Thursday, July 7, 2016

General Homestead Happenings

I sure am happy with the strawberry harvest that has been coming in.


I ran out to the garden early this morning (protected by a head net against those awful no-see'ums) and picked these so I could take some to a friend and have some for our smoothies for lunch.    That's a regular sized egg in the bowl with the berries for comparison.  The biggest berries always appear first, and they'll decrease in size as the season goes on.


This is for you, Tami.  The first zinnia bloomed today!  Not the showiest one you'll see, but at least it's blooming.  May many more follow.


These are our five youngest goslings . . . the toddlers . . . who don't look much like toddlers anymore.  (Three males and two females.)  A little more size on them and they'll be integrated with the adults and teenagers in the big poultry pasture.  Not the greatest picture.  If you don't have food, they're not interested in posing.


Our sixteen assorted Muscovy ducklings are five weeks old today and doing just fine.  They've been outside on grass for a little over a week now and seem to love it.  Watching them chase insects and fall all over themselves is high entertainment for us.

It's supposed to start raining tonight around 8 p.m. and continue for the day tomorrow so sounds like any work in the garden will be put off for a day or two.  That's fine as I'll have no problem staying busy inside!

14 comments:

Vera said...

You are convincing me that we ought to try growing strawberries next year!

Laurie said...

Wow! Those are some huge strawberries. Is that strawberry jam I see? I put up more plum jam and peach jam yesterday. It worked this time. Love that zinnia! We've been having a few pop up thunder storms. I don't mind. The rain helps cool us off. And like you, I have plenty to do inside. Will start canning tomatoes this weekend.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

My strawberries are just about done with a few stragglers here and there, but look at yours!!! Well done! I love looking at your ducks and geese. They are really growing. -Jenn

Susan said...

I can't believe the size of those strawberries! Wowza! Isn't it amazing how fast the goslings and ducklings grow? They are so much fun to watch...

Mama Pea said...

Vera - Do it, do it, do it! They are soooo good!

Mama Pea said...

Laurie - Yep, another double batch of strawberry jam put by.

We had rain all last night (1-1/2") and it's very damp and overcast today. Good for the big crops in the garden like potatoes, peas, cabbage, etc.

I will be having serious canned tomato envy when you're canning them this weekend!

Mama Pea said...

Jenn - Stop or you'll encourage me to post more pictures of our feathered flock! I'm so eager to see exactly what we get from our "assorted" batch of Muscovies. Let's hope for a male/female pair (at least) of the ones we want to keep!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - If only the strawberries would stay as big all through the harvest! But they won't. By the time they peter out, they'll be down to about the size of marbles!

I keep looking at the geese and ducks wondering what they would weigh right now dressed out. Am I bad??

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Ohhhh love the strawberries. And the egg.

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,

Your babies are no longer babies, they're growing up so darn fast. I see they have you trained very well. They only come around when there's food snacks.....LOL

Love and hugs to you and yours,
Sandy

gld said...

Beautiful berries and fowl. I do enjoy seeing the pictures of them. I have no experience raising either variety. I do have strawberries that should produce next year. I know how that harvest is exciting. Beautiful jam!

Mama Pea said...

JoAnn - Speaking of the egg, we currently have an egg-eater in the hen house. Grrrrr!

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - It's really comical how they come right up to the fence and "talk" a mile a minute to you. I'd love to know what they're saying!

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Glenda. I can hardly believe how many fresh strawberries we've been eating. But isn't that when a particular food is the best for us? When it's fresh and in season? That's my belief and I'm sticking to it! (Now give me more strawberries and cream.) ;o)