls were determined and down right good at it!  I haven't cross country skied in several years and I definitely caught the bug again yesterday.  We skied glove less,  with coats unzipped or tied around our waists, enjoying the balmy air and soaking up some much needed vitamin D.

This whole week is to be in the upper thirties with a cap out around fifty on Thursday!  As I stepped outside this morning, into the cool, now damp air, it sounded like a rain storm.  Water sounded to be pouring down, running off of every surface around me.  This was the sound of the thaw.  A good third of our snow melted yesterday and if the week holds true to the temperature predictions the snow will be virtually gone by Saturday.  A little bitter sweet for me, now that I'm fired up to ski.  Ah, I'm sure we haven't seen the last of the white stuff, but spring does seem to be teasing us a bit!

This evening as I hear the chatter of happy kids home from school and I busy myself getting dinner started, I smile.  I have been so blessed with two amazing kids who never allow for a dull moment and am fortunate enough to be married to my soul mate.  I realize that the love of this family of ours is deep and appreciated every day.  We don't need one holiday in February to express it.  But having an excuse to make our every day even just a tad more special is just fine with me.  Happy Valentines Day!