Here in the Pacific Northwest we’ve had deluges of rain. We not only got puddles in our front pasture, we got ponds and rivers! I have to admit it’s been a blessing because I’ve been focused on getting the inside jobs completed before spring. But the peas will be late this year, already, as it’s been too muddy to really plant anything outside. For the first time, my greenhouse is heated and I’ve got tomato and onion seeds started.

We got our chicks! They are currently living in and smelling up the basement. We got ten each of buff orpingtons and ameraucanas. Our khaki campbell ducks just started laying again, but it will be good to have hen eggs again in three or four months. And speaking of poultry, we ordered ten ancona ducklings as well, hopefully to arrive in May sometime. I’d love to pick up some sebastopol geese!

Other than planning for our poultry needs and wants, a friend has been helping me paint various walls in my house different colors. We painted over the cream colored hallway wall and stairways with a nice yellow, and used the same color inside of the kitchen cabinets. We used a sagelike green in the dining room and powder room. Next up: kitchen cabinetry from a brown wood to a creamy coat. A new paint job sure makes a big difference! And while the paint dries, the furniture is getting rearranged all over the place.

Our “kid”ding around days are coming to an end. All three of our bucklings have been sold and will be in new homes by the end of the month. I am hoping to add a couple of doelings to our herd by the end of summer. We have another hive of honeybees to add next month, too. I dream of adding some shetland sheep to our homestead, but I’m not sure this is the year I can swing that.

Inside, Ruby has been so pleased with herself in walking all over the house! It’s a whole new world of opening door knobs, too.

My big girls and I went away for the weekend to a Christian ladies retreat and we had a wonderful time singing, learning and spending lots of time with friends. We cooked and served meals for our speaker, and made over 200 bookmarks for the attendees. We had a great time!

It’s been busy. But we’re still making time for tea, even when the rain pours.

Blessings,