Wow! time sure flies when you're having fun*wink*
Last week began with the blessing our our grand daughter, then on
Wednesday Cortney had a the opportunity to help deliver a lamb, all on her
own. Her boss had to run to the P.O. to pick up baby chicks and left
Cortney watching a ewe who was in labor. In just the 15 or so minutes
Annabelle was gone, the ewe birthed a single lamb. It was windy, so when
the hooves and nose presented, Cortney put a jug together in prep for the
mom and baby. She retrieved the lamb, letting the ewe follow along into the
barn and into the jug. Then she cut the umbilical cord and dipped it in
Iodine, and stripped the ewe. When Annabelle arrived the lamb was
up and already nursing. It was a buck and he weighed 14lbs. Annabelle
was so... proud of Cortney! She becoming quite the sheep lady*wink*

Thursday Cortney and I had plans with a friend to make Lye soap. This
was my first time making lye soap and I wanted to watch a pro first. We
made four small batches, using different oils and scents. I brought a
batch of Calendula/ peppermint home to cure for 4-5 weeks. Now that
I've had a tutorial, I feel comfortable enough to try it solo. I need to
watch garage sales and thrift shops for some glassware, wooden spoons
and a small scale for weighing the oils and lye. None of these items will
be used for anything but soap making.

Friday and Sat. Cortney worked for Annabelle in the morning and I got
a call at 10:30 am saying our chicks had arrived, so.. off the the city to pick
them up. Our afternoon was spend getting the chicks settled in, grinding
and mixing their feed and enjoying a short visit from Mike's Mom. Mike's
Mom made a quick trip for the day to see the new Great Granddaughter.
She spent time with Jon, Bobbi, Jaymz and Jayla and then came up for
a short visit before returning to ND.

Our newest guests, 5 jakes came courting our hens. Last year
there were only two jakes that came to coax a hen to come with them.
It's fun to listen to them gobble and our toms return the gobbles.
They've been here two mornings in a row and hang around for
several hours before moving on.

This Jake was brave, he approached the pen and paced and strutted

up and down the fence line. Our toms as you can see are NOT happy

Started working on the hoop house and before we knew it we had

the framework up. Now we need to get the lumber in place next.

I'm going to try to make a trip into the Habitat for Humanity

warehouse to find two storm doors and a couple of small windows for

each end. We also ordered the equipment for 3 ft roll up sides. These

will allow for extra ventilation when needed. I'm so.... excited to get

it up and running and the raised beds done and planted. We'll

be able to have three rows of raised beds, with two walk paths and

room for a couple of starter tables*wink*

Mike showing off! I don't do ladders, so instead handed him needed

items. I'll post more pictures as it progresses.

I can't believe Easter is almost here. Where does the time go? Before

we know it it will be time for Addy to calve, YEAH!!!!

I'll get pictures of our chicks, we only ordered Plymouth White Rocks

a few as replacements for older hens and the rest as meat chickens.

So far all 25 appear to be healthy the thriving, PTL!

Blessings for your week,

Kelle