The rains have passed and now the sun + moisture + humidity make it feel like a sauna. I have never understood why people pay good money to sit in a sauna. If you grow up on a farm, there is plenty of that feeling. {I will take it over winter weather though!!} It is perfect weather for these cherry tomatoes – 
The goats were quick (as always) to greet me as I checked everyone’s water this afternoon, adding cool water for them.
The cows were hot, but at least in the shade of the barn.
Happy tuned me in and came to the fence for a handful of red clover,
and the fat hogs woke up to see if it was feeding time. Sorry guys – go back to sleep.
Pig-farmer news: he has decided to sell Bert and Bernice (boar and sow). His work is taking lots more hours and lots more travel. Even though I am home to do the chores, there are still a lot of extras that he is in charge of. It will be easier, for now, to buy small feeder pigs to raise for pork. Not having to worry about breeding and farrowing the pigs will be a relief as we do not have a lot of facilities and we have to significantly change the buildings around to meet the needs of whatever stage the pigs are at. Fortunately, he is selling them to someone that wants to breed and raise pigs. We are happy they will have a good home to go to and a super cute little boy to keep an eye on them and feed them marshmallows.
With the eventual sale of the cattle due to the genetic udder problems, Bert, Bernice and the processing of the three fat hogs in the next month or so … plus the sale, at weaning, of the young goats … winter is shaping up to be quite different this year! Due to the rains, I anticipate good hay and straw to be in demand, therefore more expensive, so it is good that we do not have to lay in a large supply. I will not mind easier chores for winter time. It will be a good time to evaluate our little farm and how it can be best put to use. Probably, buying young animals to raise our own meat, without having to do the breeding and birthing will make the most sense. For now. We’ll see. It’s a learning process. Dip the toes in the water and adjust as necessary. We never know what is possible if we don’t try.
Just Make the Coffee 
Our tomatoes are completely done now, so is the squash. We are in for our hot dry season. Glad your cherry tomato is doing well!
Have a great day!
Oh my – done!? I am looking forward to my first sliced tomato, BLT, and sweet corn on the cob!!
Oh yea! I gorged my self on BLT & A. A little avocado spread on the toast instead of (sometimes with) the mayo. Yum!
Mmmmmm!
I all fairness…we put our tomatoes in late February, early March depending. Glad you will be enjoying some fruit soon.
I know what you mean about hay, i am buying in already just in case I cannot get to my fields at all before the prices go up.. and it is SO HARD to find young steers at a reasonable price..
I’m glad you have found a hay source! It would be a great year to have lovely, rolling, hill-pasture and fields.
We used to have a couple of sows but in the end we decided it was easier to just buy in weaners at the beginning of summer to raise on the pasture. No organising a boar and moving the sows and litters around depending on how many and how wet it was. Best of all, no cleaning out in the winter now as we just have happy summer pigs.
That sounds pretty darn good to me!
That’s farming for you…always adjusting!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Glad to hear your winter chores will be easier this year.
My hands will be glad, too! It will sure be different.
Those toms look great. Humidity can be so draining .. Sounds like your winter will be less busy 😄 and that can’t be bad.
Thanks for visiting! It will be good to simplify, I think.
I’m sure you both will make the right decisions. Love the photos, as always!~
Thanks, Dianna. Trying to set priorities and simplify!
Happy tuned you in–so funny, looking at those ears. You may get a chance to sit down and read a good book this winter. I’m sure it would be a blessing not to have so many chores to do in winter. The goats always look so happy to see you. Had to chuckle at the pigs getting to share the marshmallows.
I love watching Happy’s ears! Animals can tell us so much if we take time to watch. Reading a good book – yesterday it was so hot and muggy I was sure I could find time to read, but it never happened!