May 19, 2009

Another New Lamb

Went out this morning and I saw---



This is the smallest lamb we've had born.  Looks just like her mom.


I had to show you where our little Angora doe likes to snuggle in the sun--


And a picture of our new LGD.  Her name is Jenny and she's a honey.



Doesn't she look vicious?  She's four months old.


Well it looks like the sun has decided to come out.  I should go out and make good use of it.


From Glory Farm.


Rhonda

May 16, 2009

LGD

We have another new additiong to the farm.  Her name is Jenny and she's a puppy.  I think! She's less than four months old and her back hits me mid thigh.  She is totally lovable.


We have been looking for a dog since last fall, when our daughter's dog was hit on the road.  We wanted one that was mellow, didn't chase cars, kept deer out of my garden, left the chickens alone, protected the sheep and goats.  I think we found one.  She's Newfie and Great Pyrenes.  Everyone just loves her. 


If I have time this afternoon, I'll post a picture of her.  She's completely black and so it's hard to get a good picture.  She's also completely cute.


From Glory Farm

Fun, fun, fun

I woke up early this morning, for a Saturday, that is.  The skies were overcast and the wind was blowing at  40mph.  We had and still have a balmy 32 degrees.  Stepping out onto the deck, my feet slid.  Ice and snow! Then the electricity went out.  Trees down on the power line.    I lit a fire in the fire pit, put on the bacon and eggs, and a pot of coffee.  Believe it or not, I really like this.  This is usually the only kind of weather I go camping in.  Cooking outside this morning, I felt like I was at the lake.  The smell of woodsmoke lingers in my hair.  The coffee tastes like real coffee and stays hot forever.  The bacon just slightly burnt and the eggs swimming in bacon grease. 


Yep, it really is fun, fun, fun.


The power is back on now and it's back to the real world, and farm work.


From Glory Farm

May 14, 2009

Honey bees

Outside my window, falling ever so gently, snow!  Hey, hasn't anyone told the weatherman it's the middle of May?  I'm zipping up winter jackets and putting stocking caps on the kids as they go outside to start chores.  I know enough, not to put the winter clothes away until the middle of June.  Brrrr...





So, want to know the latest addition to the farm?  Bees.  That's right.  We went and picked some bees up on Tuesday.  Poor things are probably wondering what happened to spring.  This is a learn as I go project, so I would sure welcome your advice.  I have one hive and some supers, a veil, hive tool, and smoker.  What else should I have on hand?  I'm feeding them now, as we hardly even have dandelions blooming yet.  I did start mowing the lawn, yesterday, but I hit a piece of baler twine and I may have toasted the mower.


My tiller is in need of a new air filter and gas line.  I'm having a hard time finding parts, but I hope to get them ordered today.  I really NEED to get my garden tilled even though we only have 32 degrees right now.  It's filling up with grass and parts of it look like my lawn.





May 9, 2009

Could you give it all up?

Sometimes I wonder if my "Homesteading" is becoming more important than my Lord.  I get totally preoccupied with goats, sheep, gardens, etc.  We call our place "Glory Farm", wanting to bring Glory to God in all we do.  Just about the time I think I have my priorities all messed up, God takes care of it.  Our goats and sheep are having their little ones, just like they are all over right now.  My two Alpines, the ones that were so healthy, so promising , have had a horrible time of kidding.  One poor doe died and her kid with her.  The other lost her kid and we're trying everything to save her.  We had to pull both kids, and the second doe, the one still alive, was in very poor shape going into labor.  She started going downhill fast after her sister died.  We have her on two types of antibiotics, oxytosin, and a pain killer.  She's been down for two days, now, but she's not getting any worse.  Now I say, Lord, I could give it all up for you.  Help me to learn from experience, to use this knowledge and to be a better caretaker of my animals. Amen.


I think the two Alpines had too much feed for the last month of their pregnancy.  I've never had this problem before.  A terrible way to learn.


I am thankful for the lambs and kids that are healthy.  I am hopeful that the goats and sheep left to have babies will be fine.  I am thankful that my Jesus is in control.


From Glory Farm

May 19, 2009

Another New Lamb

Went out this morning and I saw---



This is the smallest lamb we've had born.  Looks just like her mom.


I had to show you where our little Angora doe likes to snuggle in the sun--


And a picture of our new LGD.  Her name is Jenny and she's a honey.



Doesn't she look vicious?  She's four months old.


Well it looks like the sun has decided to come out.  I should go out and make good use of it.


From Glory Farm.


Rhonda

May 16, 2009

LGD

We have another new additiong to the farm.  Her name is Jenny and she's a puppy.  I think! She's less than four months old and her back hits me mid thigh.  She is totally lovable.


We have been looking for a dog since last fall, when our daughter's dog was hit on the road.  We wanted one that was mellow, didn't chase cars, kept deer out of my garden, left the chickens alone, protected the sheep and goats.  I think we found one.  She's Newfie and Great Pyrenes.  Everyone just loves her. 


If I have time this afternoon, I'll post a picture of her.  She's completely black and so it's hard to get a good picture.  She's also completely cute.


From Glory Farm

Fun, fun, fun

I woke up early this morning, for a Saturday, that is.  The skies were overcast and the wind was blowing at  40mph.  We had and still have a balmy 32 degrees.  Stepping out onto the deck, my feet slid.  Ice and snow! Then the electricity went out.  Trees down on the power line.    I lit a fire in the fire pit, put on the bacon and eggs, and a pot of coffee.  Believe it or not, I really like this.  This is usually the only kind of weather I go camping in.  Cooking outside this morning, I felt like I was at the lake.  The smell of woodsmoke lingers in my hair.  The coffee tastes like real coffee and stays hot forever.  The bacon just slightly burnt and the eggs swimming in bacon grease. 


Yep, it really is fun, fun, fun.


The power is back on now and it's back to the real world, and farm work.


From Glory Farm

May 14, 2009

Honey bees

Outside my window, falling ever so gently, snow!  Hey, hasn't anyone told the weatherman it's the middle of May?  I'm zipping up winter jackets and putting stocking caps on the kids as they go outside to start chores.  I know enough, not to put the winter clothes away until the middle of June.  Brrrr...





So, want to know the latest addition to the farm?  Bees.  That's right.  We went and picked some bees up on Tuesday.  Poor things are probably wondering what happened to spring.  This is a learn as I go project, so I would sure welcome your advice.  I have one hive and some supers, a veil, hive tool, and smoker.  What else should I have on hand?  I'm feeding them now, as we hardly even have dandelions blooming yet.  I did start mowing the lawn, yesterday, but I hit a piece of baler twine and I may have toasted the mower.


My tiller is in need of a new air filter and gas line.  I'm having a hard time finding parts, but I hope to get them ordered today.  I really NEED to get my garden tilled even though we only have 32 degrees right now.  It's filling up with grass and parts of it look like my lawn.





May 9, 2009

Could you give it all up?

Sometimes I wonder if my "Homesteading" is becoming more important than my Lord.  I get totally preoccupied with goats, sheep, gardens, etc.  We call our place "Glory Farm", wanting to bring Glory to God in all we do.  Just about the time I think I have my priorities all messed up, God takes care of it.  Our goats and sheep are having their little ones, just like they are all over right now.  My two Alpines, the ones that were so healthy, so promising , have had a horrible time of kidding.  One poor doe died and her kid with her.  The other lost her kid and we're trying everything to save her.  We had to pull both kids, and the second doe, the one still alive, was in very poor shape going into labor.  She started going downhill fast after her sister died.  We have her on two types of antibiotics, oxytosin, and a pain killer.  She's been down for two days, now, but she's not getting any worse.  Now I say, Lord, I could give it all up for you.  Help me to learn from experience, to use this knowledge and to be a better caretaker of my animals. Amen.


I think the two Alpines had too much feed for the last month of their pregnancy.  I've never had this problem before.  A terrible way to learn.


I am thankful for the lambs and kids that are healthy.  I am hopeful that the goats and sheep left to have babies will be fine.  I am thankful that my Jesus is in control.


From Glory Farm