Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Terri O]

Well Raiquee, at least it is summer so you can enjoy your unenjoyment better! (that's what my DH called it when he was laid off over the winter.) Although he complains way more now that he is back to work....Maybe he was referring to my "unenjoyment" at the time!

I couldnt wait for him to go back. Now I am the one that has way less to do...well, not really...I guess way less to go OFF of the farm to do. In my line of work people die...then I have to find new people to work for. Not too bad either when it is summer! I am waiting for the farrier right now--he was supposed to be here at 1...sure hope he is on his way---dd18s horse needs his feet done for the fair next week!

Annarie...I am glad that you help out in other ways! You did not seem to be the type that would take it all for granted! People that are passionate about animals like we all are here are way more "grounded" than other folks...and that is so true about Mom's working so hard to go on a vacation Becky! That is why my usual vacation is THEM going away and ME staying home! When I went riding in TN last spring it took me all the week before just to get this place set up well enough that they could take care of the animals while I was away! Then my Parson's Russel ended up losing an eye anyhow. Guess I didnt prepare them for that! I dont think anything died that time...

I am in the process of getting the last of the lettuce out of the salad garden. I will process the spinach and swiss chard tonight then get the second planting going. Ya know, I TOTALLY forgot to plant the cukes and zucchini this year! I have spent so much time tortoise hunting that I guess I spaced it! Now I will have to beg zucchini from everyone! Maybe I ought to get at least one hill in...

Good luck on those meaties BCC! I once did 85 in an assembly line with 5 other people...I couldnt eat chicken for 2 weeks! That smell just gets in your hands I guess!

Even in the midst of my "upsettedness" about the torts DrH you still have the power to make me laugh! Thanks--I needed it! OK--my break is done...back out to the garden--sure is gorgeous out there today! Terri O--Good day for drying clothes...and paint!

 

[Sweetfolly]

Terri - Gosh, it's a good thing the "Park Goose Rescue" is all the way in WA! I'd have ALL the girl ducks home with me in a heartbeat (and probably a few of the prettier boys too!).

Took the kittens in for their shots today - momma cat ended up staying behind at the shelter. It's a pretty nice shelter, with a big community cat room where all sociable the cats run free, so she's going to be much happier there, away from all her kittens. She was FED UP!

The next spay/neuter clinic is this Friday (I'm the one they trust with the needles to draw up all the vaccines - I'm definately immune to rabies and distemper by now with the number of times I've poked myself while re-capping the syringes!

) so she'll be fixed and go up for adoption next week. I'm going to miss her - she was such a sweetie, I even named her "Luna" (because the name the shelter gave her, "Ferrari", didn't fit). Too bad we have four already, or I wouldn't think twice about keeping her!

amyable - that sounds very familiar! I did have one couple call and ask about my Shepherd, but they have one indoor/outdoor cat, and my Shepherd has a one track mind when it comes to cats. I've tried every form of correction I can think of, from positive reinforcement to a shock collar (which I had to try on myself first, because I just hated using it on him), and everything I've done has frustrated him even more and only exacerbated the problem. Even private sessions with a professional dog trainer got us nowhere with the cat issue (he learned all his basic obedience like a pro though) - the trainer loved him though, because he was such a challenge (and too smart for his own good!). Maybe I should call and ask if he wants him!

 

[Raiquee]

Babylady4) That is exactly what me and DH are doing!!!! We bought this house to get the 8k credit (which we got screwed on) from his parents and they gave us a gift of equity of 40k. We are flipping it, then reselling and using the profit to put a down deposit on a hobby farm that we both love

Terri)

too bad we hate unemployment!!! haha. It is nice to have the summer off (as I am a full time student as well) so it's my first summer actually having it off! But, checking on the garden 3x a day isn't too productive when it doesn't grow veggies that fast! lol. We are just itching to be employed ya know.

I picked 8 pounds of strawberries, got them cleaned and halved and in food saver bags in 2 cup quantities. Now the sugar snap peas, which I only got 4ish pounds of those. All for 16 bucks, which I think is a good price?

I want to go pick blackberries, but I've been having waves of nausea attacking me today. Ugh. Mainly when I want to eat. Haven't eaten a thing all day!!

Off to hack down the rhubarb and start chopping that! I love growing or picking our own produce

Makes you remember who you are.

 

[Terri O]

Sure can tell that I've done mulberry jelly tonight! My fingers are PURPLE! I dont even think I touched any of the juice but washing everything up is what's done it! I was silly and decided to process a pint jar that was 3/4 full--it popped on me as I was trying to get it out of the canner. The jar didnt break but it scared the you know what out of me! It also filled the rest of the way with canner water. Not sure what that jar will become

Cooked up some baby beets (delicious) and had them for dinner along with a margarita! MMMM! I also got all the beets thinned and picked the rest of the spinach and lettuces. I added some herbs too and washed it all and spun it out. Then I find that I have no gallon zip locks to store it in! Good thing the fridge is empty so the spinner fit in! I wanted to replant lettuce but I am saving that for later tomorrow.

The hen hatched 8 chicks and wouldnt you know that one that had the babies "visiting" decided that they must be hers so they are sharing the babies. Good thing the real mom doesnt seem to mind. Another hen took over the sitting on Goldie's eggs so that was good. What wasnt so good is that I candled the remaining eggs and ended up killing 5 chicks! You can read all about it (if you want) in the egg hatching thread. The muskovy that killed her first baby now has 3 out and is waiting for the last one. Two geese gave up on their nests and the guinea eggs I gave my neighbor were returned to me ROTTEN!

I guess he wanted to prove that they didnt hatch? I think I would have belived him without the eggs! They have another clutch and are very loud about the whole thing...maybe this one will work? I also discovered a hen in the barn that has 1 goose, 2 duck and 6 chicken eggs under her! Now THAT will be an interesting family!

Well, I need to go out and lock things up for the night...have a peaceful sleep everyone! Terri O

 

[Dr HaHa]

Good Morning! Too many things for my beer soaked brain to address this morning maybe later. TO glad you laughed. Was just thinking we should all buy up a valley or 2 in SW Wi. then we'd all be neighbors.

Was laughing at the SLW's yesterday while weeding. One would go in the run and cry because it was all alone then go to end of the run and see the others and get half way to the door and start crying and then back to the corner to see the others until it figured out that it had to make a bold leap and go outside to get around to the others. Todays goal is to finish weeding the cuc's and completely clean out the coop. Think I'll start the day with long clothes on 43*. Will check in later.

 

[Terri O]

Oh Oh...not the dreaded beer soaked brain! I marinated my brain in just a touch of Tequila last night so I am good

Feel bad for you DrH...gardening make me want to drink beer too but I have sworn off the stuff for a while...pants gettin' tight ya know?
Short hello for me too--off to meet my friend in Delafield for breakfast at Perkin's...havent seen her in a month and I have plants and eggs to give away! LOL!

Great idea about the valley purchase DrH! We could probably make our own little world with all of our talents put together...at least we would have good food, good company and a general good time! Gotta run--have a great day all! Terri O

 

[babylady4]

Too much vino last night! Progress on the bathroom though! It is painted, toilet in and WORKING, and the shower curtain is up...... now for the vanity! I hate having to go in to work on days like this, we are making so much progress!!

The ducks are really enjoying being outside now. I took a break yesterday while paint was drying and picked up some small minnows for them. The one ate 5 within 15 minutes! The thing is with these ducks being so small, where the heck did they all fit in her crop????

Had the babies out for a swim yesterday. They are so cute and funny in the water doing what ducks do best! Wore them out, they had a good looooooooong nap after that outdoor adventure!

Well, I better get moving or nothing will get worked on!

Later

 

[Sweetfolly]

Hey, beckyschicks - are those your Cochin roosters I saw on Craigslist last night? That black one does look like mine!

Someone had some ducks and geese to give away for free too, if any of you want to have a look - they're in Mt. Horeb: http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/1818383599.html

Well, off to put the last batch of duck eggs for the year into lockdown! Technically, they're not supposed to until Friday, but my Runners always hatch exactly 2 days early - I've learned that if I don't move them into the other 'bator and bump up the humidity two days early too, I tend to lose a lot of them.

Anyways, there are 9 eggs due (which is a BIG batch considering all the eggs came from one duck), and every single one has developed to term!

 

[Amyable]

Good luck with those last eggies Annarie! Did you see the thread about the BYCer that rescued 40+ Pekins from the side of the road in MA? Cool story - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=364127&p=1

Becky, I will try the ear muffs for fireworks, good idea. DS loves to mow with DH, and wears a big pair of adult earmuffs; very cute and apparently very effective 'cause he can't hear me yelling at him. Come to think of it, that might be why he's taken to wearing them while playing

Terri, I am so relieved our GSD is good with the chickens. He has a pretty high prey drive so I was nervous. He pretty much ignores them; instead he goes on multiple daily poop patrols. He loves the stuff

So in his doggy brain, chickens=chicken poop=all good.

Y'all need to stop teasing me with, ah, adult beverages. I am soooo looking forward to having wine with dinner again someday

There's a cute little winery about a mile away, they make about a dozen wines. Ohhhh, come fall I will have fresh eggs and local wine, doesn't get any better than that! And just getting loads of peas from the garden right now, can't wait for tomatoes and beans!!

 

[beckyschicks]

Annarie- they are my boys. Want any more?

I saw the free ducks and geese ad too and thought I would tell you. That's to funny!
Amyable- Those are exactly what my girls wear. Works like a charm.
Well It's been a busy day so far. Cleaned for a client this morning and now I have to pack. I did have a lady email me about the roosters asking how much they weighed? I think I'm going to ignore that one. I know I shouldnt worry but I would rather keep them then have them be eaten. I can always make the DH build a boys pad. He won't happy, but I will.

Ok got to much to do. Talk at you all later!