This and That

At this time of year, the weather here can be a little fickle.... hot and humid one day and cool and rainy the next.  A single day can see a myriad of weather patterns as well.  We awoke to rain yesterday morning. 

 Three quarters of an inch gave the gardens a good drink and saves me from having to water.  We have a couple more nights this week of temperatures dropping down to 40 or below.  By next Monday I should be able to finish all of my planting... about 8 flats of flowers and tomatoes and peppers that now occupy my greenhouse.

Every day there's something new to discover in the gardens -  a daily gift from Mother Nature.

Yesterday I found the Columbine blooming.

This old fashioned flower is one of my favorites, and one that I have even seen blooming wild by the roadside here in the country.  These specimens are ones that I planted years ago.

It seems like this year is an especially good year for the lilacs.  They are blooming more than in previous years.  Have you noticed the same?

We picked our daily allotment of asparagus yesterday morning.

Those tender spears, combined with other farm-grown items (except the pepper and herbed havarti cheese) are the perfect ingredients...

for a wonderful spring omelet.  Breakfast was complete with homemade multigrain sourdough bread topped with farm-grown bramble berry jam.  There's no better way to start the day!

By late afternoon, the rain was replaced by sunshine and clouds... 

just in time so that everyone could dry out before nighttime.


Everyone, except the donkeys that is.  These gals have the sense to not go out in the rain.  Of course that means that they expect room service... which, of course, they get.

The chicks are growing rapidly.  They are so very busy - flitting about in their house. 

 Many of them have learned to fly and easily fly up onto the rungs of the roosting ladder.

Perhaps someone should remind them that it's bad manners to stand on the dining room table!


I should have a finished knitting project to show you by the end of the week.  I have been knitting every evening, but evenings are short at this time of year, and my current project is a slow one.  Soon, though, I shall finish it.... and happily, I might add.  I prefer projects that can be completed in a timely manner and this one has drug on long enough!  I think it will be worth the time and effort, however.

Comments

jaz@octoberfarm said…
i am so happy to be back to normal spring weather. the 85 degrees in April was just not right. I'm still drooling over your morels! the chicks sure grow fast.
Chris T said…
When can you expect the chicks to be fully grown and to start laying eggs, I just realised that I have no idea.
Marcy Antle said…
Your flowers are so beautiful! And love the little chicks, makes me smile every morning.
Mary Beth said…
Did you build your roosting ladder? I think I need one of these for my peeps.

One day I'll grow asparagus. Pass along any tips (no pun intended) you have for growing them.

Bee Haven Bev said…
Chicks are fully mature and start laying at about 4 months or a little later.

The ladder in the back of the henhouse is one that we made and it attaches to the ceiling with hinges so that we can lift it up for cleaning purposes.

After you plant your asparagus, you need to leave it grow for a couple of seasons without picking it. That gives the roots a chance to grow and spread. After that, harvest every year. We only leave the ones that are smaller than the circumference of a pencil. Also, I mulch over the plants with compost every fall.
This N That said…
Are those flowers in your first picture Violas as well?? Love the color.Must try to find some but will probably have to wait til next year now..
Our old Lilacs around here are always full of blooms..I have 3 "Everblooming" shrubs..This is their third year ..They are beautiful this year but I attributed that to its being their third year..You know.."sleep, creep and leap"
Your breakfast sounds wonderful.
We have had 2 1/2 inches of rain in the last two days..Maybe we have caught up?
Enjoy the rest of your week..More rain tomorrow and Sunday..Yay
EDGAR C. BEARD said…
THE FLOWER PICTURES AND YOUR COMMENTARY ARE SO WONDERFUL...SO HAPPY THE CHICKS ARE DOING GGREAT...WE HAVE BLACKBERRIES BLOOMING...SO WE QRE HAVING BLACKBERRY WINTER...BUSH HOGGED THE FIELDS ALL DAY WED AND MOWED ALL DAY TODAY...THANK YO


EDGAR C. BEARDU FOR THE WONDERFUL POSTS...AMKES MY DAY !!!!!