Onto the next

Syiry

Story

Winter days

Birthday.....3&6

Story4

Story3

Story2

Story1

Mabel moves on

Piggy went to market

I can't believe the time has come so quickly. Not ever having raised a piggie before we asked our friends Jennifer and Mike, when should we think about sending the piggie to market. They dropped by last week and said now was the time. That he was the perfect size and we should send him. I was surprised, sad and relieved in one swoop.

It was never in my mind to keep him as a pet...we're not really set up for pigs..it bothered me that he lived in the stall, he was hard to keep clean and I wouldn't call him aggressive, but he was very pushy. Which I didn't care for..I like large animals to have some respect for humans. But we kept him well, treated him well...and I have to say that's good enough.

I asked Mike if he would deliever him for us..since I knew I really wouldn't have the heart to do it. He was happy to help, and as it turned out..I was sick, in bed..sick, when they came to get him..so I didn't ( couldn't) help with the loading.

I have pretty much we used that pig raising is on my..been there, done that list...I don't expect that we'll do another one. Turkeys yes...piggies no...and beef cows..never!!! While I enjoy home raised food and can truly appreciate the quality it provides...I know what I can handle and what I can't.

So thank you " hamlet" for the experience you shared with all of us, and we will always think fondly of you.

Ground hog...

It's official!!! Despite the absolute, frigid cold weather we've had .."Phil" did not see his shadow this morning, so he remains outside, and spring will come early...




Yeah....we'll see

Bye bye january

End of January, and everyone seems a bit house bound, were in a cold snap, and though the sun is shining, stepping outside takes your breath away in seconds. Poor Henry is bored, but Mona has no patience with him!!!

Mabel does this almost every morning waiting for breakfast. I'm going to miss this...but more on that later.

Barn chores await. It requires a full suiting up, but I want to be sure everyone is good and has everything they need. The horses do surprisingly well in the cold, as long as they have plenty to eat ( which they do) and drink ( thank goodness for heated buckets)..and same with the chickens and other birds.  And piggie too. Annabelle moved into the garage months ago...so she's been pretty warm all winter.














I was happy to see the cardinal at the feeder. He hasn't been around much this winter. Probably finding food all threw the neighborhood, I think we all feed the birds. But his beautiful color certainly added to my day.                                                                                                           

Oh those wonderful sunny spots.... almost feels like spring Livy and Mona???









so... what the scoop with Mabel?  Well, first off this is her bff, Rosie, who has been with us the past six weeks while her family was on an extended vacation. These two gals have been having such a wonderful time together, but today Rosie heads home to her family who has been missing her. Because of the bitter cold, playtime had to be in the mudroom, but I don't think they minded... they came up with their own games.

And maybe it's just as well that Rosie is going home,  because next week, Mabel is going back to NEADS and begin her advanced training. Like I say with all my puppies, where has the time gone... we get them with the knowledge we have a year ahead of us... and here we are again, the year has gone by. 














Mabel will be successful for sure, so the next time we meet will be a graduation, I know.. and there's talk that a new baby will be sent home with us, though I don't have those details just yet. 


so, the end of this month brings in so many changes already....but I guess truly, change is certainly one thing that you can count on. Now, onto the "little" month of February, and then... we'll be looking for spring!!!  Wonder what that groundhog will have to say in a few days!!!!