Cherry Picking Crew

We visited a local u-pick cherry orchard Saturday. We went last year, too, and I made jam with them. Last year, we just heard about the orchard by word of mouth and almost missed it. There were some cherries left, but not an abundance.

This year, we were lucky to have been able to pick the day we did, The man working there had come just to clean the shack out and get ready for the Grand Opening which was today. He was really nice and let us pick anyway. We weren't the only people there, though, since there was a car show a bit up the street.



Look how beautiful the cherries are on the trees.



The man who worked there even took a family picture for us.



Today my Honey helped wash and stem them. The Lambies and I pitted them. I need to remember to buy another pitter. Working together is always nicer then working alone. I made a wonderful Cherry Crisp for Sunday dessert.



It 'lived' all of fifteen minutes after coming out of the oven.

Homemade Chicken Mix

Homemade Poultry Feed Mix

• 2 parts whole corn
• 3 parts soft white wheat
• 3 parts hard red winter wheat
• ½ part Diatomaceous Earth (not the kind you put in your pool)
• 1 part hulled barley
• 1 part oat groats
• 2 part sunflower seeds
• ½ part peanuts
• 3 parts millet
• 1 part wheat bran
• 1 part split peas
• 1 part lentils
• 1 part quinoa
• 1 part sesame seeds
• 1/2 part kelp

Mix the feed by hand so that it is thoroughly mixed.

I found this here.

Enjoying Beautiful Spring!

We been soaking up all the sunshine we can before the heat hits. A photo montage of our activities seems in order.

We've visited with The Cutie Cousins:



Made the boat spic and span and ready for the water:



Celebrated a birthday (or two!):



Enjoyed some homemade tunes:



Cuddled the wildlife:



Cherished time with Grandpa and Grandma:



Relaxed with the amenities:



Watched fowl things now and again:



Hung around on giant, gentle beasties:



and are mostly just soaking up life! We'll be back to school for the final weeks soon!

Vacation Pics

We've been on vacation this week since Grandpa and Grandma are visiting and we have been making the most of it! Grandma let each child choose a birthday present from the store. Hopefully the older kids will blog about their gifts.

Among other things, we visited Chuck E. Cheese's:



We've spent lots of time outside enjoying the warm sun and the opportunities it brings. Grandpa challenged Polly to jump into the pool fully clothed..with an offer of $5. What kid would pass that up? He got a wet hug when she climbed out.



The oldest Lambies went boating with Daddy and Grandpa, but I have no pictures of that. Grandma and I took the younger children out. Playing at the park is always fun...



...especially when it has all new equipment!



Tomorrow we begin our week by worshiping our Lord and fellowshipping with the brethren. Sadly, we'll also have to say good-bye to Grandpa and Grandma for another year. Thanks for visiting, G&G! We had such a great time!

Library Thing Project

I have been busily entering my books into Library Thing. I do not yet have the scanner, so ISBN by ISBN, LOC by LOC and title by title, they are slowly being added. Today I finished Shelf Number One. I have discovered that this small shelf held 249 books, one duplicate copy of a Margaurite Henry book, plus six books I do not NEED and that I really do want to get that scanner.



Now all these books need to get back on the shelves, in the correct order. Ever wish you could clap and just make things happen?



I do. What have I begun?

ETA:
Who out there clapped???

My daughter, GirlofGod, put all these away while I was doing some outside chores. What a little darling!

Coop Progress

My Brilliant Builder and Vik worked on making dropping boards for the coop on Saturday. They completed one and the second will be finished the next time they work.



I love the look of my men working together...



...and the learning of skills that will last for a lifetime!

Throwback Games!

I delighted my children today. I brought out all my old Fisher Price Little People playsets.



I love that they set up neighborhoods just like I used to as a child.



They've been playing imaginatively all afternoon!



I love seeing them enjoy my childhood memories. Did you play with Little People?

Resurrection Sunday Pictures

Here's The Crew on Resurrection Sunday, before church.



Note to self...taking several pictures to make sure to get a good one is a good idea. Just make sure not to take so many that this happens:



He can't take the pressure.

Coop Progress

My Brilliant Builder designed a wonderful little gadget for our coop. This is the outside portion:



and this is the inside view:



I can lower and raise the ramp for The Ladies easily from the outside. They have mastered the art of the ramp well, too, and have not problem getting up and down whenever they want.

Coop Progress

My Honey took some vacation days this week and some of our family came to visit. They left yesterday so we worked on the coop a little more that afternoon and today.



My Honey had planned out an in-the-coop feeder that will give The Ladies more floor room.



Here's the indoor view:



Here's the outdoor portion, minus the removable, yet watertight cap:



We moved the regular feeder down into the run.

I've been told that a certain brilliant builder around here is making mental plans for a large adjustable, removable run to use for more grazing room...This nugget of knowledge makes me happy.