Journey to farmlife

At long last - my eggs!

6th April 2009

The rain continued to fall throughout the weekend, heavily at times, drizzling at other times. Our tanks can not contain all the water which is wonderful and sad both at the same time. I’ve decided that lots and lots of bubble baths are the order of the evening for awhile. Rather than allow it to fall to the ground wasted, we shall enjoy it instead. One of many good things resulted from this large amount of rain is that I was eventually forced out on Sunday afternoon to buy a tumble dryer to cope with the ever falling rain. Watching the forecast for this week, I saw rain expected for most of the days. This seals the deal for me and we went to buy one.

The ducks have been taken to the cow’s water trough for swimming lessons about three times a day and they love it! This afternoon we noticed the hole that was dug in the anticipated chicken run was fill of rainwater. We took the ducks there to try it out. This was a real treat for them. They kept pecking at the water eating the soggy leaves as they appeared. At one point we got a huge fright as the white/yellow duck dived under the water and got stuck in the reeds. She didn’t come up and Jonathan’s quick eye spotted her struggling under the water. He stomped through the reeds and rescued her quickly. She continued swimming around without a worry in the world – like hey girl, you just nearly drowned! While the ducks were being babysat by the kids we took the opportunity to do some cleaning. The sun had shown its wonderful face for a short while and it was time to muck out the stalls. We moved the ducks quarters to a small section (less to clean) and completed the roosting boxes for the hens. Now they had no excuse – I WANT MY EGGS!

When the sun does eventually come out again to dry everything up, I was thinking of using the mowed dry grass to lay at the bottom of the two stalls which will make it easier to clean. I need to learn quickly how to make use of natures produce. Why buy costly wood shavings when I have all this dry grass to use? It makes sense doesn’t it?

I put my secondhand/brand-new dishwasher in the kitchen over the weekend. It looks good and will help me heaps. I’ve gotten so dependant on this piece of kitchen equipment since being in Australia and have missed it terrible since arriving on the farm. There is certain equipment a girl can’t do without. This farm girl’s list of “can’t go without” is growing! I’ve decided, convenience = happy lady!!! Homesteading can be fun and convenient I say.

7th April 2009

This morning, my “hen of distinction” laid an egg for me – I am delighted! I heard her making extraordinary noises and looked out the window. She had of course escaped the coop again and the noise was coming from the centre garden. I tiptoed down there listening for her noises as I could not see her anywhere. There I saw her sitting down on the ground. I lifted her up to take her back to the coop and too my great surprise found nine eggs underneath her. She must have been laying for a few days unbeknown to me.

8th April 2009

Every day holds the potential to seeing beauty in the ordinary. You just have to open your eyes. The air this morning was crisp. I took the ducks for what seems to be their morning swim and as I stood watching them I saw the most exquisite bird in the tree behind me. They looked like huge budgies. Brightly colored and beautiful. I need to look in my bird book to identify them. They were collecting nectar or some of the brightly colored flower that the tree was supplying.

This afternoon I thought the ducks were finally ready to come out into the open air and get some exercise. They will have to be watched as they can still squeeze through the bars in the gate. Hey! This is sounding like preschool…..

I though I would put them in with the chickens for some other company. The brown hens didn’t seem to care one way or the other about who the newbie’s were, but the black hens marched over to the ducks. To me they seemed rather aggressive. Perhaps they were just curious but I wasn’t willing to see the ducks getting pecked. A little longer and they can fight their own battles. For now this momma will protect them. I swiped them up quickly and took them back to the safety of their cage.

9th April 2009

Today was filled with the normal chores of keeping a home afloat. Paying bills and shopping. I got back rather late and rushed to unpack groceries and then to pick Michaela up from the bus stop. The day to start horse riding lessons had finally arrived. She was so excited. After getting horribly lost, and a large downpour of rain we finally found the right address although half an hour late. None the less “madam” was over the moon with excitement and the lesson was very successful. Kristy the riding coach was wonderful and she was very pleased with Michaela’s abilities. She mentioned that there was a horse she had in mind for Michaela, but she wanted to see Michaela’s level first. Hopefully our horse will come soon! I thought getting a horse through a riding school would be safer seeing that we’re not very experienced in this area.

By the time we got home it was dark and I’d completely forgotten about collecting the egg. Maybe it will still be there tomorrow morning.