Friday, December 28, 2012

Blessings

Am having a wonderful time in my NC mountains. Being here to watch the grands opening gifts,laughing, and talking on Christmas was priceless. Going to church with family for Christmas service was awesome. Having dinner and watching movies with Megan and family was fun. Giving baby grandson a taste of his first cookie, candy cane made my day. Giving him a bath and holding him as he fell asleep was perfect. Being in a wreck with Melody and both of us coming out unharmed was a blessing. Still so much trials and stress happening with my family but am so proud to see their faith stand strong as they face and not run from all that is before them. No matter what is going on in your life never forget there is a blessing in there somewhere. You just have to look and give thanks for it.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas

May each of you have a blessed Christmas. May your homes and hearts be filled with love and laughter. May your Christmas wishes come true and may Santa be extra good to you. Merry Christmas!


Thursday, December 20, 2012

NC Mountains Here I Come

Salt dough ornaments along with cinnamon ornaments, and crochet snowflakes decorate our little tree. All made right here on the homestead. I would take a picture of the tree so you could see the beauty of a simple homemade decorated tree but I have packed my camera. Tomorrow at noon I head out for my beloved mountains and time with my family. William will be here on the homestead taking care of the animals. His daughter and family will be visiting right after Christmas. I am looking forward to spending time with daughters and grands. Looking forward to cold weather and maybe a little snow. I will be popping in from time to time to visit my blog friends and neighbors. Not sure if it will be everyday but know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you and yours a very, very blessed Christmas. It's not the gift wrapped under the tree but the love of family and friends that is our most precious gift....enjoy your gift.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor


 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!

Today I would love for you to visit my dear,sweet, friend Melissa. She has been a friend and a blog neighbor for several years. I love visiting her blog, "The Book of Common Life" because what you see and read is really her. She doesn't write fairy tales. She writes about her day, her thoughts, her ups, her downs, etc. She shares her life in its true form. I learn so much from her. Melissa gives me food for thought each day. She gives me the get up and go I need some days. Melissa is truly a wonderful blog neighbor and friend. Please pay her a visit and who knows... she may become one of your wonderful blog neighbors!





http://thebookofcommonlife.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Simple Christmas Decorations

I have boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations but decided I like the simple decorations much better. More of a homestead Christmas look I guess. Went out in the woods and gathered some greenry, got out a few strands of lights, couple trees that have seen better years,few wreaths and ribbons, my vintage ice skates, and tiny sled and I was ready to decorate. William says the decorations make it look like a Hobbit house but I am okay with that. LOL No that isn't snow I just edited the photo to make me feel better.





Monday, December 17, 2012

Santa Came To Town

Harvey doing his "homework" his last day here at Pop Pops and Grandma's. He went home Saturday and sure is quiet around here.

William, Santa arrived at Tractor Supply Saturday in a horse drawn buggy. He had lots of fun all day having pictures taken with children, animals, and adults. He is going to be back there the 22nd. Think he is having way too much fun with this. I set up at the Craft Fair there and did really well . Much better than the last one.

Today has been a rainy day so I have been making and canning tomato sauce. Have parsnips I need to blanch and freeze sometime this evening. Laundry is almost caught up and house is almost clean. Hopefully tomorrow morning will have these chores finished and I can get outside and clean muddy chicken pens and the goat pens. Just simple life here at the homestead.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A Small Break

Sorry for not posting my blog neighbor posts or any other post for that matter. Some very sad, stressful things are happening to one of my daughters and her family so my mind and heart have been there. I am also spending my last week with Harvey baking cookies and making candy for him to take home this weekend. One more craft fair Saturday with William playing Santa for the kids and pets and we will be done for the season. I will be back blogging Sunday with pics of Christmas decorations (where is that Christmas spirit this year?) and with plans to blog at least a small post every day. It's just been a busy stressful fall and holiday season. When you say your prayers tonight please say one for my daughter Melody and her beautiful family. May God be beside them as they find their way out of this storm. Don't forget to count your blessings and don't forget to love and enjoy your family every second. We never know what tomorrow brings.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Happy Birthday Harvey

Have been canning and freezing all week. Got tomatoes, carrots, pickled peppers, apple sauce, collards,and tomato sauce canned. Froze parsnips and turnips. Still need to can pumpkin puree for pies. Harvey turned 5 while here and ask for a Bumble Bee transformer cake. Being I never heard of Bumble Bee Transformers it took awhile finding one for his cake but was worth the trips to stores seeing the smile on his face. He is with his mom and dad for the weekend to have a party and then will be back tomorrow for one more week. We have plans to bake lots of cookies and make lots of candy for him to take home for Christmas. We did finally get the tree up yesterday and I got it decorated tonight. Need to put the lights up across the front of the house and the outside will be done. Decided to decorate old fashioned this year except for lights. Looks kinda like Little House decorations and will post pics tomorrow. Love the simple decorations after years of going overboard. Going to box up and donate most of the Christmas decorations. Just don't like the clutter and closed in feeling when having too many decorations. Must be getting old. Will be helping William tomorrow with a customers yard and trees before going to friend Gerda's to take her a rooster and couple of hens. Have to build her a pen but she wants chickens for Christmas so she shall have them. No matter what happens in everyday life there are always blessings to be thankful for and I am very blessed.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Doesn't Winter Mean....

Things are suppose to slow down? Last week was spent getting ready for Craft Fair that was on Saturday. This week I was blessed with boxes and boxes of produce plus 2 pallets of pumpkins from the Farmers Market. I am going to be in the kitchen this week canning and freezing veggies. I love that we got so many wonderful vegetables but I haven't even had a chance to take the fall decorations down. The same farmers market gave us a beautiful fir tree and it is sitting by the back porch waiting to be put in stand and decorated. Grandson Harvey is spending a few weeks with us and he is anxious to start decorating for Christmas. He doesn't think Santa will show up if we don't decorate. I am also trying to cook and freeze meals for William while I am in the mountains. Animals are sensing my busyness and are getting into things or getting out. Life may be crazy around the homestead but its all blessings. Here is a photo of my and Gerda's craft booth and William playing Santa.



Thursday, November 29, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too! 



This week (day late) I would love for you to visit Backwoods Mom . This Alaska mom has her hands full with her kids building a cabin while hubby works away from home. They are wanting to move off grid and are building the cabin themselves. She even does plumbing! Her children are pretty talented too. Her and her husband have fostered and adopted some of her crew. Scroll through the blog and see posts and pics of their cabin and other adventures. You will LOVE reading her blog and bet you will want to add her as one of your blog neighbors too!








Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Too Quiet

It is so quiet around the homestead. There was 12 of us for Thanksgiving weekend and the house was full of fun and laughter. Lots of games of UNO,lots of movies, lots of food, and lots and lots of talking. My son in law Joseph help me build another goat house, make wooden holders for the ornaments I made for the Craft Fair. He and Melody helped me rake the chicken pens and the grands helped me cover the roosting shelter openings with plastic to keep winter winds out. Plans were made for 3 family weekends here on the homestead next spring, summer, and winter. Had lots of teasing and joking going on around here. Not one person wanted to do any Black Friday shopping. We were content to be together.

This week has me hurrying to get all my craft projects finished before Saturday. There is a big craft fair at Tractor Supply. There will be over 20 vendors, sleigh rides, Santa stopping by, hot chocolate, bowls of chili so am hoping we will be really busy and sell lots of items.I also have craft projects for 5 people I need to finish up. Its a pay it forward project and I have some very special people I want to pay it forward to. Grandson Harvey is spending the week and is helping Pop Pop and I feed the animals. He is also having fun playing with them as well.

I will be going to the mountains for Christmas. I wasn't going to go this year but things have worked out where I can get away and I want to visit with my brothers while there. The girls and the grands have plans for me and I look forward to just enjoying the grands. This holiday season seems to be turning into a busy but fun one. It will also be a frugal one. Being our families are so large we do homemade, thrift store, yardsale, gift giving. It actually is a lot more fun trying to make or find the perfect gift and be the one that spent the least amount of money.

I was blessed with a half bushel of tomatoes last night and will be in the kitchen soon canning. They are from Florida but actually have a good taste to them. I get sorta spoiled eating fresh tomatoes from the garden but winter time will not turn down canning tomatoes.

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and your holiday season is filled with blessings!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

I am blessed to have each of you for a blog neighbor. Since Thanksgiving is tomorrow and we all have so much to be thankful for I wanted to start early by saying I am thankful for you. When I started blogging in 2005 I never knew it would bring so many wonderful friends and blog neighbors. I have met some of you in person but even those I haven't yet I still consider dear friends. I am truly blessed to have you in my life. Wishing you a very blessed Thanksgiving and a wonderful, safe, holiday weekend. I am cooking all the Thanksgiving usual foods for my daughter Melody, her family, and Sissy, Jonathan, and Lily. It will be a loud, fun, crazy, holiday weekend here and I am going to enjoy every minute! The goats, chickens, turkey, geese, and ducks will all have pumpkin for treats tomorrow while the rabbits get carrots and the dogs get a nice big bone. Everyone and everything will have a full belly here on the homestead.... Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!


 Today I want to share Lisa's blog; RandL's Homespun Life  Lisa had breast cancer and shared her journey with us from diagnosis,treatments, surgery, more treatments all the while keeping her faith and upbeat attitude. Lisa loves to garden, cook, sew, and do crafts. Some days I feel a pity party coming on and all I have to do is stop by Lisa's. She always finds the rainbow in the midst of the rain. Hope you stop by and visit her as I think you will find a warm welcome and feel right at home. 


Monday, November 12, 2012

Monday's Musings

Why is it my hibiscus waited until November to bloom? It is loaded with buds and blossoms. Why are we having 73F degree weather in November? How do you guys with chickens work around the leaves you put in your chicken pens? Am I OCD when it comes to chicken pens? I don't want the chickens scratching in their own waste so I rake their pens each week and sprinkle food grade DE on the ground, give them fresh ash from the fire pit to roll in, as well as bleach their roosting poles. When I have the leaves on the ground in the pens they end up getting rained on and there is a wet mess of leaves and a very damp ground. Dampness is not good for chickens and can cause respiratory problems. So could a chicken person tell me how they put the raked leaves from their yards into the chicken pens and make it work?  Anyone else giving their animals pumpkins? The farmers market gave us 2 pallets of beautiful pumpkins. I am going to can some but as it is a natural wormer for animals I have been cutting up bite size pieces for the goats, cutting pumpkins in half and letting the chickens and ducks go crazy eating them. Each pen of chickens can finish off a half of a pumpkin down to the skin in just a couple of hours. It is fun watching them. The geese like to bite off pieces and dip them in water before eating. Rabbits don't care for them so they got carrots. Anyone else tired of all the post about Romney now that the election is over? Am so tired of reading and hearing how bad he is. People, he didn't win! He is no problem for you any longer. You should take that time to worry about our country and president. Bashing Romney will not help anything. Well that is what has been mulling around my mind today. Hope you have a blessed one!




Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!



Today's neighbor is Miki  from The Pink Wiggle She is a young lady that loves to knit, dance, take pictures, babysit, and enjoy every minute of every day. I enjoy her picture posts of the day and think you will enjoy them to. So pop over and be a nice blog neighbor by saying hi and checking out her blog.






Tuesday, November 6, 2012

America The Beautiful - Swagbucks TV

America The Beautiful - Swagbucks TV

Don't forget to vote. Don't forget to give thanks for living in a country where you have the freedom to vote. Whoever wins the election may we all join together and be proud of our beautiful country.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Ouch!

Did the monthly grocery shopping couple days ago and still smarting from the price stickers. I try to spend $150 each month though some months (especially during garden season) is less and a few months I might go over a few dollars. This month went WAY over. I spent $288 ! I knew I would go over this month being I only spent $98 last month but sure didn't think I would spend almost double. Needed to stock up on all the baking goods and this was the month to purchase paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, and conditioner. I also got our turkey for Thanksgiving, 50lb bag of dog food, 20 lb bag of cat food, light bulbs, and lots of batteries for our different size flashlights. I couldn't believe how much the prices had jumped since last month. How do people with families, no garden or stocked pantry make it? Rice, flour, beans, coffee, cornmeal, and tea, things that most every family use had gone up at least 20 cents and couple items went up over 50cents. I try to get items on sale and am not a brand name shopper. I do look at labels and try to get things with the least amount of additives. Orange juice was on sale so we got 5 gallons. It freezes well. Part of what made the grocery bill higher was purchasing meats. The freezers were starting to look a little bare so I got packages of meats that were on sale. Pork chops, roasts, ham, chicken, hamburger, fish, hotdogs, bacon, sausage and even found a couple of steaks marked down.  Of course turkey was cheap. We got a 18lb turkey for 9.98. I thought about getting two but will watch and see if they go on sale after Thanksgiving and get a couple for the freezer. Won't have to purchase meats next month unless I see some good sales. We have lots of canned and frozen things from the garden, eggs from the hens, milk from the goats, and almost all my cooking herbs I grew and dried myself. Without those things I am sure our monthly bill would be much bigger. I just can't understand how the average family make it. We don't have house or car payments that the average family has and since we heat with wood and have our own well for water we don't have those expenses but still have to be extra frugal to make it. Families with children have to be struggling paying their bills and still having money for food. We are blessed to be able to grow and produce some of our food. I just pray for the families that can't have a garden and are struggling to put food on the table. Hopefully the economy will start to get better soon and families won't have to worry if they should pay a bill or put food on the table.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!

Today's neighbor is:Ruffled Feathers and Spilled Milk    
I absolutely love reading her blog! Doesn't matter what kind of day she is having,what has gone wrong, broken, run away, etc she always finds the humor in it. She and her family have a homestead with the usual goats, chickens etc but she makes that life sound fun even with Stinky goat season. Which by the way you need to scroll down and read her Stinky goat post. It had me laughing so hard, not only because it was so funny but it was happening here too. The only difference, I was complaining instead of finding the humor in it. So please, please, please, head over and visit this lovely, crazy funny lady.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Getting Ready for Sandy

Finished weeding flower beds, mowing and weedeating for the last time until spring for a customer. Fall is finally arriving here in the south. I wanted to post a picture of a opossum that came inside when I left the back door open. It was pretty upset with me cornering and catching it in a net to take outside. I accidentally deleted the picture when I cleaned the memory card for Amber's service. But I guess you know you are a homesteader when you have to remove a opossum from your livingroom.

Right now it looks like Sandy will be skirting past us with only a inch or so of rain and 30mph winds. I am looking forward to the rain and wind and the cold weather that is coming right after her. We need the rain and the wind will hopefully take all the leaves off the trees so I can get the raking done in one chore instead of raking every few days till Christmas. And of course I am going to love the cold weather. Its only going to get down in the 30's but at least it will be cold enough to have a fire in the stove and the kettle simmering for tea. Prayers going up that it won't cause damage to my northeastern neighbors.  Pot of stew simmering in crockpot, pinto beans and cornbread all ready for a nice supper. Goats,rabbits,chickens, dogs, and other animals all have dry,fresh, bedding and they seem ready for our crazy weekend weather. Stay warm and safe everyone and don't forget to count those blessings!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

No Blog Neighbor Post Today

Today I was taking photos of graveside services for my friend Debra's daughter. A very hard thing to do through tears but was an honor to do something for her and her family. Am sharing the photos here. You will have to pause the music on my sidebar before playing. Please tell your family and friends that you love them as you never know if we will get another chance.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BG62ws37XzY

Sunday, October 21, 2012

A Prayer Request

 Update: Sweet Amber didn't make it. Please keep praying for her family. They truly want and need prayer, love, thoughts, and friends right now.

I am asking each of you to please keep this young 22 yr old lady and her family in your thoughts and prayers. She is bleeding from the brain from a tumor that is pressing on the brain stem. She isn't breathing on her own so they cannot do surgery. Doctors have given her a 5% chance of making it. Amber made it through a tour of Iraq with prayers and I am hoping prayers can make that 5% chance work for her. Two days ago she was sitting and talking with her mom when her right side went numb and her vision got blurry. A few hours later she had draining tube in her brain and no longer breathing on her own. Amber is a sweet girl with the most crazy sense of humor. She is always laughing and smiling. Her twin sister Ember, along with their parents, Aunt Pebbles, and the rest of the family are having a very rough time. Please put Amber Bolton and her family on your prayer lists, your church prayer lists, and throughout the day say a prayer for Amber and for her family. Those of you that have been around my blog for awhile remember Ms. Fran. This is Ms. Fran's great granddaughter. Also my neighbor Vickie whopassed away a few months ago granddaughter, so you can see how much this family has already gone through. Please, please say those prayers and keep those healing thoughts going.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighobr

 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!


Today's blog neighbor is not only a new neighbor but a lovely, special, lady. She and her husband came to the US to run a dairy farm. But life seems to throw lots of punches. Leontien has cancer.  When you read her blog posts she is always upbeat and counting her blessings while sharing this battle with us. Her blog friends are asking us to post Leaves  for Leontien and link the photo post to her blog. So would you please post Leaves for Leontien? Please check her blog and read what a amazing lady Leontien is. If you pray please say one for her.

You can go here to read more about Leontein and the other blog neighbors that have joined in Leaves for
Leontein

Friday, October 12, 2012

Beautiful Fall Friday

 
Just had to hang the monster eyeballs for a little Halloween fun

The sun is shinning and its suppose to be around 70F today. I have plans to get the rest of the fall decorations put up and get the guest room ready for grandson Harvey. He will be coming tomorrow to spend a week with Pop Pop and Grandma.
I am finally able to walk with just a small limp and little pain to my knee so have lots of outside chores to catch up later today. We had 2 hens show up with baby chicks. One has 8 and the other has 3 so had to clean and get the brooder houses ready for them. We hadn't planned on chicks this fall. The baby ducks are still getting out of their pen and stressing momma duck so I plan on fixing that problem.

Lots of things on the to do list but if it all doesn't get done today I am sure Harvey will love giving grandma a hand.

My dear sweet German friend Gerda made this wreath for my door. I just love the wreath and her! She had her own florist shop for 30 years and is one talented lady.

So its time to get myself out the door and busy. Have a very blessed fall day and don't forget.....





Thursday, October 11, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor (a day late)

 Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too! I am a day late posting this week. Please forgive me. I fell trying to get fall (fall- really lived up to its word LOL) decorations out and bruised my leg and twisted my knee. Thanks to my sweet neighbor I have a knee brace that makes walking without feeling like I am going to throw up from pain very much better. So back to regular scheduled posting after this day late post.
 Going Country 

is a blog that will have you laughing one day, and feeling like you have been there, done that, on other days. She is a mom to a toddler and a baby which keep her days very busy and also gives her lots of wonderful post material. Kristin is a newbie to country life but boy has she caught on quickly. When I am not laughing at some of the things her toddler has been up to I am oooing and awwwing over baby pics. Please stop by Kristin's blog and give her a read. Check out some of her older posts and see what a wonderful blessed life she has. 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Doesn't Matter

That in a few days the temps will be back up to 80F. Yesterday, last night, and today has chilly weather in the 40's and low 50's. Rain, wind, and low temps makes me feel like winter is actually going to show up this year. A small fire in the wood stove last night along with a pot of veggie/beef soup simmering on the stove made for a perfect evening. I even had a cup of hot apple cider and for breakfast this morning I had a nice cup of hot chocolate. A little taste of fall weather is just what I needed to get motivated. I have green beans in the fall garden needing picking along with a lot of bell peppers. I want to get out the fall decorations to decorate inside and out. I just love decorating for fall almost as much as Christmas. The girls and families will be here Thanksgiving weekend so I have that extra push to get things done. Grandson Harvey will be coming down Saturday to spend the week. I see lots of cookie baking in our future. He is such fun to have around. Today I have baby lima's in the crockpot with cabbage and smoked sausage simmering on the stove for tonight's supper. Cool weather brings the urge to cook and bake and that is something I love to do. Robby the stinky goat has settled down for the moment. He is actually staying put in his pen with Harley. The girls are happy and milk production has went back up. Got to enjoy the milk while we can before its time to dry them off to rest for kidding season. Ducklings are running around everywhere. Momma Duck doesn't like them sneaking through the fence out of her reach. There is one that is always into something, not where he is suppose to be, ignoring his momma calling him, or just being stubborn. I get more laughs out of him. When I hear Momma Duck making lots of noise I always know it involves this little fellow in some way. We are going to sell the babies when they are older but this one I think will be a keeper. Rabbits are bred to hopefully have bunnies ready to sell at Christmas. This is something we always do for Tractor Supply and have had good success with. Things around the homestead seem to have gotten into a nice routine with the arrival of cool temps. Lets hope winter makes an even more relaxing routine. Have a blessed day!


Sunday, October 7, 2012

R.I.P. John Henry

John Henry was one of our very first roosters at Hidden Haven. He lived to be almost 7 yrs old. I had thought he was even older but was mistaken. John Henry was a wonderful protector of his hens and always so gentle and caring with them.
Always letting them know when it was time to climb the ladder to roost.






 He even took their chicks under his wings. I didn't take any photos of him the past few months as he was getting so tired he couldn't get on the roost at night and would rest on the ground. I would help him stand each morning as his legs were stiff. We thought about putting him down but his eyes were so clear and his mind seemed so alert. We did move him to the green house with 3 hens and for the past 3 months he was very content. He would eat and then sit and watch his hens. If something alerted him he would call and they would run next to him and stand really still. He let us pick him up, hold him, and talk to him. He actually watched as you talked and seemed to understand every word. I know chickens come and chickens go and they aren't really important to most people. They never had a John Henry. He had and will always have a special place in my heart. I have cried over losing goats, dogs, rabbits, and now I am shedding tears for a dear old friend that was always the first one to crow to start my days. For my dear old friend who greeted me each time I opened his pen by strutting tall and proud to show me he was taking care of his hens. For the dear friend that would look so deep into my eyes each time I helped him stand as if to say thank you. For the dear old friend that helped our hens provide us with chicks including his special son John Henry Jr. who is now trying to fill in and do as good a job with his hens. John Henry you may just be a rooster to many, but to me you will always be John Henry, my special feathered friend. You did an awesome job here on the homestead and will always be part of us. Goodbye my friend. Rest in peace.


Friday, October 5, 2012

Love Hungered Goat!

I love my goats but I am almost to the point of murdering my buck Robby.He has taken rut season to a whole new and weird level! We let him breed Buttons and Mammy but made sure to move Lil Vicki to a different pen with her mom Olivia. Breeding 2 goats wasn't enough for him. Oh no, he has to go and try to breed Mary the sheep so we moved her. We also moved him a dozen times but he climbs the fence, jumps, the fence, rams the gate, whatever it takes to get back to the main goat pen. Tinker, the guardian dog is in season and believe it or not Robby is trying to mount her!!! We moved Robby to another pen and Tinker to a different pen and there was Robby trying to mount Bella, the Pyrenees and she isn't even in season. We move Bella out of his pen and what do I find him doing ???? Peeing on his face and trying to entice one of the hens to be his girlfriend. When I go into the pens to feed or water he rears up on his hind legs while I am around his girls. Even though he isn't in the pen with them he doesn't want me near them either. And Lord help me when I go into his pen. He wants to rub his stinky self all over me so I smell like a stinky goat all day. He also tries to block the gate to keep me from leaving. Snorts at me and then starts rubbing his head on my leg making more stink on my clothes. I have never in all the years we have had goats had such a "horny" buck! I so want to get rid of him but he is William's pet and he wants to keep him. Robby is a loving, sweet goat when he isn't in rut. This is his season to make love and you would think he had swallowed a bottle of Viagra. Something tells me its going to be a looong fall or goat hunting season will be opening soon.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Eleven Blessed Duckies

 Friday the ducks wouldn't go inside their house where their nests were. They stood on the side quacking away. Little Jonathan was the first to spot the snake having his evening meal off duck eggs. My SIL Joseph and I got the snake out of the nest. We usually don't kill snakes around here but Joseph killed this one so it wouldn't come back to the nest. It had a belly full of egg and a couple of empty shells lay next to him.
 I didn't think Freda wouldn't go back on her nest and the eggs would get cold. Next morning to my surprise there were 11 baby ducks climbing all over their mommy's back. Hopefully Daisy will hatch her eggs later this month. She hasn't started sitting on her eggs fulltime yet.  The 11 are everywhere and its taking mom and dad both keeping up and scolding them. 3 have the Afro hair like their mom. They are adorable and I find myself just standing in front of the pen watching them. Have a couple of grands already wanting to take some home when they come for Thanksgiving. These duckies are blessed to be here and not in a snakes belly.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wednesday's Wonderful Blog Neighbor

Because I think I have the most awesome blog neighbors I wanted to share some with you. Each Wednesday I will post one of my blog neighbors and hope you will drop by their blog for a visit. You don't have to follow them or even leave a comment (though that would be nice). Just stop by and check them out. Who knows you might like them so much they become your neighbor too!


Today I want to introduce: A Life on Dreams and Prayers. I just love reading about this country cowgirl! She is a young married lady with a love for God, her husband, and animals. She lives each day to the fullest and always with a smile. I was the lucky winner of a give away she did and boy was I really lucky!  One of the gifts was a book named Hope Rising and it is awesome! If you read it have tissues ready. So please stop by and visit my neighbor Country Cowgirl at: A Life on Dreams and Prayers. You are going to love this young lady's blog!