Vacation but still working hard

Finally our summer vacation arrived and so did summer. Nice coincidence. On our way home we got a call that the guineas were at the post office in Bangor. We made a quick u-turn and headed back to town to pick up our babies. They would have delivered them to Bradford Post Office the next day but we like to pick them up as early as possible. They have already been without feed and water for the 2-3 day delivery. The guineas are so small that 30 of them will fit comfortably and with room to spare in this box.

The day before I had washed the water containers so they would be ready and placed small rocks in the trench to prevent the guineas from drowning. Ted put shavings in the brooder and hung the heat lamp over the corner so they would be nice and toasty. One by one they get lifted out of the box and had their beaks dipped into water.

We always order Gro-gel when we get chicks. It has electrolytes and minerals to give the chicks a good start. The Gro-gel turns from powder to a jello like substance and is placed on top of their feed. All chicks, turkeys and now guineas seem to love it.

They have such sweet faces. We ordered the Assorted Guinea Package from Murray McMurray Hatchery. It is a mix of at least three different kinds of guineas.

Update on our little garden. With the sun and warm temps it has started growing actual vegetables. I'm so proud! The peas are getting big.

Onions are beautiful

We have summer squash. The ground was so poor last year even the squash wouldn't grow. We tilled, added compost, tilled a couple of more times to really break up the clay and it made wonderful changes.

We have tomatoes before the first frost. What a treat. They taste so good right off the vine.

The corn has tasseled and the ears are growing. Each year we learn something that helps us the next year. We will plant corn in shorter rows and about four rows wide. It seems they like having a tight grouping. This makes sense if you look at huge corn fields. Tight rows.

Cabbage is one of my favorite vegetables. We have been using diatomaceous earth for pest control. We still have a few bugs but this method seems to work well. No pesticides in the garden so far.

Coming from the South I never saw Brussels Sprouts growing. They are so cute.

I know that next year we want to add fennel to our garden. It is so tasty braised with onions. I think I have been watching Ina Garten from the Barefoot Contessa a bit too much.

We are having a great time this week. Alex's six year old granddaughter Mia is up from New Hampshire for the week visiting. She is learning about the garden and enjoying picking the vegetables.

It's not all work and no play. She and Jasmine are close friends and girly girls. Time out for nail painting under the Maple tree.

Mia toes.....

Jasmine toes....

A warm summer day under a huge shade tree. Summer at it's finest.

We tried to explain to the girls that the apples weren't ready to eat yet. Some things you just have to figure out for yourself. Ewwwww.......

Best wishes from everyone here on the farm. We hope that all is well and everyone is happy and healthy. Much love and prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.

Kelly