Seldom Seen Acres

Late Saturday Night....

2012-01-29T00:37:00.000-05:00

Saturday evening was a rare night out for *T* and I. My mom came to stay with the boys while we were gone. *T* brought me home around 8:45 pm then went back out to spend some time with his fellow firefighter friends. We try to have the boys in bed by 9pm every night but that night they were excited, as they always are when we leave them with someome else for a few hours. Mom stayed for about an hour after I got home and then I sat down to watch a show on tv. In the meantime the boys were playing quietly in their bedroom and about the time I was going to get up to start getting them ready for bed *Z* came running into the living room and was digging in his one toy tote and went back into his bedroom with a handful of toys, then came running back and was digging for more. On his first trip through I asked him what his brother was doing and he said "just playing" and went running out of the room. I knew I had to go see for myself because they had been quiet for too long.

This is what I found when I got to their room. Now lets not forget that *K* is only 11mths old and doesn't even walk yet and it was 10:20pm when I took this photo. He was playing so contently that he didn't even know I had walked into the room until the camera flash went off.

He is sitting in the middle of *Z*'s bed playing with his Little People Tow and Pull Tractor. That is when I figured out what *Z* was digging for in the tote in the living room. The tractor was in the bedroom but all the animals and people were in the tote in the other room.

*Z* came back with his second load of animals and climbed up there and started playing with his brother. It was the cutest thing ever. I said "don't you think that you should be going to bed soon"? and *Z*'s reply to me was "we ARE in MY bed Momma"! I just shook my head and went back to the living room.... there is a point when mom knows she may as well surrender!

I love that *K* is getting old enough that the two of them can sit and play now. I just wish for now they'd do it at a lower elevation. I hope *K* doesn't fall off the bed and get hurt in the mean time. I guess he is so determined to be a big kid he doesn't care that he momma says he is "too little" to be doing these things.

I also couldn't believe how wide awake they were for it being so late. I did finally get *K* to go to bed around 11pm and then *Z* and the dog fell asleep on the couch with, the cat standing guard around 11:30pm.

Friday Evening...

2012-01-27T23:30:00.000-05:00

So... Friday evening found us here at home, the boys and I had eaten a late lunch, *T* wondering if I was making anything to eat and I was without a plan. I asked if there was anything he wanted and he said he'd eat "whatever you fix".
The guy ought to know better, is all I have to say!
A quick scan of the cupboard and fridge and these are the first things I found:

I really put my culinary skills to the test and came up with this:

That is all folks!

New Look

2012-01-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

It was time for a change....
I was tired of the old color combination of this blog so did a little rearranging. What do you think?

Not much to report here on the home front. I've been busy with the boys.

Yesterday morning *K* figured out that he can climb onto the bottom shelf of the changing table, so that quickly because a game for he and his brother. The kept taking turns crawling in and out of the space... so cute to see finally starting to play together,
Later, I found *K* standing on *Z*'s toddler bed turning the light switch on and off. He was in the bedroom playing and I noticed the light was going on and off and went in to tell *Z* to leave it on and found it wasn't *Z* after all.... EEK..... He's too little to be doing these things already! He's only 11 1/2mths old for goodness sake and can't even walk yet... well unless you count a few lunging steps toward something "walking".
After that I couldn't keep him off the bed for anything. As soon as I'd take him to another room he'd crawl as fast as he could into the bedroom, crawl up there and bounce on the bed, sometimes hanging onto the rails sometimes not....oy vey.... I had to push it against the wall and put the huge tote of toys in front of it so he couldn't climb up there anymore.

Saturday *Z* was sneaking around the house. I asked what he was doing. "Tracking a ghost!" he says "I see ghost footprints - I follow 'em".... no doubt this old house could have ghosts but he was really following one of his white cats. He has started calling them ghosts lately and I have no idea why.
Later that day he asked me to make him some "Pawp" (pop). He seems to have the impression that I can just go to the kitchen and whip up whatever he wants. I may need to get some water kefir grains from my friend so I can try to fill his request.
He also thinks I'm the coolest mom ever (forget the fact I'm the only mom he knows) because I make him "ice cream" for breakfast! Little does he know (and you better not tell him) that what he thinks is ice cream is really yogurt and ice cubes, and the "ice cream maker" is my blender.
Oh and the latest.... "Sorry, Momma, it was a nois-ident"!!! ........ He must figure noise that he did mean to make is equivalent of an accident. So it is a Noise-ident.... ♥

There is never a dull moment around here....... I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Cinnamon Rolls with Raisins

2012-01-12T15:38:00.001-05:00

(printable recipe)

6 cups all purpose flour

2 cups warm water (110°F)

2/3 cup white sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1-1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

Filling Mixture:

1- 1/2 cups Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Sugar

4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon

1 tsp Ground Nutmeg

4 Tbsp. butter, melted

2 cup Raisins

Icing:

1 cup Confectioners sugar

1 Tbsp Milk

Instructions:

In large glass two cup measuring cup, measure out 2 cups warm water. Keep in mind the sugar will drop the temperature a couple degrees so you might want to make it a bit warmer.

Add sugar directly into the water.

Add 1-1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast to the sugar water mixture and stir a little. Wait about 5 minutes. The yeast will form a creamy froth. At this point your yeast has proofed and is ready to use.

In a mixer bowl, add your salt and oil. Stir in two cups of flour and eggs and mix until eggs are incorporated. Pour in your proofed yeast water and mix well using the dough hook.

One cup at a time mix in the remaining flour. By the time the rest of the flour is in the bowl, the dough is beginning to form.

Once the dough is formed and has pulled all the flour up from the bottom of the bowl set the mixer to the second speed and mix for 5 minutes. During this time watch to see if you need to add a bit more flour. (this step takes the place of kneading the dough for 8-10 minutes by hand)

Place dough into a well oiled bowl. Pick up the dough and turn it over to coat it completely with the oil.

Cover bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm place until it has doubled (mine took about 45 minutes). An easy test to see if the dough has risen enough is to poke two fingers about a half of a inch into the dough. If the impressions remain without going immediately back into place… it is ready.

When doubled, punch down dough and knead for a few minutes to get all the air out. Divide in half.
Roll out half of the dough.

Spread with half of the filling mixture and sprinkle with raisins. You could roll out the whole thing at once but I find it is easier to work with just half at a time.

Roll up dough.

Cut into 1 inch sections and place in two greased 9 inch pie pans or something similar.

I used the other half of the dough to make a loaf of bread.

Set in a warm place, cover with damp towel and let raise for about a half hour.

Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are a rich brown.

Brush tops with a light coating of vegetable oil and let cool for about five minutes before taking out of pans and putting on a plate.

Mix confectioners sugar and milk together in a bowl and spread on top.

(printable recipe)

The Perfect Wheat Bread

2012-01-12T09:28:00.000-05:00

The Perfect Wheat Bread

(printable recipe)

3 cups all purpose flour (sifted)

3 cups whole wheat flour (sifted)

2 cups warm water (110°F, 45°C)

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1-1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

In large glass two cup measuring cup, measure out 2 cups warm water. Keep in mind the sugar will drop the temperature a couple degrees so you might want to make it a bit warmer.
Add 1/4 cup sugar directly into the water and recheck the temperature. Wait for it to cool, or microwave for a few seconds at a time until 110 degrees is reached.
Add 1-1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast to the sugar water mixture and stir a little. You will notice the yeast will settle to bottom of the measuring cup and then all rise to the top in a few minutes. The yeast will form a creamy froth. At this point your yeast has proofed and is ready to use.
In a mixer bowl, add your salt and oil. Stir in two cups of flour. Pour in your proofed yeast water and mix well using the dough hook.
One cup at a time mix in the remaining flour. By the time the rest of the flour is in the bowl, the dough is beginning to form.
Once the dough is formed and has pulled all the flour up from the bottom of the bowl set the mixer to the second speed and mix for 5 minutes. During this time watch to see if yo need to add a bit more flour. (this step takes the place of kneading the dough for 8-10 minutes by hand)
Place dough into a well oiled bowl. Pick up the dough and turn it over to coat it completely with the oil.
Cover bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm place until it has doubled (mine took about 45 minutes). An easy test to see if the dough has risen enough is to poke two fingers about a half of a inch into the dough. If the impressions remain without going immediately back into place… it is ready.
When doubled, punch down dough and knead for a few minutes to get all the air out. Divide in half and form two loaves. Place in well oiled 9×5 bread pans. Let loaves rise in warm place for another 30 minutes, or until most of the dough has risen about a inch above the top of the pans.
Bake at 350°F, 175°C for 25-30 minutes or until the tops are a rich brown and tapping on the tops sounds hollow. Brush tops with a light coating of vegetable oil and let cool for about five minutes before taking out of pans and cooling on wire racks.

Wheat Bread ready to go into the oven

Note:

Yields 2 - 9×5 loafs of bread perfect for sandwiches or most anything else.

For The Perfect White Bread, use 6 cups of all purpose flour instead of 3 wheat and 3 all purpose.

Wheat Bread done and ready to be eaten - Yum!

4 Years Ago Today

Wordless Wednessday

2012-01-11T14:13:00.004-05:00

January 9th 2012 - Wolf Moon

Link to: Wordless Wednesday

Sunny and warm...

2012-01-07T13:22:00.001-05:00

Overnight Low: 31.1°F.
Today's High: 50.5°F.
Current Temp: 48.2°F. and sunny

Not a lot going on today, just relaxing with family and enjoying this beautiful day. Clear sky and sunshine, what more could one ask for?

I really want to start making homemade bread on a regular basis so I decided to start today. I'm attempting to make Perfect and Easy Homemade White Bread today. It is on the stove raising as I type. I cut out the kneading by hand process and let my kitchen aid to do all the work, by mixing on second speed for 5 minutes once all the flour was added.

picture from Ever Parent

*** Update***

Gotta love a loaf of bread that rises this high above the pan!

I can only dream that this recipe will be as easy and turn out as wonderful, every time, as this first time! Look at that beauty... in all my previous attempts to make bread from scratch I have rarely gotten it to rise like this.

Sorry... for some reason the taste function is not working on my computer today.

I so wish I could share just a slice (or two) with all of you. You'd be hooked too. I can see several loaves of this in our future. I'd like to send a special thanks to Ever Parent for sharing this wonderful recipe.

Happy new Year!!!

2012-01-01T15:22:00.002-05:00

Overnight Low: 39.2°F.
Today's High: 48.9°F.
Current Temp: 45.5°F.

Today started out sunny and warm, but by noon the rain had started and it's been raining all afternoon. The temperature is still 43°F. Very unusualy for this time of year, but I'm not complaining.

My friend *D* and I went to get some chickens yesterday morning, she ended up keeping 4 of the hens and I brought home 6 hens and a rooster home with me. We were told they are about a year old. Most are RIRs but the rooster and one hen are White Leghorns. When I did chores last night I found two eggs, I know the white egg is from one of the new chickens as I didn't have any white egg layers before. And the brown one I think also came from one of the new chickens because it was in one of the nests on the top row which my old chickens have never used. Only had one egg in the nest today at chore time, but hopefully they will continue to lay and the rest will start.... I miss getting eggs everyday.

3 Years Ago Today
4 Years Ago Today

Our new Christmas Ornament

2011-12-28T00:19:00.000-05:00

A couple of days before Christmas my almost three year old came out to the kitchen saying "Brudder binky in Christian Tree, Momma". (He call the Christmas Tree a "Christian Tree" - love it!) At first I thought he had taken it from his brother and threw it in the tree, but he was acting too proud for that to be the case. "Come here, see" he said as he turned and ran back into the living room. This is what I found when I got there...

It was just too cute not to share. We decided to leave it there because *K* (10 1/2 months old) doesn't really use it anymore, other then as a toy. So it is now officially part of the Christmas decorations. A first Christmas Ornament - so to speak.
I've been so blessed! My boys both gave up their pacifiers around 10 mths old. They just seemed to be done all of the sudden. No warning, no fussing, nothing - just done. One of my worst fears, when I decided to start letting them suck on a "binky", was that it would be SO hard to break them of it once they started. Thank you, God - for giving me such easy going boys!

4 Years Ago Today

Granola Recipe

2011-12-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

Granola with Coconut, Dates, Raisins and Chocolate Chips
2 cups rolled oats1/2 cup ground flaxseed1/2 cup wheat germ1/2 cup shredded coconutPinch of salt1 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped dried dates
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine oats, flaxseed, wheat germ, salt, cinnamon, and coconut. Melt butter in a separate bowl and add vanilla. Add honey to the oat combination and stir until evenly coated. Stir in butter until oat mixture is evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes and stir every 5 minutes. Let it cool completely before stirring in dates, raisins, and the chocolate chips. Enjoy with milk for breakfast or alone as a snack.

4 Years Ago Today

Kamsnaps is having a Giveaway!!!!

2011-12-22T10:12:00.001-05:00

My favorite place to get snaps from - okay I must admit, it's the ONLY place I get snaps from - KAMsnaps is having a giveaway!!!

Snap Pliers Giveway Celebrating 2600 Facebook Fans

It is time to celebrate 2600 Facebook likes!

This giveaway is open to residents anywhere. The winners will each receive a coupon code to apply towards our KAM pliers for plastic snaps here. (Shipping fees may apply if your order subtotal does not reach the free shipping minimum.) The giveaway ends on Jan 5, 2012, and the winners will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

~~~~~~~~~~

These are the snaps I used when making cloth diapers. I have also added them to tote bags, clothing and a lot of things around the house to make life easier.

I love them and have never had any problems with them. In addition I love the sevice I get when ordering from KAMsnaps.com.

Lazy Saturday...

2011-12-17T14:12:00.000-05:00

I woke up to *Z* yelling "Momma!... Momma!... It 'nowing out there!!!! He was so excited to see the snow.

We have just a dusting but that is enough to put us in the Christmas Spirit. We put the tree up last night but didn't start decorating until this morning. Got the lights and a few (and I mean very few) decorations on it. I can't seem to find most of my ornaments. This is really bothering me because I know I have lots of decorations and I have always put them in one closet at the end of the season, but they are not in there this year.

I'd like to just sit here in my comfy chair with my cup of coffee all day but I have to get ready to go to a Christmas Party....

This has to be some kind of record...

2011-12-15T11:22:00.002-05:00

An overnight low of 42.4°F. Yesterday's high was 50.8°F, and I see it is already 51°F today at 11:18 a.m. I'm not complaining one bit, I don't even miss the snow. But I sure am glad Santa's Reindeer can fly because it would be hard to pull a sleigh through mud.

4 Years Ago Today

Wordless Wednessday

2011-12-14T22:51:00.005-05:00

Four years ago today - much different then today. We have no snow.

YAY!!!

2011-12-11T23:57:00.001-05:00

YAY!!! The first egg that we've gotten in a couple of months.

Taco Bake

2011-12-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

I was looking around on Pinterest yesterday, looking for something different to make for dinner, and this is what I found.

Taco Bake from 2 Maids a Milking (picture from their blog)

Taco Bake

Ingredients:1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg. taco seasoning
8 oz. sour cream
1 pkg. crescent rolls (8)
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
1 c. shredded cheese
Dorito chips

1. Brown hamburger and drain.
2. Add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, tiny bit of water, and diced tomatoes. Simmer...

3. In 9x13 dish, press out crescent rolls and roll them to form crust.

4. Layer hamburger mixture, sour cream and then cheese.

5. Crush about 3/4 of a bag of Doritos and put them on top. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

Enjoy!!!

New buck on the farm

2011-12-07T15:27:00.001-05:00

Since the coyotes (or something) decided that our other buck (Biscuit) would make a better dinner for them then a pet for us we have been looking for a new buck to breed the does.

This is Billy, how original huh? He came with that name, but it may change. The day we went to get him it was raining so I decided I'd just take the van.That way he'd be inside instead of in an open crate in the back of the truck, and risk making him sick. I recruited my friend *D* to go with me in case I needed help, I wasn't sure how friendly he was going to be. As it turned out he is very gentle and loaded very easy. I tied him in the back between the back seat and the back doors and he laid and road home very quiet. In fact he was so comfy back there that once we got home I had to do a little convincing to get him out of the van. Little did he know he had two does standing at the gate anxiously awaiting for his arrival.... I had noticed the day before that the LaMancha and Toggenburg were both in heat.

As goats do when bringing a new one into the herd they had to start shoving each other around and head butting one another.... somewhere in the process of all this the LaMancha, Pipsqueak, got her horn hooked in the stock panel and couldn't get it out. *D* and I were trying to get Pipsqueak's head turned just right to get the horn unstuck, but were not having much luck. I went inside the barn to call all the other in, thinking if they weren't running around us we could put more focus on the job at hand. No sooner did I get the other goats secured inside the barn when I heard Pipsqueak holler and *D* yelled for me to come out. I couldn't imagine what happened. When I got to the front door of the barn *D* was saying "she just ripped her horn off"! All I could envision was blood everywhere so I headed for the house to get the blood stop powder and all of the sudden *Z* started screaming and crying, he had witnessed the whole thing and with all the commotion was scared and confused. When I got back from the house I found *D* standing in front of the barn, with the shell of Pipsqueak's horn in her hand, trying to console *Z*. He wanted no part of her as long as she had that horn in her hand.

When I got back to Pipsqueak she wasn't bleeding nearly as bad as I had envisioned she would be - thankfully! I dumped some blood stop powder on her head, separated her from the rest of the herd and kept checking on her the rest of the day to make sure she was okay.

She seems to be doing okay, but I can tell that stub is really sensitive. This has deffinetly knocked her down a few rungs in the pecking order, as she will be avoiding all the other goats until this heals up, because she doesn't want them butting her (I can't blame her).

What we got when...

2011-12-06T20:44:00.001-05:00

I was looking for something yummy to make today when I found a brownie mix in the cupboard, but *Z* was insisting we make cookies. I knew there had to be a way to combined the two so we worked our magic and this is what we came up with.

What do you get when a Brownie and a Chocolate Chip Cookie have babies???

Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies - of course.

What we used:
1 - box of fudge brownie mix (19.8 oz)
1 cup flour
1 large egg
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips - we used the minis
3/4 cup confectioners sugar

This is what we did:In a mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, flour, egg, water, oil, and chocolate chips; mix well.

Place confectioners' sugar in a shallow dish. * Drop dough by tablespoonfuls into sugar; roll to coat (the dough will be quite sticky but it'll be okay).

Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks.

*Note to self - put confectioner's sugar in a bowl big enough to hold the amount of cookies for one tray (mine hold 8 cookies per tray) it will make life easier. You wont have to stop and wash the sugar off your hands to drop more dough balls in, or get dough and sugar on you scoop.

Enjoy with a nice cold glass of milk!!!!

2011-12-01T16:39:00.001-05:00

Another cloth diaper giveaway....
Green Baby Guide is hosting Charlie Banana Diaper giveaway.
http://greenbabyguide.com/2011/11/30/charlie-banana-diaper-giveaway/comment-page-3/#comment-14120

Go check it out and enter to win if interested.

We feel like Pizza tonight!!!

2011-08-20T18:20:00.001-04:00

Pizza Crust
1 3/4 cup warm water
1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast (recommended: RapidRise)
2 teaspoons salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for bowl
Cornmeal, for pan

Directions
Preheat oven at 450 degrees F.
Measure out 1 3/4 cups warm water (it should be pleasantly warm on your wrist). Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water and allow it to activate, about 5 minutes.
Add 4 1/2 cups Flour, Salt and Oil mix with dough hook on low for about a minute. Scrape bowl and mix on medium for about 3 minutes add the additional flour if needed, mix until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, until doubled in size, then punch it down. Divide it in half; each half will make 1 (12-inch) pizza.
Place on a cornmeal-dusted pizza stone, pizza pan, or cookie sheet. Roll up edge slightly to create a ridge around the pizza. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until crust is light brown.
Cook's Note: If using only half dough, freeze the other half. Place the dough in a resealable freezer bag. To thaw, remove the bag from the freezer and place in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Roll the dough out while cold then allow it to come to room temperature before adding toppings.

So far today....

2011-07-11T09:01:00.001-04:00

I woke up this morning around 7:00 hearing my 2 1/2 year old son whining that he wanted to go to "Neese's" ( a friend of ours)... serioiously Kid! You haven't even been up for two minutes... and your eyes aren't even completely open yet and you are asking to go to someone else's house? I must be a terrible morning person if the kid is ready to leave me already....LOL.
I got him convinced that we'd go to Neese's in a little while after his baby brother wakes for the day. I had him feed the dogs to help distract him ... got my coffee and went into the other room to sit down and noticed something up in the corner.....

Ick...

Bats are the creepiest things, it's just my opinion - but it is a VERY strong opinion so don't try telling me how benificial they are the the eco system either!

Within minutes of getting the bat out of the house my Mom stopped in to show us what she just picked up from the post office.

Thirty baby chicks. Not sure what breeds she ordered but they sure are cute. *Z* decided to go home with him "Mamma" to help her get the babies set up in their new home. That will help distract him until it's time to go see Neese.

*K* just woke up and Mom and *Z* are coming in the front door....

To be continued...... as the day progresses

My latest adventures

2011-07-10T22:36:00.000-04:00

I've been keeping busy sewing lately. With the two little guys to keep up with I haven't had a lot of time to devote to sewing but I really have been trying to alot some time at least five days a week to this new venture.

Tots Bots Easy Fit and Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold Giveaway!

2011-05-31T00:32:00.001-04:00

Jillian's Drawers in Ithica, NY is having another giveaway!!!!

Tots Bots Easy Fit and Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold Giveaway!

You need to go over there and check it out .... and of course enter to win if you use cloth. If you don't cloth diaper maybe this is your chance to start or start a stash for someone else. GO CHECK IT OUT.

Two Year Ago Today

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T12:03:00.001-04:00

Where have I been.....?

2011-04-13T16:04:00.000-04:00

I've been here, just not blogging.

Can't even remember everything that has happened since last June but one thing that happened that I haven't told you about is:

Keith Elliott

He was born February 9th, weighing 7lbs 4oz.

He is 9 weeks old today and is nearly 13 pounds and 22 inches long. Such a sweet baby boy

*Z* is 27 months old now and is as adorable and sweet as ever. Here is a picture of him from last week.

*Z* is so excited about his new baby pigs that we got a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking it is a good thing we decided to get two females as they will most likely stay and become brood sows instead of ham and bacon.

Yesterday the pigs got out of their pen and outside the barn. I tried for a while to get them to go back into the barn, I figured if I got them in the barn they would eventually go back in their pen and I could shutt them in. I had no luck with that plan. So decided just to leave them out and wait until *T* got home to help me, the boys were napping in the house so I didn't want to be outside too long. So I went back in and kept an eye on the pigs so I knew they hadn't run off somewhere. Most of the time they spent just wandering around the yard and rutting around in the puddles of water down behind the barn. When the boys woke up I took them out to feed the animals. While I was feeding the goats the pigs followed *Z* into the barn, so I closed the big door, and breathed a sigh of relief. At least they were back in the barn we'd figure out how to get them into their pen later. *Z* was following them around clapping his hands and jabbering at them when I went out to the other part of the barn to get feed for the chickens and when I came back the pigs were in their pen and *Z* was closing the gate. OMGosh, he is truely a farmer at heart. Here I had tried for a good half hour or forty five minutes to get them into the barn (let alone their pen) with no luck and *Z* is out there for a total of fifteen minutes and they were in the barn AND in their pen with the gate closed. All I could do was shake my head and tell him he did a great job. He was so excited too, the first thing he told his Dad when he got home was "pigs....pen.....gate!" nodding his head the whole time. He isn't talking much but he gets his point across.

Our evening visitor

2010-06-01T10:01:00.001-04:00

I believe this is a Sandhill Crane, but why is he/she up here in Northern Pennsylvania? Is he/she just vacationing?

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T14:00:00.004-04:00

Chore time

2010-04-06T00:31:00.000-04:00

I have never had such a diverse bunch of goats....

Casper - registered Saanen Buck - White
J.T. - Boer Buck - Black
Mimi - registered LaMancha Doe - Brown with white and black trim
Mimi's Un-named LaMancha kids 1 boy, 1 girl - both tan
Jeanie - Purebred Toggenburg Doe - Brown and White (I'm sure she is registered because she has the tattoos and scrapies tag but I got her at a livestock auction so I don't know her background)
Pipsqueak - LaMancha/Boer cross - Black with Brown trim

Each one has their own little quirks which I don't always take time to appreciate... but tonight I did.

Mimi - needs her regular grain ration, an Amish made mix, with a scoop of sunflower seeds on top to help her put on a little weight and keep up her milk production. She doesn't mind sharing her mix with her babies, before it is time for them to go to their own 'rooms' for the night.

In the mean time, I caught the barred rock hen who somehow escaped from the chicken pen and put her back in with everyone else. Checked for eggs... OMG there were 6 in the nest boxes.... a record so far. There are 8 hens in there (well only 7 today).
Fed and watered the rabbits.
Checked in on the two HUGE white hens (more about them at some point) that live in the pen way at the end of the barn and there was another egg IN the nest ... a first for these girls, as they have yet to lay the eggs anywhere buy in front of the door. I know there is no way they will be able to get up into a normal nest box so I fixed a nest on the floor for them, in an old tire. I was begining to think they couldn't even get in that on their own.... yea ... I was wrong!

Back to Mimi and her kids, who are still on the milk stand sharing their feed. Take the kids to their separate pens for the night. Put Mimi in her pen.

Getting Pipsqueak out to the milkstand is no easy task.... she doesn't lead well at all but I am working with her trying to get her ready for next year's milking season.... hopefully by then we will both know what to expect from the other.
As for right now when I get her up there she immediately sits...yes I said it ... she sits down on her butt, like a dog (I really need to get a picture of this),while eating her grain. She is such a nervous little thing I'm not even sure if she will make a good milker - but I will try. She is a yearly and lost a set of twins a month or so before they were due. I suspect it had something to do with the way the rest of the herd treats her.

While I was waiting for Pipsqueak to finish I fed and watered the Coonhound, who's Kennel has an entry into the barn. and gave all the goats their hay and water.

Once Pipsqueak is done I bring Jeanie out to the milk stand ... she is the only one I am currently milking twice a day. I have had her for almost two weeks and have yet to find a grain that she will eat. Tonight I bought a new kind (Blue Seal's Course 16). As soon as I put it in her dish she started nibbling at it but wasn't really eating much. Once I started milking she stopped eating... maybe she isn't used to getting grain on the milk stand... I don't know.... I just wish I could figure her out. But she did eat more of this new feed then she has of the feed I give to all the others so I took what she didn't eat and put in her pen with her for the night... maybe she will eat it later.

Casper and J.T don't even care what Kind of feed or hay they get ... they are such nice boys. They wait pretty patiently for me to get done fussing with the girls and feed them too.

Wordless Wednesday...almost... Banana Bread

2010-03-10T23:38:00.000-05:00

New Baby Goats

2010-02-15T23:09:00.001-05:00

Here are the newest additions to Seldom Seen Acres. They were waiting for me when I got home from work today.
The darker one is a girl and the lighter on is a boy.

Five Years Ago Today

R.I.P. Nickie Lynn..... I love you always and forever!

2010-02-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

I can't even begin to put into words what happened or how I feel about my little girl passing over the rainbow bridge.

2010-02-03T21:37:00.004-05:00

High: 28*

Low: 21*

Cloudy and Dreary all day

Little Mr. ~Z~ is 13 months old today! And to celebrate his big day he started walking. Remember, yesterday I did ask "what will he find amusing tomorrow?" Well this is what it was. He has been cruising for a while now and I really thought that he was going to take off and walk by his 1st Birthday but that didn't happen, because he started to actually crawl on his hands and knees that week instead of just dragging himself around on his elbows. Once he started crawling he figured out he could move faster that way then he could by trying to walk hanging onto something.
When I got home from work last night ~T~ said that ~Z~ had walked about 10 feet on his own once but wouldn't do it again. Late this afternoon ~Z~ started walking with a toy in his hand and he went about 15ft. After that he kept doing it and by bedtime he was walking around without even carrying anything in his hand. I think when he was first carrying something around with him it gave him a sense he was hanging on. I am so glad I was home today and he didn't do this at the sitter's house, I would have had such guilt about missing such a big thing.

One Year Ago Today

Yesterday's post

2010-02-03T14:38:00.004-05:00

February 2nd, 2010
High 32*
Low 8*
Partly sunny and cloudy all day with a light dusting of snow in the evening.
Started the day at around 7:30 a.m. I was shocked that *Z* slept through the night without wanting to get up. he did wake up once at around midnight and then again about 4:30a.m. but went right back to sleep after a bottle.
Breakfast consisted of a banana and part of a kiwi (a first for this fruit) and some french toast for *Z*. I had french toast, yogurt and the rest of the kiwi. After finishing his breakfast, *Z* tore his banana skin to shreds the smeared it around his tray like he was using it as a dishcloth. Somehow he managed to spare his face and hair, but he had banana on all his clothes and all over his chair.
After I got the banana cleaned up and was in the laundry room changing loads I hear what sounds to me like a pig coming from the living room. I could not for the life of me figure out what *Z* was up to this time. When I came around the corner into the dining room to where I could see where/what *Z* was doing, I must have had a really confused look on my face because as soon a *Z* saw me he started giggling and then proceeded to do what he had done before to make the "pig" sound before then started giggling all over again. I just shook my head at him ... boys will be boys. He had finally figured out how to use *T* grunt call for deer hunting. *T* had it out a while ago and was trying to get *Z* to make a noise with it but *Z* wanted no part of it. Yet there he sat, in the middle of the floor, his dad nowhere around, making the thing work. After watching him for a few minutes I realized that he was actually using it backwards. He sucks on the wrong end instead of blowing on the right end.... what will he find amusing tomorrow?

Around 11 a.m. I got *Z* ready to go to my Mom's house for the afternoon because I had to be to work at noon.
*T* picked him up from Mom's this evening and she said *Z* only took a one hour nap all day. When I got home at 8:30 p.m. he was JUST falling asleep in *T*'s lap, but then he saw me and woke up. I didn't get him to go back to sleep until 10 p.m. so he should sleep through the night with no problem.... keeping fingers crossed!
Not much else to report today... *T* did all the barn chores today so I am not sure what is going on out there. I will be the one on duty tomorrow so I'll have a better idea what everyone in the barn is up to. *T* does a good job feeding and watering but as far as him checking the nannies for signs of labor, etc. he is clueless. We don't have anyone due right now so I still feel safe sending *T* out to feed.
Two Years Ago Today

Not much to report.

2010-02-01T19:28:00.003-05:00

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot to report this time of year ... I guess I could start keeping a log of the weather and temps, but even that would becouse boring after about a week of 20* weather.

Saturday evening *T* and I went to the Old Timer's Banquet at the firehall. They put on a nice dinner and gave out awards to some of the members. Mom watched *Z* while we were out. I got back to Mom's at about 9pm and home at about an hour later, after chatting with Mom and getting *Z* ready to go out in the cold again. Mom and I were laughing about how it would take longer to get *Z* bundled up than he would be outside ... remember Mom lives just across the road from me.
After coming home I just got *Z* nicely snuggled into bed and was about to check my emails when there was a knock on the door... I knew who it would be before I even got close to the door. Seeing how it was one of the coldest nights of the year and the night after the full moon, I knew the person at the door would be *D* or one of her sons telling me that Molly (their huge suffolk ewe) was in labor. Sure enough *A* was at the door and Molly was in labor and they wanted my opinion on what was going on. I called Mom to see if she could come sit with *Z* while I went to check on the ewe ... about two miles up the road. I gave Mom a choice of checking on Molly or watching *Z* ... she chose *Z*...LOL.
I had talked to *D* just that afternoon when she brought me a load of feed and she said that Molly seemed to be getting closer to delivering. I mentioned that it was the full moon and I'd probably see her about midnight. Molly has always delivered around midnight every year. I'd like to think it is because she knows I'll be home to help in case there is a problem again, but I'm sure I have nothing to do with it. I got to *D*'s barn at around 11pm and Molly delivered a healthy baby boy at about 11:50pm with no problems at all. I got home at around 12:15am. A couple hours later *D* emailed me and said that she went back up to check on Molly at 1am and she had had another baby boy. They are all doing well despite the -10* temp that night.

Did I mention that same evening *T* and I did not have any water here at the house due to frozen pipes? Actually they froze sometime Friday night and we were not able to get them running again until Sunday morning. It is amazing to me the things I think I want to do when I don't have water. I mean I rarely get the earge to wash dishes, do laundry, clean, etc. until we don't have water ... or electric for that matter. And of course now that it is back I really don't want to do it. Today I am forcing myself to do some cleaning ... in spurts of 10 to 15 minutes at a time. I've got to get this house back in order!

Seemed like we had a heat wave today... the temperature got all the way up to 26* with sunshine most of the day. Right now at 8pm it is 22*, it was 17* this morning.

Well I have to get back to cleaning again, so I must close this for now.

January Thaw

2010-01-26T22:16:00.003-05:00

Now that we have had our January thaw and flood I guess it is time for more snow and ice. I don't want it but it is a fact of life here in Northern Pennsylvania.
Saturday evening it started warming up and was 40* when I went to bed, and it was raining. When I got up it was still raining and the Temperature was 50*. Yesterday's high temperature was 51* but by nightfall it was back down to 30*, thankfully. IF the tmeperature hadden not dropped again the water would have gotten a lot higher. As it is it came up real close to the back barn door but not in the barn. I have pictures just haven't uploaded them to the computer yet.

One year and a week ago!

2010-01-10T09:55:00.007-05:00

I can't believe it has been one year and a week since my son was born, where did the time go. He is such a joy in my life. I thank God for him everyday!
January 3rd, 2009: 6# 10 1/2 oz. , 20 inches long.
January 10th, 2010: 23# 11oz. , 31 inches tall.

We woke up this morning to -13*F. I'm just thankful that the wind is not blowing. Looks like it'll be clear and sunny again today.

Our Lamancha/Boer cross lost a set of twins on the 7th. Not sure when she was due but the babies looked to be about a month or maybe a month and a half early. I believe that she was getting ruffed up by her "cell" mates. Poor girl, I feel bad for her, it looked likt she had even cleaned them up and everything so I'm wondering if they were still alive when they were born.

One Year Ago Today

I'm stll here... and well

2009-11-29T12:50:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note to let you all know that, even though it has been over a month since I've written, I am still here and doing well.
I can't tell you everything that has happened here in the past month, but one of the major contributing factors of me not blogging is my laptop crashed the first week of the month and I have been using OLD desktop that seems to take at least two minutes to load each page.

I will try to come back and update more often, but as we all know, I've said that before and look what happened.

Summer is over

2009-10-26T19:44:00.002-04:00

SNOW!!!!! It's too early for snow,..... or is it?

2009-10-15T22:52:00.006-04:00

Yes, this is the first snow of the season.

I notice little itty bitty flecks of snow in the air when I dropped *Z* off at the sitter's house this morning, on my way to work, and the flakes just kept getting bigger most of the day. As you can see in the photo above, by early evening there really wasn't any accumulation on the ground but the trees on the hills were getting some accumulation.

By nightfall it had started sticking to the grass (as you can see in the photos above).

And here is a couple shots take at about 11:30 p.m. these last two were taken from the same places as the first.

2009-10-11T10:53:00.002-04:00

I never got a chance to post these pictures when I took them.... someone keeps interupting my blogging time (could it be the little *Z*?).
These are pictures of a cloth book that I made for him last summer. He still loves it... as do I because it cost me nothing to make, I just used scraps of material from my sewing cabinet.

Teething Biscuits from Baby Cereal

2009-10-11T09:21:00.004-04:00

I was looking for a way to use up the extr boxes of baby cereal that I have and after doing an online seach I found this recipe.

Teething Biscuit Recipe

2 Tbs Shortening
1/2 C. sugar
1 egg
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp water
1 1/2 C. baby cereal

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and water. Mix until well blended. Gradually stir in cereal. Knead until smooth. Pat into rectangle. Cut into 12 1" bars, smooth edges so they will not be sharp. Place on ungreased sheet. Bake 20-30 min or until dry. Store in uncovered container overnight.

The New and Improved Homemade Cloth Diapers

2009-06-30T21:32:00.004-04:00

I have reworked my original pattern for cloth diapers and this is what I've come up with. They are made of PUL on the outside with a layer of flannel for the inner layer with a pocket in the back to put the soaker in. I am really loving them and wish I'd made them earlier so I could have used cloth from the start.

My first homemade Cloth Diaper

2009-05-31T16:57:00.005-04:00

I've been making cloth diapers for *Z* this week, and *T* thinks I'm crazy (what's new). I wanted to use cloth diapers from the beginning but couldn't find any I liked that weren't $15.00 a piece. And like I said *T* thinks I'm nuts, and wont even talk about them. I found the pattern for this one online, but when I tried to sew them I realized my grandmother's old sears sewing machine (it was given to me when she passed) needed some work. I got it back from the repair shop Thursday so now I can sew. One of the best parts of this is I have a bunch of flannel that a friend of mine had given me years ago when I was quilting, so they aren't costing me anything!!! And I really like that I will only have a load of laundry to wash, instead of another bag of garbage to pay someone to take to the landfill.

I just had to share the pictures with someone. When I tried to show *T* how cute they are and tell him how easy they were to make, he immediately started asking me if I could sew him some sand bags for his shooting bench. I had to laugh, just like a guy ....
He didn't even want me to get the sewing machine fixed to begin with because it cost as much as I could have bought a new one for. The repairman told *T* that my 40 yr old machine is probably worth four or five hundred dollars, unlike the cheaper plastic ones that they sell now that wont last very long. I'll be sure to make some things for *T* so he can justify me getting old relic fixed, but for now I have some more diapers to make.

39 Degrees...

2009-02-26T08:19:00.003-05:00

WOW!!!
I can't believe that it's 39 degrees and cloudy outside this morning. We are suppose to get a high of 46 today. Maybe *Z* and I will actually get outside just to enjoy the weather, and not have to be so bundled up that we can't move.
I am going through withdrawl.... I have not been to the barn since *Z* was born. When given the choice of setting with the baby or feeding the animals, *T* has been doing all the chores... I guess he figures the hungry animals are the lesser of the two evils.
Yesterday eveninig I did get to do Mom's barn chores because she hurt her back a couple of weeks ago and hasn't been able to get around, my brothers have been coming to feed her animals everyday, but neither of them could make it over yesterday so *T* and I fed her animals yesterday. Mom watched *Z* while we fed, he was sleeping in his carseat so he didn't require a whole lot for the short time we were feeding her animals. I told her to holler out the back door at me if he woke up, because I didn't want her trying to lift him out of his seat and hurt herself all over again. Granted he is only about 12 lbs. but when your back is injured that is a lot. She is also going through withdrawl from her animals.... and from holding *Z*. She says she can't wait to get better so she and *Z* can sit and cuddle in her comfy rocking chair, but she is hurting so bad right now that she can't even sit in her chair alone right now :-(

The sun is coming out now so we do have a good chance of hitting that high of 46 today. I better go get my stuff in here done while *Z* is sleeping so we can go outside when he wakes up.

More snow....

2009-02-03T10:29:00.003-05:00

The first picture was taken at 9:11 a.m, the second picture was taken a half hour later. I'm not sure if you can see it but there is a blue plastic milk crate in the first photo, I put it over one of my rose bushes last fall, that is only sticking out of the snow a couple of inches. In the second photo the crate is covered... and that was only a half hour later. At the time I took the second photo it had stopped snowing but now it is snowing again. The weather report for today said we were to get 1" to 2" total today.... we have that and then some... it can stop now. I am so tired of snow... We have had snow on the ground since Thanksgiving, with the exception of about three days the first week of December. I know it is winter time here in Northcentral Pennsylvania, but come on...
As you can see from the buried milk crate, it's not just an inch or two either there is at least a foot of snow covering the ground and that is in an area that isn't drifted. Those areas have two to three times that much snow.

Who knew?

2009-01-30T12:07:00.007-05:00

Who knew there were so many different pacifiers on the market? And more to the point who knew that not just ANY pacifier would "pacify" the new baby?

While in the hospital I couldn't get *Z* to take a pacifier, then the evening we got released the one nurse got him to take the teal colored hospital issued one called the Soothie (pictures at left).
After a day or two at home he got so he didn't really like that one but wanted to suck, so I tried the Playtex Ortho-Pro Newborn Pacifier (pictured at left) that I received in the diaper bag provided at the doctor's office. He didn't like that one at all.

The next one I tried was the Gerber NUK pacifier. This one works occasionally, but he doesn't suck on it for long until he spits it out. Now he has decided he likes the Soothie best out of all the pacifiers that we have but, again, he isn't totally happy with it.

The only nipple he does like any wants is the Playtex Natural Latch nipple (pictured at left) from his bottle. I keep telling *T* that I wish I could find a pacifier built like that nipple, but I can't. I was searchin online on Friday and found this one. It is the Playtex Binky Most Like Mom Latex Pacifier.

I ordered one and it should be here tomorrow, I can only hope that *Z* will like it. I actually wish he would find his thumbs again, I know he'd be happier because he wouldn't lose them. When the nurse brought him back to me in the hospital he had both his thumbs shoved in his mouth, sucking away. He hasn't been able to find them since, because he clenches his fists so tight and can't get to his thumbs.
Please wish us luck in finding something to help pacify this child of mine!

Our Baby arrived a week ago

2009-01-10T17:03:00.005-05:00

Our Baby (*Z*) has arrived
Born January 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 p.m.
weighed 6 pounds 10 1/2 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Today was the predicted due date, but Zachary decided to come exactly a week early.
He is named after my dad, Lyle.

Here's what we've been up to lately

2009-01-01T18:04:00.006-05:00

We have been converting one of our spare rooms into the nursery. The ceiling is plaster that had been papered and we had to scrape the paper off first, in the photo you can see we couldn't get all of it down. Once we started painting the rest of the paper started falling off the ceiling. At least we were able to get the rest of the paper off, but then we had to repaint the whole ceiling again. It was definitely an adventure.
The floor was is a fine partical board that had a lot of water stains on it so we painted that too. That was easy and basically painless.
Here is what it looked like before we started.

This is what we've done so far.

I was going to paint the walls but I haven't decided what color yet, so for now they will stay the dark panelling since I doubt that I will get it done before the baby is born. I'm due in nine days.

24°

2008-10-19T10:59:00.005-04:00

Okay, after stepping out on the back steps in my barefeet to take these photos, I'll finally admit that it fall has arrived and I have to face the fact that it is getting colder. It was only 24° out there this morning!
When I came back in the door *T* noticed that I had nothing on my feet and started grumbling about me being outside barefooted. I guess he forgot that I've made trips to the mailbox with nothing on my feet when there was snow on the ground.

Is this what they call the harvest moon?

2008-10-13T21:15:00.003-04:00

Here is my attempt to capture a photo of the full moon, for some reason the moon looks hexigon. But the interesting thing was that it was totally dark outside when I took this photo, but in the photo it looks like it is just getting dark.

When looking at last year's blog I can see that the leaves are so much farther ahead of where they were on this day last year. I see in the photos of last year that the leaves are just starting to change color and today the leaves are almost all gone already.

1 Year Ago

First frost of the season!!

2008-10-07T20:09:00.004-04:00

We had frost on the windshields at 5:30 a.m.,when we went out to go to work. It wasn't much but it was definitely frost.

I had my last monthly doctors appointment today, from now on I have to go every two weeks.... oh joy! I also had my glucose test done today and they said if something is wrong they will call me tomorrow, if I don't here from them then everything is fine. I can't believe I'm in my third trimester already. Three more months to go, maybe.

1 Year Ago Today
2 Years Ago Today
4 Years Ago Today

Banana Bread

2008-10-05T11:42:00.003-04:00

Banana Bread
2 cups Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Butter
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 to 4 Ripe Bananas
1 cup Sugar

Cream butter, eggs, and sugar. Add dry ingredients. Mix well. Add vanilla, stir in mashed bananas. Pour into loaf pan (9x5x3). Bake at 350° for 50 to 60 minutes.

Happy Anniversary Nickie! and I still miss you Libby!

2008-10-01T05:30:00.007-04:00

Today is the 5th Anniversary of Nickie living with me.... I can't believe my little girl has been here that long.

1 Year Ago

Today is also the 4th anniversary of Libby (my great dane passing). She is in the top photo, the grey and white Dane.

4 Years ago

Baked Potato Soup

2008-09-27T20:05:00.004-04:00

from taste of home.

Baked Potato Soup

2/3 c. Butter or Margarine
2/3 c. All-Purpose Flour
7 c. Milk
4 Large Baking Potatoes, baked, cooled, peeled, and cubed (about 4 cups)
4 Green Onions, sliced (or 1 Medium onion, chopped)
12 Bacon Strips, cooked and crumbled
1 ¼ c. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 c. (8o.z.) Sour Cream
¾ Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Pepper

In a large soup kettle or Dutch oven melt the butter. Stir in flour; heat and stir until smooth. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add potatoes and onions; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; stir until cheese is melted. Serve immediately. Yield 8 to 10 servings (2 ½ quarts). (I used more potatoes, and added enough extra milk to make like we like it). I also used a pound of bacon, took the extra and crumbled it up and put a little of that and a little of the cheese on top of each bowl as we served it.

This soup is so yummy I think I could eat it every day (for at least a week...LOL).

Homecoming Weekend

2008-09-26T22:51:00.005-04:00

Here is a picture of *T* and I (taken by my friend Leah) in the Homecoming Parade. He always wants me to ride with him in the truck, but then I always miss all the floats... so I have no other pics at this time, I'll have to snag some from some friends of mine.

1 Year Ago Today
4 Years Ago Today (my other blog)

Wildlife at my door

2008-09-24T10:11:00.007-04:00

This is what I found outside my front door when I woke up on Sunday (I keep forgetting to post about it). There has been a few of these guys alone the road all week. We think they were just released as they are not afraid of anything and they have just suddenly appeared.

1 Year Ago Today
4 Years Ago Today (On My Other Blog)

Blogoversary

2008-09-22T21:00:00.004-04:00

Wow! It's been four years since I started this blog. One of these days I'll have to print off what I've written here since I no long seem to write in a journal.

4 Years Ago Today

Newest Member

2008-09-21T19:21:00.002-04:00

Here is the newest member of the Seldom Seen Acres Clan!

I am so glad my family are pack rats!!!!

2008-09-08T20:25:00.002-04:00

Look what I dug out of one of the sheds over at Mom's. It has been in there for at least 10 to 12 years that I know of, no one seems to know where it came from or when. We think it may have come from one of my Dad's auction finds, but we aren't sure. When I found it, it was really dirty and dusty, but now that I've cleaned it up some I think I can repaint it and make a liner and possibly a skirt for it.

There's someone new to love

2008-08-11T17:29:00.003-04:00

There's someone new to love! Due to arrive January 12th, 2009.

Ultrasound on June 17th at 10 weeks, 3 days.

Black Raspberries

2008-07-22T23:02:00.005-04:00

I went over to Mom's to pick black raspberries and Mimi (the one goat) went with me, but she couldn't figure out why I was picking those little black things out of the weeds.
She is so funny when she is outside, she is such a Miss Priss, at least compared to my other goats. I'm glad she has finally decided that she can eat a little bit of grass, but please don't even think she is about to eat that "junk those Goats eat"! I swear I almost saw her shudder when she saw the wether eating burdocks and nettles the one day... she is just too funny.

Look at all the berries that aren't even ripe yet.

And the ones that I picked are just waiting to be made into something yummy.

2008-07-19T21:14:00.000-04:00

Some of Mom's Animals

2008-07-16T09:22:00.003-04:00

While at Mom's last evening I took a few pictures of some of her animals.

Here it is!!!!

2008-07-15T22:36:00.002-04:00

This is my new camera, the "upgraded one". They were not able to fix my old one so they replaced it with this one.... for less then I would have had to pay to get the other one fixed (if they were able to get the parts).
It is SO much better then the one that couldn't be fixed.
I spent the evening taking pictures over at Mom's, which I'll post tomorrow.

Hopefully Soon

2008-06-10T17:13:00.002-04:00

I should here back from the repair shop where I took my camera to get it fixed. I took it in last Wednesday while in Olean. They said they would call in about a week to tell me what needs to be fixed and give me an estimate.

I hope that it can be fixed for a reasonable price because I so miss taking pictures.

Sad News

2008-06-04T17:40:00.003-04:00

I lost my baby Sabrina last night. I noticed the night before that she was not feeling good and she had not eaten from her mother all day, but she was still drinking water and eating grain, so I didn't think a whole lot about it. Last night was another story.. I knew she was in trouble when I got home from work and she was laying in the corner of her pen and she wouldn't eat are drink. I tried everything I knew to do, but with no vets in the area open at that time there wasn't a lot I could do. She died during the night, she was 2 weeks and 2 days old. On a brighter note, her twin sister ShyAnn is doing great.

One Year Ago Today

More Additions to Seldom Seen Acres

2008-05-21T08:14:00.004-04:00

My Nanny Goat finally had her babies on Monday morning. She is a sneaking little brat. I had been checking her every night before I went to bed along with several other times throughout the day but Sunday night I hadn't, because she didn't seem any closer then she had been and I was extra tired. So wouldn't you know the night that I didn't check is when she decided to kid. She had twin girls (her first set, she has always had singles). *T* named them ShyAnn (the darker one) and Sabrina (the lighter one.

I had gotten an email from the lady who sold Mimi (my milk goat) to me on Saturday asking if I'd be interested in a Lamancha buck. I really wasn't but for the price I couldn't resist and he can be registered too. I just couldn't pass up the chance, because I know by this fall I'll probably be wishing that I'd gotten a Lamancha to breed Mimi to. So last evening *T* and I went to pick up our newest addition. He is a month old today, so he still needs a bottle. But, with all the milk Mimi gives we deffinatly have enough to share. Oh my gosh, he is so cute. I'm still not used to the Lamancha look, they just look like something is missing. His name is Blaze.

I almost forgot... we had two more calves born over the weekend too. That makes a total of 8 calves and 1 more to come. *H* has moved the cows across the road to Mom's place now so they aren't here on my land now but still close. Mom and I think it's kind of nice not having the burden of taking care of the cows but still get to enjoy them being here on the property. She said she almost wishes she'd sold them a long time ago. But not everyone would have left them here to graze either.
Well I really have to get some housework done today.... so I have to go for now.

Another week is gone

2008-05-14T18:55:00.005-04:00

I dread this time of the week. I really do. Wednesday is usually the day that I sit down and figure out which bills will get paid this week and which ones will get put off another week... or two.
I just wish I had enough to pay all of the bills off for one month and be caught up then maybe I could stay caught up, at least for a while.

On a better note...
We had another new calf born here on Saturday evening, that makes six total, with three more to be born at some point in the near future.
I'm still waiting for the arrival of Nannie's baby, I think that goat hears me coming to the barn and calls everything off. At least a week ago I was so sure that she was ready to deliver that I even went out at 2 a.m. to check on her. Since then I haven't seen any signs of her being ready other than she is getting bigger by the day and her udder looks like it's about to explode.
I continue to get a gallon of milk per day from my new goat. I have been able to use or give away all of it so far. I've got to get some rennett and start making cheese. I did try yogurt today but I think I killed my culture because it didn't turn out and I did notice (to late) that the milk had gotten too hot.

Eggs, Meat,... and now Milk!!!

2008-05-08T21:26:00.005-04:00

We (or should I say "I") am getting closer to getting most of our food from right here on the farm. We have beef grown here, I just got some rabbits that I plan on breeding and raising the babies for meat. We have had laying hens for a long time. And now I have a goat that is milking. So we have milk too :-)
I went to get Mimi (the milker) last evening and she had already been milked when I got there, so this morning was the first I milked her. She stands so good and is so easy to milk (unlike several others I have had). After work today I tasted this morning's milk and it is awesome. I started out with just a sip then I took another ... then another until I'd drank the whole glass. I guess I was kind of in shock that it was so good. Even though I've been telling *T* how good goat milk is I sorta forgot...oops! I took a quart over to Mom and Dad and they really liked it too. This morning I got 3# 13oz., tonight I got 3# 15oz. from her, a total of 7# 12oz. for the day. I'm so happy with her so far. Hopefully my happiness with continue.

Where has the week gone

2008-05-05T23:08:00.002-04:00

On April 30th we got some more bunnies. I have been looking for more does so I can start raising them for our own meat, but haven't had much luck. Well last week I was on the Pennswoods Classifieds and saw an ad for bunnies. They only wanted $2 for the big ones and $1 for little ones. I emailed the owner to find out what breed they were and got a reply saying "just plain bunnies"... LOL.. After reading the email I realized that the girl who has the rabbits is the daughter of the guy who reads our gas meter [you know you live in a rural area when...] And they live not too far from here. The day after I emailed then about the bunnies just happened to be the day *L* came to read the gas meter, so I asked him about the bunnies and told him we'd probably be over to look at them the next night (Thursday). That evening I got a phone call from *L* and he said someone might be coming from a couple of hours away the next day, to get rabbits, and they said that for the price they would take all of the ones they could. So *L* wanted to let me know that I'd better go that night and get the ones I wanted. We ended up getting three does. So hopefully in a few months we will be having babies. I want to give them a little time to get used to us before I stress them more with babies. I will tell you that my buck rabbits is happy to see that he has new neighbors and he is not the only rabbit left on earth.

I'm going to look at a milk goat on Wednesday. I am so excited.... I can hardly wait... I don't know why but I feel like a little kid getting a Birthday or Christmas present, last week was my Birthday so can I just consider this a late Birthday gift?
I don't think I have *T* convinced that having a milking goat is a good idea. But then he didn't think butchering the turkeys was a good idea either, but loved the taste of the meat. So maybe he will come around after a few batches of cheese and ice cream. I am currently looking for cheese recipes that are not too hard... so if any of you have any send them my way, please!

I've got to close this for now and get to bed... 5 a.m. comes real early.

What does your Birthday mean

2008-04-29T13:31:00.000-04:00

Your Birthdate: April 29

You have the mind of an artist, even if you haven't developed the talent yet.

Expressive and aware, you enjoy finding new ways to share your feelings.

You often feel like you don't fit in - especially in traditional environments.

You have big dreams. The problem is putting those dreams into action.

Your strength: Your vivid imagination

Your weakness: Fear of failure

Your power color: Coral

Your power symbol: Oval

Your power month: November

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Wild Leeks

2008-04-21T21:58:00.006-04:00

Leek Dip

8 oz. Sour Cream
8 oz. Miracle Whip
8 oz. Cream Cheese - softened
4 oz. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 cup Bacon bits or finely Chopped Pepperoni
1 cup Chopped Leeks

Mix sour cream, miracle whip, cream cheese and cheddar cheese together until evenly blended. Add bacon bits and leeks and mix again until evenly blended.

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I made a double batch of this yesterday, and I bet you anything it will be gone by the end of the week.
I would like to fine some more recipes for leeks, besides putting them in everything we eat for the next 6 weeks. I was talking to a guy the other day who said he had just finished canning pickled leeks... that sounds SO good but I need a recipe. Any suggestions?
I do have an awesome Meatloaf Recipe that I came up with last year but I haven't made it yet this year, I'm thinking maybe tomorrow or Wednesday evening, but, who knows... it all depends on when we get home and what is going on at that point.

Another busy day here in North Central PA

2008-04-20T14:30:00.012-04:00

I left the house at 5:45 in the morning yesterday and never got home until almost 6:30 p.m. I worked until 2 p.m. then went over to the fire hall to see if they needed help in the kitchen with anything. Ended up staying there cleaning leeks for the join fundraiser that the legion and fire department are doing. As I walked in the house *T* handed me the phone and said "here *MK* wants to know what you are doing". *MK* was calling to see if I'd order a pizza and she'd pick it up on the way to the house. *T* had helped her change the tires on her car the other night and she had planned on taking us out to dinner last night as a "Thank You". But we decide that since I hadn't been home all day we'd just order pizza and call it good. As soon as I got off the phone *T*, the boys, and I went out to get the chores done before *MK* got here. We ate outside at the picnic table and then *T* and the boys played ball with the dogs while *MK* and I chatted. It was getting dark and a bit cool outside so we came in the house and sat here and chatted some more while *T* got the boys in the tub for a bath (from the dirt that was in the tub after thier bath, I think we could have planted the garden in the bottom of the tub). Shortly after the boys were out of the tub *MK* was ready to leave and I walked her out to the car and by the time I came back in the house two of the boys were sleeping on the couch, and the thrid was saying he was ready for bed. They had played outside all day, poor little guys were tuckered out.

The firemen in North Central Pennsylvania got a workout yesterday. Here is a link to "Potter County Fire News" that posted the news story below.

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Things started off with a report of a wildfire in Farmington Twp. in the Nelson area around 1100 hrs. Before it was all said and done (many hours later) that fire would result in the loss of several structures and an unknown number of acres of property. This fire saw the seldom seen use of an All-Call for manpower in Tioga County requesting all available manpower to the scene. We have received reports that an air tanker was also called in to the scene of that fire.

At aproximately 1130 hrs Singlehouse Dept 39 was dispatched to a reported structure fire in Oswayo. This blaze required resources from Shinglehouse Dept 39, Coudersport Dept 48, Genesee Dept 37, as well as Bolivar and Portville, NY (and possibly more). Reports indicate that two structures were lost in this blaze.

Then at aproximately 1200 hrs, while working at Station 47 in Ulysses, Dept 47 personnel noticed heavy smoke in the area of Jackson Rd. in Bingham Twp. Upon investigation it was found that a large wildfire was in progress on the hillside above Jackson Rd. aproximately 1/4 mile from the Ulysses/Hickox Rd. This resulted in units from Depts 47, 20 and 10 responding in what would become a 3+ hour effort to quell an aproximately 3-4 acre blaze. Normally Genesee Dept 37 would have also been requested but they were already committed to the structure fire call in Oswayo.

And if that wasn't enough already, as units were responding to the Ulysses incident a call went out for a reported wildfire in Westfield Twp in the Potter Brook area. This incident would ultimately burn aproximately 50 acres and endanger several homes. Dept 20 split its response between the Ulysses and Westfield fires sending P2024 to Ulysses and T2015 and E2022 to Potter Brook. Ulysses Dept 47 was requested to respond but had no units avalable to do so because of the ongoing incident in thier district. Several area departments were involved in battling this blaze including some that had been tranfered to cover at other stations as the result of the Farmington Twp incident.

If all this hadn't already made things busy enough, at some point doing all the already ongoing incidents a reported wild fire in Troupsburg caused for further mayhem. It is unknow how many (or what) area companies responded to that incident but it is reported that several structures were also lost in this blaze.

And at about 1434 hrs Austin Dept 44 was dispatched to 809 Cowley Hill Road for a Wildfire. Chief 44 (D. VanWhy) Responded in minutes to arrive on scene to establish "Austin Command" and reported fire under control by the residence themselves. Luckily this one turned out to be minor.

So, to say the least, the dispatchers in Tioga County earned their money today as they certainly had their hands full as did all of the departments that responded to the various incidents through out the area.
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I know people want to get thier lawns cleaned up but WHY do they burn on these kinds of days? There was a steady breeze ALL day long with occasional gusts that were quite high force. I don't know why anyone would think that it was a good idea to burn trash with these conditions.

Two more calves

2008-04-20T14:18:00.006-04:00

We had two more calves born on Friday. One in the morning and one early in the afternoon. I was told by one family member that they are both boys... then that yesterday Mom told me that *HC* (the guy that owns the cows) came to check them today and said "we have three heifers now". I haven't been close enough to any of them to be able to tell what they are, and I'm not going to argue with the one who told me that they are boys... but considering he isn't used to babies of any kind and *HC* has been farmer for 50 years I think I'll go with the idea that we have 3 baby girls. ;)
Friday I was on the go all day long. As soon as I got home from work we left to pick up feed in Ulysses (30 miles away). We came home, unloaded our feed, took Mom's feed over to her, and put in away for her. Came home, let the dogs out and then left to go pick up the boys from Wellsville (20 miles in the other direction). Just got home from there, while *T* and the boys fed the animals I went shopping to get groceries for the weekend (I didn't take time to before I came home the first time), so I didn't get home to stay until 8:45 p.m. and I had left to go to work at 5:45 a.m.

We buy our feed from an Amish farmer about 30 miles from here, because it is so far away and considering the price of gas we try to get a month's supply when we do go.
I could get feed locally but I'd pay about twice what I do in Ulysses. Friday, I paid $63.78 for 431 lbs. of feed. The feed we got for Mom totalled 511 lbs. for $64.82. I don't know what feed prices are in your area but this is a smoking deal around here. Feeding our menagerie for less then $100 a month's worth of grain seems like a dream.

First calf of the year

2008-04-17T21:36:00.004-04:00

The first calf of the year was born here at Seldom Seen Acres today. We've been waiting ... we thought that we would have had at least one about a week ago. Today was a nice day for the baby to be born, the temp. got up to 78F.
The new baby is a girl, she's black with a white face and some white on her legs as well.

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High Temp 78F
Low Temp 31F
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Two days in a row...

2008-04-12T17:56:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the simplest things bring tears to my eyes.
Last week I was telling my friend/co-worker (*V*) about these cute pink plaid canvas shoes that I saw at Wal-Mart. I was telling her that I almost bought them, but I opted for a pair of dark blue and a pair of white ones instead. But then later wished I had gotten the plaid ones. Yesterday when *V* came to work she had a bag in her hand and said "I have something for you" (with this devilish little grin on her face)... when I looked in the bag there was a pair of those cute plaid shoes! She spoils me.
Today when I got home from work I found a bag of goat feed and a card propped up against my back door. I couldn't imagine where it had come from because I knew *T* wasn't going to pick up feed today and even if he did he would have put it in the feed bin in the barn not on the back door step. I opened the envelope to find a Thank You card inside. It said "Thanks! .... for bending over backwards for me." and signed by "Penny & Suzie". I got all teary. I never expected anything for helping, I just did it because I could help someone in need.

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One Year Ago Today
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Stuffed Shells

2008-04-11T20:40:00.003-04:00

1 (12 oz.) Box Jumbo Shells
1 lb. ground meat (I used venison)
2 T. Olive Oil
1 (6 oz.) chopped zucchini
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
1/4 cup grated parmigiano cheese
1 (26 oz.) jar tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350F.
Cook shells according to package; drain. Reserving 1/3 cup of the cooking water.
Cook meat in large skillet until no longer pink. Drain grease.
Add oil, zucchini, onion, garlic, reserved water; continue 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Add seasonings and blend well. Let mixture cool.
Stir in egg and parmigiano cheese.
Pour 1 cup tomato sauce into 9"x13" baking dish
Fill shells with meat mixture; place in dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells; sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top, cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes or until thouroughly heated.

It's a Girl!

2008-04-09T20:24:00.004-04:00

Congratulations Penny!

About 4:30 p.m. *D*'s mom came to the house and asked me to please come up to the barn because they think Penny (the goat) needs me... oh, isn't it nice to be needed... LOL! Poor goat, even if she didn't want to admit it she did need help. I wasn't sure aboub helping ... well I didn't mind helping but I'm not used to an audience (of the human variety). But after a little bit three of the people left and then Penny and I could focus... she pushed I pulled and we finally had a baby girl.
Oh I wish I had pictures! But my camera is still on the fritz :(
We got the little one dried off and eating and by then *D* had to go home to get more meds (did I mention she just had another eye surgery and is having a lot of complications, so she probably shouldn't even be in the barn) for her pain. I am going to go check on Penny again in about a half an hour because I'm not sure if she's going to have another baby or not.
In the last twenty four hours *D*'s family has grown by three. Two baby lambs and a baby goat... All Girls!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's High Temp. 68F
Today's Low Temp. 41F
Clear and sunny most of the day with a few clouds in the evening
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Who is thinking clear at 12:23 a.m.???

2008-04-09T15:39:00.005-04:00

At 12:23 a.m. I was awaken by the dogs frantically barking at something. When I got fully awake I asked *T* what was going on, because he was already awake... at least more so then I. He got up and said "there's a truck sitting in the driveway. By the time I got myself out of bed the truck was backing out of the drive. *T* turned the porch light on and went out to see what was going on. When he came back he yelled "Get dressed, they have a baby". I seriously didn't have a clue who or what he was talking about. I still wasn't even awake. All I could think was *H* was here because one of the cows were calving and he needed help. But why would I need to go .... couldn't the guys handle it. When I asked *T* what he was talking about he said "NO, it was *J*, *D*'s son, and the sheep had her baby".... OMG ... I was in such a deep sleep that I temporarily forgot I was on OB duty for a friend's sheep who are housed in a barn a mile and a half up the road. (this whole chain of events took place in a matter of about two minutes). Once I got fully awake I knew who was here and why. I got dressed and drove up to *D*'s barn, where I find *D* and her two sons. They were so proud that their sheep had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl. This is their first baby so it was fun to see the excitement on their faces. They had not been present for the birth but had gotten there shortly after. I had checked on the sheep a few hours before that because they were not able to and everything was fine and I didn't really think she was anywhere near to birthing... how wrong I was. *D* was apologizing for waking me at that hour of the night just to see the baby, I told her not to worry.... this is the best part of farming. I love seeing new mommies interacting with their babies. The little lamb was up walking around and eating so I didn't stay long, but while there I noticed that her one goat was acting as if she was starting to go into labor. *D* said she had to leave to go to a Dr's appointment first thing in the morning and wouldn't be back until about 2 p.m. and asked if I could check in on the goat sometime mid morning. I told her that I would and came home.
I woke up a little after seven but decided to snuggle in for a bit longer.... the next thing I knew the phone was ringing. When I answered, *D* said to me "Good morning.... we have a twin!" ... again I was in my groggy state (I had fallen asleep again) I said "what do you mean A twin"? [twins come in two's not singles... I'm confused] The sheep had another baby after we left her. Okay, now everything makes sense! *D* is calling from her cell, because she is on her way to the Dr's, but says the baby isn't standing and she isn't acting like the one last night did. I told her I'd check in on them in a little while. In the back of my mind I was hoping the mother didn't forget that she had TWO. At 10:30 a.m. I went up and I could tell the new baby hadn't eaten and was not able to stand. It was crying but seemed really weak. When I felt the inside of her mouth it seemed cool... (oh no you don't.... you are not dying on my shift)... The mom wouldn't stand still for me to help the baby eat so I kind of blocked her in the corner placed the older of the twins in front of her, so that she was distracted and then scooted the new baby up under her. It wouldn't suck so I squirted some milk into it's mouth and that is all it took, she took right off and started sucking. She only ate for about 30 seconds, but at least it was something. I checked on the goat and she seemed okay... in labor, but doing fine. I checked in again around noon and the younger of the twins was up on her feet trying to find where to eat... Good news! The goat... she's still in labor, now I'm wondering if she is okay. She seems okay but it just seems like she should have done something by now. I met *D* at the barn at two this afternoon and she said she would keep checking and call me when she delivers or if she thinks the goat is getting into trouble.... I'm still waiting.

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One Year Ago Today
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Three Years Ago Today
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What a difference

2008-04-08T21:53:00.006-04:00

Today's High: 68*F
Today's Low: 59*

I was looking at last year's post and the temperature was only 24*, wow I'm glad it's this year not last...LOL. The link to that post is below.

It was so nice outside today, so we had another fairly productive day. We worked on the lawn again this evening, or should I say *T* worked on the lawn, while I let the goats out into the corrall, checked for eggs, searched for the "hidden" eggs that I know have to be out there somewhere. Put some eggs under the old bitty that is setting on he rear pretending to be incubating eggs... talk about a "wannabie mom" (and I thought I was obsessive LOL). I gave her a few eggs so now she'll probably get up and wander off... darned ol' bitty. I never did find any other nests so for now I'll have to be happy with my one egg a day.
I tried to clean the front ditch, but that didn't go well so I admitted defeat and put my rake away. *T* said he'd get after it with the shovel ... the only problem.... he didn't say when...LOL. After cleaning all day Sunday, and raking up the blackberry canes that were mowed down last fall. We have a huge pile of stuff to be burned but now we have to wait for it to rain again... I know, I complained for how long about how wet and rainy it was... well now I want it to rain... just for a little while so we don't start a wild fire... yeah, that would be real nice I can see the headlines now... NO... I'll wait.
Oh, I almost forgot... after we spent some time brushing the horses out, I checked the electric fence to see if is still working... Unintentionally!!!! Trust me... It works great! Somehow I managed to get zapped with it while closing the gate tonight. Have I ever mentioned that I hate getting shocked? Well I do. Actually it scared me more than it hurt. Of course *T* had to witness the whole thing. And may I add that he thought it was hilarious... yep... he saw it all... I opened the gate, passed trough... ouch!, something hit me in the back of the legs, I turned to see what and .... it did it again... [scream/tossed the gate hook, fenced coiled up and got all tangled].. I realized that the fence is what got me, but I was holding it in my hand how did it hit me in the back of the legs??? HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY HOW MUCH I HATE ELECTRIC FENCES????
Well I think I've done enought rambling for one evening so I'll close this now.
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One Year Ago
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Today didn't start out good but ended well

2008-04-06T22:41:00.007-04:00

I am amazed at what we got done today. After the night I had last night and the way the morning started out, I'm suprised that I was able to do anything today. I'm not sure what started it but last night I got in a very emotional state that lasted into this morning. I just couldn't stop crying. I thought going to sleep would help, but once I went to bed I just couldn't relax and go to sleep.
On a better note, while *T* was at the fire hall this morning I got the goat's feet trimmed and the horses brushed out. When he got home *T* and I got a lot more work done in the house. We moved the old gun cabinet out of the living room and put the new one in, got rid of the old dresser in the bedroom, moved the ceder chest upstairs and the brought the big dresser down to the downstairs bedroom. *T* started the lawn tractor and made sure it was ready for another mowing season. I think I washed every piece of clothing we have today. Not really but it sure seemed it. I hadn't done laundry all week so all of our work cloths were dirty plus I changed all the sheets on the beds today too, so that added to my pile. I do still have about two loads left but have decided to wait until tomorrow to finish them. The little Jack Russell even got a bath today. The other two dogs will get their turn at some point in the near future.
While in the barn this morning I found where the chickens hid their nest. there were 14 eggs in it. I'm not sure how fresh they are so I've decided that I will give them to the dogs since I still have two dozen eggs that Mom gave me and now that I know where the nest is I'll get the fresh ones. I knew they must be laying because their combs have been bright red for a while now, it was just a matter of tracking them down.

Help Celebrate!

2008-04-04T18:39:00.003-04:00

Congratulations Ann'Re, to help celebrate her new domain she has a surprise to give away. And YOU can enter to win this great prize.

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One Year Ago

Was it an April Fool's Joke?

2008-04-02T07:10:00.002-04:00

Yesterday morning (April Fool's Day) I heard the first peepers of the year. But this morning the temp is down to 27*F again and there are no sounds of peepers today :( So, can I consider this the first time they froze up? Or was yesterday just a cruel joke?
Yesterday's high was 63*F and the low was 30*F, what a difference.

This week's site meter report

2008-03-30T09:28:00.004-04:00

Visits

Total ........................ 2,243
Average per Day ................. 15
Average Visit Length .......... 7:43
This Week ...................... 107

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I want to thank everyone who stops in to see what is going on here at Seldom Seen acres. I remember when I first started this blog and I'd get my site meter report there would only be 15 to 20 visits all week. Thanks again everyone! :)

One year ago:
Latest arrival

Blast from the past

2008-03-29T11:26:00.004-04:00

Click here >> One year ago today
When I reread this I had to laugh, just reminded me of how silly I really am. This year my chickens have not even started to lay eggs yet let alone start setting.

Click here >> Three years ago yesterday.
Spring ... Is that You?
03.28.05 (6:45 am)
I think spring is finally coming. The temperature this morning is at 37* and it is sprinkling, not really raining but just a light mist in the air. I'm not really liking the mud that comes with spring but it is definitely better then the 4 inches of snow we received last Wednesday morning. That was awful.

I see that my lilies are trying to come through the surface of the mud... I'm hoping that Dayna doesn't notice. I swear she has a vengeance against the irises at the corner of the house, she has dug a trench along the end of the house.... ggrrrr.... how do you get a dog to stop digging holes in your lawn?

I went to see my brother *J* and his family yesterday after sunrise service. Little *R* is so weak from her chemo treatments, but she is feeling a little bit better now then what she did a few days ago. I look at that little 15 lb body and wish that I could take the treatments for her, though I have a feeling she is handling it better then I would ( I'm a wimp) - she is such a fighter. She has had three rounds of chemo and has to have at least three more before the stem cell transplant. I just pray that God will give her the strength it takes to get that far.

After reading this one I had tears of sadness and of joy at the same time. My dog Dayna passed away a month after I posted that about her digging up my iris'. Today would have been Dayna's 9th birthday if she were still alive. I still miss her so much.
The tears of joy were for my neice *R*. She finished all her chemo treatments and her stem cell transplant in '05 and is doing great :D She has been free of cancer for since the end of her treatments and is now a beautiful 4 year old.

Happy 1st Birthday Ace

2008-03-28T19:27:00.004-04:00

I didn't realize that I have so many pictures of him sleeping but maybe that is because that is the easiest way to take his picture without ending up with a big blurry smudge across the photo. It seems like if he isn't sleeping he is moving too fast for the camera.

Men & Dogs... You just gotta to love them...

2008-03-26T21:06:00.005-04:00

Last evening had some very strange events take place. *T* called me at work and told me he was going to *P*'s house to get a gun cabinet that was given to him, he asked if I wanted to stop there on my way home from work. I'm thinking "you are the one with the truck and the muscles and *P* will be there to help, so why do you need me?". He said he just wondered if I wanted to stop in... NO I didn't I wanted to go home and get my shoes off. I guess I was being a bit antisocial but I can't help it, I just wanted to go home. Besides that I was wondering where on earth we are going to put this new gun cabinet. Anyhow *T* got the cabinet home, but on the ride home the thing started pulling apart. By this time I'm shaking my head in discust, "why did he bring this thing home?". I went in the house and started my evening chores of laundry and vacuuming. The nest thing I know *T* is coming in the back door in a rage saying something about the back window of the truck being broken. I asked what he had said and he said he had set the cabinet up in the back of the truck, so he could put a couple screws in the top to hold it together before he brought it in, then went into the barn to get the screws and the wind blew the cabinet over... and smashed the back window out of the truck. WOW!!! I acually wanted to laugh but I knew better. Did I forget to mention that we were having sudden gusts of wind that came out of nowhere off and on all afternoon. Seriously... this is just another example of >>>>> He doesn't always think before he does things <<<<<<. After making a quick trip to town, coming home, fixing the back window of the truck, he "fixed" the cabinet he asked me to help him carry it in the house. During this whole chain of events I had noticed Mom's one dog Sydney was here playing with Ace. They were chasing each other around the yard and having a great time. I had thought about going out and telling her to go home in case Mom was looking for her but decided that I'd let them play for a while because the looked like the were having such a good time. Well I forgot that Syd was here and when I went out the door to help *T* I left it open and Nickie (one of my other dogs) came out behind me. We usually don't let Nickie outside without being on here runner because she can't be trusted with small animals. I didn't even have time to catch Nickie and she had attacked Syd. My first reaction was to grab Ace (the JRT) and make sure Dawson (the Aussie) was well out of the way of the fight. I took those two the short distance to the milk house because I didn't want a two dog fight to turn into a four dog fight (trust me... it can happen in a blink.. much to my dismay this has happened to me before). In the mean time *T* had managed to get ahold of Nickie and was taking her back to the house and Syd stood there in the yard looking at me like "WTH just happened" I honestly don't even think the poor dog knew Nickie was outside, because she and Ace were having such a good romp... she never even tried to fight back. *T* said she was just looking like "someone get this lunatic off me". I'm so thankful that *T* was able to get ahold of Nickie without getting bit. The last time something like this happened I ended up with a two inch gash in my leg while trying to separate two great danes, two Aussies, and Nickie (the little mutt). When that happpened Mom had just gotten Syd and I had just gotten Nickie, we thought they had been together enough and had hashed out all their differences.... aparently Nickie is still hold a grudge from four yrs ago...LOL. At least now I know to be more aware of where everyone is at all times. Normally this isn't an issue because Nickie is on her runner and even if Syd is over here she knows to stay out of Nickie's reach. All the other dogs get along great. Nickie just seems to have it out for poor Sydney.
For right now the cabinet is still sitting in the middle of my dining room....grrr. Anyhow, hopefully tomorrow we will be able to get things rearrange and get the new cabinet to it's place, and the old one out.

Today seemed farely unevenful. Just as I was getting home from work Mom came over to chat for "a few minutes" which turned into over an hour. She is so stressed out right now, with everything going on with Dad. He had Congestive heart failure, Parkinson's, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Subepideral bullous pimphigoid, complications relating to each of these, and now one of the latest things seems to be that he is getting really confused and doesn't know what he is doing at times. Mom is just so exhausted that sometimes she will just come in and sit down and sigh repeatedly... I can tell she just needs a break from it all for a little while. At times Dad just seems to be giving up, he gets so discouraged because he can't do anything and he used to be so active. They could use all the prayers and good vibes anyone could send their direction.

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T10:18:00.002-04:00

Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

Spring is trying

2008-03-21T18:23:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure what the high temp was today, but I know it was in the mid 30's. The sun was shining and it was beautiful outside.. until you stepped out the door. That wind was COLD. At least the sun was out again.. I am solar powered and even if it is cold I felt better.

The dogs are even acting different, they have been out most of the afternoon and even when I let them in and fed them then immediately wanted back out, usually this time of the evening they will lay down and sleep then go out for a while again around 8:30 p.m. Or, maybe that is because of the full moon :)

*T* is at the firehall to help with bingo. I couldn't believe they were still having bingo tonight because it is Good Friday, but they are. I don't get it. I know we need to raise money for the department but come on... can't you take one friday off?

My sister's three girls (13yrs, 11yrs,& 3yrs) are visiting my mother and father for a couple of days. It is always quite amusing to me the way they act around the farm. The 13 yr old likes the animals and helping on the farm. The 11 yr old is a "princess" and doesn't like to get close to the animals. The 3 year old wants to pick up every animal that isn't bigger then she is, but is scared of everything because she isn't around animals enought to know how to act around them. So she doesn't know if she should hug the animals or run from them. Kids, they are so amazingly different. I have to laugh when I think of my siblings and I when we were those ages we were always in the barn helping with chores, yes we were raised in a barn, literally ...LOL. Only our ages would have been 3,5,8,11,12 (me being the 3 yr old). There has never been a time in my life I have not had animals in my life. For a short (I mean very short) time a few years ago the only animals I had were dogs and cats, but hat didn't last long. I had to get more critters.

I lost everyone!!!

2008-03-19T17:17:00.005-04:00

I can't believe I did it ... but all my widgets are GONE! I lost all my links to blogs I read and all my other neat little sidebar stuff :(( I could just cry.
I was trying to add a new template and lost my old one, so now I have to start over.
Now I'll see if I can find you all again... so if I forget someone or you just want added to my list please let me know.

Today's Forecast

2008-03-19T13:26:00.002-04:00

Rain/Thunder
High Low Precip. Humidity
43ºF 28ºF 90%/90% 80%/79%

Day: Rain likely with a few thunderstorms. High 43F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch.
Night: Rain and snow this evening transitioning to snow showers overnight. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip 90%. 1 to 2 inches of snow expected.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The temperature right now is 44 degrees, so it is actually one degree warmer then predicted...whoo hoo!

It is dreary and rainy, and most of the snow is gone so, these past few days are the first we've been able to see the ground. I swear the dogs have an ongoing compatition to see who can get the dirtiest and track the most mud in the house then deposit their wet muddy self on my new/used furniture..... ggrrrrr.

I haven't had any real bloggable (is that a word) things to talk about lately. Or maybe I just haven't had the energy. We have been recovering from the nasty (and I mean, nasty) flu bug. But even before that I just lost myself with everything that happened right at the beginning of the year and I've been struggling to get back into a routine. I just can't seem to get it together, and have no desire to sometimes. Well, actually I do have a desire to I just don't have the willpower to. Spring better hurry up and get here.

My nubian nanny goat is due to have a baby sometime in a month or so. I can't wait... I just love baby goats. I wish I had more babies due... that would get me going whether I wanted to or not.
I hope everyone who checks in on this blog haven't given up on me. I'll be back, I promise :-)
I also have to get my camera fixed that would help me start blogging again... my critters do such silly things I can't help but share pictures.

The Mourner's Bill of Rights

2008-02-13T19:09:00.003-05:00

A friend emailed this to me today and I thought I'd share it with all of you.

The Mourner's Bill of Rights

By Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD.

1. You have the right to experience your own unique grief. No one else will grieve in exactly the same way you do. So, when you turn to others for help, don't allow them to tell you what you should or should not be feeling.

2. You have the right to talk about your grief. Talking about your grief will help you heal. Seek out others who will allow you to talk as much as you want, about your grief. If at times you don't feel like talking, you also have the right to be silent.

3. You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions. Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt and relief are just a few of the emotions you might feel as part of yoru grief journey. Others may try to tell you that feeling angry, for example, is wrong. Don't take these judgmental responses to heart. Instead, find listeners who will accept your feelings without condition.

4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits. Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals. And don't allow others to push you into doing things you don't feel ready to do.

5. You have the right to experience "griefbursts." Sometimes, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be frightening, but is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you talk it out.

6. You have the right to make use of ritual. The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone loved. It helps provide you with the support of caring people. More importantly, the funeral is a way for you to mourn. If others tell you the funeral or other healing rituals such as these are silly or unnecessary, don't listen.

7. You have the right to embrace your spirituality. If faith is a part of your life, express it in ways that seem appropriate to you. Allow yourself to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry at God, find someone to talk with who won't be critical of your feelings of hurt and abandonment.

8. You have the right to search for meaning. You may find yourself asking, "Why did he or she die? Why this way? Why now?" Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not. And watch out for the clichéd responses some people may give you. Comments like "It was God's will," or "Think of what you have to be thankful for" are not helpful and you do not have to accept them.

9. You have the right to treasure your memories. Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will always remember. Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share them.

10. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal. Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember, grief is a process, not an event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself and avoid people who are impatient and intolerant with you. Neither you nor those around you must forget that the death of someone loved changes your life forever.

Really.... I am still alive.... honest!

2008-02-02T10:48:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone.... I just wanted to let you all know that I am still here and well.... sort of.
During the last few weeks, I've kind of been taking a break from my life. My house has even had a bit of a vacation... *T* has started helping with the cleaning, AND the laundry. [can you believe it]. Either I really have become the horrible nagging &!*@# that I have always thought I would become... or he has finally realized that I really do need and appreciate his help. One sunday afternoon he cleaned the whole kitchen and dining room. I think it took me a week to get over the shock, but let me tell ya it really has motivated me to keep them clean. We got new (used) furniture for the living room, so I cleaned and rearranged that room on Wednesday. My house is finally looking like a home again.
I know I have to snap out of this slump that I've had. And as long as I stay busy I seem to be okay, but as soon as I have idle time, I get down and out again. I can't wait til spring, maybe just maybe that will help. I am so tired of these dark dreary days.

Now I'm upset!!!

2008-01-14T20:59:00.000-05:00

My camera decided it is not going to work today....

I haven't taken pictures in a week or so and now that I am finally in the mood and actually had a cute subject .... "it" says "NO... not today sweetie, I'm tired, not doing it!"

It acts like the on/off switch isn't contecting or something ... I don't know, but I'm not happy! I really wanted to post some new pictures too.

Here are a few that I took in December but for some reason or another I never posted.

On one of the coldest days of the year Dawson went out the front door and started checking to see if there is anything interesting going on over at the neighbors house.

He didn't see anything that interested him over there so he started looking to see if the mailman is coming yet... He always has cookies for the dogs.

Ace says "To H$LL with the mailman ... he'll be back on a warmer day and I'll get my cookies then."

The goose on the other hand seemed to be enjoying the frigid water hole behind the barn.

I have to figure out how to get my camera fixed so I can get a real update posted.

Gone but not forgotten

2008-01-12T16:27:00.002-05:00

Just Those Few Weeks

For those few weeks--
I had you to myself
And that seems too short a time
to be changed so profoundly.

In those few weeks--
I came to know you
and to love you.
You came to trust me with your life.
Oh, what a life I had planned for you!

Just those few weeks--
When I lost you.
I lost a lifetime of hopes,
plans, dreams, and aspirations...
A slice of my future simply vanished overnight.

Just those few weeks--
It wasn't enough time to convince others
how special and important you were.
How odd, a truly unique person has recently died
and no one is mourning the passing.

Just a mere few weeks--
And no "normal" person would cry all night
over a tiny, unfinshed baby,
or get depressed and withdrawn day after endless day.
No one would, so why am I?

You were just those few weeks my little one
you darted in and out of my life too quickly.
But it seems that's all the time you needed
to make my life so much richer
and give me a small glimpse of eternity.

Poem Copyright 1984 by Susan Erling Martinez

2008-01-06T09:02:00.000-05:00

Sorry I haven't had any real update from the farm in the last few weeks, but I've been a bit under the weather lately. As soon as I figure out what is going on I'll let you all know.

First Seed Catalog

2008-01-01T12:41:00.000-05:00

I got my first catalog of the year last week..... http://www.jungseed.com/default.asp

Even though it is only 30 degrees outside, with two inches of snow on the ground, it looks like I better start thinking about the garden again... it will be time to plant before we know it.

My Grandfather Bell always said you should try something new in your garden each year. So what is it going to be this year?? hmmm... there are so many things I'd like to try I usually can't pick just one.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas

2007-12-27T21:10:00.001-05:00

As you can see all the festivities around here have tired our little boy out to the point he can't even finish looking through his favorite magazine.

I couldn't resist this picture. The magazine had fallen off the coffee table and I hadn't gotten around to picking it up, then shortly after Ace laid down on his blanket and fell asleep ... I thought it was just too cute not to take a picture.

More Snow and Ice

2007-12-16T10:23:00.001-05:00

This is what I found when I opened the back door this morning to let the puppy out. During the night about an inch of sleet and snow came down and covered the 4 to 5 inches of show that we had gotten the other day. The ice and snow are slowly sliding off the tin roof. I knew that it had been sleeting all night, but I was not expecting to open the door and see icicles pointed straight at me.... eek! I'm just glad that I was the one who discovered it. And I'm glad it wasn't like that around 12:30 a.m. when *T* had to leave for an emergency call. He would have ran right into those icicles in his haste to get out the door and to the scene of the car accident that the Department got out to. In the picture below you may be able to see the layer of ice that has built us on the vehicles during the night. The Blazer was completely clean at 10:45 last night when we got home from my store's Christmas party and the pickup truck was clean when he got home at a little after 3:00 a.m.

This snow is still falling and it is predicted that we will get 2 to 4 more inches of snow and ice today. So it's hard to tell what we will end up with by the end of the day. I'm just glad we don't have to go anywhere today, unless of course there is another accident or fire... we just never know.

Our family has grown again

2007-12-15T09:27:00.000-05:00

Somehow I failed to mention that we added to our furfamily last week. I was looking for a buck for my one doe ... long story short... I found one. But I also found one of the biggest goofiest goats I have ever met in my life. So, we just had to bring him home too. :-s

First I'll introduce you to Burner, the buck. I'm not fond of the name but that is the one he came with. I am told he is an eight month old Oberhasli. I think he is quite handsome and I think deep down he does too, but so far has been to bashful to show it.

In this picture he was challenging the other goat, that is why he looks all distorted.

Now meet "Lucky"! He is the biggest, fattest Nubian I have ever seen in my life. You really cant get an idea of how big he really is in this picture, but trust me he must weigh over 200 pounds. I'll try to get a picture of him next to the other goats as a comparison. Granted he is a wether and 8 or 9 yrs old. But he is a big baby and I can tell he is going to be the personality of the barn.
This picture was taken the first day we brought Lucky home and he was checking out the geese. As you can see they were not to keen on meeting him.

Lucky really needes his hooves trimmed and I will be doing that tomorrow as that is when I will have help to hold him. I would have had it done by now, but he is too big to fit in my goat stantion.