Rain

We finally got some rain yesterday. Not enough. But we were grateful for the bit of respite from the heat.

The whole state of Texas is suffering from a drought.
Growing up in southern California we were always in a drought. But it meant nothing to me. Actually, I did feel guilty when leaving the hose water to run down the driveway.
Here in farm country drought is real and gravely effects everyone. My neighbors haven't been able to grow food for their animals. And around here, animals are income. For the last few weeks hay has been trucked in from Colorado, doubling the average price. Horses are being given away because they're too expensive to feed. At the livestock auction last week they were auctioning-off over 3,000 head of cattle.
My neighbor had to sell over 200 of their herd.
The ground is crispy under our feet. Throughout my pasture the earth has cracked open; begging for water.
We are thankful for an afternoon thunderstorm. But we need so much more.

There's a fella at the farmer's market who is earning money to buy a washing machine.
He paints buckets.

I think I know the girl painted on that bucket.
We've outfitted the pots with handles to use as egg collecting pails.

Drake the Duck is new to the farm. He was given to us by the plumber.
The rest of Drake's flock had been abducted by coyotes.
He is happily recovering with us. He fits right in.



These are my girls, Nigerian Dwarfs Misty and Sally.
I'm searching for a suitor buck to knock them up.



Have you ever heard the phrase, "we do what we do, ese".
No?
Maybe that's a California thing.

I bet you wonder what I do all day out here in the country. Honestly, I have no idea because the days are all the same. The heat varies on levels of intensity, the kids run around yelling and making messes, I clean up the messes, and I cook and cook and cook...forever and ever. And then I clean up the kitchen and cook again. seriously.
And I wear the same thing every day



I'll even admit that everything is from Walmart.
wow.

Today I served:
breakfast - Pear cake (pears from our trees)
lunch - cheesy pasta
choco chip cookies for our friendly guests (David has friends...I don't)
dinner- eggs, refried beans, and veggie bacon strips
*a note about the dinner- we eat eggs so much that I promise my kids will despise them when they're grown. Someone will offer them eggs and they'll be like, NO, please!
And about the refried beans - going to the market is no longer convenient. One must plan ahead and be most prepared. I do neither. Therefore I've cracked open my emergency food storage.

Cow Hunt

I've been neurotic about checking my email this morning. 
I'm awaiting a response from a breeder.
Good news will require a 5 hour drive and learning a new set of skills.

I've been on the hunt for a calf. But not just any calf...a Dexter calf.
Did you know that there are over 800 breeds of cattle recognized in the world today?
Each breed has its purpose. Some have better meat quality, some have better milk quality, some are more heat tolerant and others are easier on pasture.

I've grown attached to the Irish Dexters. This breed is also known as the mini cow. 

There are cows all around me. But Dexters are hard to come by. Their owners love them and aren't so keen on selling. Sure I could buy a Jersey at auction; they're practically giving them away. But Jerseys and Holsteins (the average dairy cow) become BIG cows. Honestly, they frighten me.
I've gotta be able to grab her tenders to get my milk.
So, I'll be patient for the girl I want (and am not afraid of).
If I don't get the response I'm hoping for then we'll keep visiting breeders.
At least we're meeting some fun people.

When they say Texas is hot, BOY do they mean it. 
I can't get anything done around here because the heat hits me upside my head with its obnoxiousness.
But, thankfully, my hens will still lay eggs in this heat.
Typically, hens lay less eggs in hotter months.
However, we have been collecting 8-10 eggs per day from our 12 hens.
Most of our eggs are brown.
But, the Araucanas lay a most beautiful blue Easter egg.
True farm raised, free range chicken eggs are not even the same product as their grocery store cousins.  The yolk is so yellow it's orange.  The flavor is richer and yummier. They even bake better.