Well, it goes without saying (but I'm saying it anyway) that I have neglected this blog. Initially, there was always something else to do instead. Then, enough time passed and we had done enough that I didn't know where to start, so, I didn't. But I am here now and going to work on the blogging motivation over the weeks and months ahead. I am a work in progress. Always will be.
We have now lived in Penrose a full year. I think often about how much has changed about our lives since we have been here. I freaked out a little before we moved down here. We were going through the inspection phase, and the worrier in me took over and I was scared. I remember wishing then that I could just see into the future a year and see if we really would be happy here, then I could easily make a decision. Well, here we are, a year later, and I am happy (and relieved) to say that I have no regrets :)
Despite being a REALLY dry year in Penrose, we managed to have a pretty successful garden. In addition to being an extra dry year, it was also an extra buggy year. Squash bugs quickly became my nemesis. Although the flea beetles, cutworms, horn worms, and ants (millions of ants) are not far behind on the list. At least now we have a little help with the bugs.....
Chickens!
We got 6 week old chicks in July from a feed store here in Penrose. 3 of them are Aracaunas -- they lay the pretty easter eggs. The other 3 are Black Sex Links. They are a cross between the Rhode Island Red, and the Barred Rock. When you mix those breeds, the females come out black. They are now 5 months old, and none turned out to be roosters :) Still waiting on that first egg! (this is where we usually joke about them either laying an egg soon, or becoming, well, chicken... hehe). We decided it's better if we don't name the chickens. I just refer to them as gold, brown, grey, black, black, and blacker.
I love having the extra animal life around here. Chickens are more entertaining than you might think they would be. Especially in the mornings when I let them out of the coop and into their run. They run and jump around, flapping their wings and going chest to chest with each other, like they're trying to show who's tougher. I think they're trying to burn off some extra energy from being cooped up all night -- pun intended :) (that joke may never get old).
Chicken stare-down!
Now the garden is winding down. We are still getting tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, and there are still potatoes waiting to be dug out. We also planted some late lettuce and a couple of other cool crops. Next year by this time we hope to have a greenhouse. I want to extend the garden season as long as possible. There is, and I suspect there always will be a project to work on outside, and now we have to use our warm days wisely while we still have them.
Here's a few pictures of our garden progress....
And as of last Friday...
It was our first year in Penrose, and our 2nd ever garden. Kelly and I have both put in a lot of hard work, and it looks and feels to me like it all paid off. I'm pretty proud of both of us for that :)
