Local Fair

Our local fair occurs Mid-July each year and I can't keep away from it. I enjoy seeing the animals in their different fair states; holding areas, judging areas and auctions. I never get enough of it. I always have to pet and take pictures of the animals. It just amazes me how friendly they are to strangers. I thought I would share some of the animal pics with my animal loving readers.

Goat judging. 

Lazy cows. 

Cuddling pigs. 

Friendly bunny.

Just hanging out horse.

Curious calf.

Rest time. 

Protective momma.

"Okay, scratch this side now."

Baby goats, all played out.  

Tuckered out from performing.

Thinking Thanksgiving & Christmas Dinner in July

A couple of years ago we tried to raise turkeys for Thanksgiving Dinner.  It didn't work out real well. The first one became sick and passed on before she was even a month old. We were able to keep the second for about four months. We named him Louie.

Louie was a funny bird. He would walk around and strut with his wings and tail feathers spread out. He thought he was something. He also would unfortunately play with our pup Max. Louie would go towards Max and open his mouth wide like he was going to mouth Max. Max thought it was a game and would do the same. When Max would open his mouth Louie would try to put his head in Max's mouth through the fence. How stupid can this turkey be, I thought. Well unfortunately one day both got loose when we weren't watching. The two must have been playing their "Mouthing Game" and Louie lost. He ended up with a broken neck. Another one of those unfortunate events that can occur when raising animals.

This year we thought we would try again. (Ensuring the turkeys and dogs weren't able to get in contact with each other.) We purchased two Bronze Turkeys and one White. One of the Bronze Turkeys turned out to be a runt with a sweet personality. She will cheep loudly to get attention and be picked up. Once picked up she becomes content and will stay in your arms and allow you to pet her. I named her "Turkey Girl"; knowing she will be a pet. How can I eat a bird who longs for human affection?

The other two are different stories. They behave like normal turkeys. Not wanting human attention, unless food is involved, eating flies, and not showing fear of larger animals, because they are too stupid. Their names respectfully are Thanksgiving Dinner AKA "Drumstick" and Christmas Dinner AKA "Turkey Breast".

Turkey Breast, Looking pretty dumb. 

Drumstick, trying to figure out what is going on.

I've enjoyed watching them grow and listening to the funny sounds they make. I often wonder how big they will be and all the meat we will enjoy for the holidays. I ponder all the side dishes we will have alongside Drumstick and Turkey Breast; mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy and sweet potato casserole.

In preparation for the big days I've even bought a new platter for the meat and matching bowl at a yard sale. I even looked at roasting pans at the yard sales this weekend wondering if my pan at home would be big enough for our future turkey.

The only problem is no one in our family knows how to dress a turkey!

Abundance

Our fruit trees have really taken off this year. With have an abundance of fruit. The cherries are almost ready to pick but the pears, peaches, apricots, apples and plums are still green. I feel like I have my own Garden of Eden.

I have plans for all this fruit; eating it fresh, canning it and making jam out of it. Plus of course, I can't forget to share with our neighbors. What are neighbors for if other than, to share and be kind too.

Apricot

Plums

Heavy with Cherries. 

Cherries

Weighed down with Cherries.

Peaches 

Pears

Low Wood Supply

In Northern California we have short summers. Winter comes quickly. Usually by mid-October we're ready to start burning wood. I mentioned to my husband about purchasing our wood soon, so as to be prepared for winter. I don't like waiting until the last minute. The wood cutters are already selling wood. I like to order five cords to ensure we have enough for the winter in case it is bad or longer than usual. We use Juniper because it burns hotter, lasts longer and doesn't have as much creosol. We still have a small amount but not close to what we need. I hope we are ready in August to get our wood.

Wood that still needs to be split from last year. 

Wood that needs to be stacked from last year. 

Stacked wood ready to use. 

Newest Projects

We're still trying to get our home the way we want it; all the little things that make it unique to our lifestyle. My husband has recently started a new project. He has decided to put in a duck pond for our two Muscovy ducks. He obtained the liner from the local nursery and has begun digging out a large hole. He is using an old stump in the ground for a center piece for the ducks to stand on and made sure the hole was under trees for shade for the ducks too. I guess I will be wading into the pond next year to pick my fruit.

He hasn't finished our pole barn yet, but he has added a nice touch to it. He has made shelves to place all his wood for our unfinished projects. I'm impressed with all his ingenuity.

Center Piece Stump

Future duck pond surrounded by fruit trees. 

Unfinished pole barn with building materials.

I almost forgot another project my husband did. He made me a separate pen for injured or sick animals. This has come in handy recently because my dogs injured my female duck. It gave her a place to heal and be separated from the other animals that could have taken advantage of her physical state.

Injured animal pen. 

My Little Garden

This year I went easy on planting my vegetable garden. Last year I planted more than I could deal with and a large portion of tomatoes rotted. I just couldn't get to all of it. I skimmed down quite a bit this year. I only planted two tomato plants, a few cabbage plants, several potato plants, two black beauty squash, lettuce, green onions, two pepper plants and four cantaloupe plants.

I've tried several times in the past to grow cantaloupe without success. This was the first time I've tried the green onions and was successful. I've already eaten a few and provided friends and family with some. The potatoes are the first I've grown. I'm anxiously waiting to see how they will turn out.

Cabbage Plants

Pepper Plant

Cantaloupe Plant

Potato Plants

Tomato Plants

Blackberry Bushes starting to flower. 

Flowers

I enjoy the warm weather summer brings. Not only do I get to work outside on projects for my animals, but I get to enjoy all the flowers; part of which I've planted and some planted by birds who bring seeds in their droppings.

Flower basket I planted. 

Pansies I planted and California Poppies the birds planted.  

Pansies

In Tennessee where I use to live, if you wanted Hollyhocks, you had to purchase them from the local nursery. In Northern California where I live now, the birds just drop seeds for you and Hollyhocks grow.

One of several Hollyhocks in my backyard.