His Royal Duckness

Meet King Charles.

 

His real name is supposed to be Heinz, but it just doesn't fit him.

King Charles, if you remember, was the little fluffball who accompanied Benjamin on his journey to our little farm.  He was the companion duck, who, after being placed in the brooder with the three other goslings and Ben, decided to take them all on by nipping repeatedly at their noses.

He's come quite a way since then.

I will be the first to admit that when King Charles first came to us, I dismissed him as "that duck".  The five ducklings we already had were such a nusiance already, always running away and being nervous and getting sick, that I figured he'd just be more trouble and I wrote him off.  I figured that if he was content to live with the goslings and they all got along, so be it, he could do whatever he wanted to do and that was that.  Luckily, ducks and geese have similar nutritional needs in the brooder, so there was no issue, and I'd not be endangering his health to live with the goslings.

And that was that.  I was sure that he was eating and drinking, and that they all got along fine, but I never really thought about his having much of a personality.  Silly me. 

Turns out Charles has quite the personality.  We've been working quite hard around here lately, and there's been lots of digging and planting.  Every time there was a pile of dirt, Charles would climb on top.  I really never thought of why, he was just in the way.  Then the other day, I noticed that my little friend is looking for worms. 

And he's good at it.  If there's a worm to be found, he will find it, even if I can't see it myself. 

It became a sort of game then, digging up the dirt, and then waiting for Charles to come and inspect it.  I never have to wait long.  Usually he's right near the shovel, so I have to be careful.  Then the game became how many worms can we find Charles, and he was greatful for those as well.  He stuffed himself with so many worms in the last two days you could see his front pouch grow during the day.  Saving the morsels for later, I suppose. 



This is where King Charles discovered my son's apple juice, and that he really liked it.

Since then, I can't dig the dirt with Charles around without him waiting for me to offer him a worm.  When he sees the shovel, he walks right over and cocks his head to the side, as if to ask, "So?  Got anything for me?"  I give him whatever I find.  

Yep, he's a funny guy alright, and has made me start to rethink my outlook on ducks overall.  

 

 Of course, it probably helps that he thinks he's a goose.  I've got a soft spot for them.



He does whatever the goslings do.  See the leg?







More Things Off the List

Despite running around trying to heal ducks (more on that in another post), I have been able to do my daily chores, and I managed to cross two items off my list yesterday.  Kiss numbers 25 and 26 goodbye.  Thankfully, the rain held off until I was done, and I got to plant with the "assistance" of my little goose friends. 

It felt good planting in the ground again, after not doing so for so long.  I had forgotten how completely relaxing it is to put something in the ground and know that it's there for good.  The little Bayberry sticks I planted yesterday don't look like much of anything now, but they soon will, and they will grow and the little curved line of sticks will turn into a curved line of bushes.  They will fill out and be beautiful and useful.  The candles we make with the wax will smell wonderful in the house.  And that little spruce tree will grow bigger and bigger and maybe one day we can light it like a Christmas tree.  So much to look forward to from just an hour of my time.  I truly can't wait to get out there again.

Got Some Things Done

True to my word, I cleaned the bathrooms yesterday.  I will spare you from the pictures.  I also made granola bars.

before baking

I used the recipe from here, and it was a huge hit.  See?

I felt better about feeding my kids (and husband, who ate 3 yesterday) these granola bars, instead of the supermarket ones.  They do not take long to make--in fact, they were ridiculously quick, and I was surprised.  I don't think they are cheaper than the store brand, though.  I looked at her cost analysis at the end of the recipe, and I disagree.  Butter is now $3.00 a pound here, so using half cost $1.50 already.  Plus the honey, which is not cheap, and the other ingredients would definitely make these more than $2.00 a batch.  BUT, they are homemade, and I know what's in them, so I feel better about them.  So I think that's reason enough.  

The sun did come out yesterday, so I did get something done.  Say hello to list item #8--raised beds for the geese. 

Not particularly exciting, I know, but when are raised beds ever exciting?  They're done, and I'm happy. I am still using the leftover lumber from this, so that's why the wood is old.  It's cedar, though, so it'll last, and hey, it was free!

Also did try to get some sewing done.  I was going to make this:

Because I have an apron fetish and it's got cute lines and a kicky flair, but the directions suck, and the yardages are all wrong.  Does that drive anyone else crazy???  Today I think I'll go into town to see if I can find some fabric to use to make it. It's raining cats and dogs, and I can't do anything else anyway (except vaccuum--yes, I remember).  I wound up ironing fabric and aprons yesterday instead of sewing.  It was a bummer.   
Ok, onward and upward.  If it stops raining, I will try to get another list item done.  If not, I will actually sew.  Wouldn't that be something new?

I'll keep you posted! 

The List

Ok friends, as promised, this is the list of things I need to accomplish this month and next month.  To be fair, I put a line through the things I finished yesterday.  Some things are quick, and some are not, but it's a long list, so get ready.

1. line waterfowl path with item 4
2. trim path with stones
3. hang chairs
4. barn star
5. trim goose roost door
6. roof shingle goose roost
7. fix goose roost shutters
8. build raised beds for geese
9. plant raised beds for geese
10. putty and sand duck house
11. add window to duck house
12. replace door on duck house
13. add trim to duck house
14. plant grass and clover
15. string chicken lines
16. tarp chicken run
17. build raised beds for the chickens
18. plant raised beds for the chickens
19. attach rabbit gate
20. finish rabbit hiding places
21. get Robert A. neutered!!
22. rototill garden
23. fence garden
24. plant garden
25. plant bayberries
26. plant White Spruce
27. plant bulbs in garage
28. plant bulbs in the house
29. transplant seedlings
30. move seedlings to cold frame
31. plant Pieris
32. build bee hive
33. tear up grass in front garden
34. mulch front garden
35. plant lilacs, pines, nannyberries, butterfly bushes
36. plant fruit trees
37. plant berry bushes
38. design and cut out mailbox
39. paint mailbox
40. design and cut out sign for house
41. put up sign for house

Anyone else have a list?  Wanna join in and get it done?  Join the Busy as a Bee Challenge!  Grab a button, post your list, and let's get going!

Getting a Handle on It

Spring is finally here.  I can tell, because it's raining (as opposed to snowing). This year is our first full year as a farmstead, which means it's busier than most.  Since the property we live on was never used as a farm before, there is a lot of foundation work to do.  A garden needs to be put in, a hayfield needs to be planted.  Animal housing needs to be finished or begun, and trees and bushes need to be planted.  It's a busy time.  I starting making a "to do" list last night, and I stopped when I hit item #24.  I just got so tired thinking about it.

Does that happen to anyone else?  Instead of motivating yourself by making a list, you just sort of freeze?  I know it had the opposite effect on me than I had intended.  I was hoping that by looking at the list, I would feel invigorated.  Instead I feel overwhelmed and I get nothing done at all.

But I am about to change all of that.  I don't have time to sit and think about all the things I have to do, I have to actually do them, or they won't get done.   So I am issuing a challenge to myself, and calling it the Busy as a Bee Challenge.  I will not waste my days anymore.  I will get at least one thing on my list done every day this month.  In addition, because the things on my list are all about the outside, I will not neglect the inside of my house or my family, either.  To do that, I will do the following:

1.  Clean the bathrooms every Monday
2.  Vacuum every Tuesday 
3.  Make yogurt every Wednesday
3.  Make bread every Friday

Right now, I do these things on a regular basis, but not on a regular day.  I would love to just get it together enough so I know if it's Tuesday, it's time to vacuum.  I have to admit I was inspired by Little House on the Prairie Living, where she is doing a series called "Living Like Little House".  There's no way I think I will ever be as organized as she is (she's got a binder for daily chores), but I can aspire a bit.  There is comfort in knowing what you have ahead in your day, and I want to grab a little piece of that. 

So here it is.  I will do the above things on the days I designated, and at least one item from the list I made every day--no excuses.  When it is raining (like today), if I really can't do anything from my list, I will work on something in the house.  Today I will make granola bars, then I will sew for a while, and then I will finish making that darn list.  I will report back here to keep myself honest---pictures included, so you can all see my progress.  Are you all ready to be my witnesses?  I think I'm going to need you all looking over my shoulder on this one.  Anyone else want to join me?  We can encourage each other. 

Ok, new day, new plan.  Let's get going!

It's Raining Outside, So We Can't Go Out and Play

But we did go out a little anyway, because at least it's not snowing.

Why me?



I hadn't noticed how grey the girls had gotten until I saw these pictures.  I could see Oliver was turning white (he's at the top there), but I kept thinking the girls were still sort of brown. 

Huh.  They grow so fast.

Ferdi was very gentle with them.  He was right in the middle of them, but he didn't hiss or get stupid.  He's going to make a good dad someday.  Of course, then Ginger would have to be hatching something other than Easter eggs for that to happen.

Arthur was not so enamored, but he didn't hurt anyone.  Just gave them a little nibble now and again if they got too close.  I guess he wasn't feeling fatherly.



Darn Exciting!

I guest-wrote for The Renegade Farmer!

You can check it out here: http://therenegadefarmer.com/

Thanks, Zan!