tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90798502968977038592024-03-05T17:19:41.087-08:00Life at Purgatory RanchA record of our exploits in pursuit of God's will in our lives. Come share our joy! Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-84014393015052898552019-06-01T07:49:00.000-07:002019-06-01T07:49:51.596-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been three years since our last... supersaturated spring, but that's what we're facing this year. In the month of May, we received over 30" of rain, most of it in 3"+ downpours. I think it's so funny that people bemoan the water like it's never happened like this, but I know it has. I remember when <a href="http://purgatoryranch.blogspot.com/2016/05/sink-or-swim.html">James had to race home from work to fish out chicken coops from our lowlands</a>, which were dramatically flooded. We've learned not to move the chickens down there until later in the summer.<br />
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My labors to lay down mulch last summer and fall have been washed away, as you can see in the background of my blackberries. These are on higher ground so they look great. I'm finally getting them cleaned up and trellised properly.<br />
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We planted some extra potatoes in with the mint in our one raised bed, and they may be the only potato harvest we have this year since the other potatoes are probably rotting.<br />
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The weeds are taking over, as it has been too wet for us to get in and weed. This week we began laying slabs of soaked straw in the walkways so that in the next week of rain, we can still get to the plants to pull weeds.<br />
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The pond is bursting its banks, and I can only imagine the mosquito spawn breeding right now.<br />
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And here are the garlic rows and onions. This was a week or two ago, so the weeds are bigger, but we're beginning to get them cleaned up.<br />
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Our driveway has washed out twice, despite new gravel and repairs. I think James has found a way to keep the water from destroying the entire drive now, so it will be safe to drive in and out.<br />
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I've made a big list of chores for the summer, and we are trying to plow through them now while it's cool. I have no doubt that, come July, it will be so hot we will miss the rain. Farming is not about calm weather, but about making the best of the weather we get.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-66390309546340719242018-11-29T13:28:00.001-08:002018-11-29T13:28:13.659-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;">Fall is, in general, a less exciting time for blog posts. I haul water and feed to the three coops each morning before dawn, Daughter #2 feeds and gathers eggs in the afternoon, and we move the one moveable coop three times a week, weather permitting. The chicken tweens are in a permanent chicken yard for now, until spring comes. We keep the yard and coop filled with straw and feed the, scraps for interest.</span><br style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;" /><br style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;" /><span style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;">I am dreaming about what I will plant next spring. Almost all of our seeds are old enough that I’m starting over, and I’m trying hard to be realistic about what we can and will care for.</span><br style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;" /><br style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;" /><span style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;">Fall is a time for using up. We have sweet potatoes to sell or eat, and I’m on a mission to use up all the odds and ends in the pantry and freezers. It makes me sad to waste food through neglect, so before we raise chickens and turkeys again, I’d like to use all the meat in the freezers.</span><br style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;" /><br style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;" /><span style="background-color: #effbff; color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.6px;">Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It’s Purgatory Ranch.</span></div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-38871175171455508672018-11-08T07:53:00.000-08:002018-11-08T07:53:04.835-08:00Classic Fall Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today, it's 34 F and raining slowly, an unpleasant combination for any outdoor work. It's a good thing we watch the weather and worked hard yesterday to be ready for today!<br />
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Our smaller coop of chickens has been moved to the old strawberry bed. We made the decision to pull all the drip hose, mow down the patch, and return it to grass/pasture. Too many strawberries were lost when I couldn't weed this spring, and we need to move the patch somewhere else. James finished driving Tposts last night as well as dragging the coop up the hill from the "bowl," where Spunky and I had been moving them every other day by hand. I'll put up the fence in the next week so we can let the chickens have the range of the entire area, for the winter. They can scratch, eat weed seeds, and fertilize all winter. Next year, we'll plant seeds.<br />
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Inside, I've been busy as well. I cooked up the last bag of last year's tomatoes into a sauce for lasagna, moved straw into the chick run, moved the other chicken coop, made soap, rearranged the storage room, found myriad uses for the damaged sweet potatoes that can't be stored for long, and generally washed and washed laundry.<br />
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I need to learn more about pasture growth. I see henbit and dandelions taking over the property, and I think it's because we need to reseed. Reseed with what, and fertilize with what? I have research to do!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-19590326908501184192018-10-29T19:31:00.002-07:002018-10-29T19:31:21.059-07:00Hello, it’s me...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
... I was wondering if after all these (months) you’d like to meet... (Adele, “Hello”)<br />
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I apologize. It honestly has only occured to me once or twice that I’ve neglected this little space of the blogosphere. The week after my last post, we had a stupid, life-altering accident. Here’s what I wrote on my quilting blog:<br />
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<i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #effbff; caret-color: rgb(55, 55, 55); color: #373737; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17.600000381469727px;">I struggled to write this blog post: if I should post, what I should post. Last Saturday morning, a few hours after my green post, I was working outside with my husband, building a compost bin. At one point, the tractor bucket slipped off a Tpost, collided with my hand (which I already know should not have been where it was), and was quickly raised by my husband.</span></i><br />
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<i>Unfortunately, three bones broke in my left (dominant) hand. My third metacarpal broke, shifted, was pushed down and out of joint. My first two thoughts? No more quilting! How am I going to write?<br /><br />An ER visit Saturday, a visit to the hand specialist Tuesday, and surgery Wednesday all together mean I’m a threadless, fabric-deprived woman right now. My hand is so swollen, and moving the fingers is so painful, that at this moment, it’s hard to imagine I’ll ever sew again.</i></div>
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It has been a long, slow, steadily improving recovery. I don’t think my hand will ever be normal, but I light-years from the writing of that post. The initial struggles of loss of motion and immense loss of stamina and strength has yielding to smaller, but more humbling struggles. Writing is painful after a line or two, and what feels like a bone spur in my palm means hoeing, driving t-posts, and cutting with a knife are all troublingly difficult. There is occasional swelling (minor compared to six months ago), particularly when I overdo. I am only 7 months out, so another 5 months should bring further progress.</div>
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My saintly parents have certainly filled the gap this summer, helping plant tomatoes, peppers, and sweet potatoes, and assisting with harvest and cleanup this fall. I am, this week, sorting sweet potatoes for storage that my mom planted and dug the bulk.</div>
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My strength is returning more quickly than my grip, and I continue to discover work arounds for my challenges. I am forced to reorder priorities and to lean on the kids more for daily chores. Our second, who I call Spunky, has taken over the afternoon chicken chores, and we’ve devised a way to move our chicken coops without the tractor!</div>
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It is hard to be forced to compromise on food choices because I can’t chop and cut as much, but I’m determined to fight my way through.</div>
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I don’t intend this to be a “woe is me” post, but an explanation for a long, unintended absence. I have great faith that this accident won’t define me by what I can no longer do, but by how I grow. I found a new favorite song, which I’ve quoted down below. God has been with me, most particularly during the long, dark, sleepless nights of uncertainty.</div>
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It’s Purgatory Ranch.</div>
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I hear your whisper underneath your breath. I hear you say that you have nothing left. I will send out an army to find you in the middle of the night. I will never stop marching to reach you in the middle of the hardest night. It’s true, I will rescue you. (Lauren Daigle, “Rescue”)</div>
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Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-80554565588075158162018-03-24T04:43:00.001-07:002018-03-24T04:43:40.734-07:00The Birdhouse Barn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRivnsc8E4qR5BQp06FzX0tzVQVkTtmPiJgbVpzYE6bIhaxh4_nkq19MVd3j5PzOyRLtuW9IMZyrLOHem9U3h8D60GLxNMF4Hbcudn91TWgusyiJnh92mo-69VMf3VlfOtuJGMjdURZeXw/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRivnsc8E4qR5BQp06FzX0tzVQVkTtmPiJgbVpzYE6bIhaxh4_nkq19MVd3j5PzOyRLtuW9IMZyrLOHem9U3h8D60GLxNMF4Hbcudn91TWgusyiJnh92mo-69VMf3VlfOtuJGMjdURZeXw/s320/IMG_0572.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any day now!</td></tr>
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When we ordered ouir new shed for the garden, JoJo was very excited. He visited all the model barns, and upon arriving home, he began to collect sticks and scrap lumber to build his own (life-size) barn. Yesterday, after all the equipment moving, he asked Daddy to help him build a barn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ02cqbeDrYIYHB-52GZ8K9-vZLswUqD4-A10KS7ooL-RT4ib859-nrm3Pk2qwi5mpRocKVkOPtv8-tXC8h5TooCZq6OYP72GcQSjPc5yWaYCg2monHhjCdFV79hEnfTBVhonbAA2UDV4N/s1600/IMG_0574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ02cqbeDrYIYHB-52GZ8K9-vZLswUqD4-A10KS7ooL-RT4ib859-nrm3Pk2qwi5mpRocKVkOPtv8-tXC8h5TooCZq6OYP72GcQSjPc5yWaYCg2monHhjCdFV79hEnfTBVhonbAA2UDV4N/s640/IMG_0574.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Since a real barn is going to take some saving and planning, JoJo and Daddy decided to build a "bird house barn." JoJo said it needed a porch and a chimney, and he spray painted it all by himself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl3wISCUwfNjtPoTh-7YJysNCoKxp32ESGfIeE6BInASgr-jXxJzNP7DczdM6CcPRXSUQI7-mbXUNugwJRbH8vgYfSHD1LrdPSnmt6BpIQk4f9VrJPgsj2ikqmGCSJe2h9X27uiUT5hZg/s1600/IMG_0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl3wISCUwfNjtPoTh-7YJysNCoKxp32ESGfIeE6BInASgr-jXxJzNP7DczdM6CcPRXSUQI7-mbXUNugwJRbH8vgYfSHD1LrdPSnmt6BpIQk4f9VrJPgsj2ikqmGCSJe2h9X27uiUT5hZg/s640/IMG_0575.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
JoJo is very excited to see if birds move in this spring. (I won't mention to him that the birdhouse is a little low and tempting for our bird-sniping cats.) He already put in a few sticks to help the new birds get started with their home building.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OIFGrw6GVqWK5tQZBifN6G8PGDQXmaUeCa6xXhHAp0X6yAuRdIpm48m1waNfOSb8Wvm69zdf2KjU85XD7I5Uf677zH24ol6PEY5wFbeBr2GXlHYdeeEwhVCFfEUB7aruyP8Eos7Q0Vos/s1600/IMG_0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OIFGrw6GVqWK5tQZBifN6G8PGDQXmaUeCa6xXhHAp0X6yAuRdIpm48m1waNfOSb8Wvm69zdf2KjU85XD7I5Uf677zH24ol6PEY5wFbeBr2GXlHYdeeEwhVCFfEUB7aruyP8Eos7Q0Vos/s640/IMG_0576.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's so proud!</td></tr>
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I love this adventure primarily because, not so long ago, JoJo would have nothing to do with adventures with Daddy, prefering the security of trains and hanging out with Mommy. We've come a long way!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.<br />
katie z.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-19761145427256262712018-03-21T17:24:00.001-07:002018-03-24T04:31:43.737-07:00No Excuses<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I intend to blog more, but more posts are not in my toolkit right now. Let me update you...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy spring!</td></tr>
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Our old "garden shed," a hand-me-down from friends, was slowly disassembling itself in the fierce Kansas winds. We'd reached a stage where it was no longer water-tight, cobbled together with repair pieces more than original, and thoroughly repulsive with mouse feces. Two weeks ago, the Assistant took it upon herself to begin the tear-down. I helped her with the roof and finding tools, but she and Spunky removed screw after screw, requiring three different types of bits, and made a fine pile of plastic and metal.<br />
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We ordered a new one from Sturdi-Bilt, where the sheds are locally made by Mennonites. Today, it was delivered. We all marveled at the little but mighty machine that transported the shed into place. We intend to paint the floor to aid in cleaning, but the current weather will be too cold and too wet for it to dry properly, so we moved in a few things and will adjust them later when we're ready to paint.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls (all three of them) painted the tool bench, which was evicted from our garage due to a space issue.</td></tr>
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As part of the preparation for this (enormous) upgrade in a shed, the dead pine tree came down on Saturday, March 17. The process was a comedy of errors, as the chainsaws didn't cooperate, the two-man saw operated by vastly different sizes of people (our oldest helped) meant the two cuts were very uneven, and James and I didn't do so well either. It took both my parents as well as James and me to knock it down using large PVC pipe for leverage. Hilarious.<br />
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Today, we burned our burn pile and as much of the pine tree as we could manage. It's still smoldering now, and we're keeping a sharp watch on it. We've been waiting for time and weather to coincide, so leaped at the chance this afternoon.<br />
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Also on the 17th, we planted this year's onions (red and white), scallions (that look inappropriately like onions), and three rows of potatoes. Sadly, all the drip hose stored in the old shed had been nibbled by mice, probably for the residual water inside and so were set aside as garbage. I immediately ordered another roll of drip hose, since we used up the last of the old roll, and will lay hose for the potatoes once it arrives.<br />
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We finally had an inch of rain the night of the 18th, so things are looking splendid!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-22979644003066532982018-01-21T17:29:00.000-08:002018-01-21T17:29:06.991-08:00Miscellaneous <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After weeks (and weeks) of illness alternated with bitter cold, health and pleasant weather coincided. I took advantage of this to clean up outside. We cleared asparagus beds of woody fronds, cleared a raised bed to top it off with chicken bedding, moved multiple rolls of goat fencing, and began to clean hive frames.<br />
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Sadly, we are back to two hives. One we lost to wax moths, as it was not strong enough to expel them, and another was too weak to survive the two weeks of below freezing temperatures. We’ll be cleaning frames and preparing for new hives this summer!<br />
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Lately, I’ve been on a mission to use up stored food. We’ve done so well stocking an extensive pantry with nonperishables and three freezers with beef, chicken, and other delicious food, but with all the last few years have brought, I’ve gotten lazy at planning and cooking with forethought. No more! I hope, by spring, to clear one large freezer. Stewing hens are meeting the Instapot, and it’s a tasty match. Once it’s warm and light enough to comfortably grill in the evening, I have some packages of steaks to enjoy.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It’s Puragtory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-25836082351091814162018-01-12T10:12:00.000-08:002018-01-12T10:12:04.446-08:00Today's Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last summer, we planted corn for cornmeal, since I (sadly) used up the last of our previous harvest over the summer. The Assistant helped me with the harvest, right before rain was due to arrive, and we quickly shucked and sorted the ears.</div>
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Then, the ears sat on my kitchen desk in two ice cream buckets. Finally, today, I determined to clean off the ears, get rid of as much chaff as possible, and get the corn ready to store properly.<br />
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It only took an hour or two, between cleaning, stripping by hand, and sifting. Now I have that white container in the back full of corn for cornmeal. My hands are a little sore, which is partly why I'd delayed this task, but I'm proud of supplying our needs for our cornbread for another year or two!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-12518667004840912972017-12-04T12:25:00.001-08:002017-12-04T12:25:10.061-08:00I Miss This Place<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's been a long time since we've spent any time out at Purgatory Ranch. A gun-toting, senile old neighbor (not Uncle Bruce) made it too dangerous for us to have much energy for working out here. Also, six small kids, 3 acres at home, and all our animals at YJ Acres made our energy resources low anyhow.</div>
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Six Penny Pond has water, which is awesome, but some cedars need chopping.<br />
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We did chop down a few cedars, with the naive idea that we might be able to use one for a Christmas tree. Yeah, no. I had so many splinters in my hands from cutting three trees and hauling them to the car, that this idea was quickly abandoned. But it's three less trees for James to brush hog.<br />
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(How did she get to be so old and grown up?)<br />
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I have missed being out here. Half the kids and I trekked around the acreage, exploring the boundaries and seeing what there was to see. I could have happily spent all day.<br />
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James spent the morning brush hogging and much of the front 20 acres as possible. We don't currently have the man power, ability, or supplies to burn the front 20, and the cedars MUST be kept down. We had the entire field cleared last year and are determined to keep the area clear and usable.<br />
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On another day, James will have to come back and finish. At least we made progress.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-5540993810480988902017-10-26T05:55:00.001-07:002017-10-26T05:55:24.774-07:00Fall Labor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Abruptly, after weeks of “abnormally” warm weather with a few sighs of cool days, we are faced with a freeze. Such is the changing of the seasons in Kansas. It is never a gentle slide into winter, but a series of puffs and gasps before a sudden collapse into a freeze.<br />
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The gathering in of the seasons is upon us. Now is the time to move in the potted plants, harvest the sweet potatoes, and thank our birds for their lives before they are butchered and frozen. We have planted cover crop in two places and it grows better than I feared (oh, birds eating seeds!). Garlic cloves of many kinds and sizes have been planted, watered, and watched for signs of new life. Soon, chicken coops will move closer to the barn for the more frequent attention needed in winter, and when we butcher the turkeys, we will butcher a flock of our older laying hens, as we have determined we need to tighten up the operation.<br />
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I find autumn thoroughly rewarding: the harvest is collected, the labor of the summer slackens, all the projects begun in the spring now are fulfilled. As the days grow shorter, there is finally time for me to sit on the porch and enjoy a cool breeze. Oh, yes, and there is no better excuse to go to bed earlier and sleep later!<br />
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The light of the sun only now brightens the tops of the tallest trees, so I am blessed with a few more minutes of quiet before I must up and away for the day.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It’s Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-34301783001316493192017-10-07T05:47:00.001-07:002017-10-07T05:47:21.960-07:00Fall Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last weekend, we cleared all of the garden except for the sweet potatoes. James did some welding, which is pretty impressive, so he could mow, mow again, and till. The wind picked up in the afternoon, so despite my original plan to plan a cover crop immediately, I had to wait a few days.<br />
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Our hope is to help eliminate some of the weed growth we have in the fall and spring, as well as to enrich our soil with nitrogen fixing legumes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F8tierp9qJJQ4HhhUlRzncQwjUCU5MtZgRvVXsDN5UvE6l99T7CZwEwEDuRDddfT88zNqBzZtNk1aMJ_Oavld1m_6Ba4500FpFmDlW9icLu37GmnyFg70RpS163KmAkgjDD6SfcLKxkP/s1600/IMG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F8tierp9qJJQ4HhhUlRzncQwjUCU5MtZgRvVXsDN5UvE6l99T7CZwEwEDuRDddfT88zNqBzZtNk1aMJ_Oavld1m_6Ba4500FpFmDlW9icLu37GmnyFg70RpS163KmAkgjDD6SfcLKxkP/s320/IMG_0205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I planted a fall manure mix that included hair vetch, winter rye, ryegrass, peas, and clover, and then overplanted with mustard. I read (which means I have a good chance of being wrong) that mustard roots grow deep, even in clay, so they may help break up our hard soil. The recommended tool was a seed drill, but I had to stick to the seed spreader, which is what I have. I can live with uneven seed distribution.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmvOkPrQvIUpJuMlvwZxjYQcMwzrb3kjtqcsSLdsFzpJ0HTx7ycCo25SPE72d852JL0n3Zov6i2KDj-WPSG1LkWSTKik43qWHcMsdj7A05pYLSGmOE6qxdasktNN9anf1LkAgVPlNvyhC/s1600/IMG_0206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmvOkPrQvIUpJuMlvwZxjYQcMwzrb3kjtqcsSLdsFzpJ0HTx7ycCo25SPE72d852JL0n3Zov6i2KDj-WPSG1LkWSTKik43qWHcMsdj7A05pYLSGmOE6qxdasktNN9anf1LkAgVPlNvyhC/s320/IMG_0206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the end, the challenge was keeping the pesky guineas out of the seed. I finally set up a hose to spray/mist all over the area, and that worked. Now we've had a few days of rain, and I can already see sprouting!</div>
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In the coming week, I'll try to lay out the drip hose again in an unplanted area for the garlic crop!</div>
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
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Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-49162474147071697712017-09-22T09:55:00.002-07:002017-09-22T09:55:31.533-07:00A Moment in Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWCet2cU-rf4J96t301-dnTqIulF4ioFtjFn2aIYwg9KT_-DXduSsesjbYipLOLlPeLTDdIY1LVH4wJR3lSgLZAoeYwmUeHSUl3HgFePVkQ9Ks4jZU2bi9rHQokH5y4isq3EdE9S7e98e/s1600/IMG_0193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWCet2cU-rf4J96t301-dnTqIulF4ioFtjFn2aIYwg9KT_-DXduSsesjbYipLOLlPeLTDdIY1LVH4wJR3lSgLZAoeYwmUeHSUl3HgFePVkQ9Ks4jZU2bi9rHQokH5y4isq3EdE9S7e98e/s320/IMG_0193.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Meat chickens are getting fat.<br />
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Bees are pulling in the final harvests for winter.<br />
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We are shrinking the size of our farm, as our time and energy do not allow so many animals and so much garden space at this time.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-8369749351616595922017-07-15T16:25:00.000-07:002017-09-22T09:49:36.260-07:00Bees<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We cleaned up a wax moth-infested, weak hive. At the same time, we moved a small hive from a nuc box to a proper hive.</div>
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So cool... You can see yellow pollen sacks.</div>
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DH prying out frames to see if they're infected.<br />
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Bees, larvae, and larvae cells.<br />
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The cleaned up bee yard.<br />
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The trashed frames and boxes.<br />
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The rest of the disaster...<br />
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Now we're cleaned up, filtering honey and melting wax, and enjoying a healthier bee yard.<br />
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Until next time, remember. This is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-81408018343841592752017-04-28T11:18:00.005-07:002017-04-28T11:18:59.188-07:00Exploration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPncL4KgCBCbk7meiAN0V6hK-iUX8wqqCPwWQnVOfYKi2KAs42rW2tNu2Q-nMc5xq1w8COSBX_aw9F7rTVq0PPPJcjjHvmiKGX4DQmgPENEiWhO3ccVQ8_Uqt1oPgBFobFXPezzhxsr8N/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPncL4KgCBCbk7meiAN0V6hK-iUX8wqqCPwWQnVOfYKi2KAs42rW2tNu2Q-nMc5xq1w8COSBX_aw9F7rTVq0PPPJcjjHvmiKGX4DQmgPENEiWhO3ccVQ8_Uqt1oPgBFobFXPezzhxsr8N/s320/IMG_4290.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb... behind it are hiding two more, newly transplanted, that so far have survived</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeEN8Q4H-CsP0G6N6jb-GjEuXR2wOV9biEZh3gSJ0ETYagfui0h6IoiMFntdDMMTzkQowHtUnbbh_c3t5ld5BLnYI1S9UuU844Xa0VTzEyhXiNPgBlsIGS6imahWMbCF_EZ4iG3lLzcGg/s1600/IMG_4291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeEN8Q4H-CsP0G6N6jb-GjEuXR2wOV9biEZh3gSJ0ETYagfui0h6IoiMFntdDMMTzkQowHtUnbbh_c3t5ld5BLnYI1S9UuU844Xa0VTzEyhXiNPgBlsIGS6imahWMbCF_EZ4iG3lLzcGg/s320/IMG_4291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry blooms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7i0NHHAoTr_ME9S-RExyLNPaG01Pilc9nplMOcnKMm7HKncCS5NIbZbjFN_Dxc4Rca6cMzcioXey1cP5nheNY2oHzd2WO4l_y2wzSvToFfpoIv-t98Z-mdBE4p5KzMc6g77mr1_og-Pl/s1600/IMG_4292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7i0NHHAoTr_ME9S-RExyLNPaG01Pilc9nplMOcnKMm7HKncCS5NIbZbjFN_Dxc4Rca6cMzcioXey1cP5nheNY2oHzd2WO4l_y2wzSvToFfpoIv-t98Z-mdBE4p5KzMc6g77mr1_og-Pl/s320/IMG_4292.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we looking at another swarm in the making?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimfjU8dpmkMv_8o-JIeeAYp9Ke4spoS5rOdpGrq-izKf8AknYsI8d19otdH5fhS8UWyvAQaM1wvul0b8haJPhURe4DheeEpctU7dhqDRBwZWtqu6DTh-3pOkDZ-WxablgHwtgd-jQmVZt/s1600/IMG_4293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimfjU8dpmkMv_8o-JIeeAYp9Ke4spoS5rOdpGrq-izKf8AknYsI8d19otdH5fhS8UWyvAQaM1wvul0b8haJPhURe4DheeEpctU7dhqDRBwZWtqu6DTh-3pOkDZ-WxablgHwtgd-jQmVZt/s320/IMG_4293.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Plum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgllQyRezAN8WkLIdOFiOnPGlODN4vXfEprJS-LQcEckyypZGq_eM4qKQ9hs26hZ_QSIyfLq_hwULCkyuHTcvUAZnji7R713Pym6o5_1Mz30FOpyAnLHrSqLsuXyO1MGNKiwajy5c7uKD/s1600/IMG_4294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgllQyRezAN8WkLIdOFiOnPGlODN4vXfEprJS-LQcEckyypZGq_eM4qKQ9hs26hZ_QSIyfLq_hwULCkyuHTcvUAZnji7R713Pym6o5_1Mz30FOpyAnLHrSqLsuXyO1MGNKiwajy5c7uKD/s320/IMG_4294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach Baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGAcfAVAzcNQ6wtZhFdAQp_WpQVm-zT4pu5n-sj5edHfIOCJXmyUcg1nMZ1YjRAulxHe0EXEkTcp9k_BxCVSYOTOupr2UW2tS1OnM5kAROBJYHNzlWZcRqZzF-eJGMptJKxt_iac0w08F/s1600/IMG_4295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGAcfAVAzcNQ6wtZhFdAQp_WpQVm-zT4pu5n-sj5edHfIOCJXmyUcg1nMZ1YjRAulxHe0EXEkTcp9k_BxCVSYOTOupr2UW2tS1OnM5kAROBJYHNzlWZcRqZzF-eJGMptJKxt_iac0w08F/s320/IMG_4295.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bitty Apples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aOUAAXrhdfNHeMcXNe9mwqq4TV41RdBR_be_y3c8bom5DcNC2oViJSSGmvYA2V42LLPUNxVC2ucpSUKW9q_6gOeKnzmEo3vpceeBIUQn0Sp9SRjJVqPj09y7YbKBKdya_MQRPvcW3Vm5/s1600/IMG_4296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aOUAAXrhdfNHeMcXNe9mwqq4TV41RdBR_be_y3c8bom5DcNC2oViJSSGmvYA2V42LLPUNxVC2ucpSUKW9q_6gOeKnzmEo3vpceeBIUQn0Sp9SRjJVqPj09y7YbKBKdya_MQRPvcW3Vm5/s320/IMG_4296.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crabapples... Aren't the leaves lovely?</td></tr>
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Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-45033730657758579052017-04-15T05:43:00.006-07:002017-04-15T05:43:57.897-07:00Chick Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNQv-RJSSDhUQwEFgDhlVHca7EC64IITXv4_oehyphenhyphenEXfJVXcqpIW8sCBxHxnUT2Vnn2JXANkvsqPYVWi3xL8UzfFvp1D8n6gKgdfglp6tQg-o78PnTxUajNQMAp33H9Bl6u06nVrEJ4zHx/s1600/IMG_4285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNQv-RJSSDhUQwEFgDhlVHca7EC64IITXv4_oehyphenhyphenEXfJVXcqpIW8sCBxHxnUT2Vnn2JXANkvsqPYVWi3xL8UzfFvp1D8n6gKgdfglp6tQg-o78PnTxUajNQMAp33H9Bl6u06nVrEJ4zHx/s320/IMG_4285.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The first hatch of the year, a baby turkey. I suspect Shuckle is a girl, giving her call, but it will be interesting to see!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-59150711734254384442017-04-08T18:24:00.004-07:002017-04-08T18:24:45.088-07:00Saturday's Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Spring is a delightful but challenging time at Yahweh Jireh Acres. A plethora of tasks clamors for our attention, but the abundant rain we've received makes some of those tasks difficult or downright impossible.<br />
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This Saturday morning, we pruned out dead wood from our blackberries, sweet cherry bushes, and roses. We gathered the winter's collection of dead debris and piled it for a future burning or disposal. All the chicken tractors moved, uncovering burrowing mice (excitement for the chickens). The damp reek of overwet chicken bedding (with the rain, it's been a muddy two weeks) will fade as it dries in the heat.<br />
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Asparagus spears are launching themselves out of the soil, so the weeding around them is particularly important. We also have rhubarb, one trying to bolt and two that required transplanting. In addition to digging rhubarb, I transplanted four sweet cherry bush stems that were growing too far away from the main plant to be viable in their current location. If even one or two survives, we will have greatly increased our cherry treats!<br />
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Disappointingly, James labored much of the morning on tractor light rewiring and was ultimately unsuccessful. Another day, God willing, he will find success.<br />
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There are still strawberries to tend, always weeding, honey to rob, and a turkey Tom to butcher. Our tom, named Effingham Sandwich, bit JoJo. Attacks on humans is a capital offense, so we will be enjoying turkey for Easter. Ooh, and tomato plants to transplant and turkey poults should be hatching any day.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-6531161740244424962017-03-15T06:41:00.000-07:002017-03-25T06:41:29.192-07:00Spring Colors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-37912010109137462802017-03-10T13:18:00.000-08:002017-03-10T13:18:00.756-08:00Bee Joy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7e95U0U285TtwKlEX1w0z1Q4qRR_wSOv4aw3Y3zU43uv0tHWeRSQSTpzlRbzJ22cgSZhyphenhyphenhqjFXTrIZMD-PPKd_kbamDtLQpHeyKhR8jy_AgBQxOMLgLvsvr3h996D9C6lxQa_0KAeOnK/s1600/IMG_4255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7e95U0U285TtwKlEX1w0z1Q4qRR_wSOv4aw3Y3zU43uv0tHWeRSQSTpzlRbzJ22cgSZhyphenhyphenhqjFXTrIZMD-PPKd_kbamDtLQpHeyKhR8jy_AgBQxOMLgLvsvr3h996D9C6lxQa_0KAeOnK/s320/IMG_4255.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Buds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSIU3R9Onq1bmIwqd6lQa66iaXwqx5bPpRiQwKQeKMTZdvXJfHxVyOn4al1_0ht-gakfA5bKTjE6-ePFg_Rjn8d7WLpcYLhfIydkGBD3FQXiGIGt6Kkc7pV3bevz1uFqs5UojS41Qunww/s1600/IMG_4257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSIU3R9Onq1bmIwqd6lQa66iaXwqx5bPpRiQwKQeKMTZdvXJfHxVyOn4al1_0ht-gakfA5bKTjE6-ePFg_Rjn8d7WLpcYLhfIydkGBD3FQXiGIGt6Kkc7pV3bevz1uFqs5UojS41Qunww/s320/IMG_4257.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHbsqAqUSXZTE5r3pCvLnSgSPPvbWrSoTkIJULmTkoXV5oymHZyxKJUPCH_TVrsgHOARMen20GFghsVOGDlLQW9ssaHCKTBOtGrpz1Z8zPY4esoHW5XW2gzdnS3eWD58PwaGX12kAhnfz/s1600/IMG_4259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHbsqAqUSXZTE5r3pCvLnSgSPPvbWrSoTkIJULmTkoXV5oymHZyxKJUPCH_TVrsgHOARMen20GFghsVOGDlLQW9ssaHCKTBOtGrpz1Z8zPY4esoHW5XW2gzdnS3eWD58PwaGX12kAhnfz/s320/IMG_4259.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwveJ0WF56nzuIEtgvn7ephsRuGDjCTp8iI203U0s7W6kuOiuP7izaXHSNNO943A0H7GfeHARaVpW6J-g-FS42QbWR0IvFgmKTQ6n5rbUyfAEru3DelBiRw01oFeZ8VwS_CUNQQWYrsUX/s1600/IMG_4261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwveJ0WF56nzuIEtgvn7ephsRuGDjCTp8iI203U0s7W6kuOiuP7izaXHSNNO943A0H7GfeHARaVpW6J-g-FS42QbWR0IvFgmKTQ6n5rbUyfAEru3DelBiRw01oFeZ8VwS_CUNQQWYrsUX/s320/IMG_4261.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXIUEMiPPLDoJxbXLooZ9y_J9YTryOMXORKrrfwzJ1xTWLIuOuKJRIKTcrkcqiGNhChj7IeEH5gKBTL_t1wtJMdQkNHWClgmnB4YFEYaciaVhyYyuRxhTlQiz4-U_aPvVLNbv3nrGrl7t/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXIUEMiPPLDoJxbXLooZ9y_J9YTryOMXORKrrfwzJ1xTWLIuOuKJRIKTcrkcqiGNhChj7IeEH5gKBTL_t1wtJMdQkNHWClgmnB4YFEYaciaVhyYyuRxhTlQiz4-U_aPvVLNbv3nrGrl7t/s320/IMG_4262.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6PVHEqKzxy-vwgutoFAG2E7_sbgrIgp7iTt1QyCkplsJtu5hlMG1hTWcrBWVfU07ZcMLP6OEbkyFJdbY2nppbr2RT2kapcKXgb2hVKYjdla5-eqgkjVZQXIt3QCsUwUEJr_C0uYEUx7D/s1600/IMG_4263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6PVHEqKzxy-vwgutoFAG2E7_sbgrIgp7iTt1QyCkplsJtu5hlMG1hTWcrBWVfU07ZcMLP6OEbkyFJdbY2nppbr2RT2kapcKXgb2hVKYjdla5-eqgkjVZQXIt3QCsUwUEJr_C0uYEUx7D/s320/IMG_4263.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Cherry Bush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-55630766746969715462017-03-04T16:18:00.000-08:002017-03-04T16:18:13.579-08:00A Work Day, Abbreviated<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today was supposed to be a busy day. The list was too long, we already knew, but we'd get as far as we could before dark.<br />
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Instead, JoJo woke up at 3:45, so I woke up at 3:45. Since I didn't want to wake the rest of the family, he and I sat in bed with PK, he watching Chuggington and I stitching down the binding on a quilt. When everyone else started to stir, James took care of animals and I cooked breakfast.<br />
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(We have the happy problem of so many eggs we can't sell them fast enough, so egg eating is important!)<br />
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I was exhausted, so after a little cleaning, I went back to bed and slept for (gasp) three hours. The entire morning was lost, alas, since James can't work outside on the tractor and hold the baby. He took care of phone calls for church, and I arranged lunch. We made our monthly run to Costco, which was one of our chores for the day.<br />
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Once we returned, the rest of the afternoon was spent outside working on the grapes. James brought over mulch in the tractor; I shoveled it, tied up grapes, and pruned grapes; Q ran messages to various people; the Assistant watched the babies; Spunky supervised JoJo. All in all, we accomplished a significant amount even if we only made it through two chores.<br />
<br />
(On a side note, we tried the wine I made last fall. James says it's horrible. I actually liked the few sips I had, which is hilarious since I notoriously don't like alcohol. We'll age it further and see if it improves. If not, we'll be more scientific next round.)<br />
<br />
And, yes, it is the wrong time of year to mulch if we want the soil to warm around the grapes. There are several reasons we are mulching now anyway. James currently has the time, before the rush of spring. I wilt once it gets hot, no matter the clothing and hydration choices I make. Finally, the grapes are trying to bud too early, so cold feet can work in our favor since we still have a decent chance of another solid freeze in the next six week.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-6181095273289841662017-02-24T07:01:00.000-08:002017-02-24T07:01:06.220-08:00Too-Early Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As it is supposed to drop to 26 F tonight, these little bits of growth may all end up frozen, but on the day I took the pictures, it was gorgeous.</div>
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Rose leaves...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5xHsAHOFn5-B5RRQFkyJl0Ux-vYDP492dbcjoUBGDpqshy2staKDbUZd8XL7comT_kELTmcX2PaWQ0rvAGrb7BGUZf5Jkw7IqCfgXgi-CVpcq2XD2hU2HKBYnicAzJ8Fp2WkY0MFBB5e/s1600/IMG_4214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5xHsAHOFn5-B5RRQFkyJl0Ux-vYDP492dbcjoUBGDpqshy2staKDbUZd8XL7comT_kELTmcX2PaWQ0rvAGrb7BGUZf5Jkw7IqCfgXgi-CVpcq2XD2hU2HKBYnicAzJ8Fp2WkY0MFBB5e/s320/IMG_4214.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Daffodils...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyhs1R7cZj70x1GXEXD5IkVhmIJ_P9Dn0M5-I6MZ89AH3Agb_WUeWGceyhavVgKUsGH25Jo80VxN1SXbTiMBQVVSPAiaUs1befkFd4Ta5rqYhaoN2OwIJA9TJtpp23Cv2Ec4z390JAeF2/s1600/IMG_4215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyhs1R7cZj70x1GXEXD5IkVhmIJ_P9Dn0M5-I6MZ89AH3Agb_WUeWGceyhavVgKUsGH25Jo80VxN1SXbTiMBQVVSPAiaUs1befkFd4Ta5rqYhaoN2OwIJA9TJtpp23Cv2Ec4z390JAeF2/s320/IMG_4215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Plum buds...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Jx4Cta1ckS-EKb_kIyRQSyUDyM7mQrnMJFWD7Lspw9SrLSwfzHJD-X5EaIxNUcEc7dsSWcN1OgvdzFerZDbGq4Q-Lm29JGVNdHv5RoswxgoWaWaqI-IYR89DIPMNjFwbkfqrenADSYRX/s1600/IMG_4216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Jx4Cta1ckS-EKb_kIyRQSyUDyM7mQrnMJFWD7Lspw9SrLSwfzHJD-X5EaIxNUcEc7dsSWcN1OgvdzFerZDbGq4Q-Lm29JGVNdHv5RoswxgoWaWaqI-IYR89DIPMNjFwbkfqrenADSYRX/s320/IMG_4216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Willow green...<br />
I love the way green creeps over this tree until, suddenly, it's full of leaves!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjT_qMIKLm3FkcwtrJHnI6imPyxoci4p7lgoDnGsreozPi3Z9HrgwsErHPOLK1Rkfr7Pvui0KGoctkNKF6kNaGVNvt9Y8Q54edLJ_D0LjDpRca3uOBsvY34KdnTPmb6ZogsRXRf-sClEI/s1600/IMG_4217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjT_qMIKLm3FkcwtrJHnI6imPyxoci4p7lgoDnGsreozPi3Z9HrgwsErHPOLK1Rkfr7Pvui0KGoctkNKF6kNaGVNvt9Y8Q54edLJ_D0LjDpRca3uOBsvY34KdnTPmb6ZogsRXRf-sClEI/s320/IMG_4217.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Strutting tom, named Effingham Sandwich...<br />
It's a long story. He likes to show off for me, but he stalks the rest of the family and scares them. He may not last past this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl7KGaU3lrVpUYM6v0Q6tIPnz5p7GxAzi_Dp5LYnfazcw0mmsLG7FWC40nn52iCx2ODRAiwiR2bOw9GoWJwH6My3vgcuv7uej-jITRwFaH5dbfu8-DYdb_c07AYixiLJwJw7FvTrZr5ai/s1600/IMG_4220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl7KGaU3lrVpUYM6v0Q6tIPnz5p7GxAzi_Dp5LYnfazcw0mmsLG7FWC40nn52iCx2ODRAiwiR2bOw9GoWJwH6My3vgcuv7uej-jITRwFaH5dbfu8-DYdb_c07AYixiLJwJw7FvTrZr5ai/s320/IMG_4220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqOOXHQP3s7npjqLT_ZRQGPZiCA_7yeVH__QKsRx3jZ23eU2q-py_uLIK11GTzqno5dKRWrNjRyNUa6a8PdSWIGMIbmlhyxKO_EgoCqtoLpYRWZibZWmf5clYl5tDWv3R4awMMGkt2vuC/s1600/IMG_4221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqOOXHQP3s7npjqLT_ZRQGPZiCA_7yeVH__QKsRx3jZ23eU2q-py_uLIK11GTzqno5dKRWrNjRyNUa6a8PdSWIGMIbmlhyxKO_EgoCqtoLpYRWZibZWmf5clYl5tDWv3R4awMMGkt2vuC/s320/IMG_4221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Buzzing bees...<br />
I'm ridiculously grateful that the bees survived the winter, as we are new bee-tenders.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_hUze9nCllIyi4H8_d8tM5v1HMvKjUZBVbDeT7_xvfzn9zQQ836VCLcWTAXeJ7TQmv7D14O4nN2UiJ7u3RgTLNiaKKgfa9sdhiaXjW-u4wHSNlfcAKWlc10jEAQbtybD_E353tiGbPv0/s1600/IMG_4222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_hUze9nCllIyi4H8_d8tM5v1HMvKjUZBVbDeT7_xvfzn9zQQ836VCLcWTAXeJ7TQmv7D14O4nN2UiJ7u3RgTLNiaKKgfa9sdhiaXjW-u4wHSNlfcAKWlc10jEAQbtybD_E353tiGbPv0/s320/IMG_4222.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-51899829818087191852017-02-21T19:19:00.001-08:002017-02-21T19:19:39.020-08:00Goings On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Saturday, we spent a glorious afternoon spreading composted manure in the garden and around the fruit trees. I raked the asparagus beds. There's still work to be done, but the beds are much improved. We added mulch in various places. James tilled. I weeded and watered the garlic.<br />
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It was glorious, all but the part where I lost my glasses. I had prescription sunglasses on, but it's hard to see in the barn and the shed, so I thought I'd be clever and keep my glasses hooked on my shirt. I can't drive, cook, sew... I have an old, distorted pair, and they'll do until I can visit the eye doctor and get a new pair. It may or may not have been nearly seven years since my last eye exam. On a side note, if you're good friends with St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost items, will you put in a good work for me? He hasn't told me yet where to look, so I keep asking.<br />
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Then, best of all, we had almost three quarters of an inch of rain Sunday night. Everything is pleasantly squishy and the compost is soaking in. It feels like an eternity since the last rain or snow.<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-26550635098867973842017-02-15T15:21:00.000-08:002017-02-15T15:21:30.832-08:00Do you see what I see?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
... Exceptionally gorgeous sunsets each evening<br />
... More pleasantly cloudy days<br />
... The first green of daffodil and tulip leaves<br />
... A need for rain<br />
... Bradford pear buds<br />
... Preening turkeys<br />
... A rainbow of chicken eggs<br />
... No longer, a nearby house that has been dismantled piece by piece<br />
... A few browning, decaying pine trees (a weekend's labor)<br />
... Beds full of promise<br />
... Decadently brown compost, ready for application<br />
... A collapsing shed (a mite more than a weekend's work)<br />
... Baby smiles<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.<br />
<br /></div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-51818858879150238322017-01-09T17:05:00.000-08:002017-01-09T17:05:08.672-08:00Life, Inside<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Outside, a fox killed a chicken and a guinea. It's cold (finally, hopefully to destroy the oak mites). The water freezes. I can't lift bags of chicken feed or gallons of water yet, so James has manfully taken on all the chicken chores. The chickens are laying more/again, so our egg bucket is filling again.<div>
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Inside, I'm washing eggs and there are eggs for sale again. Baby PK, born December 14, keeps my arms and heart full. We're still trying to find a new normal as a family of eight.</div>
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One thing I'm trying to do is be more conscious of things I haven't taught the big kids. For example, gratitude. We had a family and gift-filled Christmas season, but somehow in my survival of the day to day, I've grown lax at expressing gratitude in the form of thank you notes. I love to receive them, and actually, I like to write a few at a time. The trouble for me is there are many, and I feel less grateful when I write "thank you" for the tenth time. Rarely do I manage to enlist the kids in a low stress manner, if at all. In additon to the regular gifts, we've been blessedly inundated with meals from friends and parishioners. Every time I think I'm caught up, generosity is bestowed on us again.</div>
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This year, I'm hoping to have each of the three big kids write two notes to extended family. It's taking significant time to guide the six-year-old, as I really write the thank you note and he copies it, but I remind myself that I only learned to write thank you notes by the teaching of my parents. I can do this, and so can they!</div>
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Thank YOU for reading, commenting, and supporting our farm.</div>
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-17690355573362955902017-01-07T08:08:00.000-08:002017-01-07T08:08:58.996-08:00A Brief Snippet: Wee Things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's been a baby...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q44zAAfKwJjOIXYX6W__BzBl6xMGd6PAf6E-Ft7zM1WXuKCAZwnp3XKZexzSKwFUaPSH1Ad-wpO0rxgOSZ4cGvLR1lhdKWtR0suzsWWwQx6fk1TcZk7FibM40N9PBRsVw9sGHs-Dn4aM/s1600/IMG_4006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q44zAAfKwJjOIXYX6W__BzBl6xMGd6PAf6E-Ft7zM1WXuKCAZwnp3XKZexzSKwFUaPSH1Ad-wpO0rxgOSZ4cGvLR1lhdKWtR0suzsWWwQx6fk1TcZk7FibM40N9PBRsVw9sGHs-Dn4aM/s320/IMG_4006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a few tiny eggs...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOnnFJTmwryUAPWqNcbAClPEydFiaDiddiimzHclA_sqMjazqIWu7iSAL7IcC_uy7ZRw8cvE3fLFikE8ZhLpA2BzXEMkaX04KhmL_wBzCllgjJFJIs-7flMsEYU3tMzZI2iv19qAO65es/s1600/IMG_4053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOnnFJTmwryUAPWqNcbAClPEydFiaDiddiimzHclA_sqMjazqIWu7iSAL7IcC_uy7ZRw8cvE3fLFikE8ZhLpA2BzXEMkaX04KhmL_wBzCllgjJFJIs-7flMsEYU3tMzZI2iv19qAO65es/s320/IMG_4053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Winter well, my friends!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch!</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9079850296897703859.post-78621767253490974932016-11-18T07:14:00.001-08:002016-11-18T07:14:46.442-08:00The World Turns...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Feeding chickens, free-ranging turkeys, managing weeds, and being tired...<br />
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In the last few weeks, we've named the remaining turkeys: Effingham Sandwich, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. Effingham has become a little aggressive to everyone but me, so turkey chores rest solidly with me. I open the coop in the morning and round them up in the afternoon. Last night, in preparation for a brutal cold front (FINALLY), James and I moved the turkeys to the old guinea coop. Turkeys are not small animals, so James had quite a task to wrestle all three. Now they'll stay cooped for a week or two, to familiarize them with their new home, before we try letting them wander again.<br />
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The chickens are moving closer to their stationary winter homes. Egg production has dropped dramatically with the shorter days, and one flock has chosen this rather cold time to molt. It looks like Armageddon in their coop from the number of feathers.<br />
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James mowed down the weeds in the strawberry patches. I'm afraid many of the strawberries died over the summer, since I couldn't keep up with the weeding. Next year, God willing, we will mulch thoroughly, replant as needed, and manage better. The three big kids are big enough to weed, so next year that will be part of their morning chores.<br />
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A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you, in case I forget to blog next week. Support your local farms and grow some of your own food!<br />
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Until next time, remember, this is not paradise. It's Purgatory Ranch.</div>
Katie Z.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15747099863417435647noreply@blogger.com1