Still not much new and exciting...other than we are preparing for a much anticipated visit from ALA this weekend. We don't see enough of her since we moved out to the sticks.
Have had lots of rain of late, and the ponds and creek are finally full again. Everything is pretty muddy. Will gladly deal with that over the alternative.
All the girls appear to be gestating nicely, but am lookin' at Dosidoe and thinking she may not make it to March. She better at least hold off until mid February, coz i ain't even close to ready to get back in the saddle.
Sparkin' Sparta is still self-browsing, and managed to sneak into the girls pen this afternoon. Becky has been particularly cranky lately, and it would appear that no one gave Sparta the memo about hormonal mood swings among the pregnant, coz he said something to Becky and she lit into him pretty hard, she wasn't havin' any. Every time i walk out there she is puttin' somebody in their place.
Jethro and i were out in the pasture several days ago, and just about had the water scared out of us. We were stalking Sancho, which frankly, is scary enough, when a huge branch cracked and came down from the Grand Oak. Was an unbelievably loud cracking and crash, so loud it brought the neighbors out to make sure it wasn't the Second Coming. Sure was glad i wasn't under it at the time.
That about sums it up around these parts.
Just enjoying the calm before the storm.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Yeah, We're Okay
'Bout the most exciting thing that has happened around here lately is that the Farm Buick rolled over 190,000 miles this morning.
Which is not a bad thing...y'all know i LOVE a good rut.
Will be gettin' back to ya as soon as i think of something worth telling...
Which is not a bad thing...y'all know i LOVE a good rut.
Will be gettin' back to ya as soon as i think of something worth telling...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Cujo
Not much time to write these days, and this is supposed to be our slow season! HA!
Gotta tell a quickie, though.
You remember reading about Maka Kilo, Guardian of the Couch? As you will recall, we are rather lenient with her because of where she has been in this life.
You will also recall that she had given herself a lateral promotion to Guardian of the Bed.
Maka has made herself more and more at home, and none of us has stopped it. We are all just so glad she finally feels like part of the pack. She is still a freak, mind you, will always have a big wide feral streak, but it is obvious that she loves us, and we love her. And i always feel quite safe when she is around. I have no doubt that dog would give her life protecting us.
For these reasons, i have not put an end to her sleeping in the bed, even though i would never have allowed it with any other big dog (little dogs are different...they are like little bed warmers.)
It has come to the point where Maka is so comfortable she is stretching out full on the bed, rather than curling up at the end like she used to.
And the other piece of this equation is that she has started taking her half out of the middle.
Sideways.
And she is a sheet swine.
Apparently Jealous Jewels has had just about enough of that business.
I have noticed that Maka hasn't been joining us the last couple of nights, and in the middle of the night last night last night, i figured out why.
I awoke to find Maka half on and half off the bed...in the process of climbing up...and Jewels was nothing but a nose and bared teeth sticking out from a hood of the covers, growling the most fierce i-mean-business growl i have ever heard her give. Maka was hunkered down, trying to slink on up the bed, when Jewels turned Cujo on us and snapped (Jewels is not a snapper) at a very contrite Maka, who quietly turned around and settled in on the floor at the foot of the bed.
That bed ain't big enough for all of us, i guess.
Problem solved.
And i didn't even have to be the bad guy.
Gotta tell a quickie, though.
You remember reading about Maka Kilo, Guardian of the Couch? As you will recall, we are rather lenient with her because of where she has been in this life.
You will also recall that she had given herself a lateral promotion to Guardian of the Bed.
Maka has made herself more and more at home, and none of us has stopped it. We are all just so glad she finally feels like part of the pack. She is still a freak, mind you, will always have a big wide feral streak, but it is obvious that she loves us, and we love her. And i always feel quite safe when she is around. I have no doubt that dog would give her life protecting us.
For these reasons, i have not put an end to her sleeping in the bed, even though i would never have allowed it with any other big dog (little dogs are different...they are like little bed warmers.)
It has come to the point where Maka is so comfortable she is stretching out full on the bed, rather than curling up at the end like she used to.
And the other piece of this equation is that she has started taking her half out of the middle.
Sideways.
And she is a sheet swine.
Apparently Jealous Jewels has had just about enough of that business.
I have noticed that Maka hasn't been joining us the last couple of nights, and in the middle of the night last night last night, i figured out why.
I awoke to find Maka half on and half off the bed...in the process of climbing up...and Jewels was nothing but a nose and bared teeth sticking out from a hood of the covers, growling the most fierce i-mean-business growl i have ever heard her give. Maka was hunkered down, trying to slink on up the bed, when Jewels turned Cujo on us and snapped (Jewels is not a snapper) at a very contrite Maka, who quietly turned around and settled in on the floor at the foot of the bed.
That bed ain't big enough for all of us, i guess.
Problem solved.
And i didn't even have to be the bad guy.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Cherry Bomb
Well, it appears to be pretty much a sure thing that the incomparable Cherry Blossom has "that certain glow." As in With Kid.
I am cringing, and Ellie May is snickering and singing "Jethro has to mi-ilk, Jethro has to mi-ilk!"
'Coz that's the deal. I told him, if that goat gets bred, it is gonna be his project--kid care, milking, the whole kit and caboodle.
So now Jethro is like a doting and concerned new parent. A while ago i handed him a couple of pieces of stale cinnamon roll (i know, HOW did THAT happen??!!!!) to give Cherry for a treat (read: to get her to quit whining on the back porch.) Jethro had a concerned, thoughtful moment before asking, "Are you sure she can have that?" I said, "Well, yeah." He says, "Even if she is pregnant?"
What? Like we are worried she's gonna get fat? That would certainly make for an unattractive goat. I can see it all now...Cherry running through the pasture...hocks knockin', parrot mouth bobbin', and udder draggin' the ground.
My fear is now that he is gonna wanna keep the kid. Remember what happened the last time i told Jethro not to get attached? The attachment is fixin' to give us a kid (notice i did not use the plural.)
Heaven forbid we should try to send it to freezer camp.
The joke there is that about two weeks ago, Jethro wanted to watch "Food Inc.," a documentary about the mass production of food. I knew it was a mistake to let him watch it, but also want him to understand what is going on out in the real world. After watching it, we had a long conversation about what we saw, and how it related to what we are trying to do here. Long story short, Jethro has decided he doesn't want to eat any meat that we didn't produce ourselves. While i am proud of his conviction, am finding it a bit of a pain in the patootie. We are total carnivores around here, and produce as much as we can, but are not quite to the "totally self-sustaining" stage yet. Frankly, i don't know that i have the stamina to get there.
So now i have a Jack Spratt sitch-e-ation. One child will eat no meat, and the other will eat no veg.
And i am back to looking for a cow.
Again.
On the up side, Jethro has a much better understanding of what we are trying to do here, and i have not heard a single complaint about the workload and animal care since the viewing.
Thank goodness he didn't fully comprehend the GMO thing...or we would be pullin' poke and yard onions to feed him.
I am cringing, and Ellie May is snickering and singing "Jethro has to mi-ilk, Jethro has to mi-ilk!"
'Coz that's the deal. I told him, if that goat gets bred, it is gonna be his project--kid care, milking, the whole kit and caboodle.
So now Jethro is like a doting and concerned new parent. A while ago i handed him a couple of pieces of stale cinnamon roll (i know, HOW did THAT happen??!!!!) to give Cherry for a treat (read: to get her to quit whining on the back porch.) Jethro had a concerned, thoughtful moment before asking, "Are you sure she can have that?" I said, "Well, yeah." He says, "Even if she is pregnant?"
What? Like we are worried she's gonna get fat? That would certainly make for an unattractive goat. I can see it all now...Cherry running through the pasture...hocks knockin', parrot mouth bobbin', and udder draggin' the ground.
My fear is now that he is gonna wanna keep the kid. Remember what happened the last time i told Jethro not to get attached? The attachment is fixin' to give us a kid (notice i did not use the plural.)
Heaven forbid we should try to send it to freezer camp.
The joke there is that about two weeks ago, Jethro wanted to watch "Food Inc.," a documentary about the mass production of food. I knew it was a mistake to let him watch it, but also want him to understand what is going on out in the real world. After watching it, we had a long conversation about what we saw, and how it related to what we are trying to do here. Long story short, Jethro has decided he doesn't want to eat any meat that we didn't produce ourselves. While i am proud of his conviction, am finding it a bit of a pain in the patootie. We are total carnivores around here, and produce as much as we can, but are not quite to the "totally self-sustaining" stage yet. Frankly, i don't know that i have the stamina to get there.
So now i have a Jack Spratt sitch-e-ation. One child will eat no meat, and the other will eat no veg.
And i am back to looking for a cow.
Again.
On the up side, Jethro has a much better understanding of what we are trying to do here, and i have not heard a single complaint about the workload and animal care since the viewing.
Thank goodness he didn't fully comprehend the GMO thing...or we would be pullin' poke and yard onions to feed him.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
2011 Recipe List
I keep trying to share recipes, or look them up for myself, and tend to get lost in the plethora of gibberish i have produce for this blog in the last year.
So today, in an effort to untangle a small section of my wee small mind, we have a listing of last years recipes, and where to find them. Not much of a posting, i know, but this is the best i can do today.
Feb. 15 Susan's Perfect Homemade Sausage
Apr. 3 Proofing Bread
Mozzarella
Jalapeno Jeaven
Apr. 8 Caj Eta
Chevre
May 2 Southwest Eggrolls
23 Granola (cookies from this granola Jul. 9)
30 Par-tay Rice and 'Shroom Soup
Jun. 3 Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
Jul. 12 Sweet or Salty, Possibly Nutty Toffee Brittle
Nov. 5 Chicken Soup
Potato Soup
Jambalaya
Dec. 25 Butterfinger Cookies
So today, in an effort to untangle a small section of my wee small mind, we have a listing of last years recipes, and where to find them. Not much of a posting, i know, but this is the best i can do today.
Feb. 15 Susan's Perfect Homemade Sausage
Apr. 3 Proofing Bread
Mozzarella
Jalapeno Jeaven
Apr. 8 Caj Eta
Chevre
May 2 Southwest Eggrolls
23 Granola (cookies from this granola Jul. 9)
30 Par-tay Rice and 'Shroom Soup
Jun. 3 Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
Jul. 12 Sweet or Salty, Possibly Nutty Toffee Brittle
Nov. 5 Chicken Soup
Potato Soup
Jambalaya
Dec. 25 Butterfinger Cookies
Monday, January 9, 2012
Bob's By Firelight
The Bob's had a big New Years Eve.
We had a few fireworks, and took them out to the far side of the pond.
The Bob's were happy to see us.
At first.
The first couple of launches were met with confusion, but not panic.
As Jed prepared to set the next one off, he announced that it was a 36 shot something or other.
Doesn't matter what it was, Ellie May and i missed the whole thing.
Once it started going off--pmmff pmmfff pmmff--the Bob's freaked.
The were all scrambling like mad, and trying to dive underwater...but the pond wasn't deep enough.
One second, all we saw were feet, then they were standing tall, flapping their wings and squawking, then they were feet up again, then flapping around in circles, chattering, over and over until the firework was over.
Then they gathered on the bank, circling each other, chattering non-stop.
Until Jed lit the next one.
They made a mad dash for the barn.
Except for one...who turns around and starts honking, like, "Hey!!! Where did everybody go?!! Where are you guys?!!!" and makes a beeline for the barn.
We had a few fireworks, and took them out to the far side of the pond.
The Bob's were happy to see us.
At first.
The first couple of launches were met with confusion, but not panic.
As Jed prepared to set the next one off, he announced that it was a 36 shot something or other.
Doesn't matter what it was, Ellie May and i missed the whole thing.
Once it started going off--pmmff pmmfff pmmff--the Bob's freaked.
The were all scrambling like mad, and trying to dive underwater...but the pond wasn't deep enough.
One second, all we saw were feet, then they were standing tall, flapping their wings and squawking, then they were feet up again, then flapping around in circles, chattering, over and over until the firework was over.
Then they gathered on the bank, circling each other, chattering non-stop.
Until Jed lit the next one.
They made a mad dash for the barn.
Except for one...who turns around and starts honking, like, "Hey!!! Where did everybody go?!! Where are you guys?!!!" and makes a beeline for the barn.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
A Meeting of the Minds, or Welcome Back to Butt Heads Homestead
Ren came by for a visit, yesterday.
She is still very, very Ren, just in case you were wondering.
Still bossy, still stubborn, still has chin feathers.
As soon as she walked through the gate, Ren took on Dosidoe.
Of course, Becky had to get in on the act.
And then they all separated, and Ren marched over to her favorite browsing spot, and Dosidoe and Becky joined the rest of the herd.
Just like old times.
I am afraid.
I am very afraid.
My fortune cookie said
"Chill while you can, big project coming."
No kidding.
And no one would trade with me.
Think i should play the lottery numbers on the back side?
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Wild First Week
Let's getcha caught up...
Earl and Pearl have been moved out to the brooder house for the most part. They still have Pantry Privileges on frosty nights.
Earl's eyesight is somewhat better, but not good enough that she should be turned out into the general population.
Pearl remains her constant companion, and sleeps under Earl's wing. It is so cute. Pearl does have the annoying habit of chirping in her sleep. All night long. So it has to be REALLY cold for us to let them come in at night.
We lost Legacy this week. I ate a banana and had a smoke at the burn barrel in her honor. Woulda scratched my belly on the legs of the stool, but it fell apart last summer.
She was a special light, and is missed. Susan did a really cool tribute on her blog, titled "Legacy's Legacy."
OF COURSE it is perfectly logical that Chickory Blossom and Baudy Maudy are progeny of the coolest goat ever.
But here is a small confession...i had blocked from my brain the fact that Cherry has ties to the same line. Am thinking that i woulda left that tidbit off the list....i mean...CHERRY??!!!!??? We could have at least found a more attractive picture, to put the legacy in the best light.
Speaking of Chickory, Ellie May went out to the doe yard wearing her coveralls. They are the kind that have zippers all over the place.
Remember how i told you that Chickory likes to pull strings and untie things? She has now discovered zippers. It seems she unzipped a long zipper, then looked at Elly. Elly zipped it back up. Chickory unzipped again. Elly zipped. Repeat. Repeat. Then Chickory just kept zipping and unzipping it herself. Elly said she did it for the longest time, just zzzzzt zzzzzt zzzzzzt zzzzzt zzzzzzt zzzzzzt zzzzzt zzzzzzzzt up and down and up and down and up and down.
May have given you bad advice about the Velcro. That may well be next.
Such a smart goatie!
Ralph has made a full recovery, and all dogs are on duty. You have been warned.
Another reason to love love love the Custome Home. I have just realized that it is IMPOSSIBLE to take a single step in this house without the floor creaking or groaning. It is rather perturbing when you are trying to be quiet, but on the up side, we have entered the teen years full on, and i remember those days (i just can't remember what day it is NOW.) Won't be any sneakin' in or out of THIS house!!!!
My sister-in-law gave us this very groovy coffee pot, so everyone has stayed fully caffeinated for the last two weeks. Am not sure how much longer i can take it. They are wearin' me out!
Headed to Susan Dear Susan's today to burn heads...Ren and Lucy got their birthin' out of the way early (guess there were some Happy Thoughts up north, as well) and the babies are due for disbudding.
Know there is more, but have to get ready to off load another 20 bales of hay here in a minute.
That'll get us through another week.
Earl and Pearl have been moved out to the brooder house for the most part. They still have Pantry Privileges on frosty nights.
Earl's eyesight is somewhat better, but not good enough that she should be turned out into the general population.
Pearl remains her constant companion, and sleeps under Earl's wing. It is so cute. Pearl does have the annoying habit of chirping in her sleep. All night long. So it has to be REALLY cold for us to let them come in at night.
We lost Legacy this week. I ate a banana and had a smoke at the burn barrel in her honor. Woulda scratched my belly on the legs of the stool, but it fell apart last summer.
She was a special light, and is missed. Susan did a really cool tribute on her blog, titled "Legacy's Legacy."
OF COURSE it is perfectly logical that Chickory Blossom and Baudy Maudy are progeny of the coolest goat ever.
But here is a small confession...i had blocked from my brain the fact that Cherry has ties to the same line. Am thinking that i woulda left that tidbit off the list....i mean...CHERRY??!!!!??? We could have at least found a more attractive picture, to put the legacy in the best light.
Speaking of Chickory, Ellie May went out to the doe yard wearing her coveralls. They are the kind that have zippers all over the place.
Remember how i told you that Chickory likes to pull strings and untie things? She has now discovered zippers. It seems she unzipped a long zipper, then looked at Elly. Elly zipped it back up. Chickory unzipped again. Elly zipped. Repeat. Repeat. Then Chickory just kept zipping and unzipping it herself. Elly said she did it for the longest time, just zzzzzt zzzzzt zzzzzzt zzzzzt zzzzzzt zzzzzzt zzzzzt zzzzzzzzt up and down and up and down and up and down.
May have given you bad advice about the Velcro. That may well be next.
Such a smart goatie!
Ralph has made a full recovery, and all dogs are on duty. You have been warned.
Another reason to love love love the Custome Home. I have just realized that it is IMPOSSIBLE to take a single step in this house without the floor creaking or groaning. It is rather perturbing when you are trying to be quiet, but on the up side, we have entered the teen years full on, and i remember those days (i just can't remember what day it is NOW.) Won't be any sneakin' in or out of THIS house!!!!
My sister-in-law gave us this very groovy coffee pot, so everyone has stayed fully caffeinated for the last two weeks. Am not sure how much longer i can take it. They are wearin' me out!
Headed to Susan Dear Susan's today to burn heads...Ren and Lucy got their birthin' out of the way early (guess there were some Happy Thoughts up north, as well) and the babies are due for disbudding.
Know there is more, but have to get ready to off load another 20 bales of hay here in a minute.
That'll get us through another week.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Resolute
Happy New Year!!!
Best wishes to all for Great Good Blessings to come!
I am not one for making New Year's Resolutions, i figure i have enough responsibility and guilt in my daily grind that i don't have to ask for more.
This year, however, i am going to make a small promise to myself.
It has been a really long time since i have had something to look forward to. I have been kinda lost in the vortex of raising my babies and keeping the homestead afloat, such as it is.
I have much immediate joy--love my babies and my lifestyle, but sometimes i get a little myopic.
ALA has done an amazing thing for me (yet again.) (yes, Thell, i used THAT word intentionally ;oP )
She has given me something to look forward to.
There are 155 days to revel in it before the adventure begins.
At least i think it is 155 days.
Give or take.
Surely i have sufficiently proven that i can't count, and don't know what day it is, so let's just concider it a ball park figure.
The point is, this wonderful gift has given me something to look forward to, and i am amazed at what that one simple aspect does to lift your spirits and color your outlook on life! I never realized that something was missing, until the hole was filled.
I get nuts when all the healy-feelies proclaim "DREAM!!" But maybe there really is something to that.
Sooooo......
For 2012, I resolve to always have something to look forward to.
And my New Year's hope for each and every one of you is that you have something to look forward to, as well.
Best wishes to all for Great Good Blessings to come!
I am not one for making New Year's Resolutions, i figure i have enough responsibility and guilt in my daily grind that i don't have to ask for more.
This year, however, i am going to make a small promise to myself.
It has been a really long time since i have had something to look forward to. I have been kinda lost in the vortex of raising my babies and keeping the homestead afloat, such as it is.
I have much immediate joy--love my babies and my lifestyle, but sometimes i get a little myopic.
ALA has done an amazing thing for me (yet again.) (yes, Thell, i used THAT word intentionally ;oP )
She has given me something to look forward to.
There are 155 days to revel in it before the adventure begins.
At least i think it is 155 days.
Give or take.
Surely i have sufficiently proven that i can't count, and don't know what day it is, so let's just concider it a ball park figure.
The point is, this wonderful gift has given me something to look forward to, and i am amazed at what that one simple aspect does to lift your spirits and color your outlook on life! I never realized that something was missing, until the hole was filled.
I get nuts when all the healy-feelies proclaim "DREAM!!" But maybe there really is something to that.
Sooooo......
For 2012, I resolve to always have something to look forward to.
And my New Year's hope for each and every one of you is that you have something to look forward to, as well.
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