our little opossums

There are three little 'possums snoozing in a slipper. One of the boys thought it would help them feel like they were in a pouch. I thought that was a great idea and apparently, so did they. :)
Just finished up eating and are ready to climb under the towel and go to sleep.
Drew took this picture of the boys and I at the county fair last Thursday. Our church had a booth and we took a turn sitting there, greeting people and handing out literature. After our shift was over, we decided to walk through and look at the animals. Can you guess what is in my basket?? Yes, baby opossums. They were with me just about everywhere I went. Now that I know they are able to feed themselves from a dish, I do not have to 'possum-sit.

orphan opossums

We've had a new project lately. On the way to church 2 weeks ago, we saw a mama 'possum that had been hit in the other lane. As I passed, I noticed babies crawling on her! We didn't want to just let them there so helpless so we turned around and went back. Drew found three little survivors, scooped them up and brought them to the van. We quickly found something to put them in and headed for church.

Now, we are not new to this type of thing. Actually, we've rehabilitated quite a few animals. We have also given some to local rehabbers who were better prepared to handle the particular situation...like hawks or porcupines, but we have always made room if it is something we can handle. These little one were likely making the transition to living out of their mama's pouch and so they have been fairly easy to care for.

As a child, my mom and grandparents always had an interest in animals and the outdoors. I have very fond memories of a mischievous pet raccoon named Zeke. He was orphaned when his mama and siblings were killed on a construction site. Our cousin automatically knew where to bring the little baby. My mom also raised a baby opossum and I remember her riding around on my mom's shoulder, under her hair, with only her pink tail showing. We didn't do everything right back then. They slept with us and ate with us. We treated them too much like pets and weren't prepared for the day when Zeke matured to an age when he would be seeking a mate. It seemed like his temperament changed overnight and he was no longer friendly. He was released and I was so sad to not have him in my life anymore.

The opossums have been quite easy to care for and the boys are enjoying every minute. We made some phone calls to opossum rescues to get specific info. on their care. We also have a great book called "Care of the Wild, Feathered and Furred". The boys look for insects and worms and they help prepare their "milk" and other food. We've done some internet research together. I will include photos of this experience, along with some of the information we have gathered, in the boys homeschool notebooks. I am really happy they are getting the opportunity to make some memories like this. There is so much we can learn from nature and our wonderful Father who created it.

a new thought...

I think I've discovered one of the reasons why I'm having these huge gaps in between posts lately. I always want to have pictures to post along with what I write. That takes time...time I don't seem to have right now. The green beans have been coming in and we are now up to 117 quarts. Boy, that feels good. We have also been drying tomatoes and peppers. So far we have 2 gallon jars full of Principe Borghese tomatoes, all sliced and looking quite pretty. The peppers are coming along nicely too...about half a gallon so far. I am happy we decided to dry them so we can enjoy them all through the year. The plants are still heavy with developing peppers...this is so rewarding. The corn however has not been a huge success. First, we had raccoon problems. Then drought. Well, all in all, Drew processed 7 quarts for the freezer yesterday while I was laid up on the couch. We consoled ourselves with the lessons learned and that every little bit helps.

We've had a couple bouts with sickness, first stomach then respiratory. I'm not sure what's going on, but hopefully we're on the mend now. My fever is at 100 and I actually feel a lot better, just very tired.

Well, Silas just made spaghetti and green beans and heated up some baked acorn squash. I am feeling so blessed.

A butterfly surprise

One day we were all walking around the flower gardens seeing what interesting things we could find. The butterfly weed was in full bloom and especially pretty so we had a closer look.
Although this photo doesn't show it, there were MANY monarch caterpillars crawling all over it...munching away on the leaves.

For several days, we watched them grow. It is amazing how fast they grow! One day, we saw this: Then, a few days later...

Can you see its wings?! Wow. I thought this was incredible. I thanked God for showing us something so beautiful that we could share with the boys.

Then...the finale!!

The bike ride

Last week, Drew announced that it was time for the long-awaited bike trip to the river to take place. It is 6 miles on gravel from our driveway to the river. He suggested that I meet them at our chosen spot with the truck and we could all go for a swim before loading up the bikes and heading back home. They had SO much fun! Next time we will have to arrange it so I can ride too. I was happy this time to have a little while to sit, read and relax in the quiet. We had a great time swimming and looking for pretty rocks.
Coming down the final stretch...

They made it! All were smiling and saying "When can we do that again??"

Copperhead

We have 4 poisonous snakes in Missouri and this is one of them. We haven't seen any at our house yet but we have seen Copperheads along the road. As much as there is good reason for caution, I do enjoy them and think they are beautiful as does the rest of my family. I took this photo while Drew had the snake on one of his snake sticks. People kill many Northern Water snakes each year believing them to be Copperheads. We take every opportunity we can to educate people on their differences and how to properly identify them.

Catching up...

I have wanted to post but we have been spending a lot of time together as a family since Drew came home and I just couldn't seem to fit it in. Now we are getting back into a routine and I think I'll have more time.

The garden has grown amazingly since the photos I posted awhile back! I will post some new pictures this week. We harvested cabbage, radishes, mustard greens and will have quite a few zucchini by the end of the week. On the "To Do" list for next week: make zucchini bread and freeze.

The day lilies are in full bloom and are a beautiful splash of orange throughout our flower beds. Pictures coming soon.

Also, Yolanda asked about how we organize our homeschool into binders and I will share that as well. Sorry for the delay Yolanda...I didn't forget. :)

The boys have been picking red clover tops and drying them in the dehydrator. We will mix them with spearmint leaves for a tasty tea.

Well, there is much more I could say but I must get on with the day. We may be going to town today to get some more furniture if Drew can get the trailer lights to work. We bought mattress sets for 2 boys on Friday.

I hope you are having a good day with the Lord. He has been so good to me lately especially.

Building raised beds

Before Drew left he tilled up 3 long rows for strawberries. He didn't have time to build the boxes but he did get out all the boards so the boys and I could work on it. Well, today we finally built one! It didn't turn out as nice as I had hoped it would, but it will work. We are using salvaged lumber that was in the barn when we bought this place. Can't beat that!
The beds on the left are the ones Silas built with his Grammy. The next 3 are strawberry beds. You can see one is in the process of being laid out and one is done.
Here it is! Something is really weird on the right side. We used 12" 2x4's with the end cut like a tent stake so it would drive easier. We pounded those in as we went-flush with the tops of the boards-and then screwed the side boards into them. Some weren't pounded so straight and with the boards already a bit bowed, well, it's a little wibbly. Now, we have 2 more to build and we can plant strawberries! I wouldn't have wanted to do this without my 3 willing helpers.
This is me getting a board into place. Almost all of the boards needed to have the ends cut off so they would be straight.

Making one of many cuts. :) I am looking forward to making the next two. We made a few mistakes with the first one and now I think I have it figured out. The next two should go much faster.

Our greenhouse

Ann, over at His Grace To Me , asked me about our greenhouse and requested pictures. So, here are 2 pictures of our little greenhouse:


I really like it. Even on a chilly, dreary day, we can go in there and it's so nice. The air is fresh, things are green and growing and there is life long after the frost has gotten everything else. I am considering hanging my hammock chair in there this fall. :)



It is a metal framework that I believe was originally intended for some kind of carport thing. The previous owners stretched the plastic over and used it as a greenhouse. There are 7 raised beds inside with mulch on the walkways.

another opossum

This is our Barred Rock Pip. She is Levi's chicken and Drew's favorite. She is such a friendly chicken, following us around waiting for treats.
This is Raoul. He is quite old and doesn't get around very well anymore.
Last night I heard clucking when the chicken house should have been quiet. I had already been in bed and the boys were in bed also. I got up and that is when I heard the clucking. I called to Ukiah and Levi who bounded out of bed and ran out to the chicken house in their bare feet. Another opossum! This time it had a hold of Pip's tail feathers. Ukiah chased it off and up into a corner of the screened in part of the chicken yard. We weren't able to catch this one as easily as Drew had caught the last (by the tail). I didn't want to just grab it and I didn't want the boys to either. So I ran down to the workshop and got a big fishing net. Ukiah netted it and we put it into a big barrel. He spent the night in our workshop and was relocated in the morning. I wish I had pictures of the whole event to post. The boys sure are making some memories AND, Levi is getting much more diligent about locking up the chickens at night. :)

more chick pictures

The ones with the chipmunk stripes down their backs are Aracaunas. The white one is a white Silkie - they have blue beaks! The black one with his beak in the air is a Black Australorp. The black with white spot on the head is a Dominique. The golden is a NH Red. The little one in the middle, to the right of the Silkie is our Mystery chick!

Insect collecting

This is Ukiah's prize Luna moth along with a few others. We are working on labels.

The chicks are here

They arrived yesterday morning. 27 chicks! Silas made up a little countdown "calendar" when we placed our order over a month ago. It was so cute to watch him cross off each day. Levi got white Silkies, Silas got New Hampshire Reds, Ukiah got Aracaunas, I got Black Australorps and Drew got Dominiques. We also got a surprise exotic chick. :) A few have already been on an excursion outside to eat grass clippings and bugs - courtesy of the boys.

A visitor

This little bird must have hit one of our windows and decided to take a rest on the deck. Our deck is not a safe place for birds to rest so we moved it inside just long enough for it to recover. Isn't it beautiful? We think it is some kind of warbler.

Tomatoes!

Levi and I were out in the greenhouse today doing some weeding. I knew we had a lot of blossoms but Levi spotted some little tomatoes! We were so excited. This plant is an heirloom variety called Principe Borghese. It produces nice small tomatoes that are good for drying.