With the nice weather, we thought we’d bring back our Friday Field Trip on the Farm series. Who doesn’t like pictures, after all?

Last week we had a 10 yard load of gravel delivered for the lane beside the hard pens. Once we managed to get the gravel truck unstuck from the side yard, we used it to construct the beginnings of a gravel drive.

Those of you that have visited us in the spring and early summer (and most anytime after a hard rain) know how we’ve struggled with the drainage issues in that area. A natural wet spot, plus a hill, plus clay soil, plus heavy traffic equals a slip-sliding mess that more often than not has resulted in pulled muscles at chore time. So far the gravel — which we spread to about six inches thick — has worked like a charm. It drains well and is packing down nicely. One more load to extend it past the chicken coop and the lane should be in pretty good shape.

This spring’s piglets are growing like weeds. Soon — as in as soon as we have a spare minute — we’ll be training them to electric fencing and turning them out on pasture for the summer. Come fall they’ll make bacon and pork chops and sausage and spare ribs and… well, you get the point. We’ve got just a couple hog shares left for this year, so if you’re interested in putting some local, pastured pork in your freezer call or email soon.

Unfortunately, the weeds are also growing like weeds. We spent last weekend finishing up the final prep work in the garden and Operation Get Everything in the Ground is officially underway. We’re trying out some new hot peppers this year and an interesting variety of long beans, but all the old standbys have their spots reserved too.

Other things that are growing like weeds, include Amelia…

…we can hardly believe she’s the same little pig we introduced to you last fall. And Tripp, who was captured in a rare (mostly) still pose here.

His portraits usually look more like this.

As when he’s awake, he’s moving.

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