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!”
The farmy life is always busy for you, isn’t it? I do hope you find a fella for Queenie right away.
Our cat, Pesto Uncle Jimmy, was born in the next door neighbor’s coat closet. I still remember holding her, at one day old. She will be 18 in March and is a key member of the family. Just like Marmalade is to you.
mercy.. EIGHTEEN.. that is a good number for a cat.. c
What a joy it has been to read your post at this late hour for you! Cannot wait for the Marmalade + six offspring + Boo photos inside and Tima + Tane courting outside . . . may the Weather Gods smile upon you and the rest of the farmy not seek attention when you’ll be so busy settling everyone in! Yes, I love the glasshouse also . . . basil planted so late? It surely does not get that warm inside there??
warm in the glasshouse.. TOASTY!.. c
oh my goodness, you are right back in the thick of things. six kittens is a lot for a first litter. wow. Sending warm breezes and hopes for a driver your way.
Welcome home, Beautiful. We’re all glad you’re safely back in the fold. Marmalade even waited politely for you to arrive before producing her progeny. And now you are off at a run. Will be thinking of you! May it be a good and joyful week of real welcome.
xoxo,
K
I’m sure Tima will be waiting up! We had a day like that today, warm! I’d forgotten about the chook with chicks in the loft.
There is always so much happening. A bull for Queenie, and a pig in the night, to say nothing of multiple kittens and kitchens to clean. The warm weather must be so welcome.
Kittens! How exciting. And I love your glass house.