Play Dates

This is not really a farm related topic, but it's something that's been bothering me and I've been thinking a lot about it since the kids asked if "So-and-So" can come play today after church.

Why do people never invite my kids over to play?

I have kids come and play at least every other week. For a while there, I had a child come play every week! And not just come here, we went bike riding, we went out for icecream, we went to visit other farms.

Is it really so much to ask to invite my boys once and a while?

Do other people just not ever have kids over to play? I can't believe that's the case. I hear other kids talk about going to people's houses.

Do people just not want to invite both of my boys since they are twins?  I've had many siblings over.

Do they think my boys won't have fun since they don't live on a farm? Kids are happy for a change of scenery and to play with someone else's toys. I guarantee, mine do not care if you live on a farm or in a shack, they just want to hang with their friends.

I can count on one hand the number of times they've been invited to someone's house to play and it would take more fingers and toes than I have to count those I'm invited here.

I don't mind having kids come play. My boys love it and I like introducing children to experiences around a farm that they've never had. I think it's good for kids to have other adults invest in them.

It's not good for me to start feeling resentful because nobody reciprocates or for my kids to start wondering why nobody ever invites them over.

Will the Sun Ever Shine Again?

It's warm but so, so bleak looking out. I've had my fill of winter. It is getting hard to stay motivated and get anything done.

There's not too much new going on around here. Asher is settling in well. He's such a good little pup so far! Trixie is getting very wide. I only have 2 more weeks I can milk her before I need to dry her off. Kids in March, yay!

Kat finally decided to sample the annual rye grass I planted for them. Up til now, only have chickens have enjoyed it. Sure is a pretty color though. Maybe I just need to sit out there and stare at the spring green. 

We cracked a couple of Chase's duck eggs. I was amazed at how clear the whites are. Unlike chicken eggs, they are completely transparent.

I am hoping Cole's silkie roosters get here today. I first inquired about them on December 17. This is taking entirely too long especially considering that all 3 of his hens are broody now. I think I'll give them a few Marans eggs.

How do y'all stay upbeat and motivated in the winter? I need tips.

Update on the Orlando Veggie Garden

A few months back, I posted about this couple's vegetable garden. They planted their entire front yard with yummy veggies, but the city declared that they must dig it up and put in grass.

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/College-Park-couple-says-front-yard-vegetable-garden-is-under-fire-again/-/1637132/18035884/-/png2kpz/-/index.html

Looks like the fight is still on. It's sad that we don't really have any say over what we can do with our property. I think the whole dang street should dig up their lawns and plant vegetables!

Gratuitous Puppy Pictures

Things are going will with Stone (I think the name is gonna stick though part of me wants to call him Asher).

He whimpers a little bit when we leave him, but otherwise seems content to be in the barn with the goats. Unfortunately, he's still small enough to squeeze through the fence- and has on a few occasions. That won't last much longer I'm sure.

A pallet makes a great chew toy.

"Did you see that, Mom? I got it, I got it. I showed that woody thing who was boss."

We did some practice with the leash this morning and he actually started walking around on it. Baby steps, I know.

I am terrified of screwing things up with him after our nightmare experience rescuing a dog. Basically, she was a bit of a nightmare dog. I am reading all I can online, but I would welcome any tips or suggestions anyone may have.

Our New Addition and Venison Stock

This is our newest little (for now) addition. He's a great pyrenees pup we got to be a livestock guardian dog (LGD). With the investment I have in the goats, I cannot bear the thought of losing one to a coyote.

The little guy is in a stall in the barn tonight. I made the mistake of going to check on him about 8:30 and he cried the whole time I walked back to the house. Note to self- that was a mistake.

I hope he settles in okay. This is the first night away from his mama and he's pretty much on his own. I did a supervised introduction with the goats and Kat still managed to give him a good head butt. I know that will go on until he learns his place in the herd, but he's still so small, I don't want them to hurt him.

I have also been working on all this venison stock. I have 21 quarts of it canned so far and one more batch to go.

My mom's harvest gold pressure canner.

And don't forget the deer jerky!

Time for a Trim

The girls' toes were getting a bit long so I decided today was a good day for a hoof trim. I got Kat's back done, Trixie's front and 3/4 of Onyx's. I'll finish them up at this evening's milking. Onyx decided to be a pain about her back foot and wanted to kick and kick. I won the argument, but my arms feel like jello now.

Venison

Back in October, we traded one of my husband's customers 6 chickens for venison. I was not sure exactly how much venison we'd get but figured if nothing else, it would help his business.

Yesterday, he brought home 3 huge does! One had been 131 lbs. They were already hung, aged and quartered.

So far we've managed to process 3 of the hindquarters into stew meat and hamburger and get the backstraps and tenders frozen.

These are the little tenders (and my finger). Apparently, you don't get them if you bring the deer to the processors. I've never gotten one!

Here are Dad and Hubby working my grandmother's old Universal Grinder. We separated most the fat out for sausage.

Now you know how I'll be spending my New Year's Day.