Llama Corner

We started feeding for winter. It’s a lot later than last year because of all the rain. There was more grass for longer time and we had an extra five acres. The hay has been out and we’re feeding grain now too.

We set up the sheep corral in the corner. It’s too small now to feed all the sheep in.

We’re hanging the llama feeders from it for now. I need to build something in the horse port but for now this works. They eat slow and are not very food aggressive like the sheep. If you put their food on the ground the sheep steal it. If you don’t guard them Daffy will climb up and knock the pail down and eat the food off the ground. Bad sheep.

The sheep trough is under the horse port. They still have access to the barn and they spend the nights up there.

Paige still thinks she’s a farm dog.

The Climbing Sheep

I had the day off again today. I had a dentist appointment in Lexington so we stopped at Meijer on the way home. They still have the bulk coffee I like, the Walmart stopped carrying it here. Lisa is still not fully functioning after falling off Heidi (she doesn’t bounce, apparently) so I’ve been pitching in with the animals. She usually does all the animal care, I just do the heavy lifting and picture taking. Sometimes I’m called upon to stand around and look pretty.

Morty is looking good. He might be getting released into the cattle pasture soon.

The stall doors are kept closed all day. Lisa puts Morty up and opens the other stall to give the sheep more room at night. It’s funny watching all sixteen of them pile into the little stall. You take your entertainment on the farm where you get it.

It rained some more yesterday and today. It is supposed to turn to snow by tomorrow afternoon. The pond filled up even more.

You can see here where it breached its dam.

The hay we got the other day isn’t the best. Nowhere near the quality we’re used to from Nelson. I’ve been pulling off the bad parts and flaking the good stuff down so they can get to it better.

Shemp must think he’s a climbing sheep.

What Shemp felt like.

Flooded Pond

The pond behind us is getting quite full. We are in the 2nd most rainy year in recorded history. We’ve been lucky beating weather records since we moved up here. Worst ice storm, snowiest winter, most days in a row below freezing…

The dam washed out last year but they came and fixed it.

Either they forgot to put the drain pipe back in or it got clogged.

Lisa got to ride Heidi on Saturday. You’ll have to ask her how that ended.

We Had a Hay Day

I was off yesterday so we went to Bath county and picked up two round bales of hay. Nelson let me borrow the loader to put them on the racks.

Lisa was leading the sheep down the hill to show them where the hay is.

Two bales on the truck.

It wasn’t hard getting them to follow her.

We got the lights on the house.

Happy Thanksgiving

I’ve had thousands of emails and tweets about not posting on the blog, I’m sorry. The weather has been bad with cold rain on almost every day off. I’ll try to do better.

We didn’t have a big crowd this year for Thanksgiving, but it was still a lovely day. Andy, Lynne and Heather came over so we still got to spend time with family.

The turkey was out and Lisa was making mashed potatoes.

Plating the turkey. (Heather took this picture)

I had been out earlier working on a gate and hanging a rack for a salt lick in the bottom pasture. I never did get dressed up for dinner. (photo credit, Heather)

Deviled eggs! Lisa used the recipe for bite sized deviled eggs.

Prep work on mashed potatoes.

Lynne made sticky buns, garlic bread sticks, pretzels and a pumpkin pie. Stuffing and green beans too.

Andy shaved off his scruffy hunters beard.

Lenny kept climbing on me while I was watching the game.

We got the metal on the roof of the bunny port. It should keep them out of the weather.

I didn’t give a clear perspective of where the new run-in shed is, this should make it clearer.

Paris in the afternoon sun.  Heather took some awesome pictures of the dogs.

Paige, by Heather.

Darryl and his hens.  By Heather.

Samantha peeing. Uh, Heather…

Kate’s latest litter having Thanksgiving dinner. All the feeders are in the freezer so we’ll have room when these guys get bigger.

Riding Western

Heather let Lisa use her western saddle. It seemed to fit okay. It is heavier than Cathryn’s saddle which isn’t bad for Heidi but Lisa has to lift it up onto her back.

This is Heidi’s current pasture. It’s about 10 acres and has a nice big run-in shed.

Lisa walking Heidi to the barn. The stallion in the pasture across the road likes Heidi.

It is a pretty farm. I like the welded fence.
I took a picture of the barn cat for Kathy to admire. There are two black and white ones and a grey one.

The barn waiting area. I was waiting for Lisa to put the saddle things on Heidi.

The bathing stall is across from the waiting area. It has ties on the wall.

It gets dusty in there.



Heidi knew I was there and kept coming to see me.

Trained Heidi

Heidi has been away at school. Lisa got to ride her today for the first time.

Lisa will have to explain all the head gear and saddle things.

The woman in purple is the trainer, Shannon.

The weather was bad so they rode inside the barn.

Nice horse.