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2010
January -
I cannot believe how much snow we have had so far this
winter! It seems like forever, since we have had bare
ground. Although it is especially beautiful right after
a snowfall, I must admit that having frozen footprints,
all throughout the pathways, to contend with while trying
to carry feed buckets, can get old real fast!! Thank
goodness that we have the well up near the animal pens...it
really is convenient having it so close when we need
to water everyone. As long as they have fresh water,
lots to eat and a comfy bed to sleep in, overall, the
animals seem uneffected by the snow and the cold.
January - The
ladies (hens) have been slowing down on their egg production
lately....it is probably due to the frigid weather.
They are funny because whenever it gets really cold
or really hot, their production decreases. In the morning,
whenever I get the eggs and realize that it is going
to be a slow day, I cannot help but to tell them how
ridiculous and pathetic it is that they let the temperature
effect their laying habits. Obviously, they do not have
a clue as to what I am saying, nor would they even care,
but for some reason, I am always compelled to talk to
everyone when I enter their buildings! Whether it is
the chickens, goats, pigs or rabbits, I always make
sure to greet them. Animals like routines and as crazy
as it sounds, I think that they actually enjoy our interaction.
February - It
was very cute when I fed this morning....as I had mentioned
earlier, animals like routines. Well, today when I went
into the big barn to open up and feed everyone, I was
preoccupied by all of the things I needed to do for
the day. I had not said too much, other than my initial
greeting to everyone. My normal routine would be to
give everyone hay; next I would then give Pembrook his
special grain and then give Emma a handful of course
14 (a type of food). She knows the routine and will
not touch her hay until she has eaten her treat from
my hand and until I have scratched behind her horns.
Anyway, as I had mentioned, today I was out of sequence
because after I 'hayed' everyone, I immediately began
to gather everyone's water buckets so I could clear
out the ice and give them fresh water. It wasn't 2 minutes
into the first bucket, though, when Emma began bleating
at the top of her lungs, in an attempt to get my attention,
and Pembrook stood on his rear feet leaning against
his stall wall, screaming at me. Suddenly, I realized
that I had broken my routine by not giving them their
special morning treats! I laughed to myself and thought
how sweet they were and also how comical it was that
I was being reprimanded by sheep and goats!!!!
March -We
have started to plan for the opening of the farm on
May 1st. This year we will be having a 'Spring Hatch
Celebration and Mother's Day Sale' on the first Sunday
that we are open. The chicks will only be a few days
old by then and should be adorable; I think that everyone
will enjoy seeing them during the general animal tour.
Last summer the weather was not very nice so I am hoping
that this year will make up for last year!
March - Suprisingly,
our hay supply appears to be doing well for this time
of year. Some winters we really are 'scraping the barrel'
by June, just waiting for the call to tell us that the
first cut has been done and that we can go to the field
to pick up our first truck load. It is very funny, though,
because some of the animals love first cut hay while
others will sniff it and walk away, almost like they
are saying "you're kidding, right? You want me
to eat that?" I don't know whether it is because
first cut hay is more corse or because it lacks flavor
but you can definitely see a difference in their attitude
towards the different cuts that you offer them!
April -
Andrew and I have been going crazy raking and raking.
It is amazing how much spring clean up is needed every
year! In the fall, everything is always so neat and
manicured but after the winter winds and snow, you would
never know that it was the same place. Up in the trails,
especially, there are so many downed branches and fallen
leaves. I sometimes worry that we will not be ready
for May 1st, opening day, but every year I feel the
same way and we are usually fine. It is a lot of hard
work but once it is done, it is rewarding to see it
looking so nice.
April - I
am looking foward to the spring and summer. Eric said
that he would design me an old-fashioned kitchen herb
garden outside of our kitchen. I have always wanted
one; now that he has graduated college and is a 'horticulturalist'
he will definitely have what it takes to do a great
job. When he presents ideas to me about the garden design
and the different things that we should have, you can
really tell he knows what he is doing. I told him that
he should add this type of service to his business,
as there may be other people that would like to have
kitchen herb beds too!
April -
The farm grounds and trails are all raked and ready
to go....the shop is stocked with awesome things and
ready to go...the chicks and animals are definitely
ready for visitors...the 'coop' is all cleaned, set
up and ready to go....tomorrow is May 1st and we have
scheduled birthday parties.....we are all set and ready
to go!!!
May -
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