First thing I did this morning after checking Daisy was zoom over to Punkins Patch where Mamas wool has been spun. It is so beautiful. Have you met Blossom yet? She is the sweetest little pet lamb. She helps Sara spin. You can see it over on her page. Soon all the spun wool will be returned to me by this kind kind woman and I will get to work. I hope my rather rudimentary skills at crochet do justice to all the work needed to turn that grubby fleece into this pristine yarn. Thank you Sara. 
I fenced all morning yesterday. It was deeply frustrating. I hate working with wire. I mean I really hate it. And this spool hated me back so much, that it popped one side of the spool right off then unravelled into a tangled heap in the grass. I was not impressed. All I am trying to do is put up the infernal internal fences. This should be a simple if heavy process. Driving the steel standards in with this big billion pound pounder thing, putting little plastic bobbins onto the posts, then running the wire. But I only had one more fence to do in that field, so I untangled the wire and kept going. Today I will set up the solar charger and put the young cows back in and manage their grazing properly.
In the afternoon we finished the fence around the new outdoor pig pen. Then we slowly walked the big Plonkers across the field to their new home. We must have looked so funny herding these two big hogs, shuffling them forward with old doors held in front of us like enormous shields. However once they reached their destination they immediately started taking great big bites out of the dirt. Thrilled to bits with their new home. I spent the rest of the afternoon completely cleaning the barn pig sty in preparation for the Shush Sisters. They will be able to run around in all that space. I will shift them today. Their small pen is just too small. 
Then I got all the chores done earlier because once Our John came home from work, we went out to bale the hay. We had lots of ‘help’.. 
Thing Two and The Big Dog. 
Everyone else scarpered. . I have to say here that Ton is sleeping at the Big Dog’s feet in the foot-well of the truck. I told him I would tell on him, he should be riding on the hay like a proper farm dog, but he said he did not care! The baler worked much better this time so I drove the tractor, which has a seat that is set so far back that I have to perch right on the edge, absolutely upright, so I can reach the pedals. By this time I was getting tired. Then the baler broke down again, so I finished loading the hay onto the truck and took it back to the barn. But it was only a small load and hay in the barn is worth the extra effort. I had made a bean chilli in the crockpot, so later we sat over bowls of hot beans like cowboys, eating with spoons, then called it a day. Good morning. Daisy is still calmly chewing her cud and watching the world wake up. Absolutely no sign of doing anything. Which is fine. I need a break day! Well, not exactly a break, but once I have finished the chores, then the electric fence, and shifted the cows and the Shush Sisters, oh and watered, then I am going to come back in here and do some blog visiting. The rest can wait. I will come and see what you are all up to. I can see Daisy from here. Now remember during this busy period I do not mind at all if you drop a link in my comments to any pages you think I should read. Even your own. I hate missing out! So feel free to direct me! The weather is still just perfect for the farm work. Not too hot and quite calm so far. Have a lovely day. I mean it. You all have a lovely day. celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
69 responses to “Making hay while we wait”
Celi, you inspire me! I find I’m turning to your blog first thing every morning for a fresh look at the farm. I’ve called it peaceful before, but it’s more than that. You work so hard to “sustain” your sustainable place that I’m ashamed of complaining because it’s already so hot here, and we’re having trouble keeping our yard and garden (read miniscule) going! Have a wonderful day. Can’t wait to see Daisy’s babe.
I’m loving that landscape with the barn. You’re really getting it right:)
i hate working with wire too. it seems to have a mind of it’s own and a stubborm one at that. daisy sure is taking her time. i bet the shush sisters will enjoy their new area. slow down and relax before the big event if you can! joyce
Sounds like you need a cocktail after all that hard work.
As Roger says, that barn does look fantastic 😉
You’re right, wire is a pig (no offense to yours) to work with, especially that heavy galv type. Ugh. Wow, you’ve been so busy, have a nap not read our blogs! But I’ll direct you to a page on mine as I think you’ll enjoy the photos: http://idiosyncraticeye.wordpress.com/blue-tit-babies/. Take care. 🙂
You are one productive person. Then again, on the farm one must be! Blessing for the new home for the pigs. 🙂 Good Morning Celi.
Morning Frank.. they love their garden home.. pigs need dirt you know!!! c
Good morning! It certainly sounds as if you need a rest today after all of your hard work yesterday. Maybe you should cuddle up with Daisy in the field and baby her for a while. I bet she would love that! 😉
I was getting ready to go for a hike with the dogs but the weather has turned extremely windy and it’s pouring. I’m beginning to think we are never going to see summer! It was only 47 degrees here all day yesterday. Yuck!
Looks like I might have to have a day in the kitchen instead. Get some rest today, C!
~April
I think you should sell that place and go and live somewhere else!! (laughter!).. c
Ha! We’re trying, we’re trying…although that “somewhere else” doesn’t seem to be having any better weather than we are!
Good morning, Celi. Happy blog visiting.
It looks like you are having a beautiful day over there! Here it’s all been very changeable weather-wise. Animal-wise, my new cat Twix already has the run of the place haha.
What a day you had yesterday! You can’t beat a crockpot for days like that. Fill it in the morning when you’re still fresh. Empty it at night when you’re too pooped to do much else. I do hope you get some time for yourself today. A brief respite certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Have a great day, Celi!
I would imagine that working with that wire is also quite hazardous! It does sound like a really awful but necessary job! I would love to follow the continuing story of Mama’s wool…I’ll make my way over to Punkins Patch, too. 🙂 Good morning! Debra
Wow ….fencing….that pounder thing, very familiar…I invented new cuss words while fencing. My only fond memory is my mare once picked up the hammer and held it by the handle. She had a sense of timing that mare.(good and not so good)
Be sure and rest a bit….Daisy will surely need a cheer leader any minute !!
Mama’s wool is stunning. I really enjoy watching the process. Sara is amazing with that
pokey thing…..!!!
Looking forward to you know what !!!
Nanster
It’s no wonder you have a super model figure with all that you do in a day C.
Oh dear me Daisy, seems you are not quite ready to introduce your calf to us, not matter, we are a patient bunch.
🙂 Mandy
Is it too late to say Good Morning 🙂 I missed your blog but especially to read you… How are you, seems that it was a lovely day… I am going to walk around your farm, 🙂 Thank you, Blessing and Happiness, with my love, nia
I just adore pictures of the barn, I could look at them all day – just something so thoroughlly American about it. And lovely to see Big Dog making the round up! Hope you had a lovely quiet day, pootling around the blogs