Good news and middling news .. kind of.
Marmalade had her kittens yesterday. That is the good news. The bad news is that she had SIX kittens. The good news is that we have homes for three and the rest have work to do in the West Barn. But first poor wee Marmie has to raise them. So far she is a great wee Mum. She is on a high protein real food diet. Naturally, being a good girl – she had her babies in the special box I had prepared for her, lined with the blanket she grew up in, right in the back of my wardrobe. Six is a lot for a first time Mum. But as there were so many people wanting one of her kittens she was allowed this one litter. Just one litter though.
She is very laid back about it all. No pictures yet. There is no light at all back there. Maybe later today I will pull all the coats aside and take a quick shot for you. They are all varying shades of ginger. All of them. A whole litter of Marmalades.
The other good news is that Tane, the kunekune boar piglet, (his name is pronounced Tarnay) – is coming on Wednesday. This Wednesday. The bad news is that he arrives at 10pm. I am looking for a driver. It is a two hour drive from here, then back. It will be a late night. And I still need to work out exactly where one goes to pick up a travelling pig. Tima will wait up.
We had such a warm lovely day yesterday. All the doors and windows open.
I did some potting up in the glasshouse ..
sowing the lettuce, potting up the basil. It took quite some time to reclaim my kitchen – back from its bachelor existence. Then workd outside in the sun.
The peafowl were hanging out in the darkest corners of the barn but I got some middling shots with a little fill-in flash. The Mama chook still has eight chicks up in the loft too. They are growing nicely.
I am still desperately seeking a bull for Queenie who is due to come back into heat this weekend. No luck so far.
We have to be able to breed her. One way or the other.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “News!”
Yesterday was a special day, wasn’t it, Celi? I was inspired to go out and plant my fall/winter garden. I am prepared with frost blankets that will be followed by hoop covers. Will your plants remain in the glass house or will you be able to plant out in the garden too?
no, all in the glass house until I get some of those hoop covers, the wind is so fierce it blows any of my home made ones away!!.. c
what a lovely ‘welcome home’ I think that she waited for you to return before kitties came…sx beautiful marmarlades…..I was always told that ginger kittens or cats were always male but Marmie has disproved that theory… A very busy time by the sound of it so you needed your rest
Wow! A whole jam pot full of Marrmaladies and lads. 🙂
Is he coming in at O’Hare? I’m near O’Hare . I could pick him up.
He will come into the cargo depot. Jake will drive me up to collect him.. thank you for your kind offer though but he will not be tame liike Tima, not yet anyway. and it will be late.. at least 10.30 before he comes through i think.. lucky i am still on NZ time!.. c
Well, if you change your mind, I could bring him to Pontiac, Il. And meet you there. I guess I imagine sitting with him in my lap as you did Tima. My husband would drive. I don’t think I’d be able to find your farm in the dark (would have trouble, no doubt, even in the day time.) I’m assuming Pontiac would be close to you. Don’t know, however.
Marmalade is so happy to have you there to help. Good luck with the bull.
Six kitties – your cup (or wardrobe) runneth over 😉
Would he fit in the back seat of a car?
He is a much bigger boy than tima – older.. over 4 months old now and not tame – not to worry Jake is all set up to come up with me to get him.. he will be in a big dog crate and has to stay in there until we get him home.. a runaway pig would be terrible.. thank you so much though.. of course you are most welcome to come down and visit him here once he is settled in, I am sure he would love visitors!.. c
How fun to have kittens! I am enjoying our nice weather, and wishing I had a green house. Anxious to see how your hoop house(s) work out!
I can hardly wait to see your new addition! How very exciting! This is your first boar on your place, I do believe.
Linda
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In the wardrobe? You sure that these are Marmalade’s and not some kittens she brought back from Narnia? They don’t look like lion cubs, do they? Just checking …
I hope she was paying attention to Boo and continues to be a good mother to the kittens — no matter where they came from. 🙂
Now there is an idea for a children’s book! 🙂 Too funny, I can just see it!
The glasshouse of my dreams… looks peaceful. And Marmie gave it her one time best shot, six ginger kittens will be gorgeous chaos!
Oh how I would love to be able to have one of Marmalades babies.
Have a beautiful day C.
🙂 Mandy xo
Aww congrats on the kittens. I just love when their kittens and I’m sure you will find homes for all of them. And I definitely missed seeing photos of Queenie 🙂
It’s as if Marmalade waited for your return to birth those babes. Timing.
You got home just in time! Hand one child off and gain 6 others. Gingers. Maybe they did come from Narnia