So I am back from roguing corn in Iowa, and I am back to growing pumpkins. Both jobs are a bit difficult in a very dry summer. Because it has been so dry and brown here, it is fun to see new life at the farm! We have several new additions to introduce to you.  First, Grammy and Papa have brought some new “ladies” to the farm–guinea hens.  There are 10 new guineas that are getting familiar to the coop and us. The darker ones are the same variety that we have had in the past.  They are Helmeted Guineas, and they will look like the older guineas in the last picture in a few months. The four lighter ones are called Lavender Guineas (I think).  I will have to do some more research to find out.  My kids are trying to befriend the new “ladies” with oatmeal and millet.  So far they are still pretty flighty and timid.  Am I crazy to think that they are kind of cute?  By the way if you see the birds that don’t look like either type of guinea, those are the quail that Papa hatched (again, don’t ask).

Speaking of cute, we also found a new litter of kittens in the shed yesterday. I didn’t take a picture because they are so young, and last time that mommy cat moved her litter after we found them.  We couldn’t find them after that, so we are hoping that bringing her a cozy bed and some milk will help her keep them around.  They are so cute! My kids can’t wait to be able to play with them.

And last, but not least, are the new laying hens. We have replaced our chickens that were lost in the “Great Chicken Massacre” of 2012. Grammy and Papa chose some different varieties (all Heritage Birds). I can’t remember them all, but I’ll check. Right now they are molting (not super pretty), so they won’t lay for a couple of weeks, and then we will be back in the egg business!