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Author Archives: bluestempond
Broody – Epilogue
My husband thought the foreboding ending of my last post implied that I’d killed off Broody. No! That is a step more hard-hearted than I can bring myself to be. I did take away all her eggs and have made … Continue reading
Time’s Up for Broody
My experiment with my hen who was determined to hatch a brood has ended. I did all I could for her, but it just wasn’t working out for me and she wasn’t getting anywhere. She had learned to move over … Continue reading
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Waiting for Chicks to Hatch
Remember Broody, my hen who was determined to sit on her eggs until they hatched? She has sat for at least three weeks now, glowering at anyone who dares to come close, and viciously darting her beak out to stab … Continue reading
Butterfly Weed Works!
We have scattered plantings of butterfly weed, (different from Butterfly Bush), in the fields, but one nice plant in our backyard perennial garden. Walking by it last night I saw this weird growth that I stopped to examine. It turned … Continue reading
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Work To Be Done
It looks like the harvesting season is kicking into high gear. I did the spinach in May, strawberries in June, asparagus in June and July, and now all the summer stuff is coming ripe. I really do love feeling like … Continue reading
Beezee
We have two Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, an Irish breed that meets the bottom line requirement for my husband — no allergic reaction. Beezee has the “Irish coat”, a silky wavy variety that does not grow very fast and thus does … Continue reading
Murray
My friend’s second dog, Murray, is a real sweetheart. He is male, but I think of him as a girl because he is so affectionate and gentle. Murray follows me around the house everywhere I go, pushing his nose into … Continue reading
Dash
My friend’s Cavalier King Charles spaniel, named “Dash” after Queen Victoria’s favorite of the same breed, is staying with us for a while with his brother Murray. Dash has a regal profile, often tipping his chin up and looking at … Continue reading
Taco
My daughter’s other little dog is a Chihuahua-Yorkie mix named Taco. His Yorkshire Terrier heritage gives him a shed-free silky brown coat and the Chihuahua side gives him the wide-set round eyes, fierce temper, and tendency to tremble when stressed. … Continue reading
Addie
My daughter’s little rescue mutt is named Addie. She is part schnauzer which gives her a gray shed-free coat with black ears flopping forward and a soft white beard. Her eyes are almond-shaped with black eyeliner giving the impression of … Continue reading
Living With The Pack
We are blessed for a couple weeks this summer to have temporarily expanded the dog population at the farm. My friend brought over her two Cavalier King Charles spaniels while traveling overseas, and then my daughter asked if we could … Continue reading
Feeling Broody
This is a first for me. I have a “broody hen.” One of my black hens has taken to spending most of the day sitting in a nest box. I had assumed she was feeling defensive because she was molting … Continue reading
My Goat Sweater
I finished my sweater with the picture of Eddy and Ely on the front! It is very soft and fuzzy, as well as pretty heavy. Of course, it is made from the boys’ mohair, mostly from year two. I plan … Continue reading
Posted in Farm Animals, Fiber crafts
Tagged angora goats, Knitting, mohair, Mohair sweater
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A Labor of Love
Farm animals can be a messy, dirty chore and you have to love them to keep up with it. My goats require attention once a month for their worm and lice prevention meds and hoof trimming. I read something recently … Continue reading
Posted in Farm Animals
Tagged angora goats, goat maintenance, shearing, trimming goats
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Vine Control
I’ve been spending some time with my friend, “The Lopper” this week, relentlessly slicing through the many invasive vines and bushes along the fence row. Then, I enjoyed the satisfying feeling of pulling grapevines down from the trees. I was … Continue reading
Wildflowers for All
A few years ago, we invested in a wildflower planting in the acre of land along the highway out front of our farm. The first year, it was infested with a weed called “mare’s tail” and I spent hours exhaustively … Continue reading
Excited About a Sheep Festival
We’ve got a cool trip planned this summer. Somewhere, I saw an article about the Trailing of the Sheep festival in Idaho in October. It takes place across three towns, one focused on food, one on sheep and dogs, and … Continue reading
Posted in Farm Animals, Fiber crafts
Tagged card weaving, fiber festivals, trailing of the sheep
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