Well, it's been awhile since I've updated and let me tell you why.  It's because farm animals and gardens don't mix!  We had free range chickens and rabbits.  We learned that they could get into the raised beds so we bought bird netting and put them over top.  That worked well until our two new kittens learned how to get under them. Chickens may have pea sized brains, but they aren't stupid.  They watched the kittens and learned how to get under the netting.  The rabbits followed the chickens. Everything was decimated.  I went into a funk, but I did get over it. 

Then there were the rainstorms!  Everything was flooded.  The ducks used the back yard as a pond.  Then there was Christmas... Then I was sick in bed for 3 weeks and didn't go to the doctors.  (Kevin thinks I had pneumonia) Then planting time again and today we are in Glendive, MT for a funeral.  

Excuses I know!  :-)

Now with the article I wrote about butchering the chicken coming out in the March/April issue of Countryside magazine I've been getting blog comments (thank you!!!). It has really encouraged me to get my fingers moving.

I have a lot of pictures to share that are below.

As I said, we are in Montana.  It has been a little cold, to say the least.  The low was 27.9°F below zero.  We had to try out the boiling water thrown into the air trick that has been shown on TV lately.

I sent the chickens, ducks and rabbits to my sister's house for a two week stay.  She has about 43 acres in Anguanga, California.  Mike, my brother in law re-made their old chicken coop and everyone is staying there.  

So, we have new neighbors moving in right next door as I'm moving the animals to the truck.  First I loaded the dog crate into the truck, then out come the rabbits.  Then two ducks - and the guy just looks at me.  A few minutes later out come 2 chickens.  This time he stares.  Then come 2 more chickens - he mumbles something to his son.  Finally the last 2 chickens.  I can only imagine what he moved next to.  Poor guy, I'll probably have the cops called on me now.  I think he was in shock.  

It felt like I was moving out while he was moving in.  There was the dog crate, the rabbit cage, 2 trash bags of straw, 1 trash bag of produce, 3 bins for water and feed, nesting boxes... The back of the truck was full!

As for the cats & dogs, our friends Don & Pat are coming by daily to provide feed, water and a little love.  I'm still expecting to come home with all of our pillows ripped up though.  Max does not like to be left alone for too long.  He shows his frustration by tearing pillows and spewing the insides everywhere.  

Okay, maybe because it was late Autumn and almost Winter, no one commented on the Contest section of the guestbook.  Oh well.  This time of year is planting time for me, I have garlic, onions, radishes, carrots, lettuce, spinach -all those yummy favorites are already planted.   But we've also been having unusually cold weather.  We are waking up to temps in the high 20's in Southern California. So the eggplant & peppers didn't survive, but lettuce, onions, carrots & garlic are still doing well.

I've been fascinated with Cob building for years now - you can do such amazing things with it.  SOMEDAY - I will take a class!  Or get up the nerve to just try it on my own - I do have books on it after all.  But it's so amazing, that I thought I would share some videos with you so that maybe you will get hooked too and join me in a class :-)

I am missing pictures of Bo & Patch, but that doesn't mean that they are loved any less. 

I have been engaging in seed swaps to share my extras and obtain varieties that I don't have.  I'm only dealing in Heirloom Seeds... I had put a swap online at the Old Farmer's Almanac seed swap page, and was invited to join one on Facebook too.  The Great American Seed Swap/Trade Project.  It's been nice.  I'm very interested in heirloom tomato seeds especially, but I have a lot of other seeds too.  

Kevin had gotten me a Christmas present from Baker Creek that was to die for.  It was a paint type can full of 60 different heirloom seed packages. (It was $99.00 if anyone wanted to know.)  From that I've shared and gotten seeds from many others.  

This is a great way to increase your garden without spending a lot of money.  Feel free to leave me a message if you are wanting to swap seeds with me... (heirloom only please)

This is something new that was posted on the Great American Seed Swap by Daniel Halsey it is Mandala Gardens and the website can be found by following the link.  The idea is to plant your garden like a mandala - with the outside rings protecting the inside rings.  Check it out, it's a cool idea!