Big breakthrough.

Well...Bo, the new whether is coming right along. He has always been a bit shy..and it makes me sad to think he was in a petting zoo..being afraid of people. How traumatizing that must have been for him. I have been taking it slow with him...talking softly...offering him grain from my hand...and today, we made a MAJOR breakthrough. I went to feed everyone this morning and Bo was out in the pasture. As always, when I walked to the gate, my 3 ewes met me with "good morning" Baaah's. Bo stood back, looking at the "going's on" and I could always see the longing in his eyes. Today was no different....at first. I fed the pig...and moved to the barn to dish out hay and grains...and kitty food, tripping over the "herd" of cats that met me in the pasture as well. I know most people say...."don't feed the barn cats" well, since people are so generously donating kitties...we have 11 of them in the barn, and they are running out of mice! So, there is a need to feed some kibbles. Anyone need a few cats? :) I dish out everyone's breakfast and as I finished up, I turned around to see Bo was standing right behind me. I moved slow...got my folding seat out of the stanchion...and moved to the center of the floor. I sat there, talking to Bo, telling him he was in good hands now, and he can trust me...he watched me, listened for a bit...then started to cautiously make his way over to me. My heart was racing...he was actually coming to me! I reached out my hand..and he walked right up to it..so I scratched his head...then cheeks...by this time, he is literally inches from my face..I leaned down..and he pushed his nose to mine...and there we were, nose to nose. I gently gave him a kiss on the nose as I scratched under his chin. He didn't flinch. Tears welled up in my eyes...I have done it. I have gained the trust of this wonderful creature. I sat there with him for probably 30 minutes...talking to him, scratching him...loving every minute. Then, I thought...I wonder if he would let me touch his feet? I reached down slowly, rubbing my hands down his legs talking softly. I came to his hoof and picked it up. He didn't pull away. His poor foot is HOT with pain..so I got the trimmers, and started to trim. He let me do this for a few minutes...then he was done. That's OK. I was able to get about half of one hoof trimmed....and did not stress him by doing it. I am excited to see how the next few days go....I will try to trim all of his feet. I am sure he will feel so much better once they are done. From what I can see, there is not hoof rot, thankfully....so far. When I finished trimming, I scratched him for a few more minutes...then decided to let him rest. After I put away my trimmers, and my chair...I grabbed my feed bucket and started across the pasture to the gate....3 ewes and a whether in tow! He followed me to the gate. Yes, I think I have gained his trust....what a big breakthrough!! Today was a good day.

So much has happened since I last posted. The obvious...the holidays hit...and whoowee did they hit hard! That's OK.....because I hit back! Family gatherings...Christmas parties...the flurry of food, laughter , torn Christmas paper...and memories. Yes, I do love the holidays. Of course, my clothes do NOT, and in retaliation, it seems all of my clothes are shrinking on me. That's OK tho...I will fight back..and since the Holidays are over, the cold has hit, the farm work seems to be a bit more intense...so the clothes are relaxing once again. No more cookies for breakfast..and pie for lunch. With the cold and freezing temp come frozen water troughs,the need for dry bedding to be switched out with the cold damp stuff almost daily. I am confident that every holiday pound that had found me, has once again been packed away with the decorations. Well, most of the decorations are put away. Today is cold and rain, so we plan to work on the inside today, and get the rest of the house put back in order and ready for spring....yes, I said it, spring...it IS just around the corner ya know. We are on the gaining end of daylight. THIS makes me happy the most. So, last I posted...we were expecting a few sheep into rescue.They came...I saw...I cried. These two boys came from a "zoo" I use the term loosely because of the condition of their health. When you think of a zoo, most people think that these "lucky" animals have the best of care because they are in the public eye. Well....unfortunately these two boys were not as lucky. They came to me so over weight they can barely walk...however this is compounded with the fast that it seems their hooves have not been trimmed in over a year. Their poor feet look like elf shoes. Oh, and they came with pinkeye. Sad looking boys, to say the least. This same place brought with them 4 little black rabbits. 3 of which have passed away from an upper respiratory disease. I had medicated them and cleaned their habitats daily..trying to save them, but they were too far gone by the time they got here. So, now my focus will be on helping the 2 sheep. I had to separate the boys since the ram had decided he didn't want the whether to come out of the shelter. So, the whether, who I named Bo..is now happy in the barn with my 3 girls. This way I will be able to work on his hooves without being bossed around by the ram...who we have named RamBo. Rambo need to work on his manners a bit. I have the pinkeye cleared up, and I am happy to say it did NOT spread to any other animal here on the farm. Whew! That was intense. Everyone seems to be settling in just fine here.

Our own two dairy goats, Suzie and Abby are pregnant...and tho it makes me sad to not be milking, they sure do seem happy about it. Well, except Abby. She is "the boss" and has taken to butting Suzie in the sides...so for now, they are separated. Now to the other side of the farm....the poultry side. December 21st was the day we set aside for our family get together. My sisters, nieces, nephews, grand children and children all get together here. It is always a great time...however...rescue never stops. My son works at our local Wal Mart...and called me to inform me that he was bringing a rescue in with him. It seems someone had left a box in a cart, in the parking lot with a note scribbled on it saying, "please find me a good home" When he opened the box, there was the most beautiful little Lion head rabbit inside. Another reason I am losing faith in humankind. She is healthy..and now settled in here. I have named her Cinnabun.

She is cage aggressive..and I am pretty sure this is the reason they didn't keep her, however, leaving her in a box in a parking lot is NOT the way to find her a new home. Oh, and we now have a new puppy. I would like you all to meet....Cesar. He and 6 of his siblings were dumped out in the country in a rubbermaid tote...left to fend for themselves. Animal control picked them up and offered them for adoption. We were lucky to get this one and make him a part of our farm family. He was sick the first few days...but a trip to the vet quickly fixed that!

He is a handful now. Being ALL PUPPY! He is so smart too. He has been here 6 days, and has already learned sit....come...NO ( always a good thing ) LOL and to go outside to potty. Well, we are still working on the potty thing, but he WILL use puppy pads...so this helps. We also took in a little duck..she was attacked by dogs. She is healthy..and healing. A White Peking. Yesterday we also took in 7 more chickens. 5 hens and 2 roosters. They are NOT an abuse case...their previous owner had to move, and could not take them with him. Healthy, great looking chickens....however...NOW we are full to the rim here at Heavens Door Acres. Every crack and crevice has either feathers or fur poking out. So many feathered and fur babies...so much love....yes...I am one happy woman. Our big pig has grown so fast...and his time is almost done here. Soon he will be in our freezer...his life for ours. It is a little sad...but I tell ya...he is ONE BIG PIG! Getting to the dangerous point..and it is time to send him in..to freezer camp. So, the new year is starting out with a bang....now that the cold is setting in...I will be cuddling with my coffee by the fire...drooling over my seed catalogs....dreaming of spring...and the garden.

ChipIn

Cold mornings....warm friends.

This morning my alarm clock wakes me with a song....I throw back the covers and shiver....brrrr, cool in here....I so want to just climb back under the warm covers and stay in bed. As I wipe the sleep from my eyes....and walk to the kitchen for that first hot cup of black gold....I can smell the coffee..it draws me to it. I glanced at the outside thermometer...21 degrees. I shivered again...knowing I need to get outside soon and start my morning chores. After taking care of the inside critters, and settling in with my coffee....I plan the day.  Well, I thought I planned the day. We all know best laid plans are due to fail. The plan was....to tear into the kitchen and clean out all the cabinets....throw out the "stuff" I don't need...and re-organize. Just a heads up, that didn't happen.
After my morning coffee, I dressed warmly....pulled on my boots, grabbed the pig slop bucket and my milk pail...and headed out. Stepping out the front door I am slapped in the face with COLD!

Walking to the barn...hearing the grass crunch under my feet....I smile...and stop to take this picture of frost covered grass.  Just beautiful.
Once I get to the barn I am greeted by the "starving" animals. The sheep are bawling at me...the pig is running the fence...the goats are screaming...Awww, come on everyone! I am just one person! :)
Feed the pig, fill the other feeders, and settle in to start milking....with at least ONE cat on my lap. Ever try to milk a goat with a cat on your lap..who is trying to bat at the teets of the goats?? I can tell you...it makes the morning interesting for sure.

Tomorrow we will be taking in 2 more sheep. Baby Doll sheep. Both boys, one is castrated, the other is not...yet. He will have to be fixed if he want;s to stay here...I have female Shetland ewes, and do NOT want babies from them. NOR do I want these boys tearing down my fences to get to them. So tomorrow will be an interesting day....for sure....shuffling around animals....settling in new furry babies....and praying we get more hay!
I will try to get pictures after we get them settled in....since they are coming from a petting zoo...I am hoping they are friendly boys...and don't give me much grief.

So today...I made this little candle lamp, out of an old mason jar. It is NOT a good canning jar, It has a chip in the top, therefore it will not seal. So, I found this project...and thought..." i can do that" I really like it...however, I need to get better ribbon and better greenery. But here is the first one....

I think they will make cute gifts. Handy too! :)

I also put together a small box for a dear friend and her family...in Ohio. Really, it isn't much...but I hope they all like what I am sending...I just want them all to know how dear they are to me.

Tomorrow I will be driving to my father in laws....in Ohio...and spending the night up there. My father in law asked me to be the one to cook the turkey, since his wife passed...and he wants me to make the pies...all home made from scratch, of course.One pumpkin and one apple. My husband has to work, but he will come up Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning I will get up and put the turkey in the oven. We are celebrating Thanksgiving with him and my husbands siblings. This will be our third Thanksgiving! We had one in Kentucky...one here in Indiana...and now one in Ohio! Christmas..we will be having HAM! I am just about over Turkey!
Since I will not be here Saturday night, or Sunday morning...I have had to make plans for the animal chores. Luckily I have great friends...one in particular, who will come over and do the milking for me. I am truely blessed with great friends.

Wow, Christmas is almost upon us....Where did this year go!? Christmas....Ahhh, fond memories of children waking up, squealing with delight...ripping the wrapping paper off , ribbons and bows so delicately put on each gift, lying in a pile on the floor. Yes, those memories are running through our minds..
Now, back to reality!
I need to run through my list of gifts bought, gifts needed, and..get to making more!
I saw the greatest idea for a home made oil lamp...I am going to try to make one, so I can post a picture of it on here. Basically you use a quart mason jar. Now, don't get all upset....only use the jars with chips on the top edges, you know, the ones you can not use for canning. Fill it with a variety of things....Pine cones, greenery...etc. Then fill the jar with smokeless lamp oil. Now, in the lid, you will need to go buy a wick holder...glass or plastic....they are fairly inexpensive. Also, get yourself some "forever wicks"  Use the mason lid and ring...( again, use the old lids, and older rings....the rusty ones, you can repaint.) Add a piece of ribbon, and there ya go! Instant gift...that keeps on giving.

I can see these going out the door this year, to family and friends this year. A gift made from home...something everyone will love.

Fall....winter....holidays.

Wow, has it really been 2 months since I last posted? I am going to try to get more serious here...and post more often....notice I said "try"  So, over the last few months...we have been busy getting this farm ready for a "long winters nap" Putting the gardens to bed...winterizing the animal shelters...canning...getting firewood.
Back in October, we had our second annual Farm Festival. Mother Nature decided to throw us a curve ball...the weather was cold, windy...and just a little bit miserable.

 We had a great turnout in spite of the weather...and everyone seemed to have a good time. The kids all played on the HUGH mounds of dirt we had brought in...200 tons...while the adults hovered around the BBQ for warmth. Maybe we should have just ran and played like the kids. They didn't seem to mind the cold one bit.
On the day of the Festival, we got a new "family member" Her name is Nikki. She is a Severe Macaw.

She is such a clown. She talks, sings, and hangs from her cage and swings and laughs! I just love this little bird.
I was able to get another load of free pumpkins this year. The animals love them, and it helps in the winter time with the poultry to stave off the winter blues..on days that they are cooped up.

The goats and pot belly pig..and the sheep all love them as well..and the seeds are a good natural dewormer!
I have my own pumpkins that grew voluntarily here this year... they are pie pumpkins. I can't wait to make  FRESH pumpkin pie for the holidays.
Today the weather is going to be keeping us inside for the most part of the day. Rain and cool....51 degrees this morning and that is going to be our high. The temps are going to steadily drop and by 3 pm they are saying 32 degrees. Brrr. I plan to work inside cleaning the laundry room and maybe starting on a few holiday crafts. Hope your fall is going as planned...