Peek into my messy garden...

Sugar pie pumpkin sprouting Spinach taking its first glimpse

and just a peek at one of 4 gardens beds:

in front is broccoli & cauliflower Timber framed Lettuce bed has butter crunch (bright green sprouts) and romaine lettuce (in the back half not really visible).

I have a small trench running the length of my beds. I put wide wood boards there for the toads to hide under. I have to give reminders to the kids about how we want the toads to stay around the garden so stop lifting the boards! There seems to be at least one under them at every "lifting". So I must be doing something right. The stones in the beds are for stepping. Little helpers cannot reach the middle with their watering cans and need safe spots to plant their feet.
Bonnie and Clyde have been reintroduced to the main pen. They have been doing great! Of course it was not my idea. I was sitting on the back deck late the other night and saw something white moving on the hill. I kept staring and then noticed what ever it was, it was shaking its butt at me. I yell out "bonnie- clyde". and they start waddling my way. That was the first night of having their pen cover removed and Clyde decided he wanted to go home to his old pen with his new lady. So Be it.

Mr. Turken was getting the crap beat out of him (by Clyde) and so was Mrs. Turken. So a switch in pens was best- the Turkens in the old 'scovy pen - the 'scovy's in the main pen with Lady Chia & Captain feather~sword's old lady harem. I wonder why he picked on just them. Clyde demands room for Bonnie and keeps the other's away from her during feed time. He is sure to clear way for her to sit in the nest at night- Dr.Seuss's favorite spot which is sometimes shared with her- and keeps her in his sight at all times. I do believe he loves her...
For Mother's day I got a new sewing machine. Nothing major. Its a Singer "Simple". I like the extra embroidery automatic stitches. Very nice touch for a machine under $100.
My first project to be sewn comes from the inspiration of SouleMama. Making a picnic tablecloth and matching napkins. Not exactly like hers, but the idea came from reading her blog. I will be doing the "rock pockets". Just LOVE that idea. It will also be dual purpose. A lawn blanket/picnic tablecloth. durable, warm for those chilly late summer nights and pleasing to the eye. Can't wait to share- heres hoping it comes out how I envision **cheers** and
Summer dreams,
~Tammie

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Spring cleaning & O.k,!! I get it already....

Disclaimer** no animals were hurt while taking these photos. Mentally scarred, but physically sound.**

Today was filled with cleaning out that Goat cabin. I experimented with the "layering system" this last winter and I will never do it again. A good 2 feet deep hay/straw tightly compacted that was soaked in big spots. Must have froze during th winter because the smell did not start till I got a foot deep today. gag....cough.... hold breath for a scoop... run quickly out... and breath in fresh air.....
It felt wonderful to get it all done. I had so much of it and I knew it had to be spread out to dry before I attempt to compost since the ammonia smell was so bad. Funny thing. I have sat down in there (on a board placed on the hay) with them and could not smell it until I got past the 1 foot deep layer. That second 1 foot layer must have held it in real well.So here it is all spread out to dry in the sun. (today hit 50F and the sun made it enjoyable!)
Yes. that would be the pile of pine trees ( in the back) we have yet to do anything with. Great ideas and dreams but our time is not so creative lately.
The weather seemed to have an effect on everyone around. On the right you have Lady Chia browsing away while I make her home all clean. She must be on a line since it is a weekday-I prefer no more visits from zoning, thank you. To the left we have one very desperate muscovy drake Clyde... That would be Mrs. Turken he is being rather amorous with. Below is a close up- when I walked out I did not know whether to stare in fascination of the odd couple or to laugh my butt off. I keep the camera with me so snapped a few shots to share the Spring Love. Don't worry. I did chase him away from her. He waddled his way back to her so i picked him up and held him down to the ground whispering how the chicks/ducklings would be the freaks of the neighborhood. Could you imaginge- if it were even possible-which I think it is not. A bare neck chick with the puffy red Muscovy "mask". How frankenstein would that be?!
He appeared to have calmed his mood and waddled to the pen to watch me muck out their home. Otherwise today was uneventful. Maybe this week I can squeeze some extra money from the tree and head down to the auction house to buy Clyde yet another wife. He best hold on to this one or he will just have to be happy with a goat as his companion. You don't think he would try to mate something that big do ya?.... (LOL)
Sunny dreams,
Tammie

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