Farming. Not everything is sunshine and lollipops. I mainly write about the successes because I can see the positive in what we are trying to accomplish however, not everything goes as planned. Literally, it's been raining for a week- and yes, we need it and I am happy to have IT rather than snow but wowsa, it really can push projects back.
Our truck that we purchased this past fall to push snow, haul feed, and haul anything else we should need around the homestead has needed some tuning....as in new tires (there were semi tires on them and we needed to replace those because semi tires on a Chevy 3500 Duramax Dumpbed is just plain ol' cool Mr. Hunky thinks). I have to admit, they are pretty cool, but certainly not out loud. It also needs two new batteries, a new control for the tommy gate, the windshield wiper reconnected from it being stripped while plowing, and I'M SURE I'LL HEAR ABOUT something else it needs...like a pool or  a toilet or something logical. The truck tasks are almost completed.
We are building a multi-purpose fence for all our animals to live in 'harmony' in their circle of life...I'll let you know how that works out, and since it hasn't stopped raining, we can't get the posts completely set - we have all but a few to finish and the 5' fence is almost complete as well (4 hours left of work), but it's all at a stand still till we get some dry ground. WHICH then puts my animal purchasing on hold as well, even if the fencing was complete, we can't drive the trailer to the pasture because it would just sink and we'd be stuck.
I am currently waiting on two sows, one pregnant - please don't have your litter yet- and can't wait to get them in their new home. I also have another pig/gilt I am waiting on and it's gonna be here Sunday no matter what because I am driving four hours North to pick up a Fox Red lab puppy and it's in the same town. If the pasture isn't dried out by then, I'm sure Mr. Hunky wouldn't mind if we kept it in the house :/
Unfortunately, Mr. Hunky can't replicate himself and I can't grow massive muscles to complete the super heavy lifting...and don't you worry, I can throw some weight but some things are just ridiculous and unrealistic for me to complete on my own. Especially with the three munchkins asking for 'warm chocolate milk' all the time.
THEN, my meat birds are SICK of each other and started pecking. That makes me mad. Stop, you cannibals. So, I had to spend a day putting my Comfrey Salve on their wounds and scolding them on their rudeness towards one another. I know they are sick of being 'cooped up' and want back outside on the grass but common man, violence is not the answer.
Winter is so long and when spring hits, it's pretty short so we find ourselves doing the 'get your crap together scramble.' No matter how well you prepare, if you do it's better,  you don't know what kind of a spring it will be: dry, warm, cold, or rainy.. And so far we've had cold and rainy. We certainly look forward to sunshine and lollipops soon.

It's super easy! Yet we find ourselves buying the little packets of die pills to add to our water cups at Easter time. BUT I'm here to tell ya, it's super easy and most likely things you already have on hand! I use my own brown eggs and YES, you can - you don't have to buy the nutrient lacking, store bought, white eggs that have been sitting on the shelf for 60 days before you bring them home. Well, now that you know how I feel about those...let's get started!
Place desired amount of eggs in pot and bring to a boil. Once they start boiling, time 10 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and strain off hot water. Add eggs to a ice bath in separate bowl. Let cool in water/ice. Now you can die! Well, your eggs anyway ;) Oh! You will notice that the eggs (when you eat them) won't have that ugly gray ring around the yolk either, just nice, beautiful, yellow, creamy yolk.

For 2 cups water add the following and boil individually for 5-10 minutes to extract the color. You can do this in the microwave as well-much quicker. Pour into mugs, let cool or add a couple ice cubes to each.

• 1.5 cups chopped red cabbage, 1/2 cup purple grape juice, or 1/2 cup smushed blueberries (I did a mix with all three). Shades of lavender. 
  
• 1.5 cup red onion skins or red wine. Shades of purple to red.
  
• 1.5 cup yellow onion skins. Shade of orange to burnt red.
  
• 1 cup shredded beets. Shades of pink to maroon.
  
• 3 tablespoons ground turmeric. Yellow.
  
• Rooibos tea.
  

Drop an egg (gently) into each cup! You can transfer to another mix if you'd like to create your own colors too. Let sit for at least 5 minutes, longer for darker colors!
Happy Easter! And don't forget to make deviled eggs, egg salad sandwiches, cob salads, and more!

Starting the outdoor Buffalo Farmer's Market (May- weather permitting)  you will be able to purchase organic and/or heirloom tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, kale, herbs & broccoli. Tomato varieties include: Black krim, purple cherokee, green zebra, yellow jubilee, roma, principe borghese, sun gold, early girl cherry, tumbling toms, Caspian pink, brandywine, early girl, bulls heart, caro rich, chocolate cherry, pineapple, & Umberto.
Pepper varieties include: Merlot, new ace, atris, La Bomba, cute stuff gold, gourmet, gypsy, lipstick, & jalapenos.
Herbs include: Oregano, thyme, tarragon, parsley,  rosemary, & sage.
Last year I sold my plants at market quickly so be sure to come out Saturday mornings 8am - noon, starting in May. They are $5 each. Super pumped for you to get to purchase organic and/or heirloom in varieties NOT carried by big box stores.
*note I grow my plants in organic soil.