forest hopes and summer breezes

This morning we did the sensible thing: we met with one of the brothers who operate a "forest service." Here's a lucky break -- they're just up the road from us. Two guys who are in the business of removing and chipping trees, clearing lots and, too, helping you with all your tree problems. And we surely did get ourselves some 75 (possibly more) new problems, coming to us later this month. I am so hoping that Ed will get on board with hiring these guys to help us clear the land for the new, baby forest we will be planting.

We also talked to our neighbor from across the road. He did something similar on his property, only his forest is predominantly firs and pines. I take photos of them after heavy snowfalls -- they're gorgeous then. Too, he planted possibly twice as many trees as we're about to do. In other words, he has experience. And he was adamant: protect your saplings well because they will be otherwise destroyed. He lost a significant number to rabbits. Did you know a rabbit can take down a tree? Chomp chomp -- gone.

Other weekend happenings? Here's proof that this day is magnificent in its warmth and spring-iness: we take the nearly six week old chicks outside for the first time. It feels like summer (almost)! We eventually climb to 70F (21C).

The cats stop by to visit, as do the big cheepers. Palpable excitement (and slight apprehension on my part, but we protected the chicks well from unwanted intruders) on all sides of the fencing.

Somewhere in this rather early and very busy morning, there was breakfast.

And soon after, my daughter arrives with the two kids. Outside time? But of course.

Snowdrop is buoyant. Sparrow, on the other hand is terribly worried that his t-shirt sleeves do not reach his wrists. He finds safety in his hoodie.

If there is one pose that would shout "quintessential Snowdrop!" -- this would be it.

Sparrow is a bit more tentative...

Though his smile, their radiant smiles are never far away.

As the day warms up, Ed, as if to negate the fact that we've taken on too much to do on farmette lands, brings out the old plastic cups and leftover seeds and proclaims it's time to start the tomatoes!

Well yes, sure, but if we are to grow tomatoes again, we must prepare their patch and, too, we must provide fencing because we did lose 90% of last years crop to deer and whoever else chomped down on ripening fruit all summer long. And so another project is added to our heaping cartful of projects!

Oh but on a day like this, who could possibly mind! Gloriously sunny, unseasonably warm, spring at her finest. I'm writing this in the early evening, sitting out on the porch (first time this year!) listening to the songs of birds, spilling over each other as if they were in a chorus, with their very first unpracticed rehearsal! Happy weekend indeed!