*THIS HEAT*

Well...It has been a tough week here on the farm. With temps reaching 106 on a few days, we have suffered some loss. We lost a layer, 2 meat rabbits and a litter of 8 babies. Even with taking heat precautions. The ground is so hot that it scorches your feet. We are roughly 17 inches below annual rain fall...so far. There are Burn Bans all over this area because of the wild fires that have been going on. We are fortunate enough to have small enough garden beds to be able to water. If we don't get some rain though, I am concerned about the affects on our fruit trees and berry vines. My Dad's garden is producing...but way dryer than normal. Andrew is getting to work, so that is good. Through it all...I know that God is in control. I am confident that He knows what He is doing :o)

The Homestead

Lil Pig

Chicken coop and run

Some berry vines and bushes we started this year

My wall of cucumbers

I CONTINUE to try and load pictures for this post....I am having the toughest time. Very frustrating, to say the least. But, as I can, I will add a few here and there so you can get an idea of our layout around here! Be blessed!

Puddle Ducks and New Additions

We let the ducks out to take advantage of a downpour that we got last week,

So CUTE!!!

Some new gals that someone didn't want!

They are quite lovely!!!

Enjoying some MUCH NEEDED rain :o)

We are ever so busy here on SONshine farm. There is ALWAYS something going on. I stay very busy processing milk and feeding, and my regular household chores that have become quite a juggling act as of late. But, we are loving EVERY minute of it all. The kids are so eager to take care of all of our critters. Before their eyes have even adjusted to waking up, they are asking to go outside and tend to everything. I keep a smile on my face. We put up some greenbeans and corn on Thursday. I am starting to get a few things out of the garden. I was so excited to get my very first yellow tomato. It was so sweet and yummy! I selfishly made a breakfast with a few of my first pickings :o)   Busy days!

Buttercup

This is our latest addition! She is a pure bred Jersey Milk cow....we think she is short bred (between 1-3 mo. pregnant) Right now, the milking chores are all mine...I hope to have someone else trained to do it by summer. I am currently getting between 2 and 2 1/2 gallons a day. She is a pig...not a cow :o)   Very good natured..and gentle. She likes company....if one (or ALL) of us are not out there, she bellers and lows until she gets some attention! I am REALLY enjoying her....She fits in perfectly here!

Oregano

Rosemary

Tarragon

Thyme

Mint

These are the herbs that survived the winter.

I currently have Basil, Dill, more Chives, Sage, and Cilantro seedlings.

And I have planted Lemon Balm, Pineapple Sage, and Purple Ruffles Basil.

When the bed is full...I will post an update!

It is quite gorgeous! :o)