The air and skies are thick with gloomy thundery rain this morning – my first morning back on the farm after a busy couple of weeks in Australasia. However I am raring to go and enthusiastic about getting this season’s farming underway back here on the farm in Illinois.
There is a lot to do.
Everyone is looking happy and healthy. But the barns are in desperate need of cleaning out. I need to get ready for piglets and calves. 
Tia is definitely developing an udder and is pregnant for sure. Aunty Del, as usual, is playing her cards close to her chest.
Molly the sow is also not giving anything away either. But none of them have due dates this month. 
Today I will begin to clean out the farrowing pen and in a few days I will swap the Six into the field then Molly will come out of the field and into the farrowing pen.
I need to order feed and more straw and hay.
More on that tomorrow! Suffice to say I am BACK ON THE FARM and the Kitchen’s Garden daily farm journal blog is back in action.
See you tomorrow!
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
55 responses to “BACK ON THE FARM”
Welcome home! I’m glad you had a wonderful time with your family – that is something very important. Everyone looks fit and healthy and I’m sure they’re happy you’re back.
Jude was especially happy. I looked down and he was lying on my feet.
I swear he thinks he’s a dog!: )
My word, that Jude is becoming a fairly chunky young person… I’m glad new life is brewing on the Farmy, another year, another batch of babies to enjoy. It’s great to hear you were so happy and busy with your family, but we’re all glad to have you back 🙂
Yes. Poor Tia is doing a lot of groaning – I remember Queenie was like that too.
If she was human you’d say she had backache and her feet hurt…
Glad all the landings have been happy. Glad you sound full of energy Glad all well on the farmy preparing for a burgeoning spring family.. OK: am different as usual – was happy every day you could not post – would have loved to see you gone a wee bit longer: we have no ‘right’ to you . . . just the desire to wish you well . . .
Thank you. Though John would have pulled his own hair out if I was away longer. He passed the baton and hightailed it back to his workshop in a big hurry this morning. He does not like being the farmer.
*sort’of’smile* Hmm – an interesting scenario for the years to come . . . .big hugs . . .
It’s fantastic to have you back!
I flew south yesterday – the weather was almost the same as London, but today the Spanish sun shone and we ate outside this evening (though it was slightly chilly in a cotton jacket). I did marvel at the sight of local organic broad beans and strawberries in the shops.
Goody goody gumdrops! Restaurant reviews from Barcelona . . .
…or Calella.
*huge smile* Was going at such speed could not remember the spelling – love’ya!
That sounds just delicious! Our weather is unhappy so I am happy to know the sun still shines somewhere.
It’s wonderful to have you safely back. Spring is in full bloom here. The trees are leafing out, and the migrations are going on. The swallows are here again, and every day now I see geese heading north. They’re on their way to your place — keep an eye out!
I will – i saw a robin today and heard a red winged blackbird so once your geese teach me I know spring is coming. It will be late for many though.
I’m sure all your menagerie is glad to have you back! The sand hill cranes have come back and we’ve had a mega melt the last 24 hours, water standing everywhere and the river at breakneck speed. Maybe spring really will come.
I see a Dodge Challenger in one of the photos. John does have the toys. Beautiful collection.
welcome home! I am sure Ton and Boo are happy to see you!
I’m sure your menagerie is happy to have you back. The sand hill cranes are back here and a mega melt today – water standing everywhere, maybe spring really will come!
AARGH, I don’t know why this posted twice and as anonymous to boot!
Glad to see the Bomb Cyclone didn’t impeded your return. Roberto flew back from Austin TX yesterday straight through it. He told me it was a horribly bumpy flight from Austin all the way to Newfoundland, after which it was smooth sailing, until bumpy London. Here in Milan, smooth skies. Ah flying. Can’t live without it. I love the rich colors under grey skies.
The animals must be so happy to see you back, and with all that fertility going on it will be an exciting Spring I’m sure.
I’m enthralled by your lifestyle!