A Place of Peace

 Good morning.  In light of all that is going on in the world, I must assure you that there is still so much good out there.  Sadly, we hardly ever hear about the good... just the bad.  This doesn't diminish the fact that yesterday's news was horrible.  It just makes me ever resolute to provide a refuge from the ugly... a place of peace and tranquility.

Albeit, a peaceful, hot and muggy place right now!  We mowed yesterday and absolutely baked in the sun.  I do need to report that the Farmer's Defense sleeves  that I ordered online as a sun block for my arms work splendidly.  (note, I am receiving no compensation for my opinion... it's just my own opinion, in case you were thinking you might need something like this item)

The garden continues to produce oodles and oodles of tomatoes and peppers.  I have given lots away, and still I have more than you could imagine!

You might remember that I had processed quite a few peaches from Becky's tree a couple of weeks ago.  Our orchard peach tree finally started to ripen early this week.  I waited until yesterday to pick those peaches, only to find that they had disappeared into desiccated oblivion.

Our pear trees have very large, not-quite-ripe fruit on them.  Hopefully, next time I check them, they are still there!

We'll also have a good apple harvest this fall.

Luckily, though, we still have that little peach tree that grew from a pit, right over the bank from our farm house at the edge of the woods.  It is loaded right now with very large, almost ripe peaches.  The peaches were so heavy for this little tree that we had to buttress it up with a wooden support.

I am happy to report that our young hens (this year's chicks) are just starting to lay sweet little brown eggs.  The darker egg on the right is complements of one of these youngsters.  Keep it up gals!!

They are a funny group of hens... very outgoing.  I have learned to not wear sandals into the chicken yard, however, as Ruby came running up to me yesterday, giving my toe a big peck!  I have no idea what she thought it was... perhaps something tasty?

Life at the barn has settled back into its normal routine.  All the barn cats, who had scattered when Pete arrived, have resumed their normal daily activities.  Moll cat once again greets me in the morning as I approach the barn. 

 All of the cats freely roam the entire barn now.  Things are completely back to usual. 

Pete has been given complete freedom... day and night, and is doing great!  He spends his days in the barn... lounging on the table saw cover.

  He's quite a talker and is very vocal when we are around.  

We spent a little extra time at the barn yesterday and did some cleaning.  It's amazing how dirty barns get - and quickly!  It felt great to remove the cobwebs and hay dirt that have accumulated over months.  

Despite the heat, we're in a "sweet" stretch... no worries, everyone is doing well.  I have learned to truly appreciate the quiet moments.

All is well. Life is good!

We have a busy weekend ahead of us and will be back Monday to share our adventures with you!

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To Wanda,  Brussels sprouts will only produce one set of sprouts.  I have had no luck growing them by planting them in the springtime.  Where we live, Spring does not last long enough for this cool weather plant to grow and produce sprouts before the heat and bugs of summer robs the plant of its sprouts.  I know that local farmers plant the seedlings in later summer and then harvest them in the late autumn instead.  That seems to work best here in PA.

One note about that "Dorito" vine that I showed you earlier this week.  It's real name is Mile-a-minute vine and it is highly invasive.  It is native to India and Asia, and was accidentally introduced to the Stated through contaminated seed that ended up in York, PA.  Although it is attractive as a vine, it would not be something one would want in their garden, unless of course it were the only thing one wanted in their garden.  It would definitely cover everything.... including small, slow-moving children and pets!

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Last, but certainly not least, Happy Anniversary to my favorite person!!  It's been an adventure and one that I could not imagine doing with anyone but you!  Thank you for making all my dreams come true... every single day!