Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Under New Management

We used to have Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, but Ellie has appropriated them for herself. Yes, we still feed, water, bed, move, milk, and clean up after our little herd, but only under Ellie's extremely-close supervision. The goats aren't that thrilled with their new shepherd. She runs a tighter ship than did the previous administration. 








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"I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun." ~Katharine Hepburn

Monday, November 27, 2017

Ellie's First Hike

The dogs and I were finally able to drag Hubby away from his Sunday afternoon football games to go for a hike. (Truthfully, I would've stayed home to watch the Seattle Seahawks except that they weren't playing on our network. Hubby said that we're not close enough to Seattle, so we usually get the Denver Broncos games instead. I suggested that we move slightly west.) Remarkable weather, amazing terrain, and joyful dogs made him almost forget about wild card teams and playoff standings.








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"The beauty of the world is Christ's tender smile coming to us through matter." ~Simone Weil

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Open Enrollment

I put our two senior citizen cows, Princess and Daisy Mae, in the small pasture behind the house where they can get better feed and shelter this winter. They're in good shape but, like other people around here, their joints are a bit creaky in the cold mornings. 

Princess, shown here, has celebrated 13 birthdays and raised 10 big, beautiful calves. Eight of those have been our top-selling steers; one was a heifer whose first calf this year was a genuine hunk. So, if Princess wants to graze the greenish grass in my back yard, she's more than welcome. She's earned it.





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"There shall be an eternal summer in the grateful heart." ~Celia Thaxter

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Good-bye autumn. We'll miss you!

Here are a few September and October shots you may have missed, unless you get the Hayseed Files on Facebook. If you do, thanks so much! If you prefer books and nature to social media, hooray for you!




Quaking aspen between our house and barn.


Sugar's fuzzy winter face.




A last-minute pollen shopper.



It's like shopping with a toddler, complete with whining.



Camera-hog. (Taken before the winter fuzz grew in.)



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"Our faith doesn't begin until our ability ends." ~Nicole Crank

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

The "Fluffy" Ones

I almost forgot to show you how much the heifer calves have grown these past seven months. (See last month's 575 Pounds Later for then-and-now snapshots of some of the steers.) Here are five of our not-so-little darlings, all bundled up in their heavy winter coats. 

Tell the people that we're not fat, we're just fluffy, they told me. 

Roll your eyes if you want. I'm just relaying the message.


Daffodil 

Apricot




Magnolia


Molly


Jasmine

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"The leading cause of death among fashion models is falling through street grates." ~Dave Barry


Thursday, November 2, 2017

A Study in Contrasts

We went to bed in autumn but woke up in winter. It happens every year but still amazes me.


It's Ellie's first winter and Bodie's thirteenth.

The snow was pretty, wet, and pretty wet! Mud beneath the soggy snow made for slipping and sliding.

Ellie romped in the snow most of the day.

Quaking aspen, gorgeous in every season.

Bodie is gradually warming up to his new sister, but he thinks she gets way too much attention.



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"Those who look to [the Lord] for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces." ~Psalm 34:5 NLT