Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Life

It's pretty hard to top the past 8 blog posts...
but eventually it all had to come to an end, right?
I loved sharing Zambia with you... and believe me, as I traveled through that
incredible country I thought of all the things I wanted to show you.
It was fun having you come along with us!

It's time to get back to farm life, however.
Hopefully it isn't too anti-climactic!


After being gone for two weeks, it was good to be home.
I missed our dogs...


and all of our friends.
I couldn't help but think how lucky I am to have two such beautiful pigs waiting for me...
especially after seeing all those warthogs!


I'd like to think they were happy to see me as well.


With summer's end, the chestnut trees in the pig yard have started to drop 
their nuts.


We've been picking them up off the ground on a daily basis...


And while I know that we could roast them and consume them ourselves...
I hate to take them away from the pigs.
These are their absolute favorite!

We had wonderful caretakers for the animals while we were gone,
and life hummed along as usual.


We had expected, after weathering temperatures in the 100's while we were in Africa,
that we would return home to Autumn and all of its splendor.
It seems that summer decided to stick around just a little longer.
I have heard that Autumn might make an appearance this weekend...
I'm keeping my fingers crossed!


The sheep have already grown quite a thick coat of wool,
so cooler temperatures will be a welcomed relief for them.


You might remember me mentioning just a couple days before we left,
that we did a little duck rescue.
A friend had a solitary Campbell duck on her property that had strayed from a neighbor's property.
It seems that all of this duck's family had fallen prey to the local fox and hawks.
I am happy to report that this lone Campbell has been assimilated into our pond flock 
and is happily spending his days with new friends.


Do you remember those 10 mallard ducklings that were dropped off by our friends this summer?
You might also remember that only five survived after a week or so.
Those five mallards are still pond residents and flourishing...
as well as the wild mama mallard and 5 ducklings that moved into the pond later in the summer.

Predator lights seem to have helped in keeping the pond a safer habitat.


You might also remember that we had 3 lovely roosters in this year's batch of chicks.


We have now moved those roosters into the main chicken yard with all of the hens.
We now have three extremely happy roosters...
and 40 or so slightly annoyed hens.


The garden remains green and productive.
Peppers, sweet potatoes, and drying beans are amongst our daily harvest.
The broccoli that I planted before leaving for Africa were totally stripped bare
by insects.


It was the summer of rain, humidity, mud and insects...
a summer unlike any that I can remember.
This year I am happy to see it leave us.
Welcome Autumn... may you be kinder to us than summer was!


Comments

Louise Stopford said…
Although I enjoyed so much all your African adventures, it's lovely to see farm life again. I bet the dogs really missed you and of course all the other creatures in their own ways. Here's to a beautiful Autumn with bright cool days.
Glad those ducks had a happy ending!
Lynne said…
Loved seeing Africa through your eyes . . ,
And love seeing the farm family once again!

Yes indeed, let’s hope for a less humid, steamy summer for next year.
Many of our plantings are hoping so too!
jaz@octoberfarm said…
i'm glad to be back on your farm too! today is 'maybe' the last hot day!
Patsy from Illinois said…
I have been away for awhile too and now I am catching up on all of my favorite blogs. I loved seeing your posts about Africa and am so glad you are home safe and sound. But I must admit, my favorite is your at home animal posts. I bet they missed you like crazy and glad you are back also. Better stock up on those Ritz crackers!
Jody in Georgia said…
I agree with Patsy and Louise. Africa was interesting, but I'm happy you are back on the farm....those are my favorite posts and add such a
"lift" to each of my days. Welcome home!
Country Gal said…
Glad you had a good trip and thanks for sharing it with us through FB wonderful photos on both FB and here. I bet your farm animals were happy to see you both to . Thanks for sharing , have a good weekend !