Good morning. So sorry for being late – and no photos.
I have awoken with a thick head and tired brain. I worked late last night.
My girl was called home by her family yesterday as there was a family emergency so I have rejigged (is that the spelling?) all the tasks about the farm again and we are back to The Architect, Our John and Miss C. Two more girls come for a short week tomorrow but Gabrielle was going to stay a month and the poor girl had her travels cut short. And we lose a lovely long stay worker.
Short stay helpers are a quite different emphasis. But I have some very important tasks lined up for them and they sound bright and enthusiastic.
Federico my other long stay guest, has made the first of the gravity fed waterers. I will take a photo today. This is a trial one: for the goats. So today we will iron out the glitches then move to the cows water. I will buy more parts on my way to picking up 1000 pounds of feed mixed to my own recipe. (soybeans, wheat, oats and barley) – getting it in bulk is a huge saving and guarantees local feed. but driving all the way to the mill and back takes half a day.
The feed is local and everything but the soybeans are GM free. I try to be as free of GM feeds as possible without twisting myself in knots and breaking the bank. Fields beans are a very good vegetable protein. (As you know I refuse to have animal proteins in my feeds as I am suspicious of the origins of the animal matter and feeding pigs to pigs is a recipe for disaster as far as I am concerned and a bit disgusting). If ever I can find Field Peas I will replace the beans with peas as I am not fond of soybeans either. But it is better than corn. We are also adding kelp this year. This will be for the basic feed for the pigs and chickens. Though each bucket has extras thrown in on the day to match an animals requirements. Plus milk and greens. Everyone but cows have eggs and milk too in varying amounts. Everyone is on grass one way or the other.
It is a simple arrangement really. All animals and birds start with pasture (though the Layers have it hauled in to their house on a wheelbarrow – due to the bastard mink threat).
Now I had better get going. I am late to begin – it is after 6am.
Time is a’wasting!
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
28 responses to “Gone Girl”
That is a tough one not alone for Gabrielle but for you too. I hope that you manage to rejig bothe the chore list and some more long term help. Perhaps Gabrielle will be able to return at a future date. The water system sounds wonderful. Hope today is easier.
I’m sorry about Gabrielle’s problems – you will miss her. And I’m sorry about your headache – hope you’re better by now.
love,
ViV
For some reason it has really hit home today, reading your blog, how hard it would be to FEED everyone on a farm! You going to pick up 1000 pounds of feed and all the other bits and pieces added, it is a LOT of food. And then you still have to feed yourselves and the workers. I will stop complaining about barely keeping up with feeding my husband and myself!! So sorry for Gabrielle and for you losing her. Feel better soon.
10.30 am E Australian time and have not been to bed since y’day morning: just for once Miss C, just for once I was ahead of you 🙂 ! What deliciously different lives we all lead . . . here’s to Nanette, should she check in! After an all-nighter at the Giro enjoyed a 4 1/2 hour wonderful marathon until just a short time ago in elegant and stylish Vienna at the best Eurovsion I have witnessed in 30 years!! Incredible!! No kitsch, all style and Australia’s quirky entry [by invitation] so warmly appreciated. Hardly any ‘political’ voting . . . . am quietly pleased both for Australia and my birth country of Estonia!! To see Lee Lin Chin delivering our results in the morning glow of the Sydney Harbour I’ll never forget!! ‘Good morning Australia, good night Europe’!! Indeed!!!!
God speed Gabrielle. May her journey and load be light
Oh, field peas! Some of us grew up eating them even though city folks ( and yankee soldiers sneered they were only fit for animals). Field peas, fresh tomatoes, and cornbread – perfect summer/cold winter meal. Now on the hunt to find some locally to freeze for later.
(and yea! for “modern” water delivery for stock!)
Even the gods rest, Ms. C 🙂