I never thought I'd see the day that I would own a tiny dog.  But wonders never cease, and when this little Yorkie was gifted to us, she stole our hearts the minute she was carried in the door.  Being the garden fanatic that I am, I named her Poppy.  I'll admit I had my doubts about how she would blend into our lifestyle, but after a few weeks of settling in, she seems to be thriving on the homestead.  Poppy sleeps soundly in her crate each night, and greets me each morning with sleepy little sigh.  Then she perks up, gobbles down her breakfast, and follows me outside as I go about my morning chores.  Poppy's only two months old, so I have to help her navigate all the steps and gates along the route.  I can tell she's eager to explore on her own, though.  Poppy especially enjoys the chicken coop, and she's constantly trying to get inside the pig pen.  The runner ducks seem to enjoy her visits, but the peafowl just turn up their noses--or beaks, I guess.  They give me the brush-off too, though, so that's nothing new.  The only animals who seem to have an issue with Poppy are our other dogs.  They don't have much to do with her, even though she's desperate to make friends with them.  I'm pretty sure they're just jealous.  In the long run, I think everything is going to work out fine for Poppy here on the farm.  She's already showing signs of being a garden lover, if nibbling on my Iris plants is any indication, anyway.  Oh well, I still think we'll have great fun in the garden together.  Now if I could just find a little-bitty garden hat for her...

Ever since I read the book, The Elements of Organic Gardening, by HRH The Prince of Wales, I have been fascinated with black runner ducks.  If you are familiar with the book, you know that it chronicles Prince Charles' life on his organic estates in England and Scotland.  The photos are stunning and the commentary is compelling--at least it is if you are a garden nut like me.  One of the tactics The Prince has implemented is using runner ducks for pest patrol.  Runner ducks differ from other ducks by their ability to stand upright and run instead of waddle.  They roam throughout his elegantly manicured gardens and devour the pesky slugs that like to destroy his beautiful plants.  I happen to have a slug problem on my little estate, and I loved his idea.  When I was at Cackle Hatchery the other day, they brought out these two irresistible black runner duckies.  Even though I hadn't intended to buy anything, I couldn't leave without them.  So, I loaded them up, and they quacked all the way home.  They've adjusted quite well, but I can tell they can't wait for some warm, humid weather to show up--and the slippery, slimy slugs that come with it!

Late spring is a beautiful time around our homestead.  The tulips and daffodils are making their final encore, the iris' are in full bloom, the catmints are forming frothy purple mounds, and the lavender is reaching for the sky in preparation for it's stunning summer display.  Everything's fresh and green, and has yet to overgrow it's space.  This is my favorite time to wander throughout the property.  I actually begin my morning routine this way.  I step out the door in my garden clogs with a mug of coffee in hand, and I meander slowly throughout the yard.  I pause here and there to admire a glorious bloom, compliment a healthy plant, or encourage a young seedling.  And sniff a peony--there's nothing like the scent of a freshly unfurled peony blossom in the morning.  It's moments like this that renew my mind, refresh my spirit, focus my thoughts.  It's a peaceful time for me, a few moments of quiet before the day's chores and challenges roll my way.  Oh, how I yearn for this!  Especially the peonies...