:: Collecting a Feral Bee Swarm ::

A friend put the word out on Facebook this morning that they had a bee swarm that needed to be collected on their back porch. As much as I wish I was experienced enough to do it; I knew I needed to contact someone from the local bee club that knew what to do. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go watch and take photos of the whole thing!
So, heads up there's a ton of photos. This was such an amazing experience for me!

My bees should be arriving in the next couple of weeks, so be prepared for the blog to be innovated with bee posts!

:: Amos Moses | An update on our new Puppy ::

Shortly after getting our new little puppy, we noticed he either couldn't hear us when we called him or he was simply incredibly stubborn and ignored us all together.

After a conversation with the gal we got him from and finding out that one of Amos' sister was also deaf; reality set in that he infact can't hear. She offered to take him back and I of course said "No way!" I'll be the first to admit I'm not a dog person but this one has me pretty attached. He's spoiled rotten I tell ya! In the house (we don't have indoor pets other than fish) & slept in our bed for the first few weeks. I'm getting soft apparently!

The toughest challenge is the fact that we can't just call for him when he is outside & well it's a search to find him if he crawls under the bench in the barn for a snooze. We've attached a bell to his collar which helps when he's up moving around.

And when we aren't home we tie him on a lead in the yard. He really is a good puppy! He is now sleeping in his kennel in the living room at night and doesn't whine until about 6am to go outside. Now, that's not to say he hasn't had accidents on the floor and that I didn't have to buy a $150. spot cleaner to clean up those messes.
Somedays when chaos ensues around here I think man he is lucky and the kids think he's lucky he can't hear a thunder storm so he won't be scared. But then there are those moments when he & Ella are playing and she is giggling in excitement that I think "man he is missing out on one the best sound in the world".

We've been reading a few things about how to train deaf dogs and we've been encouraging the kids to still talk to him like normal and reward him with lots of love and hugs because even though he can't hear us he can sense our emotions by our actions and body language.

It's just another day on the Farm ::
"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." - Joshua J. Marine

:: After a Thursday evening Rain ::

The boys got off the bus and it was a mad rush to get homemade pizza made for supper (one of the few things I CAN make) and get ready to get out the door for Chase's first home baseball game. And then, a 2nd wave of rain came in and we got the "no game" text All of a sudden our night slowed down tremendously. Well, other than the normal out break of fighting between siblings and me on the brink of going crazy, life slowed down. Ugh! Finally, I said "Everyone out of the house!" and that's just what we needed; to vent, to run in the mud, & to take a walk by myself and enjoy the sunset.

Yesterday before the rain came in we tilled up the two big gardens again. That fluffy dirt just makes me happy! This is the future home to our sweet corn and pumpkins.

And apparently, my sneaking husband got a picture of me working on it cause I found this hilariousness in the "icloud". 

The rain has got things popping and looking great!

These two were running around the pasture enjoying everything but those darn gnats that have made their way back!

And the day ended with this beauty ...

Today I remind myself of this ::
"Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things."

:: Our Newest Arrivals | Broadbreasted Bronze Turkeys ::

I can't believe we are already one week into May! The countdown to the end of the school year is on, baseball season has started and things are starting to pop up in the gardens.
This morning our shipment of Broadbreasted Bronze Turkeys arrived from Murray McMurray Hatchery.

A few of these will be going to live on a friends farm soon, but the rest will be staying here with us. Aren't they the cutest little things?

An insert from the McMurray blog tells a bit about these amazing meat providers ::
If you want a turkey that provides the most meat possible, the Broadbreasted Bronze orGiant Whites are the breeds to get. These turkeys provide, generally speaking, a 23 pound hen and around a 40-45 pound tom turkey. Birds of this size, and specifically these breeds, are artificially inseminated because their size does not allow for them to mate naturally and successfully. Birds of this nature are typically more inclined to being fed rather than foraging for themselves. These breeds are typically what has been featured in the grocery stores during Thanksgiving. While the demand for these breeds is high, because of the large size, they pose a problem for small farms to raise and sustain future flocks as most small farms are not positioned well to artificially inseminate. This practice may be more embraced by larger farms with more resources. When grocery stores and the large farms push these types of breeds, it can reduce the demand for some of the heritage breeds that our country was naturally inhabited by.

They are all happily running around their brooder box eating, drinking, and chirping.

Coming soon on the blog; an update on our little pup :: Amos Moses.
Have a beautiful Thursday everyone!

:: Happy May Day ::