Goodbye April... Hello May.. Hurry Up Diva!

I am getting my guestroom all ready for Carol and her husband. They are flying in to Raleigh/Durham tomorrow and doing some sightseeing around Winston Salem. Carol you must take a trip to Pilot Mountain. Its about a 45 minute drive from Winston. If you watched Andy of Mayberry its what he referred to as Mount Pilot. Anyway, Carol will be coming here Thursday and staying until Sunday. I am so excited to meet her and her husband. William had planned on being here but the sailboat race has put him behind a few days on getting home. Diva and I will be here to welcome them to the homestead though and I think they will have a nice relaxing time. I went next door and trimmed my neighbors red tips for the goats. Takes me longer to trim than it does for them to eat.

You would think I had given them candy as fast as they eat it. While I am trimming they are standing at the end of the fence crying for me to hurry. Diva just loves red tips. I was checking her ligaments and noticed the babies have dropped. Where she was so wide before. She is now slimmer on her sides but her belly is hanging lower, She eats and sleeps. Thats all she does right now but can't blame her. Its too hot to carry that weight around and do anything else. Rachel gave me some really good names for the babies and I have a couple floating through my mind but its not too late to give me your suggestions. Who knows, maybe one day Diva will decide to have those babies so I can name them!

Quiet Sunday

Quiet day here today. All the animals seem to know I have things to do inside so have been behaving. Diva is eating everything in sight! She acts like she is starving though she has been fed, grain, alfalfa, carrots, cookies, and even some of her favorite leaves.. red tips. My neighbor called and told me I could trim her red tip bushes and give the leaves to the goats. I had already trimmed the ones hanging on our side of the fence so I went in her yard and trimmed some. They lasted all of 5 minutes! I will get them more tomorrow. Besides wanting to eat all the time Diva is doing fine. I think she has decided to stay pregnant forever so she can get lots of attention. Kathleen ask in a comment if I had names picked out. I don't usually name a animal till I get a feel of their personality. BUT! If you have any names you think fitting for Ms. Diva's offspring leave your suggestions in my comments. Who knows I might just choose one of them! The first part of the name has to be hidden haven for registration purposes so don't make it too long. So if you are having a quiet Sunday too you can put your mind to work and see what you come up with. I am 99% sure Diva has 2 babies if not more if that will help you in naming.

A Day In Photos

I added the first photo after going out to check on Diva. She is stretching and pushing her head against the side of her stall and digging like she is making a nest. No signs of contractions so guess she is just getting ready and enjoys seeing me get excited. Other than that it has been a quiet day at hidden haven. Getting some much needed cleaning done and letting the animals enjoy the sunshine.

Killer

I am sure you remember Killer. My hen that loves to sit on all the eggs and will attack you when you try to remove them. She has been sitting on eggs in one of the empty rabbit condos. She has loved sitting on her nest and having her own little screened in porch to eat, drink and stretch her legs on. All the eggs hatched and the little chicks are with Sister Sister in the hospital pen. Killer has always been with the other hens when she wasn't sitting so I turned her out with them. She starts fighting right away with another hen. When John Henry comes over she even tries to fight him. I take her out and put her in the peacock pen where right away she goes after Juliet and tries to fight her. By then she is bleeding from her comb. I go get her out of the peacock pen and bring her up on the deck to clean her up. This is the hen that has bit me so hard she has made me bleed! This is the hen that will try her best to go for my face when I try to get her eggs. Killer let me pick her up, sit her on the table, clean her up, give her a antibiotic and even hold and pet her till she fell asleep!

She is now back in the condo and happy. She has no eggs but is sitting on the nest like a queen. I can bet she will try to tear me up when I go back to put eggs under her. But she wears her name proudly!

On a different note. If you ever think about buying the doggie ice cream.

This is all that was left after I gave Lady, Tramp and Sheba each a cup. I didn't even have time to take a picture before they had woofed it down. I think Sheba got a ice cream headache as she went in her doghouse to lay down but Lady and Tramp were licking their lips and smiling.

Diva is doing fine today. She isn't moaning and has spent part of the day out of her stall. She has even eaten some of her feed along with some alfalfa. I think the babies were just moving into position and making her very uncomfortable. I sat with her and brushed her till a little past 12:30 last night. She finally drifted off to sleep in the middle of my birthing stories. Guess I bored her to sleep but at least she slept and I came inside and slept with the monitor on. I am guessing the 2nd for kidding and William is saying the 6th. I think it would be nice for her to have them on Mothers Day the 13th but knowing Diva she will be punctual and have them the 23rd. I don't see how she can go that long without exploding though. I am just wanting her to be comfortable no matter when she has them. It breaks my heart when I hear her crying and moaning. Other news is William is competing in a sailing race! He is part of a crew in the Ensanada International. They are qualifying today and the race starts tomorrow. He is so excited and so am I. He is always working so hard that I am glad he gets to take a few days off. I told him its hard work sailing a boat much less being in a race. He will be tired but happy at the end of the race. The gosling's have grown so much! They are swimming most of the day now and making a mess the rest of the time. I am trying to handle them as much as possible so they will be tame and come to me when they grow up.

Spending the Night With Diva

I was going to try and listen to Diva by the baby monitor tonight. But with all the moans and cries I am listening to I just can't do it.

I went out to check on her and saw her moaning and staring off into space

So taking my pillow, telephone, camera and birthing kit and will spend the night brushing and talking to Diva. I don't think she is in labor but I will feel better being with her and I hope she will feel better having me there. So Robyn I will let you know when you are a godmother and if you didn't know it yet all the rest of you are going to be "aunties" soon I hope.

Udderly Soon I Hope

Marci ask me to take a picture of Diva's udder. One of the signs that she will kid soon is if her bag fills up and tightens. If you are interested here are some other signs of labor; http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/prenatalcare.html#labor There are also graphic photos of labor and kidding if you want to view them. I am so thankful for this site as I have used it alot for information the past few months. But anyways here are pictures of Diva's udder. Please don't tell her I posted them or she will be so embarrassed! LOL

So Marci what do you think? Do you think she will actually go till May 23? I just don't see how she can carry that weight for that long. She is so miserable.

9 Fallen Soldiers

I am blessed to live near one of the worlds largest military bases. Fort Bragg is located just west of Fayetteville, North Carolina. One of the largest and busiest military complexes in the world, Fort Bragg hosts America's only airborne corps and airborne division, the "Green Berets" of the Special Operations Command, and the Army's largest support command. 82nd Airborne Division soldiers and others make 100,000 parachute jumps each year at Fort Bragg.
By population, Fort Bragg is the largest Army installation in the world, providing a home to almost 10 percent of the Army’s active component forces. Approximately 43,000 military and 8,000 civilian personnel work at Fort Bragg. Every day approximately military and civilian employees in careers ranging from trades and labor to engineers and attorneys provide the services needed to train, sustain, and deploy the combat forces to America's Crisis Response Contingency Corps and Special Operations Forces. Their common daily focus is on training, deploying, mobilizing, and demobilizing America’s strategic response forces and providing first-class services in such areas as retail, recreation, medicine, and education. The Fort provide those services to a customer base of more than 250,000 soldiers, civilians, family members, and retirees. When I hear planes going over I can tell by the sound if they are taking jumpers up. If they are this is what I get to see a few minutes later

William was a jump instructor for the 82nd. He retired after 22 yrs in the army. Though he didn't train these soldiers they are still "his boys".Being a military town everyone is very proud of our soldiers. Whether we know them personally or not they are like part of the family. Without them our town would be nothing. We stop to watch the planes and choppers flying over and sometimes even wave and say a prayer or a thank you. Too many times I hear the planes going overhead that are not taking jumpers up. They are taking soldiers away from their homes and families.Not long ago a plane flew overhead with a unit of soldiers deployed to Iraq. When that plane returns there are 9 soldiers from the 82nd airborne that won't be on it. They were killed yesterday. I know there are many soldiers killed and my heart goes out to their families but these boys were our "family". A few months ago we lost 8 of our boys in Iraq and now we have lost 9 more. They won't be coming home to their wives, children, parents and siblings. They won't be flying over my house to make another jump. I will pray for their families and continue to pray for the soldiers still over there. When I see the jumpers I will think of the fallen soldiers.... I will miss them.

Listen People!!

Do I look like I like carrying all this extra weight around? I want to have these babies as much or even more than you want me to! Do you know how long it takes me to get this body down to rest? Or how long it takes me to get back up?
Come on people! I have ears. I can hear when you talk about how HUGE I am (yeah I heard you mom). I can hear when you say you wish I would hurry up. Don't you think I would if I could! How would you feel if your belly was this big?
I am tired people! Tired of carrying all this weight around. Tired of not being able to run. Tired of not being able to sleep much because of all the feet kicking me. Tired of having to pee all the time. I am just plain tired! So if I am not my usual diva self please excuse me. If I don't look cute when you take pictures of me... too bad. If I want you brushing me and talking to me all hours of the night... do it! Now if you don't mind I am going to get mom to brush the alfalfa off my back so I can take a nap. When I do have these babies I am sure mom will let you be the first to know and please forgive her when she goes crazy with baby pictures. See you later

New Look!

Don't you just love the new look! Revka did a fabulous job! She gave me a choice of my own pictures or a site where I could find one I liked. I liked so many I couldn't make up my mind so she found several really awesome ones and I chose from them. I love the font, colors, I just everything! She is have a grand opening and if you hurry on over to her site http://rsdesigns.wordpress.com/ you will get a special rate! If you don't want or need a good look at least drop by and tell her hi and what you think of Hidden Haven's fresh look.
I will be back later to post update photos on Ms. Diva. I feel so sorry for her as she is having such a hard time getting up or down with her HUGE belly. I sat with her late last night and brushed her while I talked to her. (yes, I am nuts!)

Bath Time Is So Much Fun!

This morning I took Mona, Curly and Larry outside for a nice warm bath in the sunshine. They had such fun splashing and washing each other. They didn't even mind that they had a audience.

After their bath time I let them go in the peacock pen for the day so they could enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. They are now back in their little house for the night. Its hard to believe that these little gosling's are going to grow up to be about 4 ft tall! They are a week old today. Grochio and Whiskers didn't know what to think of the little peepers. Had a nice visit with my stepson Ray, Sharon his wife, Wayne his son and Amy who will be Sharon's daughter in law one day. I think Sharon will have as much fun with Amy for a daughter in law as I have with Sharon. We went thriftstoring today and spent time playing with the animals and then just sitting on the deck talking. A nice peaceful day. I needed a break and now have energy to hit the soap building and get all those soap orders out! Have a great weekend and count those blessings!

This and That

Do you like using real vanilla but hate how expensive it is? Purchase a bottle of cheap vodka, pour it into a jar and add 2 whole vanilla beans. Close the lid tightly and set it in the back of your cabinet where it will stay cool and dark. Forget it for 3 to 4 months then get it out and you have real vanilla for baking and cooking that taste like the expensive vanilla extract you purchase for gourmet shoppes.

When making yeast rolls or bread add a drop of vanilla. Makes it taste like sweet rolls and bread.

Want to make that pork roast taste special? After you brown the roast and put it in the pan for the oven add apple juice instead of water. The flavor of the meat and gravy is out of this world!

Get tired of making the same ol mash potatoes for dinner? Instead of adding butter and milk use flavored cream cheese. chive and onion cream cheese makes yummy mashed potatoes.

Sweet Potato Biscuits
2 cups self rising flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1tsp. ground ginger
7 TBS cold butter (divided)
3 TBS shortening
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes
6 TBS milk
In a bowl combine the flour, brown sugar,cinnamon and ginger. Cut in 4 TBS butter and shortening until combined. Turn onto a floured surface, knead 8-10 times. roll to 1/2 inch thickness; cut with a 2 1/2 biscuit cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Melt remaining butter, brush over dough. Bake at 425 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Serve warm.

Triple Cheese Macaroni

1 pkg. (16oz) elbow macaroni
2 eggs
1 can (12oz) evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter melted
2 TBS mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
8 oz Velveeta melted
8 oz shredded mild cheddar cheese
8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Cook macaroni according to directions on package. Meanwhile in a large bowl whisk eggs, milk, butter,mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in half of each of the cheeses. Drain macaroni , stir into cheese mixture. Pour into a greased3 qt baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses. Bake uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Diva Update

For those of you that entered the contest here are some updated photos of Diva.She is getting HUGE! I have cut back on her feed alittle the last month so she won't be too fat from eating when she goes in labor. She has decided she doesn't want carrots anymore but she can't get enough of the apple raisin horse cookies. She will actually stand and cry for them if she sees the bag. I have started locking her in her stall at night with fresh water and some alfalfa to munch on. Doing that so she can have some alone time away from Sammi and Nitro. She seems to enjoy it and doesn't cry to get out. I have my baby monitor all ready to hook up so I can hear her during the night. I am going to wait and put it out there around the first week of May. Yes, I am being over protective but its my first goat kid delivery and I want it to go smoothly. (For Diva and me) I am worried that Nitro is so big that she might have a hard time delivering but I have seen other goats smaller than her that delivered beautiful kids from Nitro. Well anyway here are photos from today and if you want to change your guesses you can and if you haven't guessed yet then go here and comment on date, time, how many and you might just win some Diva Soaps!

Cottage Charm Give Away Day

One Woman's Cottage is having a blogwide Cottage Charm Give Away Day and I have decided to join the fun. My give away is: Vintage Picnic Set

The set includes a bag with leather handles. A hot thermos with one cup lid, a cold thermos with 4 stackable cup lids and a metal sandwich container with metal lid. They all fit in their special spots in the bag so you can take a lunch along on a hike, to a ballgame, or even on a car trip. This is a adorable set that will feel right at home in any cottage home. So leave a comment and your name will be added to the drawing that will be given away May 26th. Go on! Do it now and then go add your name to the other sites that are taking part in the Cottage Charm Give Away Day.

Sunny Day

Chasing the clouds away....... Been humming that song to myself as I worked outside. Have alot of the branches and limbs picked up from the storm but stopped and decided to dig a hole to sit the water garden tub in so the ducks and geese could use it. The ducks just couldn't wait for it to fill up before they tried it out and started putting dirt in it.

I finally finished filling it and they all are out there splashing the water back out. At least they have a nice day for a swim. Bonnie and Clyde weren't happy with me being in their pen and took it out on Daisy and Donna by bitting them on the neck. They hissed at me but I walked right up to them and they decided to go hide in the corner Sister Sister and Killer have both been sitting on the same nest of eggs for several weeks. I tried moving some of the eggs and one of them to another nest at different times and it didn't work. Today a chick hatched out and I want it to stay with its mom for awhile so I moved things around. The rabbit condo that the 2 older babies from first liter lived in is empty. The grands took them back to give to 2 of my other grands that had ask for them. Anyway I cleaned out the houses and put fresh straw in and then put a egg and the baby chick in along with sister sister. She settled right in with the chick and is sitting on the egg. The chick even drank some water.

Since they seemed to be doing so well I decided to move Killer. I close the screen between the condos and put fresh straw in the other house. I moved the eggs under Killer first then went and got her. She bite me the whole time I was carrying her but when she saw her eggs she sat right down on them. I have checked several times and she is still sitting. That will free up the laying box they were in for the other chickens to lay their eggs. I had been having to fight killer to get the fresh eggs out from under her. This will work well for all of us.

The Toulouse gosling's are doing well. They ran to a corner while I cleaned up their house. They are starting to get use to being handled. I want them to eat from my hand and come to me as they grow bigger.

The guineas have been so good that I decided to open their pen and let them out. Want them to keep ticks and bugs down around the yard. The pen has been open all day and they still haven't figured it out. They aren't the brightest bird on the homestead.

Fred was enjoying the sunshine and taking a nap by the tree till I woke him up taking his picture.

Even Tramp was taking advantage of the sunshine while napping.
Some of the baby bunnies were enjoying the shade of their house instead of the sunshine
I think everyone at Hidden Haven is thankful for the sunshine today. Hope you are too!