Back to Bloggin...Country Style

After a self imposed vacation from the blog world I decided there are just too many crazy, silly stupid things going on out here on the Eastern plains and I must share with you all.  When I say self imposed vacation what I really mean is that when you have a four year old computer and spotty satellite Internet, sometimes I just couldn't find an extra two hours to post a single blog.  That problem has been solved so here we are, all together again!  Wow many things have happened in the past few months - my Grandmother celebrated her 102nd birthday, the Cooks added a new baby boy - Nathan - to the crew, my nephew became a track champion, Ashley started nursing school and list goes on and on.

Since it is the middle of July and my last update was months ago I guess I should fill you in on what's going on.  First of all I changed both the name and address of the blog.
http://www.gardensgoatsandgrandkids.blogspot.com/

After nearly four years in the country I felt like this was a more appropriate name.

First on the list - the garden.  The garden is green and tall and producing three kinds of lettuce, radishes, corn, squash, and cucumbers already.  We are also enjoying fresh strawberries and raspberries. It is hard to believe we have had zero hail out here this summer.  What we do have however are grasshoppers by the thousands.  In fact a "neighbor" (I use the term loosely because I have never seen this man nor do I have any idea where he resides) came by a couple nights ago and asked if we would be interested in paying for an aerial grasshopper spray.  We said yes, he took our number and we never heard from him again.  Good thing I didn't give him a check, I guess!  Luckily we have a family member in the chemical distribution business - no he doesn't have a meth lab in his basement - he sprays lawns- who was able to access the special spray with grasshoppers in mind, so the garden may survive.  Last year without the spray the pesky bugs ate everything in sight, veges, flowers, grass - everything!

Second on the list - the goats.  The goats are doing great in fact I purchased two more little kids this spring that we bottle fed and just weened last week.  We weened them because I was working and Jon got sick of making their bottles twice a day so when I got home after three days Jon announced to me that it was magically time and they were now eating sweet feed.  Alright Jon, you are the animal guy.  In addition to the eight goats we are also babysitting 12 sheep for the remainder of the summer.  Apparently my husband is now a hay broker as we will be getting free hay for the goats for the winter out of this trade - not too shabby.  With all the rain we have had over the past month, nearly 10 inches, we have plenty for all the animals to eat this summer.  The only problem lies in the fact that even though we technically live in the country we still live within a small community that has old covenants.  The covenants read, the homeowner may only have 2 hoofed animals per acre of land own.  According to my calculations we are several hooves over our limit right now.  Good thing we have great neighbors on all side of us, but we'll see what happens.

Third on the list - the grandkids, or should I say grandkid as in single.  One single grandkid though is enough to keep Poppy and Nana hopping each and everyday.  Eli will be four in December and will be starting preschool this fall.  Where does the time go anyway, he is a constant reminder to stop and enjoy every little moment.  Of course more Eli stories are in the queue so stay posted.  I must of course add Aaron and Jill's engagement to the grandkids sections for obvious reasons!!  They are getting married sometime next summer so you all have a year to get some rest because we will celebrate a year from now.  What a wonderful addition to our family -

More about Jill and Aaron,  Jon's lawnmower lover and my own shenanigans will follow.  Please add your picture to my followers on the new blog!  Enjoy!