Hidden Haven Homestead Too

On The Mend

2012-03-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

Olivia and Lil Vicki have been moved from their private goat stall to their own private goat pen. They have lots of room to for walk abouts and Lil Vicki has lots of places to explore. She has things to climb on and jump off and just enjoy being a kid. Olivia still has staples in her side (the other side from this pic) but will be calling tomorrow to set up appointment to have them removed. She is eating well and not having to have any pain shots. She had her last antibiotic shot today so know she is happy. I am still giving her Vitamin B complex to give her a appetite as well as a cranberry,vitamin C, pro biotic pill twice a day to help with her urination. Olivia wants to get back in the pen with the other goats but until staples are out and she is totally healed that is out. Thank each of you so much for the prayers and thoughts you have given Sweet Olivia and her baby. A very, very, special thank you to a special blog neighbor and friend in CO that sent a check to help with the Vet bills. I am so blessed to have each of you in my life. I am also very blessed to have Olivia alive and being such a wonderful mommy to Lil Vicki.

Why Am I Shocked?

2012-03-01T14:01:00.001-05:00

Last night I was talking to my oldest brother Marshall on the phone when he brought up his age. For some reason it has shocked me for loss of better word. I am the baby of the family. Marshall is 71 so that would make Don 67

Marshall, Don, and Mother before Gaye or I were born

and if my sister Gaye were alive 63 and in a few weeks I will be 59. We are all 4 years apart. I have no problem whatsoever with turning 59 but my brothers shouldn't be getting old!! My siblings teased and tormented (in my opinion) me when I was little. They also taught me how to play poker with matchsticks at the age of 5. They took me fishing and hunting. They played hide and seek with me though their idea was for one of them to hide me in a "really" good hiding spot and then would leave me there while they went off to do something else. I fell for it every time. Marshall and Don took the head off my doll to use as a ball when they couldn't find their baseball. I got a beautiful 2 foot doll with long hair for Christmas one year and let Gaye talk me into giving it a haircut. Have so many fun and not so fun memories of our childhood and our times together as adults. My mind just can't seem to wrap around the idea that Marshall is 71. He should still be the older brother waking me up at midnight each Saturday night to watch roller derby with him. I don't want my brothers to grow old.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

2012-02-27T11:13:00.001-05:00

The good is we have a new little doeling named Lil Vicki. She is named after our neighbor Vickie who always kept an eye on the goats and dogs. She would call me if the dogs got out or anyone was misbehaving in the goat pen. She loved sitting on her porch and watching the geese, baby pigs, and goats. Am going to miss Vickie.

The bad is we lost a buckling and Olivia had to have emergency C section and hysterectomy yesterday. She and Lil Vicki are residing on my diningroom floor until she is well enough to go back out to the pen.

The ugly is poor Olivia's side where she was shaved and has lots of staples. She had a rough night last night even with pain shot. Around 4AM I gave her a herbal drink of Fever Few,White Willow, Valerian, St Johns Wort, Stevia, and Licorice mint. After about 20 minutes she settled down and rested for a couple of hours. I spent the night in the diningroom too. I have become her security blanket of sorts. As long as I am in sight she is okay. When I leave the room or out of her sight Olivia starts crying and moving about. Lil Vicki is walking around getting into everything. Has managed the wood floors without slipping and sliding very well. She is nursing Olivia a little and am supplementing with bottle.

All in all though we have a nice Vet bill we are blessed to have Olivia alive and recovering. The Vet didn't think she would make it through the night and was very surprised and happy this morning to hear how she is doing. Through rough and stressful times there is always a blessing in there somewhere.

What's Been Going On Around the Homestead.

2012-02-20T23:07:00.001-05:00

Time sure seems to get away from me. So many posts have been written in my mind but just didn't make it here. Have been busy planting seeds and already have a few sprouting. William plans on getting my greenhouse set up in the next couple of days so I can move all the seed trays out of the diningroom. I am so excited about my herb garden this year! Last year I moved it closer to the house and didn't have as many herbs as I wanted but what I had did really great. This year I have been taking a online herbal class as well as reading herb blogs and learning so much. I won a give away from one herb blogger that I will be sharing about tomorrow since I seem to have misplaced my camera at the moment. I have ordered LOTS of herb seeds and have seed trays sitting everywhere waiting on them to sprout and grow. Some grow in the wild but since I don't seem to find time to go out in the wild to gather I ordered seeds for the herb garden. I am anxious to make herbal tinctures,balms, oils,salves, and teas. Am learning herbal usage instead of over the counter drugs and liking that a lot. Some of the herbs seeds I have started are: Lambs Quarters, Amole (soap plant), Licorice Mint, Black Cohosh, Cumin, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Horehound, Hyssop, Milk Thistle (yeah I know everyone else has this everywhere),Mountain Mint, Mullein, Solidago (goldenrod), Savory, Self Heal, Shungiku, Skullcap, Vervain, Valerian, Yarrow, Wormwood, Yerba Mansa, Red Clover, Goji Berry, Hawthorn, and even trying to grow blueberry bushes from seeds! As much as I love winter I am looking forward to spring and setting out my herb plants. That is if they all sprout and grow for me. With having the greenhouse I will be able to have some fresh herbs all next winter. Also have seedlings for the veggie garden sprouting in trays. Going to be a good growing year, I just feel it in my bones.

Grandson and daughter are doing really well. Thank you for your prayers. My step daughters husband will be starting radiation and chemo treatments soon. He has colon cancer and they are going to do treatments before surgery and then again after. He is only 25 years old and the shock of this has really hit him hard. Please keep him in your prayers. My neighbor (Ms. Fran's daughter) is on a ventilator in ICU. She was having trouble breathing and before the ambulance got there (they made a mistake and came to our house first) she stopped breathing. They had to shock and do CPR to bring her back but it was too long without oxygen. She has been declared brain dead. Her husband and daughters are having a very hard time with this. I ask you to please say a prayer for them as they deal with closure and letting her go. My elderly friend Gerda just came home from the hospital. She had pneumonia.

In the middle of praying, worrying, and helping where we could with family and friends we lost our first goat ever because of a hard delivery. She had been bred too young before we purchased her. The past owner wasn't sure if she was bred or not but that her buck had gotten in with her doelings. The buckling was way to big for this young doe to deliver and William had to work to get the head thru the cervix. The buckling was born dead and sweet Sissy died from the stress and shock. I gave her pain meds, antibiotic, electrolytes, and kept her covered and warm but she died with her head in my lap. This left William and I heartbroken and in tears. Seems we have cried enough tears in the past week to fill a lake. We didn't know Sissy was even pregnant until the night before I saw her udder fill up with milk. The next day when I was doing butt checks on the pregnant goats that I know are ready to kid she was standing there with tiny feet sticking out. She wasn't crying or anything. We worked over 2 hours trying to save her and the buckling but it wasn't meant to be. It was very humbling as we have always been able to pull our goats through a rough delivery.

So that is whats been going on around the homestead that has kept me from blogging all the posts I wrote in my mind. Sometimes life just seems to bite you in the butt. The blessing is there is always so many good things happening each day to help ease the pain of the bad. You just have to look forward to all the blessings waiting for you around the corner.

Times Like These

2012-02-15T01:49:00.002-05:00

Make me want to just find all the animals good homes and give up homesteading. This past weekend a neighbor came by to ask us to check her sheep. She had a pregnant ewe down and didn't know what to do. We went over and I knew right away it was ketosis. The babies inside of her had taken all her nutrition and she was skin and bones. We pumped her with everything we had that would help and even got some color back into her gums and eyes. Sunday morning she went into labor but was too weak to push. I had to go in and get the baby. It was a very big headed ram. Its lungs were full of fluid and though we worked 20 minutes suctioning and doing CPR it didn't take a breath. We could feel another baby moving but when I went back in I could not find the baby at all. We gave her antibiotics, along with electrolytes,probiotics, warm molasses water, etc to try to keep her going till Monday morning and the Vets office opened. My neighbor just didn't have the money ask for emergency weekend calls. Little Momma hung on. She was resting while I sat by her when the neighbor brought me a sandwich. Little Momma opened her eyes, raised her head, and looked right at my sandwich. I broke off some of the toasted bread and she actually snatched it out of my hand. She ended up eating all the toast from the sandwich and drank half my mountain dew. I was so happy to see her alert and eating. I gave her a bowl of warm oatmeal and more warm water. The temps were in the 20's and wind chill was 12F at night. We closed her stall, hung a heat lamp,, and a heater. It was nice and warm but not too warm. We all took turns being with her so she wouldn't be along. I came home to feed and check on our animals and when I got back William said her body temp had dropped and she wasn't responding. I sat down and rubbed her back and talked to her. Promised her more mountain dew and toast if she would just take her meds and drink some warm molasses water. Got those in her and she perked back up. Sat with her and sang to her, prayed for her, and just racked my brain on what I else I could do. Finally Monday got here and we got her to the Vet ASAP. The first Vet finally found the second baby upside down hung underneath the pelvic bone. It took 2 Vets over 30 minutes to get the baby out. Her jaw was hung on the pelvic bone. Of course she was dead. I had held Little Mommas head and talked to her while all this was going on. She didn't cry out. Just looked in my eyes the whole time. She got pain meds, more antibiotics, IV fluids there and some for us to give her at home with pain meds. They told us to keep giving the antibiotics I had given her before we took her. To keep giving her the electrolyte paste, Vitamin B, probiotic, and warm molasses water and to keep her warm. We took her back to her stall , got her settled and we came home for a little while to get chores done. I went back once during the day to give meds and water. Neighbor had been doing every 2 hours like she was suppose to. Little Momma raised her head and put it in my lap. I sat with her awhile and talked to her. Shared some mountain dew with her and promised I would be back to say good night. Little Momma looked into my eyes and made a little crying noise. Felt like she didn't want me to go. I should have stayed. Instead I rushed home to feed our animals. Little Momma took her last breath right before I got to her stall. I have cried like a baby and she wasn't even mine. I felt like I let her down. I think if we had lent the neighbor money for weekend emergency visit she might have lived. The Vet had told us that she probably wouldn't make it. That we had done all the right things and that if they had been there the second baby would still have been stuck under the pelvic bone and they would have still had a hard time getting it out. I know all these things but I still see those eyes looking right into mine. I still see her raising her head even though she was weak to lay it in my lap. She trusted me and I let her down. Having animals means that there will be times like this. That we have to handle illness and deaths. Even though times like this make me think about walking away from it all I know I won't. Though I am sure I will make lots of mistakes, second guess myself, and even let another animal down that trust I will keep giving my love and care because they are a part of me. But I will never ever forget those trusting eyes looking into mine. Little Momma will always be in my heart and mind.

We Have a Name

2012-02-09T00:08:00.000-05:00

Spartacus "Sparky" and Sassafras "Sassy"seem to be happy to have a name and seem to like their nicknames. Momma Precious seems to be happy with the names too. Am sure there will be lots of adventures to write about with these two so stayed tuned.

Falcor

2012-02-07T17:27:00.000-05:00

Meet Falcor.

He is a 8 month old (or will be the 10th) Great Pyrenees. A young couple with 2 little girls put him up for adoption. We had several phone conversations over 2 days before we decided to visit Falcor and his family. Of course the minute I saw him I was in love. He gave me lots of kisses and seemed to really like William and I. We made the decision to make him part of the family and he came home with us. He has been a house dog until now. We did keep him inside at night for a few days but he would go to the door and cry. When we took him out he went straight to the goat pen where the girls were and want in. Bella, Tinker, and Hillary were very happy to have a guy to play with. Tinker and Falcor hit it off great. They both are young and have lots of energy so run and play all the time.

Bella and Falcor seem to enjoy just relaxing and talking to each other.

Hillary has been busy guarding the baby goats but when she is on break she and Falcor play. The goats have accepted Falcor as part of the herd and he just loves the baby goats. He has fit right into our family as if he has always been here. Each time I go out to feed or check on the animals I am greeted with 4 big smiles.

Falcor loves being outside with the girls and will come inside for a few minutes and let me spoil him with treats before he is at the door begging to go back out. He almost always has a smile on his face and seems very happy. He always seems to know when I have milk bone crunchies in my pocket. After having a couple he licks his lips and waits to see if I will give him another.

We got Falcor to not only be a part of our family but to breed Bella and Tinker. We would like for each of them to have a liter of puppies. Hopefully being a mommy will take away the desire to get out of the pen and wander the neighborhood. What we didn't know was that Tinker and Falcor would decide after 3 days of playing and running they would skip right to being in a relationship. The deed was done (several times) and Tinker should be pregnant.

In April we should have puppies! Tinker seems to be very happy about that idea.

Welcome to the family Falcor and congratulations to you and Tinker!

As for Precious and her babies. They are doing great. This is the longest any animal has gone without a name around here. I just can't decide what seems to suit the twins. I am going to think on it tonight and see if I can have them named by tomorrow.

Menu Monday

2012-02-07T10:08:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know its Tuesday but as usual I am a day late and a dollar short. I tell ya this warm winter weather has worn me out! Too many things to do outside leaves me too tired to blog when I finally come in. Anyhoooo am taking my breakfast break to post this weeks menus and will try like heck to post later photos of Precious and babies (still haven't named them yet) and also photos and story of our new addition. What I would give for a nice cold winter storm about now.

MONDAY
breakfast
Cheese omlet, hashbrowns made with white and sweet potatoes, garlic, onion
and whole wheat toast

lunch
peanutbutter and banana sandwich on raisin bread...yum yum!

supper
Spaghetti with homemade sauce I canned last summer
Spinach salad with some of the carrots,radishes,peppers I purchased this month
Garlic cheese bread

TUESDAY
breakfast: bowl of oatmeal, raisin bread toast
lunch: will probably skip so I can get some chores done outside
supper:William out of town so eating leftovers.

WEDNESDAY

breakfast: pancakes, eggs, sausage
lunch: peanut butter and banana sandwich on raisin bread
supper: Salmon Patties, mashed potatoes, collared greens, dinner rolls

THURSDAY

breakfast: biscuits,gravy,eggs,sausage
lunch: leftovers from previous nights suppers
supper: Stuffed meatloaf, rice, toss salad, peas

FRIDAY

Breakfast: egg,ham,and cheese sandwich on whole wheat toast
lunch:veggie soup, grilled cheese sandwich
supper: baked pork chops, brown rice, green beans, rolls

SATURDAY

breakfast: eggs,sausage,hashbrowns,whole wheat toast
lunch: leftovers
supper: hotdogs,home fries, cole slaw

SUNDAY

breakfast: biscuits.gravy,eggs, sausage
lunch: ham and cheese sandwich
supper: barbecue chicken, roasted garlic potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls

That's the menu for this week if no monkey wrench is thrown into to plans. You never know what the day will bring around here. Of to work outside in this 60F degree winter weather. Have a blessed day!

Greenhouse For My Herbs

2012-02-04T23:05:00.000-05:00

I was given a greenhouse! William is building a greenhouse which will be used for plants for the vegetable gardens. The greenhouse given to me will be used for all the new herb plants for my herb garden. I am so excited! A neighbor stopped by to ask if we would go look at her pregnant ewe that is sick. After checking her out, treating and vaccinating her she seems to be on the road to recovery. Purchased the supplements for neighbor to give ewe and showed her how. Also have and will continue to go check on ewe each day. Neighbor was so happy we helped that she ask me if I wanted the greenhouse. Of course I said yes! She only used it a few weeks before going back and getting a much larger one. This one is 10x20 and is perfect for herb plants I have started to grow in until its time to plant in the herb garden. I can also use it next winter. I had been trying to wait patiently for William to finish building his greenhouse and knew I would have a small space for my herbs as he has over a 1000 tomato seedlings he is growing. He sells tomato and pepper plants every spring. Now we each can have our own greenhouse. What a blessing!

While treating the ewe we moved her from where she was laying into a shelter. I was walking backwards in front of the ewe while William and neighbor were walking on each side. Of course we all forgot about the big tub of water in the pen. And of course I fell backwards right into it. It was a early chilly morning so I got a nice cold bath to start my day. It was about an hour in wet clothes before I could come back home, have a hot shower and dry clothes. Hope I don't get a cold from it but if I do it was worth it.

Thank you for the prayers and thoughts for Megan and grandson. Things are still stressful but there is a light at the end of the tunnel peeking at them. Please continue your prayers and if you will add my stepdaughters husband to your prayers. He just found out he has cancer. He has a large mass on the left side of his large intestine. It is going to be a rough road for him and his family.

Precious and the twins are doing wonderful. The little doeling is already a handful. She slips underneath the gate of the stall and explores while Precious is having a fit because she can't get the doeling to come back where she belongs. When she is in the stall with momma and brother she hides behind the water bucket or underneath the hay where momma can't see her. Precious will cry and call her but little one will just lay still and not answer. I have to go out and get her so Precious can see she is okay. I have a baby monitor so can hear when Precious is upset which means little one is up to mischief. Have more photos of them that I will post tomorrow. Just too ~~lazy~~ tired tonight. I also have photos of our new addition to the homestead. Think you will be surprised we got it. I was at first as we talked about it for 2 days before deciding it was the right thing to do. Am glad we did as it fits in perfectly and I am already in love.

Was asked about menus and know I have been slack in posting but so much has been going on the past few days with family and homestead. Think it will be easier for me and you if I just post a weeks menu each Monday. I can also post recipes at the bottom of menu posts. Thank you for being interested and asking. I will also be posting a list of the new herbs seeding I have in case anyone nearby might want some. Hope you are counting those blessings. I know though all that has happened this past week God has truly overflowed my cup with blessings.

It's Twins!

2012-02-02T16:51:00.000-05:00

Precious had twins at 1PM today. Easy labor and delivery and all 3 are doing fine. The brown one is a buckling and the white with black feet and eyebrows is a doeling. Within 30 minutes they were up nursing and checking things out. No names yet as I was up all night keeping check on her and my mind is numb at the moment.

Simple Day on the Homestead

2012-02-02T00:36:00.006-05:00

I am linking up with Our Simple Farm Simple Living Wednesdays and with Pretty,Happy, Funny, Real over at Like Mother Like Daughter
(Pretty)
Precious is in early labor. She has dilated about 3 with a discharge and her udder is so huge she can't walk without having her hind legs spread way out. I had her in the new maternity pen but just came in from moving her to a closed stall with lights and the birthing kit. This will be her second kidding. Last year she didn't know what was happening to her and just dropped on the ground screaming. I ran out to find her terrified and the kid having a hard time getting out. I had to reach in and move Little D around. It took Precious several minutes after Little D was born to realize what happened and that she had a kid. She ended up being an awesome mom. This time around I think she knows what is going on and though she is nervous think she will do lots better with this delivery. So I am just waiting by the baby monitor between trips out to check on her. Not sure if she will kid tonight or tomorrow but will make sure I am ready if needed or at least there to take pictures!
(Happy)
Today was a good downsizing day. We sold 8 ducks, 6 roosters, and a goat. The guy that bought them is also coming back to buy 2 pigs. That only leaves us with 4 baby pigs to sell and we will be out of the pig business!! So happy about that. Sold 4 rabbits the other day and 7 roosters a couple days before that. Slowly getting things downsized and it feels good. Finally have 1 rooster for each pen of hens. No more fighting roosters. No more mad hens having to run from so many roosters. And no more hearing over 30 roosters crowing at 4:30 every morning!

Also did the monthly grocery shopping today and ended up spending $155.15. Prices sure have gone up since last month. I try to stay at $150 or less. I didn't even need to purchase meats this month as I have plenty left from the sales I got last month. Since the goats are dry we are having to buy milk and with the Farmers Market closed I am buying some fresh veggies though I have lots canned and in the freezers. Since we don't have goats milk right now I have been buying Nestles instant hot chocolate. I like hot chocolate made with milk but don't want to use too much store bought milk as its so expensive. After making the hot chocolate with hot water I add flavored creamer. Right now I am using French caramel. I buy the big canister of hot chocolate (makes 39 cups) for $4.58 and the powdered creamer is $2.38. The hot chocolate lasts me a month and the creamer about a month and a half. The rest of my grocery list was mostly staples with a few "treats".
25lb sugar
1 gallon of vegetable oil
5lb cornmeal
2 lb butter
4 lb pinto beans
5 gallons orange juice
4 oz vanilla
12 bars of soap
box of laundry detergent (usually make own but this was a good sale)
bottle of bathroom cleaner
gallon of maple syrup (a purchase that lasts us about 7 months)
5 lbs of american sliced cheese
1 lb shredded cheddar cheese
1 gallon of milk (will go back to purchase more as we need it. Like it as fresh as possible)
4- 2 liter sodas ( a treat as was on sale for 84 cents each and these will last us a couple months)
8 cans of catfood (whiskers had plenty of cans left from last month)
8 cans of dogfood (Rusty had cans left from last month)
Box of Cheerios ( love cereal for bedtime snack)
Bag of Fritos ( a treat)
Head of cabbage
Lettuce
Radishes
Carrots
Bananas
Bell Peppers
1 package of steaks ( on sale and couldn't pass up)
5 lbs brown rice
5 lbs white rice
1 lb coffee beans
1 box of onion soup mix ( use it when I make hamburgers)
1 box of tomato/ herb bouillon

I buy in large containers when I can so it will last longer. I buy a couple of things extra each month to stock for emergencies. We try to keep enough supplies to last us 6 months if something were to happen. My grocery list didn't contain eggs as we have plenty of fresh ones here on the homestead. It didn't contain bread as we get a excellent deal at the bread store. Much cheaper than I can bake it though I still bake biscuits, cornbread and sometimes sourdough bread. I cook from scratch most of the time. By making sure to keep full pantry, and things frozen and canned from the garden as well as buying extra meats and things when on sale really help keep our food bill down. The only thing we will have to purchase from the grocery store the rest of the month will be milk. I will cook at least 2 meals a day and will try to remember to share my menus each day. I tried this before but got busy on the homestead and didn't follow through. Several have ask me to post menus so they can see how I spend what I do and have filling meals each day. I promise to try harder this time.
Today:
Breakfast was egg and bacon sandwich on whole wheat toast with juice and hot chocolate
Lunch was leftover salad
Supper was buffet at Western Sizzlin ($16.92 for the both of us. We try to treat ourselves once a month to a meal out)
(Funny as in funny that this should have been finished days ago!)
The greenhouse should be ready soon. I have so many new herb seeds to get started. Am excited about this years herb garden. My nettles, oregano, lemon balm, and pineapple sage is already coming up. I cut some of my rosemary and lavender yesterday and have it drying in the dehydrator. We are enlarging our vegetable gardens this year so am planning on what will be planted in these. I enjoy canning,dehydrating, and freezing things and want this years gardens to keep me busy doing these things.
(Real)
One of my daughters and a grandchild are going through some stressful things at the moment. If you would, please keep them in your prayers. Have a blessed night and don't forget to count those blessings!

It's The Weathers Fault

2012-01-29T17:52:00.001-05:00

That I haven't been blogging!
This time of year I should be sitting by the fire drinking a cup of tea or hot chocolate, looking at seed catalogs, and taking a break from outside chores. Should be is the key words. With no winter weather to speak of its too hot to sit by the fire or take a break from outside chores. After morning feedings I have been repairing fence and even put up new fencing in the maternity pen. With all the rain we've had I have forgotten the real color of my rubber boots. The goats are getting tired of the mud too and are walking around the edge of the pens instead of the normal paths they made. Daffodils are in full bloom around the homestead. Even the yellow bell bushes are blooming. Am afraid February will bring a burst of winter and kill all the buds and blooms.

Andy (Nigerian Dwarf buck) has spring fever. He has been ramming the gate to his pen till he bent the latch enough to open it and get out. That wasn't good enough for him. He then rammed the gate to the girls pen doing the same thing so he could get in. The only thing was when he got in he left their gate open and Tinker and Bella thought that meant they were off guard duty and took off on an adventure. It had been a week since I was off the homestead and rode with William to Lowe's. Hadn't been there 5 minutes when our neighbor called to let me know Tinker and Bella were heading across the busy road to the woods. We hurried back (thank goodness we were about 3 minutes from home) to see what was up. Right before we got home saw the two of them sniffing around the edge of the woods. William got out to walk them home. All I had to do was tell Bella to go home and she hung her head and took off home. Tinker is stubborn so William had to walk her. Bella was waiting by the gate when we got home. Andy had really messed the latch up so it took William a few minutes to fix it so we could close it secure. Sweet Hillary was inside the pen with the girls taking her guarding job seriously.

She never wants to leave the pen. Bella has all of a sudden gotten the roaming fever and Tinker follows along.

They are resting from their adventure,being scolding and put on runners. They weren't in the mood to smile for the camera.

Not sure what she is thinking. Have been spending extra time with her and even taking her for walks around the property line. Talking to her. Will see if the wander bug will go away.. sure hope so.

Have gotten busy planning and ordering more seeds for the herb garden. William is building a greenhouse and that will enable me to move my seedlings there and hopefully have extra plants from many different herbs to sell as well as go in the herb garden. Also starting some seedlings for the veggie gardens. If I can't enjoy winter guess I might as well get a head start on spring.

Goodbye Cabana Boy and Love Around The Homestead

2012-01-23T20:36:00.000-05:00

Saturday we sold 7 roosters and one of them just happened to be the young ~~cabana boy~~ rooster that Tessa the turkey was hanging out with. She wasn't very happy for a couple of hours but as soon as Fred saw EJ was gone he started puffing up and strutting around. I opened the gate and he walked out of Elvis pen without even a goodbye or thank you. He walked right over to his and Tessa's pen and waited on me to open the gate before walking right in and strutting his stuff. Didn't take them but a short time to forgive, forget, and fall back in love. They seemed very happy to be back together but unfortunately this afternoon I had to move Fred back to Elvis pen. Seems he got a little too frisky and cut Tessa under her wing in the process. When I went out to feed she was bleeding and his leg was covered in blood. I didn't know what was wrong. After checking things out it was easy to see what had happened. I cleaned Tessa's wound and put antibiotic on it. Also gave her something for pain and put pro biotic in her drinking water. Fred was pacing up and down the fence wanting to get back to his lady love but is going to have to wait a few days to let her heal. She is now resting under a heat lamp with Fred roosting where he can keep an eye on her. Poor Tessa never knew love could hurt so much. Why, you ask are there no photos ... my camera batteries died and I didn't come back inside to recharge them.

More on love in the air... The rabbits are all paired up and happy. Am listing what buck is with which doe more for my lack of being able to remember once they have their babies.

This is the one photo I got before camera died
Angel and Smut

Rocky (New Zeland) with Prissy (New Zeland)
Jack Sparrow (Rex) with Dreamer (California Giant)
Dutch (Dwarf Dutch) with Sara (mini rex)
Smut (Rex) with Angel (Rex)
Harry (Lion Head) with Porky (New Zeland)
Lionel (Lion Head) with Princess (Lion Head)
Cinnamon (Rex) with Freckles (Rex)
Chipmunk (Mini Rex) with Sweet Roll (mini Rex)

Hopefully all 8 does will have healthy babies that will be ready for new homes at Easter. Last year we sold all our baby bunnies to Tractor Supply and could have sold more if we had had them. Not sure if we will be selling baby chicks this year as we need to raise some for laying hens to replace the ones of ours that are getting old. Anyway, looks like love is in the air for most of the animals here on the homestead. Spring should have baby goats, baby bunnies, baby chick, baby ducks, and baby geese running around. I just love animal babies!!

Great Pyrenees

2012-01-20T19:50:00.000-05:00

Gypsy is loving her new home and her new owners love her! The young lady working on the farm that will be training Gypsy is from Nome, Alaska! Had a wonderful conversation with her as we walked Gypsy around the farm. I have talked with Laraine a couple of times to see how Gypsy is doing and things are great. Gypsy who chase chickens here is already helping put up their chickens each evening without barking or chasing them. She is out learning about the farm and her new duties during the day and until the goats arrive she is enjoying sleeping indoors at night. She guards her new master at night.LOL The minute I saw Laraine with Gypsy I knew they were perfect for each other and had no problem leaving Gypsy.
As for Bella, I have no idea what has gotten into her. She is usually quiet, well behaved, and excellent guarding the goats. Lately she has kept me busy. She finds the strangest ways out of the goat pen only to run around to the gate and wait to be let back in. Tinker use to be the escape artist but has settled down and behaving. Of course Hillary is so happy to have a home and be off the streets she doesn't want to get out. You could open the gate and she will go to the gate and just stand there. She loves being with the goats and doesn't bother them at all. She will bark if anything or anyone not suppose to be there steps on the property. She will bark to let me know Bella is trying to escape. She will bark if one of the goats is where it shouldn't be or something is wrong. Bella use to do all these things but has suddenly after turning 3 to be a puppy again. Right now she is on a runner inside the goat pen. I let her off while I do the morning and evening feed and when I am working in or near the pens but the rest of the time she is on the runner. This too shall pass. Over all having Great Pyrenees to watch over the goats is perfect. If a animal or human comes near the goats they will put themselves between whatever and the goats. They won't bark and chase what/whoever but will just quietly stay in front of the goats. If a dog or animal seems threatening to the goats they will quietly round the goats all together and then walk around the group of goats keeping an eye on the threat. If the threat comes for the goats then the dogs will bark and attack. Their instincts are to protect the goats in their care even if it means they have to be in harms way. They will also start barking an alarm so we know something is wrong. It is a different bark from seeing a squirrel or neighbors dog. Its an alarming bark that makes you know right away something is wrong. We had a small pack of stray dogs come through our property once. Bella and Tinker had the goats all in a huddle and were running around and around them keeping them together. When the dogs got too close they sounded the alarm and Tinker went after the dogs while Bella kept the goats together. It is truly amazing to watch how they care and protect the goats. It is also beautiful watching them when a doe kids. They stand outside the birthing stall watching real quietly. Once the goat has kidded and everything is cleaned up, I open the stall and let them come near me while I hold the kid or kids so them can sniff them. That takes a few minutes and then they understand they have a new goat to watch over. They are so loving and gentle with the kids. You will find the kids climbing on and sometimes sleeping next to the dogs. They won't let the kids wander away or if they do they stand over and bark until you take the kid back to its mom where it belongs. If you have goats or sheep I highly recommend Great Pyrenees

or Great Pyrenees mix. Tinker is Great Pyrenees/Antonin Sheperd

You won't be disappointed.

New Home For Gypsy

2012-01-14T15:37:00.000-05:00

This is Gypsy. She is 11 months old and came here while I was visiting in the mountains. William thought she would fit in with Bella and Hillary our other Great Pyrenees and Tinker(Great Pyrenees/Antonin Shepard). 4 guard dogs and 8 goats don't work too well. Gypsy is still a puppy and wants to play, chase, and chew. She is learning to behave with the goats but we just don't have room or really need a 4th guard dog. I finally decided to place an ad in Craigs List and was swamped with emails and calls. Took a little talking back and forth but have found Gypsy a new home. She is going to be living on a farm about 70 miles from here in Siler City. The farmer has a young college student working for him and she has been wanting to train a Great Pyrenees for their farm. They had one for a couple of years but someone stole her. Gypsy will be perfect for them as she is still young enough to train easily and is already use to being with goats and other farm animals. We will be taking her to her new home on Tuesday. That way I can see where she will be living and how she likes her new home. Really like Gypsy but am so happy she will have a home where she will be able to guard her own herd of goats and have a young lady to take care of and love her.
As soon as we finish repairing and replacing fence we will be moving the pregnant goats into a different pen. Those will be for Hillary to watch over. Bella and Tinker who are inseparable will stay in the main pen guarding the rest of the goats. After the kids are weaned Hillary will go in the buck pen to keep an eye on them. Feel like its a game of musical goats around here. Hillary is older and obeys commands so well. She doesn't mind when you move her from one goat pen to another. Bella and Tinker aren't happy when you move them or their goats. You can tell we are well trained by the dogs can't you... (smile)

Spring Time In January

2012-01-11T21:09:00.000-05:00

The calendar may say January but Mother Nature is making everyone and everything think spring is here.
Flowers are blooming. My butterfly bush is getting leaves on it and some of my herbs are starting to pop up outta the ground.

Momma hens are showing up everywhere with babies. Here are the latest two. We still have another sitting on eggs and two other hens with chicks that are a couple weeks old.

Sorry first one had her back to the camera. She was clucking and gathering her little ones under her. She had 8.

This momma has 7 little ones that though they are only a few days old get into everything and keep momma and me on our toes.
Since spring like weather is here love is in the air. Tessa is still being a cougar and chasing her cabana boy E.J. around her pen.

And Fred is still upset and staying over with Elvis in his pen till Tessa comes to her senses and wants him back. Or so he hopes she will when the desire to make baby turkey hits her.

Elvis remembers when Tessa had the hots for him and flirted through the fence at him. He keeps telling Fred to go home and I use to take Fred back to his pen every morning only to have him fly back over so gave up. He and Tessa will hopefully make up before the real spring gets here and by summer have baby turkey running around the homestead. This is whats going on around Hidden Haven. How are things in your part of the world?

More Family Photos

2012-01-10T22:14:00.000-05:00

This is my son in law Brannon with Little Elizabeth. She is the foster girl that my daughter Melody has had since she was just a few weeks old. There has been a couple times that "Sissy" has gone back to her mom's but she has always been able to back home to her Nana Melody and Poppy Joe. Her brother Jonathan spends a lot of time with my daughter Megan. In fact he spent Christmas with her and I was able to watch his excitement over seeing what Santa had left. (He is wearing one of Quintin's tees for a sleep shirt. He thinks Quintin is awesome)

And this is Baby Lily. She is Jonathan and Elizabeth's baby sister. She stays with her mom but Melody was able to bring her over for our family dinner. Of course daughter Maggie was quick to be first to hold her. It was so fun being with all 3 girls and the grands. We laughed, teased, talked, and just treasured our time since we aren't all together very often. And we evened worked on the jigsaw puzzle together without fighting over it! Christmas in the mountains was wonderful but being with family was truly a blessing!

It has been another few days of warm weather with a little bit of rain. Tomorrow is suppose to bring in heavy rain. I plan on getting lots of inside chores done as well as catch up some reading. I got several good books for Christmas just waiting for me to read. Hope you are having a great week and counting those blessings!!

Around the Homestead

2012-01-05T19:55:00.001-05:00

Inside the homestead Rusty and Whiskers are eating their supper and I am enjoying a nice cup of pumpkin spice tea and listening to the news on TV. For supper I plan on having leftover ham and blackeyed peas from New Years dinner. William will be home tomorrow so am planning what I will cook for our supper then. Finally got all the Christmas decorations down and packed. I need to put them in the storage building in the morning. Did some vacuuming and sweeping earlier and will mop the floors before going to bed. Have the firewood carried in for the night though I will only keep a small fire as tonight will be much warmer than the past few. Tomorrow will be in the 60's. My daughter Maggie called on her way home from work and had a nice chat with her. I love getting calls from the girls. I feel like I am actually sharing part of their day. Tonight I plan on cleaning my bedroom. I still have my suitcase sitting in the middle of the floor. Most of it is unpacked but there are still some gifts, books, and things I picked up at thriftstores in the mountains to put away . With William gone all week I have just closed the door and forgotten about it while catching up on other chores. Now that its the only room left to clean I have no excuse.

Outside around the homestead things are going good. No new baby chicks today and all the chicks we do have are doing really well. I got the rabbit pens and cages cleaned out today and all the poo raked and put on the mulch pile. Got some boxes and things burnt in the firepit while I was raking. Tomorrow I plan on raking the chicken and goat pens. Also have some leaf piles I will gather up and put in the pig pen. They love munching on the leaves and all the acorns. Going to start listing rabbits for sale this weekend. We really need to downsize as we have way too many. I actually would like to get down to no rabbits but don't see that happening. Next I need to get William to agree to find homes for some of our dogs. We do not need 4 guard dogs for our goats. I am sure I could find good homes for a couple of them but also sure we won't agree on which two should be the ones to go. Such is life around the homestead. My goal for the New Year is get everything downsized so it doesn't get overwhelming at times. To just 3 or 4 goats and a a few chickens would be a dream. Sure it will never get that small but its nice to dream. I want to get in the herb garden tomorrow and mulch the plants starting to come back in this warm winter weather. I still have lavender, rosemary, and pineapple sage growing. I will cut them back tomorrow and put them in the dehydrator. Make sure the whole herb garden is mulched in for the rest of winter. We are suppose to get extended cold winter temps in two weeks or so the weatherman says. We shall see. I still have some garlic and onion buttons I want to set out tomorrow. Will mulch them well too. The daffodils next to the house are about to bloom. With the warm temps of the next few days I bet them will open up. This really has been a warm winter. Tonight all the animals are settled in their beds. Bella and Tinker are awake and guarding the goats. Hillary is sound asleep. She does her guardian during the day. I swear anyone could walk in the goat yard and actually pick Hillary up and carry her off without her waking up. I have never seen a dog sleep such a deep sleep as she does. Gypsy is in the pen with Andy and Petro. She hardly ever sleeps. Being a puppy she is always on the move or into something. It's nice knowing they are watching over the homestead and will sound the alarm if anyone or anything that doesn't belong shows up. Rusty is guarding the house and can wake the dead with his shrill barking when anyone or anything moves outside near the house. Kuma and Rusty are in their pen near the house and let me know if anyone pulls up in the drive or walks up. Even my neighbors feel safe at night with the dogs keeping watch. They will call and tell me which way the dogs are barking and if they see what it is they are barking at so I don't have to go outside. We have some deer that have been coming up near the back of the property at night. Bella and Tinker don't think they should be there and stand and bark at them till they leave. The deer seem to know the dogs can't get to them so take their time eating and checking things out before they go back down to the swamp and woods. It's a dogs life around this homestead. Hope you are having a blessed week and counting all your blessings!

This is grandson Zack. He is a teenager that sometimes thinks he is a adult. Sometimes we have awesome conversations and sometimes we have major disagreements. Whatever we have we both have lots of love for each other and have lots of fun hanging out.

More Babies

2012-01-04T23:56:00.002-05:00

This morning as I headed out for morning feeding chores it was a nice chilly 20F. I was planning in my mind what I was going to give as treats along with the usual feed to the animals. Then my planning was interrupted by the cry of baby chicks. ANOTHER hen had hid her eggs. She picked this cold morning to bring 8 baby chicks out for breakfast. Feeding was put on hold while I tried to figure out where to put her and the chicks. All the nice warm houses we keep momma hens and chicks in already have momma hens and chicks in them. None of them were planned either! I grabbed a rabbit cage and set it under a heat lamp inside a roosting house. That will do for a couple of days till I can move hens and chicks around and give them their own little house and yard to scratch in. This is the 4th hen to hatch chicks this month. Crazy winter weather has the animals thinking its spring. This weekend is suppose to bring back high 60 weather again so no telling who will have babies next. I even have daffodils budding in the flower beds next to the house. Surely winter will come to its senses and bring back the cold weather and keep it for awhile. I did finally get the feeding done though I waited till mid morning to water as the waterhose was frozen. I forgot to drain it. Everyone had water to drink till then as I broke the ice off for them. I chopped up collards for the goats as a treat and they ate like pigs. Gave the rabbits apple slices, chickens, turkey, duck, and geese got chopped up spinach. Dogs got a rawhide bone to chew on. I feel sorry for them being out in the cold even with warm beds so I give them a treat to make me feel better. Haven't let the fire in the stove go out all week. Have 2 kettles keeping water nice and hot on the stove top so when I come in I can make a cuppa tea and sit by the fire for a few minutes. Fill the stove and bank the fire before heading to bed each night so when I get up the house is still nice and warm and I just need to throw on a stick of wood to keep it going. I just love winter (when its actually winter temps) and look forward to a couple weeks from now for a extend period of winter temps the local weatherman has promised. I have a huge pot of rice,oats, and barley simmering on the stove to give the chickens as a treat in the morning. Will warm their tummies and hopefully there will be no new babies to greet me. Have a very blessed night everyone!

This is a picture of my granddaughter Hope. She was here with her mom visiting for a few days when I came back from the mountains. Had so much fun with her at the mall even though she didn't like my taste in clothes.

Tessa The Bourbon Red Cougar

2012-01-03T20:52:00.000-05:00

Tessa when she was being normal and having breakfast with the other turkey

Tessa came to us from Boone, NC. You can read her story here about bringing her to be a mate for Fred but she feel in love with a Rooster named Elvis. This has been a on going love since 2009 until now. Tessa has turned cougar and fallen for a ~~cabana boy~~, young rooster that is still wet behind his cone. EJ is Elvis son and no matter that we clip his wings, put him in a closed in pen he finds ways to escape and go back to Tessa. Fred has had enough. He decided to make his way over and join Elvis in his pen. The two of them seemed to be sharing Tessa breaking heart stories as they cry over their ~~beer~~ water bowl. I have taken Fred back to his pen the past 3 mornings and he has made his way back to Elvis. I have decided to let him stay for now and hope Tessa grows tired of having a young rooster wooing her. Hopefully spring will find her ready for Fred to move back in and make some babies. Around here you never know what the animals are going to do next. Makes each day something to look forward to!

Around The Homestead

2012-01-02T23:03:00.000-05:00

Around the home things are settled down for the night. William is in Lexington, NC helping his son in law so Rusty, Whiskers, and I have the house to ourselves. TV is on and Whiskers seems to be watching somewhat. Rusty has started this bad habit of barking to go outside only to bark to come back in right away. Then barks again to go back out, repeat, repeat, repeat. When I am not opening and closing the door I am enjoying the fire in the woodstove and a second cup of hot chocolate. My nighttime cold medicine is kicking in so I see an early night for me. Winter nights are so peaceful and enjoyable.

Around the barn it was a busy, crazy day. Either hunting or target practice was going on in the woods on the other side of the swamp. Bella and Tinker were going crazy. Tinker tore open the pig gate and tried to go through their pen and out the other side. She only succeeded in getting tangled up. Got her and the gate fixed to find Bella had torn thru the main gate to the goat pen and got tangled up. Freed her up and boarded up the hole she made in the gate. Tinker and Bella are now on runners and not happy but they freak out at gunshots. New Years night was bad enough but today has them stressed out. I finished giving the animals warm fresh bedding. Got the neighbor boys to help me set the rabbit cages that fell over. Rabbits seemed to not be upset over it and went right back to eating when we got the heavy stand back up. Have wood brought in for the few days of cold weather. I am so looking forward to having a fire going all day and night. Had to spend some time with Andy the goat as he was trying to ram Petro's pen and torment him. Also spent some time with Gypsy. She is all puppy though she is 11 months old. She wants to run, jump, lick, bite, chase, and never tires. Having 4 huge dogs sure takes a lot of energy out of me. But at the end of the day. Bella and Tinker are settled down. Hillary is being Hillary and sleeping through everything. Gypsy is finally sleeping along with the goats all snuggled down in their beds, bunnies snoozing in their nests, chickens and turkey are dozing on their roosts and all is sleeping in heavenly peace around the homestead.

This is my granddaughter Julie taken at Christmas. She has grown into such a sweet young lady. I am so blessed to have her as a granddaughter.

Happy 2012

2012-01-02T08:37:00.000-05:00

I welcomed the new year in by sleeping. Still have this horrible chest cold so I snoozed on the sofa while William played on the computer and watched the ball drop on TV. Fixed blackeyed peas, ham, collard greens, fried cabbage and cornbread for our New Years meal and the rest of the day was spent getting the animals ready for the cold weather hitting us tonight. Still have a few more beds that need fresh straw and pine bedding but overall the animals should be nice and warm tonight. Finally winter weather is here or at least will be for a few days before it goes back up to 60's the end of the week. Such a mild winter we are having. We had New Year babies! One of our hens hid her nest and came out New Years morning with 8 chicks. Nice surprise but we caught her and the babies and put them in a pen with a nice warm nest and heat lamp. Was going to put her in the little house we usually keep hens and chicks in but another sneaky hen found the door unlatched and is sitting on eggs. What is it with hens wanting to hatch eggs in the winter time? We now have another Great Pyrenees. Yep, that makes a total of 3 and Tinker who is half Pyrenees and half Antonin Shepherd. Gypsy is 11 months old, full blooded GP and is more playful and into things than Tinker. I am hoping to talk William into to just keeping Hillary and Bella and finding homes for Tinker and Gypsy but will have to play that really slow. Our goal for the new year was to downsize...... don't see that being a fast action plan. LOL Whatever your plans I wish for you a wonderful, blessed New Year! We have a fresh start to a brand new year and I for one can't wait to see where the adventure leads!

Home Sweet Home

2011-12-29T19:46:00.000-05:00

Am home after a wonderful 2 weeks with my daughters and grands (of course the son in laws too). No snow but record breaking warm days. Played lots of rummy, monopoly,and put one and a half puzzles together. G and Q you are on your own finishing the last one. Did some thrift store shopping and a little retail shopping. Lots of visiting friends and family and way too much eating. Enjoyed movie and popcorn night with the grands as well as just sitting and talking. Santa found me in the mountains and filled my stocking! We were awaken at 2am to see what Santa had left and by afternoon a nap was on my to do list. What a blessing to be able to spend time with each daughter and grand. And daughter Melody brought me home and is spending 4 days with 2 of her children and baby E. I am loving having them here though I have a terrible chest cold and sound horrible. Baby E is getting my cold and H and J have the stomach bug so Melody has had her hands full here. We did get to spend the day at the mall the first day here. The grands had Christmas money burning a hole in their pockets. Rusty survived the two weeks but was very depressed and didn't eat much. He hasn't left my side for a second except when I made him stay home when we went shopping. He was right by the door when we came back. Bella was depressed and not eating but is now back to her happy self. Hopefully all the critters and myself will be back to normal very soon. Have photos to share later. Thank you to the two very special ladies that helped with the Christmas gifts for the family we helped. The pjs were loved and the panther hat and scarf were a big, big hit. We didn't stay to see the gifts opened. Just left them under their tree so they could have them Christmas morning. The mom and twins were very, very grateful. Brought tears to my eyes and felt very blessed to be able to be a part of their Christmas. Promise to be back to normal posting soon but now spending time with Melody and grands and hopefully getting over this cold.
Count those blessings!!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T14:49:00.002-05:00

Wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas. Am having a wonderful time in the mountains with my family. Record warm temps but that is okay. Will catch up with each of you next week when I get home. Count those blessings!!!

Letter To Santa

2011-12-13T22:51:00.001-05:00

Edited to add I am off to spend Christmas in the mountains with my daughters and their families. Will not be on the computer very much as I will be treasuring my time there. Have a very blessed Christmas!

Dear Santa,

It's hard to believe another Christmas is almost here. As you can see it is time for my yearly letter to you. Thank you dear sweet Santa for taking time to read and do your best to answer my letters each year. I have again been very blessed this year and want to ask you to skip Hidden Haven this year and stop by some very dear friends of mine instead. They are such wonderful friends Santa and it would make me so very happy if you could find a way to leave these things under their tree.

For my very dear friend Amelia Santa could you let her borrow a couple of elves for a little bit? She just moved into a wonderful farmhouse and has lots of renovations to take care of. It sure would be a big help and I know the elves would love it on her beautiful farm.Santa for my sweet friend Mildred could you leave several good mystery books, a variety of teas, and some green beans for her little dog Harriet? And if you don't mind would you give her and John lots of good reports over the coming year? Thank you sweet man.
Sandra has had a very rough and sad year Santa. Would you dig deep into your magical bag and give comfort and happiness as she travels the new path before her? She has lots of faith and courage Santa and such love for her family and friends. You are really going to have to dig deep for HossBoss Santa. I want you to put a brand new full bed pickup truck under her tree. I know its big and bulky but work your magic my jolly ole elf cause she would never ask for one herself but it would be a perfect gift. Oh, and could you leave her a gas gift card in her stocking. Those trucks drink alot! My Texas buddy "Sweethearts Mom" has been doing lots of work on her home, garden, and yard. She has things looking so good around her place. Could you give her some extra paid vacation days so she could enjoy all her hard work? Santa, this lady works from early morning till past dark each day and then goes home to take care of her homestead. She works as hard as your elves! Now if you could wrap up all of Fannie Flagg's books and put them under gafarmwoman's tree along with a CD of southern gospel music I am sure it would put a smile on her face. Now Santa Phelan has been a ~~crazy~~ good girl this year so could you fill her barn with a year's worth of really good hay? While you're there will you fill her tip jar? She won't spend the money frivolously. She is very, very frugal so you can bet that money will stretch along ways as it buys feed for her animals and needed things for her homestead. You will love her dry sense of humor Santa so make sure you have a few extra minutes to just sit and chat. I will get into trouble for this gift but when you stop in at Carolyn's would you leave her lots of pretty material and sewing stuff? She loves sewing aprons! And while you are there leave her a little extra spare time so she can use that gift. You are the best my sweet Santa! My dear friend Marci is sad right now. Her sweet dog Star passed away. She was with her family for a very long time Santa. Could you leave a beautiful rose bush under her tree. One that she could set out near Star's grave. It would remind her when it bloomed of all the wonderful times with her 4 legged family member.Texwisgirl is a hard one to find that perfect gift for. She has a lovely home. Her animal family think they have died and gone to heaven. She is one talented lady with a camera and I love that she shares her photos with us. What I would really like for her is one perfect day. A day when she can wake up and know that the day is all hers.All her chores are all done. All the animals are being taken care of. She can grab her camera and just slowly enjoy the day. That everywhere she goes she finds that perfect photo opportunity. Maybe leave her a nice picnic lunch to carry with her and the perfect weather for her day. I think she might enjoy this gift. Now Santa Mike is a good friend and almost close neighbor. He keeps me laughing with his reports of his neighbor and his animal family tales. He likes the simple life. Doesn't care for all the latest gadgets and things. The one thing I know would put a smile on his face is if you had a talk with his "girls" and got them to start laying eggs. Mike would really love to find eggs instead of a golf ball in the laying boxes. Carolina Nana is a new sweet friend from my beautiful NC mountains. Santa she works so hard baking, gardening, crafting, farm chores, cleaning the church, and watching her grandson so doesn't have alot of relaxing time. So could you slip a little me time under the tree for her with a few Laurie Bakke cookbooks to read? She could sit by the fire with a cup of coffee, cookbooks, a little snack and just relax and enjoy the day. I am sure she won't completely rest as she will be saying prayers for her family,friends and giving thanks for her many blessings. Since I will be up that way for Christmas you could throw in a nice snow as a bonus if you like. I am sure you know my friend Lisa is battling cancer. Santa this lady is so caring of others. Her faith gives us all strength. Could you give her a gift card for a snow remover? She and her husband have to shovel or scrape their drive and walkways when it snows. It would be a very appreciated gift and bet she would leave you a slice of rum cake by the tree.Santa Joyce Ann teaches me so much about herbs,gardening, and dehydrating. She has had some stressful months this past year. Could you leave her a magic rock? Whenever she is having a stressful day she can rub the magic rock and all the stress will go away. She will have a very peaceful day and get everything done and have time to sit with a cuppa tea and relax. She cares so much for family and friends Santa that I want her to have time to relax and have time to care about herself. Now Santa my friend SciFiChick just bought and moved onto their homestead. They have been busy clearing land, building fence, repairing the barn, and getting the garden ready for next year. Could you leave her a couple of goats and some chickens? Think you should leave them in the barn and just put a note under the tree letting her know. While there check the kitchen for a slice of pie. She makes some really awesome ones. Now Mama Pea is remodeling, sewing, cooking, having some really awesome give aways. She never seems to get tired. What I would like for her is to have all her firewood cut, split, and stacked for the next 3 years. She has lots of other things to keep her busy and this might give her a little extra time. Now my sweet Sis Pea has been an extra good girl this year. Could you give her lots of one on one time with her grandbabies? She lives so far away she doesn't get to see them very often. In fact she hasn't seen the new grandbaby just born Santa so fill her stocking with lots of loving, hugging time with those two beautiful grandbabies if you don't mind. My new friend over at OctoberFarm has a awesome witch collection. I bet in your magical bag you could find a witch she doesn't have. Make it a fantastic one please. Now for my friend Betsy give her and George all the travel plans for 2 weeks worth of waterfall viewing. Make the plans for waterfalls they have never been to before and make sure they stay in cabins with breathtaking views. Santa, Kelly lives in heaven or at least I think so. She has a beautiful old farm in Maine where she is redoing her farmhouse and working on her barn. That is when she isn't working full time as a nurse. What I want for her this year is a year of easy deliveries for her goats. May the weather be mild and the birthings problem free. Ms Martyr is house hunting. Could you give her her dream house? Make sure it has a wonderful barn and pasture for her horse too Santa. That would be perfect! Now Santa Chicken Mama would absolutely love you forever if you found the perfect job for her and put it in her stocking. She is always working at home, at her parents, being a nanny, computer work, and lots and lots of outdoor chores. It would be wonderful for her to have the job of her dreams so money wouldn't be too tight over the coming year. For my sweet friend Marigold lots of goat treats and a Celtic CD. For her goat mother a nice quiet day, a good book, and Marigold behaving herself. For my friend Rain a good mystery book and some extra time to spend with the grands would be a great gift I am sure.Amy is a goat lover Santa. She lives with her family on a mini Nubian farm. She loves taking pictures so could you put one of the newest, smallest, and cutest cameras in her stocking? I would love to see all the pictures she would take with it. For my very dear friend Melissa Santa would you wrap up a stack of good books, a selections of good teas, and some me time for her? Wrap it in pretty paper and fancy bow. Victorian wrapping would be perfect! Philip is a good Canadian friend who has a wonderful dog named Heidi. I would love it if you would have the elves stack all Philips firewood in the basement for him. Make sure they stack enough for the whole winter. Oh, be sure and leave Heidi a great big bone because she is a great big beautiful dog! Santa could you sneak Linda's photos out and put them all together in a book? She takes wonderful photos and shares really interesting history on her blog. A book of these things for her and for her to share would be wonderful! Santa I am so blessed with many blog friends and neighbors. I am asking for the many not mentioned in this letter a very blessed Christmas, a peaceful New Year and the gift of happiness. Thank you Santa for taking time to read my letter and for helping my friends have a very merry and magical Christmas. Love ya ,you big jolly ole man!

Forgotten Photos

2011-12-11T20:16:00.001-05:00

I had mentioned I would post photos of my 40th class reunion. I didn't get to attend but classmates were so good about updating on all the things going on that weekend and how everyone was doing. One classmate I really wanted to see was Alice. She and I have been friends since 1st grade. And of course there are Sandy, Carolyn, Ruth, Frankie, Sandra, and Shirley that got me or me them into lots of trouble in high school. And Robert was there. He was my very first boyfriend (6th grade) and gave me my very first friendship ring. So many of them haven't changed hardly at all and a few like me look older. No matter the age their love of life,fun, and friendship hasn't changed a bit!

If you live anywhere around western Tennessee be careful on the roads. My granddaughter K is now driving!

She is a A-B student taking honor classes but in life she has her blond moments. Sorry Teeny, but I had to say it.

And my granddaughter H (Hoppy) has her first paying job and I now have Santa connections. Hoppy works as a elf. She is earning nine dollars an hour doing something she really enjoys. I am sure most of that money is being spent on clothes. That girl loves clothes!

I am sure her science teacher has something stupid to say about this but I will have a few things to say to him Friday!

Santa William

2011-12-10T21:01:00.000-05:00

Please pause the music in my sidebar before playing...

Tractor Supply sponsored pet adoptions today. You could get your photo with Santa for a donation (or not) to Thunder Paws Animal Rescue. I was elected to take the pics while William got to play Santa. We had lots of fun. If you missed out today and will be in Fayetteville, NC area next Saturday Santa William will be back without his sidekick. I will be enjoying the beautiful mountains of NC and my grands. Next week there will be baby bunnies for sale and Santa William will be happy to keep them and deliver on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Granny Sue's Give Away

2011-12-08T10:02:00.000-05:00

Granny Sue News and Reviews is having a really awesome give away. Go on over and check it out. Don't you think that NC pottery mug should be in my hands filled with tea!!

Christmas Photos

2011-12-07T11:54:00.001-05:00

I am so embarrassed! Please don't show this around the chicken yard.

My mommy says I have been very, very good.

Take all the pictures you want. Just don't wake me up.

Being that I am Dutch do I get a wooden shoe filled with goodies?

Is it Christmas? Is it time to open presents?????

Think Santa would be interested in a handsome goat pulling his sleigh this year?

In The Dog House

2011-12-06T23:11:00.000-05:00

Hillary on the left weighed 78lbs when we got her from Hoke County Animal Shelter. She now weighs 95lbs. Hillary's only bad habit is barking at squirrels, chickens, cats, or any animal outside the goat pen. Nothing should be out of a fence in her opinion. She is a great herder. When the pigs got out and I was trying to get them back in their pen she listened to my commands and got them back in all by herself. Tinker and Bella are in the doghouse at the moment. They found a small hole in the fence behind a goat house and got out.... several times before I found where they were getting out. Being that Hillary was set out and on her own for awhile she doesn't even want to leave the goat pen. Bella, bless her heart follows Tinker out though she really doesn't want to. She goes out and then sits at the gate waiting to be let back in. Now Tinker, well she is a very naughty dog. When she gets out she is running like a mad dog. She goes all over the neighborhood visiting all the dogs and getting them all barking. You go after her and she sees you coming she takes off in the opposite direction. William is out of town this week so I have been the one trying to catch her. Good thing she loves one neighbor and their kids. She goes right to them and they put her on the leash and bring her back. Tonight I just went to that neighbors yard and started petting their dogs. Tinker being very jealous of our petting anyone but her ran straight to me so I was able to catch her and put her on the runner in the goat pen. I found and repaired the hole in the fence but left Tinker on the runner for the night as punishment. And though Bella was a good girl and just went around the fence to the gate she is on a runner too. Want them to understand they belong with the goats not outside the fence unless on a leash. I have 2 pouting dogs at the moment. Will let them off the hook in the morning. All 3 dogs have been barking most of the nights for awhile. Kept going out several times a night and couldn't see anything to cause them to bark. Yesterday I took a radio and put it in the milk stall and put it on a station playing all Christmas music. The dogs didn't bark all night and tonight I haven't heard a peep out of them. Surprisingly the goats haven't cried either. They usually start crying at feeding time to let me know incase I might have forgotten (as if), but with the radio on they haven't cried at all. Guess they think someone is out there with them singing and talking just to them. Whatever they think it sure is nice to have peace and quiet in the goat pen again. And the added bonus is having a baby monitor in the milking stall means I get to listen to the music in the house! Lots of blessings to count today... hope your day was overflowing with them too.

Tis The Season

2011-12-02T21:29:00.000-05:00

But it sure doesn't feel like it. In the 60's during the day and next week is suppose to be in the 70's. It is December for gosh sakes, bring on the wind,cold,ice, and snow! I will be going to the mountains on the 15th to spend the holidays with my daughters and grands. I am so going to enjoy the cold weather while there and hope for snow. Packing my long johns just in case.

Trying to get so many things done between now and then but not marking off very many things the to do list. William is going to be gone next week helping his son in law which will give me some extra time. We seem to start projects that lead us into a different project to do before we can finish the first one. Sure you know what I mean. I am also trying to cook and freeze meals so William won't have to worry about cooking while I am gone though he is a good cook. Rusty still doesn't know he isn't going. He has never spent time away from me since I got him so kinda worried how he will do. If I take him he would have to stay with one of my other daughters when I am at Megan's because she cannot have dogs or cats in her apartment. Plus we will be going to lots of Christmas events and other things that Rusty could not go to. He will be better here though he won't think so. Speaking of Rusty, I have been having a time with him for two days. My diningroom tree is decorated for a winter wonderland with some of my snowman collection under the tree. Rusty keeps going and getting one certain snowgirl and carrying her around and even trying to sleep with her. I keep putting her back and Rusty has beaten me back to the livingroom with her in his mouth. I have told him no. Held the snowgirl and told him no. Even tapped his nose with my finger saying no when I caught him grabbing her. He has always stopped when told no until now. He is in love with a 4 inch stuffed snowgirl.

Cheep Cheep is doing so well. You can tell he is a rooster now. He is growing and getting tail feathers. Cheep is still spoiled. Each time I open the door to feed him and Skate, Cheep hops on my arm and I have to hold him up and cluck to him like a mommy hen. I have to rub his head and tummy. If I don't he stands on my arm and scolds me. He will try to peck me in the face.Just picture me trying to teach William how to cluck and talk to Cheep so he will go back in his house and eat. William said I might get a call that he is having chicken for dinner. Skate likes to be petted but not held so he won't miss me. Cheep is going to have to get use to William being mommy. Life is never boring around here! Off to drink a cup of hot chocolate and count my blessings. Don't forget to count yours!

A Leaf Raking Kinda Day

2011-11-30T00:33:00.002-05:00

Seems like I didn't stop all day but still didn't get anything done. Just one of those days. My friend Gerda came home from the hospital today. We took supper so she wouldn't have to cook and got some of her leaves bagged up. Her neighborhood watch complained about her yard being the only one in the neighborhood not raked. Not one of them or her neighbors volunteered to rake and bag them. She is a elderly lady with lots of medical problems. Her neighborhood is young families with a couple of middle aged families down the street. All able to help a elderly neighbor if they choose. Enough venting

. We got some of the leaves up and will try to finish tomorrow evening. My yard after the heavy rain is thick with leaves. Will get to it one day. Got 2 Christmas trees up. Up as in standing with lights on but that is it. Got some of the boxes of Christmas decorations out. Will go through them and try to downsize even more than I did last year. Really don't need all these decorations. Want to keep it simple. Tried to get all the rabbit cages filled with straw as cold weather is suppose to be here for a few days. Want the bunnies to stay warm. Also got the goat stalls and houses fixed with fresh bedding. Took some pictures so I could list some things on Craigs List and ebay. Hopefully will get to that tonight. Got some laundry done but still have a couple more loads. We finally ate the rest of Thanksgiving leftovers. Well except for the turkey and I put those leftovers in the freezer. Looking forward to having a meal tomorrow without turkey as part of the menu. I am planning on going to my daughters around the 16th so trying to get lots of things done around here. Also make lots of notes for William as he sometimes doesn't remember to do certain things. I will be leaving Rusty home this trip and know he will be sad. Made sure to leave notes on his treats, rides, walks, etc. He doesn't like getting his feet wet or cold. When it rains or snows you have to carry him to a dry spot to potty. Yeah, I know but what can I say. LOL I am sure William will do fine but just want to make sure the animals keep their routine and get lots of love.

The grands are already making plans for me and I am excited to spend time with them and my daughters. As some of you remember my daughters and I try to help a needy family each Christmas. This year we are helping a single mom who lost her job and has a set of 13 year old twins. If anyone would like to send a gift just leave a comment and I will email my daughters address to you. We will be delivering the gifts on Christmas Eve. I will post all about it when I get home but of course won't take any pictures. Don't want to embarrass the family in anyway. When ask what they wanted the mother didn't give a big or expensive list. The son wants pj bottoms (size men med), ankle socks size (men 8-10) anything Carolina Panther. Daughter likes "funky" socks (women 8-10) XL (womens) pj bottoms, VHS movies (sci fi, animal, disney) craft supplies, hair stuff, body spray. Mom didn't ask for anything but could use Verizon prepaid phone card as that is their only phone in home. They have a walmart, kmart, BiLo's, Ingles in their town if anyone wanted to send a gift card. I am taking a box of canned goods along with a gift for each child. We hope to help this family have a wonderful Christmas. That's what Christmas is all about... caring and helping others.

William has plans to go back to Lexington, NC to help his son in law for a few days. My plans are to paint the diningroom while he is gone. Do more decluttering so he won't see what I get rid of. (smile) Do lots of yardwork and pack for my trip. We had Gerda's grandson staying with us for a few days while she was in hospital. He is 18 and has a fulltime job. He would love to stay here all the time but I am just too old. It is hard having a teenager in the house that thinks he is an adult and doesn't need rules. As my dad always said, as long as you are under my roof there will be rules. So tomorrow he will be going out on his own. He doesn't like his grandmother or anyone giving him rules. Will be keeping him in my prayers and hope he becomes the adult he thinks he already is. Learns he will always have rules wherever he goes.

I am enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate, a nice fire in the stove, and the peace and quiet of the household. Late nights are peaceful and relaxing. Gives me time to think and also count my blessings..... have you counted yours today?

Nice Weekend

2011-11-27T19:17:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is over. The guests have gone home. The fall decorations are being taken down and tomorrow Christmas decorations will go up. Had a nice 4 day visit with William's daughter Lisa, her husband and their two sons. William, Lisa and her oldest son W went out at midnight Thanksgiving to shop. The rest of us were smart and stayed home. I went out once on black Friday years ago and will never do that again. I cooked and baked a lot while they were here so we ate way too much. They took us out to Red Robin's last night and we had fun. Now the house is clean, laundry done, we and the animals are all settled down for a nice quiet evening. As much as we enjoyed the company it is nice to get back to our normal. Getting excited as I will be going to the mountains and spending Christmas with my daughters and their families. Have a few weeks before I go and lots of things to get done but can't wait! Hope there is snow while I am there so I can go sledding with the grands and hope to catch a basketball game of Q's. I also hope to be there a day or so before the school's Christmas break to pay a visit to FHS and a certain teacher and then go up the ladder. Hope each of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and have so many blessings you can't count them all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:06:00.000-05:00

From our home to yours wishing you a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Got Your Turkey?

2011-11-23T06:41:00.000-05:00

I am NOT a turkey! I am a pilgrim!

Getting Ready For Turkey Day

2011-11-22T16:32:00.000-05:00

New Faces Around The Homestead

2011-11-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

11 baby chicks

This is Cheep. The chick hatched by a turkey and raised by me. He jumps on my hand everytime I open the door to his and Skates house.

And this is Skate. He came to us from a lady on Craigs List. He was the only one to hatch out of her incubator.

And these are the 8 ducklings. The one I dropped while still in the shell and then hatched under a heat lamp is now with its siblings and momma.

And here are the 3 new goats William purchased in Virgina. Robby the buck

Olivia and Sissy the doelings. They now act like they have lived here forever. They know how to give you nudges for treats and how to stand at the gate and cry at feeding times. They have the most pitiful cries. Sounds like they are so weak from starvation they can hardly cry. Yep, they fit right in with the rest of Hidden Haven Critters.

Not Looking Like Christmas Here

2011-11-20T19:20:00.000-05:00

Though the weather is more like summer things are looking like fall around here. The pumpkins, mums, and cornstalks are showing a little wear from the frosts of last week but still looking good for Thanksgiving. I don't want to overlook a day of celebrating with family and friends all that we have to be thankful for. All too soon it will be time to hang the lights and decorate the trees but for now Hidden Haven is decorated for Thanksgiving.

The mums,cornstalks, and pumpkins came from my friends produce stand... FREE. The other things I already had so fall decorating cost me zero dollars. I did have all the leaves on the ground raked but we had a wind and rain storm that brought lots more down. Hope to get them raked before guests arrive for Thanksgiving dinner but if not I can always say its part of my fall decorations! Have a blessed night everyone.

Demo-Animal Adoption Day at Tractor Supply

2011-11-19T16:11:00.000-05:00

We had a awesome day at Tractor Supply. They invited us to demonstrate our log splitter as well as the use and care of chainsaws and how to put up a electric fence. Had fun and got to chat with Mike and Higgins but wouldn't you know I forgot to take pics! Good seeing you again Mike and hope you bring Higgins for a picture with Santa next month. We had my friend Gerda's grandson and his girlfriend helping us today.

I feel bad I have forgotten the name of the rescue group that had the pets for adoption. They didn't even require a fee! Just fill out a form and sign stating you will have the pet fixed. They have already been vet checked and vaccinated. They go around to the animal shelters in surrounding counties and pick up the animals getting ready to be put down and keep them until they find homes for them. Today almost all the dogs and puppies were adopted. Sorry to say not many of the cats or kittens went to new homes but they will stay with their foster families until they do get adopted.

I was lucky to be inside the store when two puppies were adopted and snapped these pictures.

The puppies and their new family seemed very happy. I also had to sneak a pic of some of the workers at Tractor Supply.

Leasha is the manager giving me a I am going to kill you look and Jess is bending over opening a box. They are setting up the store for the big sale next weekend. Lots of great gift ideas for human and animals!
They are such friendly and helpful people. Love helping at their events. Next month will find William being Santa so pets can have their picture taking with him and me taking pics. Had a wonderful day but now its off to feed my own animals before they come after me! Have a blessed evening everyone.

A Future Judge

2011-11-16T23:19:00.000-05:00

I am the first to agree and understand that teachers are overworked, underpaid, get no respect, and have their hands tied when it comes to disciplining students. But teachers a.re also suppose to lead by example, encourage students, help them work toward their dreams. Alas there is one teacher at Franklin High School in Franklin, NC that has destroyed a students confidence and dream. My granddaughter forgot her work folder in her locker. When this teacher told granddaughter she would not be going on the field trip because she forgot the workbook she understood and accepted this punishment. The field trip was a month away and each and every day until the field trip this teacher would ask if you are one of the students not going on the field trip to raise your hand. Granddaughter raised her hand and said teacher would then tease her in front of the others about having to sit in the library while he and the rest of the class would be having fun on the field trip. Granddaughter said nothing. Just sat there embarrassed. Then this same teacher ask the class what they wanted to do in life. Granddaughter said she wanted to be a judge. This teacher then again loud in front of the other students told her she would never be a judge. That she would never get into to college. That she would be lucky if she could graduate a beauty school. Granddaughter is crushed. She has lost confidence in herself. She no longer dreams of being a judge because she thinks she can't get into college because a teacher who should know told her so. If I didn't live 6 hours away I would be at that school in a heartbeat. I would be talking to the principle, superintendent, and school board about this teacher and then he would get a earfull from me! What I did do was write a letter to the principle and a letter to the newspaper there. Its a small town where everyone knows everyone. I wanted to make sure without naming names what one teacher had done to destroy a students dreams. My heart is breaking for granddaughter. She is a smart young lady. She was a cheerleader and band member for several years until she drop them to have more time for studies. She is part of a prayer group at school. Active in school and church activities as well as working a parttime job. This young lady would bend over backwards to help anyone or keep from hurting anyone's feelings. I just wanted to take this chance to say "Hoppy" I am so very proud of you. You are very smart (though I do tease you about those occasional blonde moments). You can get into college! You can be anything you want to be. Don't give up your dreams. Don't let one bad teacher crush all you have worked and dreamed for. Stand tall and show this teacher he is wrong. Show him that he isn't the smart one. Show him by example of the mature, Christian, well mannered young lady that the rest of us know and see in you. Love you to the moon and back Hoppy and look forward to sitting in a courtroom watching you at work.

Blessings Around The Homestead

2011-11-14T23:47:00.000-05:00

What a busy few days it has been and still is. Making jelly instead of wine and still plenty of grapes to snack on. Making and canning spaghetti sauce with lots of tomatoes still to can. Preparing green beans and canning with another half bushel waiting. Cabbage waiting to be turned into kraut tomorrow. Lots and lots of pumpkins to cook and so many other veggies begging to be prepped and put away for the winter. I am so blessed to have such a sweet friend that gives us so much from the produce stand.

Trying to take care of the veggies and still keep up with things around the homestead has been a little crazy. In the mix of things a hen hatched 11 chicks that we had to catch and put into their own house and pen. Mrs. Black had 4 baby bunnies and needed a bigger warmer place. Lady Shy hatched out 7 ducklings in one of the hens laying boxes and had to be moved so the ducklings wouldn't fall to the ground. While moving her, the ducklings, and her nest I dropped the last egg that hadn't hatched and cracked it. When I picked it up I heard peeping. Brought the egg inside and put under a heat lamp where several hours later it hatched. Kept the duckling inside under the heat lamp overnight so it could stay warm and rest up. Today I took it (Dudley Doright) out to join its mom and siblings. I made sure to rub it all over the other ducklings to get their scent so Lady Shy wouldn't reject it. If that wasn't enough babies I had a baby chick in the house that Tessa the turkey had hatched. She had stolen a egg from Blondie the chicken. Once it hatched Tessa and Blondie would fight over the chick so I just decided to bring it inside. I named him Cheep and he sits on my shoulder and talks to me. William found a baby chick on Craigs List that needed a home. A lady had only hatched one chick out of her incubator and wanted to find a home for it.Cheep now has a buddy named Skate. Skate is a little younger and smaller than Cheep and thinks Cheep is its momma. Cheep loves being the boss and showing Skate how to scratch and "talk" to me. Today I moved them outside to a nice warm house with heatlamp and windows. They can enjoy the outside without having to deal with the changes in temps. Robby, Olivia, and Sissy have settled into their new home really well. Though they are Nubian and larger than Andy and Petro they are sharing a pen with they are all getting along for now. Will have to change things around soon and put one of the guard dogs in that pen. Bella, Tinker and Hillary are getting along so well together I know they will be sad to have one move to another pen but they are guardian dogs and know their job.

Am also working on my Thanksgiving menu. Williams daughter, her husband, 2 sons, my friends Gerda and Christine will be joining us. Will be picking up a big turkey tomorrow but have everything else I need. Looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This fall has been such a blessing! Most falls here in eastern NC aren't very colorful. Leaves usually go from green to brown and just fall off the trees. This year we had the right amount of rain at just the right time and fall colors are breathtaking! Almost like being in the mountains and I have been loving every second.

Life has been hectic and though I am looking forward to winter slow down I am so blessed. Not a single boring day. Not a single thought of wishing life were different. Not a single second of dread of doing daily chores. Just loving life and the many blessings. Yesterday as I was getting the dogs their morning meal I saw the 50lbs of dog food was getting really low. I said a quick prayer telling God I really didn't want to tell William we needed dog food again so soon and ask if he would provide some before we ran out. This morning when we went to our favorite feedstore for chicken feed the manager ask us if we wanted a 50lb of dog food that had gone out of date. Of course we took it and I was saying a thank you prayer with a smile on my face. God always provides. May not be what or when I think it should be but he always provides. Don't forget to count your blessings!

Mary

2011-11-09T18:31:00.000-05:00

Mary stopped by my blog a few days ago and I am so glad she did! I paid a visit to her blog and found wonderful recipes. She has a couple for eggplant I am going to try since I seem to always have way too many of these but she also shared a vinegar chicken recipe with a fancy name. This is so easy yet so yummy! We had it for dinner tonight and I will be making this dish again and again. Thank you Mary and now I am off to make your oatmeal cookies!

Today I have produce everywhere. I have a bushel of green beans to can, a bushel of cabbage, over a bushel of muscadine grapes to make jelly and try for the first time to make wine. Lots of lettuce,oranges, lemons, cucumbers,and tomatoes as well as lots and lots of veggies for the animals. I will be working in the kitchen late tonight and most of tomorrow but I am so blessed to have a friend who gives us so much produce. I have pics of the new goats and will try to post them tomorrow. Hope you are having a blessed day... now go over and say hi to Mary and try some of her wonderful recipes!

Time Change

2011-11-08T01:13:00.000-05:00

These pictures are from a few years ago but they still apply today. All the animals are crying to be fed on the old time. It always takes about a week to get them adjusted but until then it sure is noisy around here!

Breakfast was sausage, eggs, homemade hashbrowns, toast, and tea, juice
Lunch was leftover veggie beef soup, crackers, and grill cheese and tomato sandwich, ice water
Dinner was simple: hotdogs with chili and cole slaw, chips, and ice water
snack was sliced apples with peanut butter and homemade lemonade. We worked outside till dark so supper was a quick fix. Still 3 hot meals on a frugal budget.

What a Day

2011-11-05T16:04:00.001-04:00

William is out of town helping his son in law with a emergency roofing job. I have the whole weekend to myself except for taking care of the animals. They must of read my mind on the things I wanted to do with my alone time and made other plans. In the middle of the night I hear the dogs barking like crazy. Not just barking at the wind or the neighbors but really barking like something is wrong. Go out to find the pigs have pushed open their gate and got out. With the help of Bella, Tinker, and Hillary I got them back in and secure (I hope). This morning I have to hook Andy on a runner so I can bring Buttons from the other pen to milk. She is in season and we don't want Andy breeding her. Well I get her in the milk stall and Andy is standing on his hind legs crying and jumping cause he can smell Buttons. Tinker and Hillary think Andy is wanting to hurt Buttons and take off after him. Before I can get out of the milk stall one of them has bit his ear. I get him cleaned up and moved to another pen, after a couple phone calls with William on what to do. Get rest of feeding chores done and come inside. Think it is the perfect day (cold and windy) to stay inside and finish painting the bathroom. All I need to do is a little touch up on the walls and paint the trim and baseboards. Simple huh? Not if you are having my day its not. I thought I would save myself a little time. Instead of pouring the trim paint into a container to hold while I paint I figured I could just hold the paint can while standing on a stool painting over my head.

I now have the cleanest bathroom floor in town! I scrubbed and cleaned on my hands and knees for almost an hour. Then I went ahead and mopped and polished the floor too.
The bathroom is very small so a few years ago we had the tub removed and put in a corner shower. Also had the toilet turned from facing toward the sink to the door to give more room. The walls were white beadboard with red and beige checked wall paper at the top with country angel boarder. I collect country angels and bathroom signs. This time I painted the walls a primitive yellow. Kept the white trim and baseboards, along with the wallpaper and boarder. Moved my angels and signs around. Even took some down so it wouldn't be too cluttered. My tiny little primitive bathroom is finally done.

Didn't show all this wall as its hard to get it in the picture. There are more signs and angels hanging.

The window is up pretty high from the ground so only have a curtain on bottom half to help make it light and airy.

The sink is a antique washstand I got at a auction years ago. It has worked great for the past few years and I love it.

You can see a part of the shower in this pic. Told you it was a tiny bathroom.

And though there is a rug down the floor is all cleaned with no paint! Now on to painting the diningroom!

Yesterday's menu:
Breakfast: bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and tea
Lunch: homemade veggie soup and grill cheese and ice water
Supper: William was gone so I had another bowl of soup and a tomato sandwich with a cup of hot tea

Today
Breakfast: just me so a bowl of oatmeal and raisin toast
Lunch: just me again so another bowl of soup and cheese toast, ice water
Supper I am going to warm up leftover veggies from the fridge. It's nice having a break from cooking.
All the veggies were free from my friends produce. Bread is from the racks of bread we get each week for $5.After we pick out the bread we want there is enough bread to fill 3 30 gallon trash cans we use to keep animal feed in to crumble and give to the animals with their feed all week. The bacon was purchased and frozen 3 months ago. Purchased it when there was a good sale. And biscuits made from scratch. So not much cost at all in these meals.

Just Another Day On The Homestead

2011-11-03T00:01:00.001-04:00

Bathroom is almost finished. Just have to paint the trim. William was out of town last night and today. He went to Virginia to pick up 2 doelings and a buckling. There was a few heated discussions over getting more goats as I just feel we are getting too old to handle more than 3 or 4 but they arrived tonight and are beautiful. They also won my heart by snuggling right up to me before they were even unloaded. I am a pushover when a animal looks at me with their beautiful eyes. I spent the day cleaning the house and back porch inbetween feeding and milking. Kuma opened her pen and came on the back porch. I let her stay while I cleaned out there before giving her a treat and taking her back to her pen. Tramp was very sad and loud until she went back. He is very attached to her.

Today is my son in law Brannon's birthday. Happy Birthday son! I am very blessed to have such a fun, sweet, caring guy who is a wonderful husband to my daughter and a fantastic dad to my granddaughters. He and I don't care for Elvis songs, movies, etc so each Christmas we always give each other something Elvis as a gift. We always try to outdo each other on tacky. We also love scary movies and text each other several times a day with movie talk. He has a huge collection of the old scary movies so we also do a little movie trivia.

With William gone today's menu was simple. Breakfast ( didn't get to eat until 10am) was oatmeal with dried cranberries and pecans, raisin toast with apple butter, and hot chocolate. Oatmeal was purchased a couple months ago in bulk as I use it in baking and love hot cereal. Cranberries came from produce given us a few weeks ago that I dehydrated. Pecans are from some I gathered from a friends tree last year. Apple butter I made last year from apples given to us by friend with produce stand. Hot chocolate made from goat milk and Hersey cocoa that I always have in the pantry. I buy the biggest container and it lasts for months.

No lunch since I ate breakfast so late but I always carry a glass of ice water around with me most of the day. That keeps me feeling full.

William made it home for a late supper. I made something quick and easy... hotdogs. Bought package of beef franks on sale for 88cents (bought 5 packages) buns are from the racks of bread we bought at the bread store for $5. Homemade chili from leftover ground beef from last night. leftover coleslaw from last night and homemade fries with homemade ketchup. To drink we had homemade lemonade with lemons from the free produce.

Since today was spent inside I plan on spending tomorrow raking and cleaning pens before vaccinating and worming the animals. It is suppose to be raining and cool tomorrow night and Friday so I want to put fresh bedding down for everyone too. Will take some pics of the new goat family to share with you. Just enjoying counting my blessings of the day and hope you are too!

Grocery Shopping

2011-11-01T23:44:00.000-04:00

I have been asked to post about how we live on a small grocery bill each month. There is only my husband and I though I do fix meals for anyone that is working with William each day. I will try to post my menus each day this month so you can get a better idea.
Grocery shopping was quick this month. My friend gave us lots of produce for us and the animals yesterday. I didn't have to buy veggies or fruit except potatoes. Our potatoes didn't do well in the drought this year. The produce market won't close until Dec 31st so we won't have to purchase much until the first of the year plus I have lots of canned and frozen veggies from the garden. I also had plenty of ground beef and chicken left in the freezer from last months shopping trip so only had to purchase a few meats. After all was said and done I only spent $132.18 for this months groceries! Well except the turkey for Thanksgiving. I don't know how many if anyone will be here for dinner so am waiting so I will know what size turkey I need. It also includes paper,personal,and cleaning items as well as catfood. We have 3 meals a day most days though there are some days things happen and we have a really late breakfast and just have two meals on those days. Breakfast is usually juice, eggs, sausage, with grits or gravy, toast or biscuits. Lunch is usually soup(homemade) of some kind, homemade lemonade or tea and a sandwich. Dinner is a meat and at least two veggies and bread. Most everything is made from scratch because its cheaper, tastes better, and healthier. We both are guilty of grabbing a snack in the afternoon or evening when we sit down at the computer desk. There is always fruit, ice cream, homemade cookies or muffins. We really need to cut back on the snacks! I always keep a pad on the side of the fridge so I can work on my grocery list all month as I run out of something. I try very hard to purchase only what is on my list but if I happen to see a special sale on meats or something we use then I will go ahead and purchase extras. I don't use coupons because I find they are mostly for mixes, prepared foods, or brands I don't use. Some things that work for one family may not work for another. I am blessed to have a friend that can get us lots of fresh produce and that I have veggie and herb gardens. I also am blessed to have chickens that supply us with fresh eggs and goats that give us milk for drinking, making soaps and cheeses. This saves us lots of money. Today's menu:
Breakfast: biscuits and gravy, juice, hot herbal tea (flour for biscuits and gravy is Pillsbury Self rising ($2.24 5lb bag) I don't use a lot of self rising so only buy in 5lb bags. juice made from oranges given us with other produce, milk from goats used in gravy and tea is made from herbs I grew and dried.

Lunch: homemade chicken soup, grill cheese, crackers, ice water I buy a bag of chicken leg and thighs and divide and freeze when I get home. I get enough for 6 meals. Used one leg and thigh to make a small pot of chicken soup for lunch. used carrots, celery, and onions from produce given us. cheese made from goats milk. Crackers from a box of saltines I purchased last month for 1.18. We get racks of bread ($5 each) each week to crumble up and feed the animals. I take some loaves of wheat bread, buns, rye bread, and raisin bread from the racks for our use. The bread for the grill cheese came from that.

Dinner: sweet potatoes,white potatoes,turnips,baked in chicken broth, stuffed bell peppers, cole slaw, sliced tomato and cucumbers, green tea All the veggies of course came from the produce given us by our friend. The ground beef was from a 10lb package I bought last month. I divided it into one pound packages to get 10 meals.(I paid 6.98 for the package) Used home canned sauce over stuffed peppers. Green tea I bought in the spring online from a bulk place. Don't remember the price but will check and see. I do know it had to be very inexpensive for me to purchase it online.

For snack this evening I had celery with pimento cheese and ice water. Celery from the given produce. Pimento cheese was purchased today. (usually make my own but this was on sale) a pound container of locally made pimento cheese for 4.14.

Hope this gives you a clearer view of how our grocery bill is so low each month. I plan on spending $150 each month but most months spend less. I like to see how much I can get for the least amount. We never go hungry and if something were to happen we have enough in pantry and freezers to feed us for up to 6 months. I always rotate and replace items so we won't be left without if there ever was a emergency. I think the real key is cooking from scratch as premade, mixes, fast foods are a lot more expensive. I try to fix several dishes when I have the oven or stove on to save on electricity. I also use our woodstove in the winter to cook on since it always has a fire in it keeping our home warm. Frugal doesn't mean doing without. If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment and I will try my best to answer them. Don't forget to count those blessings!!

Hillary

2011-10-26T18:20:00.000-04:00

Bathroom not finished yet as I have a stomach bug. Will leave you with a picture of Hillary, William, Tinker, and Bella. Hillary has fit right in like she has lived here forever. Tinker and Bella have accepted her as part of the family though Buttons the goat is still waiting to make up her mind.

Hillary and Bella were smiling but Tinker was pouting because she was told to sit when she wanted to be licking William in the face.

What I Am Up To

2011-10-25T08:02:00.001-04:00

The daytime hours still have me feeding and caring for the animals, their pens, cages, etc along with helping William with his many projects. The nighttime has me enjoying a project! Remember my tiny little bathroom?
These are the before pics. After I finish painting will post the new look.

Well I am painting and changing things around. I love my vintage bathroom signs and I love my country angels but have decided to move them around into a different display. Love my new paint color and can't wait to show you the finished project... hopefully tonight. It may be a tiny bathroom but there is so much trim and hard to get to places to paint. Stayed tuned!

What a Day

2011-10-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

Lots of hayride were given

And lots of kids and animals came to enter the costume contest. We didn't enter Rusty or Petro since we were helping with the day's activities but they each got a ribbon for dressing up.

We had a fun day but boy am I tired. William did the hayride and I took pictures of the costume contestants and got to pet all the animals and help the kids color pumpkins to decorate the store windows. Thank you everyone at Tractor Supply for letting us be part of your big day!

Hayride and Costume Contest Today

2011-10-22T11:03:00.000-04:00

At Tractor Supply in Fayetteville, NC. Noon till 5pm. Come by and say hi to Rusty the cowboy and take a free hayride. Tractor Supply is also having a costume contest for children and animals. The winners get a $25 gift certificate. Come on out, love to see you!

Hillary

2011-10-20T01:19:00.000-04:00

Well I guess it's safe to say Hillary decided to make it official and adopt us. When we went to the animal shelter to meet her Hillary came right up and started snuggling and wagging her tail. When we walked out to the truck she hopped right in and sat down like it was a everyday thing. She sat in my lap all the way home with her head hanging out the window. This is no small dog but it was worth it to see her so happy. She is all settled in and seems to love the homestead and its crazy mixture of family members. Or else that smile that has stayed on her face since arriving here is really laughter at her new weird family. More photos and stories to come. You can see she is under weight and needs lots of TLC but she is smiling now and we will get the weight on her quickly.

Did You Know?

2011-10-17T23:07:00.000-04:00

Did you know you can make your own washing soda? Lots of my blog friends make their own laundry detergent and have problems finding washing soda. Well now you can make your own!

Did you know I absolutely love oven roasted tomatoes? Did you know they are very easy to make? Did you know they are more addictive than chocolate? You should really try this recipe!

Did you know I have about 200 cloves of garlic to plant? Did you know fall is the time to plant? Did you know its easy to grow garlic and you will always have plenty of garlic handy when needed?

Did you know we are getting another Great Pyrenees? I met a lady at our yardsale Saturday that works for Hoke County Animal Shelter. They have a older female Great Pyrenees that they have tried to find a home without any luck. She was to be euthanize tomorrow but will be coming to live at Hidden Haven. Her name is Hilliary and she is around 8 years old. Her owners used her for breeding and she never got a break between having puppies. She is worn out and feeling abandoned. She loves people, children, other dogs, cats, and most all animals. She loves going on walks and being petted. I hope she loves it here and thinks of it as her forever home. The extra special bonus is the adoption fee ($90) is being waived. She will be spayed, given all her shots, and microchip before we pick her up tomorrow. I am so glad she isn't going to be put down and I am hoping she will be glad to be part of the Hidden Haven family. Also hope we are able to put a little weight on her.

Did you know that my grandson Q played his football game with a broken wrist, broken growing plate, broken thumb, and damaged tendons? No one knows how he was able to continue playing like that but he sure must have a high pain tolerance. He has a nice red cast from his thumb all the way to his elbow and will be off the field for awhile.

Did you know I didn't get enough stress from having the yardsale over the weekend that I have agreed to have another one with a neighbor in two weeks? I am so crazy!

Did you know there is a chance of snow later this week in the mountains of NC?? And I won't be there? Grands have promised pictures if it does snow. Kinda early for snow but I am hoping it means a cold, icy, snowy, windy, winter this year. Hey, I can hope can't I?

Did you know my friend Lisa is facing the challenge of cancer? She is sharing her journey with us. All the ups and downs. She is such a blessing to everyone. Won't you stop by her blog for a visit and tell her Peggy sent you.

Did you know it is late but I have tomatoes to can and laundry to fold and put away? Well I do so goodnight my friends. I am off to count all the wonderful blessings of the day. Don't forget to count yours!!

Yardsale, Broken Bone, and Birthday

2011-10-15T00:52:00.000-04:00

I have spent the past week gathering things up for a yardsale. My friend Gerda and I will have the yardsale at her home tomorrow. Today was spent pricing, loading, driving, unloading, and setting up all the ~~junk~~ items I had gathered. That evidently wasn't enough for me as I came home and baked spiced pumpkin muffins, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate chip/pecan bars. I wrapped them up nice and pretty and will have them for sale just incase anyone is hungry while looking at all the stuff this crazy lady is trying to get rid of. With all the stuff I have for sale you would think the house would be less cluttered. Guess I need a few more yardsales to get it looking clutter free.

My grandson Q broke his wrist last night playing football. Being the guy he is he never said a word to anyone until the game was over. He played the whole game and didn't want to be taken out because of injury. His wrist took a hit from a player on the other sides face mask. He has to see a orthopedic Monday but hoping he doesn't have to have surgery. His mom says he was having a lot of pain today. I imagine playing with a broken wrist has caused some of that.

My granddaughter H had a birthday a couple days ago. She turned 15! It is hard to believe she is no longer the little girl that wanted to be held and rocked all the time. And wanted grandma to give her some "ike" cream.

Happy 15th Birthday "Hoppy"

H all dressed up with her brother W

H is a beautiful young lady with a crazy sense of humor, a big dimple smile, big brown eyes that sparkle, and a heart of gold. She will be the first to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, kind words, and big hugs. She is so understanding with things friends and family members are going through. She is not embarrassed to hang out with her parents or grandparents. Thinks its cool. She is smart and talented though she does have her blonde moments that crack me up. Doing great in school and until this year was a band member and cheerleader. Loves going to church and church activities. Love you so much "Hoppy" and hope this year bring lots of wonderful blessings each and every day.

Now I need to get into bed so I can get up in a couple of hours to feed and water all the animals before starting the yardsale. Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to count those blessings!!!

Where Is Fall

2011-10-08T23:34:00.000-04:00

What happened to fall? It has warmed back up so no fire in the stove, no hot chocolate to warm me up, no jacket for early morning chores. I was so enjoying fall weather while dreaming of winter. My two pumpkins I have by the back steps are not handling the heat so will be cut up for the goats and pigs to eat. Guess I will just use my fake ones until cool weather comes back.

Got the outside decorated for fall and a little bit inside. Did a little yardsaling this morning and found a few goodies. Am also getting things together for a yardsale with my friend Gerda next week. Have a lot of stuff around here that needs a new home.

Also getting things ready for Costume Day at Tractor Supply on the 22nd. Thanks to everyone for the awesome ideas but have decided to go with Mildred's and have Rusty go as a cowboy and Petro as a indian. Rusty will be wearing Mildred's little cutie Harriet's cowboy hat.Rusty has a crush on Harriet. Have a shirt and bandanna for Rusty and a headband with feather for Petro along with a little bag for his back carrying a bow and arrows. If you are in the Fayetteville area on the 22nd stop by Tractor Supply on Raeford Road (Hwy 401) between noon and 5PM. There is a costume contest for kids and animals with a $25 gift certificate as a prize for the cutest. William and I will be giving hayrides during that time so would love to see you there.

Honey Bunny had 4 babies yesterday. She is the bunny that was temporary paralyzed. She got all better after a couple of days of that and a week later had 4 fat, healthy, cute babies. We are always blessed to have a bunny with babies when another one has and rejects her liter. Today Sweet Bun had 4 babies and would not nurse or have anything to do with them. I kept trying to put them on her teats so they could nurse but she would kick them away and not even make a nest for them. I took them this afternoon and rubbed them all over Honey Bunny and then rubbed them with Honey Bunny's babies before putting them in her nest. She hopped right over to the nest and let them nurse. Have checked on them every couple hours and all babies are doing fine. Honey Bunny seems to be happy with 8 babies and Sweet Bun seems happy to not be a mom. Sometimes that happens with the first liter. Will try her again in a few months and see if she does better. If not will sell her as a pet for someone since she loves to be held and petted. Will be breeding some of the other rabbits this week so babies will be ready for new homes at Christmas. We usually spend Christmas Eve delivering baby bunnies and have even delivered a couple on Christmas Day. Lots of calls and coordination goes into getting bunnies under the tree at just the right time.Love it!

Have a great pumpkin muffin recipe for you! Very, very simple. Just get a box of spice cake mix and a small can of pureed pumpkin. Mix together and pour into greased or papered muffin tins. Will be thick but only fill half full. Makes alot unless you use the huge muffin tins. They are delicious!!

Just a normal weekend around the homestead. Enjoying all the many blessings and hope you are too!

Help

2011-10-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

We are going to be helping our local Tractor Supply store with a Halloween event on the 22nd. There will be a contest for the best costume for animals and best costume for children. We will be giving the kids a hayride throughout the day. I need to come up with costume ideas for Rusty and Petro. Last year Rusty was a witch but this year I would like to have a theme for both of them. So put on your thinking cap. Leave a comment with your best idea. Don't make it too elaborate as I am not a good sewer. In case you don't know which is which; Rusty is the dog and Petro is the goat though they both think they are children.

More Wedding Photos

2011-10-03T19:36:00.000-04:00

Sorry they aren't in order. Blogger is being mean to me, but wanted to share a few more photos of Melissa's wedding. I am very blessed to have such a beautiful,educated, and very outspoken political lady for a stepdaughter! Betsy they are honeymooning over your way in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Wedding Bells

2011-10-02T18:45:00.001-04:00

While I was holding down the homestead this weekend William was in Indiana. His daughter Melissa was married yesterday, She and Jai had a beautiful outdoor wedding (where her mother officiated) before heading inside for a delicious dinner reception. And then the very special moment that made a dad very proud, the dance with dad. ( going have to fuss at him for taking his jacket off LOL)

. William didn't know this was going to happen and believe me when I say it was a hard secret to keep. I was so excited for him you would of thought I was going to be the one dancing. Congratulations Melissa and Jai! Thank you for the sweet message Melissa. Viewing all the photos made me feel a part of your special day.

What More Do I Need

2011-10-01T23:12:00.000-04:00

A nice warm fire

Hot tea kettles

Chamomile tea with milk and honey

A good mystery and a quilt to snuggle under

The makings of a perfect evening and a little taste of heaven. Don't forget to count and enjoy your blessings!

This n That

2011-09-30T19:35:00.000-04:00

For those that have asked, Petro (the buckling) is doing wonderfully. His eyesight is back to normal. He is eating, drinking, getting into as much trouble as possible so can safely say he is over the poisoning. Baby (turkey that thinks she is a dog) still has a little sniffle. She is back to eating, chasing chickens, drinking from the garden hose and all her other strange habits. I still have the heat lamp on for her and had to go out in the rain storm today to make sure she was in out of the rain (she was). I am still giving her antibiotics but no longer have to wipe her runny nose. I was asked if she was going to be Thanksgiving dinner.... NO. Well she might be invited to Thanksgiving dinner but only as a guest. Fred and Tessa our bourbon red turkey are not going to be eaten either. I am a big softy and just can't eat my animal family. Except Porkchop and Dotty. Those pigs were raised to be put in the freezer so I didn't get attached. At the moment I have a bunny that has a hurt back and a chick with a deformed leg that most people would just put down that I am caring for. If they have the desire to live then I feel the need to help as much as I can. Tiny Tim hatched from her shell not able to stand because her foot was turned up against her thigh. We tried making a brace, taping, etc but she wouldn't let anything stay on and peck and fight till she got it off. And except for hopping around on one foot she is a normal little chicken. She has her own pen and scolds me when I go out to feed until I feed her. She loves attention. Honey Bunny hurt her back somehow and could barely move her hind legs for a couple of days. Moved her to a smaller cage with nice soft bedding and lots of treats and she is now almost back to her normal self. A few more days and she will go back to her regular cage. Sometimes no matter how hard you try a member of your animal family dies. But then there are the times when both you and the animal seem to do just the right thing and they live. Those times are what gets you through all the other. I am very blessed. Don't forget to count your blessings... even those little ones!

Thanks To Facebook

2011-09-27T11:34:00.000-04:00

My bed was late getting made. My laundry was late getting folded. My dishes were late getting done. My floors were late getting swept and mopped. All my normal morning indoor chores were put on hold for just a little while. Thanks to facebook I was able to message with my grandson Q. He is home with a viral infection. He can't talk above a whisper but he could type. We caught up on each others news and football. We talked about family and the farm. It wasn't a deep discussion, but it was a chance to just "talk" without interruptions or in a rush to be somewhere. Just Q and I chatting like we use to do in the little cabin. Sure miss having grands around to talk and laugh with in person. But thank you facebook for giving me a way to stay in touch with my grands. Makes me feel like I am still a part of their lives. Get well soon BBF Q!

Bring It On Mother Nature!

2011-09-24T21:51:00.002-04:00

Stove and chimney cleaned and ready. Wood is cut, split, and stacked. All that cold, icy, windy, snowy weather that you have kept from me for years bring it.... I am so ready for you! I know its wishful thinking but I sure would love to have a cold, snowy winter this year without having to move north to get it. Hopefully it will at least be cold enough to keep a fire in the stove and the kettle hot for tea.

Had a rough couple of days with Petro. Actually thought he wouldn't make it through one night but he is well and back to mischief. We have made a pet out of him and let him follow us around while we work outside. While splitting wood the other day he played around the stacks of wood and nibbled on fallen leaves. He also found a dogwood branch that had fallen and ate some dogwood berries before we could get to him . Got most of them out of his mouth and thought he would be okay. The next morning when I went out to feed I found him hiding behind a tree weak and blind. We put him in a dog kennel on the back porch and I started doctoring him. Made a mixture of: 1 pint of water, 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp. of baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp. molasses, 1 TBS epsom salts. Gave him a couple ounces every hour and inbetween gave him warm sugar water to drink to help flush the poison out. That night he got really bad and couldn't even stand. I brought him into the house and made a bed on the living room floor and stayed with him all night. He was calm as long as someone was with him. The next morning after more of the concoction and warm sugar water he was standing and passing gas. Really, really, bad and loud gas for a long time. The rest of that day he ate a little hay drank more warm sugar water. (He wouldn't drink pedilyte however you spell it that I usually give goats that need nourishment but can't eat ) By that evening he was seeing just a little bit and walking around the back porch. The next morning he was crying for his bottle and following me everywhere leaving little pellet trails and peeing everywhere. He is now back in the pen and acting like nothing was ever wrong. He gave me a few more gray hairs and now has to be watched like a hawk when he is out of his pen but back to his mischief making and being spoiled. The photo above is a couple months old as he is now 3 months old and lots bigger. I couldn't find a recent one in my files.

Now I am doctoring Baby (the turkey that thinks she is a dog). She didn't get in out of the rain the other night and now has the sniffles. She now has a heat lamp and a warm place to sleep where the other turkeys can't bother her. I went out today to clean her nose (nostrils on her beak) and found somehow she had gotten them full of dirt and even small pieces of feathers. Took me about 10 minutes to clean her nose. She was running around eating everything in sight after that so guess she was happy she could breathe better. When I went out right before dark to check on her she held her head up while I checked and wiped her nose. She is such a spoiled thing!

As always, its never boring around the homestead. Don't forget to count your blessings! Even the tiny ones.

Q Learns a Lesson

2011-09-21T19:14:00.000-04:00

As I have bragged before my grandson Q plays football.( number 28)

He is even a captain of MMS Panthers.

He lives and breathes football. He is so into football that he has been letting his school work slide a little. My daughter Megan told Q that if he didn't catch up his school work and stop getting into trouble from not having his homework she was going to go spend the day with him at school. Q laughed it off thinking his mom would never do anything like that. Megan let it go for a week and he still hadn't caught up on all his school work. Being the mom that she is she took the day off work (she works in a very busy doctors office so it wasn't easy) and went to school. She went by the office to let them know what she would be doing and then opened the door of Q's first class. She told the teacher she was Q's mom and was there to hang out with him all day. From what I was told Q was wanting the floor to open and swallow him up. After class he told his mom to go home but she told him he was there for the day. She went to every class. Guess you know Q got all his work caught up and has been doing his homework every evening with no more problems. Teachers, Coaches, and Megan are happy. Q is just making sure she doesn't have reason to embarrass him like that again. He now knows when mom says something she means it. I just love it! Megan was my wild child growing up. The one that challenged me the most and I just love that she is now dealing with things from a mom's point of view (and doing a great job I might add). Wild Child, I am very proud of you. You rock!

A Little Squirrelly Around Here

2011-09-20T23:04:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was carrying some things into the house and pushed the screen door to the back porch to stay open. Of course I forgot to close it. Later I went out on the back porch to get something and scared a squirrel that was stealing sunflower seeds from the bag I had opened to fill birdfeeders. Well Mr. Squirrel just couldn't run back out the open screen door. No, he had to run into the house! He ran all around the kitchen knocking things off counters with Rusty all excited right behind him barking. He then ran down the hall into the guest room where he decided to hide behind a speaker.

I tried, really I did to get him to come out from behind there and go back outside. He wouldn't budge. So I left him there until William got home a couple hours later. I closed all the doors to other rooms and left the back door open. William moved the speaker and shooed him out of the room. Mr. Squirrel ran down the hall past the open back door to freedom and straight between my feet. I screamed like a girl while jumping up on the counter out of the way. William was busy laughing but thank goodness Rusty came to the rescue and went over to sniff Mr. Squirrel and scared him out the door. He still didn't go out the open screen door but hid under the parakeet cage.

Finally after having a crazy lady take a picture of him he ran out the screen door, up on the banister and straight up the oak tree. He didn't stop until he was several trees away. I have a feeling he won't be trying to steal anymore of my sunflower seeds. Or at least for a long while. Like I always say.. it's never boring around the homestead! Don't forget to count those blessings... even the squirrelly ones.

Fall Preview

2011-09-17T20:04:00.000-04:00

Mother Nature has given us a little preview of what her fall is going to be like. This weekend has been wonderful! Rainy and chilly Friday and Friday night. Today was a little rainy this morning but windy and chilly the rest of the day. Not quite cool enough for a fire but cool enough to light the oil lamps and enjoy cups of hot chocolate and hot tea in the evening while reading the many books that have waited all summer for me to pick up. Tonight as I sit here with oil lamps burning in each room there is a sense of peace settled over the homestead. The goats are all snuggled down in their straw bedding. The chickens are snuggled together on their roosting poles. The turkey are having happy dreams. The rabbits are sleeping peacefully in their beds. The ducks and geese are quietly walking around their pens. The pigs are snoring as Bella and Tinker lay quietly while guarding the homestead. Everyone and everything at Hidden Haven have enjoyed this preview and look forward to welcoming fall with open arms when it arrives to stay. Don't forget to count your blessings!

Happy Days Are Here Again!

2011-09-14T23:46:00.000-04:00

Buttons, Hayley, Blackie, Precious, Gerda, and Little D are very happy (and so am I). The last 19 goats I have been taking care of since December have gone to a new home!! My girls have their home back and seem to be very relaxed and content. Feeding this afternoon was fantastic! No shoving,stepping on feet, head butting or any other bad manner act. The girls each went to their own feeder and took their time savoring each bite. Usually its like going into a boxing ring trying to feed grain. Did I tell you the girls and I are very happy??? As for the boys pen, Andy and Petro have it all to themselves. Trouble, Cotton, Cotton Jr, Oreo, Thor, and Mini Me went with the others to their new home. After tomorrow when Susie and her piglets go to their new home things will be back to a nice, happy, normal around here. Feedings will be easier and quicker and my sweeties can get lots more loving. Poor Bella and Tinker aren't sure what happened to all the goats they have been guarding but seem very happy to have Hillary and Snowball gone. Those two always rammed Bella and Tinker when they weren't looking. Knocking the breath out of them. Yep, things are happy and content around the homestead. Now if we could just do something about those dang acorns! Don't forget to count those blessings... no matter how small.

A Lot To Say About Nothing

2011-09-14T00:50:00.000-04:00

Been kinda a slow day around the homestead. After morning feeding I went ahead and cleaned the ducks and geese swimming pools and refilled them. Bonnie and Clyde (the geese) took a nap while I did theirs but both duck pens were so excited they were splashing and bathing before their pools were even half full. They were so funny to watch. I raked the bucks pen and gave them fresh bedding. Just like most boys, they could care less on having a clean place to sleep and play. They were busy sniffing the girls on the other side of the fence. I cleaned out the rabbit cages and raked the poop and put it on the mulch pile. Tomorrow I will rake all the chicken pens and give them fresh straw in the laying boxes. All the animals seem to be enjoying the little bit of cooler weather we have been having. Bet they are really going to get frisky Friday when we don't get out of the 60's all day! Fall is right around the corner. I can smell it coming! I got some more of the fall outdoor decorations up today. Didn't realize I had so many. Am hoping to finish painting the kitchen ceiling tomorrow and start painting the dining room this weekend. As I have gotten older my arms give out faster and I don't seem to get as much done in a day. I worked a little on putting the herb garden to bed for the winter. I still have a few more to cut and dry. This years herb garden was great. It's my little get away garden. I can just go sit in the glider and enjoy the sights and smells, read a book, day dream, or just enjoy a glass of tea while watching the hummingbirds fly about. I already have plans for adding more herbs next year. We have been working on the wood piles. Time to get firewood cut and split for winter. Daddy always said firewood warms you twice. Once when you cut and stack and then again when you burn it. I am looking forward to a nice cold winter so I can keep that woodstove going. Love keeping the tea kettle singing on the top so I can always have hot water for a nice cuppa tea. Oh cold weather I am so ready to welcome you! Right now it is the beginning of hard hat season here on the homestead. With all our oak trees the acorns are starting to fall. We have a canopy of oaks over most of the property so that is alot of acorns. When we are doing outside chores and hear each other say ouch or *^# we know they just got hit with a acorn. LOL The pigs and goats will be standing still and all of a sudden jump and run. You know they just got hit with an acorn. Same with the chickens, geese, and ducks. They jump, squawk, and run. Those little acorns carry a mighty big pain when they hit.Along with those acorns come the leaves. Raking leaves is a never ending chore around here. It never gets completely done until its time to start again. But I don't mind cause it means cold weather is near. The homestead is all settled down for the night. The only sounds are the crickets and the call of a hoot owl . Love the peaceful feeling of knowing the animals are all safely tucked in for the night and the house is all quiet. I can actually hear myself think and that is scary! Time to count my blessings instead of sheep! Have a good night and don't forget to count your blessings!

Happy Birthday Grandson Q!

2011-09-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

Happy 14th Q!!! Wish I could have been there for your pool party but know you had a awesome time. It is hard to believe you are 14 years old. Seems like only yesterday you were to small to open the back door here to go outside to play. Remember all the sticks you collected and put in the bike shed? You didn't want me to throw them away because they were your horses, guns, and other important things at the time. I love that I got to be the one to teach you how to ride a bike. I love that I got to help make some of your childhood memories as you have made many memories for me to cherish. I miss our curling up on the couch under blankets watching old VHS movies and eating candy corn. I miss cheering at your ballgames and being there to see you score a touchdown or stop one with a tackle. I am so proud you are one of the team captains for MMS Panthers this year. I was so happy you called to tell me about your first game winning 44 to 14. Even enjoyed laughing with you over your pants falling down while you kept running for a first down. You are a true football player! I am so proud of all the things you have overcame and accomplished in the past years. You are no longer the little boy that didn't want me throwing anything away because it was all your memories I would be getting rid of. You have grown into a handsome, young, kind, and caring young man with lots of wonderful memories behind those beautiful blue eyes. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life and for sharing some of the highlights by your phone calls. Love you Q and you will always be my BBF. (Best Bud Forever)

What a Difference a Day Makes

2011-09-07T13:56:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was the day from hell. Everything that could go wrong did and on top of that we had heavy rain off and on along with tornado warnings till 9PM. William left Monday night taking the grandsons back home and to work with his son in law again for a few days. I woke up at 5am but it was still too dark for morning chores so checked out blogs and facebook. Went out at 6:30 and it was still dark (come on time change) but could see enough to start feeding. While feeding Tramp and Kuma a ~~dumb~~ confused rooster flew into Polly's pen from his roosting spot instead of into his pen.He didn't roost in the house but on the fence and got confused which way to go I guess. Anyway before I could get to him Polly was trying to have rooster for breakfast. She is the dog someone set out on us a couple years ago. She is also the one that will kill a cat or chicken in an instant. Didn't want to turn her into the animal shelter as they would put her down. She is a beautiful yellow lab around 3 years old that loves everyone especially children and is real gentle. I have tried listing her on Craigs List and asking around but no one wants a cat/chicken killing dog. Think I am going to have to go ahead and call the animal shelter. Anyhooo after getting the dead rooster out of her pen I went on to feed Tinker and Bella to find that Andy had made a hole in the double fences separating him and the bucklings from the does. He was in with the girls having him a high old time. I pulled him off of BJ and took him back to his pen, made a temporary fix on the fences and went to feed the goats. While feeding them I found that one of the ducks had gotten out of their pen (must have flew out as the fence and gate were fine) and Tinker and Bella had chased and wore her out. Had to wash the dirt off her and put her back in her pen. In the middle of that it started pouring the rain. Everyone knows that goats don't like rain and they won't eat wet grain so I had to scrape all the wet grain out of their feed pans and give it to the pigs. I went to feed the chickens and found the rat snake that has been living in the feed room sleeping in my chicken feed bucket. That really woke me up! Got the chickens and rabbits fed and was heading to milk the goats when I heard crying. Gerda (Buttons little doeling) had gotten her head caught in the fence trying to eat the ducks food. Had to get her unstuck with her mom breathing down my neck. Went to the milking room only to find that one of the goats has diarrhea and had spent the night on the milk stanchion making a mess. Cleaned her up, gave her some meds and cleaned up the milk stanchion. Buttons and Precious gave very little milk thanks to being chased and pestered by Andy. Hayley refused to come in the milk room at all. I decided to go ahead and water all the animals and then milk her. The expensive no kink hose we bought kinked on me 3 times while watering and I had to keep stopping and tracking down the kink. Finally caught Hayley for milking and she gave very little milk. Gave the goats a little more grain before it started raining again. Made sure they had plenty of hay, brought the milk in and went to fix the fence. Of course it had to start thundering, lighting, and pouring the rain while I repaired the fence. Of course fixing the fence made Andy mad and he took it out on Petro by ramming his side and knocking him down. Had to separate them. By the time I got back inside for my breakfast it was almost lunchtime and William made the mistake of calling me. Boy did he get an ear full! But today the sun is shining, all the animals are where they are suppose to be and being good. No snakes or broken fences. The girls gave plenty of milk this morning with no problems. I actually got to eat breakfast before 9AM. The no kink hose still kinks and makes me mutter a few choice words under my breath but all in all its a blessed day and I am going to enjoy every minute! Don't forget to count your blessings... no matter how small.

Just Another Day

2011-09-03T17:23:00.000-04:00

The goats are thanking Irene for all the fresh green leaves and acorns. Life around the homestead has been mostly cleaning up from Irene and letting the animals entertain me. They communicate so well its scary. William was gone for a few days this week helping his son in law again. I got to milk the goats while he was gone. Buttons gives about a gallon of milk and my hands get so tired I have to stop for a minute now and again to rest them. Buttons likes that as it means she gets more time to eat grain. Precious is still letting Little D sneak a little nursing in so isn't giving a lot of milk. Got to figure out how to separate the two of them. We bred Blackie a couple months ago but she has decided its time to dry her off. For the past couple weeks we were only getting about 2 cups of milk from her and Monday only a couple drops so stopped milking her. She still comes in the milk stall and hops up on the milk stanchion to eat grain. If you try to feel her udder she will stop eating and give you a mean look while telling you in goat language her udder is off limits. Its funny as she was one of our easiest milking goats. Haley always wants to be the last one milked so she can finish off whatever grain is left. No matter how hard you try to get her into the milk stall she will not come until she is the last one to be milked. Then she is standing outside the gate waiting her turn and walks right in when you open the gate. I have enjoyed having the few days by myself and doing all the chores. Its peaceful and stressful at the same time( if you have farm animals you understand what I mean). I am close to my burnout point though. Every year I get to a point where I am burnt out taking care of the homestead and the animals. I don't ever miss a morning or evening feed so it starts building up inside me and I just want to be able to have a break. Am trying to figure out a way to take a weekend and head to the mountains. Need to see the girls and their families as its been forever it seems since I last saw them. Hopefully that will work out. But I know the burnt out will pass as it always does and the animals will make me see how blessed I am to have them to care for.
William did bring home grandson H and grandson W for the holiday weekend. H has played outside all day and fell asleep in a chair a few minutes ago while talking to me. W is playing video games at a neighborhood friends house. They don't get to see each other often so spend as much time together as they can. William is napping on the sofa so things are kinda quiet around here. Well, pretty quiet except for the peeping of the baby turkey. It is still in a box in the diningroom under a heatlamp. Tessa and Sister Jr haven't hatched anymore eggs but I thought I heard pecking in a couple of them today. This one I call Pigpen as it is the messiest little thing. It stands in its water dish and kicks water out with its foot like a game. When the dish is empty it starts peeping louder and louder until you clean and fill the dish again. This goes on all day. At night it won't go to sleep until you cover it with a small soft cloth. Doesn't matter that it takes naps all day in its food dish or under the heat light. Come night time it wants to be covered up. It's a crazy life around here but I love it!

Checking In

2011-08-29T16:46:00.001-04:00

Irene has come and gone. We had 3 inches of rain and lots and lots of wind. Tree limbs down everywhere but the only thing damaged from them were a couple of empty cages and Tramp's doghouse. Poor Tramp had a tree limb go right through the roof of his house and doesn't even have homeowners insurance. LOL That's okay though as he has another doghouse right next door that is empty to move into. The ground is covered in leaves and acorns. Can hardly see the ground but I look at it as that is that many less to fall this fall. The tree limbs that fell were oak and they were loaded with acorns so am thinking it might be a nice cold winter since mother nature is giving the squirrels extra food to store. Another thing I noticed was Irene was blowing everything around and bending the trees in all directions but the squirrels nests didn't move at all. Not a single one fell from the trees or even looked touched at all. Maybe we should learn how to build a house from the squirrels. But most of the limbs have been cut up and stacked for winter firewood. The green leaves and acorns we fed to the goats and pigs. They were in heaven. I still have lots of raking and cleaning up to do but it will get done in time to start raking fall leaves I am sure. All the animals did really well during the storm. There was a big limb fell on the teen chickens house. I am sure it scared them but didn't hurt the house or them. I forgot to take the ferns hanging across the front of the house down and two of them got blown down but are fine and ready to hang back up. The weatherman says there are two more storms out there. Jose and I forgot the other one. It was a tongue twister name. Jose is suppose to turn east out to sea but the other one we have to watch. All the hurricanes that were really big and did the most damage in NC came in September so will keep the emergency supplies packed and be hurricane ready till November.While I was home entertaining Irene all my classmates were celebrating our 40th class reunion. I have loved seeing all the photos and reading all the fun they had. Some went down sliding rock (we use to do that when we were 40 years younger) and there is a video. Will try to post it later. The water at sliding rock stays 32 degrees year round and takes your breath away when you hit the water at the bottom of sliding rock. I hope they do this at our next reunion so I can join in! Anyways just letting you know Irene said goodnight with little problems and to remind you to count those blessings!!

Irene

2011-08-26T23:35:00.000-04:00

Twas a few hours before Irene
When all through the homestead
Not a critter was stirring
Cause they all were in bed!

The bunnies were nestled all snug in the hay
While the kids were laying beside momma goats begging to play.

The chickens were roosting all safe and dry
And Baby, the turkey was dreaming of pie!

The geese in their nest were watching it rain.
While the ducks wondered if they could go swimming
If they raised enough cane.

Tinker and Bella were both standing guard
While praying the wind wouldn't start blowing too hard.

The feed pans and buckets were all put away
Until Irene hopefully passed the next day.

The oil lamps, flashlights, and batteries are near
so if the power goes out we have nothing to fear.

Now Irene as you come to North Carolina at dawn
Hidden Haven will be fine
And will be sending you right along.

Earthquakes,Hurricanes, and Baby Turkey

2011-08-23T17:14:00.001-04:00

Sitting at the computer desk earlier today and felt my chair move a little. Looked down to see what Rusty was doing as I thought he was pushing on it. No Rusty and was puzzled until I found out later there was a earthquake in DC and people were feeling it as far away as NY and SC. Guess NC felt it too as am sure that's what I felt. Have been watching Hurricane Irene and trying to get things picked up and put away from outside. Right now we are expected to get tropical storm winds and rain from it but they keep changing where it is coming to land so don't know if I need to gather and store water for the animals and make sure their shelters are dried in and secure. What the heck are you going to do Irene??? Tessa, the Bourbon Red turkey and Sister Jr. are sitting on turkey eggs. Sister Jr. hatched one out during the severe thunderstorm we had 2 nights ago. Tessa went over to Sister Jr's nest and stole the baby. She kept it in her nest for a few hours and then took it out of the nest and was teaching it how to peck, etc on the ground. I didn't want Tessa to let her other eggs get cold so I took the little one and have it here in the house under a heat lamp. Rusty is enjoying playing momma turkey and Tessa is sitting back on her eggs. Am hoping she and Sister Jr will hatch a few more turkeys so this one won't be an only child. William is in Lexington, NC helping his son in law with a roof job for a few days. He usually does the milking while I feed and water the animals. This morning I got up extra early and fed all the animals and then got things ready to milk. Buttons, Precious, Hayley,and Blackie were all waiting outside the milk stall. Each time I opened the gate one would walk in while the one in would hop off the milk stanchion and walk out. Was very easy, pleasant chore. Enjoyed talking to each goat while I milked her and listen the sound of milk hitting the pail. Didn't realize how much I missed milking. Think when William gets back will trade off occasionally so I can milk a couple days a week. I am also enjoying having the farm to myself for a little bit. I can take my time in the mornings and not worry about breakfast until lunchtime if I want. Spend time playing with the bunnies as I clean their cages, rubbing heads and petting backs as I give out goat treats. Rubbing bellies as Tinker and Bella lay on their back and look at me with those big puppy dog eyes. Even spent extra time in each chicken pen making sure each one was healthy. Some of the hens like to be petted though most don't but they at least let me close enough to check them for mites, etc. As much as I miss having William help with morning chores before he heads to work I am loving the slower pace and having more interaction with my animal family. I won 2 jars of home canned goods from Valerie. She posted pics from around her garden and though I didn't get them all right I did pretty good. Thank you Val! I love, love, love the carrot relish!! Tried to post pics but blogger isn't letting me at the moment. Just another blessed day on the homestead...... Don't forget to count your blessings.

Blessed

2011-08-17T18:03:00.000-04:00

How great are his signs! And how mighty are his wonders..... Daniel 4:3

This morning I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to get dressed to go out and feed and water the animals. I just wanted to snuggle under the covers (loving these cool nights and mornings) and go back to sleep. But guilt took over and I crawled out of bed, dressed, and started my day. And to think I wanted to miss all of this and stay in bed!

A cheery good morning from Casper.

Petro and Mini Me waiting for their grain

Henny Penny sitting patiently waiting on her eggs to hatch.

Andy showing off for the girls next door.

The 3 Amigos demanding their breakfast.

One of Barbara Bush's daughters asking nicely for a treat.

Precious telling me enough with the camera. Where is the feed bucket!

And Precious showing me what she really thinks of my picture taking.

Getting to hear Baby the turkey scold me until I let her drink from the water hose.

Watching Bella take her guard duty so seriously.

And watching Tinker getting ready to talk Bella into playing a game of chase.

I may get lazy sometimes and even wish that things were easier.But all I have to do is stop, stand still and let God show me the many blessings he has for me each day. Thank you Lord for my wonderful, simple life.

What?? I Can't Hear You

2011-08-15T21:59:00.001-04:00

Yeah, it is noisy around the homestead right now. The bucklings are now living in their own pen and are voicing their opinion on the matter.... LOUDLY. Not to be outdone the momma goats are standing at the fence crying for their babies. These little fellas are weaned so there is no reason for them to cry for their mommy. They are also big enough now that they are starting to notice the does. This causes them to do the mating thing of peeing on their face and rubbing that into their body so they smell "attractive" to the female. Believe me they stink! And rutting season has just started. Andy our main buck is keeping the little ones in tow so hopefully things will quieten down in a couple days and we can hear ourselves think.

We had a wonderful rainstorm last night! We got almost 2 inches of rain and cooler weather. It was only in the 80's today and the nights are suppose to be in the low 60's for the next few days. I can just feel fall around the corner. Looking forward to getting the long sleeves and sweaters out. Picked the last of the tomatoes today. The gardens are done. The rains came too late to help them. The herb garden is still doing well and I have lots to cut and dehydrate still.

William has a summer cold and I have a sinus infection so we both have not been up to par. Having to force ourselves to get chores done. I still have the extra goats. Thought they would be gone by now and hate that I had to leave a nasty message to make sure they are gone by the 31st. If not I will accept they belong to me and will sell them to make up for the money spent on grain, hay, vaccines, meds, and care. I will not be taking in anymore pregnant goats. I will go to where the goats are and help deliver if needed but not bring anymore here to the homestead. The momma pig and piglets are still here. The guy that wanted them all and called several times and even had me send photos no longer answers his phone or emails. I don't understand why its so hard if you change your mind to let someone know instead of just ignoring them. We will keep the piglets until they are weaned and sell them. We have a waiting list and will see how that works out. The momma pig will be butchered this fall with Pork Chop and Dottie. That will get us out of the pig business thank goodness!

Have started working on Family Christmas Weekend. It takes a lot of work to get the treasure hunt bigger and better than the year before. Hopefully all the family will make it and have a blast.

Am reading a couple of good books when I can stay awake to read. Also working on some handstitched work for gifts. Will try to surprise myself and get them finished this year. I am still having problems leaving comments. I get a message saying I am not approved to read the blog even though I just read it and was trying to leave a comment. I can't see any of my follow lists nor find a way to follow new blogs I find. Am unhappy with blogger at the moment but at least its free. This post sound like a whinny post but its not meant to be. Each day has things that go wrong and lots of things that go wonderfully. I choose to count my blessings on the good things and learn from the bad ones and just enjoy each day. Life is a blessing that I am very happy to have! Don't forget to count those blessings.... even the small ones.

Hidden Haven Prison

2011-08-11T16:09:00.002-04:00

Yep Hidden Haven has a prison. I worked there most of the day. We had to build a prison for our bad chickens. There are some chickens that no matter how good you feed and treat them will escape. They will always go to your flower beds, veggie gardens and scratch all the mulch away from the plants. They will get on the porch and leave a nice smelly present that you have to scrub like crazy to get up. So we built a prison that is escape proof. John Henry is the prison guard. He is the very first rooster we got years ago so has some age and experience on him. He is a kind but firm guard with the ladies.

Besides bread and water the lady prisoners get grain, veggie, and fruit treats.

They have roosting poles around the prison yard as well as nice straw bedding and laying boxes. They are serving life though and will never get parole. We tried paroling a few, clipping their wings, and putting them in a regular pen. They beat us out of the pen and went straight back to scratching where they shouldn't be so no more parole. We even have a warden living at the prison with his family.

Mr and Mrs. Rose Comb and their 4 children. They may be very small chickens but they run the prison with iron feet. Mr. Rose Comb will give the lady prisoners a firm talking to if John Henry has his wings busy elsewhere. We also have a juvenile wing at the prison. Yep, some of the young chicks think it is fun to escape and run around all day teasing the dogs and cat.

Mr. Frizzie is the guard in that wing. He doesn't take any silliness from any of those chicks. The good thing is the young ones get pardoned when they start acting like a adult. They get to go live back with the civilized chickens and hopefully will never have to go back to Hidden Haven Prison again.
There is also a nursery at the prison. John Henry does take liberties with some of the ladies and they end up with babies. The babies stay with them for a week and then are moved to the nursery till they are big enough to go into a regular pen near the civilized chickens.

Today I was the grounds keeper. I turned all the yards over so they would have fresh clean dirt to scratch around in. I bleached their water bowls, cleaned and filled their food bowls, and gave everyone watermelon and cantaloupe for afternoon snack. Also made sure each pen had fresh grit to snack on. Working at the prison was hot and sweaty work but got to listen the lady prisoners chatting while they snacked. Got to talk to Mr and Mrs. Rose Comb about moving their children out on their own. Got to check out the young prisoners and see if any were ready for parole and got to enjoy playing with the babies in the nursery. Yep, I actually had a fun day at prison today. Hope your day was filled with blessings!

August.. A Little Closer to Fall

2011-08-03T14:32:00.001-04:00

Come on fall! Bring some wonderfully chilly, sweater weather my way. August should be the last of our very hot and humid days but as strange as the weather has been September could be even hotter. Am keeping an eye on Emily to see if she is going to come close enough to NC to bring much needed rain.

Still have Grandson H for another week. Since his brother is visiting his other grandparents we ask to keep Harvey another week so his parents could have some no kid time before the rush of school starting. He is up bright and early having juice and toast with Pop Pop before heading out to care for the animals. He helps for a few minutes until the wagon or his toy lawnmower catch his attention. He is playing so hard he is asking me for a shower and bed early in the evening.

Susie Q had 6 baby piglets! We have her and her babies sold so they will be leaving in a few days. Dottie and Pork Chop will be going to be butchered as soon as cool weather hits. That will leave us with zero pigs and make me very happy. Now if most of the goats go as planned I will be very very happy!

Still getting tomatoes and peppers from the gardens. Everything else is gone but counting on a fall garden doing well this year. Herb garden is doing great. Have dehydrated all the dill and most of the parsley. The other herbs are needing cut and dried this week. Will have plenty of herbs this winter at least.

Thank you Juanita, Betsy, and Jenny for the birthday cards to William. He was very surprised and had a smile on his face most of the day. To my new friend Gina, I love your blog but am unable to leave comments because of the word thing. Same thing on SciFiChicks blog. She is having a awesome give away but I can't leave comments to take part. Each time I try on these two blogs it takes me to sign in on google over and over again. I am reading blogs early morning and late evenings and will leave a few comments each day. If I don't leave one on yours hang on I will another day. I have way too many blogs I love to read but just can't bring myself to cut any out. And to my friend Connie, I love your comments when you stop by and anytime you and your husband are this way please do stop by in person! Now its off to give these animals some fresh cold water and of course a snack or two. The temp on the back porch in the shade says 102F.

Add Denise of Mountain Quilter to the list of not being able to leave a comment. Geez what has happened to blogger and what has happened to the follower list?

Happy 62nd Birthday Farmer Bill

2011-07-30T19:55:00.000-04:00

Thanks to daughter Maggie for the birthday greeting she made for Pop Pop. It made William and I both laugh!

Will turned 62 today and we spent it cleaning out the hay barn and stacking 50 bales of hay we got for the goats. I did bake him a cake. He doesn't have just one favorite but has favorites for different days so I took all his favorites to make his birthday cake. The cake has 2 double chocolate layers, 2 simple yellow cake layers. Chocolate frosting between each layer with buttercream frosting icing on the outside. The sides of the cake have crushed walnuts on the frosting and the top has roasted coconut on the frosting with farm animals sitting around. Yes, as grandson H told me, its on a Christmas plate. It was the first one I found that was big enough for the cake. It's a square cake that is 4 layers high though it doesn't look big in the photo.

Boring Post

2011-07-27T22:31:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day. It rained off and on the night before and yesterday. It was a little cooler so I didn't mind working in the rain. Today not so wonderful as we are back to the awful hot and humid days with no end in sight. Records of triple digit temps have been broken and have a feeling we are going to be breaking even more. The cookout;/ pig roast for William's birthday has been postponed until fall. Hopefully we will have a cool fall so we can sit around the firepit and enjoy roasting a pig without roasting ourselves. So this weekend will find me baking a cake and cooking a birthday meal to enjoy inside with the a/c. It has been noisy around the homestead the past few days. Momma goats are weaning their babies and the babies aren't happy. They go around crying all day long. The only time they are quiet is at morning and afternoon feeding times. They are eating grain and hay really well but still want mommas milk to wash it all down. Hopefully they will get adjusted to not nursing in a few days and things will be quiet again. I separated the bucklings from the herd. They are now in their own pen and not happy about that either. I still have the goats I was caring for but think the problem is about solved and they will be going to new homes in a couple weeks. The gardens are all but dried up. There are still a few tomato plants hanging on as well as cucumbers and peppers. Am hoping the fall garden will do much better. Grandson H is still with us but will be going home this weekend. I know why you have children when you are young. I am wore out at the end of the day keeping up with him. Yesterday I was working in the yard when he tried to take my shovel and pitch fork. I told him to leave them alone as they were grandma's tools. His answer to that as he kept dragging them away was: Sorry, but I can't hear you. He keeps me on my toes both physically and mentally. Sold all the baby pigs and will be taking Porkchop and Dottie to be butchered this fall. Susie Q is due to have piglets any day now. Have already sold her and her babies but waiting to move her to her new home till after babies are born and a few days old. I have been painting the kitchen from white to a country beige. Guess I should have went with something different as no one has noticed yet and its been painted a week. Can't really say anything because their isn't that much wall space to see with the shelves, cabinets and appliances. Will paint the diningroom in a few days. This summer has really been the summer for baby chicks. We have had hens hatching chicks everywhere and still have another hen sitting on 13 eggs and one sitting on 3 turkey eggs. Tessa and Baby (turkey) have their nest with eggs in them but haven't started sitting yet. Daisy Duck has been given a new name... Fertile Myrtle. She hatched 3 ducklings early spring, then 15 ducklings late spring, and is now sitting on another nest full of eggs. Am going to have to start selling some ducks. A week from Saturday we will be taking part of Pets Day at Tractor Supply. They are setting up a nice shady fenced in place for us to bring baby goats, ducklings, bunnies, and chicks for children so see and pet. We may take Tinker or Bella but not sure on that yet. Of course Rusty will go. Tractor Supply is his favorite place to go. As soon as we walk in he goes right to the cashier and stands on his hind legs and begs. He knows they have doggie treats under the counter and he wants one when he goes in and when we check out. Haven't canned very much this past week but have frozen creamed corn and kernel corn. Looking for green beans so I can can more as we and the kids use lots of these in the winter. As you can tell from this rambling post not a lot is going on. Am thankful for each day and still counting down the days till fall arrives. Have a blessed night my friends and count those blessings.

A Little of This and a Whole Lot of Nothing

2011-07-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

Today is another hot and humid day. Like everyone else in the country we are having record breaking temps and heat indexes. This morning it was already 80F by 7:30 and its suppose to be 102F with heat index of 112. Friday and Saturday our heat index will be 117f!!!. I am past looking for fall and on to dreaming of winter. Nice cold, snowy, ice stormy winter.... the colder the better. I know I need to be careful what I wish for but I can so do cold weather much, much, better than heat and humidity.

My days have been full caring for animals and making sure they are as cool as possible. Making sure grandson H doesn't get into too much mischief. He plays outside early morning while we feed and then again in late evening. It is just too hot for him to be outside during the day. Inside games, stories, playing with his cars, and watching cartoons seems to keep him happy. I am also trying to plan a cookout/pig roast for William's birthday the 30th. Hopefully the heatwave will break by then. He has never had a birthday party so thought it might be fun to have friends and family over for a farm themed party since Farmer Bill is turning 62.
I also had an idea about flooding the mailbox with birthday wishes for him. If anyone would like to send a birthday card the address is:
William Lineberry
584 Stoney Point Road
Fayetteville, NC 28304
He will be very surprised when he checks the mail each day. He is excited about the cookout and helping get things cleaned up around the homestead. Lots to do if only it wasn't so hot I could spend more time outside getting ready.

My daughter Melody is having a lot of stress in her life right now. Please keep her in your prayers. So many things she is having to deal with or eliminate that its a bit overwhelming for her. Megan is alone for a week. Her two have gone to Florida to visit grandparents and go fishing. Maggie is doing great and staying busy with work and getting the girls eye exams and clothes before school starts.
My friend Perri had a very near death experience but has such a wonderful outlook on the whole experience. Her faith gives me so much strength. She is truly one that counts each and every blessing! Give her a visit, read her story, and leave a comment. I bet you will be counting your blessings too.

Rain, Beans, and a Little Boy

2011-07-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

We got rain!! Wonderful thunderstorm yesterday afternoon and then it settled into a nice steady rain. I just love the sound and smell of falling rain. Everything looks so green and happy now that it got a good long drink of water. Hopefully it will help save the gardens but not sure if it is too late or not.

I spent yesterday canning green beans and carrots

. William went to Lexington, NC to be there for his grandson W's foot surgery so I canned all day inbetween caring for the animals of course. W had to have the bones broken in both his feet (2 different surgeries) and have pins and screws inserted. The bones were trying to grow up through the top of the foot instead of straight so he was having a hard time walking. Once he gets the screws, stitches, etc. out and both casts off his feet he will be as good as new. Anyway when William came home he brought grandson H with him. H's babysitter is on vacation so he will be staying with us until the end of July. He loves the farm and the animals. I do have to keep a close eye on him though as he is the one that let the goats out of the pen last time and thought it was funny. Right now he is relaxing and watching a movie after being outside a few hours playing. He isn't still very often.

Almost time for evening chores and then H is helping fix hamburgers and home fries for supper. We are going to finish it off with a scoop if birthday cake ice cream... H picked the flavor and says its yum yum.

Hope you are having a cool relaxing day. Don't forget to count those blessings! Even the tiny ones.

Surviving The Summer Heat

2011-07-11T16:18:00.002-04:00

What do you do to keep cool on these 100F degree days?

Have a nice green salad with wheat bread and cozy up to a frozen water bottle?

Bite into a nice cold, juicy cantalope?

Enjoy a nice, long, cold, drink of well water?

Or just hide out inside in the air condition?

Happy Birthday Megan

2011-07-06T11:44:00.000-04:00

Happy 33rd Birthday to youngest daughter Megan. She is busy at work (doctor's office) so won't be doing very much celebrating today. Megan hope your day is as special as you are to me. Love you!

Keeping A Schedule Is Not For Me

2011-07-01T14:06:00.001-04:00

The first day the schedule worked kinda well. The second day when I was feeding and watering the bunnies I found Jack Sparrow had ear mites in one ear. So the schedule went out the window as I cleaned and treated his ears and figured to play it safe and do the other 12 bunnies. I now have claw marks and a bunny bite on one arm from Angel. I think I need to change her name to She Devil Jr. after her mom. They both are sweet loving bunnies most of the time but once in awhile their eyes get a red glow (not kidding, really they do) and if you go anywhere near them they will jump right at you with their mouth wide open wanting to bite and scratch you for no reason. Yesterday was that time for Angel. After getting my arm cleaned and bandaged I thought I might as well clean and bleach their cages, food bowls, and water bottles. Couldn't just leave all the bunny poop under their cages so I raked and hauled that to the mulch pile where on the way I saw the feeding table needing cleaning and the feeding area and hay barn needed raking so stopped to do that. Then I happened to see our firepit had a pile of limbs and twigs that had been picked up from the last thunderstorm so decided to burn those and of course the area around the firepit needed raking and hauling off to the mulch pile. Then there were baby chicks that had gotten out of their pen leaving momma hen freaking out inside the pen and the chicks forgetting how they had gotten out. Of course baby chicks are a lot faster than I could ever dream of being so that took awhile. By that time it was feeding and watering time again and none of my scheduled things got done. I have decided I will just have a mental list of what I would like to do each day and just hope I can get part of it done inbetween the unexpected things that always happen.

Yesterday my oldest daughter Maggie turn 40! I have been teasing her all week about being over the hill and she has taken it really well. I know with all her friends and family she had a very special day. She lives 6 hours away in Tennessee so there was no getting together for lunch or cake. Love you Maggie and hope your day was as special as you are to me!

Monday, Monday

2011-06-27T22:31:00.000-04:00

Mondays seem to always have me hitting the floor running. Getting the feeding,watering, and care of the animals done so I can catch up on laundry and take care of the veggies that were picked or given to me over the weekend. Today the kitchen was buzzing with tomatoes cooking to be made into sauce later, peaches peeled and readied for canning and a cobbler. There was lots of corn to freeze on the cob and cut off for cream corn. Cucumbers turned into cucumber salad and made into bread and butter pickles. In the midst of this was baking biscuits to make sausage and egg biscuits for William and his work crew. I also cooked beef stew, squash casserole, cauliflower with cheese sauce, creamed corn, tomato and cuke slices, with dinner rolls for lunch. Needless to say supper was leftovers from lunch. Laundry is done and all but one load folded and put away. House is fairly clean until Wednesday when I hope to spend the day cleaning and doing more decluttering. Tomorrow will have me doing something with about 25lbs of onions and cleaning a couple chicken pens and couple rabbit cages. We had a wonderful thunderstorm last night that gave us some much needed rain, The gardens may not dry up afterall. Miss having grand R here to help but know she is happy to be home for her mom's big 40th birthday this weekend. Trying to get a schedule going so I won't be so overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. Today was the first day and the schedule seems to be working. At least I didn't feel like no matter how much I did I was still way behind. I just mark things off my list of things to do for today and move on to the next one. Summers always bring so many extra things needing done that I feel guilty sleeping. Think that is one of the reasons besides the cold and snow is why I love winter so much. I have been catching up on everyones blog but haven't left many comments this time. I have a night each week scheduled to just relax reading blogs and leaving comments so please forgive me for not leaving one more often. As I go about my day I think of my blog neighbors and friends and what they are doing and say a prayer for each one. Thank you for coming back to visit though I have not been posting regular. I now have blogging post time in my schedule so it will be more often! LOL Wishing you a quiet and relaxing night and don't forget..... count those blessings no matter how small!

Miss You Granddaughter "R"

2011-06-26T10:35:00.000-04:00

Grand R came for a week and ended up spending 2 weeks. She was such a big help to me. R took over the care of the bunnies and I never had to do anything but the frozen water bottles the whole time R was here. We went swimming, went shopping, baked a cake ( not from scratch but R was surprised you could mix a cake without plugging it in), clean the cages, raked the pens, rode bikes, milked the goat, delivered triplet goats, gave bottles to one baby goat, watched movies, read books, played scrabble, researched things on computer, and just had amazing conversations. Thank you for giving up part of your summer to visit grandma grand R. I sure do miss you!

Remember Me?

2011-06-20T22:59:00.000-04:00

I am the tired old lady that has been shucking and cutting off corn to make cream corn for the freezer. I am the tired old lady that has been trying to save the gardens by watering everyday since we have not had rain since that wonderful shower I last posted about. I am the tired old lady who is blessed to have granddaughter R spending a couple weeks to help around the farm. She has taken over the care of the rabbits for me and also helps with the chickens. We are having some good times in the kitchen as well as she bakes cakes, helps cook breakfast, and other goodies. I am the tired old lady that still has 10 goats with babies that aren't mine here. The last pregnant one had triplets Saturday. I was in the middle of giving 6 dogs their baths and flea treatment when I heard that all knowing scream. Knew a goat was in labor so I ran to the pen in my wet clothes to find her in the middle of the pen laying in the dirt having her first kid. Needless to say after it was all over I was covered in dirt that stuck to my wet clothes and in the muck from delivering the other two goats. She had two boys and a tiny little girl. Still not sure how to handle the goat situation so I can get back to my small herd but hope to figure something out soon. I am the tired old lady that took two 10 year old girls to Fantasy Lake for the day and came home sun burned. I am the tired old lady that is trying to help the bunnies fight the heat by hauling out frozen water bottles each day and hauling them back in each night. I am the tired old lady seems to always have a load of clothes to wash and a load of clothes needing folded and put away. I am the tired old lady that's kitchen looks like a disaster zone from all the freezing and canning going on in between meals and dishes. I am the tired old lady never seems to get caught up on her to do list. I am just a tired old lady!

It Rained!

2011-06-09T23:32:00.000-04:00

This morning while feeding and watering the animals I heard thunder off in the distance. Mother Nature had teased me before with those thunder booms but no rain so I really didn't expect rain today. After feeding chores were done and I came inside for breakfast the rain came. Beautiful sound on the roof and a lovely sight to watch the plants seem to reach up and grab every drop possible. After the nice rain shower everything looked and smelled so fresh and happy. I expected the heat and muggy feeling that soon followed but it was so worth it to have a nice rainy morning.

So many things going on the past few days. My 16 year old grandson W wrecked on his dirt bike Tuesday evening. He and the dirt bike slide on their side down a gravel road. W had road rash from the tip of his toes to the top of his head on his right side. He also has a bruised and swollen spleen that the doctor is keeping a eye on. Today he is in a lot of pain which was expected but is starting to heal. William's grandson W had surgery on his foot yesterday. He was in surgery 4 hours and now has a cast to his knee and has to be off his feet except for trips to the bathroom until the stitches come out. He has surgery on the other foot in July. Things are also going on with the owner of the goats I have cared for until they kid. He is under investigation for his farm and animals. Seems he has been ignoring them and not giving them the care, food, and water they really needed in this terribly hot weather. I have been told by animal control director to submit a bill for the care, food, vaccines, worming, etc on his goats and babies so high he can't afford it so he won't take these goats back home. I have had them since December so I don't really see him coming now to get them but will not let them go back to his farm. Now I have to figure out what to do with all of them and their babies. I really don't want a large herd of goats. I want to be back to my little herd but will figure something out. Tomorrow animal control will be back at the owners farm to do something about the animals there and dispose of the ones found dead. It's very sad. I am also getting as many things on my to do list done before the weekend. My granddaughter R is coming from Tennessee to spend a week with me. She is wanting to be a Vet when she grows up so is wanting some one on one time with me to learn how to care for the animals. She is going to help me vaccinate, worm, trim hooves, clean pens, and all the other dirty work that goes with caring for farm animals. I am looking forward to having her here and have some fun things planned as well so it won't all be caring for animals.

Gardens are doing better now that it rained. I am getting squash every day and tomatoes are getting bigger but not red yet. Bean plants are growing fast as well as the cukes and peppers. Banana peppers are ready to pick. Looking forward to lots of fresh veggies to eat and can.

Still having problems leaving comments on some blogs and have also noticed that some of the follow lists are missing. Mine is missing most days and when I go to click on a blog I want to follow their list is missing also. It says followers but then there is nothing there. Blogger must be having problems again.

Have been doing mostly crockpot meals since it has been so hot. I have a 3 crockpot stand so can fix 3 things at once so usually put a meat and 2 veggies on first thing in the morning so they will be ready for supper and the kitchen doesn't get heated up. I have a crockpot cookbook but also been searching the internet for recipes. There are lots to choose from. I put chicken breasts in the crockpot today with 2 tsp of oil 1 tsp of lime juice, 1/4 cup of cilantro (fresh from the herb garden) 1TBS of minced garlic and let it cook all day on low heat. Served it over rice with green beans on the side.(cooked the rice and beans in the other 2 crockpots). Have been making and drinking lots of mint tea. Mint is growing well in the herb garden. I have lots of herbs that need cutting and put in the dehydrator. Hope to get to that tomorrow.

This is grandson W showing his Joe Dirt impression. This was before the dirt bike accident. His face and right side now are minus alot of skin.

Life at the homestead may be stressful with all the things going on the past few days but life at the homestead is still filled to the brim with blessings everyday. Don't forget to count yours!

2011-06-03T12:18:00.001-04:00

I don't know what is up with blogger lately. I have been playing catch up on some of your blogs and wanted to leave comments but blogger won't let me. I move on to another blog and have no problem. Just can't figure it out but I have been visiting and love the chickpea recipe, am trying to feel sorry for those of you having cold days. I am actually jealous. I am feeling really sorry for those having the hot and humid days with no rain. I feel your pain. We are 11 degrees hotter than normal this time of year. With temps 99F and 100F I have stayed busy giving the rabbits frozen water bottles to snuggle with and dumping out all the animals water every 3 or 4 hours to give them fresh cold water. Their drinking water gets warm so quickly. To those enjoying to sights and sounds of hummingbirds, crickets, and frogs while enjoying sitting on your porch or in your new house... I am right there with you in my mind. Those of you posting pics of all the work you have done in your garden made me get out and work more in mine. Those with a sick kitty, dog and other furry family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Those that are battling their own medical, financial, personal problems you have my love, thoughts, and prayers. Being in this blog neighborhood is like being part of a big family. There is so much love, concern, happiness for each other. It warms my heart to be able to sit for a few minutes and find out what's new with you.
Seems like every hen has baby chicks or is sitting on eggs. Never had this many baby chicks at one time here on the homestead. Daisy Duck is doing a great job of raising her 15 ducklings. I had thought it was 14 but finally found them all asleep and able to get a good count and she has 15! Will be putting some up for sale soon. Bonnie the goose is sitting on her eggs. She didn't hatch her first sitting as Tinker got out of the goat pen and scared her off the nest and she didn't go back. Hopefully we will have some little gosling's soon. Mr Black the rabbit that climbed and chewed through metal wire to get to Prissy has believe it or not tried to chew a hole on Porky's condo floor. Porky is Prissy's (New Zeland rabbit) sister. Guess since Prissy is busy with his babies and his hole to her was repaired he moved on to try to get her sister. Caught that one in time and repaired so he is just sitting below their rabbit condo's being moody. BJ the dwarf finally had twins. She had been huge forever and seemed to get so depressed when the other goats had theirs. She had a buckling and a doeling and is such a loving momma. She didn't need any help from me delivering and didn't even moan or cry when giving birth. I am still waiting on the owner to come pick up all his goats and their babies. Some of the babies are weaned already and eating with the big goats. I have decided I won't be a goat midwife again. Oh, I will help anyone that calls and even go to their farm but as far as bringing their goats here to stay its just too much and not fair to my little herd.
The gardens are doing well despite the heat. I am picking yellow squash everyday and it seems to reproduce faster than a rabbit. Also getting peppers and the tomato plants have tiny green tomatoes on them so it won't be too much longer and we can enjoy a fresh tomato. Just every day things going on around the homestead. The to do list never seems to get smaller and there never seems to be enough time but each day is a blessing in itself so I can't complain. Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to count those blessings!

Contest

2011-05-30T11:02:00.000-04:00

Girls Gone Trashy is having a contest! Pop on over to see how you can win the book: "Back to the Basics" 3rd addition. While you are at it add it to your reading lists. There are always some great ideas how to make things from trash. I am lucky enough to get to post there once a week. So head on over, check Girls Gone Trashy out and enter the contest!

Get Well Wishes For Dylan

2011-05-27T15:28:00.001-04:00

Dylan is a little boy that left the hospital last week and is now in rehab. Heloves getting comments and get well wishes as well as knowing there are lots of people that care and are praying for him. Won't you take a few seconds to go to his facebook page and leave him a message?

"Miracle" Babies

2011-05-24T20:08:00.000-04:00

Meet Mr Black our Rex rabbit. For the last 3 years he has been free to roam the homestead. He doesn't live in a cage and will come right up to me at feeding time to eat out of my hand. He hangs around with Rusty and Whiskers the cat living the free life while having a affair with Mrs.Gray another Rex that gets to run free.

Meet Prissy our Pedigree New Zeland rabbit.

She lives in a nice rabbit condo. ALONE.

A couple times a year we put her with Rocky another pedigree New Zeland rabbit to make babies. These are huge rabbits.
Last month I found a hole in the wire on the bottom of Prissy's house.

Thought it was strange as its very strong wire but fixed the hole and never thought anymore about. Prissy's house is 4 and a half feet off the ground.
2 days ago I found this:

Prissy had 4 babies. They look like Mr Black and nothing like Prissy the pedigree New Zeland. Seems Mr Black and Prissy courted thru the bottom of the condo and decided to chew the wire until Mr Black could fit thru a hole. He had to climb up the legs of the condo to reach it and hang on with his front feet while chewing.

Now he is like a love sick puppy laying below the condo looking up at his new love and his love babies. He can't reach her any longer as the wire is doubled. Mrs. Gray doesn't seem to happy and all I can say is love can make you do strange things.

Still Here

2011-05-23T19:00:00.001-04:00

I have been popping in to visit my blog neighbors though I haven't left many comments. It has been a crazy, busy time here at the homestead and most of my time has been spent caring for animals or working in the gardens. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am just praying its not a train!

I feel like old McDonald and his farm at the moment. Babies everywhere with more due. Dotty had 7 piglets and they are the cutest things. They are enjoying all the water and mud from our severe thunder storm that left 2 inches of rain in 40 minutes.

Daisy Duck has her 15 babies out for their evening meal

Another white goat that I have been taking care of had twin boys. They are very sweet and lovable.

Plus they get into everything and are only 2 days old.

Petro is still stealing milk from every mommy goat he can sneak up on besides the milk he gets from Blackie and a bottle. His mom still doesn't have enough milk for him. His brother with the broken rib died. He lived for a few days and wasn't in pain. Got lots of loving and will be missed but I am okay with it.

BJ still hasn't delivered! She watches the other goats kid and seems to look so sad that it isn't her. If she gets any bigger she won't be able to walk!

Rose the Spanish Rose Comb had 5 tiny chicks. She is very protective and will flog you in a New York minute if you get near her babies.

Have another birth on the homestead I will post about tomorrow. It was a surprise. I raked and cleaned up the front yard yesterday. Got all the wood chips from the part of the yard next to the driveway where William had stacked firewood during the winter. Was patting myself on the back for how well it looked when the storm came in. God has a really good sense of humor is all I can say. With the down pour it flooded like crazy around here. The whole place looked like a lake. When the storm passed and the water went down all the wood chips and leaves from the woods on the other side of the driveway where William has wood stacked now washed over to the front yard. The yard I had spent the day raking and cleaning up. Guess what I will be doing tomorrow. Today I spent cleaning up the goat stalls and pens from the storm. They thought I was coming in to give the treats and mobbed me. I got caught between them and the gate so am carrying bruises on one side of my body. That wasn't enough. When I went in the pig pen Dotty ran between my feet knocking my legs out from under me. I ended up covered in mud and pig poo from head to toe. Had to laugh at the way my day was going. I didn't bother to clean up and change clothes until I was finished feeding all the animals. I can tell you they did not appreciate that. You would think they wouldn't mind the smell as long as they got their food. LOL

I have a very dear friend "Corky" that lives in MO. Her home didn't get hit by the tornado but the basement flooded. Her grandson's family are all okay but their home was destroyed. They didn't even get out of the house with shoes. Like most of us they were relaxing at home without their shoes on when the tornado hit. They lost everything. I will be posting a paypal link soon if anyone would like to donate anything to them. Corky and I have been on the same homestead forum for years. She and her husband Milt came to visit me when I was living in the mountains. She is a very, very, wonderful lady and a awesome friend.

Now that things are slowing down just a tad I will make a extra effort to leave a comment when I visit you. I have really enjoyed reading what you have been up to and seeing all the wonderful photos. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget...... Count those blessings... no matter how small.

Mother's Day At Hidden Haven

2011-05-08T21:21:00.000-04:00

Sunny Day At Hidden Haven

2011-04-27T12:39:00.001-04:00

Sunny Day, Sweeping the clouds away.... Now that I have the Sesame Street tune locked in your head I will tell you about the sunny day at Hidden Haven.

While Buttons is taking a nap underneath one of the spools in the goat yard Frosty Gerda and Billy Bob are enjoying a nice nap on top of a goat house.

Hayley is trying to nap inside the goat house while watching her son Comet and his little friend Trouble. Trouble is actually asleep standing up like that.

Barbara Bush and her girls are enjoying a nap under the shade tree.

Tobacco (yes, she spits) has taken over the doghouse for the afternoon.

Precious decided to take her nap on top of the spool and leave Little D to nap below where she could keep an eye on her.

After having a very easy early morning delivery Michelle Obama is napping with her brand new baby girl off in a corner away from everyone in the shade.

Bonnie still doesn't have milk for her twin boys. She decided a couple of days ago to try to get rid of the weakest one by stomping on it. It sounds cruel but it was her way of maybe being able to have enough milk for one. The strong one.

She is being a wonderful mom to the strong one though I am bottle feeding him 4 times a day. I have the little white one in the house

. He has a broken rib and for 2 nights I slept with him on my chest so I could hear him breathe. I could tell when he was in pain and give him something and I could also feed him a few drops with a medicine dropper as he was too weak to nurse a bottle. Today he is still not able to stand but is stronger. He is back to pooping and peeing which he hadn't done for 2 days. He is still nursing from a medicine dropper but hopefully by tomorrow he will be able to go back on a bottle. I know he probably will be like Lester and not live long and most farmers would have just let the mom finish him off or done so themselves. I am not like most farmers. I believe if a animal fights to stay alive and doesn't want to give up then I should do everything I can to help. I won't let one stay alive and just suffer but if I can ease its pain and there is a ounce of hope it should have a chance. The first night I didn't do much but make it comfortable as possible because I really thought it was going to die any second. William and I both shed tears and said a lot of prayers throughout the night. It was gasping for air and couldn't drink anything. By daylight I knew it was a fighter so started giving it vitamin shots, antibiotics, electrolytes, and herbal pain medication. It is breathing 90% better today and though still weak is gaining strength every day. Haven't named the little one yet but will soon. His owner doesn't want to waste the time or care on him so he will stay out his days here at Hidden Haven. Trying not to get my heart wrapped up in him like I did Lester but I believe its too late. When you say your prayers tonight please say a little one for this little one.

Thank You Sis

2011-04-26T11:16:00.000-04:00

I received a very special gift from my "adopted" Sis over at Pea's Corner this past weekend. She wanted to send it for my birthday but I was lax in getting the correct addy to her. Sis I absolutely love it! This is really my favorite Willow Tree piece so far! This piece has her holding a cat and is titled "With Affection , I love our friendship". It is perfect Sis! I love our special sisterhood friendship and I love the special gift you chose for me.
Pea doesn't have any sisters and my only sister passed away in 1976 so we adopted each other. I am the blessed one as she is the best Sis anyone could ask for! Thank you again Sis and I love you to the moon and beyond!

Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton

2011-04-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

BeeBee as I like to call her since I am such a close friend is a wonderful mother. She watches over her girls like a hawk. No one or nothing can get near her babies without going thru her. When the babies were born Bella and Tinker went to have a sniff. They always sniff the new babies so they will know their scent and protect them. Well BeeBee would have none of that. She stood her ground and snorted at Bella. Bella backed up one step and showed her teeth to let BeeBee know she would not bother the babies but she wasn't afraid of her. Tinker being the big as a horse puppy she is went to have her sniff and when BeeBee snorted Tinker barked and started chasing her away. BeeBee head butted Tinker. I ended up separating the two of them. BeeBee was in the stall with her babies and Tinker was in the other goat pen but they both were still mad. BeeBee would stomp her foot and snort while glaring at Tinker. Tinker sitting behind the fence would stare at BeeBee and growl. Barbar Bush believes in taking care of her own babies with no outside help.
Hillary Clinton really believes in it takes a village to raise a kid. She leaves the bottle feeding to me and lets everyone else watch her babies during the day. She will put them to bed at night and then go lay outside the stall to keep an eye on them. Today when I took their picture the boys were napping in their stall.

Bella was babysitting by staying right outside the door.

Hillary was off having a afternoon snack and chatting with the other girls.

She believes in loving her babies but having all the outside help she can get.

Me? I am looking forward to these two ladies going home to their farm with their darling babies.

Tornado's

2011-04-18T19:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday at least two tornado's hit Fayetteville. We were very blessed they didn't drop down at Hidden Haven. We had the tree branches spinning in the wind and the usual limbs falling and things blowing around.We lost power but it came back on later that evening. My friend Gerda lives in a neighborhood that got hit hard. Thank goodness she and her home are okay. We tried to get to her right after the tornado but didn't make it. First trying to drive in and was turned around because of all the power lines down. We park and try to walk on only to be turned around every street we tried to walk down. Seeing the homes that were destroyed or damaged was awful.

Seeing the people standing in front of their homes in shock was so sad. Gerda was alone, upset and without power. She was worried about everyone but herself. We talked with her several times by cellphone and promised to try again the next day to get to her. The next morning I fixed her a breakfast sandwich and thermos of coffee for William to take to her. They were letting people walk in but it was a long distance from where you had to park. I stayed home and cleaned up the yard and pens. Good ole Gerda was doing great without power. She had the burner on her grill going cooking a big pot of chicken and rice which she shared with William, her son, and grandson that showed up at the same time. Here we all have power and she is cooking and feeding everyone! Once she knew everyone was okay she was ready to campout at her home without power. She refused to come here or go to her son's. I understand though. There is no place like home no matter what the conditions. Things are really a mess all over the city. I have never seen so much damage, even from a hurricane as I have from this.

It will take a long time to clean up, repair, or rebuild but everyone is helping each other. Today William and Gerda's grandson are cutting up and removing trees that have fallen on or into peoples homes. They are going to help as much as they can for the next week or so. There are many others there helping as well. Until today they were all strangers but a tornado has made them friends. I would love to be there helping clean up Gerda's yard but am doing all the homestead chores to free William. He is much better with a chainsaw than me. LOL And I am having to bottle feed the little boy goats born the other day. The mama doesn't have but a few drops of milk. I feed them 4 times a day and they try nursing her the rest of the time. I finally named her Hillary Clinton since I have a Barbara Bush, which by the way gave birth to twin girls during the tornado. Barbara hates Hillary (must be a political thing) and keeps reaching thru the boards dividing the stalls and biting her ears. Hillary just moves to the other side of her stall and Barbara gets mad and stomps her feet and snorts. Must say even in stressful times there is always something to bring a smile to your face around here. I will post photos of Barbara and the babies tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening and count those blessings!

Twin Boys

2011-04-14T19:56:00.001-04:00

Well I should have know when I made a to do list for today it wouldn't work. I had all these things planned to get done outside and it was another sunny but not hot day, which was perfect for outdoor chores. I came inside to get something to drink and get the scrap bucket when I heard a goat cry over the monitor. Now there are always goats crying over the monitor so I kinda tune them out. They are crying because its feeding time, the babies are crying because they lost their mom, Bonnie is crying because she lost Trouble for the 100 time of the day, etc. I know from the cry what is wrong and if I need to go out to the pen. Well this cry was a labor cry and I run out the door. It was a little white goat that Williams friend had brought a week or so ago along with 4 other pregnant goats. He purchased them at a sale and has no idea what they are bred to or even a clue as how close they are to kidding. This little thing didn't even look pregnant but there she was laying on the ground in the middle of the goat pen. She had no idea what was happening to her. Got her up and walked her into a stall and got her settled down. Got the birthing kit and just settled down to wait and see. After 15 minutes her water broke so I knew it wouldn't be long. She was one scared little goat but really did very well. Another 15 minutes pass and though she is pushing nothing is happening. I glove up and have a little feel to see what is going on. Feel the feet so sit back and wait again. She pushes and the sac the baby is in breaks so I reach for the feet to help the baby get out before it tries to breathe and inhales fluid. The feet (which are long) come out fine but the head is way too big for this little goat. Use my finger to circle around the cervix to dilate more and keep pulling as she pushes. I finally had to get William to come pull the baby while I held the goat. It was a rough delivery for the little one. Got this bucklings airway cleared and made sure he was breathing when she started pushing with the next one. Same thing again. Baby goats head too big for little goat. William pulls and I hold. Little one (will have to name her as her owner never names any of them) is exhausted but happy to have her 2 little boys. I clean babies and mom up, get her some warm molasses water, hay and grain and let her rest a few minutes. Then I go back to get the little bucklings to nurse. Mom's teats are so tiny they had a hard time nursing. I kept going back every few minutes until after about an hour they got the hang of it and nursed on their own. Mom and boys are clean, fed, warm, and happy at the moment and I will try to finish my to do list tomorrow.... I hope!

Looking Like Spring Around The Homestead

2011-04-13T19:49:00.000-04:00

Today was sunny but cool so I enjoyed working outside. Most of my day was spent working in the herb garden but I am not quite ready to post photos yet. This photo is the little garden area beside the well house. I have a old farmers sink for a water garden that I set up last year. Cleaned it out and it is working great. The flower pots in the stand have chocolate mint and boy does it smell wonderful. Have a wren building a nest in the birdhouse. The fern was bought a couple weeks ago off the clearance rack for $4. It was almost dead but a little TLC has it growing and looking beautiful. Trouble is still being Trouble and giving his mom a hard time. I still go out and find him for her but thank goodness he has started going back to the same hiding spots so it doesn't take very long to find and give him back to his mom. I still have 5 goats to play midwife to and am hoping they all kid soon. Looking forward to going back to just my little goat family. Bella and Tinker had a couple weeks back on their runners for digging out of the fence. Tinker came inside the house and Bella didn't make it that far before she heard Tinker getting scolded. She hightailed it back under the fence and was waiting by the gate when I took Tinker back. I took them off the runners yesterday and so far so good. I have been walking them around the fence and telling them no so will see if its working. My friend has been giving me produce from the produce stand so that has kept me busy, plus the animals love all the fresh veggies and fruit every day. Just everyday things going on here at the homestead. Busy but peaceful so I can't complain. Hope you are having a wonderful week and don't forget to count those blessings!

My Friend Mary

2011-04-11T16:08:00.000-04:00

has decided to start blogging! She has also opened a etsy shop! Mary is so very talented and always finding new, wonderful projects to create. I hope you will stop by her blog and welcome her to the blogging neighborhood and pop into her shop often as she will be adding goodies almost every day. Mary left Vermont in December and moved all the way to South Dakota. She not only is getting settled into a new life in a new state she is quilting, sewing, cooking, and crafting away. Love you Mary and can't wait to see what you will be putting in your shop next!