Spring has sprung!

One of the best things about warmer weather is the kids can get outside without all the extra layers of clothing and burn off some of the excess energy. Last summer we got a trampoline at a yard sale and the kids have far exceeded getting our money's worth from this piece of equipment.

Ian found his sister's ladybug hat and had to wear that outside the other day...along with her jacket (because his was covered in mud from falling earlier in the day). He was quite a fashion statement!

Since it was sunny yesterday we did a lot of outdoor work. The boys moved some compost onto my herb garden since the chickens had been doing a very good job of uncovering my tulip bulbs. Jonathan got right into the task...with both hands!

Wayne and I have been studying our garden plans and getting things ready to start seedlings. We're also planning for our "poultry crop". The boys plan on raising some pastured poultry (chickens and maybe a few turkey) and add to our laying hen population. Marc is getting lots of requests for the delicious eggs from his flock. If we are to have any eggs for our use, we definitely need to increase the flock.

The next big project will be preparing for those 2 legged babies before they arrive at the farm.

It's been a lon-n-ng winter...

Last fall I posted a picture of part of our gourd crop--freshly picked. It's been a long winter for them to cure and here's the "dried" version...

They don't look very pleasant, but they have dried nicely and some warm day in the next few weeks, we'll wash them and get the molds off. Matt and I are looking at potential projects to make with our crop of gourds...we'll let you see the finished products.

Wayne and 3 of the kids went for a walk down to the river this afternoon. Washed up on the bank was a dried "swan neck gourd". Rachael recovered it and brought it home to add to our collection.

We've ordered several different types of gourd seeds for this year's crop. We hope to harvest some luffa.

Thankfully, the kids have been fairly healthy throughout the winter, but now we're dealing with a nasty cold. Nathanial came down with it first and now 4 of the others have it. Ian is so cuddly when he's sick..."I hold my mommy" is his favorite activity. We knew he was really feeling rough when he asked to do his least favorite activity..."take a bath please". As I type this he is in my lap showing me the picture of Ian and Mommy...he's perked up a bit from that bath. :0)

Raindrops and Rabbits...

It's still raining and the puddles are getting bigger and bigger. Thankfully we had a sunny day on Thursday which helped dry up some of the water before this latest drenching. The river is getting higher, but thankfully, it's not any higher than is typical during spring thaw.

Yes, I am insisting that spring is here before the calendar says...all my snowmen and winter themed decorative items have been put away. I started washing windows and curtains this a.m. (That's a sign to the kids that it's spring.)

For the past 2 weeks in our local "Pennysaver" there has been an ad for an 8 month old angora rabbit. It caught my eye because they were only asking $10 for it (angoras typically go for a lot more). I mentioned it to Wayne and he smiled and asked if I was going to call. I shrugged and put the number aside...The ad was in the paper the 2nd week and I commented that the 'angora is still listed'. Wayne said that I should call to check it out. I hesitated because I didn't know if we really needed another animal to deal with right now. Well, last night my dear husband asked, "Did you call about the angora?" I shook my head 'no' and he told me to go call and find out the story behind it. Well, I couldn't NOT call after he told me to call so-o-o...

This is "Arthur"...he was bought at an auction when he was only about 4 weeks old...a matted little furball of a bunny. The lady who bought him brought him home and started working out all the knots in his fur and loved on him. His fur kept getting longer, longer, and longer. She then realized she had an angora. She already had several lion-headed rabbits and a beautiful lop. Ann has arthritis and other medical issues and was finding it harder to comb him out each week. She knew that she needed to find him a home where he'd be cared for and appreciated for his beautiful fur. She had several responses to her ad, but many people were looking for an "Easter bunny" pet or didn't know what an angora was. When I called her last night she was pleased to hear from someone who knew what an angora was, their special grooming needs, and had some experience with rabbits. Rachael and I went to meet Arthur this afternoon and he came home with us. If all goes as planned, Ann will get something made from the yarn Arthur furnishes.

So...our profile has changed again...we're back to having 3 rabbits!

Rain...rain...rain....

Nathanial and Katelyn decided to take advantage of the lake forming in our back field due to all the rain and snowmelt. It's not very warm weather for paddling, but they were doing their version of Washington crossing the Delaware. (Can you tell what period of history we're studying?)

So far the river has stayed within its banks, but several roads are underwater. They say the sun will come out tomorrow...that will make many people in this area breathe a sigh of relief. Our neighbors are pumping their basements...so far ours is dry, but we're watching it carefully since we have standing water in areas we never did before the flood. When the neighbors pull out their pumps, we always say it's the first sign of spring...I know the calendar says spring is a few weeks away, but I'm being optimistic! :-D

O My So Goodness!

"O my so goodness!" was what Jonathan exclaimed as he watched the big excavator take down the house next to us.

The house has been condemned since the flood of 2006 and it's been a lon-n-ng drawn out process for the buy out to take place and the orders to take it down carried out.

It's sort of a bittersweet time...we hated to lose our neighbor who

had become a dear friend, but seeing the empty house deteriorating more and more every day was very depressing. Gary has moved to a lovely little spot about 5 miles from here where there is no danger of a river flooding and causing the foundation to cave in and filling his house with over 2 feet of polluted waters. We're happy he's found such a nice place to call home, but we will miss him...and yes, even his Harley! (Especially Jonathan since he would run to the window whenever he heard the motorcycle.)

It's raining a nasty icy mix at the moment, but just a few days ago we had lots of wet snow which was perfect for snowman building. Katelyn and Jonathan built a 'snowfriend' in the back yard. Now all that remains is a stick on the ground near a puddle of slush.

Sunday a group of kids from the area churches got together and went sledding. Matt loaded all but the 2 youngest in the van and they went for an afternoon adventure with their friends. It was perfect sledding weather and they had a great time...after yesterday's temps in the 50's there isn't much snow left and now we're to have ice for a couple of days.

Spring is coming!