Paddle In The Pond

7 Inches & Ice

2012-01-19T20:37:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we woke up to 7 inches of snow on the ground and a little sprinkling out of the sky..….and then that sprinkling snow turned to rain, freezing on contact, coating everything in ice!

That evening we lost power, we are still without power and probable will be for the next few days, as it continues to rain the trees get heavier and heavier snapping and popping every which way, making line repair very difficult. I will post more pics and fill you in on more of the excitement later. It’s crazy out there!!!!!

Little Snipe!

2011-11-15T11:20:00.001-08:00

This morning while I was doing my chores, I happened upon this little one, near the duck pond.

Common Snipe is it’s name, it hangs out in freshwater marshes and ponds. It seemed to be fairly brave, staying near the pond while I was working.

I Did it Again!

2011-11-05T09:21:00.001-07:00

Another Farm tragedy, due to my forgetful/sidetracked brain.

A few night ago I went out to feed and put away my turkeys as I do every night…..but I missed that last step, I fed them but I forgot to go around and shut all their doors.

As I stepped off the porch the next morning I knew there was something wrong with the picture I was seeing. It wasn’t the free ranging turkeys that I noticed first, no, it was the small clump of white feathers on the ground, immediately I realized, “ Oh I left the turkeys out!!!!!!” As I got closer I saw more and more feathers here, there and every where.

The coyotes must have been waiting for this very opportunity, they killed and carried away two big toms. One I didn’t really care about, but the other was my favorite. I do have a replacement……but the fellow I lost was in his prime. He had all his big boy feathers and he was so pretty and…...Oh well, that’s enough whining!

The fact of the matter is I have a definite problem on my hands ~forgetfulness~ I try and have a routine so I don’t forget anybody. Sometimes my brain runs on auto pilot and that’s where the routine helps it makes me think about what I’m doing, what comes next, it also makes me more efficient. It doesn’t always work though, sometimes I think too far ahead and skip a step, or blend two chores into one. Like when I pick up the bunnies from their bunny-tractor and go to put them in their hutch in the barn for the night, I try to put the bunny in the the dove pen cuz’ I was thinking about doing game bird chores at the moment! I’ve done that twice now.

I think the answer might be a sidekick, someone to follow me around and question my every move!

I’m taking applications.

Mink!

2011-11-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

Recently I lost all of four my Dutch hook bill ducks. (the smaller breed)

The Dutch hook bill are in front~And that’s a cat on my shoulder

The first night three were taken, then it came back for the last one the next night, carrying them up the wall of their shed and out through the gap between the wall and the roof….I have patched the gap! I had been thinking it was a small raccoon that did the deed, but this morning I saw it! a little mink running along the edge of the pond, forgetting we had the little critter I never suspected it. Its all so clear now!

Take My Word for it

2011-10-31T07:27:00.001-07:00

It’s a Red-tailed Hawk!

Habitat: Deciduous forests and open country of various kinds, including tundra, plains, and farmlands.

The Red-tail is the most common and widespread American member of the genus Buteo.

These are not leaves! They are little birds, a very large flock of little birds, too far away to identify.

This Isn’t Good!

2011-08-02T08:26:00.001-07:00

Today is not going so well so far!

I realized I haven't seen Forest Pig (a special cat) in a long time, I think the thing that makes me most sad is that I didn’t realize ‘till now.

I found one of my mom-hatched baby turkeys in the pond, the mama was doing so good keeping the three alive!

If that's not bad enough I also left my goat on the stand all night last night and that morning I had left her feet tied to it. I have to tie her feet to the stand to milk her, except this morning she was very well behaved!

I think need a side kick to follow me around and question every thing I do!

Goats & a Hidden Kitty

2011-07-25T09:15:00.001-07:00

I know it’s not a very good photo but I just had to post it, ‘cuz Rory and Cricket are just so cute……….Cricket is is getting so big!

Can you see the kitty under the bench……?

Slacking Off Again

2011-07-13T09:03:00.001-07:00

I took this pic in early spring, can you see the hazy rainbow above the barn!

I’m sorry I haven’t been blogging again…..time just keeps getting away from me and before I knew what happened it had been three months since my last blog post! I’ll try not to let that happen again, because all sorts of fun stuff happens around here and I’m sure you would love to hear about it! I know I do.

Wind Storm on Wednesday

2011-03-02T11:19:00.001-08:00

You can’t tell, but these clouds are racing by~~~~~~~~

I Have a Kid!

2011-02-26T18:24:00.001-08:00

This is Cricket, my brand new baby girl! I’m so glad she’s finely here………I’ll post more pics and tell you all about her later, right now I’m going to rest from my long day of taking care of babies. EBet the Goatkeeper

sleeping habits

2011-02-13T13:34:00.001-08:00

According to the last two mornings I have lost the ability to sleep in! Yesterday morning I woke up around the usual time 5:30, wondering were I was, surely I’m not in my bed, why is my alarm not going off! Oh wait, it’s the weekend, I don’t have to get up I can sleep in….. Sleep I did not, not completely any way, I tossed and turned, in and out of sleep. This morning was the same except for the part about wondering were I was. I like to sleep but obviously my brain prefers to stick to a schedule, I suppose it’s not all that bad!

This is some one who can sleep any ol’ time!

My Post for The Day

2011-02-07T22:46:00.001-08:00

I was going to tell you about my walk in the woods with the goat and the rat terriers, but my day got a little crazy toward the end……..with turkeys running away from home, an unexpected poo delivery and other little things that aren’t a big deal but make things take longer than they should! so I’ll just leave you with one pic

Getting Back on Track!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-06T14:13:00.001-08:00

I haven't been blogging, and there’s no good explanation I’ve just been plain lazy! There are a lot of things I haven’t been doing…. Not that I have been doing nothing, just not as much as I should. So from now on I’m going to post every day, maybe not here every day….. But on each of the blogs I’m suppose to contribute to! And now I need to make up a punishment if I don’t get it done, maybe mom can handle that part!

A Gift For Me From Afar

2010-12-23T15:52:00.001-08:00

From a Far_Side_of_Fifty to be exact!

This morning while I was……well hmm I don’t remember what I was doing. ????? Anyhow while I was doing what ever it is I was doing, the mail lady came and dropped off some packages. They both where from one of my cousins, one for us, and one for one of the married sisters that she must not have the address for. Inside the priority mail box were some cookies and other goodies, I took a cookie and headed out to do my laundry. (Yes, I said out to do laundry, it’s in a separate house. This little farm house has no place for a washer or a dryer).

As I was finishing up in the laundry house I saw the mail lady drive by again, when I got back in side I asked was there another package? Dad said “from Minnesota” I new instantly what it was, Mom was getting a wood carving from Connie at Far Side of Fifty!

Mom was opening her package when she said, “oh Bet, there’s something for you.”

I said, “for me?” I opened my package and there was my very own little wood carving! That is it in the pic above…..I am so very very happy, thank you Connie it is so cute!

Random ? Answer

2010-12-01T11:43:00.001-08:00

Our internet was having trouble again last night & this morning, that’s why I haven’t posted the answer ‘til now! anywho.

How many types of otter are there?

The answer you all have been waiting for!

You are correct if you guessed 13!

Random ? Tuesday

2010-11-30T08:44:00.001-08:00

How many types of otter are there?

Is it…

Otter Be Happy

2010-11-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

Watery Wednesday

2010-11-24T16:14:00.001-08:00

With the temperatures in the low teens at night, and rarely above freezing during the day, the majority of the water around here is frozen. It makes for a lot of work, keeping every body fed & watered. Not so little, little miss La Nina sure is showing her stuff, call me crazy but I love it!

Check out more Watery Wednesday from my sidebar!

Snackin’ in the barn

2010-11-22T13:50:00.001-08:00

Snow!

2010-11-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

Watery Wednesday

2010-11-17T09:54:00.001-08:00

This pic was taken by Anna (sister) last fall.

last week there were two otters hanging out in the pond, it must be mating season because otters are very territorial and tend to fish alone.

Don’t forget to go to my sidebar and check out some more Watery Wednesday!

Random ? Answer

2010-11-16T18:18:00.001-08:00

A horse’s gestation is about 11 months, but she can hold off if she is not happy with the weather or other conditions.

Random ? Tuesday

2010-11-16T11:04:00.001-08:00

What is the gestation period of a horse?

I will post the answer @ the end of the day.

Random ? Tuesday Answer

2010-11-09T20:16:00.001-08:00

What is a group of turkeys called?

You are correct if you said rafter.

Random ? Tuesday

2010-11-09T07:53:00.001-08:00

What is a group of turkeys called?

There is no prize, just the satisfaction of knowing the answer. I will post the answer this evening.

Little Happenings

2010-11-05T11:51:00.001-07:00

Don’t you just want to cuddle these critters!

This morning when I went to feed the quail their feed pan was tipped up side down, and when I picked it up, out ran a quail. It startled me pretty good. A similar incident happened a few months ago, I went to let the ducks out of their barn I opened the door and they all ran out, and their over turned feed pan was following them out!

Sky Watch

2010-11-04T13:29:00.001-07:00

~ A warm fire on chilly morning~

The last few days have been beautiful, in our neck of the woods! The rain is forecasted to return tomorrow.

New Addition To The Farm

2010-10-21T13:01:00.001-07:00

This is Aurora, or Rory, or more often called Goaty Goat! Rory is here to give us milk, she is not in milk right now but she is due to kid in January. About two months after that we will be getting her full supply of milk.

Rory is so sweet and friendly, when we went to pick her up she was the first goat to come over to us, and boy was she stinky! The buck was out with the herd and he was sharing his smell with all the does. When Rory got home she had to have a bath!

I got the stand out and all the cats decided it would be the perfect hang out spot, I shooed all the cats away and began.

She was a little reluctant to get on the stand at first, but a little coaxing with some grain she went right on. She was so well behaved while I washed her, the fact that I used warm water may have helped. After she was washed and still a little stinky, I took her over to eat some blackberry bushes in the sun to dry.

Kittens Kittens Kittens

2010-10-04T11:43:00.001-07:00

Sky Watch

2010-08-06T07:50:00.001-07:00

I don’t remember when this pic was taken, but I’m fairly certain that I took it…. HAPPY SKY WATCH!

Dear Old Daphne

2010-06-24T10:05:00.001-07:00

This is Daphne, Daphne was a sweet old sheep that I got from a friend a few years ago, Daphne died on Sunday night I will miss her very much.

Daphne eating in the snowy winter weather.

Daphne & her lamb, Daffodil, in the barn, winter of 2009.

Daphne & Daffodil, summer of 2009

2010-05-30T14:57:00.001-07:00

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I have started writing a short story over at Stories by Dirt and Lanny. Click on the link below and tell me what you think!

http://lannystories.blogspot.com/

Sky Watch Friday

2010-05-20T08:56:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the first half of the day looked a lot like this, in fact these pics where taken just a few hours before the storm front moved in.

We were all outside working and remarking at how hot it was, then it started getting windy. We could see some big dark clouds rolling in and it became even more windy and then it started raining. Pretty soon you could hardly go outside with out getting soaked to the bone.

Today is gray and drizzly, but that could change at any moment. I love spring!

The Color Green

2010-05-17T21:08:00.001-07:00

Today was a lovely green day, The rain came and made every thing nice and clean then the sun came out and gave every thing a nice bright glow!

Now and Later

2010-04-18T13:46:00.001-07:00

This morning there were three deer in the Market Garden, I wanted to take a picture of them but Fluffy chased them away!

Any way, here are some pics of things that are blooming or soon to bloom.

Two bushes in our backyard, the pink one is a honey suckle bush its not in full boom but it will be soon. The white one isn’t a bush actually, its some sort of cherry tree we’re guessing!

This is our big cherry tree also in the backyard.

Here are our apple trees in the front yard along the driveway, they’re not quite blooming yet but I think they’re just about there.

Sky Watch Friday

2010-04-16T20:59:00.001-07:00

East

West

The blue heron flew up into the picture just as it clicked.

So Far So Good

2010-04-13T17:41:00.001-07:00

This year is going pretty well for the sheep, much better than last year and the year before!

Nobody chewed their lambs feet off, or had their uterus fall out, or got coccidiosis, or didn’t produce any milk, and there aren’t any bottle lambs, and none died!

Last year we didn’t have our handy dandy creep feeder, it had finally gotten too old but we didn’t have time to repair it when that was discovered, so the lambs couldn’t get the special grain to protect them from coccidia, we ended up with less than 10 lambs.

This year we have 20 big and healthy ones!

#45 loves getting his picture taken, he is one of the biggest.

We tag our lams just to help keep track, so we can say 45’s mom is a keeper!

This is the side I put the feed in, it falls through the screen and the ewes can’t get to it.

Well, for the most part.

This is Lazy Lewis he is the closest thing we had to a bottle lamb. He got his name because he was to lazy to nurse, we helped him and after a few day he caught on.

Lazy Lewis has no ear tag because his mom has no ear tag, and his mom has no ear tag because when we were putting it in, she jumped away and tore it out!

Lazy Lewis also has a tail, which we normally would cut off, but it was just a short little thing so we left it. It just makes Lewis, Lewis.

#43 wanted to tell me something, but all he could say was my name.

“Bet Bet Bet!”

Well that is the story of our success so far!

More Signs of Sping

2010-03-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

O, what a great big bee
Has come to visit me!
He's come to find my honey.
O, what a great big bee!

Pictures by EBet

Words from

Cicely Mary Barker's

The Song of the Red Clover Fairy

Music Monday

2010-02-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

Sky Watch

2010-02-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

T
H
E
Y'
R
E

F
A
L
L
I
N
G
!

Out
on
the
range.

Signs Of Spring

2010-02-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

Watery Wednesday

2010-02-16T18:21:00.000-08:00

This weekend my nephews,
Kai and Aksel, came to stay a few nights at the farm.

Yesterday Kai and I went for a canoe ride.
First we headed over to the beaver's den, the pile of sticks behind Kai would be it!

Then Kai couldn't wait to get over to the island, where the day before we saw some deer.
And we made a little discovery, the deer had been eating the branches off a bush!

When it was time to head back to the boat, Kai thought it would be funny to leave Auntie Bet on the island.

But he let me on the boat, he's too sweet.

Music Monday

2010-02-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

Check out more Music Monday on my side bar!

Sky Watch

2010-02-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

"Mackerel in the sky, three days dry"

"Mackerel sky, mackerel sky. Never long wet, never long dry"

"Mare's tails and Mackerel scales, make tall ships carry low sails"

Altocumulus.

The phrase 'mackerel sky' came from the fact that it looks like

the markings of an adult king mackerel.

Altocumulus clouds form when there is moisture present at middle levels,

and when temperatures rang from colder than freezing to a little warmer than freezing.

If the altocumulus are growing in area and thickness with time, and are

approaching from the wind direction at the cloud's level, then a change toward moister weather is indicated.

Watery Wednesday

2010-02-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

After a year of waiting, my ducks have a house!

Now they don't have to live with the turkeys,
or take up space in the barn.
February is lambing season and we need all the room we can get!

Music Monday

2009-10-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to go to my side bar for more Music Monday.

Catching Up On Sky Watch

2009-10-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

A Music Monday In Honor of Captin Speicher.

2009-08-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

After 18 years of being missing, Captain Speichers body was found.

Captain Speicher was the first casualty of the Gulf War.

I chose this song for Music Monday to honor him and his family.

18 years is a long time to not know what happened to your husband or your father you barely knew.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Music Monday

2009-07-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to say that first line all the time,

And I definitely have to get me some of those shoes.

I really hope you enjoy that song, I know I do.

Oh Ivan

2009-07-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

This is Ivan, sometimes known as Ivan hoe.

Ivan is my nine year old quarter horse gelding I bought last summer, even though he hadn't been ridden in two years, and they said he reared a little. But he was so gentle and sweet, I thought it would be a cinch retraining him.

Well he still rears when he doesn't want to do something or when he gets scared. Sometimes it not even a rear, its more like flying, and sometimes he just runs on his hind legs. So I have decided I have to really work him everyday, no more little missy nice girl, letting him have his way if he fusses long enough. And I've told myself I am not allowed to go to bed at night without doing so.

But that's only half of it, he also has problems with his hooves. As you can see in the pic above, he has cracks in his hoof wall. And that can become a serious problem, so I have been putting some stuff, HoofFlex, on them and I have to wait and see if it works.

And every once in awhile he limps, I'm not sure why. We have treated him for thrush although I don't think that's what it is, there is no distinct thrushy odor and there is no black and slimy tissue. But it doesn't hurt to treat for it, he could have super early stages of it. He does seem to be super sensitive in his feet. Which is a real switch around here as my folks' horses could be missing their feet and not limp. I think Ivan is just a big weeny, a crabby naughty weeny. More stubborn than a mule. At this point I'd rather ride a mule.

Well my brain is hurting from thinking about naughty Ivan, maybe he thinks life is like basketball and a ref will call foul on someone if he just acts hurt. See these are the things he makes me think of, no wonder my brain hurts.

So I will inform you on how it goes, wish me luck.

Now that I look at this picture of his hindend, I see that his tail is still very short, the former owners dogs used to hang from it and tear it. Maybe he is like Samson, and when his dorky tail finally grows out he will be a good horse and not a weeny, a rebellious cantankerous weeny. Here's hoping.

The Thought For The Week

2009-06-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

I could say, oh well it's my nature.

But I am a human, a follower of Christ, not a dog, a bird, or a cat that does everything by instinct or by its nature.

I can change and I will, through him who gives me strength.

Hello, Today's Flowers

2009-06-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

THE SONG OF THE FOXGLOVE FAIRY

"Foxglove, Foxglove,

What do you see?"

The cool green woodland,

The fat velvet bee;

Hey, Mr Bumble,

I've honey here for thee!

"Foxglove, Foxglove,

What see you now?"

The soft summer moonlight

On bracken, grass, and bough;

And all the fairies dancing

As only thy know how.

-Cicely Mary Barker.

Foxglove is a beautifully flower, and would

make a lovely addition to any garden.

Foxglove (Digitalis) is highly poisonous,

early symptoms consist of,

-digestive issues,

-wild hallucination,

-delirium,

- severe headaches.

Plant it in your garden

but take a note from this bug,

do not eat it!

Please see side bar under

Blog Communities for more

of Today's Flowers

(starting Sunday at 3pm Pacific Time that is).

Hip Hip Hurray!!!!

2009-06-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

I finely got my thunder storm.

This one was a thunder shower,

it was pretty exciting!

Most of it was about fifteen second away,

but it was a nice show.

This pic and the one below,

is the sun set after the storm

or,

the calm after the storm.

This picture was taken a few night ago,

I enjoyed it so much I had to share it with you,

I hope you enjoy it too!!!

P.S. Please go to my side bar and click on Sky Watch

There are a great many views of the sky to be seen.

Two Is Better Than One

2009-06-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

I love this movie, and I always sing both these songs.

We are haying the fields tomorrow, so I hope this doesn't give us bad luck.

Oh well some times I just can't help myself.

Don't forget to visit Music Monday for some more music.

I Called It

2009-06-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

On our way home Mom, Anna and I saw some really cool clouds, and I said, "It looks like thunder."

When we got home the clouds were looking more and more mysterious.

So I went out back to get some better pics, and when I returned to the barnyard to finish my chores for the evening, I heard the first crash of thunder off in the distance.

I was so excited, I jumped up and down clapping my hands, all most crying with excitement.

I absolutely love thunder and lightning storms.

A few years ago we had a huge thunder and lightning storm in the middle of the night, it was so loud and so close I woke with a jump. We watched that storm all night from our screen porch, the most exciting one I had ever seen or heard became a memorable night.

This one only rumbled twice and was never heard from again. But these clouds viewed with the fam and pups from the pumpkin patch is certainly notable.

On the other horizon the sky was turning pink. I love the pretty peach color in this picture, don't you?

Thanks for visiting me and my blog, I hope you have a spectacular weekend.

Don't forget to check out more Sky Watch, click to it from my side bar!

Music Monday

2009-05-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

I was singing this song all day Friday and didn't know what it was so I looked it up and here it is for you to enjoy with me.

An Early Morning Walk

2009-05-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

This is one of the many beaver ponds around our property.

I was so happy that this picture turned out,

I think its super cool.

(For some reason I like to say super all the time.)

Are you blinded yet?

If you noticed, the cloud in this pic and the one above are the same cloud

just taken from two very different places

Flowing water is so soothing and refreshing.

I hope you have enjoyed my pictures.

Music Monday

2009-05-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

My Music Monday selection.

In honor of the men and women who have given their lives for my country and my freedom.

A Gray Mothers’ Day

2009-05-14T12:58:00.000-07:00

Even though the sky was gray,

we all had a fun filled day.

If you go to my mom’s blog,

you can see all the fun.

You may be wondering what that these clouds mean,

rain! rain!! rain!!!

I think this last picture looks like a scorpion.

Don't forget to look to my side bar

for the link to more skies from around the world.

How is the sky in your world today?

Today my sky looks the same as this, thick and drippy.

Music Monday

2009-05-11T00:35:00.000-07:00

This is my first Music Monday selection.

I hope you have enjoyed it.

I picked this song because I love it,

I picked this video because

the young Johnny Cash

is down right handsome!

You can find some more

Music Monday

Amazing

2009-05-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can't help but stand and gaze at clouds.

These past few days have been nothing but rain,

yesterday it rained all day long.

But I don't really mind.

I think that twig sticking out there

is from the cotton wood I was standing near,

didn't mean for that to be in there,

but in a way it looks like a finger pointing to the cloud.

Pink Sky At Night Shepherd's Delight.

2009-04-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

That saying is very true because today is beautiful,

I took these pics a couple weeks ago,

there was a beautiful sun set last night also but I didn't get any

pictures of it.

This sky from earlier is just as pretty.

I don't think pink sky watching could ever get old.

I Here By Dedicate My Life, uh I Mean Week

2009-04-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have decided to dedicate this week to blogging, movies, Mario cart and riding horses. I should have put horses before Mario since I can ride a lot longer then I can play Mario, not to mention the fact that I actually need to ride more.

My weekend was very eventful, we had some friends from England and here in Washington come to visit. It's some what of a holiday, you can see pics at Kathy's blog as all of us here at the Vick household forgot to get out the camera until the last minute. But Anna may have some pictures up tomorrow as she did manage to get a few in the last hour, and Mom will of course brag about her new found tea cakes.

Sky Watch

2009-04-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Today's selection was captured early last week before we got our wild Easter weather.

These clouds are cirrus uncinus or mares' tails. They occur often, though we get so much lower cloud cover that we rarely see them. They are of very little significance, they are formed when there is moisture at higher levels that is colder than freezing.

Be sure to go see more beautiful SkyWatch from around the world!

No, It's Not Thanksgiving

2009-03-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is national pie day.

I cooked a turkey we had in the freezer today so we can have a pot pie tomorrow.

C.C. was outside the kitchen window, watching me take the turkey out of the oven,
she just wanted a little taste.

March

2009-03-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

My how time flies, sorry for the long pause.
This is me hoping for spring to come early.
I wish I smelled like a hyacinth

My spring scarf hangs in mom's room, it looks nice there. I noticed while watching American Idol, that a contestant's wife was wearing the same one .

More On Milk

2009-02-16T09:38:00.000-08:00

Okay so that whole sheep's milk is sweet thing, ya it's not!

Last night I had some friends who are big milk lovers, taste my "milk" and thy both said it was gross. So I drank the last sip, and to my horrid surprise it was gross.

For some reason after it sits in the fridge for a day or two it turns sour.

I'm not sure how long I'll keep this up, I think I want my goats back.

Milk

2009-02-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

Today is the third day I milked my sheep,
it's not as easy as milking a goat, a goat's udder is a little bigger than a sheep and so it is more managable.

Not only that, but my sheep is not very tame.
First I have to chase her around the pen, then I drag her to the door and open the half broken thing that it is, pull her through it not letting any body else out.

Oh and what a chore getting her on the milk stand!

Of course I have a little grain waiting for her so she tries a little but not enough to make it easy, after that every thing runs pretty smooth, she dosn't kick to much and she gets off the stand nicely, I suppose with a little time she'll get it.

As for the milk, it's pretty good, a little sweeter than cows milk, I don't taste a lot difference, but then, I've been drinking soy and rice milk for the past two years.

Ahh, Life On The Farm

2009-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is Daphne and her lamb Daffodil.

Daphne wasn't suppose to lamb this year,

but she did any way, surprise!

That's okay though because Daffodil is so cute.

We have had a lot of singles this year.
It's best to have twins, not sure why we're having so many singles. We do pretty much the same things every year. But something is obviously different.

This is Anna's bottle lamb, she has another one this evening.

Sorry, I don't have any pics, but trust me, they pretty much all look the same.

My Ducks

2009-02-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Dutch Hookbills are heading to bed,

they have to bunk with the turkeys,

although they don't seem to mind,

while their house is being built.

Then God Said

2009-01-15T18:14:00.000-08:00

"Let the land produce vegetation:"
It's amazing He can just say it and it is,
and what is, is amazing!

Turkeys

2008-12-15T16:12:00.000-08:00

Turkeys are a funny bird.

They are not very smart and can't see in the dark at all,

even when I go out a little late I can still see but they go scurrying in the wrong direction.

In the pic above these ones have just been let out in the snow for the first time.

They gobbled constantly and ran around a little more crazy than usual, and that was after not wanting to get out of their barn. Snow really freaks some folks out!

I have had a lot of fun raising my turkeys,

although it hasn't been all perfect, I've lost a few to the coyotes and other vermin.

_
But I love learning about them and their instincts.

St. Nicholas Day

2008-12-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

Hurray, hurray for St. Nicholas day,

we can start reading his autobiography!

He loves goat cheese and chocolate chip cookies,

and would prefer it if we would all leave him some,

there is no goat cheese at the North Pole.

He started life in Lycia, in the third century,

was orphaned at nine years old,

his parents having had him in their fifties

didn't live long in his life.

He became known for being a secret gift giver.

When the father of the young women who received

Nick's legendary first gift of money for dowries,

confronted Nicholas, he was told that it was

God alone

that the father should thank.

St Nicholas is a good example of

Christian gift giving.

The thought of him inspires me to

give not only gifts but also

hope and the love of Christ

to those who need Him.

The credit going to God alone.

Isn't this cloud cool?

Can't you see this as Santa's hat

or the swirl of air

caused by his speeding sleigh?

It is an altocumulus standing lenticularis,

or lenticularis, because it looks like a lens.

Nicknamed lennies, they indicate large

vertical air movement, big lifts

where moist stable air moves over a

mountain or mountain range.

All that technical stuff

But it is still a

cool cloud.

Advent

2008-12-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

The calendar has turned.

The first candle has been lit.

The Nativity Scene is set.

My favorite Advent calender has been started.

Christian practice can be summed up by the word
patience.
In the New Testament
patience means waiting for God
for any length of time,
not going away,
and not giving in to boredom
or discouragement.
—Thomas Keating Cistercian priest and monk

A Piece of Sky

2008-11-25T20:54:00.000-08:00

Pink sky at night, shepherds delight!

I was helping mom garden, and watching the sky,

the clouds looked strange all day.

I love the sky, clouds have always fascinated me.

I watch storm chasing shows and movies when ever I get a chance.

Why do I love storms so much? That is a good question,

I guess it's because it's exciting and in a way refreshing.

Things are different after a storm, something has always changed.

Nosy Farm Animals

2008-11-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

I can't tell if she would have a raspy or a squeaky voice.

This is Holly waiting for her grain,
all the horses love grain.

You know Fluffy,
he's suppose to be a ferocious guard dog,
but when he comes up smiling and
wagging his tail, people think he's cute.

This is Daphne, she's the sweetest.

This one definitely has a squeaky voice.

This is my dog Martin,
he doesn't normally look so funny,

he really is a very nice looking dog.

Honest.

Chuck will be dinner in the spring, no "ohs"

That is why he is alive.

Patti is our Border Collie puppy,

of nine years ago.

There are more animals to be seen and introduced

but a little at a time don't you think.

The Kai Master

2008-11-21T01:10:00.000-08:00

This is my nephew Kai, who is the cutest little six year-old boy ever.

Kai is coming out to the farm tomorrow to help do chores, he is lots of fun to work with,

even if you don't get any work done.

I think every one should have a Kai in there life, he is so silly and happy all the time.

But now I'm going to bed so I can play tomorrow

The Bear

2008-10-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

Everyone who sees Fluffy says he looks like a bear,

and after today I'm convinced he is.

I have been feeding the landlord/neighbor's trout,

when they come up to the surface to get the pellets,

Fluffy tries to eat the fish.

He came very close, I have to admit I was a little nervous.

Here is some autmm color to end the day.

Where's the Pond?

2008-10-07T21:56:00.001-07:00

We let the ducks out to the pond for the first time today.

Okay, so it's not a pond quite yet,

but the more it rains the fuller it gets.

All the same, they were so happy

to be able to puddle around for a day.

Dad and I were getting ready to press apples,

when I came across this sweet little frog

on mom's mums.

I ran straight to the house and grabbed the camera.