Bushes and Trees

Here is our cherry tree... It appears that we have somehow killed this one too. That means we have murdered two cherry trees in the span of three years. I have no idea how managed to do that as we have babied this tree and made sure it always plenty of water. We feel that perhaps it is our clay soil that is the problem - maybe the cherry needs a better draining soil.




The three apple trees are doing alright, but the one tree is about to blossom but has no leaves yet. If you closely at the photos you an see the red buds getting ready to open.








The four black current bushes are completely loaded with tiny blossoms. It looks like we will get another bumper crop again this year.




Stawberries have been spreading like crazy and are beginning to flower. Unfortunately our soil is also perfect for horsetail which grows vigorously amongst the plants. I weeded it out last weekend, but it doesn't take long before it is up again

Mother Goose

The goose has been laying eggs since January and she has produced about 50 eggs so far. She hasn't paid them any attention and I h ave been removing them from the nest.

About two weeks ago she became broody with the last egg. She will only get off the nest for a few minutes here and there to eat and drink. I suppose (if the egg is fertile) we will have a gosling running around in another couple of weeks.

We Bought Plants

With our normal activities being curtailed due to Husband's illness and my absolutely crazy busy work this year, we have not started any garden plants or flowers. The May long weekend is the usual time to plant the garden in our neck of the woods.

On Wednesday we stopped on at the local garden store and purchased starters and flowers. Luckily we put the in the garage overnight as we woke up to snow yesterday morning and it was a rather cold and dreary day. This morning we are being faced with the same.

The old laying hens were suppose to go to a family I know and we kept them over the winter until they could build a coop. It appears that they have changed their minds, and I really need the room in my henhouse. So we put an ad on Kijiji stating the hens and rooster would be free if someone could pick them up. I was surprised at the response I received, and on Tuesday they will be going to their new home. I'm looking forward to cleaning out the barn and rearranging the birds into different pens.

Husband is still home and he is waiting for his third surgery which has been postponed until the end of the month. So far he has been off work for almost 4 months and it will be awhile longer before he returns.

Ugh, I just looked out the window and the snow is falling.

Northern Lights

Husband woke me up last night shortly before midnight as the northern lights were out. It was exciting as we have not seen them in many years. I don't why they have been so elusive, as I remember often in the late 80's standing out on the driveway with my parents and sisters watching the dancing light show.

If you have never seen Aurora borealis, they can be quite spectacular. Last night's display was like a faint green dome of streaky lights above the house which pulsated. Towards the north there were a few heavy streaks of light which looked as though a bright spotlight was pointed up in to the sky.

First chick of 2012

Our first chick hatched this evening... only 41 more to go. I'm curious to see if our hatch rate this year will be better than last now that we used the automatic egg turner.

Anniversary

Husband and I had our 18th wedding anniversary on Monday. We didn't get to celebrate as he is still recovering and is not up to going out, and I am still over run with work and was out with clients most of the day and evening.

But we did have a wonderful surprise....




Daughter baked us a beautiful carrot cake (my fav!)

Kijiji

Do you use Kijiji?  In my community it is the online buying and selling forum to use.  One always hears about Craigslist, but it has never really caught on here.  Kijiji is the way to go!

Last year we used it to sell our ducklings and chicks, and to purchase our pigs.  I usually check it everyday to see what has been posted in the livestock section.  I like to see what is being sold... mini horses, goats, cattle, pigs, chickens and the like.

Through Kijij, I have contacted a lady out west who will be selling rabbits in May (and she will deliver!).  It is something we have been debating about since moving here; whether we should raise some meat rabbits.  I am hoping to get a breeding pair of New Zealands and also a pair of Flemish Giants from her.

New Zealand Rabbit

Flemish Giant Rabbit