Fun-E-Farm

Plant Stand and New Old Art

2013-09-13T20:14:00.002-05:00

Yay, finally Blogger is loading again so I can post. I wanted to share my new plant stand with you all so I took it outside and look, living art! I think it looks divine...

That is our old man cat, Ice T aka Icey, Ice Bucket, Smoke (ha) posing and testing it out with photo bombing dog, Tex in back.

My Own Space

2013-09-07T20:01:00.001-05:00

Tonight husband and I decided to go out for dinner. The first place we were going to stop at was closed so I decided to take us to another the next town over. We pulled in and I saw a sign that said "The Market Place". I wondered what it was so peeked at the sign on the door but it didn't say too much, just how to get into the place.

We go into the restaurant and there on the board in the breezeway was a flier describing that it is a new rent a spot antique/craft spot! So I went back and inquired. This is something I have always wanted to do, create a little spot in a shop to put my wares. But I didn't want to have to drive over an hour which is where the closest one to me is! Well here one was, within 15 miles! So I browsed around, asked many questions and will call the woman on Monday and see what it costs for a space and if not ridiculous, save one!!!!

I told husband this is something I have always wanted to do. I need him on board somewhat as we have to provide all our own shelving etc., something of which I do not have. While he was waiting on his seconds of his all you can eat ribs he told me to go back and look. That to me says he is somewhat ok with it.

I cannot wait until Monday!!!

Blackberry Days

2013-08-29T17:29:00.000-05:00

Today I finished up the last of the Blackberries. Once again it was a bumper crop and I gave quite a few away. I processed 5 gallons worth of berries into jam and above is a photo and haiku of my jars.

Steam Show Part Deux

2013-08-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

The grounds that the steam show is held on is a permanent grounds for it. It is a farm and also a bit of a history museum. There is one "street" with a house, gas station, hardware store etc. all moved in and left to visit. I love this sort of thing. I love history. But the log cabin is my favorite. Such simplicity in this age of ridiculous abundance. I long for a simple and orderly living space. Perhaps not this sparse but open and filled with beautiful things I love.

The bedroom looks just like my "studio" room which is a catch-all junk closet that I am slowly cleaning out once again. Being a bit of a hoarder I have a lot of "stuff". My husband is a hoarder too but his is more outdoors or in the sheds, barn or basement. He'd have his stuff in the house too but I reserve that space as mine :).

But yes, that bedroom...looks just like our's when the boys were in the one we are in now. We put rooms upstairs and they moved up there and we got their 12'x14' room and my queen sized bed back. We had been sleeping on a bed just like the above with wire for the mattress and a board on top of it as it was saggy. For several years. Ugh.

And the paint is the same color. Underneath it is a deep dark red! Can you imagine a 10'x12' room done in a dark blood red? Me neither!!!!

Steam Show

2013-08-25T16:42:00.000-05:00

Today was the big steam engine show, biggest in the nation. It is always fun to go see these belching beauties in action, be it powering a thresher, plowing a field or just chugging along in the parade. It was fun to see all the women who are involved with these things. It isn't just a man thing anymore though they still way outnumber any females. But the ones who were driving or as you see above, feeding it to get it going it was pretty darn cool.

It was hotter than all get out there under the sun and drinking water was mandatory. We stuck it out until three and then headed home. It was a fun and informative day.

Bird Walk

2013-08-10T16:23:00.000-05:00

Today I took a walk up into the back pasture which is partially wooded. It didn't take long before Wrens saw me and created a whole big stink for a good half hour. I sat along the eastern fence line as quiet as possible and eventually the Wrens forgot I was there.

Then came the Yellow Warblers. There were 6 of them flitting through this tree and even with my zoom I had a hard time catching a photograph of them. It won't be long and they will start their migration south, one of the first birds to leave our area. I sure do enjoy their cheery presence and fun loving attitude.

Garden 2013

2013-07-18T19:48:00.001-05:00

This years garden is progressing slow but sure. I have no access to a tiller so I have just reused the raised hills I made last year, the four boxes of course which are fabulous and a cattle panel for my peas. I have decided that since my husband really doesn't like to help with the garden (hence the tiller not working...only can grind corn and chip wood so I suspect this is his way of saying he doesn't want to do it) to go strictly to raised beds. I have built four more and am in the process of smothering the rest of the garden to kill the weeds. I will then lay down fabric weed block and then bring in a load of dirt like I did last year. It is a slow process but will be worth it come fall/2014.

This spring was long and cold and wet so most things got a late start. All but my raised beds though. I am sold on those. I have been eating out of it for over a month already.

Aftermath

2012-07-08T17:26:00.001-05:00

Last night we went to the lake. This normally chilly lake was pretty darn warm. Of course I didn't think to bring a swim suit but that didn't stop Tex :). He was swimming around and doing his usual splashing and biting water.

Well my garden has disappeared under a blanket of weeds. Yesterday morning before work I weeded two rows. Today I did a third and hoed one of the paths. Also watered although you can't tell. I watered on top the weeds on the row I did today because nothing was pulling out. Well, all that water went who knows where as the dirt was dry under the weeds. I also lost half my onions. Either I pulled them out or the dried up and died or were plucked out.

I also found my straw mulch scattered everywhere yesterday morning which was the last straw (unintended pun I assure you) for my last three roosters. All my hens have been stolen by the resident fox and that coward of a critter won't eat a rooster so I had three and no hens. So I asked my eldest who had come home for the weekend to "dispatch" them. He did. No crowing at 3:30 am which was strange but no one is complaining. It has been oddly quiet all day. No rooster fights etc. Even with it just being the three of them they couldn't get alone so gone with you! I feel bad for them, they were good birds as in talkative and not mean in any way towards people but...well, they are roosters and a PIT...butt!

Now I can clean, scrub, disinfect and move the coop to its new spot and move my new birds in. I need to price some fence which I was going to do tomorrow but now I am working.

My tomatoes in the pots are tipping over so I need to get something to anchor the cages down. I think I'll go get some bamboo rods for them. Three each should do I would think. I gave them a good soaking today. I have some nice tomatoes coming and I can't wait to taste them!

Ok, I Give!

2012-07-06T21:46:00.001-05:00

Holy cow has it been hot! I realize everyone is suffering, some even more than us as we still have electricity but it still is horrible! Tonight this hot spell is to finally break. Thank goodness! I worked delivering mail during this stretch and believe me, my A/C was blasting or my brains would have been melting out my ears.

So needless to say I have hardly LOOKED at my garden! We had 3/4" rain so I knew it had enough water. I was too busy trying to keep the animals comfortable, hosing horses, keeping tanks full and cool, checking to be sure there was shade etc. Everyone here is doing ok but while on route I saw a cow dying from the heat. Cows really suffer in this sort of weather. Sad :(.

I was invited to Devils Lake to go camping with my sister and family but I took a raincheck this year after thinking on it. I have so much that needs to be done once it isn't 100*, like mowing and weeding and cleaning my pony's pen. I hate to say no but I did. It isn't too often I get off the farm except to work so it was a tough decision.

Husband's job is tearing off a 5 yr. old rubber roof and he asked if he should bring it home. I said YES! In three foot wide strips please! These will be my garden paths to smother the weeds! I love rubber roofing, it is so durable. I have some here I have been using for years. I would love to lay it down and put mulch over it to hide it as big black strips aren't exactly the prettiest but it won't happen this year. He brought it home tonight and we laid it out to kill the little bit of mold on it and then he'll cut it and I'll move it in. So yay!

Progress, Slow

2012-06-30T07:15:00.003-05:00

I got two of the raised beds planted yesterday. These are all herbs. I didn't realize I had so many! Ugh. And most are different. I also have a water tank turned herb garden by my porch so herbs reign here I guess, LOL.

The last two I want to put things like carrots etc. into. All seed stuff.

I put my birdbath back up as I have a friendly catbird that is visiting me every day. I know of catbirds but never really looked them up in a book. It says they are shy. Well this one isn't. It is very curious and even will bring a bug over by me to show me it.

Last night I went around and took photos of what is blooming in my yard and made this photo collage. We have Queen of the Prairie, Jackmani Clematis and a lily, forget the name.

Originally I had wanted a large lily garden but instead it ended up being peonies, iris and now an Elm tree sprouted in the middle of it :). I am leaving the tree as all of our Elms have died but one over the past three years as have others in the area. So if it wants to grow it can grow.

The Orioles of the future will thank me :).

Garden as of this Morning

2012-06-29T10:23:00.001-05:00

Skyscraper fungi growing in my straw mulch

Isn't the fungi interesting?

Beginning of my gherkins!

Meet Horace Radish who keeps my horseradish guarded
from marauding German gnomes!

Excuse the mess. First row weeded and mulched
today. Four to go.

My old watering can :).

Things are moving along. Not fast but then again when one hasn't a plan I guess that is how it goes. It has been so blasted hot and humid for June that I am behind. I planted zinnia and sunflower seeds and they have sprouted. My raised beds have dirt and have been amended with what they need. Now just to plant them. One will be herbs for sure. The others, I haven't decided.

Peep Tale

2012-06-28T21:27:00.002-05:00

I'm coming

Today I wired up our old dog kennel in hopes of getting the chicks outside in a pen. So after putting down 36" chicken wire all along the bottom I picked two chicks and put them in a puppy crate and left the door open. Eventually they came out and started doing what chickens do, explore. It was a little hot and stressful for them but they sat in the shade for a bit. I went inside the house to get something and heard a chicken squawk. I ran out and the white one was missing! I couldn't believe it. I grabbed the Barred Rock and put her back in the brooder and searched all over for the Lakenvelder. The grass is so tall and we have a wood pile etc. she could be anywhere. I was very upset thinking great fox bait. But I went on with things and just kept an ear open for the telltale peep.

Well at 8:30 pm I heard the peep and went looking. Here she was back in the kennel and in the dog crate, peeping for her friends! I could hardly believe it that she would figure out how to return to a place she was maybe in for an hour at most! Chickens are pretty smart. I gathered her up and took her to husband and said look who's returned as I snuggled and kissed her! I was so worried! She is now safely back in the brooder with the rest. In the meantime I need to figure out how she got out!

Loss

2012-06-24T19:40:00.002-05:00

RIP Ty

It has been a hard week. Our beloved Aussie, Ty, came down with Anaplasmosis, a tick borne disease passed by the deer tick. He was very sick and didn't make it. It has been hard as he was our clown and always had a smile on his face. His older "brother" doesn't seem to miss him so that is good I guess. No more new dogs for awhile for me. I love my Australian Shepherds, we have had three so far but since Tex is content I will let him be an only dog. He is going on 10.

Husband was cutting hay so my dirt for my garden raised beds has been put off again. Priorities you know. I will be so happy when they are done. It is hard to wait.

I am working five days between last Friday and through Wednesday. That is good, gets my mind off things.

Today I planted three variety of zinnia seeds and a packet of cutting sunflowers. I also hauled out cardboard and got the third and fourth raised bed frames situated. Just now need dirt. My poor plants I bought for them a month ago are tired of their pots and starting to rebel.

Wind Damage

2012-06-15T15:00:00.001-05:00

This is our minor wind damage from yesterday's storms. It wasn't even the storms but the winds that came after. I knew we were in trouble when my big cement squirrel flew away, LOL. Two of three lean-tos were blown over and my beloved willow tree finally snapped :(.

In the top photo that lean-to had been where the horse is laying down. It blew OVER the top of my 5 foot fence. No fence was damaged except the top wire stretched a little. Amazing!

Laubfrosch

2012-06-13T21:08:00.000-05:00

As I was cutting weeds around the house I happened upon this little frog on a King weed. Tree frogs are quite common here and we have two different types. I enjoy their singing.

We were missed by the frost but I had my garden covered anyway because we live in a hole and oftentimes when others aren't hit we are. But all was ok and just needed another drink. Today's cooler weather and calmer winds were a nice reprieve from the past few hot and windy days. The plants seem to be getting over their shock and settling in to grow.

Frying Pan to Freezer

2012-06-12T07:11:00.002-05:00

The garden is nearing completion. It got fried and wind beat all weekend with the 90 degrees and 20 mph winds. Now? Frost tonight. Yes, frost. Not unheard of here. But wearisome. So looks like I will be on the prowl for row covers because there is no way I am going to be able to cover all this with sheets.

Sigh.

I did get my other two boxes built so now I need cardboard for underneath and that load of dirt husband talks about. I have tons of plants and seeds just waiting to get in. Guess I better think of a frost plan too with those. This is Wisconsin after all.

Peonies

2012-06-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

These are the two types of peonies I have here. The white ones, Ambassador, were on the farm when we moved here. The pink one, I believe is Bowl of Beauty but could be wrong, was given to me by my MIL. Eventually I would like more varieties but not until we have a bit of a plan here.

Garden Started

2012-06-07T20:55:00.004-05:00

I got two boxes built for my raised beds and now I am like how do I fill them? Each needs 11 sq. ft. of dirt! I thought oh I'll just take it out of the garden but there is so much quack grass that I hate to start the boxes off growing quack. So I started sifting dirt via my hillbilly sifter and after 10 scoops decided it will take me a week to sift that much times two. My husband says he can get screened topsoil for $10 so we'll go that direction.

I did up some rows and I think I will leave the rest for the vine crops. I'll look it over tomorrow and decide.

Kröten

2012-06-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

I was cleaning up and mowing a section of yard when I came across Frau Kröte in her pretty lime green sweetness. Last week I had found Herr Kröte. How can I tell the difference? Well Frau was larger, more persistant and more vocal when I had her in my hand. The Herr on the other hand was smaller, lazier and didn't vocalize at all ;). So we just assume...wink wink.

Both are welcome in my garden along with all their kinder!

Bleeding Hearts

2012-05-31T21:12:00.000-05:00

My Bleeding Hearts are blooming like crazy this year. So today I took some photos to use in my artwork. Aren't they amazing flowers?

Today is our average last frost date. Of course I won't get too excited until after the next full moon. We usually get a frost around the 8th of June and have even had snow.

I need to get my 2x10s for my raised beds.

Barred Rock Pullet

2012-05-30T18:31:00.000-05:00

Barred Rock Pullet

Another photo from Sunday's photo shoot. They already have little wing feathers and chase each other when one gets some grass or a dandelion. Too cute.

Farm Photo Shoot

2012-05-29T10:13:00.000-05:00

On Sunday I had a little chick photo session. Above is a Mottled Java pullet. She was strutting around and cheeping her dislike of being removed from the brooder.

Cheep! Cheep! Cheep!

New Chicks

2012-05-26T14:18:00.000-05:00

Friday my chicks arrived at the hardware store. These are the first I have gotten since my first batch 14 years ago. I have 6 left from that bunch...babies of babies of course. Time for something new.

This group is Barred Rock, Mottled Java and Lakenvelder. I ordered only one Lakenvelder rooster (sent two) as roosters are too common around here as it is. I need to disperse of the three I have before this group grows up. Then we'll start fresh, sort of.

We lost one Lakenvelder pullet. There always seems to be at least one casualty as sad as that is.

My New Adventure

2012-05-23T08:43:00.001-05:00

Greetings! I have created this blog to outline and record my new garden adventures. After a few years hiatus from gardening aside a few container plants I have a new 32 sq. patch ready to be made into something. My goal for now is to make a more German style garden along with German vegetables. I will come back and edit this since my thoughts seem to be jumbled. I just wanted to get a post down :).