it is almost done

the project list is getting smaller and smaller. The garden is in, it is growing like mad (yeah!), the watering system is installed, the electric fence is up, the chickens are in a coop and we have a few roosters. They were cock-a-doodle-doing. we only have the trellis system to put into the garden. The system I decided will also be able to support plastic sheeting so I can have mini-greenhouses in the fall. The chicken coop needs some work but the chickens don't seem to mind their sleeping arrangements.

Unexpected chores of country life: before company comes over we have to wash the sidewalk-chicken poo from those free-range chickens. If they are free-range, they will range on your car, IN your car if you leave the doors open (ask Margo) and leave evidence that they were in your car (ask Margo). Another unexpected chore has been critter control. #2 has been put on critter control-he and his .22 with several live traps. After the critters are dead, they get tossed over the back fence and the turkey vultures get a good snack.

Today I will harvest the first of our own homegrown strawberries. We will only get a few this year because we got the plants in late. But we are getting some! The onions and potatoes are doing well. The pinto beans I planted from my pantry are doing surprising well. I was just happy they sprouted. Rhubarb is a miracle. I had some rhubarb plants from Meijer in a plastic sack for 4 weeks before I planted them. I thought for sure they were goners. I was out this morning and I see leaves making their way to the top of the garden bed. We will harvest rhubarb next year. Corn is growing, I have to remind myself it looks just like grass when it is newly emerging. I almost pulled my corn plants today. Beans, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes are going crazy. It is a beautiful site. The tomatoes in the kitchen garden are flowering and starting to set fruit.

We are eating salad almost nightly now. The lettuce is sweet and delicious. My library book choices this week were: Blue Ribbon Preserves and heirloom vegetables. When the snow flies it will be back to fiction.

#3 is at Cub Scout Day camp this week. We have an unusually busy week with youth conference for #1, #1 and #2 doing an orienteering course and rescue training for their scout badges, temple trip for #1 and 2, we have 10 young men from church staying the night on Friday night (our church building is the stake center so we are the host ward for all the youth), Aubrey is home and will probably come over, my roommate from before DH is in Michigan and I pick her up and spend time with her and bring her to the airport on Friday and Saturday AND it looks like we will be renting our old house. DH is there today doing some repairs and people are planning on moving in this week. (can we spell relief?? We have been making double mortgage payments for this whole year.)

Life is good. We are all healthy. We have enough to eat and a roof over our heads. We love each other. Life is plain ole good.