Hay, Hay, Thank You God

Finally, we have sunshine without rain for three days straight. The hay was cut, tedded and raked. We left it in the field overnight to dry. Kevin came over and tedded the hay again and raked it into rows in the early morning. Then he let it dry during the day. I got home from work in the morning, took and sweet four hour nap and went out to help bring in the bales of hay from the top part of the field. The lower part of the field is still too wet to cut. It will have to dry for a bit longer. We also have an additional 2 acre hay field at the top of the field to cut. Nothing smells like fresh cut hay. It makes you feel so good. That is unless you are allergic. I feel so sorry for those people. We had the chance to put the green monster to work.

Alex likes to drive it too. No complaints from this baby.

The barn looks worn and tired but it has really good bones. We have some doors to replace and windows to remove this summer to prevent snow from blowing in. The barn was let deteriorate by it's previous owner, but it will have a pretty smile next summer. This hay conveyor is worth its weight in gold. I don't think we could throw the bales up. I know my back won't tolerate that much abuse.

Everyone was in on the hay loading. Jasmine worked so hard, just like all of us! Don't underestimate the power of a six year old on a mission.

All in all we put up 140 bales in this one afternoon. It won't feed all winter but was a nice start. I feel the stress lift just knowing that we have begun. If weather permits we will put up more hay this weekend, along with putting in fence posts for the second pasture.

We had a couple of bales that were a bit green and wet from near the trees in the pasture. We broke those bales and put it in the feeders for the sheep and llama, and filled the goat hay rack. The goats were having such a good time munching that they wouldn't even tell me good night. We are exhausted but feel so good. For supper it was assorted cheeses, crackers and wine. The cooks needed a night off. I hope all is going well and the places that need rain are getting it and the ones that don't are getting a reprieve. Much love and prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.

Kelly