Walking Therein

Our Day in the Garden ... and Goats

    I am tired and tired and tired.  Did I mention tired?

   We planted and tilled and planted today. We figured out the garden is 75 feet long by 20 feet wide.  That is the 1 plot we worked in today.  We have another that size, too, right next to it, and another for spinach and potatoes up closer to the house. 

   We planted corn, tomatoes, corn, beans, zucchini, corn and onions.  We have several other things to get into the ground tomorrow.  I am so glad the weather is nice.  Not too hot or cold.  And dh got one of those Mosquito Deletos.  We were not bothered by mosquitos today, yay!  Usually it is a regular mosquito feast all day.  I asked Matt last week to get me some deet-free repellant and they didn't have any at the 3 stores in town. So, he got the Mosquito Deleto at Lowe's (of course, and we got a GREAT DEAL, since he works there! PTL!!) and also some repellant yesterday. We have a swamp-like area near us, and they can get pretty bad, but hopefully this contraption will work for us this summer.

   I was thinking today, as we worked to plant the garden, and were raided by the barrage of questions that children ask about literally everything.... and then, later, when I was planting beans and corn with 1dd16 - I was thinking that I really didn't care if we got one veggie out of this garden, because I was literally so happy to spend that time with my daughter and just talk and even not talk, but be together.  Wow.  Simplicity.

    We also let the goats out to roam around where we were.  Well, Chloe was staked and Heidi stays pretty close to her.  Yeah, eating all of my plants that we worked so hard to grow would not be my idea of their snack, though I am sure they would love it.  They actually love Maple tree leaves.

    So, this is the first time they have been out of their pen here, because: 1) their pen is HUGE anyway,  2) Ruby, our dog, loves the goats way too much, and her play would probably involve teeth, and 3) We do not have a gate yet in their fence, so we had to take them out through the bottom of the barn, and, up until today, I wasn't ready to try it!  Anyway, they were happy. Their previous owners told us they didn't like grass, to which Matt replied (to me later): GREAT... well, there goes the idea of the goats helping to "mow" the lawn!  I told him they would eat the grass, because I knew they had been in a pen about the size of our pantry, which would make it about - well, all 9 of us couldn't fit in there. So, I knew they had not had the opportunity to eat grass, and Matt was so happy today, as Heidi and Chloe munched the grass.  Me too.  Enough about goats, it is probably boring you.  I am pretty surprised that I am so interested in them. 

   Ok, I am going to actually go on a little more about them... ( ;  ... They weren't around children before, so they do favor Matt and me and the 2 older dd's.  And, it is funny to watch them play.  They really go butt heads and dance around, egging each other on to dance on their hind legs. What fun.  Chloe will butt Heidi in the behind, and Heidi will turn and get on her hind legs; it is more fun than I remember at the petting zoo.  ( ;    Ok, now I am done with the goats topic. 

    My day today actually started with 6ds2 waking me and telling me that Daddy was outside.  Matt was already out tilling.  And, then, since 7ds(6days from his 1st bday) was still sleeping, I really, really had to contemplate how unfair it might be for me to just go back to sleep.  Then 6ds2 answered that question for me, when he let me know that he needed to get dressed.   When I asked him why, he acted like that was a silly question, because, of course, "I have to go help Daddy in the garden." Silly me.   So, I got up and went out with him, and so began our very fruitful and wonderful day in the garden.

   I loved it; I am not being sarcastic. Remember, I am an Alien.  So, we are going to go upstairs, at this late, but normal, time for us to settle down and relax before we actually go to bed.  I must get the Littles to bed and spend time with my girls... and find that skirt pattern that Myrtle is looking for.  And, then, we start all over tomorrow.

   Hopefully, I won't get so much sun. Thank God we have that Aloe Vera plant out on the porch! YIKES!

Related Tags: Large Family,  Homeschooling,   Homeschool,  Home School,    Goats,   Gardening,  Tiller,   Tilling,    Planting,   Garden,  Mosquito Deleto,       

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1:29 AM, Tuesday, June 13, 2006 .. Posted by lindafay

Just poppin in. The goats and garden sound like a lot of fun work. I'm happy for you!

Goats and gardens

2:05 PM, Tuesday, June 13, 2006 .. Posted by 5boys2girls4now

We are in the city right now and working on moving to a country setting this summer. Because I too am hoping to have goats, it is fun to be able to read a bit about your goat adventures. Keep us posted and sow some garden goodies for me too.:)

Goats and gardens

2:05 PM, Tuesday, June 13, 2006 .. Posted by 5boys2girls4now

We are in the city right now and working on moving to a country setting this summer. Because I too am hoping to have goats, it is fun to be able to read a bit about your goat adventures. Keep us posted and sow some garden goodies for me too.:)

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2:08 PM, Tuesday, June 13, 2006 .. Posted by 5boys2girls4now

Please keep us posted with your goating adventures. I too hope have goats after we move out of the city and into the country (hopefully this summer) so it is good to hear your stories. And feel free to plant a little extra in your garden just for me:)

I love homesteading posts (0:

11:56 AM, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 .. Posted by Canadagirl

I love hearning about the goats and gardening, keep it up. I commented on your younger dd's blog about goats. I hope one day to have my own goats, before 2ds11 moves out. He is the one who is allergic to cow products. I have said it once and I will say it again . You have the nicest dd's . I have enjoyed them commenting on my blog and being able to to the same. Have a blessed day.
In Him,
-Canadagirl

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1:42 PM, Wednesday, June 14, 2006 .. Posted by HeartnSoul

Sounds like fun and you must feel great that you are so productive :) I like gardening, but don't like the weeds. I guess we are taking a break from gardening here in this leased house teehee.

Someone was looking for the link to the petition to ebay, I can't find it now in your entries, can you post that again please?

blessings
Denise T

fun

9:33 AM, Friday, June 16, 2006 .. Posted by mrsdiamond

Your house sounds like a fun place to be. Though your garden makes me tired. lol. me and gardens do not get along. i don't like to get my hands dirty. i kill plants and I hate bugs and getting hot and sweaty. LOL What a whiner I am!