Has it been a full week already??? It has been a blur. I still do not think we have found a “normal” with three additional dogs in the house, but things are definitely going smoother. I make them sound like they are awful and they really aren’t. They just had their own routine they were used to and ours is completely different. Poor Gemma has really been the most patient and such a good girl.

I know you’re thinking there is no way I could tell you about more fence going up but…you guess it. More fence. Hopefully the last for a while though. We needed a way to separate our rams from the ewes. After breeding season last year we sold our ram so this would not be a problem, but we have a ram lamb that Bryson wants to keep to breed to half the herd (not his momma! Or sister…also not okay.) He has reached his time to be separated until this year’s breeding season, so Bryson just sectioned off one corner of their pasture. This will not be our long-term solution so he just used t-posts, leftover woven wire, and we had an old gate he painted. We love frugal! Also a small update on dividing their pasture…it is not working. Hahaha. Bryson says we need more sheep…of course I would argue we need more fence. Ha!

Y’all. I need to make a confession. I teach high school agriculture. That includes horticulture. Actually mostly horticulture. That means teaching other people how to succesfully grow things. And I’m embarrased to show you my garden. Not really, because I do not get embarrased over this sort of thing, but man I wish it were bigger and greener! I know it is not in ideal soil and that will improve over time, but I’m taking it a little personal. Also, I completely mis-read the amount of fertilzer to apply two weeks ago so it basically got none. No worries, I made up for it this week hehe. Thank goodness this is not a true homestead we have to survive on. We would be out of luck. 

Also on the less fortunate side of things, my chickens were eating an egg this morning! If I were using emojis this would be an angry and a sad face! I’ve never had to deal with personal chickens doing this and I’m really hoping they do not develop a taste for it. That would be a sad day. I guess I will add some calcium to their diet and pray. Their eggs are really causing me to up my omelet game though! 

But really, if anyone has suggestions on putting a stop to that, please leave some tips in the comments!

As all the green is growing and spring is officially here, we are also seeing all the bugs (and two snakes on my run today…gross!). After pulling two ticks off of Bryson and one off myself, the bug deterrents had to come out! I hate strong smelling sprays. I use more chemicals than I should in my day-to-day but if I can find a different solution I’m all in. I have two go-tos this season: my citronella essential oil and this handy lotion stick from Jessup Ranch Soaps. It smells and feels amazing! If you have questions about the oils let me know, and you can find the Bug Off lotion stick and many other goodies (seriously, you cannot go wrong with any of her soaps) here! Everything growing means mowing and hay season is getting into full swing. Yesterday we picked up square bales. We feed more round bales but the square are nice to have on hand.

As I’m sitting here typing this I’m listening to baby birds chirping in the nest that is on the porch column that I need to paint. Thank goodness for baby birds :). This week has been a whirlwind and life looks different lately, but looking out at bright blue skies, grazing sheep and horses, and listening to baby birds fills my heart with so much gratitude and peace. 

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15