• We have reached the time when the squash goes wild. Squash, squash, and more squash. I blanched some and am freezing it for fall or winter. The chickens have also had their fair share of the larger ones.

• The plums are ripening. And, they are yummy!

• The herb barrels are full and beautiful. This is my first time growing parsley. It’s growing very well. Almost too well. I need to research recipes that include parsley.

• Back in March, we lost all but one of our ducks. She was then fenced in with the chickens. She was not impressed with this. Eventually, she ended up getting out and I didn’t have the heart to put her back. Lately, she’s been sitting on eggs. They aren’t fertile, but I hadn’t gotten around to taking them away. And sitting on eggs is what kept her safe from the predator(s) last time. Unfortunately, she is now missing and her eggs are gone…

• Our laying ladies are granting us with a lovely array of colorful eggs. My favorite right now is the dark brown Welsummer egg.

• Because we’re going through a lot of eggs these days, I crushed a bunch of the shells. Some I’m saving for a craft and others I sprinkled around our tomato plants.

• The olive eggers that hatched a couple weeks ago are growing quickly. I’m sure they aren’t, but they seem to be growing more quickly than our other hatches.

• It’s hatch day! About the same time the others were hatching another batch were set in an incubator. Those ones are starting to hatch. So far, we have 2.

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I got ducks!!! I’ve been wanting ducks. But when our chicken population continues to grow & grow, the last thing we need are more feathered friends simply because I want them. The other day Farmer John mentioned how he would like to get a duck that eats slugs. We have Mr. Duck, but he’s not much of a slug eater. The next day I went & found us some ducks… before the hubby changed his mind. They are 4-5 week old Welsh Harlequins & I love them already.

I tried getting an Easter themed photo of the ducks. However, they thought running around quacking was better than standing/sitting still for a pic. Thankfully, I caught this shot mid quack.

It is such a warm, fuzzy feeling watching the little ducks play in our pond.

They just keep playing, swimming, drinking & cleaning themselves. Happy, happy ducks!

Occasionally they would come out of the pond, but not for long. They kept going back for more. Eventually, I had to tell them play time was over.

This poor little guy must have been the runt. He’s smaller than the other two & has wonky legs. They should not be turned in so he’s stepping on his own foot. Supposedly swimming is good exercise for his legs & will hopefully improve the wonky-ness.

I him, wonky legs & all.

Chicks hatching & bringing home ducklings says Spring really is here! Happy First Day of Spring 2013!

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