My current home doesn't have a verandah or even a porch but I dream of owning a little farmette again, with a verandah overlooking chickens, goats and gardens. Absolute heaven!

Soap and store and critter update

Soap: Made lots yesterday... lavender scented, fruit scented, rose... and more. Lots of different shapes. Also made more grapefruit salt scrub (great to use in the shower in the morning for a wake-me-up). Have also Tea-Bag Pockets and the first Halu Healing Pillow. Had great fun, but it sure is back-breaking work. By the time I was done with all of my projects, chores, fixing dinner and cleaning up, I was ready to pass out.

Not sure if I'm gonna do the farmers market this weekend. Haven't heard from the person I'm supposed to share space with, and there's a situation that may conflict with me being gone most of the day. Might need to reconsider.

Quail: Now that we moved the quail back into the garage, Pecka (the female) is starting to get her feathers back. She sure hated the vicious noise from the wind hitting the workshop/barn. It's not warmer but is certainly quieter. Eventually we're gonna move them into the front living room because Hubby would like to park in the garage and doesn't want to "gas" them and the new quail coming.

Store: Also, don't want the quail in the garage because we're gonna open a little pick-up area in the smaller part of our garage for when our produce starts coming in... eggs (chicken and quail), lettuce and other produce we grow, herbs, flowers, my soaps and other bath products, etc. Don't want it in the house, and the animals are in the workshop, so it has to be in the garage. Don't really want to call it a store cuz it won't be available all of the time ... just a few hours once or twice a week or by appointment ... suggestions? Read update, below.

Goats: Our goaties are growing so quickly. Already they are losing their cute baby faces, and showing such strong personalities that before was only hinted at. They keep knocking over the water bucket. I imagine they are bored because they've been indoors for the last several days (rain, wind, hail, snow, ice, etc). I'm sure they will like their new accommodations if only it could get finished. Wish they would eat something other than pellets... so far have turned up their noses to dandelions, apples and everything else we've attempted. Of course, they still like to nibble on rocks!

Chicken: Henny Penny, the Araucana we got last week, has laid an egg every day since we got her. We love it! All are the same light green ... EXACTLY the clor of a light green easter egg. She raises such a ruckus when she lays. Hope she's ok ... it's either (1) this egg hurts.. get it out! or (2) come here cuz I laid an egg and I know you want it! Either way, her screeching (not a polite little cackle) tells us it's time to collect her egg. BTW, she sure does like her snacks, especially apples but not so much for greens.

Chicks: The baby chicks are coming along nicely. As you know, we have 5 easter eggers and 5 black australorp, all 2 weeks and 1 day old. It's odd tho. Some of them (in each group) have developed tail feathers and grown quite a bit, and there is a couple in each group that haven't. They are all the same age. Do the tail feathers indicate sex?

Dinner/Family Time: Two days ago, we decided to resume eating dinner together. We had gotten very lax about that before we put the house up for sale about a year ago. So two nights ago, we ate together (nachos). Chatted about our day. Movies (my Kid's fav topic). Chickens. Whatever. Same for last night (pasta).

Today's plan: Making more soap today, and flax-seed eye pillows. I need a new one for myself too! It's supposed to snow more today, so maybe I'll light a fire in the fireplace. Wait. Can't do that. The chicks outgrew their boxes so we made new accommodations and they are now beside the fireplace. Well, I'll rethink that one!

Have a great day, all. Please plant a nut or fruit tree today. Thanks.

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Updated 3:10 p.m.: Turns out in order to sell our produce legally, not only do we need a license but also farm/ranch insurance. Frustrating development.

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