Why can't we just be normal??

You may remember a about a week ago Luke and Gabriel helped place my first 95 bales of straw.  Well, my "go big or go home" approach prompted me to send Simon back to York to get 95 more straw bales.

Unfortunately, they came when all the boys were gone, so Mary Kate & I set to work.  We were SO itchy by the time we were finished. 

She looks happy now but she had plenty of under-her-breath complaints to mutter during the process.  Among them: 

      "Craziest woman I know"

      "Why can't we just be normal?"

       "Because 95 bales just wasn't            enough?"  

        "There's a good chance I'll never forgive you".

Whatever...she'll get over it.  Meanwhile, I have 190 perfectly placed straw bales:):)

The first batch had the final treatment of preparation and now is just in the "holding" stage until the weather warms enough for planting.  The second set of bales is on day 4 of about 12.  We fertilize with organic fertilizer and then take as much time as it takes to saturate each bale with water.  The watering is a step where the little kids can finally play a part.  

The weather hasn't been quite warm enough to get the bales to compost as efficiently as they should have, but don't worry.......I have a plan!!!