The Day to Day...

Every day after grazing time,

it's nap time.

I love this time of day.

I love to see the horses completely comfortable,

feeling safe in their surroundings... not a care in the world.

As I mentioned yesterday, 

we have arrived at that time of year when we are often

awakened in the middle of the night by the dogs crying 

to go outside because they have heard the barking of a fox.

It's also that time of year when the fox parents are teaching 

their kits to hunt...

that time of year when we have suffered chicken losses.

Because of this, we are keeping the hens and runner ducks

on lock down.

Sadly, they must stay in their yards for their own 

protection.

Because the runner ducks cannot fly,

I am going to make a run out into the grass

with some poultry fencing.

That will keep them close to the horse lot which is a safe place for them.

Tom and Fred still have free run of the farm.

I seriously don't think a fox would try to tangle

with either of these big fellows.

A coyote, yes... but a fox, hopefully not.

Luckily, coyotes are out at night when the boys

are safely inside their house.

Our two little black barn kitties,

Beatrix One and Beatrix Two,

have each earned the title of rafter cats.

Ever since the barn swallows returned to the barn,

the cats have been in the rafters trying to find a way

over to the swallow nest.

Luckily... to no avail!

It sure keeps them occupied.

To answer a question from yesterday...
We have five barn cats.
They all get along just fine, but gravitate to different parts of the barn.
The two black Beatrixes play together.
The rest are not much into play...
but all are into lovin'.

(Looking at the above photos just made me realize that I need

to clean the cobwebs from the barn rafters!!)

As always, I have been staying occupied.

Baking...

yes... more blueberry buckle... gotta use up

the last of last years frozen blueberries,

before our 75 bushes have to be harvested again!

sewing... a dress for Marietta Mouse,

and a shirt for Bertram Badger.

I had been waiting to sew a shirt for under his overalls

until I had appropriate shirt material.

Luckily, this past weekend, one of Hubbs' favorite

shirts bit the dust.

I assured him I could do something with it...

and turned it into a miniature version of its former self.

The garden, despite the unseasonably cold weather,

has been growing.

 This is the first box of sugar peas that I planted.

It has two rows of radishes as well.

The second box has seedlings in it as well as a patch of new lettuce

seedlings.

Much of the garden is planted.

I am eagerly awaiting warmer weather so that I can plant the peppers and

tomatoes that are growing in the greenhouse.

Replanting the tomatoes in larger pots has allowed

(all 100+ of) them to grow to a pretty big size.

Need a couple tomato plants?

I might have extras.  (LOL)

I have also started another scarf/shawl...

kitted from the softest, earth tone, merino wool.

(I'll be sending it out to one of you in the next couple of weeks.)

If you commented on the last giveaway, 

your name will go back in the hat.

If you want to be added to the list, I will ask for 

additional comments at a later point.