Hot hot hot!!!

Phew, sitting here in 102* heat looking for any excuse not to do any work so thought this would be a good time for an update. :) The garden is doing well- some plants better than others. Unfortunately have had a massive onslaught of flea beetles enjoying anything leafy except interestingly, the squash and tomatoes. I think it's time to whip up some kind of organic spray to deter their numbers. I've hesitated as quite a few ladybugs have also made my garden home and have done a wonderful job of decimating the aphids on my pea plants. I had foolishly hoped the climate here would be to extreme for aphids... Oh well... Got a few peas, zucchini and summer squash on the vine and the melon and spaghetti squash are starting to flower. The beets and carrots are looking good too.
Been a challenge keeping the chickens cool in this weather we've had the past three weeks but hosing down their run and misting them with the hose seems to be helping. They're not real thrilled about the hose but they're definitely much happier once they've cooled down. The peepers are as sweet as ever and love to jump in your lap for cuddles.
We take them out into the front yard every evening for some grasshopper hunting. Dave walks the yard with the whole little herd following him waiting for him to point them out. Very cute! I think the chickens think he's a big rooster. Ha ha!
Our little flock is now up to sixteen. Got five two yr old hens for $1 apiece a month ago and as of an hour ago they've blessed us with 114 eggs. The new girls are four Black Austrolorps and a Barred Rock. Got a dozen eggs on the stove right now for some eggsalad sandwiches for dinner. Too darn hot to think about cooking or eating anything warm today. Brewester crowed for the first time yesterday. Dave & I heard this really odd sound coming from the chicken yard so went out to check on them and there was little Mr. Brewster, neck stretched out, attempting to crow his heart out. He's running around with a crazed look in his eyes these days chasing all the girls around attacking them. He doesn't know quite what to do yet so just attacks them until they run away. He'll figure it out I'm sure... ;)