Time

William and I were talking the other night about time. We never seem to have enough of it yet our parents and grandparents did way more work and always seem to have time left over. Time to sit on the front porch and visit with whoever stopped by. Time to really listen and talk with their kids and grandkids. Time to go fishing, go to church socials and picnics. Time to read to and tell stories to kids and grandkids. They had big gardens and used their own energy to hoe and weed. They cooked and canned on woodstoves even in the summer but always had time to bake a cake or pie for their kids and grandkids. They had time to teach little hands how to thread a needle and sew a quilt block. They had time to show a kid how to hold and throw a ball. They had time build a snowman and show their kids how to make a snow angel. With all the hard work they had each day they were never too tired or ran out of time to enjoy life, family and friends. Our parents and grandparents had it alot harder than we ever had yet they always had time for us. Where did time go? We don't have to till or work our land by hand, We don't have to carry water from the spring and heat for baths and washing. We don't have to stand over a hot woodstove in the middle of summer cooking and canning. Life is so much easier for us so what happened to time? Our lives are easier, work is easier, caring for home and family is easier now than way back then, so why don't we have more time? We have sat and enjoyed our patio area twice since we fixed it. Once was for a few minutes after we finished it and that was because it started to rain. The second time was the weekend we had friends visiting. We don't have time to sit and enjoy it. Each time we sit down we think of all that needs to be done and get back up. We don't sit on the backporch and watch the birds at the feeders or the sun come up. We don't get the canoes out on the water. We don't go fishing. When we spend time with kids or grandkids its while we are working and they are helping us. Yes, they are learning as they help us but I want them to remember time. I want them to remember our having time for them. I want to have time to sit on the porch and just listen and talk with them. I want to tell them stories about growing up and that there was always time to do things without rushing. That there was always time to get things done, work hard yet have time to enjoy life, family and friends. Where did time go? Has anyone seen it? How do I get time back? I sure do miss having time.

Sunday Ramble

William's daughter and son have been visiting for the weekend. They brought their dog Dozier with them which made Whiskers very unhappy. He has decided to sleep in the hay barn till the dog goes home. It has rained for 3 days straight and more rain tomorrow. At least the gardens will be happy and some of the spring flowers are blooming.The goats don't like getting wet so stay in their stalls all day so they aren't happy either. Sheba is getting very old. She hates cold damp weather as its hard on her bones. She has a hard time getting up, down and around. Sheba has problems hearing and seeing. She is also getting testy. She and Kuma were great buddies but now she doesn't want Kuma to come out of her doghouse. She growls and barks till Kuma goes back inside. We decided to move Kuma to the dog pen right next to the regular dog pen. That way she isn't being stressed out by Sheba but is still near the dogs. We have decided we will be taking her to the Vet to be put down before fall. I don't think she can make it through another winter. Kuma meanwhile is enjoying the one on one attention. She doesn't have to wait in line for her treat or push to get petted. Kuma also got to come into the house for awhile yesterday. It was for a bath so she wasn't super happy till that was over then she enjoyed her treats and play time.

Thanks to all of you that have purchased calendars we only have 3 left! 100% of the money made from the calendars goes to feed and care for the animals. So not only do you get a Hidden Haven Homestead calendar you help take care of Hidden Haven's critters.

I was asked if the music on the blog was recorded here. No its from a music site. I was asked about what goats were getting new homes.We aren't getting rid of any of our milk goats. We have gotten DiDi, Sonya, Bridie, ViVi, Blanche, BossyToes and Blinkin built up strong and healthy. Blanche, BossyToes and Blinkin are at a farm down the road. The family is milking them. We are milking 5 goats twice a day at the moment. Blinkin is at our daughters in the mountains along with Frosty Dan to help build their herd up. Blinkin is due to kid on the 24th. Blinkin is hard to milk so we just let her nurse her babies then dry her off. We sold our bucklings as we don't want them to breed their sisters or mothers. We are keeping the doelings to raise up for milk goats. We sold some of the dwarf goats to homes where they will be pets and get lots of attention. I am picky about where our animals go and have no problem telling someone no if I don't feel right about the animal going with them. As for how long William will be home , his truck transmission is messed up so we are hoping he can get it repaired soon and get back on the road. The geese eggs should hatch around the 3rd of April. The bucks are kept in a pasture in the front of the property. The girls and boys can see each other but not get together. That way there aren't any surprised breedings. I think that was all the questions. If not ask again and I will answer in my next post.

This n That

Sharon is having a awesome give away on her blog The Old Oak Swing. Go on over and check it out!

Dana gave me this award

Here is what she said about it: This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

I am suppose to pass this on to 8 other bloggers but you know me. I love all the bloggers I visit so consider this award yours for the taking.

I took Kuma our foster dog for a walk yesterday and then brought her inside for a bath. She loves having play time inside with me cause she doesn't have to share me with the other dogs. Her family are stationed in Germany so she is here till they come home. Wanted to post some photos so her family can see she is happy but misses them alot.

I have been pacing back and forth like a expectant dad as the goats get closer and closer to kidding. They are big and uncomfortable, wanting to have those kids. I am impatient waiting on them to go into labor and have those kids.... Stay tuned!

This n That

The past few days have been a mixture of a bad head cold and just not feeling the best and a trip to my mother in laws. Williams mom lives a 2 hour drive from here and she had a holiday get together. Since William is in California and not able to make it he ask me if I would go. My plan was to go early and visit with his mom and leave before the crowd arrived. I ended up staying longer though I tried not to get to close to anyone and give them my cold. William has 5 brothers and they all have grown children with children so there was a big crowd. After getting back home I found Sonya having some pre labor pains. Her baby or babies were moving around arranging themselves for real labor. She was so uncomfortable that I sat with her a couple of hours and rubbed her back. DiDi decided if she moaned I would feel sorry for her too. I spent part of the night sitting in a smelly stall with 2 goat heads in my lap and rubbing their backs while they moaned. Bridie who isn't pregnant decided she would stand behind me and rub my head with hers and chew on my hair. Spent most of the time laughing as Bridie was tickling my neck. Am hoping Sonya will just go on into labor and get it over with. Last year she just popped her baby out with no warning or anything. This year she is whinny and clingy. She wants you right there with her all the time. Christmas Cocoa is now a week old! She is running and jumping and so cute! Hope everyone had a great weekend and this week brings you wonderful blessings. I am off to clear my desk and pay some bills. I also have some soap and calendar orders to get out. I will be mailing the winners of the contest prizes today also. Have a great day!

This N That

Dana passed this award on to me. So I have to tell 10 things about me. If you would like this award feel free to take it and let me know so I can check out your 10 things.

1. I failed American History in high school and had to take it a second year. I barely passed it then. Wasn't the class but the teacher. She made it a very dull class and I even got her the next year too!

2. I am still friends with my best friend in first grade. We don't live near each other but keep in touch on birthdays and holidays
3. I get aggravated when people don't answer the phone and don't leave a message most times.
4. I get aggravated at the same people who get mad at me when I don't answer my phone. Crazy aren't I! LOL I don't carry my phone when I do outside chores. I do chores the same times every day. If they call during that time.. oh well.
5. I am not a easy person to work with or for. I want things done a certain way. If I have to go behind you and redo something I will get very upset. My view is why pay you if I have to do your work.
6. I am very picky about the feeding and care of our animals. I even give William a hard time about feeding exactly the same way each time and on time.
7. I already know what we are getting the grandkids for Christmas next year!
8. I almost drown scuba diving once. Scared my daughter Megan and myself.
9. I like the challenge of cooking a meal when the pantry is almost bare then cooking when its stocked full.
10. I am so jealous of everyone that has snow and nice cold weather that I could scream. Am so tired of this 70 plus temp in December! I really need to live in a long cold winter place.

Two of the grandkids were invited to tour WLOS-TV in Asheville, NC. They called to tell me about everything. Sounded like they really had fun.

My friend Phil is going to list, link, write about, etc on country life related products, ideals, experiences, don't do, and lots of other things. Email your favorite products, tools, books, gadgets, services, websites, and lessons-learned to him. Please include a one-sentence (or more) description with each entry suggestion, telling him why it's so wonderful. At the end of December, he will put up an epic post including all of the participating blogs (with their web addresses) and the items/services/learned lessons that we have seriously come to appreciate. Click on his name and check it out!

I finished baking and making candy for my goodie baskets today. I made peanut butter bon bons, mints, milk chocolate candy trees, white chocolate candy snowmen, love bites, chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate cookies, gingerbread cookies, tiny pumpkin loaves, and goat milk fudge. I cleaned the kitchen afterwards! Now I need to fold laundry and clean our bedroom. I hope its cool enough for a fire tonight. I hate this summerlike weather in winter!

This n That

So many new things to post about but I haven't had time to take pictures. We now have soay sheep and will post about them after I get some photos. We moved the chickens into their new pens but no photos yet. The dogs are in their new pen but also no pictures yet. Getting lots of beautiful Christmas cards from blog friends and will take a photo of where I am displaying them soon. Calendars were printed today so should be here in a few days. I will post photos and also have a give away to celebrate. Working on liquid soap and bodywash but it won't be ready till the first of the year. Sold some of the young geese today and sold some rabbits yesterday. With selling some of the goats last week the homestead is looking empty. That will soon change as Mandy, Diva, Sonya, Sammi and DiDi kid. Will most sure have photos of that! Beautiful full moon tonight but no photo of that either. I have been so busy doing some deep cleaning inside. and moving animals around to new pens outside that I haven't picked up my camera. I promise I will take my camera with me on chores tomorrow so I will have photos and stories to post. Diva and the girls are getting ready for Christmas and I am working on my annual letter to Santa that I will be posting about in the next few days. Megan said her friend is amazed at the kindness shown her family from my blog friends. The gifts to the children are going to make a very happy Christmas. She is going to email a thank you to me I will post. The family are really grateful for everything and you have helped a family have a very stress free happy Christmas. I can leave you with my vanity plate for the front of my van. Its a early Christmas present to me from Diva.
Isn't that just the perfect gift! Guess I will have to make sure she gets extra treats in her stocking this year. Have a blessed weekend

This and That

Kathleen is having a ornament exchange. I took part last year and had such fun. I am joining in again this year. If you think you might want to take part pop on over to her blog and get the info.

We have rain! We have had a few showers Wednesday and Thursday but last night and today we have had steady rain. It sounds so good I didn't even mind milking and feeding in the rain. The ducks and geese are having a ball playing in the mud puddles. The goats on the other hand are staying in their stalls so they don't get wet. They do not like getting wet at all.

I made Fran's scrapbook with her cards. She has 36 right now and when I took her book over to her today she was sitting on her porch watching for the mailman. She had her raincoat and umbrella all ready. Its great how getting cards in the mail has put such a sparkle in her eye and more pep in her step. Thanks again to each of you. You really made her day.

Bud, the iguana has gotten lazy on me. He usually goes down his tree and uses the bathroom in the bottom corner of his house. The other day he was laying on his heating pad and watching me fill his food bowl. He seemed to just look and smile at me and then pooped on his pad. He then got up and moved over waiting on me to clean it up. I put a clean cover on his pad and he then walked back over and laid down. He did this again today. He seems to just smile at me as if to say I know you will clean it up and I don't have to climb down the tree. Think he has me trained.

He is in heaven with his heating pad and heat lamp and doesn't want to leave long enough to potty.

Mommy Kitty and Baby Kitty have decided my stack of picnic baskets is the perfect place to take naps or just rest. I finally put a towel down so it would be softer for them. I already have a small blanket on the organ for baby kitty as she likes to sleep on the keys. They pick strange places to rest.

Its suppose to be in the 40's at night this weekend. I am looking forward to having a small fire in the evenings to knock the chill off. That means I can keep the kettle warming on top of the wood stove for cups of tea and hot chocolate. I just love cool and cold weather!

Hope each of you have a wonderful weekend. Don't forget to count your blessings no matter how small.