Cock-a-dooooodlie-doo

Big Mama- "Fancy, do you see that?"

Fancy- "I can't see through you, maybe you could moooo-ve"

Sunshine- "You two just keep chatting. *munch, much* I'll make sure to leave you a little hay *munch, munch*

Big Mama- "They are bringing another one..."

Fancy- "Mooove, I can't see.  Another what?"

Big Mama- "Another feathered thing to wake us up in the morning"

Sunshine- "Oh dear, *munch, munch* what to do, what to do?  Guess we should discuss this over lunch"

"Alright who is in charge around here, and can you tell me why they are calling me Humphrey?  Don't I get at least one phone call?"

Miracles in progress

Not just my brave hat, but my boots too. 

Climbing up into that loft is not one of my favorite things to do.  Turns out my fear of heights is nothing compared to my fear of walking through the pasture with a bale of hay in my hands.  The animals know what hay looks like.  They know it is their food during the winter months.  They love to walk beside the hay as the farmhand (that would be me today), finds the best place to serve the meal in the pasture.  We have a bale ring we can put the hay in, but right now we prefer to put several small patches of hay out in the pasture to give equal eating opportunities and to minimize "the drop zone" effect (you know one massive area of future compost material).  We have a few animals that think they should eat until they are personally stuffed, before anyone else should be able to enjoy even a morsel.  Making these small piles really helps everyone to get a fair share of hay.

Today I hadn't even walked through the gate to the pasture where the animals were mingling when I was spotted by Gypsy.

Gypsy is Rodi's horse and she loves that man.  She will follow him anywhere.  She terrifies me, and she knows it.

I took a deep breath and kept walking.  I walked as if I wasn't scared.  I walked as if I didn't have a care in the world.  I was just there to put out the hay and that is a simple thing to do (in my dreams).  Gypsy tried to take a sample of the hay as I passed by.  I just told her "no", and kept walking.  Soon all the animals were coming towards me.  My herd of cows looked ready to pounce.  Tonka with his bullish ways started using his horns to push the other cows out of his way and to the back of the line.  Even with all this commotion going on all I could think about were Gypsy and Rosebud and how they were following closely behind.  Gypsy snorted and I swear I almost lost my breakfast.  I put the hay down and began to break it apart into sections. I grabbed the first section and walked it across the pasture a bit.  When I looked to see who was following me I was dismayed but not surprised, to find all the animals over munching on the main block that was still waiting for me to distribute it into several areas.  This would mean I was going to have to go back over there, bend down to pick up more hay, and not be trampled by the cows and most importantly the horses.  In their minds I would be stealing their food, I am quite sure.  Certain death was in store for me, I just knew it.  I remembered I had on my brave hat and confidently went in for the hay.

SUCCESS!

I didn't die, and I even found it easier to breathe than I had expected.  I was able to go back to the now smaller original bale several times.  I was almost giddy looking at the animals as they all found their way to their own little piles of hay.  I did that.  I made them happy.  Way to go me!  

As I started to walk away I noticed Gypsy was following me.  Eeeekkkk!  Was she ushering me out of her pasture?  I turned around, tried my best to wipe the fear out of my eyes, and asked her what she wanted.  Then.... she brushed her nose on my jacket.  I wasn't sure what to do so I gave her nose a little rub.  Turns out she was okay with that.  She turned and went back to her pile of hay.  I started to walk back to the barn when I noticed Carley J in the yard no longer tending to the bunnies and chickens.  She had stopped in her tracks to watch such a rare sight, her mother in the pasture with the horses.  So excited about what had just happened, she actually told me she was proud.  My heart melted just a little.  Okay a lot.

I decided we needed proof of my adventures.  I handed her my phone and told her to snap a few pictures.  Then I did the unthinkable... I walked back towards the pasture, back towards Gypsy.  Gypsy saw me and decided to meet me halfway. 

I am still fearful of these beautiful creatures, so it is not yet a miracle.

More like a miracle in progress.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me NOT!

The verdict is in.  While I feel there was a time that Bogart loved me.

It seems those days are long gone.  Gone are the days of Boggie sweetly following me around the yard, curiously watching my every move.  Oh, those were the days.

Now (well since yesterday), I must be brave to walk through the yard, and always on the lookout for "Big Bad Bogart".  He has gone on the attack.  

It really is quite the site I am sure.  

I can just hear the neighbor boy calling to his mom, "Mom, come look!  I think the rooster is gonna win this one."

He loves me, He loves me NOT...

It is a sad time for me. I am trying to come up with a plan to renew our friendship.  If it doesn't work, I see long days for Bogart living in the dreaded chicken tractor.  Of course then I will have to build Lillie a new playground as she loves life in the tractor.

Thankfully there are others in the barnyard who are beginning to understand me and my lovable quirks.

Gypsy and her "Betty Davis Eyes" follow me from a distance these days.  Gypsy loves to come right up to people.  She assumes all people love horses, especially people who own horses.  I have had to explain to her that that isn't always the case.  While Rodi and the kids love horses, they TERRIFY me.  Oh yeah, like shake in my boots terrified.  It takes every ounce of bravery in me to walk out into that pasture when the horses are nearby.  It seems silly I know.  I am not sure where the fear comes from, but it is there.  I think Gypsy has finally realized that while I love her, I must love her from a safe distance.  She is truly a beautiful horse and when she runs through the pasture with her tail held high it is the most amazing site.  A site I love to watch from the safety of our deck.

Of course her recent distance could be due to her great fashion sense.  I mean it takes a lot of courage to be seen socializing with this:

Yep nothing says fashion like rubber mud boots and an apron worn outdoors.

Do you see the mud smeared on the glass section of the door?  Husker swears he wipes his paws before knocking to come back inside.  I say the proof is on the window.  Seriously that snow-melt has left us in a muddy mess.

I am off to begin my quest in re-friending Bogart.  Any advice would be deeply appreciated.

Busy, Busy, Farm Girls.

Yesterday was one busy day for the "farm girls".  There were rabbits to move, a chicken tractor to be finished, and one very fast rooster to catch.

"Catch me if you can."

Okay so there was more to our day than that but those were the major activities on our "to-do list".

Moving the rabbits was easy, just time consuming.  Finishing the chicken tractor was a task I'd rather not relive.  Maybe it had to do with the cold weather?  Maybe it had to do with the hand saw I had to use instead of the skill saw that was sitting there mocking me. Maybe it had to do with my not so graceful skills with the hammer?  Whatever the reason, it took a long time to finish the chicken tractor.  All most as long as it took Carley J to catch Bogart.  Victory was had though. I wish I would have had my camera as she proudly walked across the field with Bogart under her arm.  She was one big smile.  The hens are easy to catch, but Bogart can really run.  I think he just likes to see how long we will chase him before we get tired and give up.  There was no giving up for Carley J, she didn't quit until she had him in her arms.

I am not sure how the crew likes their new home. I am pretty sure they are not impressed.  Maybe there is a little part of them that understands this is for their own good, someplace safe for them.  Probably not.

A Fine Mess.... (DPP '10 - Dec 8)

Psssst... Over Here

Yes, you!

Can you help a gal in need?

Please?

I don't belong in here.

Someone made a terrible mistake...

Isn't it quite obvious...

This is quite a mess.  

Please send help soon!

Wait, don't leave. 

Woe is me, woe is me....

You're coming back right?

Poor Sophie, it has been a rough week for her.  First all her playmates suffer a series of unfortunate events. Then she finds herself in the Chicken tractor with the "Hen Squad" and  Bogart.  If she only understood that they are just as unhappy about the situation as she is.

I am just glad they are all safe.  Tonight they will all be tucked inside the coop part of the tractor and safe from unwanted guests.  Well that is the hope anyway.

Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is here and the chickens are still not convinced we are having turkey for our dinner.

They have gone into hiding.

I am thankful for many things today, my family, my friends, my knowledge of the gospel, and the love that my Father in Heaven shows me each and every day.  I am thankful to be part of a military family.  I am thankful to have four beautiful and healthy children.  I am thankful for the animals that grace our property each and everyday with their unique and special personalities.

Today I am extra thankful for my husband and the blessing he continues to be in my life.  I am thankful for the hard work he puts in each and every day.  I am thankful that even on this holiday he is working hard to make sure our chickens have a safe place to call home.

The chicken tractor is almost complete.  In this picture he is putting on the wheels so that I can move the tractor with ease.  Now we he just has to hinge the drop down ramp/flooring that will be under the roost and cover the top with wire.  I am such a lucky gal to have a man around like him.  He keeps me happy and feeling loved every minute of every day.  I can only hope I make him as happy.

I hope you are all having a fantastic day!

With a little help from 

Suzanne McMinn 

Our dinner is going to be over the top this year.  I am making the recipe for cornmeal yeast rolls and they are looking as if they will be a hit!  I will fill you in on the outcome of the rolls in my next post.

Tricky, tricky

If there is an animal bound and determined to escape, it is Jack.  He is 16 months old and is currently for sale.  I think maybe he knows he is for sale.

See him just pretending I am not there.

So cute, but so ornery!

It really isn't his fault.  We need another line of electric fencing just a bit lower.  

Still he is the only one who goes through the barbed wire to get out.  

Does that make him brave?

He gave KC a quick run through the neighbors pasture.

KC is a good cattle herder though, he quickly had Jack headed back across the road.

Soon he was back where he belongs, sharing a mid-day snack (the bait) with Gypsy, and telling the tales of his fun on "the outside".  

I tried to tell them it wasn't polite to talk with their mouths full, but they live in a barnyard, pretty sure those rules don't apply.

I will miss my Jack when he finds his new home.  

He really can be the life of the party.

A little of this and a little of that...

We were hit by the storm (Nicole) last Thursday and Friday.  She packed quite a punch here on the East coast.  Thankfully we are all okay, animals included.  There were times I thought we were going to have to test our raft building skills though. Good thing I have a boy scout at home, they know how to do those kinds of things, or so I hear.  

The water level has gone down at our place. Life on the island was nice while it lasted. It wasn't all it was cracked up to be though.  Maybe you need sandy beaches to really enjoy an island home?  

"The Girls" are loving life after the storm!  They found their way back to the barn and have to be bribed to return to their coop now.  The cows don't seem to mind the new clean-up crew, but the horses are irritated with the little "feather dusters".  The horses and hens are learning to stay in different areas of the barnyard.

We did have one not so great side-effect from the storm... the electric fence died.  Thankfully we have good, obedient animals who love us and stayed put.  I was very fearful that one or more of the animals would escape just for the fun of it.  I can't tell you how many times I have had to play rodeo round-up while Rodi was at work or deployed.  Maybe they were being good because Rodi was here?  Maybe they were being sympathetic since Rodi is recovering from knee surgery?  They tolerate me, they LOVE Rodi.  I am good with that.  He can have the cows and horses, I will stick with my hen squad.  They happily follow me around, it is as if I have my own tiny, little fan club.

This is Rodi, resting.  *smile*

With our electricity all a mess, we decided it was time to go solar.

It is a beautiful thing.

The animals are all safe in the barnyard and pastures where they belong, and I can sleep without the fear of another midnight rodeo round-up.

BREAKING NEWS:  We have grown in numbers!!!

Carley J is over-the-moon happy to announce she is now the proud owner of Fritz and Lillie! 

This is Fritz isn't he just the sweetest thing?

Lillie was a bit camera shy, but we will have pictures of her posted soon.  She is HUGE compared to our sweet little Fritz.  We were told they were both Rex breed when we called to gather all our information.  Rodi and I think Lillie is a Rex and Fritz is a Mini-Rex.  I will post pictures of them side by side this week.  Then you can let me know what you think.

McRodi had a farm.....

I won't call him Old McRodi, that would be rude.  Plus if he is old then so am I.  We just won't go there. It is a mood spoiler.

McRodi's job, throwing 120 bales of hay into the loft.

My job.... counting the bales as he tossed them in.  It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.  

KC was in the loft neatly stacking the bales that were rapidly being tossed his way.  That's right, McRodi was McSpeedy tossing those bales up there.  Like I said counting was a tough job.  I was worried I wasn't going to be able to keep up.

 Koen stood his ground protesting the storage of his soon to be super-cool army bunkers.

 Oh, the trials of life for a 5 year old.  

He finally gave in and joined his brother in the loft.

It was a sweaty task for us.  Okay, not so sweaty for the counter. The boys however, were sweaty and covered in hay.  McRodi had a charitable event to attend today and I was pretty sure the sweaty hay look wasn't going help him blend in to the crowd.

Mabel couldn't believe her eyes... was this McRodi?  

Wow, he cleans up good!

Mabel still in disbelief called her best gal-pal Lois over to see if this was indeed McRodi.  

No jeans, no t-shirt, could it really be him?

One look and Lois had no doubt, this was indeed 

Crazy Old McRodi.

You can dress him up, but that doesn't mean you can take him off the farm.

Crazy or not he is mine, and I love that man!

Just one of those days...

Today was just one of those days.  It wasn't terrible, just long and really full.  So full that it is just now midnight and I am finally able to sit-down to blog.

I was cruising along the interstate of blogs this morning and I came upon this post about building a $150 greenhouse.  Check out the link and see if it reminds you of my limo of a chicken tractor???

  

I may just have to evict the hens and turn this baby into a small greenhouse.  Of course I would have to finish the chicken tractor and let the hens call it home before I could actually evict them.  It has been a long week, between Rodi traveling and my "not being sick" and all.  I keep looking out the window, seeing it, knowing it needs to be finished, just not having the energy or time to accomplish such a task.  Maybe I wasn't meant to complete it as a chicken tractor? Maybe I was inspired to only take it this far so I could read the post on Backyard Farming and turn it into a little garden paradise.  Sounds good to me, anyway.  Let's just go with that train of thought.

Next I hopped over to one of my favorite blogs Chickens in the Road and decided that I needed to plant leeks in my garden, and I needed to do it TODAY!  I needed to go to the grocery store anyway.  Might as well pick up some leeks while I was there.  I envisioned returning home and making THIS for dinner.  Once it was in the oven I would take my little leek root ends out to the garden and happily plant them.  In the spring they would be lovely and we would enjoy all kinds of meals flavored with leeks (something new for us).  

What I hadn't planned on, was the store not having leeks!  I have seen them there hundreds of times.  I always looked, half-interested in them, not knowing what in the world one did with a leek.  Now I know and I am being DENIED!  It just seemed wrong.  I grabbed some onions (which now just seem boring), the rest of my much needed groceries and returned home. Dinner was not what I had planned. I was irritated about the lack of leeks.  It was also late in the evening.  No need to ask what the kids ate, it wasn't spectacular.  It also won't win me mommy of the year award.  Home-cooked? Only if pressing buttons on the microwave counts as cooking.  Sad, I know, but true. 

I have spent most of my night putting away groceries, and putting together the kids lesson plans for the next couple of weeks.  I am not quite finished with the lesson plans.  I am just too tired.  Plus I need my beauty sleep, RODI is coming home tomorrow!!!!  Oh I know he has only been gone a week, but even after all these years I am head over heels in love with the man. I can't stand being so far apart.  Plus he is great at all the farming skills that I am so very lacking in.  The cows and horses are always glad to see him return.  It is as if you can sense their relief when they realize that McRodi has returned.  It's okay, I am the chicken manager, it's what I do. I am not offended by the overwhelming sense of comfort he brings to the larger animals around here.  Even the dog likes him better. Like I said, I am head over heels for the guy, so I understand.  

A Little Pick-Me-Up

Sharing is good, at least that is what I keep trying to teach the kids.  This morning however, I am reminded that some types of sharing are not so good.  For instance, germ sharing... yeah, not so good.

I am miserable.  My head is stuffy, my throat is scratchy, and I just wanna stay in bed all day.

I did make it a point to go out this morning and enjoy the animals and this beautiful preview of fall weather.  The sun was shining and the breeze was gently blowing my hair, reminding me how desperately in need I am for a cut and style.  

Rosebud looks like she needs a good combing of the wild mane too.  

 I can just hear the thoughts running through her head... "People, do you not understand the importance of looking your best for photos?"

Sorry Rosebud.  We will make sure your next photo shoot isn't so "candid"

Gypsy looks like she is a tad irritated with the impromptu photo shoot too.  Oh well, even with a messy mop they are both still beautiful in this morning light.

I interrupted Jack's breakfast.  Where are my manners this morning?   I can't help it, my head is stuffy and I am not thinking straight.  I do hope the animals are forgiving.

 I think Tonka is giving me the cold shoulder.  What do you think?

The animals seem to be less than thrilled with my morning invasion with the camera.  For me, it was fun.  I love watching them through the lens and seeing bits and pieces of their personalities come out.  They are all very aware of me and my camera.  

While I was off having fun, pretending to not be sick.  The "boys" were doing this...

We still have round bales to pick up, but the square ones are now nicely tucked away.  

On my way back to the house I stopped by the garden area to see if our late season surprise was getting any bigger.  This year's garden has been full of surprises.

We didn't get one melon all summer long.  Now that we are in September... the vine is full of blooms and this melon just gets bigger and bigger.  We also have bell peppers and jalapeños popping up left and right.  It is a mystery to me but one that made me smile this morning.  Anything that can make me forget for just a minute that I am not feeling well is a good thing.

Blogger Blessings

Have you noticed that my "Must Read Farm Blogs" list is growing?  Who knew there were so many blogging farmers, farmer's wives, beginning farmers, crop farmers, livestock farmers.... and the list just goes on and on.  Everyday I find at least one blog that I hadn't read before.  There are some really great reads out there.  I hope you are visiting a few of them.

Today's find...Lilac Cottage Goats.  Why would I read a blog that has anything to do with goats?  Maybe someday we will have goats.  Okay probably not.  The secret to this little Lilac Cottage is.... they have CHICKENS too!  Even better Kelly (the blogger) posted this.  You will have to scroll down past the really cool milking stand (She has an amazingly talented and loving husband) and see the pictures of the chicken tractor.  

I saw the picture of the chicken tractor and said "I can do that" I did, I really said that out loud.  Husker my faithful black lab looked up at me, probably wondering if I expected him to continue this conversation.  

I called KC into the room showed him the picture and then told him "Let's get busy we're going to build one of those"

He jumped for joy!  Ok not really, but it would have been fun if he had.

We headed out and got to work.

Look out world that is a power tool in my hands. 

KC and I pounded monster sized nails into board after board.  Sometimes we even tried to pound our thumbs through the boards, not something I would suggest.

We don't have a finished project yet but only because I need Rodi's advice on hanging the door.  It is on its way to being covered with chicken wire and will be finished tomorrow, I hope.

It is larger than the chicken tractor I had thought about building.  But my hens deserve a large and spacious limo (tractor) to cruise around the yard in.

After we hang the door and get the hens moved in I will post the update.

I promise it will be finished before that sweater I am working on.  I have to rip out several rows tonight as I somehow lost a few stitches along the way and now the edge is looking a little slanted. *sigh*  I will not give up though.  I will finish!

Saying Farewell and Welcome Home

Yesterday Rodi and I (wearing our most photographed t-shirts) drove about 3 hours up the road to meet up with his dad, Jim.  Jim had driven to Virginia from Iowa and needed to be a passenger for a bit.  Rodi took over the helm behind the wheel of the '85 Dodge pulling the stock trailer with our Zebu who had been on an extended vacation in Iowa.  Jim found his spot in the passenger seat of the mini-van while I acted as a personal driver navigating the way back to our place.

                         

We took the two younger ones with us for the drive and riveting conversation.  Did you know that an eight year old and a five year old can fill 6 hours with all kinds of interesting facts?  One right after another, without pausing to take a breath.  Oh it is true, it just might be why we love them so much. *smile*

If you read my previous post... you know that this trip didn't end as planned.  Nope, not at all.  Just a good half an hour from our place the '85 Dodge DIED!  Jim and I had to head home retrieve our truck, and drive back to Rodi and the Zebu.  We left the dead truck for the night, hooked the stock trailer up to our truck and headed home.

There was no rest for the weary today.  There was much to be done.  The truck had to be rescued from the side of the road and brought back to our place to rest in peace.  There was also the building of panels on our truck that needed to be done.  Jim would be driving away at some point in the day in his new truck (my truck o' memories) with 2 of our Dexter cows, Bertie Mae and Miracle.

Build it, and build it well boys!

Grandpa gives KC a hand

Well done... Almost finished

This picture cracks me up.  It would appear Koen is saying a little prayer as he sits on the chute. Something like "Heavenly Father, please let this work"

Here we go... Load 'em up!

SUCCESS!!!

One last family picture in front of our truck.

The new owner is heading off into the sunset and looking forward to a smooth travels on this leg of the journey.  Bye Jim, thanks for all your help this weekend!!!

Jack our one remaining dexter (brother to Bertie Mae, son of Miracle) would like to remind you to ....

Always be on the lookout!  

He is sensing something is up...

and it was!

OH MY!  What a meet and greet this was.

Tonka and Jack had a VERY SHORT battle to prove who was boss of the barnyard.

Jack is now sulking, stomping around, and trying to still look like the king of the hill...

but the title belongs to 

 

TONKA

I have tried to explain to Jack that Tonka is three years older making it a seniority thing, but I don't think Jack cares much about seniority.