{around the farm}

In this never-ending saga of the drought and very little hay, our fields that we planted to rye are now being seeded {thanks, Jeff!} with red and white clover in an attempt to get them through until all of the green grass hits.   And, a small field is being planted with red poppies for me. :)

{finally, a barn raising}

Thanks to the drought of 2011....we've had to dump cattle we hadn't planned on.  We bought hay for the first time I ever remembered; we usually sell it.  Even with buying, we likely only have enough to last us until December.  Not good.  So, we are putting our cattle money into feed {yuck} and getting the long awaited barn in the dry.  Justin is drawing up the plans.  Again.  This time I promise not to change a thing.

{in case you ever need to know.....}

how to evict that skunk mama and her babies.

From your garage. 

Actually from her nest that sits next to a nice little car.

And, a few couches I tend to use now and then. 

It had to work, but not scare to the point she sprayed.

 Basically the premise behind her being in my garage

was to provide a safe, quiet, dark place to grow her babies.

Well, unfortunately, she stumbled into the wrong garage.

And, it's a good thing she has that stink bomb attached beneath

her tail, otherwise, I would have probably avenged the death

of my sweet chickens. {still can't talk about that!}

So, I provided the opposite. 

#1  BLARED loud obnoxious music per boom box. {is that still a word?}   

#2  Turned all lights on the garage on.

#3 Laced paper towel bombs with ammonia, pine sol, basically

anything with a strong aroma.

#4 Left said garage door open all night.

Findings:  it worked!

Mama skunk and babies have......left the building!!

Now, let's just hope nothing else crawled in while those doors were open all night.

{caution: BuSY weekend ahead}

I need to plant all of these.  A flat + of strawberries, cabbage, spinach, white onions {salsa}, lettuce for now.  Oh, and moss. 

I'm planning on planting this 'moss milkshake' around my chicken coop.  Cute packaging anyway.  We shall see......................

Oh, and a little play.  Safety helmet and all.  Brother is helping Mr. John build the storage shed. 

The remaining chicks arrived today.  So, we have 12 total that consists of Ameraucanas,  black and gray bantam and regular silkies {furry legs},  and Buffs.  All very kid-friendly.  At the rate the boys are handling them, if true to their breed, they will likely run and jump into the boys' arms when they see them coming.  IF they survive E's loving.  I found out today they named the smallest silkie bantam "Small Fry", the brown Ameraucana is "Henny Penny" {they heard that from Ang as she had a HP in her past} and the two twin Buffs are "The Girls".   I opt to call them all "The Girls" as I reallllllllllllly don't want to get too attached.  {sigh}

Location of Coop.  We've moved it to the side of the house by our bedrooms in hopes to hear any signs of predators if when they arrive.  We are batting down the hatches {pardon the pun} as tight as we can.

A yard that needs mowed already. 

And, last but not least..........my new accessory. 

The above is just the tip of the iceberg.  I have major orders and edits to finish this weekend along with law firm work.  Let the marathon begin!  Just happy it's a nice weekend!!  

{a true banker's grandson}

Evan is in the kitchen floor coloring. 

Scott was going through his list of $$ that had been

spent on the shed today.....supplies at Yeagars, $150 to a man who

worked here today cutting and hammering for Scott.....

Evan:  "I know the economy is down and everything, but that is just WRONG!!"

He is referring to the $150 as the most he makes in a day for chores is $5.

I see a Child Labor Adovate in my future.

{works in progress}

I got out there a bit too late.  Three days too late to be exact.  What was suppose to be a simple "repair" and paint job has turned into a full blown rebuild pretty much.  After I gasped when I rounded the hill, I ducked because the poor guy working down there would have probably thought it a bit strange if he saw me hiding behind the black car to get a picture.  Is that an invasion of privacy? 

But, the barn looks very small from this angle.  It's not.  This is going to turn into quite the bigger job than I had envisioned when I said, "Hey, honey, I think we should fix that barn instead of let it fall to pieces."   Maybe I will ponder longer prior to offering any future suggestions. 

Our little garden plot.  But, I think we are going to move three

little trees in order to expand it.  I will probably be out there

cursing the garden idea this summer as well.   You know, the

345 degree Arkansas summers.   Yeah.  I might hook up 

a sprinkler system to hydrate me when I'm out there. 

I

 Do you see what I see beneath my feet?  GREEN GRASS.

 And, I spied this little guy on my way back in.  Yes, my scarecrow from fall.  Hanging upside down in the shrubs.

I couldn't resist as that is how I feel most days! ha!