Does time really fly...???

...it sure seems like it.

Last year I spent New Years Eve with Sweet Pea. It was her very first time seeing the ball drop and she....snored softly through the whole thing, This year I miss not being with her. But, we spent a lot of time together over the holidays and it is only fair that she see her other grandmother some.

Although I did make her repeat after me..."I like Mammy best!"...over and over and over...

;)

That to say:

Here's hoping that 2010 finds you safe, sound and loved by many!

Happy New Year!

from Maggie, me, Boone, Sweet Pea
and all the other peeps and critters
at
Spring Lake Farm

Hello...???

...is anyone home???

Nope! And I'm loving it!

Just me and the critters enjoying the morning sun beaming through the windows and best of all.....the silence. I truly am enjoying the lull of this lazy morning after the hustle and bustle of the past few days.

Boys, please make sure that I'm not disturbed!



(They do everything I say so I'm in really good hands.)

Merry Christmas.....




with hugs....


and kisses...


from our family to yours!

What happened...???

How did this...



...precious, sweet, "I want my bottle" baby turn into this...




...dirty faced, bearded, stinky, blubbering, tongue-wagging thing?

And, why is it that I still love him so much?

(I bet if you don't have a goat, you have no idea.)

What do you think you are doing...???

...Maggie! What are you doing?


"Uh-oh, I think I'm in trouble!"



"Hey, where's she going? Maybe I'm not in trouble..."

Are you suppose to be on my computer?

"Well, no.............but....."


"........I don't think "he" is suppose to be on the bed."



Uhhh........Good point!

I lost one today...

RIP, Sweet girl...

;(

How was your weekend...???

...here is ours in review.

A lot of naps...

(Georgia, Maggie & Isabelle)

Hanging out in front of the fire...

(Harland, Chester, Isabelle & Maybel)

Quality time with Dad...

(Maggie, Maybel, Georgia & HB)

More napping...

(Maybel & Maggie)

Gathering eggs...


Egg inspecting...

(Cher)

Some laying around...


Standing around...


Sitting around...

(Snitster)

More napping...

(Maggie, Isabelle, Snitster, Chester, Maybel)

More watching the fire...

(Maybel, Maggie & Chester)

A little getting into trouble...


...and some big blue eyes crying in the rain.

(Sweet Pea)

Where have all the flowers gone...???

...here are some that are still blooming around my house.

I thought I would share some bright spots when things are so cold, grey and rainy!









"Garden Watchdog"

Is the weather outside frightful...???

...because it's nice and cozy indoors.

Which came last...???

Flock #3...Last and least! (I mean, least as far as #'s go.)

The Welsummers: We have a trio, one rooster and two pullets. We have not had too many losses on the farm but the Welsummers seemd to be the worst hit. We lost a rooster (HB's favorite) and a pullet to "something" (probably a coon). Another pullet was severely injured but a good friend took her and I am so happy to say she has made a full recovery. (You can see "Calendula" on Christy's Whistling Wind Farm blog.) We have since gotten a new rooster, "King Louis", and have two remaining pullets. I think the roosters are beautiful (although Louis is currently in his gawky teenage stage) and the pullets have been calm and somewhat friendly. Although one threatens to literally "fly the coop" everyday. The pullets are 30 and 28 weeks so I'm hoping for some dark brown eggs very soon. They currently live in the garden so we will need to move them in early spring. (...yet another project on HB's ever-growing "todo" list.)

King Louis around 10 weeks (currently he is 18 weeks and is leggy and gawky looking)


Group shot


The one who wants to escape...


...but usually thinks better of it in the end! (at least, so far)

Which came second...???

Flock #2 consists of:

1 Blue Laced Red Wyandotte (BLRW) Rooster
3 BLRW pullets
2 Easter Egger pullets
1 Silkie pullet

General Characteristics: Ages range between 20 - 28 weeks. No one is laying yet but we are in "egg alert" mode.

BLRWs - So far, these are my favorites! They are quiet, gentle and very friendly. They like to be held and cuddled and will sometimes follow me around until I pick them up. Hopefully the two older ones will start laying soon. I am going to try and hatch a couple of clutches this next spring. We'll see how that goes....

Easter Eggers - They have been the least friendly of all my birds (at least until recently....so maybe they will start laying soon???). I can't wait until I get my first green, blue or pink eggs. I will probably order more EE or Americaunas this spring because I like the thought of having differently colored eggs.

Silkie - I was given the Silkie by a friend because she was the only one to hatch out of several eggs. She is very sweet. I'm hoping to use her as my surrogate mother as I hear they make good broodies.

BLRW Rooster


BLRW pullets




Easter Egger


Silkie


Mixed group

Which came first...???

Flock #1 consists of:

1 Easter Egger Rooster
3 Buff Orpington's
5 Barred Rock's

General Characteristics: These are our very first birds. All were raised from chicks bought from a local breeder. The EE & BOs are approximately 36 weeks old and the BRs are around 32 weeks old.

The Barred Rocks - one pullet began laying at 20 weeks and it seemed as if the others started week by week after that. They are friendlier and more outgoing than the Buffs. I will definitely keep some of these in my flock long term.

The Buffs - Only began laying about 2 weeks ago (I think, at this point all three are now laying). Much longer to start laying but began with much larger eggs. Not as friendly as the BRs but they are calm, quiet birds. Will probably keep these in the flock also.

The EE rooster - We will eventually move him in with the EE pullets (part of Flock #2) but for now takes good care of the ladies and has not shown any signs of aggression.









"Morning Rush Hour"




Early eggs from the BRs