Another Spring Saturday

This past Saturday all where busy here in the Pearl. Bub who is not pictured below was unfortunately stuck inside all day Saturday working on 2 school reports. That's what happens when you have sports practice during the week. You gotta take care of business on the weekends. I was working on fixing an old shed but I will post on that later. I'll start with the end. This is our Saturday evening sunset God provided for our end of the day enjoyment as we relaxed in the cool of the evening after a busy day. This is Nannie's finally completed porch I built her. I can't remember if I ever posted pics of the finished job so here they are.

This is the inside of the porch all clean and painted. We seem to stop down many times during the day on weekends and rest here at this spot. We can almost always find Nannie out here reading a book or talking on the phone.

The Mrs. is planting the garden. She still has lots to do but it's coming along nicely.

Nannie spent the day mowing when she wasn't on the porch.

She's kinda dangerous on this thing.

Sissy had a friend over. They played all day.

Sister hung out w/ Sissy some, watched some T.V. and played in the garden. It was a busy day for all.

What's up at the Pearl?

There has been a lot going on this year at the Pearl. Missed my blogging for some time but trying to get back in gear. I've changed position's at my job so I am away from home a bit more than I use to be. The good thing is that when I am at home I can actually be at home and not have my head buried in a computer (unless I want to blog!). We have been much busy this year but with spring upon us things are really starting to happen. Bub (Davy Crockett Jr.) got some live traps for Christmas last year so he has been trying them out. I hope when school is out he fills the barn wall with critter hides. We have started with the garden and this year got a good early start on onions and taters but have now fallen behind with the rest of the planting. That's next on the list.

I took a few Saturdays to build a chicken house. Once again I got to play with a chainsaw so all was good.

Our steer (Babe) was right there to lend me a hand. It makes a job sooo much easier when everyone pitches in!

My finished product!

Well, not quite. I still need to paint it. It turned out pretty good I think.

And what does every chicken house need???

New chickens. We have 25 new chicks. I am still a free range man so hopefully the new house will help me keep these longer.

The whipper-snappers have a good time with the babies. I just hope they are still this interested when it's time to gather eggs.

Jake is always interested when a new arrival shows up at the place.

Pretty cool pick I thought. Bub took this. Most of his artistic shots were blurry but this one looked pretty cool.

Harvest time!

Great Time of year! We get home-grown tomato's! I love home-grown tomato's! I can't tell you how clan Daniel longs for fresh tomato's each year. There is nothing like them.
These are supposed to be jalapeno peppers but the plants were marked wrong.

We are still getting plenty of jalapenos though. This made 8 - 1/2 pints.

And plenty of cucumbers, which are of course turned in to pickles!

Nannie really helped us out with the canning. 9 quarts of pickles so far.

First picking!

The first of the garden crops have come in!!! Cucumbers, peppers, tomato's...
squash and zucchini...

and glorious green pinto beans!

Another Saturday in the Pearl

We worked on the corral again this Saturday. Much progress was made as we are within a week of having the steers here. One more Saturday and it should be ready. All that's left is a bottom support similar to what's on top.
The gate went up without a hitch (after the Mrs. came and told me all I was doing wrong).

Jake and Trigger really seem to like it. Too bad they are about to lose their barn for a while.

The Mrs. worked in the garden all day. It is coming along nicely.

We'll be eating fresh veggies in no time!

67 Tomato plants !

Corn!

Peas and pinto green beans!

Our beautiful home. We are Blessed!

A Saturday on a hobby farm

No day can be right if you don't start out with a good breakfast. The Mrs. and I have so much to get done on a Saturday that there is no way we can cook the normal big country breakfast. Early risers we ain't. So we down a couple of cups of coffee on the porch and get to work. That is the beauty of having an 11 year old who is addicted to eggs. The boy can cook. And since he seems to enjoy it so much why not have him cook for his sisters as well? We had already broken ground on the garden several times so it was ready to plant. The rain that was expected for Friday had not been the gully-washer that we had assumed would come so the Mrs. was determined to get the job underway. I was determined to at least get all materials required to complete the show barn on site and get all those cedars in a ready to use position.
We have beautiful dirt here at the homestead and this year we have decided to double the size of previous years gardens.

This is the new spot. It is about 500 sq. feet smaller than the usual site and this will have corn, peas and beans exclusively.

Sister is turning into quite the helper. Bub was helping me all day and Sissy had a friend over from out of town, so Sister pitched in with mom and worked as best she could to help get it planted and watered.

Chip off the old block. Looks just like her mama planting.

Somewhere along the way it was determined that the new bull needed a bath. All the girls were willing and able to help with that.

The planting continues. If we get good weather we will have enough food to eat fresh vegetable all summer and canned ones all winter. Not only does this help to offset the grocery bill but it continues teaching the whipper-snappers self-sufficiency and self reliability. Traits that are quickly disappearing in American society.

One side all planted and ready to grow. Hopefully the other side will be in before the end of the week.

Bub and I took all the cedar posts we brought from Bakersfield and cut them into 6 foot and 8 foot posts to be used on the show barn and around the fence in general. Once again not paying for something that God has readily provided.

As with any Saturday there must be some play time. Mud is always an easy draw for whipper-snappers. Mud pies are a good solid form of entertainment.

After muddy clothes always follows inappropriate trampoline jumping. 5 Year olds are happy to jump in underwear only. If I could only convince the Mrs. to try this I would be a happy man.

As with any day we should always stop and take the time to consider the days events. Boy this kid is gonna need therapy after his mom and me are finished with him.

As with most Saturdays we have to play with the horses. Dad worked them on the lunge line for a while and then Sister had to get in on the act.

Springtime in Texas. No better place to be.

Our little slice of Heaven. God has truly Blessed this family. God is so good...all the time.