It’s hard to believe that our potatoes were planted this time last year.  We went from muddy for a couple of weeks, thawing and some water draining to frozen mud chunks, icy mini-ponds and more snow.  I almost bit my tongue driving out of our farm while headed to Mass yesterday; the ruts were deep, frozen and  hard!  Shortly the guys will be driving in with 5 loads of hay which is guaranteed to make even more deep ruts.  I was glad that only 1 of the loads is ours and 4 of them are Clayton’s for his horses.  Sounds like the hay was inexpensive today.  The last of the bee equipment order arrived about a half hour ago. 

The temps are at 31 degrees and the forecast for next week is in the low 40’s!   We are still dreaming of the warmth of Spring that is surely going to show up soon.  All of our seeds are up in the warm house so at least that part of the farming operation is in on schedule.  The baby chicks are peeping happily in the basement near the wood stove.  And, I just received a phone call from the twins; they purchased 20 new chicks at our local Running’s to add to the assortment downstairs.  Not sure what they are thinking but they seem to know what they are doing and I bet is has something to do with new blood lines.   It will be a miracle, at this point, if we plant the potatoes on Good Friday.   “With God, all things are possible”, right?

Today I went out searching for signs of Spring.  I found  Robins playing and I actually located a green plant that is sheltered near our porch, see below.   The days are a lot longer and the location of the sun is just right for Spring time.  I saw Clayton out working his horses only he was on snow and ice and not the usual mud.  Two conflicting signs as springtime always has him working horses with plenty of wet mud flying.  I also saw the kids doing chores bundled up just like they would dress in December and January!  There were no bees out and about yet; they are very smart.  The bee packages should be here in about 3 more weeks.  Hard to believe when I look at all the snow.   The sheep will be lambing very soon, so hopefully the weather will cooperate.  Huge flocks of geese were spotted heading North, an early sign of warm weather coming.

The following photos were taken today on our farm, early Spring.