Maple Grove Farm

Today's Activities and Weekend Plans

Today was the big buy.  We headed for the farm supply store and got all the things we need to put in a soft fruit garden.  We already had strawberries, but we needed to add a few more and move the bed.  The old strawberry bed will become the artichoke and asparagus bed, so I also got 10 asparagus crowns.

We purchased 4 blueberries, 8 raspberries, and 6 grapes.  We also got 6 dozen strawberry plants.  The beds are not all prepared.  They have experienced an initial plow but we still need to rototil in some compost.  We'll probably get the plants in on Sunday, but it will take a lot of help from all of us.  One of our biggest challenges will be keeping things watered as we head into summer.

Eight new chicks came home with us.  They are varieties we have not tried before and they will help replace layers when they grow up.  I also ordered 20 of my favorite breed - Delawares.  They are a white chicken that lays brown eggs.  They are tasty to eat and get broody in the spring.  We'll use some of these for eating.

I purchased my supplies to make my chicken plucker.  I'll let you know how it comes out.  We have some roosters that are living in the end times - at least for them.  Finally, I got a few remaining items I need to make some soap.  I just have to find the lye - I kid you not.  I can't remember where I stashed it so that kids wouldn't get into it.

Oh, and just for all your laughs - I had multiple humbling moments while out with the kids today.  Strangers behind us bonded over their common horror at my situation.  Conversations centered around how they were so happy they did not have that many children.  Their horror would have doubled if I had mentioned I had two more at school.  Children ran circles around me, touched everything, pulled candy off of shelves, and cried.  From the chaos one kind woman offered to hold the baby and help me to the car.

I hope you have some fun homsteading projects planned this weekend. . .

Untitled Comment

06:53, 2008-Feb-29 .. Posted by gabbie427

And I suppose you stood there acting like you had all the cool in the world while the children did this??? LOL I can't imagine the look on her face if you had said, oh and I have two more in school, and this many farm animals, and this many indoor pets and I make my own bread, yogurt, and laundry soap. LOL

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo