Visitors and Chores

8 pens are now all raked and cleaned. The dogs, chickens, geese and ducks are happy. Diva and the girls could care less. Still have the boys and the sheep to do today. We also got 12 blueberry bushes planted yesterday. William got a little work done on the rabbit cages so we can move the buck rabbits. One doe had 6 bunnies yesterday morning. 4 of them look like Oreo and 2 are gray like their mom. These are the biggest newborn bunnies I have ever seen and from a first time mom which is unusual. We also have a week or two old bunny inside we are trying to save. The neighbors cat found where one of the bunnies that is loose had her babies and wiped them out including the mom. We hope it will make it. There was a teachers work day yesterday so no school. No school means we had the neighborhood kids here most of the day. One boy came at 7am and didn't go home till 7pm. Off and on we had 9 neighborhood kids. Ro came back for a visit yesterday with a gift of homemade cheese bread! She brought her friend and her children to see the animals. Those kids had a blast playing with the neighborhood kids. Ro is going to bring her mom to visit when the kids are in school. We had a nice visit with the kids getting to drink goats milk and have a piece of goat milk fudge. I think everyone had a good time. William and I gave the kids (goat kids) their vaccinations yesterday and moved Mandy, CC, Baby and Tiny Tina over with the kids after giving them their vaccinations. Tiny Tina has a little fainting goat in her blood. Whenever you go to pick her up she gets all stiff and falls over. Its funny but can't understand because her dad and mom are full blooded Nigerian Dwarf. All in all yesterday was a very busy day. William is still waiting on the guy to get his broke transmission out of his big truck so he can go get the working one to put in. Every day is another day without pay. Wish God had given me patience when he made me. Have a blessed day!

Sunday Sunshine

No rain in the forecast today. Lots of sunshine means raking and mucking the pens and stalls before the goats go on strike. Morning chores are done and William is cooking breakfast. After breakfast we will spend the day catching up on outside chores we couldn't do because of rain.

Last night I had to do Earth Hour a little different. William was in the middle of a repair and needed the lights on. I turned off everything but the lights he needed and went to bed. I was going to read by oil lamp but decided to just lay in the dark and listen to the nighttime sounds. That didn't last long because I fell asleep!

I am hoping after we get the pens cleaned and rabbit cages moved around we will have time to set out my blueberry bushes. They are nice big bushes I purchased off Craigs list over a month ago but just got them yesterday.

Two of the neighborhood kids came down early this morning. They wanted to help with morning chores. William is teaching them how to milk the goats. They spend most of their free time here around the animals instead of home playing video games like their siblings. I hope they continue to enjoy being outside working and playing with the animals. All but the sheep and bunnies have gotten use to them.

Well I am being called to breakfast. Have a blessed Sunday and I hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods!

the photo was taken last week from the pickup as we were heading to get hay for the goats.

We Had a Visitor!

Diva put on her finest for Alex. She came all the way from Maine to meet Ms. Diva! Well of course she was also going to visit her brother too, but mainly to see Diva. After a few cookies Diva was ready for her photo shoot with Alex.
Then we had Sonya and DiDi pouting cause they wanted to look like a Diva too.
After Alex had visited with the girls we headed over to the sheep pen. Alex is going to be raising Icelandic sheep that are similar to our Soy sheep. She sure knows alot about sheep!
We had a nice time chatting and talking homesteads and farming. I am so jealous of her home! I see photos and just drool. Its a huge old farmhouse that she and Kelly have done a ton of work on. Alex even does her own plumbing! She also built a beautiful kitchen island. I am also jealous she lives in beautiful Maine, snowy Maine, cold Maine. Did I mention she lives in Maine? One day I plan to go for a visit even if I have to load up Diva and the girls and take them with me! After our visit she had to drive on to her brothers in the rain. Yes, its still raining here. We even had a tornado yesterday evening. Alex didn't make it down in time for that, thank goodness. But Alex thanks for visiting Hidden Haven! Thank Kelly for my soaps. Oh yeah, Kelly makes awesome lye soaps guys and boy do mine smell wonderful. Have a safe trip home Alex. Diva sends a hug and DiDi sends you a big wet kiss.

Earth Hour

This is something everyone can do. No reason to say I can't do anything that would really matter. We all can give up one hour of electricity. One hour by everyone really matters. One hour by everyone really helps. So at 8:30pm tonight turn off your lights. Light a candle or oil lamp. Turn off the TV and get a board game out with the family. Take a walk outside, whatever you do at 8:30 tonight I hope its without electricity. Come on you know you want to!

Mommy and Me Photos

Killer had her six chicks out for a scratch before the rains start back up. She saw me and moved her babies to a corner while keeping an eye on me. I think she really hoped she would get to take a bite outta me.

Tessa is being a good mommy to be and sitting on her eggs. She doesn't even let the camera distract her.

Fred is upset Tessa isn't paying attention to his flirting and spreading his feathers so went over to show off to the hens next door.

Sister informed me she is just laying an egg so I shouldn't get any bright ideals of sticking duck eggs under her.

I was brave and faced the ganders to get a photo of Molene sitting on all her eggs.

Molene is sitting on so many eggs I can't count them. They are sticking out from all sides.

I did find this egg shell but William nor I are brave enough to see if she has a gosling under her. Wanna come lift her and see?I then picked up a stick to protect myself from ClydeSo I could give water to Bonnie and snap a picture. She isn't coming off her nest for no one!

Of course I had to keep peace with Diva and the girls by taking a picture of them and the kids.

Then of course I just had to take pictures of Christmas Cocoa and Tiny Tina.

The Simple Life

is sometimes not so simple. Things go along smoothly and I get relaxed and a bit lazy. I find myself letting somethings go in order to spend more time doing the chores I enjoy. Now I am playing catch up on lots of paperwork and taxes. I forget to count my blessings some days and take for granted things running smoothly. The past few weeks its been anything but smooth around here. William's truck broke down and we are waiting on the mechanic to take the transmission out. While his truck is down he isn't earning a paycheck which means pinching those pennies. We have tried to catch up on outside chores but it has rained almost every day. We had some plumbing problems and William spent the day crawling under the house and digging up pipelines. Killer hatched out some baby chicks so we manned gloves and long sleeves to catch her and the babies to put in a pen. She is one mean momma! Killer doesn't peck and let go. She bites and holds on, bringing blood while you try to pry your skin from her beak. Now you know how she got her name. Tessa the turkey is sitting on her eggs. Fred is upset his girlfriend is not out and about so he can flirt and show his feathers. Molene the goose is sitting on her eggs. The problem there is Curly and Lucy are going in the nest and laying eggs too. Molene will get up and scoot their eggs under her too. She is now sitting on a huge pile of eggs and we have to figure out how to get past Larry and Ricky to get some of the eggs outta the nest. Being bitten by a goose is almost as painful as Killer's bite. Bonnie the goose is sitting on her eggs just fine and Clyde is being a good father to be. He won't let you anywhere near Bonnie's nest so we can't leave her food and water too close. The goats have found theycan run around the fence and get some of the geese food. Now we have to think of a new plan. We have kept the baby goats in their own pen so we could wean them. Thought we had them completely weaned but couldn't understand why milk production didn't go up alot. Seems the momma goats go stand really close to the fence so the babies can reach through and nurse. Even DiDi is letting them nurse and we sold her babies! William drove his pickup to check on his big truck and says it is making a funny noise. He will be working on that tomorrow. I am not writing this post to complain or whine. Just letting you know that sometimes the simple life isn't very simple at all. Sometimes you hit bumps in the road, detours, etc. You just have to stop, take a deep breath, give thanks for the good things in your day, give thanks for having the strength and know how to handle the bumps and detours in the daily road of life. I have always been taught and I believe God doesn't give you more than you can handle. That each bump and detour makes you stronger. Really the things we are dealing with here are minor compared to so many of our blog friends and neighbors. Some are facing medical problems, some have lost their jobs, some have lost a loved one, some have lost their home. No matter what each of us are facing we must keep our faith, stay strong and know those bumps and detours will work out and there are smooth roads ahead.

What a Nice Surprise!

Today William and I were busy doing outside chores when a van drove up. I thought it might be someone coming for soaps or eggs but it was a delivery van from a local florist shop. I got a absolutely beautiful flower arrangement from Kuma's parents! Debi, they smell heavenly and are so beautiful! Thank you both so much. I already thanked Kuma and gave her a squeaky toy after her walk. She promised me she didn't tell anyone about my birthday. LOL
But that wasn't my only surprise. Carole from Pea's Corner Blog (my adopted sister) sent me a birthday package. Inside the beautiful wrapped box was carved girls that can be joined together at their hands. They are called Sisters by Heart. They are so delicate and lovely. Carole thank you so much! I also loved the card Sis. My birthday is tomorrow and I was going to let it sneak by but you and Debi have started it off with a bang! I am so blessed to have such special friends that the surprises today were just icing on the cake. Life may get stressful but friends and family seem to know just how and when to put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Meeting a Blog Neighbor that is a real Neighbor

Ro is a blog neighbor that I have enjoyed reading. She is all about living the simple life and getting back to basics. When I found out we both shopped at the same Tractor Supply I knew we must be neighbors in real life and invited her to bring her sons over for a visit with Ms. Diva and the girls. Ro remembered I like tea and have been having a stressful week so brought me some calming tea. Guess what I am drinking! Will let you know how it works. Her two sons and a couple of the neighborhood boys had fun riding in the wagon and swinging. They also enjoyed trying to catch baby goats and petting Diva and the girls. The rabbits had just gotten moved around to different cages so weren't too happy to sit still and be petted. They will be coming to visit again and bring some friends with them. Next time the boys want to try their hand at milking and have more time to play. Thanks for the tea Ro!

Hidden Haven Helpers

With all the stress the past several weeks it was nice to have several of the neighborhood kids show up wanting to help with afternoon chores. They helped William feed the goats and sheep while I fed the other animals. Then they got to do what they have been wanting to do for a long time. Milk a goat! William let 2 at a time go in the milking stall and get a lesson on how to milk. Each one tried their hand at milking. They loved it and were so proud they milked a goat. After chores everyone had a nice cup of cold goat milk and a piece of goat milk fudge. The kids had fun doing chores and we enjoyed watching and working with such happy helpers.

The Rose Conspiracy (book review)

I was asked to review Craig Parshall's book "The Rose Conspiracy". What a great book! History, religion, murder, mystery, courtroom drama, even a little romance, this book has it all. When I started reading it I wasn't sure because the story started with a newly discovered document about Abraham Lincoln's assassination and a strange message that was suppose to be written on one of the pages. But soon I realized this was a book that would be hard to put down until finished. Complete with faith and morals this book has it all and I give it 5 stars. If you get a chance I highly recommend "The Rose Conspiracy". Keep checking back as I will be offering my copy in a drawing.
Craig Parshall speaks worldwide on legal and Christian issues. He is a magazine columnist and has authored 7 legal-supense novels.

Shhhhhh! Spring is Trying To Sneak In

After several cold and rainy days the sun has been shining and the temps are in the 70's. The birds are singing and I saw several robins looking for worms in the front yard. The baby goats are having fun chasing each other and playing king of the mountain. I think Spring wants to sneak in quietly so as not to make old man winter upset so be very quiet and enjoy the signs of spring that are sneaking into your part of the world.

From Kuma to Her Family

Hi family!! I sure do miss you! Happy St Paddy's Day. Whatever day that is. All I know is I put on a silly head piece for a picture but since momma Peggy said it was for you I didn't mind. I was sad for a minute. I was giving licks and kisses while momma Peggy was trying to take a picture and she told me no! It hurt my feelings but after she got a picture she let me give her more kisses and licks then I got a cookie! This lady sure does like to give me baths. I hope when you come home I don't have to take them so often. I love going inside! I get to sit on the sofa or lay in front of the fire and even play inside! I was in the dog pen with Lady, Tramp and Sheba and it was fun. Sheba was my buddy but then she started snapping at me. Momma Peggy said Sheba is getting really old and can't see or hear good. I have my own pen right next to them so we still talk and play through the fence. I use to go on my walk with Sheba but now I am going to go with Lady and Tramp. Sheba will get to go on a walk by herself. That way she can take her time and not have to walk fast or run. I like to run and I get in trouble when I try to chase the cat Whiskers or chase a chicken. Momma Peggy tells me no and pops me on the nose with one of her fingers. It doesn't hurt anything except my feelings. I sit down and pout for a minute but then I have to get back up and play. Its hard trying to pout for very long! I miss all of you so much and can't wait for you to come home. I hope you are having as much fun in Germany as I am having here. When you come home be sure to remember I get a treat in the morning and afternoon EVERY DAY! And I get a rawhide once a week though I like to hide mine and bring them out when Lady and Tramp have chewed theirs all gone. They sit and whine while I chew on mine. Sending you lots of licks and kisses and hope you had a fun St Paddy's Day... I did except for that silly head piece!

Happy St Patty's Day

We will be celebrating with cookies around here. The goats refuse to leave their hats on but I am wondering if the dogs are up to wearing hats in exchange for dogie treats. Tomorrow is suppose to be sunny after 4 days for rain so that's another reason to celebrate. All the critters are tired of being couped up in their stalls and houses. So if you wanna celebrate St. Patty's Day with a goat or dogie treat come on over we have plenty of hats!

I can't ever forget my Irish angels. Last year William and I celebrated with Ms. Fran and even got a few smiles from her. But looking like a leprechaun William could get a smile out of everyone. This year I am sure she is watching and smiling down on Hidden Haven and maybe even wearing a shamrock hat cause she was all about fun and laughs.
And Nitro always let me dress him up. He didn't like the hats but he would always stand still for me because he knew I really wanted him to dress up. He didn't care if he got a cookie afterwards or not. He just let me dress him up because he loved me.

To all our friends and blog neighbors... Have a Awesome St. Paddy Day from all of us here at Hidden Haven.