“A day in the country is worth a month in town”Christina Rossetti

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Or Why Deer Are Hunted

The Good.The Bad's guilty foot print The Bad's mess.The Ugly. Okay! She's cute in an odd way. And we're still waiting for Layla to kid, with baby monitor on.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

What Color Is My Dining Room?

Maybe the same color that is on my pants.Looks familiar too.
Yes?
Cheers!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Pecking Order

When I stepped out the mudroom door, I saw an loving image of these two snuggled up together. By the time I whipped out the camera, it was this. Never mind that they are cats and mother-daughter, pecking order is how the animals decide who is in charge and who gets the best food.
Yes. The ungrateful daughter, Snickers, is biting her mother's ear.
The goats are no different, which is why I have multiple grain bowls and hay locations. Eventually, everyone finds the place where they can eat in peace, but first there is the butting and head swinging.
VIDEO OF THE BREAKFAST BATTLE WITH THE NANNIES AND KIDS

There goes that peaceful scene you'd been imagining. Am I right?
The little ones have learned to stay out of the way of certain nannies when its breakfast time. The twins have fast learned to wait their turn, and eventually they will get the dregs for themselves.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Good Kids

This morning the kids did it all on their own.They followed everybody up the alley, and into the field. No tricks. No coaxing. No carrying. Just nice and steady.
VINEGAR NURSING ELLA AND TISA

Makes my life simpler.
Not that I think it will be perfect from now on, but its five days and they got it. I'm happy. Zola's happy. Can't you tell.
Also I distributed the hay and grain so that everyone had a good shot at their fair share. The old Christmas trees make nice hay racks,... ...and fun playscapes!
VIDEO OF GOATS EATING THEIR MORNING FEED

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Just Another Day

Busy day that started with a false alarm run to the barn. I swear I heard little kid noises. Its that secret doe thing working again! If you want to know what the horns are really for...itching those stretch marks. That's her own hair. The winter coat is coming off on all the goats.Tisa Ella The kids are doing well on the field, but we are still having trouble getting the twins all the way out with everyone else. Its only been four days of practice. We're close. One of the jobs that pops up after rains and snow, is garbage clean up. Garbage that has been dumped or buried years ago, works its way up to the surface. We have a couple spots where I always come away with my hands full. I need to keep my eyes peeled. There is every size glass shard to injure the goats or dogs feet. Possibly even ours. And the mowers can throw them and injure someone. Its an ugly thought. Family portrait: Vinegar with her girls.

VIDEO OF THE KIDS AND NANNIES ON THE FIELD

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Farm Quiz And Famous Phrases


Layla: Due date March 27.
How many on board?
The early bird...
...catches the worm.
How many hens do we have?

You'll forgive the video when you listen to the audio - I think.

VIDEO OF THE FIRST SPRING WORM!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Evening Chores

Tonight's sky is a preview of those summer skies to come.
The first thunderstorm of the spring is brewing.
Its hard to take your eyes of the scenery and get the barn chores done.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Meet Wally!

Brees has a new name. Hopefully my spell check will like this one.
Meet Wally. Wally will have a new home with his new name in a month or so. Lucky for him, Kayla knows he can't be alone and has bought a second goat. She'll be showing both at the Westmoreland Fair. We are very excited for Wally and Kayla.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Welcome Spring! Time For Outdoor Auctions!

The hens were waiting to break out of the barn this morning. They were eager to find the bugs and worms that the still snow moist ground, and the warm sun, bring out. The grass, and everything green, are brightening up. What a change from February. The turkey vultures are here for a few weeks, as is their ritual. They seem to have the yearling kids a bit unnerved. Today's auction was at a farm in nearby Stahlstown, and was attended by every shape, brand, and color truck. More than a few were hauled out by a tractor and chain, when they found the snow moistened ground, that became axe deep mud. We managed to avoid that fate. There were all sorts of John Deere's. Large... ...and small.In the farm fashion world, there was every plaid shirt variation known to man and woman. Baseball hats with logos of every team, machine, farm, and contractor were seen, with a strong showing for -PENN STATE! It was a great spring day to be outside and enjoy the company of strangers. As for my buys - I didn't get these rolls of fence, but I got a pallet of wooden stakes and posts. And MORE plant pots. Total spent. $17.50. Good deal!