So... Its been a while.

The baby pigs have grown up since the last time I blogged (since the last time anyone on here has blogged)!

So they take these adorable naps where they, literally, hogpile on top of each other.

Farmer Charlie

He might just be a farmer, he LOVES animals. (Granted he loves smelling things lately, so that is the sign of a future career in what? designing a cologne or becoming a chef?)

Sorry I've been so behind on blogging pics of Charlie- I take so many this is actually a good outlet for a few favorites. I promise to try harder in the future. That's not a great guarantee, but hey, we stay pretty busy.

Poor Charlie is working on growing a molar (his cheeks always get so rosy when he's teething). I feel bad for him because he's obviously not feeling quite himself, but he's just so darn cute and loves to cuddle.

He's such a honey. I keep feeling like this is the best age.

15 piglets.

Video shot by Tim of the birth- without him all 15 would not have survived...

Plumb worn out.

This is what a little hard-core gardening in the morning will do to a couple of fellows (Meow just loves to nap). I should seriously get some garden pics up, too, but this is it for now...

We ate good food today: breakfast of farm-fresh eggs and grass-fed bacon with toast and peaches; grilled porkchops from Mum and Dad for lunch, with a side of baked and seasoned sweet potatoes and a giant salad containing lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, broccoli, sliced radishes (all picked fresh this morning) and topped with parmesan cheese, sunflower seeds and poppy seed dressing. We felt completely lucky while eating, watching Charlie mash sweet potatoes all over himself and his high chair, dropping as many as possible on the floor. Afterwards Tav sat down with Charlie while I cleaned up the mess. And that's where we're at on this Saturday afternoon.

~Becky

Hannah gives birth

Hannah before she had her baby pigs.

This is number three. Red with black dots.

This little pig is coming backwards.

Here is all 15 of them. Hannah looks pretty content.

Right now I am...

Baking Bread. It's 80 degrees in the house, and I waited thinking the heat of the oven wouldn't be so bad this late in the day. I'm still getting used to this new weather! Its a Mixed Grain batch, so besides the normal white and wheat flour, it also includes corn meal and oatmeal. It looks pretty- I sprinkled it with a few oatmeal specs prior to baking, but not sure how this humidity is affecting the rise. I'm trying out some new prototypes for the farmer's market (and for us- I'm reading The Village Baker). I don't know if the "regular" loaf varieties will sell as well as the artisan loaves baked on stone.
Everyone else in the house is sleeping- Charlie fell asleep at the neighborhood watch meeting, after singing to everyone. It was perfect timing; they asked if anyone else had something to say, and he obliged. Not much else was going on in the neighborhood anyways, just some complaining about bushes, the new round-about, and discussion on same-sex marraige. Then we went home and he settled into sleep (in a summer romper no less).
If I wanted to turn on the air, I'd have to deal with the hive some bee's built in the switch box outside. Not sure about that one. There were a couple of cells in it last year, so I just used the end of a wooden spoon. Now I can't even see the switch, although it did not look very active.

Til' next time,

~Becky

Kitchen Observer

Cooking is so much fun when Charlie is having a good time.

And he’s usually having a good time at snack time.

~Becky

Them Lingens.

Good buddies Gladys and her (three generations of) boys

Charlie and his Kali

We had a wonderful Easter weekend with the Lingens- I didn’t actually take too many pictures, but the ones I did get I think are worth sharing.

~Becky

Where are you going, Charlie Brown?

This was just after he realized I was watching him crawl behind the couch.

Trav came home and crashed after work one morning, so I just set Charlie next to him for a bit while I did a few things. You can tell how excited he is about his dad lately. In the morning, as soon as he hears the porch door shut, he is completely alert and looking for him.

And now Charlie has decided that he would like to feed himself. I get the spoon up to his mouth, he clamps down on it, and then takes over (which I guess could also be because he’s working on some more teeth). Then I have to steal it back and start all over.

Sometimes it takes a while to feed him :)

Charlie and his new pajamas…

Good Night!

~Becky

Ned Ludd

I am currently reading parts of a book about the Luddites, weavers in the 19th century who broke power looms (aka - frames) in revolt against the new machinery that was taking away their jobs. In this particular section there is a lovely poem by Lord Byron, mocking the politicians who are supporting the capitalist industry -

"Ode to the Framers of the Frame Bill"

Oh well done, Lord Eldon! and better done Ryder!

Britannia must prosper with counsels like yours;

Hawkesby, Harrowby, help you guide her,

Whose remedy only must kill ere cues.

Those villains the Weavers, are all grown refractory,

Asking some succour for Charity's sake -

So hang them in clusters round each Manufactory,

That will at once put an end to mistake.

The rascals, perhaps, may betake them to robbing,

The dogs to be sure have got nothing to eat -

So if we can hang them for breaking a bobbin,

'Twill save all the Government's money and meat.

Men are more easily made than machinery -

Stockings fetch better prices than live -

Gibbets on Sherwood will heighten the scenery,

Showing how Commerce, how Liberty thrives.

Need a break? Watch this . . .

I really enjoyed this. I hope you will too!

Click right HERE.

Robots.

KT- for your robot class... ~Becky

Charlie in the House.

Needless to say, we are in full baby-proofing mode… outlet plugs, cupboard latches, and most importantly, electric cord wraps (and duct tape). He’s having a hard time exploring right now because I have to keep stopping him… from getting into everything! He did find Meow’s vacant house, though. I sent some toys in, and he stayed playing in his new fort for awhile.

~Becky

Movin' and Groovin'.

Trav is always taking video when I am at work, so its kind of fun to see what the two of them are up to while I'm gone. And Charlie is loving this centipede now. He puts all of his effort into wrestling it, but still usually ends up on the bottom.

~Becky

*I can't edit or view videos on my computer because the program is not compatable, however I am able to post videos under 100 mb or something like that; so this is the best I can do for now, until I figure something else out.

The Cat Pile.

This is what happens when you leave your stall unattended. Millie is currently awaiting her bundle of joy in the lean-to of the barn, and the cats have taken up residence in her empty stall. Not too much longer though, and then they’ll have to give it up (her due date is April 9th).

~Becky

20.5 pounds

according to Wii Fit.

20.5 pounds of energy, the growing ability to get into everything, and the stamina to never quit trying. And how much does he look like Travis in this picture?

~Becky