Piggies FINALLY Arrived and Beauty of Corn Pollination

Its a few months later than expected but we FINALLY got our piglets.  Last year we got two, this year we doubled that number due to interest in the meat.  We already pre-sold three pigs worth of meat and are keeping one for ourself.  Here's the line up, TWO males (called a Barrow which is a young castrated male) and TWO females (called a Gilt, a young female not of breeding age)-

Just a quick note- the reason why males are castrated (removal of testicles, usually at a very young age while piglet is still nursing) is because an un-castrated male (or boar) can be very aggressive towards other animals and people.  Swine are EXTREMELY strong and can be very dangerous if ill tempered.  Also boar's meat taste differently due mainly to the sex hormones present in their bodies (not injected hormones as hormone injection is illegal in swine production but their natural sex hormones).

Just as last year, these are Hampshire/Yorkshire crosses.  They are about 9-10 weeks old ranging between 30-50lbs (this is a guess).  One difference from last year's piggies, these guys are very shy and not as social yet.  Their favorite spot to stay is under some overgrowth instead of in the shed, they keep  cool there atleast-

They seem to spend more time foraging than I remember last year's piglets.  They are eating their favorite hide out-

Along with foraging, they are receiving a natural feed mixed with soybean meal (to fill their protein needs).  More on pastured pigs nutrition HERE if interested.  Pastured pig overview HERE.  The kids help me make the mixture-

We will have these pigs a shorter amount of time than last year, sending them off end of November for processing.  We will see if they get near processing weight by that time (typical processing weight is usually 200-250lbs).  Again, if that seems crazy they grow that fast in 4 months, its how God made them.  They grow fast naturally.  As I said before, the use of growth hormones is illegal in all swine production.

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A quick acknowledgement of the beauty of corn... the pollination process to be specific.
I just saw recently that the silks are out.  This means that pollination is in progress which is what forms the kernels on the cob.

Though corn is pollinated by the wind (something we are learning more about every year), the bees like to take part in the happenings-

Don't take too much pollen with you little bee-

The pollen falls or blows from the tassels and is caught by the silks.  There could be thousands of silks on each ear.  Each silk is connected to an ovule that when fertilized becomes a kernel.  SO, each silk needs to get pollinated to produce a kernel.  Thankfully the silks are designed with small hairs to catch the blowing pollen.  These silks look like they already have powdery pollen on them-

The pollen grain begins to germinate immediately when its caught by the silk.  Only one pollen grain is needed to start the process.  It immediately begins to form a tube that grows down the silk, resulting in fertilization of the ovule within 12-24 hours.  This fertilized ovule is what becomes the kernel.  Please excuse my attempt to explain this neat process, it might not make sense (pregnancy brain is a real thing with me).... a better explanation can be found here- http://www.aganytime.com

To me, this is another testament of God's artistry in creation.  Also something to remember while you husk your corn, fussing at those stringy silks.... without them there would be no delicious kernels. :)

There's a Jackhammer in My Basement

No this is not a figure of speech.  There is literally a jackhammer IN USE in our basement.  Actually at least two....  maybe a third in the near future.  The third is hanging out in the yard.  Maybe I should go try it-

If you remember last month I mentioned our basement flooded after all the rains.  We had about 2-3" of standing water throughout.  Though the basement is unfinished, it still causes problems and is not good for the foundation.

We have been aware of this problem for a while.  We actually first became suspicious when we inspected the house before purchasing, seeing a 3' water mark and warpage on some shelving.

The owners assured us the basement stayed dry and the water mark was from a one time mishap in the water filtration system that flooded the basement.  We now assume it filled with water during the March 2010 flood.  The power was out for most of this area so we assume the sump pump was not able to run.  Though not sure it would have mattered much since the pump is not in great shape.  There even used to be a hole in the hose that sprayed water all over the basement when the pump activated..... like a sprinkler for the basement (nice right).  To add to our suspicions the company doing the job informed us that the previous owners had the same job quoted a few years back (seemingly after the 2010 flood). It is an expensive job so we are not too surprised they did not get the work done (remember we bought the home from them as a short sale).

The consistent moisture in the basement has also been affecting our new hardwood floors.  It's expanding the boards and causing them to 'bulge' or cup at the seams.  Making the floor look rippled instead of completely smooth.

In preparation for the new drainage system, Jonathan has been working hard in the evening clearing around the walls.  This included ripping out moldy shelving and throwing away some things we had stored down there.

Here is what it currently looks like (workers just left for lunch break)-

Thankfully we had the freezer up on boards keeping it out of the water.

The parameter drain areas will be covered with concrete when finished.

So the job consists of installing a french drain all around the parameter of the basement and a new sump pump.  I think this is a correct diagram/example-

Like I said, it is an expensive job, BUT this update does good things to the value of the home.  Plus we would be able to finish the basement if we like.  Maybe making a kid cave area down there (some call it a playroom).

In the meantime, we will endure the jackhammer.  (I am adamant about staying put in the house these days, attempting to potty train baby girl).
It did make for a lovely breakfast atmosphere this morning-

Hope to show pictures of the finished product soon.

State of the Garden and The Garden State

We extended our garden this year with thanks to our new/used tiller.  We had hoped to extend it even more but ran out of time to turn it over for the sod to rot.  So far we have harvested a small amount of snap peas, cilantro, arugula and blueberries.  Nothing huge but its something in our bellies.  For the blueberries, I put up a net to keep birds AND baby girl out (she would pluck it clean, ripe and un-ripe ones)-

Summer planting was a few weeks late due to unexpected travels and lots of rain.  Special thanks to my husband for stepping up (all the while working lots of overtime at his job) and planting when I wasn't able.  He saved our garden.
Little man helped me plant beans.  Here is a new heirloom variety we are trying from Botanical Interests called Calypso Beans.  They are drying beans for soups and such-

I have to admit, it's hard to let a toddler help you do something you need to hurry and complete.  But teaching time and quality time do not come everyday, so I have to prioritize and suck it up.  He asks to help and I want to encourage that quality, not turn it away.
I made him a measuring stick to space the beans-

Here's what we've got going so far.  It has been a rainy season but so far nothing has rotted.... so far.

The heirloom sweet potatoes were shared by the Seaton family in TN.  This is a very old variety that has been passed through many generation of their family.  These boogers get BIG, tubers AND vines.  I am very grateful to them for sharing with us.  I love sweet potatoes.

Another share we are thankful for again, the garlic from Matthew and Maria in Syracuse.  These will be ready to dig soon-

Another new addition for us is asparagus, generously given to us by Jonathan's parents.... along with expert growing instructions-

Other end of the garden-
Tomatoes, blue potatoes,  beets (not doing so well), red bell peppers, pickling cucs and eggplant (doing the best we've ever had eggplant do)-

Now onto The Garden State (a.k.a New Jersey).
We were recently invited by some dear (and super cool) friends to join them on a vacation in lovely Ocean Grove, New Jersey.  This area is very special to our friends and also Jonathan's family.  Jonathan's grandfather used to preach in nearby Asbury Park.  Alot of family vacations and special memories were made in this area.  I enjoy the small vacation town feel and how nice the people in this lovely beach community are.
The lovely strip with shops, food and ice cream.  Peaceful like a vacation should be-

We spent as much time as possible on the beach.  Mrs. A is a beach and water lover (she used to lifeguard here when she was younger).  Her sweet daughter is a water lover too.  My kids loved playing in the sand more than the water.  His friend (Mrs. A's daughter) was kind and played with him on shore too-

Baby girl became somewhat obsessed with her shovel and pail-

Becoming one with the sand-

She enjoyed some water time with daddy-

We headed down to Point Pleasant for some fun activities-

Little man taking his driving job very seriously.... keeping the wheel to the left the whole time.

Shark lover-

Showing them who is top of the food chain-

Fourth of July, Jersey Shore style (on the Point Pleasant boardwalk).  Jonathan mentioned something about guys with blowouts.  He had to explain that was a haircut for guys.... to a mommy with two in diapers in means something completely different.

Back in Ocean Grove, Fourth of July parade-

Isn't little man's friend soooo cute!

With the sirens and marching bands, it was loud at times.  The photographer in the neon green shirt (in the distance) took a picture, laughing, at the kids and their ear protection.
Lifeguard jeep/float-

There was some damage from hurricane Sandy to the boardwalk and stores-

More fun times with great friends.  Dancing-

Red cheeked girls-

Little man's favorite activity, running on the beach at night.  Well... running anywhere is his favorite activity-

Kid-less picture-

We are very thankful to our friends for inviting us along on their vacation!!