Broken Ground Farm

This morning when I woke up, Sunshine Girl crawled in bed with me. We cuddled and placed a pick-up order. Then she did a Bible story on my phone and we colored in her Barbie coloring book. It was wonderful. The boys stayed downstairs on the couch and watch Owlegories.

We went down stairs. Brothers had already completed their Bible stories. I had some coffee and we went out to tend to animals. Everyone was well.

Cluckers enjoying morning freedom. I think we are good to keep King Stripe. I was in the paddock with them today and filling up the food bucket and he didn’t bother me at all. I am happy to keep him with the hens.

We are still doing the dewormer feed for the pigs. C.N.R. wasn’t here to catch C.B. this morning so it was up to me. That little pig is fast and hard to hold onto when he is on the move. Lovey was laughing and say me trying to catch him was like a pig show. It really was! He kept moving and circling food dishes. I would get my hands on him to pick him and he would run out from my grasp. Finally I got him. I have 2 red hoof marks going down my side because even though I had him he was still kicking and trying to get down to eat. We got him away from the others and Lovey poured his food down so he could eat in peace. There should just be a couple days left of this.

I was so dirty after this morning. My overalls were muddy and so was my shirt. I had to change shirts. If coverall’s weren’t so hot, that would be a good thought.

We came in from animals and cleaned the house. We worked on the kitchen. There was mud tracked in the house because when Lovey came in to grab my gloves for me, he left boots on. I am hoping it was just mud. We vacuumed and mopped.

I sent needed messages and made a few needed phone calls.

I prepped sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies.

This is dough. They had to sit for at least 2 hours in the fridge.

Post bake cookies. They are tasty! Everyone enjoyed them. The recipe made enough to have 2 batches, 24 cookies.

The kids cleaned up their rooms a bit and helped with chores. Then they got to watch T.V. for a bit.

When C.N.R. came home we got ready and headed to town. We ate supper out and it was delicious food and good company. We grabbed the pick up order. Then we made a couple more stops before coming home.

C.N.R. loves me and told me he got me a super romantic gift. It was super glue with a brush! I had some and then it disappeared. He knows that I really liked it and he grabbed me another bottle. The media would have us believe that to be romantic it has to cost a lot or be “sexy”. Don’t believe the lie! This was a thoughtful surprise. It shows he listens to me and thinks about me. He also found this cute little fall tic-tac-toe board and asked if I wanted it. He knows I love fall time and that I am wanting to decorate the house for fall.

Speaking of, I got a few fall things out today. I bought the blanket and made the pillows last year. They are a favorite set. The kids each picked out colors for a mushroom pillow and are trying to take them to their beds. That is a no go! Those are couch pillows.

C.N.R. received Muck boots today. I was so excited for him and then they didn’t fit…even though we measured his feet before placing the order. Free returns, so that is good. We ordered them again a size up.

Once we were home we waited until the sun set and we went out to move the pigs. Lovey was super happy to go get pets from piggies. He was in the middle of Hank and C.B. He had them both flopped down from belly rubs.

We all worked together to move them. We are learning as we go.

Worth noting, the water barrel was flipped deliberately to drain it to move to the next paddock. However, it was a muddy mess there before we drained the water. The pigs kept their wallow near their water source.

This is where we moved them to tonight. When we placed the water, we put it where it would drain down hill and make a wallow where we wanted it. Hopefully this will work better. Check them out being neighbors with the chickens.

This is compressed straw. Think vacuumed sealed straw. We were told it is about the equivalent of 2 normal bales.

This is what happens when I cut it loose. It divided out into layers. I was able to use about 3 layers to cover the ground under the shelter.

I worked the remaining layers into this tote. There was enough left over to use for 2-3 more paddock moves. I am pleased with this. These bales are about $17 each and being able to get more than 1 move per bale will save us money.

The lid will keep this straw dry and ready for the next move.

Big changes in the move tonight were the amount of people helping (kids helped more this time. Happy helped run wire, Lovey helped with water and food, and Sunshine and Happy used old straw to cover the muddy mess), positioning the water barrel so the leaks and sloppy drinks will help with the wallow, and the more frugal use of straw. I am happy with the progress we are making and the pigs seem to be healthy and content.

Happy and Sunshine used the old straw to built a “house”. I will have to try to get a picture of it tomorrow. We were relating it to the story of the The Three Little Pigs and how building a house out of straw isn’t a good idea. I guess they thought they would try it.

We got to come in and take showers, play tic-tac-toe, and eat cookies. Then it was time for books and bed. It has been a good day.

I will admit that this morning I was struggling with my attitude, but I asked God to help me. I realized I was having a problem, asked God to help, and did my part to adjust my thinking. So thankful for God’s help and patience with me. It was a great day!