Hope all had a great Valentine's Day...As a chocoholic this is my time of the year! First Valentine's Day and then Easter...sigh. Perfect start to the spring!

Not much new really...still in that quiet time before the weather lifts, we ditch the heavy coats and get to the work of the year.


On the Farm
We are really in a holding pattern. Sheep are due but not for another couple of months...earliest I expect is April 10th. Cassie may surprise me, but I doubt it seriously.

The chickens have started to lay, so we regularly have fresh eggs of brown, blue and green...we have a mixed flock of Rock, Cochin and Americauna hens. Couple of month's will see the incubator busy again.

The ducks and guinea fowl are not laying yet, but could start anytime.

Think I have found a poultry processor to deal with the small numbers of ducks, hens, guineas, and turkeys I need done each year. My usual processor does not do poultry anymore.

The meat bunnies are big enough to go to the freezer...so need to call the local processor to set a date up for them.
The Angoras are getting blown off and fluffed to get ready for the start of the show season. To that end I have to get my passport in March. Will need it to go across the border to shows in the Fulton, NY area. No panic yet lots of time.

Ordered the turkey pullets from PP over by Picton. So look forward to getting them in late April...there will be 6 straight run Naragannsett turkeys. Hope to get at least one male and then keep a pair or trio for future eggs to hatch; the rest will go in the freezer.

Once it is warm enough to work outside we have a shed kit to put up to give some of the poultry a new home. The ducks will like this most as we have a pond area planned for them:) Their current home will eventually be used for the Turkeys.


At the Torch
I am in an animal mood lately. Have been building bird, fish and sheep beads. Once some are cleaned up, I will have them on the Etsy site.


With the Pliers
I am making mainly things for my pleasure right now...earrings, bracelets mostly, but a necklace or two is looking at getting out as well. Working with a lot of chainmaille now.

In the Mill
Have done my research, pretty set on what will work. Have the building zoned, know what will occur with the hydro service, have the phone figured out, next thing is a need to get the plumbing contractor out. That will likely be March's thing. Too cold to trench right now anyhow to get water to the building for fleece washing.
Meanwhile we continue to clear the building out. When enough space is cleared we can put in the wall for the office area and the picker catching room.

Well that is the highlights from here for the moment.
May the joys of the late winter be yours, while the headaches go to your enemies...

cheryl