What's New?

Life changed pace at our house in March.  Mom/Wife/The All-for-One,  took a long-term subbing position at the local high school (until the end of the school year).  Needless to say, life on Pine Ridge Farm did not slow down.  In the time since we last documented Iowa farm life, this is what has happened:

We bought 15 chicks from the farm store.  7 of them survived Julian, the mighty feline hunter.

The Big Guy and Matthew spent an evening wrestling with the rototiller.  They removed the head and manually compressed the frozen exhaust valve.  After an initial start, it failed to perform.  Other than the hardy rhubarb, mint, and flagged tulips, the garden has reverted to its original state of sin.

We ran out of room for farm equipment over the winter, and had the resources to add on to our existing shop.

Our friends, Brad & Jess, had hoped to find a new home for their St. Bernard, Missy.  She is a wonderful dog and we enjoyed having her at our house for a week or two until she started eating chicken-sicles.  She returned to Brad & Jess and is awaiting a poulty-free home.

The praying mantis kit Laura received at Christmas is alive with a myriad of fascinating, carnivorous creatures.  We are learning to set live traps for ants and fruit flies.  Whooping with glee at each success, it's a relief to look over one's shoulder in embarrassment and realize there is no one there.

The Big Guy planted a number of fruit trees in what is now the "new orchard."  He bought 12 trees:  peach, apple, cherry, pear, plum.  He is hoping to supply the girls with fruit for their summer pie stand--even if it takes a year or two.

The shop construction is finished on the outside.  The Big Guy completed the electrical work, but there is still dirt work and floor work to do.  Due to our photographer's full schedule, we were not able to document spring planting, which the Lord blessed marvelously.  The corn and bean are tucked in and growing well.

Finally, this is what greeted me when I got home from school today.  It's a functional piece of equipment that combines Matthew's love for ag mechanics, music, and his genetic predisposition to pilfer other people's junk.  More on that next time....