We have piggies!

Well, we have another first at Twin Elm Gardens! A week ago it seems we were talking about getting a few goats for the farm, and then within a day, the conversation shifted to pigs!

Now, Luke and I were vegan for a few years - but I'm gonna be honest - we both LOVE bacon. We deprived ourselves for so long, that now when a friend of ours who raises pasture-raised organic pigs barters bacon for veggies, we literally scarf the pound of bacon down in one to two meals. BLT's are like the best thing ever - and I make a mean "cholesterol sandwich." So when we first started talking pigs - all I thought was "That'd be a lot of bacon!"

Luke knows how much I love animals, that I would get attached and probably not want to butcher them. He told me that when the 3 little pigs arrived, we would be naming them breakfast, lunch, and dinner - to give me that constant reminder that however cute the pigs may be, their purpose is for food. I requested the name lunch be switched over to BACON - with how much I love bacon I figured it was an appropriate name!

So, Luke (and Austin) worked hard to build a pig pen and a little hut for them over the weekend, and while I was at school today, the pigs arrived. When Luke called me to tell me they were here, I could hear the excitement and energy in his voice. I arrived home, and I totally understand why:

Even though these are feeder pigs (already 50 pounds), they are ADORABLE! Only a foot tall and 1.5 feet long, they are the cutest little piggies I have ever seen! I was instantly attached - I am hooked! I took ridiculous amounts of pictures - most are on facebook - but how do you not love these little guys:

I literally had to start repeating to myself "Breakfast, dinner, bacon." It's hard to think of butchering them - when they are sooooo cute! I got a little sad about it actually, but Luke was really encouraging. He said to think of all the bacon I've ever eaten and how many of those pigs lived - locked in a barn and never seeing the light of day. These 3 little pigs are going to have a fantastic life. They have a HUGE pig pen - literally, the people who dropped off the pigs thought it was a pen for camels it is so big. So, these pigs will have a good life, cruising around their pen, munching on grass and leftovers, and rolling around in the mud. 

They are so cute - they are very happy - and the cruise around as a threesome. Literally, they are always within two feet of each other. When one runs away, the other follows.

Our cat, Banjo thought he would check things out a little bit. When he entered the cage, he crouched down low, as if stalking the pigs, ready to attack. When he got close enough, the pigs noticed him, and they were excited. They went running up to him, and sniffed him out a little bit. Banjo, originally all tough, got so scared and took off running. The pigs thought it was a game, so they chased after him! Totally the opposite of what you think it should be - pigs chasing a cat around the pen. 

I can already tell those cute little bundles are going to bring bundles of happiness to our summer. I am so happy to welcome "Breakfast, Dinner, and Bacon" into our farm lives. 

What the HELL is that smell?

Today was a long day at work, and I was looking forward to getting home and spending a little time in the warm weather - grilling out steaks to dip in some Indonesian Peanut Sauce and sip on some cider beer. I hoped out of my car and breathed in the fresh farm air, and thought to myself "I can't believe someone is spreading manure on the fields in March!" It was pretty potent. Then I saw Tobshu - hooked to his chain in the front yard, instead of running freely with Luke like usual. I thought this was very curious, so I started to walk towards him and greet him. That's when the smell got stronger! Then I noticed the peculiar shade of green that was coating Tobshu's back...and ears...and legs...and stomach...and neck. The smell was revolting - a combination or manure, vomit, and pure decomposition - yuck!
Luke hadn't told me of any mishaps - so I decided to call him! He answered the phone nonchalantly, and I immediately asked "What the hell happened to Tobshu?!" He said, "Oh yea, I forgot to tell you - Tobshu rolled in my compost pile today when I wasn't looking," as if it was the most casual thing in the world. Needless to say I wasn't happy - he isn't exactly an easy dog to give baths. I mean he is okay, but it typically means I get a bit of a bath as well, which wasn't really what I wanted to do today!
I headed in to grab the shampoo and his leash, and as I was walking back outside, I noticed Grandpa Butch hunched over our black male cat, Banjo. Luke had said Banjo was limping around today, but in the chaos of the day I had forgotten about it. I quickly walked over to the house, and checked out Banjo. His back leg is severely injured, and any time I tried to touch it, he meowed, hissed, or tried to bite me! It was quite apparent he is in intense pain, and I couldn't investigate too much because his fur is so long and thick. I didn't want to hurt him too much, so I am going to let him rest and see how he is doing tomorrow! I just don't need another replay of "Kat," If you are unfamiliar with Kat, please read back to my post "Goodbye, New Friend." I don't really want to relive it!
Anyway - off to bath Tobshu. Luke hosed him down, and I scrubbed...and scrubbed...and scrubbed. And I gagged, a little bit - the smell was AWFUL! It was definitely a two-man job! The stench was literally pouring off of him, as was the food matter, algae, and dirt. He looked like a wet rat - running around trying to shake out his fur. We thought he was good to go, and then we brought him inside. The smell started to reveal itself very quickly - I literally sprayed him head to toe with dog perfume, and the stench still rang through. I really want to cuddle up with him on a pillow, but I can't get anywhere near him without getting nauseous! I'm hoping it mellows out a little by tomorrow.
Luke knew exactly what I needed to feel better however! He started a campfire, grilled some steaks, and put on some music! We ate together by the fire, and then we topped it all off with S'mores! The perfect way to make me feel better (and I just won't tell anyone that yesterday I SWORE I wouldn't eat chocolate for a month - yea....failed that). Better luck next time?

Summer time?!

Okay, so I know it isn't summer, but this 75 degree weather in spring is sure giving me the itch! It felt great to walk down the stairs, and open the windows to let in the fresh spring breeze. I could only open half the windows - the other half are covered in clear plastic, and while it was tempting to tear down the plastic, and welcome spring, I am a realist who knows we could still get a blizzard in April! And, if that happens, well, some of our windows are drafty - to say the least. Literally, the curtains swing in the wind, even when those windows are closed! Part of having an old farm house I suppose!

Everyone is enjoying the unseasonable weather. Luke and  I just got back from vacation in Florida - looks like we didn't need to go anywhere with weather like this. Before I go on, I must give a big shoot-out to our employee Austin - he did a fantastic job of taking care of the farm while we were gone - it was easy to relax knowing he was holding down the fort!

Well, the warm weather has the plants in the greenhouse growing like crazy, which is exciting. I can't wait for tomatoes and peppers in early June! Plus, I figured since it was warm it wouldn't be as much work for Luke to take care of the greenhouses! We could leave at night and not have to worry about getting home in time to stoke the fire in the greenhouse. Well, I was wrong, excess heat makes it even more complicated, because the plants dry out and can die from the excess heat - on a 75 degree day, the greenhouses are easily in the high 90's, if not higher. I truly learn so much with every single day out here on the farm! Luke is such a great farmer though - he knows exactly what he needs to do to keep everything healthy!

Tobshu is rocking the summer buzz-cut now. He looks goofy from the 4 inch hairdo he was sporting to have practically none, but he likes it such much better and his body doesn't get covered in mud and water! I was getting tired of trying to brush his dreadlocks, so I'm happy to have him all cleaned up.

Of course he still looks adorable! He is loving the spring weather.

Luke and I toasted the warmth with a campfire last night. We got pretty exciting and went so far as to make pudgy pies and eat smores - yum! If you don't know what a pudgy pie is, well, you are missing out. You can put whatever in it - we decided to go with pizza pudgy pies! They were delicious! Luke was working on the chicken fence, so while we enjoyed our campfire last evening, we had chickens, Tobshu, Banjo, and Murtle all stalking around us, checking out the scene. Luke and I were discussing how farm life really takes away that "spook factor." Normally if you see something run 6 feet in front of you, you get scared, wondering if it is a raccoon, opossum, or a skunk. Well, last night it was very dark outside, but when I saw something move around me, I didn't think twice - I knew it was a bird, cat, or dog just strolling on by in the cozy spring evening! It was great to see all of our animals living in harmony - cats, chickens, and dogs all walking among each other! Things are settling down here with animals! I wonder how much we will shake up the scene when we add turkeys, ducks, and pigs to the homestead. I'm sure it will be one crazy animal family :)