Saturday Night- Baby Buckling Update!

Saturday has become the day to try to look at the baby bucklings side by side, weight them and look at growth and health. So after we worked on the new doe barn project this evening, Bailey brought in Freedom's Prayer and of course Let Your Light Shine and we enjoyed a good bit of baby love.

The boys had been playing hard together while we were working. Coming in led to some sweet cuddling with Freedom's Prayer. Both boys love to nuzzle up under our chins, and sometimes they show their silly attitudes for the camera.

Freedom's Prayer definitely had the head and the thick muscling of a pygmy buck.He also has the attitude, though I think that despite the house goat/ bottle baby mentality, Let Your Light Shine does as well.

It is impossible not to enjoy them as little ones.

Well, of course there was time on the scale. Freedom's Prayer is growing by leaps and bounds, rather like he chooses to do everything as a pygmy goat kid! He weighed in this evening at 17.10 pounds!

That look seems to say, "Oh, yeah, I've got it!"

Then he was ready to jump out of the bucket on the scale and let his brother have a turn.

Let Your Light Shine is still a  good bit behind Freedom's Prayer, though he made significant gains this week himself! He now weighs an even 15 pounds.

Shadow Paws likes to hang out and clean up any drips when he is drinking bottles. Besides, the little guy is her only four legged house mate fter she lost her older brother a couple weeks ago.

I think Shadow Paws wanted attention of her own by the time all was said and done, because she took to goofy antics with a ball in the floor. Sometimes Shine will roll the ball to play fetch with her, but she was laying upside down chewing on it and making goofy faces!

That was a pretty big jump for both boys this week. At just over six weeks, we will see what happens next!

How do you Say Goodbye?

Fifteen years ago, Charlie, Bailey and I moved here to the current property.  Shortly thereafter, we realized that Callie Jo needed a friend. We were still mulling it over when Bailey saw her opening. She was getting ready to turn two, and she asked for a dog to come join the family for her birthday.

We went down to the local shelter, and wandered the isles while her Daddy was away on a duty assignment. I was worried she would want them all. I knew I did! But she carefully walked the line, looking from side to side, gazing at the animals. Then we got to the last of the row. As she looked to the left, a single white paw extended through the bars, and Bailey stepped closer. Their eyes met, and she sat down.

After meeting Callie Jo, and going through a few hoops, Vegas came home the next day. According to the shelter, he was 3 to 4 years old. How could we have known that he would be terrified of men, noises, fly swatters, the training clickers, newspapers and more?

These photos were taken about four years later. By this time, Callie Jo and Vegas were great buddies, and Hopper Spark had joined the family, as well as Wyatt Clay. That is Vegas Ace on the left in the top right photo. He loved his Bailey, and his girl dogs. A mellow guy, the girls always got what they wanted.  He never did learn how to play, but found his way into following the girls as they played.

As the years went by, Vegas was here when the goats came home. He tried to save Bailey's first goat Vital with Callie Jo when there was a dog attack by one we were watching for a friend. He was there as we nursed Vital back to health, and was there when we lost Callie Jo not long afterward.

Vegas helped raise Remington Pups when she came home, and taught her which humans belonged to which dogs, and how to have manners. He had a terrifying wandering habit in those years. On one occasion, two semis stopped and honked in the big road when he had figured out how to open the base of the West gate. The gate was quickly secured, but even now a honking semi on the big road leads to everyone counting dog noses.

As time went on, his muzzle turned grey, and he slowed down a bit. He had mostly let Remington take over his guard dog duty when she suddenly fell ill three Christmases ago. He calmly snuck out to realize what happened to her, and then followed me around for weeks, giving me love and attention as I mourned the animal who had actually been more mine than anyone else's. Through birthday parties and sleepovers, holidays and visits with family, his sweet yet quiet boy nudged his way into so many hearts.

Old Man Vegas began to wander more, but always had love for us, even if he didn't want to leave the property. His groomer came to him, even though he was old enough most groomers wouldn't have wanted to work with him, Denise came to him twice a year to make him comfortable, working around the growing tumors and quiet complaints of our sweet buddy who didn't look forward to haircuts, but still had a wag and a kiss for her.

Veglar, Vegie, Old Bear and more were his names, and Graybeard was there as Hopper grew sick with cancer, and later that year welcomed Shadow Paws into the family. As she grew into her role, he took longer naps and really enjoyed the mornings and evenings outside, with Shadow waiting for him on rounds and using her nose to help his stand when he stumbled.

The years slowed Bailey's buddy, but he sat with her and reminded her about unconditional love when the bullying made us reevaluate so many of the influences in the lives of the kids. Then he enjoyed the regular ear scratches and treats that came throughout the day from having home schooled kids. 

In the last month, Vegas Ace's health decline became more apparent. Shadow and the kids worked harder to help him, and keep him happy and comfortable, making sure he didn't wander too long during the heat of the day. At about eighteen years old, we know we were so lucky to have Vegas as part of our lives. But that didn't make it any easier for us when we lost him late last night. With one last kiss to his Bailey and a nuzzle to me, he laid down his head and went to sleep. We know he had a great life here, with his own dog bed, doting girls, elk legs to chew on, elk to eat, his own fire hydrant and all the love to make whatever used to scare him melt away.  We are sad for us because we loved him so much.  We are so thankful for all we had with him.

Goodbye, Vegas. We will always have you in our hearts. Run fast with your girls up there.

Love to all.

Silly Old Bear has a Spring in his Step!

It took a couple months, but Vegas' good buddy Denise came to visit today.  When they arrived, and pulled the mobile grooming van into the year, Vegas initially came out to say hello. Then he suddenly realized exactly who she was (she has been the only mobile groom from back when Callie Jo was still with us) and he turned and quickly made a break for the house.

Bailey scooped up her furry friend, who has been with us here at Patriot's Dream for almost fifteen years now, and whom the county animal control believes to be eighteen or nineteen, and walked him down to the van, telling to to relax, that she loves him and he would feel so much better in a moment.

Then our sweet Vegas came back a little while later, all skinny and long-legged and spiffy looking! For as much as he dislikes the grooming process, he loves his Denise, and loves feeling all cool and clean. He gets that just been groomed spring in his step and his little sister, Shadow loves it too!

So for all of Vegas' adoring fans out there, he is happily hanging out with us tonight, all spiffed up and ready for the warmer weather coming our way!

And a Beautiful Week Brought a Wild Wet Weekend!

The young Light Brahma on the left hatched on Monday morning, the little Silkie tucked between the stuffed puppy and the brick holding the water was hatched on Friday. So cute and sweet, and the first poster babies for the baby animal photo contest launching this week on the farm Facebook page.

These copper thunderbird and swarovski crystal earrings are one of the prizes for the contest!

The tomatoes are getting closer to being ready to go out each day. Perhaps by the time the storms pass, everything will be ready!

Kale and spinach growing in one of the lettuce beds. One of Wyatt's hens keeps sneaking out to play in the other lettuce bed and eat the seedlings and dust bathe in the lettuce bed, so I am going to replant that one after the weekend storm moves through.

The Pichu plants are coming back pretty well, thanks to those of you who gave me advice in how to prune them! I will be looking to see how they grow in compare to the seeds I saved from last year.

The chickens were loving the beautiful weather during the week, and particularly enjoyed dust baths...

Some were willing to share the craters they had dug in the ground...

others don't share very well and send the others off to find their own spots!

We have been continuing with the special coop project.  The kids got the panel of doors attached to the fence panels, but with the weather we were unable to get anything else done on the project yesterday or today. Hopefully the coming week!

I haven't gotten to tilling the main garden, though hopefully soon. Funny thing, Shadow is absolutely convinced that the owl on top of the clothesline is going to mess with her farm, so she keeps a close eye on it and tells it who is in charge...

For some reason, I am entertained with this tree that died in the buck pen. This branch makes nice firewood, though I miss the tree!

We believe silly Silver here is pregnant, though we haven't had her tested. Going to have to get her some more exercise, though,  I think she is a little big right now, and don't want that to cause problems.

I have been acquiring windows and glass panel doors for a greenhouse project to come. I am really looking forward to that project, but lately other projects keep presenting themselves, so hopefully soon!

We haven't had rain since back in November, as far as I remember. A big storm blew in yesterday evening, with mostly wind, but things were holding their own this morning. Then this afternoon, another big round of wind came. This is the doe barn, pretty much a total loss.  All of the animals are safe, though, so we are glad and will begin creating plans to rebuild.

This double rainbow appeared in the front. Funny thing about the wrath of a storm, so beautiful, yet leaving such destruction.

The geese are pretty much the only ones who are loving the weather, but I am thankful for the rain!

This single rainbow was to the North East of us.

  When life gets crazy, it is good to bring out the treats to brighten the day of the chickens!  Okay, so everyone got treats and the animals all enjoyed them, and we enjoyed breakfast for dinner. Now time for one last check of the night before bed. Hope you are all safe and sound and have a wonderful weekend!

Watch for that contest to come up this week., and set aside your photos you want to enter. Love to all!

Christmas Day...

Once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Charlie and both children have been sick, so we ended up sticking with a quiet day at home.  I sure enjoyed being with them for the day, Charlie's only day off for Christmas.  Wyatt was the first up, and he and Shadow got us all going with their first round of fetch with her new toy.  Wyatt read through all the sections of the nativity calendar with me.

It is always fun hanging around with all the animals here. The livestock love extra attention, and Shadow loves quiet days with family. We got to watch the Doctor Who Christmas Special, as well as some actual Christmas movies. Funny thing about the commercials today, there were a number of the ones where they talk about abused animals. Those commercials really upset Shadow, it seems like she knows what they are saying, and she wants reassurance and to cuddle with us. Sometimes I think she wants to bring them all home like we do.  I couldn't blame her if she did.

Old man Vegas had his fur grow in rather funny after his last grooming.  The fur over his ears is rather long, and the same on the tops of his feet, so the kids have taken to calling him elf dog. 

All in all, days like today remind me how blessed we are here.  We always have plenty, and we are a strong family that sticks together. Life does remind us that we are far from infallible, but we get back up and are so fortunate!

Over the next week, we will spend time reflecting on the year that was and setting goals for the year to come.  I am still thankful that we get to learn and grow every day.

Love to all,

me

An update on Tiny...

As many of you know, Tiny was hatched in the big pen to a mama who couldn't juggle eggs still in the nest alongside her responsibilities as a mama of a live baby chick. On evening walk around one night, we found the mama up on her eggs, and the baby chick hiding in the corner of the barn, crying and hollering.

We brought Tiny in the house, where she cuddled with Bailey and even slept in a box in her bed, then the kids left town for a hunt and I was left with a very upset baby. By now we had nicknamed the little one Tiny, and I ended up giving her a stuffed animal to cuddle with. She apparently preferred it to me. Talk about putting me in my place!

I hope to put some photos in here tonight, but I realize just how late I am in sharing the update!

Tiny grew, and began roosting on the side of the trough she was living in. She started getting out of the trough,, wandering the house, exploring and talking to the dogs. Sometimes to us people, too.  Shadow would find her, hollering away from various spots in the house, and Shadow would be sure she was lost. She would either coax Tiny back tot he living room or come get me to help her.  Shadow was very concerned about Tiny.  Goofy animals!

Tiny wanted to cuddle with Vegas and Shadow. Vegas often ran away from her, Shadow was initially pretty stressed out by the notion, since chickens are off limits to her, but they eventually formed a great friendship.

Tiny really needed to move out of the house. Every group we tried her with was either too big for her, or they were very unkind. We tried putting her with the bantam chicks on the back porch who were only a little bigger than her, but both times we tried, they went after her, and he would pull her back inside.

Meanwhile, our friend Toni had left several eggs with one of her hens. Only one of them hatched, and was living in the bathroom, growing up and getting its feathers. The baby at Toni's house was a couple weeks younger than Tiny, but short of purchasing a a friend for Tiny, I didn't really have any options for her, and wasn't interested in having a "house chicken"!

So, I messaged Toni on facebook, asking if she would like to have Tiny as a friend fro her little one, so they could grow up together.  A few weeks ago, I got to see my friend Toni, and we sent Tiny along with her, along with her little stuffed bear.  Toni later let me know that Tiny has taken the other little one under her wing.  They have bonded and are now friends. Yay!  Seems like the best possible outcome to me.

Then, about a week later, Wyatt came inside to tell me that the straw I saw knocked down wasn't his fault. I was pretty certain that it had happened when he and his sister got straw to take some of the chickens tot he show in the rain. Apparentlym there was also a her up there, hatching a couple baby chicks...

So Glad to Have Everyone Back!!!

Being on my own for a week sure kept me hopping!  Thankfully, Bailey came home Tuesday, and the boys returned last night.  Shadow Paws really tried hard to help out, assisting with rounding up animals that snuck out, and taking her guard dog duties very seriously.  She and Vegas slept at my feet, and kept me company dutifully through animal chores, watering, cuddling babies and checking on the pregnant doe.

Still, Shadow Paws missed her Wyatt desperately, and wanted lots of extra attention and fetch time.  I love the little goofball too, but didn't get many of my own things done, like updating the website, blogging, and floors ( even sweeping seemed to require her constant presence!)

When Bailey arrived Tuesday night, we had to get things ready for her to take the PSAT Wednesday. After that, it was all about getting things back on track- I helped her with a solution to her framing project, cleaned the kitchen floor and got a little done on my furry fabric project.  And then I took a break...

OOPS!

I passed out cold, and had to give up for the night. No more breaks for me!

Well, for those of you following along on baby watch with us, not quite yet...  Because the kids were leaving town, I started watching a little early, I believe, to get used to any changes better so I wouldn't miss out on signs with all of the antics the animals like to pull when their preferred caretakers are away. And there are A LOT of antics. Just when I think I know what they will do, they come up with new capers.

Shadow was ecstatic to hear the truck coming down the main road last night. Since both kids had filled their elk tags, Wyatt had lots of big bones for her, and as I had asked, they saved the hides.  Why did I ask for that? I thought it would be a good unit to tan the hides like the Native Americans did.  That said, we did the first round with the traditional tanning solution last night- did you know what they use for the tanning solution?  Wow- this is really interesting!

Well, things came home in freezers, but the refined work of butchering still lays ahead for Charlie. And for us, too, as his assistants.  But for today, Bailey has a pygmy goat show. With Glory pregnant, and the buck dhow cancelled for not enough participation, only Miss Verse is going along with us, though Bailey is signed on to help with the showmanship clinic with her, and lots of other stuff is on the list, too.

I should have lots of photos to share, and hope to finish my furry project tonight- I got the pockets cut out while laughing through Bailey's leather class yesterday, and chatted with Auntie about the strongest placement of the handles while we were visiting during Bailey's debate class.  I am definitely ready to finish this project! Now that Shadow has her Wyatt back, maybe she won't feel she needs to operate the sewing machine!

For now, these are the upcycled roof tiles headed to the raffle table for today. What do you think?  I may have to make some similar ones to decorate the pens around here!  Well, you all have a great day!!!

Mis-Adventures of a Farm Mama...

Sitting at Auntie's care home today, Bailey filled out show forms and we laughed with auntie about wind and the coming baby goats. Bailey told her about the baby chicken that slept in a box in her bed last night, since the baby was too young for all the other groups of babies, and she was lonely and wanting to cuddle with Bailey all the time.

Soon, in came a barefoot Wyatt Clay, whose shoes had been packed where he couldn't reach them by his exuberant Daddy , excited for the youth hunt this weekend.  The kids kissed their great auntie goodbye, and I promised again to watch their animals well.  Bailey was particularly worried to leave Glory, since she is due to kid any day.

I visited with Auntie for a bit longer, then headed to return the tripods Charlie had borrowed from Teddy. Teddy always has a smile for everyone. He was getting ready to head to work, I asked how he was enjoying being a boss with the present government shutdown.  Teddy has been in the same unit as Charlie since before they went to boot camp, well over twenty years ago.  He agreed, this is not the time to be a boss.

They are full-time National Guardsmen, federal workers during the week, military on the weekend, and when they travel, which is generally a lot, since their unit's chief mission is training the military.  The state has come up with the money to pay them through this week, but then no one knows what will happen.

Teddy and I agreed that when there is lots to juggle, it is time to hit the gym. So I headed for the gym, and left him to head to do the same before work.  With the allergies leaving my throat so raw and painful, I just did five miles on the elliptical, then headed home to the animals waiting for me.

When I got home today, I locked the front gate behind me, the first outward sign that I would be on my own here for a bit.  I grabbed the first load from the car, and headed in the front door, where Shadow rushed out, ran around the porch and circled back to let me know she noticed I was alone.

"Where is your brother?" I asked. She danced in circles, leading me back to the kitchen, where old man Vegas lay at the back door, watching the world go by.  Shadow vocalized all her weird noises at me, letting me know she missed me, but disapproved of my returning, sans children.  They had been here to watch the boys load up this morning, and both knew that they were headed for a hunt.

Somehow, the dogs always know the difference between them loading up for a hunt, and when we load Charlie's car for him to head out on a duty assignment. And when he goes hunting, they greet him back and wait for their present from the hunt- hooves, horns, etc, - we don't believe in wasting the life and the bounty provided. And the dogs know it, and love the reward for looking after the farm well in the hunters' absence.

I offered up some turkey from the fridge to appease them, and gave Vegas some aspirin since the wind had not only left Bailey and I miserable in allergy issues, it also had his joints more stiff. He is seventeen, and has happily given over many of the day to day farm dog duties to his little sister, Shadow.  He keeps me company, and looks after his Bailey, but only really pitches in for guard dog duty and the occasional babysitting of a baby animal brought into the house.

We headed out to check on the animals, glancing in on the back porch crowd- sick bay and young animals live there, when they are recovering from an injury or getting big enough to join the older animals in the grow out or bigger pens. The bantam pen looked fine, and I headed straight for the doe pen- for Glory to be exact.

The others came to greet me, hoping to visit with their friend, as Glory is always the head of the herd.  She ambled out of her house, and turned to let me check her sides and udder. She didn't feel much further along. It seems like the babies are moving up and back a bit, but her udder is still fairly soft. That said, Glory can move along pretty fast once she gets going into labor.  I will still be headed out for a late night check tonight, and will save extra time to get a good check of her in the morning.

Satisfied that all was well, I came out of her pen and turned to head to the feed to top off the does' hay. I think Silver may have taken in her breeding, and they eat in spurts.  We always make sure feed is available.

As I turned left, though, I found Shadow on alert, fifteen feet back from the bantam Cochin pen, where the door had come unlatched and open in the gusting wind.  Her tail was going, she wanted me to fix the issue without her getting close enough to spook the poultry inside, as she had when watching Wyatt too closely one day in the d'Uccle pen. She still hadn't lived that day down.  I counted beaks and checked the feed and water, latched the pen and headed to the feed shed.

After topping off the doe feed, I went to do the same in the buck pen and found old Huey at the gate, awaiting me for a back and ear scratch.  Obediah and Powerstroke stood a couple steps behind him, clearly proud of themselves for getting him up a second time already today.  Huey is over ten, beyond the life span expected for a buck. He is among several geriatric animals toddling around here, living out their years in retirement.

Huey is in decline, but still seems to be holding his own, though likely only because the other two bucks are dedicated to it. They stand, one on each side of him, and boost him up, then nudging him to walk across the pen a few times a day.  Watching the way the animals look after one another makes me really love getting to be a part of their lives. It isn't always so nice, and they can sometimes be mean and need intervention, but the bucks are proud to look after each other, just as the does look after each other and help team up to raise the babies as a group.  I know the time is drawing nearer for Huey, but for now he still seems happy, and he is blessed by the kinship of Powerstroke and Obediah.

A quick look around, setting a few windblown items to right, and I was satisfied things would hold until the evening feeding, and grabbed the last items from the car and went inside. I thought perhaps a nap might help me feel more able to manage it all with the allergies, especially since I would need a late night check for Glory, so I did a little computer work then laid down for a nap.

I woke up with my throat worse, but at almost six!  This found me heading out as it turned to dusk, with all the chores ahead of me. I managed to grab one of the only flashlights Charlie didn't replace the batteries on before leaving, but began with the back porch, then gathering eggs in the bantam pen, checking on the breeding pens and heading to the goats. I was feeling pretty confident for the afternoon round that the animals were going to behave. Seriously? How many times have I done this? Don't I know every animal here wants their regular caretaker? Don't I know just how seriously the goats take that prankster quality that is part of the pygmy personality?

Bailey had carefully cleaned the pen before leaving, but managed to leave all of the spools the goats love to play with on end. So the gusting wind had them rolling up by the gate to Glory's kidding pen. I rolled them back and headed in to top of her hay, and one rolled back and smacked the gate into my back as the wind started in again.  I was just checking Glory as it happened, and she automatically took advantage and escaped from the kidding pen.  I let her go for a moment, and shoved the spool back, turning to feed the chickens in the next pen and get their water to clean. Another spool blocked me in.  I decided to grab the eggs before fussing with it, but all of the birds told me off for being the wrong caretaker while I was at it. I was thankful as I headed out in the doe area that none of them had tried to sneak into the chicken area, but they were too entertained running with Glory.

I flipped a spool back over to keep the other spools from rolling too close to the kidding pen, and started through the feeding and watering, alternating between cleaning out waters and letting them fill while I filled feeders.  The boys brought me Huey again, the young-ens in the grow out pen were already cuddled up for the night.  The A pen was a mess again, I set houses back to right and realized what Wyatt has been talking about with the setup of that pen, and understood why he wants that one to be the first to get the new treadle feeders.

I muscled my way through the Buckeyes and the Big Pen, upset one of the Brahmas trying to get the eggs from her. Wyatt would have helped her down from the house if he had been there, he says it is the same as when he offers me an elbow going down the hill in heels in the church parking lot.  I managed to lose the egg basket twice, and left my phone in random places, but Shadow split her time between barking at the fence line and checking on me.  The geese, (AKA- the farm busy-bodies) followed me around honking disapprovingly.

It's not as though I have never done this before!

I put away the feed cups and stopped in my shed for a basket to put together for the science club auction coming up.  Shadow met up with me again, and we headed to the back door so I could set the eggs down and begin watering.

Shadow settled Vegas in for a snack.  It's funny, since we free feed, but Shadow wants to make sure that the food bowl is never completely empty and no one forgets to let Vegas in immediately when he wants the door opened.  Since she has appointed herself my assistant, she also makes sure he sits down near the food bowl a couple times a day, whether he eats or not. This time, he humored her, and laid by the food bowl and watched us begin the watering.

I water by hand, I think it keeps me from missing things and having it go wrong in our extreme weather.  But it means a solid half hour plus of carrying buckets each night.  Shadow would run off at top speed, and then disappear for a bit, while i tended the plants, then just as I got to wondering, she would appear back by Vegas, checking on him then coming to see me before heading off to bark at anything she found suspicious.

As seriously as she is taking her farm/ guard dog duties, only hours into them being gone, the neighbors will be loving me soon! I see cookies and bread going over the fence shortly...

Bailey called, they have made it safely to where they had left the hunting stuff after Charlie's last hunt, and I assured her that the animals were fine.  I gave her a couple more strategies for the allergies, since she left the meds in the back of my car today, and encouraged her to take the medication she had and get some sleep.

Shadow  watched me harvest several pounds of pomegranates, we left the spit ones down for the geese to enjoy tomorrow (they think I don't know they sneak up the retaining wall to raid the tree) and I scratched Vegas' ears on the way in the back door.

It had only taken a couple hours to get through it all, and by the time they get home, I will have it all organized, but tomorrow night, I definitely want to get it all done before dark!

I came inside, and as Shadow alternated between barking like a lunatic at every sound and demanding attention, I settled in to cuddling Tiny, the baby that came in the house a couple days ago. She really wanted Bailey, and kept hollering despite being cuddled, so I gave her a stuffed animal, which she snuggled up to right away, and stopped complaining. I feel so loved.

Now here I am, typing away and listening to the news, drinking tons to try to appease my throat. The eggs are packed away, the dishwasher started. Just as I thought I was getting it under control, Shadow disappeared into Wyatt's room, I called her back and tried to get her to play fetch, she ignored me. I typed a little more, then realized she had stolen my pin cushion and run for her dog bed, to pull the pins out and throw the on the floor.

Yup, feeling loved.

Well, things are temporarily quiet. Vegas has settled into his bed, and Shadow has jumped up on my bed, where she sleeps when Wyatt is away. I suppose that means it is time to get her riled up again and go out and check on Glory one last time for tonight.

I've got this all under control, right? I am sure glad the feed order came in yesterday and Bailey helped me unload it all and put it up, even if I was a little late for the farmers market!

You all have a great night!

A Big Weekend at Our House...

Well, to begin our weekend, the kids were assigned to clean the tack shed! Funny note, they were required to get along to get it done, no mama intervention! Why yes, it did take all day, but they did a pretty good job,

and when I couldn't find the big black funnel today to fill my feeder, Wyatt could lay his hands on it immediately. The show box was even cleaned out!

If that didn't dub me the mean mama, Bailey came inside this afternoon, and asked if she could leave a brand new bantam Cochin baby with the mamas who really wanted to raise it. But after the four foot snake being found dead in the buck pen Saturday morning, with no explanation and us knowing that we have so many snakes this year, I had her bring the baby in. It settled in right away, cuddling up with the other little Cochins in the brooder in the living room.

What a sweet little face! It definitely looks as though we have a couple roosters in the bantam Cochin group.  Oh boy...

I still haven't gotten much done on the big sewing project, or caught you up on our neat adventure at Arbico, but I did get a nice big batch of soap made tonight- Orange-Vanilla Dreamscicle Goat's Milk.  It smells wonderful!

Wyatt and Shadow were cuddled up all sweet when I went in to turn off the light Wyatt had forgotten. Just as I went to snap the picture, Shadow picked up her head.

Well, it is definitely sleepytime for this mama. Have a wonderful week!

Sweet New Faces

I am finding myself up late in lesson plans and sitting with a sweet old dog who is sneezing a good bit tonight.

Since I wandered over to check for news, I thought I would take a moment and introduce a couple new little friends...

Please pardon the photo quality, but this first one was from yesterday i the little nest box when we went to check on the three broodies in the Silkie group. She was still wet, so she stayed with the hens until today. As we have been relocating snakes from near there again, we went ahead and pulled the little one to the brooder in the living room. I didn't get any new photos, though, Wyatt is beginning to take the two Silkies that hatched for this year's showmanship birds.

We still had six eggs in the incubator, and Wyatt thought for sure last night that one was talking. I thought he was just hearing the very loud little ones in the brooder, but he was right. Today, a little bantam Cochin joined us, running about the incubator happily.

Once dry, Bailey lifted the top, and the baby chick jumped into her hand. Old man Vegas had to see the new little addition. He isn't too fond of the loud brooder, but has a soft sweet heart!

Well, everyone seems to be quieting for the night, though Shadow did sneak in and lay on my side of the bed. She worries when her big "brother" isn't himself, especially if her doting kisses don't fix things straightaway, or with her bringing him the bowl.  I suppose I should get some sleep, morning comes early, and I never know what the new day will bring! Have a good night, all.