and the rest of the gang...for now...

So it's been a while since I've really posted anything here for several reasons, limited time being one of them. But wanted to introduce you to some of the newest members of the herd. Below is Birdie.

Birdie bears this name because she was born with a parrot mouth and parrot = bird and it sort of just stuck.... Quite honestly when I saw that I was afraid she'd have to be put down because I thought she wouldn't be able to eat or drink, much to my delight I was wrong! It took a bit of patience and it was a learning curve at first, but she's eating like a champ! She's eating hay and will now even drink water from a bucket.

 Next up it was FINALLY Katie's turn to deliver. I was convinced that she was going to stay "sleek and single Katie" forever so when she started showing signs of pregnancy I was over the moon happy! Though she kept it a secret for a looooooong time. Had I not felt the baby moving I'd likely never have suspected she was carrying. I like to be in the "delivery room" with my girls and I love it when they come to me to seek comfort while laboring.

 Katie didn't venture too far from me and I was SOOOO glad to have been there for this delivery. One of the pictures Ron took of this delivery was of me praying for Katie and I gotta say, it's one of my favs, I think it was intuition as Katie's delivery was a rough one, she labored normally but when she started pushing and pushing and pushing and nothing really was happening I started getting worried. I ended up having to go in and get the baby out. Katie was exhausted and this baby was not coming out. I was scared but remained calm and went through all the kidding scenarios I had read about and had the kids start praying too. I worked with her contractions and prayer and got the baby out and both momma and baby survived. Then let out a huge sign of relief and a prayer of thanks. It was no wonder she had trouble, Jumpin' Jeffery weighed in at exactly 9 pounds! For a first freshener that is HUGE!

 This is Jumpin' Jeffery and I'm not sure if it's because of the traumatic delivery or his innate goat-ness and goofy personality but I am completely smitten with this not so little guy. Maybe because it's Katies first baby too, I have no idea, just completely smitten.

Next up was Strawberry, she hadn't taken since she had Buckley and Katie and I thought it was because Blackberry had been so mean to her and hurt her internally, but I guess not! When she came into season shortly after Dealer arrived here I honestly didn't hold much hope of her taking and when the first breeding didn't take I figured well, I'm not surprised. Then she came into a full blown screaming (literally) heat, she literally chased Dealer all over and kept flagging and my thought was geez, Strawberry have a little self control girl! But this cycle was different and this one took! This produced twins. A little girl that we named Laudamus (meaning "we praise!" - and after all we have been through the past couple years in general and with this little girls mom I figure it's a fitting name.)

 And another buckling which we named Vedder, yes, as in the last name of the lead singer of Pearl Jam - Ron's favorite band. Vedder had showed signs of selenium deficiency because he was walking on just the very tip of his front toes then would take a few steps and lay down, heartbreaking?! YES! I called my vet and was able to get some selenium and vitamin E for him. That worked very well! With in days he was better and up and running with the rest of the herd and his legs have completely straightened out. We live in a very selenium deficient area and despite the fact that I'd never had problems with it for kidding this year I had a few. Turns out that Birdies parrot mouth and the lack of pregnancies for Katie and Strawberry all these years could also have been cause by that too. So now I know and can take steps accordingly.

 This is the second group of kids all snuggling together in the bean bag, cute? oh yes! Below is the introduction of all the babies this year. I see a pattern with Dealer's offspring. two white, two black and two brown. I find it maddening that forever now I have wanted a little black doe, because I love the way they look and I got white does and black bucks. Sigh, maybe next year.

Let me tell ya folks, this is a wonderful way to start my mornings, sitting in the sunroom in the early morning light with a bunch of babies in my arms! L to R Vedder, Jeffery, Laudamus

how happy is this little goat?!

He's had my heart for 5 years now...

 Five years ago today Garlic was delivered to his forever home and I'll tell you it has been the fastest 5 years of my life and some of the best memories I have include him. I've mentioned before and I'll say it again he is my childhood, little girl dream come true, only better. As best I can piece together he's about 30 today and I wanted to share some of the sage wisdom he's taught me since joining my life. There are some things I've learned in the past 5 years that only he could have taught me.

 He's taught me that sometimes what you think you want and what you need are completely different and what you need turns out being exactly what you want.

There are things in life worth waiting for because time is fleeting and causes you to savor every minute in a way that's not possible had you gotten it instantly.

 Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence but the grass is short, the people don't understand you and there is sweet feed served at home!

A few hours on horseback or a large warm shoulder to cry on are sometimes the same thing.

Sometimes it's the smallest stone that causes the most surefooted among us to stumble and it's ok we can recover and continue along that trail.

Lay down in the sunshine and rest when you're tired and take off at a full gallop when you're not.

Aging gracefully is beautiful.

Nicker when you see a loved one! They tend to eat that up - and bring carrots.

 Forgive the hurts from the past; they made you who you are, and who you are is appreciated because of the past, the good and the bad. 

It takes time to build trust, it's hard work but the payoff is amazing. I rode 'Boz' (Garlic) today bareback in a halter with just a lead rope. It was amazing, it gives me chills to relive it. We've gotten to know each other and built a trust with one another and developed an ability to listen to each other in a language only he and I speak, it's beautiful and there is now way this would have happened 5 years ago, but I'm so thankful we were put in each others paths and have had the past 5 years together.

It's ok to take chances, I did 5 years ago and have never looked back. I took a chance 5 years ago on a skinny old horse with a kind eye and completely unknown history, I took a leap of faith and I'm still flying!

I have no idea how much longer I have with him; 30 is getting up there, but if I spent all my time worrying about that and wondering I'd miss out on a whole pile time. So here's to the next 5 years Boz! Thank you for being the most amazing horse on the planet and for being mine. I love you Boz.

Ramsey made a friend!

Good Morning from our herd to yours!

Praise!!!!

We went to the doc's today for a check up and an up date with the results of Ron's most recent MRI. We had anticipated good news but what we got was more than that! As some of you are aware we've been dealing with some major health issues with my husband, without going into oodles of info, in July they found a grapefruit sized tumor in the retroperitoneal area which after being told twice that it was cancer turns out that it isn't! Even better than that; which  rightly so was pretty damn good news, was hearing that according to the latest MRI it is now the size of a blueberry!! He credits it to the raw food, juicing, love, prayers, and meds. And the cherry on this was that the doc told us that Ron was responding to treatment far far far better than even he'd expected! We both walked out of the office on a cloud and a smile a mile wide!

enjoyed it we did

Happy Valentines Day!

Is there anything more sexy than a man in the kitchen cooking? YES! A man in the kitchen making chocolate covered strawberries for the love of his life. Ron's hands are severely atrophied and cause him extreme and constant pain so for him to think of and do this knocked my socks off. His sweet thoughtful gesture melted my heart, then melted in my mouth, they were delicious! Want more sexy?

A man who steps aside and shows his son to do the same thing for his mom. Andrew was just as proud as a peacock to be able to do this for me and grinned from ear to ear as he said to me "Open wide!" and plopped the biggest berry he'd dipped in my mouth. I love being surrounded by my men. :-)

BEST chocolate EVER!

As some of you are aware we're trying a raw food lifestyle for better health and so far we're loving it! As many of you ladies may want to know 'what about chocolate?! I NEED chocolate!' Well let me tell to I have no idea how I've lived my entire life without these raw chocolate truffles. Not difficult or a long process to make at all, I mean really the food processor did most of the work and I'll certainly be making them again! I'm on the best chocolate high EVER! ;-)


Ok, so for the recipe, it is not mine, I just added an ingredient - maca powder. Trust me, these may sound weird based on the ingredients, but trust me after you try these little beauties you'll thank me! Trust me.

½ cup pitted prunes
¼ cup pitted dates
3 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp Agave Nectar
2 tbsp cacao powder
1/4 cup grated unsweetened coconut
1 heaping tbsp maca powder
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

Directions

Place unsweetened cocoa powder in a shallow bowl and set aside.

Combine prunes and dates in a food processor and process until finely chopped.  Add almond butter, agave nectar, and cacao powder.  Transfer to a bowl and mix in coconut by hand.

Scoop up about a tsp of fruit mixture and roll between the palms of your hand to form a small ball.  Roll each ball in cocoa powder and place on a tray or plate that will fit in your fridge.  Refrigerate until firm and enjoy!

Warm Winter Woolies!

So here it is folks! Just back from the mill and ready for some creativity, all that's needed is YOU! This is our llama/wool blend.

 

100% Maine grown alpaca! Exclusive From the Country Farm blend we call Johnsey! Makes me think of a sinfully rich mug of hot cocoa. Silky. Soft. Warm. What more could you ask for?

 

 

 Miss Audrey's favorite "Deorgepaca!" Again 100% Maine grown alpaca! Similar to Johnsey only a white chocolate version!

All our fiber is processed and spun into this wonderful yarn within 10 miles of our farm, when I say I like supporting local businesses I mean local! :-) When the rest of the yarn is finished and back I'll post some pictures of that as well, it'll be after the start of the new year, I think I'll have all this yarn in hanks by then! Have I mentioned I'm just giddy about this?!

Oh what a glorious day!

I cannot tell you how much I needed a day like yesterday. After the lovely year we've had, the stress, death, heartache we've endured and all the ups and downs yesterday was a day to let go of all the craziness surrounding me, turn off all the chaos and worry in my head, silence the wolves at the door and do nothing but breathe in and out and ride. It was one of the single best days of my life! For two years my friend Elaine and I have gone to this farm and ridden in the Harvest Hunter Pace they host for the local pony club. I blogged about last years ride here. This year I brought the camera so I could take you along as well because I'm sure we could all use a day like yesterday because we're all facing something.

So that's me, taking pictures of the day for y'all, I think it's great Elaine got that shot, too funny!

Here are Harry and I ready to go, and GO! is exactly what Harry wanted to do, I think he'd have run all or at least most of the course if I'd let him. Harry is a sweet, sweet horse, and due to the fact that he looks so similar to Garlic I find him even more endearing. He's got a very kind eye and wonderful easy-going temperament. Having not ridden all summer with the exception of one short 10 minute ride a couple months ago I was certain I was going to die after this 8 mile endurance ride. Mercifully I was not really even that sore! Thanks in large part to a mount that rides like a rocking chair, who's stride would take us up hills and across green pastures in the blink of an eye and an extremely comfortable saddle.

This year Elaine rode Zeus, a.k.a Zeus the MOOSE! This guy is stunning! He's an appendix Quarter Horse with a hind end that, well, quite honestly most women would be horrified to have, but he wears it well. It's more like a couch than anything else, but it's quite a powerful engine, carrying them up and over the hills and through the streams and pine groves with ease.
I love this shot of the boys, I wonder what they were thinking...."Ok, let's do our best and give these ladies a great ride, they both need a break as they are both dealing with a ton of stuff right now. We can do this for them, they are both horse lovers and safe forever homes and they need this." "Absolutely, my thoughts exactly!"
Elaine and Zeus, getting ready to head out! At this point it was impossible to tell which had the bigger grin on our faces, we were both so happy to be away from everything and have this glorious day.
One shot of the barn from the course. The barn isn't really slanted despite the fact that it's so old, it's just hard to take a good picture when the horse you're on does not want to stop, he wants to just go go GO!
another shot from the course...
Elaine and Zeus heading down to and obstacle, then back up to head into the pines!
Ahhhhh, does a view ever get more glorious than that?!
I mean seriously?!
If I could capture the scent in this part of the course, we'd be debt free in no time! The potent elixir of horse sweat, leather, pine, sweet grass, warm afternoon sun, fresh clean air and a bit of dirt is so powerful that you cannot help but stop and breathe it in in a way as if your soul had never been given oxygen or seen the sun. If ever I am stricken with a terminal disease and..... ....take me to such a place and let me breathe.
Harry and I on the other side of the hill Elaine and Zeus were on in an above picture. There were several water obstacles we crossed, one nearly cam up to Harry's chest! (Maybe if we go again next year I'll try to get a picture of that one! It's AWESOME, I can certainly see how this type of thing is addicting!)
Harry and I had run across the finish line and were able to turn around and take this picture of Elaine and Zeus at the finish!
A view of part of the course from the finish line, up near the barn.
Harry and I after the ride, sweaty, covered in mud and ready for lunch, oh and Harry was too!
Grinning from ear to ear! That my friends is a picture of a VERY happy, stress and worries forgotten for a day, woman!
Thank you Harry and Zeus for a ride fit for kings on gallant steeds, thank you Elaine for allowing me to tag along and having a day that I will never forget, thank you God for allowing all things to be possible.

a great day!

My peaceful happy family

So happy!

I talked briefly with the mother of the Fresh Air child we're hosting this summer today! So we're even more excited about hosting now!

Will in his new digs!

Finally the pigs are big enough for me to feel comfortable moving them outside, instead of having them in the barn, I was able to get that done today and boy do I have some happy pigs here on the farm tonight! Round one and two went to the pigs, and I almost gave up for the day, but round three went to me and with any luck it'll stay that way. I don't have time to go into details, but suffice it to say that pigs hopped up on adrenaline don't seem to feel the pain of an electric fence....and calm pigs learn quickly.
No Will, I cannot see you behind that great pig tree....you're completely hidden.

4 years ago today...

... heart of gold with a kind eye was delivered into my life and delivered me in ways I never thought possible. Not for a minute have I ever regretted making that decision and now that he has joined my life I cannot imagine my life without him.


Last year I mentioned that I had drawn a picture that hung on my wall as a child, well when I snapped this picture the other day it made me smile because it is almost exactly like the one I drew as a child - only better.
My favorite kissing place!

Thank you Garlic for being in that pen on that day and stepping into my life as gently as a summer breeze and fulfilling and exceeding my childhood dream. The other night I watched a video of your first day here and later our first ride, and it brought tears to my eyes and a flood of emotion. Thank you for being a kind and willing partner now and a patient teacher then. I love you Boz!

"Thank you Mommy for spoiling me!"

It's a statement I'm sure you're familiar with; "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," never have I found it to be more true than with Andrew. This past summer he mentioned to me that he thought his best friend (his cousin) was spoiled because his mother (my sister) made him waffles and doughnuts for breakfast. Not both on the same day mind you, but more frequently than Andrew eats them. It's no secret that I'm not a morning person, and in all honesty it would be dangerous for me to be dealing with nearly 400 degree oil that early in the morning! Andrew has had homemade waffles before and occasionally make them himself, but on a recent overnight visit to my sister's house she set a precident - waffles and doughnuts for breakfast two days in a row, and sent some home with him. Little did I know that her doing that would mean more work for me. I knew he'd be thrilled if I attempted that so I tried this morning, keeping it a secret in case it failed. I used the recipe from Pioneer Woman but added a bit if fresh nutmeg like my grandmother used to. In between making homemade pizza for dinner and family movie night last night I secretly made the dough for the doughnuts and made the waffle batter after he went to bed. This morning I woke up early, made myself a tall glass if iced chai tea and set about making the doughnuts. This is not something I'd attempt without caffeine or on a school day and we home school! After rolling out the dough and cutting the doughnuts you need to let them rise for over an hour, which allowed time for barn chores and waffle making. It's a very long process. I'd hoped to have some of this special breakfast done before he woke up, but it was not to be. He walked into the kitchen, saw what I was doing and a mile wide grin spread across his face and his eyes lit up. He ran and gave me a big hug and said "I'm going to be a spoiled boy today!"

A huge stack of waffles! Andrew finished up making the last one for me.

before...

during...

after...

YUM!!!