Ex-siding!

We actually have more siding on than these pics show. Only two more sheets to go...Tomorrow we put on the last bits, and add the trim on the corners and joints and stain it with preservative to match the shed. Then we partition off part of it, one bay for hay and one for Lassie's maternity ward. We'll leave a corner for Chappelle to use while Lassie is "indisposed". Then we fence off a bit of the paddock behind it for Lassie & her babies, so we can keep close eye on them and add chicken wire to the cattle panels so no babies squeeze out the openings.

We also decided to order our baby chickies for June 2nd delivery. Not much time to prep, but

we'll most likely use the goat hut to brood them in. We have a good part of the new coop pre-

built (in sections in the shed) and have all the waterers, feeders, heat lights, etc. ready to go. There's only so long you can wait to have fluffy little day old chicks around...

Oh yeah - we tapped into the nettle beer. Nearly a month old, and not much carbonation, which is odd. We're trying to learn more about herbal brewing and this book, Sacred and Healing Herbal Beers has information and recipes about fermented plant beverages from all kinds of cultures. That's where we got the nettle beer idea. It's bascially an adapted braggot - honey, malt, hops, nettles, yeast and water. Even though the brew is still immature (maybe another 3 weeks in the bottle) we noticed a warm, slightly flushed feeling, and an altered sensation, like colors being sharper and more vivid. Also a bit more energized feeling. Supposedly, the act of fermenting a plant brings it's medicinal qualities out even further, and honey has it's own package of benefits to add. After doing some research into historical brews, we found out that before hops ( a new world plant) were added to beers, hundreds of various herbs were used to add bitter flavors, preservative qualities, or even psychotropic effects. And we also found out that some of the herbs used are common garden weeds, like nettles and ground ivy. Lots of interesting inspiration for future brews, and additions to the herb garden!