Another Barn Quilt Done and ready for hanging...

Another barn quilt done and ready for hanging:). Yippie... Can't wait to see how many of these fun things we end up hanging all over our farm before I decide enough is enough.

Black Gold

From "poo" to "wooooooo-hooooooo!"

Black gold, or composted material is a nutritionally packed soil that is wonderful for gardens and pastures. Buying black gold from a store can be overwhelmingly expensive. If you have farm animals (goats, chickens, sheep, horses, bison, cows, etc...), WHY NOT make your own??? After a short couple of seasons, your pile of poo will be transformed into a valuable commodity you can either decide to use or sell:). 

I say "wooo-hooo" to poo:)!!! 

Busy, Busy, Busy Summer:).

I haven't been very active on here in a couple of months and really miss it:)... I like writing and sharing life. Summer around the farm keeps everyone busy. From re-seeding pastures, to clearing woods, to painting houses, barns, and other outbuildings, to organic pest control when you can go the organic route...... One of my major "tasks" for the past few months has been combating fire ants. Although I have tried using organic methods to combat these pets, I have been unsuccessful. The only thing that seems to work is chemical eradication, which normally, having other farm animals, I wouldn't go for, but these pesky insects make everyone and everything cringe. In ground bees have been more pesky than usual this year. I do, use an "organic" method for killing those bad-boys, however.... Horses and in ground bees DO NOT mash. But.... Neither do humans and in ground bees. Believe it or not, I have spent at least 2 days a week for the past couple of months fighting those pests... I don't bother bumble bees or honey bees, but HATE, HATE, HATE wasps and yellow jackets with a PASSION! So, of course, farm duties coupled with "general life," makes for a super busy but fulfilling schedule. But..... Not lost, are the days of enjoying "CHICKEN TV," (watching the colorful and very active chickens, guineas, and ducks play), and our goat herd (that includes 2 sheep and a barn cat). The barn cat loves HER HERD, and goes everywhere they go. She is their shadow. Gotta love barn kitty! I will be more active on this blog from now on:). Can't promise HOW active, but certainly MORE active!!! 

Quack Quacks

Our babies playing in their outside yard until they are old enough to free range.

Gotta Love Them Kiddos:)

I just love my goat/sheep herd. Blessing, the goat at the bottom, is such a great milker..... She LOVES tree leaves. Probably her favorite food......... Above..... Roxy and Eduardo enjoy grading. Eduardo is a Herdwick sheep (very rare). Had his balls banded as a baby and wish I wouldn't have now.... The picture above the sheep is what happens when you yell "here Kiddos," around my house, lol......... They are my shadows and I love it:).

Horsin' Around

Ayla's (appy x) first day in a side pull...... Her appy brain kicked in and she tried taking off, not stopping, etc....... UNTIL...... I got after with the quirt and we had a "discussion or two." Fine after that....... Going back to the bit with her. She respects it........ Paisley (in the fly mask) will be wearing a fly mask most of the year b/c of her newly found "pre-cancer" in the 3rd eye lid...... She is now taking a rigorous mix and mash of many vitamins and immune boosters........... Hoping for the best b/c she is the sweetest filly I've ever seen. Chloe, at the bottom, continues to amaze me. I am definantly a percheron fan after having the pleasure to love Chloe. She is super smart, SWEET, and does everything you ask of her.............. Lover buns!!!!

Ayla Swimming

Ayla going out to swim in the wonderfully warm lake:). Fun day!!!

Snake in the Chicken Coup

I hated killing this beautiful black snake today, but it was in the chicken coup, had already killed a duck and was looking for a smaller chicken. I don't usually kill non-poisonous snakes, but if I would have simply tossed this one back in the woods, it would have come back that night and wiped out all of my chickens. A bummer on two counts (the chicken and the snake). This snake did encourage us to "Ft. Knox" our coup, however.........

Swimming

 Took Ayla for a swim in the lake today. She hasn't been swimming in over a year and a half, and never without another horse. She was a little hesitant at first, but eventually got out there and enjoyed swimming in the deeper water. I love my girl!

Avoiding Disaster

Thank god for super well trained horses with bomb-diggety genetic mellowness, lol..... Was riding Ayla back up my driveway today and my other three horses took off running, bucking and farting in the pasture up the fence line. This scared the guinea hens that were pecking away in the pasture..... Three of the guineas darted over the fence line flying over Ayla's head literally less than a foot and a half away. One of the damn guineas landed on Ayla's head between her ears...... She didn't flinch and didn't skip a beat. Could have been an absolute disaster though if it weren't for her training and awesome draft bloodlines.

Bummer

We lost one of our Indian Runner Ducks to a damn black snake today...... Super bummed. Our beautiful Indian Runner Duck was about 2-3 months old now, and was developing beautiful color and feathers. She was the largest of the 2 indian runners, and tried protecting the other ducks/guineas/chickens from the snake. She lost her life. The other sad part is that I had to kill the snake. I don't like to kill non-poisonous snakes, but this snake would have kept coming back for food if I would have simple tossed it out in the woods. Was about a 6 ft long black snake. Double bummer!!!!!!!

Lamancha breeding (hopefully)

Had a chance to try for a free Lamancha breeding. Damn....... Hoping my girl came into heat early so I could get her knocked up early........ If not...... It'll be AI through the buck bank in the fall.

Hobby Farms Magazine

Submitting a picture of your farm critters is a wonderful way to show off your livestock and to enjoy other peoples critters too.......... Simply submit an instagram pic and tag #hflivestock......... www.hobbyfarms.com. I pasted the picture of my goats on the hobby farm cover. They won instagram pic of the month for July/August. Fun:)...........

New Chicks/Ducks/Guineas

This is one of the most healthy bunch of chicks I've ever received. They are almost 2 weeks old now and we have lost NONE. I generally expect to lose a few, but not with this batch. I will be using Ideal Poultry in the future for sure! www.IdealPoultry.com

Pickels

First batch of pickels made from our garden cucumbers:).

Feed Thru Fly Control for Horses

If any of my horse friends are looking for added fly protection, I started giving this to my horses 4 days ago........ Even my picky eater eats it (Chloe). This stuff is ALREADY working........ My kiddos were just getting eaten up even though I spray them daily. This product says it takes 3 weeks to see full effects. If it works any better than it already does, I am going to be one happy crazy horse lady:).

Workin', Playin', and Restin'

Pooper-scooper"ing" the pastures:). Oh joy!

Taking a needed cat nap on a hay bale.

Getting a height advantage so I can scope out guinea eggs.

Beautiful butts:).

The best invention ever. Game cam.

Giving back when we can.....

Hori-Hori. The best gardening tool EVER.

napping again.

Pasture Vaccum

There's no better tool for pasture management:).

Baby Chickens and Ducks

All of the new baby chicks and ducks made it through the night:). Wooooooo hoooooo!!!! 2 Indian Runner ducks, 10 assorted pullets, 2 guineas, 10 assorted banties, 1 buff orpington rooster. Happy days!!