Gifts

I have several family members that didn't need anything for Christmas but I still wanted to get them something, what was I to do? I searched the farmstead blogs for something unique and found the perfect selection over at Kenleigh Acres!


I contacted Shannon via email and asked if I mailed her Christmas cards with my relatives addresses could she include them with an order that she prepared - she said yes, no problem.

So my relatives ended up getting a wonderfully wrapped set of felted soaps, a felted bowl, and a Jacobs sheep wool ornament. They all loved the ensemble, and I did too! The Commander made sure that the order included one set for myself, and Shannon even included instructions on how to make my own felted soap. What a wonderful special touch on her part. I highly recommend Shannon's products, they are worth every penny.


The Commander surprised me by getting my very first spinning wheel, a Kromski Prelude. The above picture is from the Woolery web page where he ordered it. Mine still needs to be assembled, but I can't wait to try it with some of the wool Cat sent me.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has a Happy New Year.

Farewell Katydid

Katydid passed away last night and I have no reason why. The Commander said she was a little off yesterday when he put the sheep away but we had no reason to expect such a tragedy. She was a polled strawberry blond, so beautiful and my favorite. I will miss her and the other sheep keep looking around for her, very sad.


I hope to see her again in heaven, and I hope she enjoyed living here. Rest peacefully Katydid.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Our Christmas tree is decorated with old wooden ornaments, candy canes, beads, and a few bulbs. We like the old fashioned feeling it gives, its kind of warm.


The kids made sugar Christmas cookies today - yum. I will be making gingerbread cookies tonight, for Santa of course....


The chickens have been laying like crazy, 11 eggs in the last two days. We are eating them as fast a we can but they are piling up. I guess that is a good problem. Maybe it is the tip I picked from Lynn over at Razzberry Corner, she posted about feeding her hens spaghetti and that is exactly what I do every day at lunch. I mix in a little yogurt, so maybe that is helping them lay so much?

Fun in the Snow

Sara loves playing in the snow! It was 14* today so we were able to spend some time outside.



The kids made this video, I think they did a good job.

I'm Dreaming .......

When I went out to feed and water the goats this morning they all had frost on their fur! I posted on the GoatSpot and was told to wory only if the started shivering, but I'm worried now. It was 20* below zero last night but I never imagined that this would happen to them. I rubbed them down and gave them grain and warm water. It is going to begin to warm up over the next few days with tonight being the last really cold one for a few days (at least). I can only imagine that when they finally drift off to sleep that they are dreaming of the warm Summer days gone by (above).

Missed Us!

The big blizzard stalled out south of us so we didn't get any snow this weekend. In Minneapolis they got almost 24", so much that the roof of the MetroDome collapsed. Unfortunately the bitter cold didn't miss us, it has been almost 20* degrees below zero each of the past two nights. Gardenia doesn't look too cold.


I took Ohiofarmgirls advice about smaller more frequent feedings. From my experience I think the sheep like pretty much anything that has to do with "feedings".


Alder (middle) really enjoys being with the girls but is very leery whenever either myself or the Commander enters into the sheep area. I think he is worried that we are going to swap him out like we did Killarney!


The cold doesn't seem to faze Honey the House chicken. She still has the bandage still on her leg but I haven't noticed her limping one bit. The chickens really enjoy the hay leavings from the sheep, they dig around in it until it becomes dust.

Forecast - Cold!

The forecast for tomorrow is 8-12" of snow followed by temperatures dropping to as low as 20* below zero over night. Sunday is expected to warm all the way up the 2* above zero, a regular heat wave. Everyone got a new layer of hay in their bedding today, hope that helps keep them a bit warmer.


The chickens water container now sports a hat to help slow down the freezing process, hey whatever works.


The goats will venture out into the snow if I am there with them - looking for food of course. Thankfully they won't mess with the eggs. I picked up some old shirts from Goodwill today and will trying them on the goats tomorrow. I'm sure they will like it :), but if it keeps them a bit warmer it will have been worth it. Hopefully a few pictures tomorrow.