JUSTUSNAK...Summer coming to an end!?

[justusnak]

We have the carpet and furniture smell right now too We've had so much humidity this year I'm almost to the point of ripping it all out and putting down wood floors.

That is my dream..to have wood floors. *sigh* Maybe ONE day.

Wood floors ARE great!! Especially with a house full of hairy dogs. I just turn on the ceiling fan, watch as all of the fur balls sale across the slick surface and then sweep out the corners.

Thats what Im talkin about!! Woohoo! Another vote for wood floors!!! corralling dust bunnies!!

 

[Javamama]

 

[justusnak]

Why is it...when you plan out your day...nothing on the list gets done!?? Well, today was sorta like that. I had planned....to move the lilac bush, dig up some persimmon trees, and move the Irises....clean the barn, and get the tractor moved in. HA!
After morning chores...I got a few more jars of green beans in the canner. Hubby got up just as they were finished...and he wanted to "talk about his night at work" Nothing big happened..he just needed to vent...so we sat and talked for about an hour. By then I was getting antsy, and had to get motivated. Hubby decided to mow the front "yard" I was so glad..since the grass was at least 10 inches tall! I had decided to let the one pen of chickens out, and the one pen of ducks. They seem to get along fine...there is plenty room for everyone to get out of each others way. Just as hubby was finishing the mowing...we had an unexpected visitor... from out of state. It was the woman we bought the house off of, she comes about once a year from Texas to visit her friends and family, and always stops in. It was great to see her, but it really put a damper in my day...only an hour or so. After she left, hubby was leaving for work, so I decided to get the grass raked up from the field/yard. I put the wagon on the lawn tractor, and headed out. It was warm today, and windy, so the grass was dry by the time I got to it. Only took me about 2 hrs, but was able to rake, and store about 3 bales worth of grass hay for feed.

I will turn it every day to make sure it is nice and dry...Don't want it to mold, and lose all my hard work!
I made sure it was good and dry, any that felt "moist" went to the pigs. They loved it! Got it all put away, and on my way back to the shop, I saw Goose....BLEEDING!!!! I quickly put the lawn tractor away, and saw blood in the lean too. Had to come from goose. Not too sure what got her....but I have a sneaky suspicion it was Jr, the rooster. He went running back to the coop when I walked up. Ohhh, I hate that rooster. So, I put everyone back in their pens. Back to the barn, I was able to get it organized enough to get the tractor in there, however I will let hubby back it in. I am not confident enough to try...yet. LOL The milking is finished....the barn is closed....and I am headed out to get eggs, and close the coops. Looks like rain is on the way. None of the plants got moved today...maybe tomorrow..

 

[TanksHill]

That's some beautiful grass you have there. What kind of grass/ hay would you call it? I know nothing about hay, i didn't realise you could just take it up like that. very cool.

Sorry your plans changing. I bet the lady is happy to see you putting all that land to good use.

g

 

[justusnak]

That's some beautiful grass you have there. What kind of grass/ hay would you call it? I know nothing about hay, i didn't realise you could just take it up like that. very cool.

Sorry your plans changing. I bet the lady is happy to see you putting all that land to good use.

g

Actually, I have no idea what kind of grass it is, LOL It gets tall fast, and has these little seed heads on it that the animals LOVE! My grandpa used to put up grass hay in the barn for his animals. He had a tractor to cut, windrow, and rake. We have a lawn mower....and a leaf rake, and a wagon. LOL I know I can't get enough to get through the winter...but every little bit helps.
L, who we bought the farm from, was NOT a farmer. LOL She just mowed everything...no animals here...and the barn was used for car parts storage. Every time she comes. .. we seem to have new animals...or pasture fenced. She giggles..and says, " you are really turning this into a real farm now aren't you"? LOL I just smile and say..." yes, we are"
I think tomorrow, I am going to get some of the screening we have, and tack it up to lay the grass/hay on, to air dry completely. See, we have this HUGH roll of screen. No, really...I mean HUGH! It stands about 4 ft tall, and is bigger around than I am... ( THATS HUGH) We have no plans for it, so...in stead of letting it all dry rot, I am planning to use it to dry the grass/hay.
Oh, and another friend stopped by today, gave me 8 #10 cans of wheat berries!! They weigh about 5 or 6 pounds each. I have NO idea what I am going to do with them...they are sealed cans she said they will stay good forever! LOL Guess I better get out the grinder, and try to make some wheat flour...at least TRY!
ETA: Here is a picture of a few of the crates hubby brought home from work. We have 10 now, I think. 8 are about this size.... 4 ft tall, 3 ft wide, 4 ft deep. We are going to use a few for a shelter in the pasture, and the rest for a woodshed.

We have used them to make 3 duck houses...and the banty shanty, AND the turkey coop. I hope he can keep getting these, they sure are handy.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Your day may have taken a detour, but you sure got a lot done. And those crates are great "obtainium".

 

[justusnak]

Woke this morning to rain...booooo, hisss....did NOT want to see rain today. Not just rain...but COLD rain. I think it is 50 out there, but the rain makes it feel much colder. I rushed through animal chores....poor Suzie, I had her fed, brushed and milked...before she knew it. As I was walking away, she was looking at me like...What they HECK just happened? Let the ducks out, they were the ONLY happy ones. They have puddles everywhere. LOL
For some reason my Laughing Doves are driving me NUTTSO this morning. I usually love to hear the male coo to the female...but this morning...it is NON STOP! I mean, really?? Doesn't he get a sore throat!?? I tried to cover them....didn't work, LOL Maybe I need to go to town, get a little away time...haven't left the farm in a few days, I think I am getting stir crazy.

 

[justusnak]

This morning started out well. Yesterday I was able to pick another good size load of tomato's and about 20 green peppers. So, this morning I got the tomato's going, they are cooking down now, I am thinking just tomato sauce with this batch. Once I got them all cooking down, I was able to get the green peppers cleaned, sliced and in the freezer. All before 10 am. Hubby got up and we headed to the shop to start on the shelter for the paddock. We are going to take 3 of those large crates, and put them together side by side...making a shelter measuring 4 ft tall, 3 ft deep, and about 8 ft long. Plenty big enough for a few sheep, or goats....or whatever comes our way. LOL Then the cold rain started. Altho we were in the shop, the winds picked up so we called it a day. All we have to do now is get those crates moved to the pasture, and put them together. I will be glad when it is finished. With the 3 crates side by side, we will put the fronts on either end, leaving the opening in the middle.This way if there are more than 2 animals using this shelter, the first one in wont feel blocked in. Does that make sense? LOL I wont have time to get it painted, that will be a job for next summer.
Hubby is reading the book on the tractor...we have fresh coffee...and the house smells like tomato's . Its cold and rainy outside...so I think we will spend some together time today.

 

[justusnak]

Well, yesterday the sun ended up coming back out, so we decided to give that little tractor a workout...see what it can do. Early last spring hubby and son had dropped a pretty good size tree on the edge of the woods. It had damage from the storm, and was just dangerous. So, it has been laying there all summer, in the woods, waiting to be cut up. Hubby got a large 3 inch strap, and wrapped it around the tree, then hooked it to the tractor. It took a bit of convincing, but he was finally able to get the tree out, and drag it over to the wood cutting area, by the shop.

Yup, that little tractor will sure com in handy.
This morning I went out to feed the animals...and while I was out there decided to build that grass hay drying area. We have this big roll of screen, so I made a screen "table" about 8 ft long, and spread some of the grass out to dry. Once it is fully dry, I will put it in the manger, and do another load. I will try to get a picture of it later...I forgot to take one while I was out there.
So the animals are fed...milking done...put up the canning from yesterday, got a small roast started for supper, and milk setting out so I can make 2 batches of cheese. And, its only 9 am! LOL I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

 

[framing fowl]

And those crates are great "obtainium".

I agree! And I love your word!