Spring 2015

Spring has rolled into Okra Hill. Ashley has planted our spring garden, which includes lettuce, peas, carrots, broccoli and kale in the raised beds. 

On the other side, we'll have corn (this year Ashley is trying a new pattern, with the corn running  in short vertical rows on the far side). Potatoes are on the right. We'll also have cucumbers, okra and tomatoes here. 

Our chickens have been great producers lately. We have 16 hens and regularly gather 12-14 eggs each day. 

Notice the small box with yellow duct tape on it in the lower left corner inside the chicken house? Inside is a rat trap. A week or so ago, I went in to the chicken house and heard scurrying above my head. I saw a RAT! Eeek! So I did what any sensible person would do...I got a rat trap (this was after I fired 3 shots at the rat with the .22--I could have sworn I hit him but he ran off). 

The grass greening up makes everything appear ready for a growing season. The blackberries (on the left) have green leaves emerging. 

I pruned the grapes and the blueberries are loaded with blossoms. That's Emmet, one of our puppies we got in September after our Max, our 12 year old rat terrier disappeared. Emmet is a Mountain Feist. His best friend is Heidi, a Carolina Curr. They're great puppies/dogs--and LOVE barking at squirrels (and birds and anything else that moves in a tree). 

Happy days to y'all!

Merry Christmas 2014

It's been ages since I've updated the Okra Hill blog. My apologies! Life has been happening, as it has with you, too, I'm sure.

I created this post at Christmas and forgot to publish it. I think the chickens are eating the remains of the boys' gingerbread houses. :o)

Winter garden work (though there's not much to it, which is why we enjoy it!).

Look at the bounty of kale and collards.

Ashley slaughtered and butchered the pigs the day after Thanksgiving. We had a couple of family members and friends to help out. It was a great experience. Now the pig pen is empty. 

All that remains of the pigs (besides the pork in our freezers) is the hair in front of our shop. Their hair was scraped before the butchering began.

Ashley's shop set-up. It was a great place to cut the meat and make sausage.