Red Dirt Farm and Studio

Last week was a wet one.

Raging storms descended upon us every afternoon and evening and into the night.  The week before we had a breach in the lining of our koi pond.  We were thankful for all the rain, as it helped fill the pond back up.

Pond grasses had grown through the seam in the liner of the pond and broke through causing a major leak.

It’s a gusher!

Yep, that’s water gushing out of the side of  pond wall.

The water had to be drained down further so the repair could be made.

Mr. Cottage and Cottage friend, spent hours pulling out plants, moving rocks and diverting water, trying to keep the fish safe.

The pond was overdue for plant dividing and thinning.

Plants were spread all over the lawn, ready to be divided and moved to another location.

  The variegated sweet flag was so thick and heavy that the guys had to take planks of wood to use for leverage to get the grass out of the pond.

We relocated cat tails, grasses and some iris to the back pond in the enchanted forest.

A week later, we got the pond filled, and the pump going.  The repair seems to have worked and all the fish are safe and sound.

Fish eye view.

Before the water level was brought back up, I got to take a few photos at their eye level.

Meanwhile…

That Cat had a visitor at the edge of the North 40.

They had a long visit and then they each went their separate ways.

I haven’t had much time at home lately for cooking, or cleaning or  well anything.

 Staci, over at Life at Cobble Hill Farm, inspires me with all her wonderful cooking.  So this afternoon I took a stroll out to the new herb garden we put in this spring.  It is just a few steps outside the kitchen door – more about that later.

I grabbed a handful of herbs and headed in to the kitchen.

One of my favorite comfort meals is roasting in the oven as I write this.

Roast chicken, with fresh herbs from the garden.  A mountain of mashed potatoes and fresh corn on the cob.  A pan simmering on the stove with a gallon of gravy.

I stuff the herbs under the skin and in the cavity for even bursts of herbalushness.

Comfort in the form of carbs. And Butter.  And gravy.

Sigh.

I hope your days have been full of sunshine and goodness.

See you later, Bye!

Kim