Of Butterflys, Morels, Clover & Unicorns

Okay...maybe no unicorns. But check out this Butterfly! This gorgeous feller(a) was hovering over the less than glamorous barn lot, when it caught my eye. It was still there when I got back from rushing in to get my camera. I did a little quick research, but my book is kinda limited. I think it's a Kite Swallowtail, but if someone knows for sure what it is, I'd love to know. I have never seen this flashy butterfly around here before. It was very obliging to having it's picture taken, maybe a bit sluggish in the early Spring air.

Then there was the little walk I took out into the front ram paddock (minus rams). It hasn't been consistently warm here, so it was quite a surprise to see the morels popping up everywhere! My Mom has been harvesting these little goodies from this paddock for years, so I let her know they were up. She came up today to harvest them, since we are suppose to get some freezing weather in the next few days. Normally we might have left some of them to grow a bit, but with the cold air moving in, we cut most all we could find. A few were left and a few crumbled and scattered, to hopefully reseed. When we got done, we had nearly a pound and half! It still seems pretty early for them, but I'm just glad they were discovered before they froze off. Tonight I had my first taste of morels after all these years. Mom sent some home with me after she fried up a mess of them. Very good.


The grass is greening up and growing like crazy. We had a good rain this past week--actually several of them--and it really made a difference. Again with the cold snap moving in, there will probably be damage to the grass, but it sure is a pretty sight today.
Clover field....
Yesterday was a rare perfect day in the Ozarks. Sunny, warm, blue sky. It sure was appreciated and enjoyed. Today was still mild and sunny, but the wind was a pistol and made working outside a challenge. I did get some planting done in the 'salad' garden. Onions, carrots, spinach, lettuce and beets today. My tomato plants are growing steadily and I think they might be outgrowing their little pots! The peppers finally came up and are about two inches tall.

Yesterday my Dad helped me put out two round bales for the sheep. I am going to have lots of hay left over this year. I think this is the first time ever, that I've had a surplus of hay. I'm not sure, but I think I have at least six big rounds left, not counting the two I just put out. Blue and Lanny ate one bale all winter! The one I just put in with them should last them well into summer. They will get some grass supplementing once their other pasture gets a little more growth on it. The ewes are less than thrilled with their round bale, hoping instead to be turned onto that lovely grass on the lower pasture. Not yet girls, not yet...

Have a great weekend.