11 Oct

Lesson learned….from a child.

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , .

My granddaughter Layla  is four years old and attending Pre-school.   She loves to go to school and play with all her friends.   I was surprised the other day when I received a phone call from her.  She was bawling her little eyes out.  I asked her what was wrong.  She explained to me through the sobs that she had gotten a red face.  The teacher sends a folder home each day, containing papers the students have completed or important information for the parent’s.  Her Father had opened the folder and found the paper.  Surprised, because it was her first one…. he questioned her about it……she became very upset.

I asked her why she got a red face?

“Because I didn’t get off the tire swiiiiiing”….sob…sob…sob.     So the teacher told  you to get off the swing? I asked….“yes”…sob, sob.  And you didn’t mind? “Nooooooooooo….sob, sob, sob.  And I goooooot a RED faaaaaace”…..sob, sob, sob.  “It broke my hearrrrrttttttt”…..sob,sob,sob…..booooo hoooooo….hoooooo……….”ohhhhhh….I’mmmm so SAAAAD” sob, sob, sob.

My goodness that is hard to sit and listen too.  Yet, I know how important it is for her to obey.  I, of course being a Mom and now a grandmother thought I should talk to her about what she could do differently next time.   I asked her why she didn’t listen to the teacher and get off the swing.  She said….“Because I didn’t want to get off……..I wanted to keep swiiiiiinging”….boooo hoooo…..  “But now it makes me sooooo sad”……sob…. sob.

I told her that God wants us to obey.  If we will do what we are supposed to do, we really are much happier.  By disobeying and staying on the swing she ended up not being happy…even though she did what she wanted.  I explained that the teacher was probably sad too…. because she doesn’t like to give red faces.

We talked a little more and the sobbing finally subsided.  She told me that next time……. she was going to get off that swing.  Sniff… Sniff….

Later, I was studying my lesson for a new Bible Study Class I am attending.  We just so happen to be studying Adam and Eve.  We are at the part where they chose to disobey God.   As I reflected back on the conversation with Layla ….it helped put things in a different light.  Helping me to relate on a personal level.  I suppose with age I have become, well…… calloused….. to the wrongs that I do.  I couldn’t help but wonder when was the last time I  had a broken heart over disobeying God.   When was the last time doing something wrong brought me to tears, or the last time I sobbed, over doing wrong.   How long has it been since I took sin that seriously.

Then, I thought about how hard it was to listen to Layla cry.  Her little heart was so heavy, once she realized the consequence of her actions.  From just listening to her…it broke my heart.  Even though I knew she was having to learn this hard lesson for her own good.

I thought about God….how His heart must break when He hears our cries…Especially after we realize the consequences of our actions.  Why do we choose to learn… the hard way?  Knowing that we usually aren’t happy…until we do what is right.

Layla went to school the next day….smiling and ready to try harder.  She was careful to mind.   She had a great day and came home with a green face!  She and the teacher were very happy!   Of course so was I!

I know I am happiest when I live according to God’s guidelines.  He made me…..He knows what is best for me.

I hope that I too will be more mindful like Layla.   And before I choose to do wrong the next time…I pray I will think twice.

Sin breaks God’s heart…. it should break mine too.

So, I thought I was going to give Layla wise words of wisdom……but it seems that she lived her example out, and it spoke volumes to me.

I suppose we are never too young or too old to learn from one another.      Thanks Layla.

6 Oct

Hey…Chick….What’s Your Name?

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

The first week the girls were at their new home, they didn’t really know where they were supposed to be sleeping.  Each night for about a week, I chased chickens around the yard at dusk, so I could put them to bed.  Most nights I was successful.  Sometimes one or two would hide under the coop.  I would have to wait until dark and go back see if they had tried to roost somewhere.   I would shine a light onto the front porch and sure enough….those that had hidden…would be perched on the rocking chair arm or in the flower box.

It looks as if they go into a trance when they sleep.   Come to think about it…I guess we do too.

I could walk up to them….pick them up…without any fussing on their part and put them in the coop.

One day it was like someone turned a switch.  They went to bed on their own.  I thought something was wrong….but when I checked on them…they were all tucked in for the night.   They have all adapted…..and it sure made life easier for me.   I can almost set my watch to the time that they will go into their house for the night.  Now, I just go close their door….of course I have to go inside and count them all….and I tell them goodnight.

In the mornings…. I open their little doors so they can walk outside.  And…well….I have to sing —rise and shine—to them.  I sing as I feed them…and they waste no time running to eat.  Maybe they are just trying to get away from the singing.  In any case…they hurriedly make their way to breakfast.

And every morning….. the rooster just has to stand in the feed trough.

This is the little culprit.   He is easy to tell apart from the girls because his comb is bigger, he is thinner than they are…no offense girls… and his legs are a good bit longer.

They are all really sweet.

I have always named every critter that has come to our little farm.  Well, with the exception of the goldfish.   I tried…but that didn’t work.  Anyway, I really want to name them and know who they are.

I sat on the stairs to the porch, so I could just observe them.  Hoping that I might see different feather patterns or something.   In a matter of a minute or so, they all ended up on the porch with me.  One by one they came up close…..observing me….I suppose.  They are very inquisitive.

This one was interested in my camera.

She had a little mud on her beak from free ranging in the wet yard.  But, I didn’t tell her….you know it is kinda awkward…like when someone has something stuck in their teeth.   Maybe that is why she was looking at me like that…maybe I had something stuck in my teeth!

They all look so much alike… I truly cannot tell them apart.  I thought that after a while I would be able to distinguish who was who by personality or something…..NOPE.

So, I have come up with a great idea to solve that problem.   I think I will paint each hen’s toe nails a different color.  Then I can memorize who is who.

I’m not so sure these girls are up for a pedicure.   I just might be back to chicken chasing.

Meanwhile…. I guess I will just enjoy being around them.

Although… I am still thinking up names….and…. rounding up nail polish….

JUST SAYING.

2 Oct

“Cotton Pickin”

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So far Fall has greeted us with rainy weather.

However, that allows little girls to wear cute rain boots…..I sure wish they made these for big girls.

It is also the time for picking cotton.

The brown part of this field is where they have already harvested the cotton.  The white is the cotton waiting to be picked.

This is a cotton boll.

Here is what a boll looks like when it first starts to open.

Interesting how it is divided into sections.

Inside each one of those puffy white sections are cotton seeds.  When cotton gets to this stage it reminds me of pop corn ….popping out of the shell.

It begins to hang….that is when you start to really notice it from a distance.  Here you can see the rain drops on the cotton.  When the cotton is dry it is really fluffy and pretty.  The fields look white from the road.  It is a beautiful sight.  This time of year the farmers really try to get the fields harvested before the rain sets in.

The cotton plant is considered a shrub.  I find it most amazing that someone figured out how to turn this…. into….yarn and cloth.

Here is some of the equipment that they use.  Of course that green beauty is a John Deere tractor…the other container is called a Module Builder.

The cotton pickers… of today.  Unlike years ago when the fields were harvested by people.  The teeth on the front of this machine goes between the rows.  Making it easier to gather most all the cotton that is on the plant. The container on this machine that holds the cotton is called a Boll Buggy.  Once the Boll Buggy is full it is taken to the Module Builder where it is pressed down by an arm looking device.  Once the Module Builder is full and firmly packed then it is removed…and all that remains is the Module.

The machines make quick work of it.  Here it is all covered up to keep it dry and clean.  It is my understanding that each module can weigh over 16,000 pounds.  It usually stays at the side of the field, covered until it is time to transfer it to the gin.

The gin separates the cotton and cleans it by removing leaves and dirt particles.  The seed is separated from what is called the fiber..the fluffy white part.  Once the fiber has been ginned it is called lint. It is then pressed together and made into great big bales. Once baled the cotton gets sent to merchants.  The cotton seed can be sold for animal use, it can be crushed having the oil extracted or there is another process that can allow the seeds to be processed and used for paper, plastic and batting.  Of course the seed once processed can be sold and used for another crop.

Pretty amazing.

30 Sep

Under the Moon

Posted by ivegonecountry in Little Help Tips. Tagged: .

It’s that time of year.

The air is crisp both in the early morning and late at night.

Good weather and weekends….. have a way of bringing people together.  Since we moved to our land about 2 years ago, we tend to have more get together’s and enjoy being outside a lot more than we ever have before.

Last weekend some of the men from our church and their boys went canoeing for the day, then they ended it with a cookout and camping in the great outdoors.  We were so glad they wanted to come here.

The food smelled so good as if wafted through the air……

Meanwhile the men enjoyed each others company……sharing the little things they do not have time to talk about in the hallways at church.

The bonfire was blazing, cracking and popping was a familiar sound as the flames consumed the wood. The warmth and light it gives off is always inviting.  Somehow…. it seems to appeal to all ages.

The kids had to be worn out….but you never would have known it.  They ran up and down the dirt mounds over and over…then they scouted the woods for sticks…in order to help Mr. Billy build the fire.  They played tether ball and chased one another all over the  place.

I imagine they were asleep as soon as they stopped long enough to nestle into their sleeping bags……under the big beautiful moon.

This group of men have a common bond as they gather together on Sundays.  Yet it is also important and fun to get away and spend time getting to know one another on a different level.

This weekend we gathered together with another group for a simple dinner.  The weather was absolutely perfect once again.

This is Olga, who graciously shared a delicious dish with us.

This is Borscht.  I’m not sure I have spelled it right, it seems there are several ways.  It is a Ukrainian dish, a hearty soup, served here with a dollop of sour cream in the middle.  Very tasty!

Billy had Borscht served to him many years ago when he was on a mission trip.  He was very excited to try it again.

This is Olga’s son and Mother sitting with Billy.

Recently we were all introduced to one another due to an interest in helping orphaned children.  Through conversation we found that we already know some of the same people.  That always amazes me.

We enjoyed visiting with one another…..

After dinner….David served us some Bananas Foster for dessert…..

So….we ate some more!

Then we pulled our chairs closer….got comfortable and talked.

We discussed some of the ways in which we might be a part of helping reach out to orphaned children.  As we talked Olga shared with us some reasons why her heart breaks for children in this situation.  As I listened to some stories about her life, I was reminded of how different our lives have been.  She was raised half way around the world from me.  We are only two years apart in age….and yet our young lives were as different as night and day.  Occasionally Olga’s mother would speak in her soft, gentle voice.  carefully choosing her English words as she entered into the conversation.  Sweet ladies that have been through more than I could fully imagine.   Yet a great love for Jesus and others is what came out of their hardships.

Today Olga’s mother still has the Bible that her children copied in their juvenile handwriting many years ago….so they could have a copy of God’s Word in their own home.  They had lived at one time in a country where communism had made having a Bible impossible.  Many years later they were free to worship openly again.  Meanwhile a lot of scripture had been hidden in their hearts…so they could keep it with them at all times.  I can’t even imagine what those years must have been like.  It would have been about the same time that I had several Bibles of different translations nestled in the bookshelves at my own home.  In a country where I was free to worship if I wanted to…or free not to.  In a home where I was safe….far away from war.  Never seeing a tank roll down my streets…or separated from loved ones due to a war torn country.

Sure my life  had struggles and heartaches too…but much different than hers.  And people in other parts of the world will have different struggles in their lives as well.  We all have them.

Yet it is interesting how some things can make you angry with God….or they can draw you close to God.  We can take our experiences and use them for good…….or not.

Olga remembers her mother praying day after day relentlessly and with tears for her loved ones.

I had a mother who also did this.  I wondered…..who is praying for these orphaned children.  Have they ever seen a mother crying in prayer to God on their behalf.

Their is something powerful about seeing your mother pray for you.  About seeing anyone pray for you with that much love and concern.

The children who live in orphanages all over the world  have lived a very different life than I.  Different than most of us.  Will they use the experiences they are going through for good when they get older…..or not.  What kind of future do they have?   Will they be happy adults.  Will they have children of their own one day……will they know how to love and pray for their children?  Who is their role model?

We all talked for hours….and yet it seemed to go by so quickly.

Interesting that I didn’t really know these people before we ate….yet, there is truly a common bond.  We share a relationship with Jesus Christ.

James 1:27 (NIV)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

The last two weekends were spent with two different groups of people, in one way…..yet not different at all in another way.

Experiences in our lives have made each of us the person we are today.

A strange twist of events have brought us together……. in an effort to help others.

Others that we do not know………yet.

However, we are all under that great big sky…..looking at that very same moon.  No matter what side of the world we are on.  And there is one God who loves us all and is there is for each and everyone of us ….especially in our times of need.

26 Sep

Road Trip….. Pit Stop

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , .

You just have to love road trips.  Sometimes we are on a mission and don’t have time to stop for anything other than a food, gas or bathroom break.  But sometimes we decide something looks like it might be worth the stop.

That is exactly what we did one day when we stopped at a place called Priester’s.

They had the cutest little horse swing made out of tires on the country porch as you enter.   I love atmospheres like that.

 

Once inside there was a really neat gift shop area to browse around in while you stretched your car legs.

They had Dips, Jellies, Dressings, Cookbooks and most anything to do with pecans.  Then we discovered that they had one side of the store dedicated to food products.

Most importantly they had samples galore.  Every kind of coated pecan you can imagine was displayed.  Bowls of samples were everywhere, so you could try the different kinds before buying them, of course we tried all of them!

I noticed that they also had a viewing gallery where you could watch them make all the goodies.  I immediately was drawn to the long hallway full of windows that overlooked the kitchen area.

That kind of thing always interest me.

Here they were making those yummy pecan logs.  I remember stopping at Stuckey’s when we were kids, going to visit my grandparents.  It was about a 14 hour road trip.  We were always sure to stop at a Stuckeys somewhere along the way….pecan logs were one of my Mom’s favorite treats….but pecan pies were her absolute favorite.   We all grew up liking pecans.  They are probably my very favorite kind of nut.

 

I believe they were making divinity here.

 

Then I came up on them making the homemade pecan pies.  I was amazed at how quickly they worked.  When my camera flashed they looked up and smiled and then gave a wave.

They seemed to enjoy what they were doing.  They all had pleasant smiles on their faces even before they saw the camera. I thought that was really neat.  It is so important to do something you like and be around people who are fun and enjoyable to work with.

I think that also speaks highly of the establishment, they obviously provide a good work environment.

Anyway back to the pies….

They measured the dough for the crust, rolled it out, and put it in the pie tins.

 

Pecans were measured, so that every pie would be JUST right.

The pie shells were filled with all the really good stuff and placed on racks.  Once the racks were full….they were ready to go into the oven!

 

And they made a LOT of pies.  It smelled soooooo good….. even through the glass.

Billy came looking for me….he had finally filled up on samples and was ready to get back on the road.  They probably would rather we not stop again.  We did buy some pecans to take with us.

If you ever get the chance to stop, I recommend it.  They also have a web site if you think you just really MUST have something with pecans in it!

I’m sure whatever you pick out……it would be YUMMY!!!!!!

 

21 Sep

Apple Cake….YUM

Posted by ivegonecountry in Recipes, Uncategorized. Tagged: .

It is beginning to feel like fall around here.  The mornings have been cool this week.  It is bittersweet for me.  I must admit, I have enjoyed the brisk air… in the mornings…and a little while in the evenings….but I am not a cold weather person.  Once the cool air starts creeping in, I kinda get an …..awwwww man attitude.  I know that the warm days are about to disappear for months.  Which means layering clothes……wearing sweatshirts and jackets.  UGH.

Some of the good parts of fall are the apples, pumpkins, sweet potatoes and all the upcoming holidays.

I had a few apples around and we had eaten all the raw ones we really wanted lately.   Sooooo I remembered a recipe that my Mom had passed down to me.  It came from a lady that was in the home town she grew up in.  This morning I quickly retrieved it from my recipe file box and hurried to make it before work.

I peeled a couple of apples…I have discovered in the last year or two…perhaps you figured this out longggggggg ago…that a vegetable peeler works great for peeling apples.  I have always used them for carrots, potatoes and cucumbers.  Maybe I am just slow…in life.  But this way is much faster and it cuts so close to the skin that it keeps you from wasting the inside of the apple.  I couldn’t remember how many apples I would need, but I ended up only using about three.  It depends of course on how big your apples are.  But you don’t need to buy a bag by any means to try this.  Chop your apples in somewhat small pieces.  Try to keep them all about the same size too.  They will cook uniformly that way.

I say all that as if you don’t know.   But sometimes I look at a recipe and …”I don’t know”…and wish they would be more specific.  So now you know, and you won’t have to wonder.  (Also when Billy and I first married I wanted to make him an apple pie.  I was so proud of myself.  It smelled wonderful in the oven…he was sooooo excited.  I cut it and served it with some vanilla ice cream…we dug in.  It was then that I realized that I never peeled the apples.  WELL….the recipe didn’t tell me too.  I was so busy making sure I did everything perfectly that it just slipped my mind.  I wove the pie crust on the top and punched the edges together and all that.  It was beautiful….but……it wasn’t very good.  It was hard to get past the peelings…other than that it had good flavor.  It is one of those things that you laugh now…but it wasn’t real funny then).

Anyway…

I found this little chopper at a yard sale this summer.  My Mom had one when we were growing up.  It seems they kinda disappeared as people began using food processors and all those BIG gadgets.  I usually cut the pecans by hand…but today…I chopped them in my new/used handy dandy chopper!  Waa Laa they were chopped in seconds…literally.

I have some little loaf pans that I like to use for banana bread and recipes like this.  I actually have never made it in any other pan.  These work great for us, it allows me to be able to wrap them up and give them away easily.  Beside,we don’t need to eat that much by ourselves!

Sometimes…like today…after I sprayed my pans, (or wipe them lightly with oil) I sprinkled a little mixture of cinnamon and sugar in the pans.  Just enough to lightly dust the bottom.  This just gives it a little more ummph.  But you do not have to do this.  The recipe doesn’t say to do it…it is just something I do sometimes.

The mixture will be thick.  When I add everything together, before I put in the pecans…I give it just a swirl or two with the mixer to make sure it is mixed real good. Another thing the recipe doesn’t specify to do.

I ended up with 7 miniature loaf pans.

DONE…..Oh my word….it smells sooooo good!

I popped one out and cut it when it was fresh out of the oven.

You know…I just had to make sure it turned out alright….

The picture doesn’t do it justice.  The slice already has butter….melted all into it.  Billy and I love to eat these loaves like this.  No matter if it is banana bread or whatever it is….when it comes out HOT….we put butter on it and inhale it.

Here is the recipe:

Apple Cake

3 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups oil

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix that together real good in a large mixing bowl

3 Cups plain flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix in above mixture

then add:

3 cups apples

1 cup pecans

Bake in a 325 degree oven ( Moms recipe called for 1 and 1/2 hours…so this is for a regular cake…maybe like a bundt pan or something)

I cooked my little loaves for about an hour.

HOPE YOU TRY IT THE NEXT TIME YOU HAVE  A COUPLE OF APPLES AROUND….It’s Yummy!

ENJOY

19 Sep

After the Rain

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And the rain came down!  We had almost 5 inches of rain the other day.  When it rains heavy like this, it really flows down the mountain.

The next morning the rain had stopped, but the water still flowed.  This is an area where the water runs into the goldfish pond.  Usually there is just enough to refresh it….but when we have this much…of course it overflows.  Billy has designed a spillway for times such as these.

I saw Mabel through the window, looking at something with great interest.  As soon as I could put my shoes on…I headed over to see what had her full attention.

This is what it was….one of the goldfish had gotten washed out of the pond.   He was still alive….even with Mabel pawing at him.  She thought it was pretty neat that she could put her paw on him and he would flop around.

I moved her away….and placed it back in the pond….after I took this picture of course.  Part of its tail was torn, it had a scratch or two from Mabel…and I noticed that little blood spot on his eye.  Poor thing.  However, it swam away quickly once back in the pond.  I am hoping it will be alright.

I’m glad Mabel found it…I am also glad Ellie wasn’t around or she would have eaten it.  She LOVES to eat fish….or maybe that would be sushi…since she eats them raw!

Next was to check on the chickens.  It was raining when I got home from work that night and they were already hunkered down under the coop.  I never could entice them to come out and get into their little home.  So I left them to figure it out for themselves.

I found that apparently some slept on the arm of the rocking chair and some in the planter.

The chair had all the signs of bird activity on it….and the begonias in the flower box….well… as you can see….they were completely squished.  They will have to learn that they are NOT allowed to do that again. ARGH..teenagers!

But everyone was alright and  accounted for.

I then took a walk and checked on the goats.  They were up on high ground, I sure can’t blame them.  Everyone seemed to be fine…and the headband we outfitted Pearl in seems to be working!

The mountains were exceptionally pretty this morning.

All was well at the pasture…muddy…but fine.

When I first arrived, I called for the cows.  They usually come if they hear me.  But on this day they didn’t.  The donkey’s were up close, so they came running, as well as the  ponies and the goats.  I try to spend time with all of them….checking to make sure they are not sick or injured.  They wouldn’t cooperate for a group picture so that will be for another day.

The cows never did come to the front pasture so I loaded up on the four wheeler and went to check on them.

As I drove through the tall grass…these beautiful orange butterflies dotted the landscape.  Flying to and fro from one plant to the other.   They made it look so effortless.  I watched as they fluttered past and glided into a landing on the very tip of the flower of their choice.  Their weight wasn’t even noticeable when they landed.  They stretched their wings out wide, showing all the intricate color and design details their wings possessed. …..WOW….

I continued on looking for the cows.

It always amazes me too how BIG cows can not be ….well….obvious.  When I first came into the back pasture this is the only cow I saw….Clementine.  Normally they are all together, so I wondered why she was alone.

Yet, as I got closer I saw she was on a slight ridge.  It was then that I saw she was indeed with the others.

Cupid, Chuck and Ferdinand….the bull.

Right beside them…. next to another stand of trees was the rest of the herd.

Brandy, standing,…Zsa -Zsa, Joy, Punkin, Lee, Toots and Bailey…Notice how one is hiding behind the trees….all you can see is her nose.  There are seven here…hard to think they could be tucked away so tightly, yet comfortably.  Sometimes when they see me…they figure that I have a treat for them….and start walking toward me.  They didn’t care on this day.  They were content.  I love it when they are…..it seems they are happy…and want for nothing.

I began to drive back through the field and just had to stop and watch the butterflies once again.  Everything was happy.  The birds, the animals, and especially the plants as they seem to welcome the fresh rain water.

The air was crisp and clear…..AHHHHHH.   Beautiful….Just Beautiful.

This verse was in a song I grew up singing.  It plays over and over in my mind…..

THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD—(in part)

This is my Father’s world,

the birds their carols raise,

the morning light, the lily white,

declares their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world,

He shines on all that’s fair:

In the rustling grass, I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

Thank you God……

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORLD!

17 Sep

A little time outside

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: .

Sunday we got to spend time with family.  Billy’s parents came over and we were the welcoming committee.   Waiting and watching to see the girls come out of their house for the first time.  I know…we are a little crazy around here.

 

It was most exciting seeing them use the little plank we had made.

Garrett and all the grand kids were here to spend some time with the chickens…..and us.  We kind of came in second.

 

They loved the fact that they could pet them.  I think that is pretty neat myself.  I was always a little scared of chickens.  Especially eye level.  But these are extremely friendly.

The kids love to feed the goldfish in the little pond.

 

Of course climbing on rocks and playing in the water is all part of it!!!!

Poo pa gave everyone big pushes on the swings….and entertained them with lots of silliness.

Funny how little things mean so much to kids.  They had so much fun.

Layla and Riley get so excited when they know they are going to spend time together.

Andy too…but when we ride on the 4 wheelers…Andy always wants to ride with poo pa.  Must be that GUY thing.

Of course before everyone left for the day…there was one more trip to the chickens!!!!

I am so glad they have a place to come and be outside…and just be kids.

 

 

15 Sep

Welcome To Your New Home

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized.

Today has been an exciting day!

We went and picked up our chickens!!!!!!

 

I actually got in the cage and helped catch them….

They are very tame….which makes me VERY happy.

This morning  bright and early …Billy asked …. do you want to go get some chickens today?

He had a few things he needed to do so I thought it might be a little while before we would go.  Before long he stuck his head in the house and said are you ready?   I can honestly say that I was.  I immediately headed to the door.  I think I surprised him…he said I thought you would take a while to get ready.  He laughed and said all he had to say was “chickens” and that got things moving.

Saturday’s are busy days for us….that is usually our catch up day.  But today he set aside his whole day to help get them home and settled in.

We purchased Buff Orpington’s, that is the kind of chicken.  The man we bought them from told me that these are pullets…which means they are young female chickens (teenagers) that are not old enough to lay eggs…yet.  

I hope they don’t take too long….he said that it would probably be another 3 to 4 weeks.  It could be sooner…but probably that long.  He raised these and they were born this Spring.  Which is nice to know.  This way I can keep up with how old they are.  He told me that chickens usually lay good for the first three years…then about the fourth year they will start to slow down.  I found that interesting to know.

We brought home 8 girls and 1 rooster. I wasn’t real sure I even wanted a rooster.  I have always heard horror tales about how mean roosters are.  I want everybody to just be nice.  I don’t want to be afraid of any animal that we have.  Respect them…yes…afraid of them….no.  But this rooster is just as calm as the others, so as long as he is like that….then we will get along just fine.

I also found out that the red combs on their heads will develop more as they age.  The rooster already has a little more prominent comb ….maybe because he is a rooster..?…I don’t know….I’m learning as I go.

 

I do know one thing for sure….and that is that they are really beautiful!!!!!

Once we arrived… Billy set them on their new porch.  They immediately made themselves at home….

They decided one by one to jump down off the porch and check out the yard.  They approved….they immediately started pecking away.

David and Lindsay happened to bring the kids out to the land for a walk about the time we arrived with the chickens.  The kids looked on but didn’t say much, they just watched for a while.  But before long they were very intrigued by them.

Little do they know that this is actually where chicken nuggets come from…….!

I am really glad the grand kids get to see all these animals up close.  When you aren’t around animals it is easy to think that everything just comes from the store.

Years ago it was not uncommon for the average family to have at least some farm animals.  Not so much anymore.

 

Billy and I had a lot of yard work to do at their little house.  We used a lot of scrap wood for this project and ended up with a  good bit of left over boards that needed to be cleaned.  That means you take the old nails out of them.  It isn’t hard…it is just time consuming.  But it all needed to be done…and put away for another project.   Once that happened then we could cut the grass.

I found myself counting heads every little while.  At one point I could only find eight of them.  I thought for sure I had already lost one.  Billy and I looked everywhere….I finally found her in some tall grass.  She was all snuggled up resting.    That just reassured me that I really needed to get that grass cut today.

While we worked they meandered around the whole yard.  They were very quiet.  They didn’t fight or pick at one another.  They were being really sweet.  We did find them to be very inquisitive.  Whenever Billy would pick up a piece of wood off the ground, one would be right there checking it out.  I couldn’t believe how fast they were when it came to catching crickets or whatever other kind of bug might be up under the wood.  They feasted all day!

I thought I might have to put them in the coop while I cut the grass.  I didn’t want to spook them and have them flying over the fence the first day…but they were just fine with the lawn mower.

My neighbor that has chickens already, brought me a few eggs…knowing mine will still be a little while.  I told her that maybe I should have a little talk with my chickens and show them her eggs, so they would know what I am expecting of them!

It was beginning to get dark when we decided that we better put them in the coop for the night.  I wish you could have seen me and Billy trying to catch them.  They are tame….but not that tame…..and they didn’t want to go to bed (just like teenagers).

They can really make a grown man and woman look silly.  We were all over that yard….chasing chickens.  We finally managed to catch all but one….that is when I got creative.

I used my big fish net to capture her…. and it worked!

I think once they get used to their surroundings they will not have to be rounded up like we did tonight.  At least I hope not.  Or Billy and I better learn how to catch them better.

Everyone finally got tucked in for the night…

I sure hope they like their new home….a lot of love and time has been put into it.

When Billy and I finally got home….we were all pooped out.  We have been working on this one project ALL day.  After we ate dinner….I asked him if he wanted to go back over and peek in the windows with a flashlight to see what they were doing….

But…..I think we are just too tired….because we are not teenagers!

Besides…the neighbors would really think we were nuts…especially after all the chicken chasing we already did today.

I think it is time for us to get tucked into bed ourselves!

I wonder if that rooster is old enough to CROW yet?  Guess we will find out soon enough……

 

 

 

14 Sep

Oh Pearl….

Posted by ivegonecountry in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , .

Pearl is one of our goats.  She is a very gentle and kind goat.  She is also the mother of hoot-n- nanny.  I wrote about her in a post last year (December 23, 2011).  It was entitled Precious Pearl .  If you would like to read that post it tells about the first time I found her with her head caught in the fence.

We haven’t had to rescue her any more until recently.

It seems now that every time we turn around… little miss Pearl’s head is caught in the fence.  Billy and I try to make a trip around the boundaries of the fence to make sure she isn’t hung up.  Sometimes she will make enough noise that you immediately know.  Often though she is pretty quiet and just stands there and waits for someone to find her.  The other goats usually stay with her until someone arrives to help.  I find that interesting.  They don’t leave her in her time of trouble.  They also trust who ever shows up.

We have been coming and going a lot this summer….and just about every time lately that we are gone we get the phone call…..

“Hey…your goat’s head was stuck in the fence…we got it out…but we had to cut the fence”.

Sooooo….Our Precious Pearl is now sporting a new headband.

When we bought Freddy, our little brown goat, his previous owner had a goat that was wearing a beautiful headpiece like this.  I was intrigued since I had never seen this before and asked why she was wearing that contraption.  I thought possibly that it might be an easy way for him to hold her when he needed to catch her for some reason.  Or possibly because she butted too much.  He told me…well…she is always getting her head stuck in the fence, so this keeps that from happening.

I am so glad that Billy and I saw that little trick, we tried it out last night.

This morning she was with Jethro and all was well.

She seems to be the only one who gets stuck.  Maybe it is the way her horns are shaped…I don’t know obviously…but we will see if this does the trick .

Pearl came into our pasture with horns….I have read that “hornless” is the best way to go. There are a number of reasons why it is better of course.  But  she already has them…and we have to deal with this…so for now…we will see how this works.

Billy and I teased that we should dress them up a little..he said… tassels….!  If she has to continue to wear this…maybe I will spray paint it a pretty color!

I saw Violet, which is her mother, and somehow caught this shot.  I’m not sure what that look is all about….Maybe she doesn’t like Pearls new headband!?!?!?!

It looks like she has had her lips injected with silicone.  Hilarious….

Once she expressed her opinion…she was fine…..

I hope that this will help her, meanwhile we will be reading more and more on what to do from here…..

She is still beautiful and will always be our—– Precious Pearl!

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