This And That

I swear that if we studied the bees a little more,
we would find that a beehive can be used as a natural thermometer.
The hotter the day, the more bees cling to the outside of the box.


So, I guess you can tell by that picture that it is a hot, lazy afternoon
here on the farm.
By the way, this is our one and only living beehive,
having lost the rest to colony collapse disorder.
Thankfully, this hive is robust and full of brood and honey.

The horses seek out the shadiest spots to graze on days like this,


while the dogs head to the pond to cool off.
Maddie, of course goes right in and swims with the ducks.


Sam is a bit more timid,
and settles for the safety of the shallow end.


He has been getting bolder, though,
and now lies down to cool off his undercarriage.


Look at the size of our ducklings!
In two and a half weeks they have grown to half the size of the adults.
By the time they reach 6 weeks of age, they will be full grown.
I suppose that is a survival adaptation.


Tuesday I was telling you how we lost most of our strawberries to the birds this year.
Well, I learned my lesson.
I placed nets on the blueberries.

It is hard to believe that when we planted these one hundred bushes,
four years ago,
they were just sticks with a bare root at the end.

They are now vigorous bushes,
loaded with berries. 


With berries ripening daily,
it won't be long before I can make a batch of blueberry lime preserves.


Is there anything better than a snack of just picked fruit?


Hopefully in a few years, we will be able to open our 
blueberry patch as a "Pick-Yer-Own".

And finally a special request from our most favored goat, O'Malley.
O'Malley is finally back to her pre-pregnancy weight,
and is dressed in her summer wardrobe.
She wanted me to show you her picture looking so fine....


Isn't she beautiful?
She will look like this for a couple more months.
By September she will start to grow her angora winter coat
(yes, the one that catches hay, goat berries, and anything else close to it!)
Sadly, that winter coat makes her look a bit frumpy.
But for now, she is sleek and sassy and quite proud of herself!

I hope that wherever you are, your gardens are planted,
your hay is growing,
and you are enjoying some hot, lazy days of summer!
Happy Summer!

PS....is there anything else around the farm that you might like to see more of??
Let me know....I love suggestions!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Love your goat... her coat is patterned just like a cowhide!

100 berry bushes! Now that's aggressive planting and I hope it pays off for you. What a wonderful way of living you have!

Di
Anke said…
Bev, your blueberry bushes look fantastic! We planted three different bushes in 07 and have not yet had a single bloom, let alone berries. :-( They were sticks, just like yours and I was told it might take up to 7 years before we'll be able to harvest. Any helpful hints and tips you could share?
Cindy said…
I just love reading about your farm. There is always so much going on. And 100 blueberry bushes! We only have 6 and get enough to freeze for winter.

Would you ever do a post about the inside of your house? The picture of the outside is so nice and just makes me want to see more!
Unknown said…
I totally agree with Snappy Di. What a way to live....hey, I am talking the animals here! What a lovely farm you have!
Carla said…
Man, would I love to be able to grow blueberries! Yours are just beautiful.
Tell O'Malley that CeeCee says she looks beautiful in any coat or shape. Motherhood is tough on the hair and waistline. :)
Julie Harward said…
You are doing just fine, I enjoy your place...come say hi sometime. :D
Anonymous said…
I love your site ! I visit every day to get the latest news. Thank you for posting ! I have a question about the goat w/ 1 eye. Does she get around ok ? How did it happen ? etc... also, I'd love to see the chickens. How is the one w/ the top knot ? Thank you for brightening up my day - each day !
Teresa said…
It looks like a picture perfect afternoon for you! I love the way O'Malley looks.
I always enjoy visiting your blog & hearing about the farm. I so wish that I would have planted fruit trees & fruit vines 16 yrs ago when we first settled here at the homestead. Your blueberries look so juicy. I would love a pick ur own place. The bee box really catches my intrest. I have been thinking I may want one. I really know very little about the subject. I have not taken the time to research. I must do this. Your bee boxes are very nice. Blessings!
Lara
Your pond is so lovely and it's cute the way the dogs go there to cool off. The ducklings are growing so fast! I never realized that the bees did that...I'll have to keep my eye on the corn crib and see if they do that. Your blueberries are wonderful...100 bushes holy cow! O'Malley is looking good...what a beautiful shiny coat. Thanks for sharing your farm with us...have a great day!
Maura :)