Chickens and Ducks

My mom has been busy setting up all her chickens in breeding pens, so she can gather hatching eggs. A lot goes into her decision on which birds get to go into a breeding pen. She selects the birds with the best body type, comb, and markings for their breed and color pattern. She raises several varieties of heritage breeds, but the Blue Laced Red Wyandottes are my favorite.  Not only are they gorgeous, but they are some of her best layers, producing lovely large brown eggs.

I couldn't resist the chance to snap pictures of them while they can't run away, but they still didn't offer to strike a pose : )

Such beautiful lacing. The pictures just don't do them justice.

We had hawks and racoons steal several of our Welsh Harlequin ducks. We are down to only 1 drake and 3 ducks.  So I penned them up.

They don't like to pose either.

I gave them a large pan for water, pulled the hose over to fill their pan. Returned the hose and when I got back, this is what I saw.

They don't call them waterfowl for nothing.

Hopefully all our pan washing will be rewarded with ducklings.

I can't wait.

Kimberly



That Darn Cat!

I made a lot of seed starting containers following the instruction on Wintersown . I filled them with compost from the goat pen, planted them with seeds, and left them in the garden. Some of the seeds have started to germinate, and I was very happy with how they are working out.

Here is a picture of all the containers I made.

No, we did not drink all that coffee. My dad brings the containers home from his work.

I went out to the garden, to check on how thing were growing, and this is what I saw.

I knew exactly who was to blame. It had her name written all over it.

Chablis!

She is a cat that can't just step on one container. She has to walk across all of them, to get the full experiance.

Do you see that smug look on her face?!

Oh well.

Kimberly

Video List For You

In case you haven't noticed, I created a video list page. It contains everything from tear jerkers (Faith Like Potatoes) to documentaries about a man and his water buffalo ox (Old Partner).

Just Click on the Video list tab at the top of the page. I will continue to add videos to this list, but it's a start.

Kimberly

I've Been Tagged



I've Been tagged by Amy at Old Fashioned Girl

Thank you Amy

Rules

*Acknowledge the person who passed the award to you and provide their link.
*Include the award logo on your blog.
*Answer the ten questions posted below.
*Make up your own ten questions for the next people.
*Nominate blogs and link those you have especially enjoyed reading. The number you can select is up to you.
*Notify each individual that you have nominated them

Amy's Questions

1.) Rain or Snow?

Well, we only get rain here. So I will say snow, because I have always wanted to live where it snows. Plus it's dry, so you can just brush it off, and you can't do that with rain.

2.) If your friend asked you to go bungee jumping with them, would you?

NO WAY! I had this talk with my nephew recently and I told him I think it would dislocate every joint in my body.

3.) If you were a criminal, what sort of criminal would you be the most likey to be? (Thief? Con-man?)

I really hate to even pick one. But if I must, I'll say Thief, because I think it's the lesser of two evils.

4.) Airplane or train?

Definitely train. I told my niece (Miss Jolie), I will visit her in Hawaii, when I can take the train. Don't get me wrong, I love my niece, but commercial airliners fall from the sky like stones, and don't get me started on TSA. I do like little private planes. If there engine fails they can coast to the ground : )

5.) Have you ever broken a limb?

No, thank God.

6.) Where you a tomboy or more of a girly-girl?

Tomboy. My sister is 7 years older than me, and my brother is 5 years older than me. So I grew up following my brother, and his friends around.

7.) If you had to pick your weapon of choice, would it be a sword, bow and arrows, or daggers?

Daggers

8.) Do you prefer long hair or short?

Well, if your talking about on me, short, because I have to fine of hair. I have tried growing it long, then I get tired of it, and cut it off.

If your talking about on a guy, short. Long hair is gross.

9.) Do you have a historical hero? If so, who? If not, why NOT!!??

Jesus

10.) What's your favorite time-frame in history?

I really can't pick one. There are to many Era's I have been fascinated with. Which is kinda funny since I hated having to do History, and I don't remember doing any of it.

I suppose that's more information about me, than you ever cared to know : )

I've decided not to tag anyone.

Kimberly

Giveaway and Winter Gardening

I'm not doing a giveaway, but Stephanie is at Hopeful Homemaker. Just click here to go to her blog. She is celebrating 5000 views by giving away the books Ben Hur and Stepping Heavenward. I know, what a sweet thing for her to do!  So pop on over to her lovely blog.



The Last Day Of Fall

(I love this song, but couldn't figure out how to get the wiget to install in the post.)
My Favorite Things

As I type the wind is blasting, slamming rain into the house. So the song is very suitable.

Fall has past by so fast. It has been such a wonderful break from the heat of summer.

I have been enjoying:

 The crisp, cool air. The crunch under my feet of fallen leaves. The frost at night that makes the leaves on the ground appear to be covered in diamond dust. Watching the thick fog roll in, and listening to it drip off the naked tree branches. Discovering a newly hatched nest of chicks in the haystack. Watching two of our goats we raised go to wonderful, new homes. Finishing the book Little Heathens. Then passing it to my mom, but not before telling her everything in the book. Sipping hot apple cider. The knock at the door from a neighbor bringing over a bag full of yummy tamales. Testing out my new Muck's and falling in the 4" mud. Then warming my numb, cold hands by the fire.

Releasing Bogart into the pasture, and knowing we will enjoy watching baby goats bouncing around in May. Watching the documentary Windfall with my parents on a cold, windy night. Picking the first ripe orange off the tree, and eating it while sharing with the goats. Playing with my new NOOK ( Thanks Dad), and downloading lots of free antique books I've been wanting to read from openlibrary , and googlebooks Yay! Swapping seeds, and dreaming about all of the plants I'm going to grow next year. And last but not least. Finding a new little quote that I love by Hans Christian Anderson "Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." That one is definitely getting painted on something : )

So what did you enjoy this Fall?

Kimberly

Happy Thanksgiving

An Autumn Blessing

Bless us, Lord, the fall wind blows;

The winter storms begin.

Bless this house in which we dwell

And keep us snug within.

Bless the walls, the chimney top,

Likewise the thumb-turned latch;

Bless the cat beside the hearth,

The mouse he tries to catch.

Bless the books that line the shelves,

The hands that gentle things,

That bake the loaves, make the beds,

And bless the heart that sings.

Let laughter live within this house;

Bless children as they play.

Bless all who knock upon the door

And loved ones far away.

Bless the teapot steaming hot,

The little cakes so fair.

Bless all who call this house a home

With peace and love to share.

Bless harvest hoards in cellar bins,

The rooftop firm and tall.

Give with these autumn blessings

A thankful heart to all.



The oven is fixed, after being out of service since July. Yay! Just in time for Thanksgiving.

My mom went straight to work making an apple pie. It made the house smell so good. Guess what I had for breakfast?

I think I'm the only person on the planet that doesn't care for turkey. My favorite thanksgiving dish actually comes from inside the turkey. Stuffing.

With the cool fall weather here, everyone enjoys relaxing in the living room by the fireplace. Including the dogs.

(The Vicky dog is on top, Petunia below, and her mother Amy to the left)

They really did arrange themselves that way. It's such hard work being a farm dog : )

I have taken so many picture, that I just haven't gotten around to posting. So I'm going to share some now.

My mom, preparing the grapes for jelly.

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving.

Kimberly