Sand Hill Cranes have left the area.

           Monday,  all the sand hill cranes left  the Gainesville area.   There were several large groups of 100 or more that flew over the farm at different times  and I was able to get photos of them.   I love watching them fly and I love their call.    I have always called them children because they used to hang out at my best friends house down on Paynes Prairie.

     After they left I managed to get a few good photos of a Piliated woodpecker that was in the pines right behind the house.   They are really skittish and hard to photograph,  but this one hung around long enough for me to get the photos

   This was taken with the  long lens and you can see how big he really is.

    I finished getting some quilt tops done and also finished organizing my supplies for the show.  I also had extra electrical outlets put in the barn,  because I was running out of room and starting to step on cords.

    The amaryllis are starting to bloom in the yard.    I planted these bulbs about 25 years ago,  and they just keep coming back every year.  I really love the colors and enjoy seeing them bloom.

                    
                               Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.

Another Day down on the farm

                                                              The girls are back
           

  Well,  walked out for the shop this morning and scared two turkey hens right out of two years growth.  as well as myself.   A few minutes later,  the whole group walked into view and I managed to get some photos of them. The new season starts soon,  but they are not in any danger as they are all girls.   Only beards can be hunted.

       Spent the week working on quilts and actually got back to one that I had started last year and was having problems with. Took me most of the afternoon to pull all the thread out so that I could go back and fix the problem.  Might get it done soon.

   Took this really neat photo of the old barn .  thought it turned out pretty good.   Want to run around and get more photos out there. but staying inside where it is nice and warm and working.

   The area behind the house is really turning out nice.  it looks so good now that it has been cleaned up.  The wild life are loving it because now the grass will grow and they will have lots of bugs to eat.

   And the new kitten is growing up fast.  He loves chasing the older cats around the house for hours.


                              Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.

Making wax

                                           Azaleas in bloom on the farm

    Well,  it has been another cold week here in the sunny south.  But I decided that the way to say warm was to make some old bees wax furniture polish.  It involves standing over a hot stove.  What a better way to stay warm.  It takes a double boiler to get all the wax to melt and add the other ingredients.   So I had lots of fun making the wax.  I think that it came out a bit thick,  but I can always reheat and add more turpentine.  At least I have lots for all my wood working projects.
I have been refinishing an old desk (secretary)  and I did not want to put varnish or polyurethane on it.  I can now use the bees wax and it will come out beautiful.

                                             Lots of Beeswax all shaved for the pot.

                                           Wax applied to the drawers and polished.  the rest is waiting to be done.

                  I found a really cute critter hanging out on the trash can,  and could not resist getting his photo  so I thought I would share it with you.

                              Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.

Working Hard

                                             Cleared area in the west side of the farm.

          We have started clearing the west side of the farm up from the last tree harvest two years ago.  There is lots of debris left by the logging company and now that is is well rotten,  we can bring it to the burn pile and dispose of it.   Of course we have managed to mangle the big tractor a bit and are now waiting on parts.  Life on the farm.

        I got my quilting machine back today, and sat down and quilted for about three hours  got about half way through the project that I am working on.   I have also been working on another quilt, and I am slowly getting it done.

      I was working out in the citrus trees and found a new friend,  not too sure what he is,  but think that he is either a type of garter snake or a corn snake.  In any case he is one of the friendly guys so I got a few photos and left him be.

       We have definitely got the wood pile stacked up for the next year.  I am looking forward to having a good fire in the fire place  once the wood dries out a bit more.

  
  Met with the Division of Forestry today,  We walked the property and got the Five year plan sorted out.   We will have two prescribed burns in the trees during that time. and will also have another big harvest in 4-5 years.    I am happy that we are getting on board with everything that should be done to take care of the property.
 
                              Well,  that's all the news from the south,  
                              Happy" farming" to all the farm girl sisters out there.
                               See you next week. down on the farm.