Growing like crazy

For the past week or so, mornings have had a hint of autumn chill. But most days have had at least some sun, with just enough days of coastal fog to remind us to appreciate the bright days.
All the plants and animals are working hard to put on as much growth as possible before the season ends!



The goats have had a couple of trial runs in the electric net fence, away from their usual yard. Matt built them a little lean-to for hanging out under or on top of. They seem to like it out there at first, but then start screaming for us to come pet or feed them.

They have names now - Redwood, Madrone, and Oak - and are really showing their different personalities. One characteristic they share is being very unhappy about the process of being weaned! It's going to continue to be loud around here for a little while...

These are more of the Early Girl tomatoes, which I must admit I am impressed by. It's pretty surprising to get large fruits from a tomato plant grown outdoors - only a mile inland.



The peppers, however, have been coddled and grown in the greenhouse.

And the flower garden continues to delight us with bursts of color.

Fun times

A couple of weeks ago, Vanessa and Bill came for a visit. It was such a wonderful break to get our minds completely off of work! We put them to work bottle feeding the goats, so somebody else could get their fingers bitten, too!






This last picture is for Vanessa - the overabundant zucchini we dehydrated (for adding to soup, etc). Shocking how a million pounds of zucchini can all fit into a canning jar!

Naughty, or charismatic?

Or maybe a little of both...

Introductions

How do I manage to fall so far behind?

It's hard to believe that it has been almost 3 weeks since the goats and chickens were introduced, and started coexisting in the barnyard. The first few days, until the goats' own indooor area was ready, we left the big cardboard "brooder" in the chicken coop with them all - with "doors" cut into the sides. The chicks had a slightly safe haven, although the goats immediately started trampling down one corner.

Now, they are housed separately - and during our workday are not together since the goats apparently love chicken feed. But, many evenings and weekends they get to hang out together in a common grazing/scratching area.