Groundhog Day (after)

There is definitely something in the air that has been nagging at me to start some seeds, clean up the garden, hang out the laundry and fantasize about sitting under a pergola gawking at a garden full of bounty. We just came through some seriously frosty days. But Punxatawny Phil says it is to be an early spring and Larry has gone broody. There are signs that it is time to get off my duff.

Michael built a little broody pen for Larry yesterday after some drama with a rival (Olive) involving a cracked egg and much squawking. Larry looks like she's in jail, but she is contentedly penned off from any would be nest intruders.




So, in about 21 days we should see a couple little chicks if Cap'n Fluffball has been doing his job. Well, 5 chicks if they are all fertile. You never know who his favorite gals are though.




Freckles is a good looking hen. But you can see the young cock out with Amira and a couple others.




I thought a nice name for the next rooster would be Cap'n Crunch, but Michael's suggestion of Colonel Sanders totally wins.

I checked on the bees the other day to make sure they still had food and a laying queen. I mean, the buds are popping on the nectarines and peaches and there are quite a few bees returning to the hives loaded with pollen from somewhere.




I'm pretty sure Elizabeth has loads of honey left and I saw some larvae and capped brood. Margaret has a full 50 lb super full of honey. I was about to pull out a brood frame when a bunch of the girls swarmed up onto my head and got tangled in my hair. I had to smoke my head to get them all out of there. So I told them I was sorry for the intrusion and then quickly put them all back together. We're just going to call it good and hope I can reclaim some of that honey for the house!


I did manage to start some seeds today. They are an assortment of peppers in their mini greenhouse in my office.


It seemed to work well for starting seeds. Once these graduate from the starter window I will move them out to our new greenhouse (thank you Elizabeth & Scott!)




I'm pretty excited about the potential of this one! Michael has totally shorn it up on a wood frame and everything.

Speaking of the farmer himself, he is perpetually digging for my requested spigots and watering systems.




Thanks, Honey! Now, if we could just train the gophers to dig the trenches where needed, much of Michael's time would be freed.

Today was such a beautiful day that I was inspired to hang out some laundry,




I'll be right back. I've got to get myself another self congratulatory trophy. Well, actually, Michael got one for me. Check this out -- I have wanted one of these spiral egg holders for ages but couldn't find them in the U.S.




Well, thanks to Pinterest I did! I showed it to Michael and the next thing you know it is on my counter!




Okay, more spring chores await!