When all else fails

Well after waiting for 3 days for the fencing contractors to show up

and 3 days of no shows and no phone call...

then when we did get ahold of them we

were told we were "not a priority"

(must be they are not hungry enough yet)

we decided we could have alot of fence posts in already

So off we went to Tractor Supply

Were we bought an auger for the tractor... We have an awesome reliable crew

We also have a land swap in progress

with our neighbors over the hill

as our fence would have ran right thru

their front yard -

So they are having it re-surveyed

we will then trade them equal amounts

Below is a picture of where the fence would have ran!

Right across the front of thier house 75 feet

and only 25 feet from thier deck ;-)

Now it will run from the split rail out into the feild

you can see the posts laying where they will go now...

they are very happy we agreed -

Proof of that in the delightful loaf of

Amish Friendship bread they left on our deck -

Y-U-M-M-Y!!!

But wait there's more (work) 2 bunks of fence posts

Like Soldiers in the Garrison

lying in their bunks...

Awaiting placement in their new "Post"

Alpaca Valley Family Farm

We went on an overnight to

Gaylord for a training seminar -

While we were over there we squeezed in a visit to our friends ...The greeting Committee Up close and personal
He looks like a king... but he really was a whimp
He was actually scared of the "Pac" ;-)We found out why they are called
Al(PAC)a
They actually all moved in unison around the pasture -
They were a riot to watch!!!!
Got to say there were too cute ...
We may have to add a couple to our farm
SOMEDAY ;-)
Just up the road was
MY KIND OF MALL ;-)))

We took the long Scenic way home...
Can you tell why?
We live in a BEAUTIFUL area

no matter the time of year!!

Hay Seeds Pasture Prep

Looks like a bit of rain in the forcast

We need it and its better than snow!!

Quote of the day;

"Man must feel the earth to know himself and recognize his values...

God made life simple.

It is man that complicates it" CL

Sunshine Motivation

if time flys when you are having fun -

its goes super sonic when you are working!!

Between meeting potential new clients for WestSide Tool -

Doing the bill paying work...

Delivering hay to both the farms keeping our cattle

Gathering and boiling the last of the sap -

(Sugar season is done with)

1100 gallons of sap collected 30 gallons of syrup

We still have to final boil, filter & can it all

Wash all the buckets, tubes, spials, pans etc...

We are also on to building cow pastures

not only does that mean building fence

but working the fields and seeding them with pasture mix

and incase we get bored we will also are building a shelter for the cattle...

Spring is never dull on the farm ;-)

And.... TODAY

Winter came back the very next day

we thought he was a gonner

we thought he went a way ...

but the old man came back the very next day!

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

The bay is opening up again - Monday

Our snow... Monday
Our snow today... Thursday
So bright you gotta wear shades

another 80 gallons of sap yesterday putting our total sap at 1068 gal.s

But its loosing its sweetness so it won't be long now

and we will be done for the season ...

its been 4 weeks today - thats a great run!

New Border

See what can happen when you spend

long hours in the shack -

Gremlins appear and decorate for you ;-))

Rainy Days and Wednesdays...

Well its not Monday as the song says but it is a dreary one out there!!

Yesterday afternoon we picked up the most sap ever in one haul -

97 gallons - and the sugar content is still good -

we filled all our spare buckets had to go home

empty them and go back to empty the rest!

so a boilng I will be!

Thats 988 gallons of sap so far this season - a record for us!

We have had lots of company in the shack-almost every night -

I am not sure what draws them...

the sweet smell of sap boiling...

the good company...

or

the abundance of great meals...

WestSide Tool - has a steady flow of work

(for which we are thankful)

so Bruce keeps busy in the shop

and I keep busy in the shack!

Thanks to PDM for all the

hardwood lumber scraps!!