To Market, To Market, To Buy a Fat....

Duck!

Or four.

Yes, yesterday we braved the rain and headed to the livestock auction...

to find a few new ducks for our pond.

Rather than raise a bunch of babies, we thought we should "rescue"

some that were being auctioned of for goodness knows what purpose.

Meet Stella (the Crested Swedish beauty) her Khaki Campbell back-up singers,

Bella, Della, and Ella

(if one of them ends up being a drake... his name will change to Fella!)

It took but a moment for these four to head straight into the pond...

swimming over to greet our old Cayuga/Swedish runner boys.

I won't describe the activity that ensued, as it is not "G" rated.

Suffice it to say, the ole boys have been quite lonely for female companionship.

A trip to Tractor Supply yielded the three chicks that I needed to make an even dozen.

And then, because I just couldn't control myself, I added another three...

to make an odd fifteen!

I have to admit... I have a soft spot for chicks.

Beware, dear friends... I have found that chicks are just a gateway drug.

You tell yourself that you will stop with them....

and before you know you are spiraling out of control.....

ending up with a complete farm menagerie.

(Take it from me... and be ye warned!)

And...oh my, these six new gals need names!!
(And to answer yesterday's questions....no....I cannot tell them apart at this point!...and yes, they were sexed and are all females...to the best of our knowledge.... time will tell.)

The rest of the day was spent gardening (in the rain.)

I planted this area with a summer bulb garden...

canna lilies, gladiolus, dahlias and a mammoth Elephant Ears.

Notice the tiny wire fence around the perimeter.

I am hoping that it discourages turkeys and guineas, cats, 

and dogs (who like to lay in fresh mulch)

from walking through this area.

I can't wait for this garden to bloom...

it should be spectacular!

As for the vegetable garden... I also added garlic, red potatoes, and more bean seeds.

I am hoping that this will be our best garden year yet.

I'll keep you updated!