Jumpin' June

June brings us to the end of the school year, the beginnings of (hopefully) camping and other yard harvests. I'm hoping for a little reprieve from playing school bus driver.

I spent the start of June weeding the front yard. We have so many lovely salvias out there but it was not easy to appreciate them as the eye had to wander past spent poppies, overgrown fuschias and random weeds. A full day of pulling, snipping, trimming and cutting lead me to a treasure I did not know we had. Apparently my wild yard had turned into a quail habitat.

I found this clutch of eggs under an olive tree, behind the yarrow and buried under an abundance of fuschias. I snapped a quick photo and covered it up hoping that the mom would return to her nest soon and get a good hatch. I have to confess that my mind briefly wandered to the delicacy of those quail eggs cracked atop some sushi ... but then I quickly reverted back to images of baby birds.

Just after school ended for the summer I headed into the foothills with Amira's Girl Scout troop for their June Jamboree. Brrrrr! You wouldn't know it from this photo (taken upon arrival as we were eating our pre-packed dinners) but it was icy cold up there! Good thing I brought my long undies, wool sweater, down coat, hat, gloves, scarf, extra blanket and borrowed Michael's Gortex coat. I still had a chill. 

Amira's troop is at the Cadet level and they were station aids for the younger Junior Scouts, Brownies and Daisies. They worked such stations as cooking, art, archery and leather working. There were other stations too. But those are the ones these scouts took charge of. Amira is here in the lower right with the homemade hand warmers (or, finger coolers ... I suppose it is all how you want to see it).

Here is Amira with Trenity in the camp kitchen. These girls can prep food and wash up. I should take them camping more often. I'd like to see more of that around the house. :-)

In other news, we know that it is summer because "shirtless Rex" is back. Here he is with his friend, Andrew, working on the car. It's got new tires, wheels, suspension, mud flaps and all kinds of stuff. It's nice to have another driver in the house.

Speaking of other drivers, guess who passed her written test and activates her permit this week?

That's right! If all goes according to plan, Valerie should get her license by about 15 December. Happy Hanukkah! But, I am getting ahead of myself here. There is so much of the summer to appreciate. Let's not jump seasons just yet.

Our turkeys and "Red Rangers" are getting big already. Well, I mean, the turkeys are really small compared to where I expect to see them in, let's say, November. But those Red Rangers are solid. The turkeys are pretty cute. They bark and chortle and follow us around. And right now they are not aggressively following us. They are just being cute. Let's hope it stays that way. The first batch of turkeys we raised (that were this heirloom type) were seriously aggressive and literally bit the hands that fed them. They also tried to kill each other. I'm hoping that raising these with the chickens will mellow them out a bit. These are not your average "broad breasted" type. These are a heritage breeds (read: a little wilder).

I didn't want to leave Colonel Sanders and his harem out of the photo shoot. They were pretty sure I was giving those other birds something good. They were a little disappointed when I didn't start dropping treats but, instead, clicked a few photos.

And, now on Tifftown, it's time for some Garden Flaunt. I have to capture the highlights so I can look back and remember why it was worth all the work. Ready?

The good news in the veggie garden is that the winter squash that has come up his hiding the gaping holes left by the Caddy Shack incident. And we may have a few potatoes surviving. Maybe not. But let's just admire what we might get for a moment.

In our back row we have tomatoes, basil, marigolds, zinnias, eggplants and peppers. In the background you can see the artichokes flowering up.

Although we had an intensely wet winter (I did not get out to trim or spray) and it looked like half of my orchard was dying this spring, we may get some fruit after all. Here are some nectarines (that I clearly did not thin out!) They are not quite ripe yet. I'll know they are ready when I see all the bird bites.

What's this? An apple? Wahooo!

These gorgeous orange blossoms will become pomegranates in the fall if all goes well. 

Donut peaches!! I did thin these fruits. This was the first tree that I trimmed and sprayed ... and fertilized, etc. These are special little fruits. Again, not quite ripe yet. See, no bird bites.

Lastly, a few mulberries. Nom, nom, nom. (Not for you, Scott!)

We are looking forward to some adventures down the summer road. Michael will come home from San Francisco this week and then he turns around and runs off to Mexico. Valerie has sheep shows, sheep shows, livestock judging, sheep shows, officer retreat, trip to the Land Down Under to work with more sheep. I'm hosting a Girl Scout Journey here at the house at the end of the month. There will be some back yard camping I think. Unless it's an inferno. We'll see. We will do some family camping in July. I hope to get out to a few baseball games. Oh, that reminds me. I don't often get photos of Michael here on the blog. Last month we made it out to a local "Chico Heat" game. We sat next to the best hecklers ever. Can't wait to go back. Here's Michael at the game. It will be good to have him home for the summer!

I'm Allllllriiiight

Tomatoes, potatoes, zucchini, melons ... these are a few of the items that were well enjoyed by the gopher in my garden. I started April out fairly optimistic about the summer bounty as I placed my tomato starts in the well composted soil. Then I added some eggplants, basil, loads of marigolds, cucumbers, summer squash, melon seeds and more seeds for winter squash. On the bed ends I seeded amaranth and sun flowers. You should have seen my mind's eye. It was gorgeous. Our garden soon resembled a bit of a battle ground as there are now gaping holes, traps and more half eaten plants. But I put on my rose tinted glasses and look past my husband, who is going all "Caddy Shack" on the gopher, and see the surviving plants. I think to myself, "I'm alright." Thanks, Kenny Loggins.

As we speed closer to the month of June I feel a bit hurried to capture the highlights of the last two months that seemed to have passed in another blink of my eyes. For Rex, as always, more paintball! And he's also wrapping up his junior year. Next year he'll spend his senior year out at Butte College. Sounds like an adventure.

He is also enjoying working on his car. I can't tell you everything he has done to it. But it is very clean and sounds "sportier" than it did when he first got it. I can tell when he's leaving home as I hear the car accelerate up the main road. 

Valerie attended the FFA State conference in Fresno during April. She's the "flight attendant" on the right in the photo below. She is really looking forward to attending the National Convention in Indiana in October. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for the beef raffle. I can't say I know the person who won, but all the students who sold tickets definitely have a leg up on the financing of that trip. Valerie was able to make a down payment thanks your help.

April took Amira's Girl Scout Troop to the Bay Area to compete in a Camporee Skills event. This was the first event for these girls and they took home some ribbons! Knot tying, first aid and pancake flip flop were some of the winning categories for these skilled young women. A good time was had by all.

Here is a photo from the long ride home. It was too hysterical to not post. 

May brought the prom! Valerie's school is pretty small, so sophomores, juniors and seniors could attend. Valerie went with a group of friends. First they all went shopping at the Roseville Mall for their gowns. Next Valerie had a photo shoot with the John Deere. Her friend, Raelyn, took this photo (among others). She also gave Valerie walking in heels lessons in the driveway. She was like a drill sergeant, "Heal, toe! Heal, toe! Not: stomp, stomp, stomp!"

The night of the prom Valerie went out to dinner with her friends, Hannah, Isa and Madelyn and then more photo shoots downtown. Valerie has been friends with these girls since grade school. It was quite startling to see them all looking so grown up and elegant. 

I came downtown to pick them up from the venue at about 11pm. I could see the sparkling lights on the second floor of the building downtown from the parking lot below. I took this photo of the four of them near the window and texted it to them. They realized they had a stalker and quickly moved along. I heard there was actual dancing at this prom. 

May also brought the FFA end of the year Banquet. Valerie received several awards and was elected Vice President of her chapter for next year. Of course we are very proud. We are so happy she has found a passion that inspires her to the levels she has achieved.

We were supposed to receive about 30 baby chicks and 15 turkeys back in March. But due to a poor turkey hatch they were delayed until May. For anyone who has never received a box of baby chicks in the mail, here is what it looks like when the peeping and rustling package gets opened.

 I was really worried about the chicks this time after the condition of the sweet potato slips I received earlier in April. Can you imagine a flattened box with that generic apology note wrapped around it? Seriously, this is what came in the mail:

I planted the survivors. And we hope to harvest whatever the gopher leaves for us.

Memorial Day weekend came along with the Silver Dollar Fair and Rex's 17th birthday. Also, Amira's Girl Scout Troop placed flags on the graves of soldiers in the local cemeteries. It's not a place I usually go, but it was a good experience to go look at the past and present and read the names and dates on the stones.

And now as we turn to June, we say good bye to the poppies of spring! But we will enjoy the humming of the birds and bees all over the salvias and fushias in the front yard. I think the roses are happy too.

I could leave you with photos of flowers, but I think, instead, I will leave you with this:

April Fools

Saturday morning Rex woke up to find that Valerie and Madelyn pranked him by artfully decorating his car with post it notes - A LOT of post it notes!

The rival high school "PV" was embedded in the design.

And, of course, they tagged the back window with their initials.

Fun prank! They helped him clean it up so he could go to work on time.

Monday March Madness

Before Valerie left for her class today she asked me to check on Bambi for her. Valerie had noticed that her udders were pretty full and that she was likely going to have the lamb today or tonight.

I was working away in the house and thought I had better go out and check on our mama-to-be. She was in the corner of the stall and I could see that she was starting the signs of a baby lamb to come. But a watched pot doesn't boil! Am I right? I figured I'd go back in and get some more work done and come out to check on her soon.

About 15 mins later Michael drove Valerie home. I could hear the garage door. I figured Valerie would go check on her lamb. And she did. Michael came running back in and said, "Did you not notice the baby lamb?!" 

I mean, seriously, I was just out there! So he grabbed some clean towels and we all went out to wait for the second lamb to appear.

We waited a couple of hours. Valerie even had to stick her hand in to check.


Turns out that there was only one.

Bambi welcomed a good sized ram lamb into the world this afternoon. (He is about as big as Ettabelle's two ewe lambs who are about two weeks old).

Beware the Ides of March

It was actually just before the Ides of March that the action started. Michael was still out of town and it was a Saturday morning - not the kind where you get to sleep in. (But those are to be cherished when they happen.) It was the kind of Saturday morning where I got up early to get Valerie off to her livestock judging competition before getting the yard ready for a troop of Girl Scouts who were going to come over that afternoon to camp out and practice all their "camporee" skills. Anyhow, Rex was just off to work at the paintball park for the day and I was just about to have some coffee when Valerie traipsed into the house wearing her muck boots over her baggy pj bottoms, "I had a dream last night that Ettabelle was having her lambs and when I walked out there to feed the sheep, there was already a lamb there!" We knew Ettabelle was expecting twins and that there was only one out. So we rushed back outside to check on her progress. I threw some clean towels to Valerie and ran around collecting extension cords and started to scramble for the heat lamp and rig it up in the barn. 

Instead of driving to the livestock judging competition Valerie was in her barn delivering livestock (baby lambs) and texting people about what she should do. She still had not fed her market sheep yet and Ettabelle seemed to be doing well, but she still had the afterbirth to deliver. So, Valerie felt a little conflicted about bailing on her livestock judging team. But I say in matters of life and death (and fortunately this was life) she is excused. Ettabelle delivered two healthy little ewe lambs on Saturday, 11 March. One is white with black spots and the other is black with white spots. They both have their mother's markings on the face. Cute! Cute!

At 2pm that day the scouts started rolling up to the house with their gear. We pitched tents and they started in on their activities. 

There was knot tying and tent pitching.

 There was practice for the trivia event.

 They made "walking tacos" for dinner.

 Candle light dinner!

 There was a campfire and s'mores, of course!

They had to practice flipping pancakes over a rope tied at a height of six feet. Always a valuable skill.

 More knot tying and tent pitching ...

They also had a "team challenge". Here the girls had to get from one side of the spider web to the other side without touching the ropes. Once a girl came through a section of the ropes, that section was off-limits to future girls trying to get across. Just watching them discuss the possible ways and try to implement their ideas was entertaining.

Sunday after the scouts left, I took a nap in the grass under the forsythia blossoms and occasionally woke to see frolicking little lambs. I knew then that all was right with the world.

Spring break we stayed home and watched after our own critters and the neighbor's critters. They went to Hawaii this year. So, we borrowed their dog. Josie is a wonderful girl. She can come back any time. 

She makes a good alarm clock too! (Thanks for the tip, Cee Cee!)

Michael came home and Valerie ran off to another sheep show. They were like ships in the night, just missing each other. 

Here is Valerie with some of her show mates:

I was hoping that Valerie would take some time and clean her room over break. That was a dream that has yet to come true. She blamed the smell on the mice. 

I should probably explain the mice.

A while back Valerie was supposed to do a science experiment. She and her friend decided they would get some mice and split them into two groups: Junk Food Eating Mice and Health Food Eating Mice. She would teach them to run a maze and see if one group had better success than the other. She tried getting all female mice about the same age from the pet store. At first a few mice died. She got some replacement mice. Then they started chewing through the cardboard barrier in the cage that divided the two groups. They were eating all of the food and making a big smelly mess. Then they wouldn't actually run the maze but would occasionally escape and run around the house. I picked one up out of the cat food bowl one day. Then there was the one under the piano ... 

Anyhow, the mice were in their cage on top of the rat cage, stinking up her room (according to her). The pet store said they would take the mice back. So, while Valerie was at school last week, I asked Michael (our senior mouse wrangler) to help put the mice in a box. I would bring the mice with me to pick up Valerie and then she could return them to the pet store. Michael peered into the cage full of mouse nests. How many did she say she had? She told me there were four. 

Michael extracted the first mouse and plopped him down into the box I was holding. The next mouse more of a challenge, quite a hopper! The third mouse was just crazy. He was digging around looking for the fourth mouse when he said, "Oh no. We have to put them all back." My jaw just dropped. I could not imagine why we would have to put them back. Why?? "Because," Michael lamented, "I don't know which one is the mother." 

Apparently while digging around looking for the fourth mouse, he found a nest of seven baby mice. Also, it should be mentioned that one of those adult mice looked awfully fat. Anyhow, we had Valerie come home and deal with it. She transported all eleven mice to the pet store and confirmed that the other fat one was indeed due to go at any day. Also she verified that one of those mice was a male. Uh, yeah, at least. 

Speaking of due any day, Bambi is still pregnant. Last winter the ultrasound technician thought Bambi was about 5 days apart from Ettabelle. We are now thinking she was like three weeks apart from Ettabelle. So, we are still on baby lamb watch!

This weekend I'm going to Girl Scout Camping Certification on Saturday and First Aid Training on Sunday. I am going to take a nap in there somewhere. 

Remember, March roars in like a lion and out like two baby lambs!