Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Odds and Ends

It has been a very busy time here this holiday. It has been non stop going for about a month now. I have just had enough time to feed animals and clean out pens then on to the next event or get together. This Christmas has truly been a blessing. Our son is home from college with a degree in biology and applying to graduate schools. We haven't seen him in about 6 months and have missed him so much. Also a blessing, the arrival of his lovely girlfriend. She feels like family.........no pressure. I told my son, "She likes Diana Gabaldon books and green olives, she's the girl for me!" No pressure. I knitted and felted a hat for her. This one has a bit of llama in it. I think it is my best ever and looks darling on her. I have had her cleaning pig pens and asked if the smell bothered her and she said "No, I don't really smell anything." She chased the llama around the pasture determined he would take an apple from her. And sure enough, he did. She even took a trip to the feed store and came back with everything I wanted. Now I wouldn't call those tests....but let's just say she passed with flying colors.
The animals had a few visitors this weekend. It seems that the pigs have become somewhat of an attraction and have found a following in the blog world. Well, really it's my sister in law that sent my blog to her mother and they wanted to come see the animals, especially the pigs. So everyone came over and went out to meet the animals that they had read about. The pigs were quite unremarkable. Barely looking up from their food long enough to interact with anyone. Then I had to worry, because they had food on their mind, that they might nip a finger of someone wanting to touch their funny little nose. A pig's nose seems to be irresistible to touch, I have noticed. Try it sometime.
The goats all gathered round and got their bite of apple and the llama came over to see what was going on. Moly and Ruckus put on a good head butt display while everyone laughed. Semi Sweet (Mrs. Robinson) stuck out her tongue and molested anything that would stand still. A good time was had by all.
We will be getting more chickens this spring so I am deciding which kind. I like Americanas but would like to get an old or rare breed. I need about 5 or 6 hens and maybe a rooster. We have two very cute hens that are technically the neighbors but have "free ranged" themselves over to my place. I call them The Ladies. They have supplied me with eggs but I have to find them which really means I come across my dog woofing them down and save what's left. We have a lot of predators so these new hens will be locked up and have proper nest boxes.

We made a trip to the new Cabela store. It was overwhelming but fun. I bought two sweaters and a cast iron skillet. They have something for everyone. My husband is an avid pheasant hunter so he found a good deal on an upland bird coat. I have heard that people plan their vacation around a visit to Cabela's. I think that is going way too far but it was fun to visit.
So that's the odds of the holidays and the end of 2007. I hope 2008 brings a few hens, a few Nigerian babies and my son closer to home.

14 comments:

farm mama said...

I'm so glad to see you back blogging again. I was beginning to wonder if everything was all right, but figured you were probably just busy over the holidays.

Danni said...

What a great first post for 2008! I love the story about your son's girlfriend..it sounds like she fits into the family very well! Where was the picture taken with all the snow behind them? Beautiful! So, we'll be doing the chick-thing together this spring, eh? Good! I'm going to need all the help I can get! :-)
Cabella's...in Washington...I didn't know. Oh wow. I'm going to look it up right now to see whether it's within driving distance of PDX! :-)

goatgirl said...

I don't think I have had a busier holiday which explains my writers block. Happy New Year farm mama!

goatgirl said...

farm girl, Cabella's is in Lacey. Right off I5.
The pictures were taken at Mt. Rainier. It was a beautiful sunny day.
Happy New Year

Danni said...

Morning goatgirl...I looked up Cabela's and WOW! The website describes its 185,000-square-foot showroom as "an educational and entertainment attraction, featuring a décor of museum-quality animal displays, huge aquariums and trophy animals interacting in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats". I had no idea... :-)
Of course, it's still over 117 miles away from us, so this would be more of a weekend excursion than a quick little trip. But so glad you mentioned it!

Marigold said...

Who is the cute little canine up in the corner? By the way, I think I may be in love with that little chocolate and white guy. :)

goatgirl said...

That would be Solomon, our Chihuahua. We haven't had him that long and I am in love. He is the best dog, big or small. Not to mention he looks great in a purse.
Now about the crush you have on Ruckus, he's available.

goatgirl said...

P.S. Marigold, I told Ruckus you had a crush on him and he said, and I quote "Bring Peanuts!"

Marigold said...

Oy.

Anonymous said...

Just found your site and I love it. Your photos are wonderful. Nice to meet you, I live on a farm in Georgia and love goats and all animals too.

goatgirl said...

Marigold, I think he mean't peanuts not Peanuts

goatgirl said...

Nice to meet you farmgirl from Georgia.

deconstructingVenus said...

Wow, I think I'm a little in love with the girlfriend. Can I have her? My son is only 3 but I can only hope he'll find a good farm-friendly girl like that...

goatgirl said...

DCV, that cracked me up because I told someone at work today that I was in love with "the girlfriend"
It was another mother so she understood.