fur babies

My Nikon has been dead for a while.  I had to buy a new charger after loosing my other one on a camping trip several months ago.  I don't know that it is lost... I just can't find it.  This is the first time I have used this camera in a while.  It was almost like figuring it out for the first time again. 

I took these pictures while hanging out with my friends on the porch 7/3/17.

Happy 4th!

Tommy

Kate

Kitty

In Memory

Bless. I am saddened to report that our dear sweet Cotton Bottom is no longer with us.  Apparently, and it doesn't surprise me with snow on the ground for a week now, that something, a possum I expect, was pretty hungry last night and found it's way to our girl.  Cotton was the only chicken we have had for over a year now and was one of the finest layers I have ever met.  Not to mention one who laid the biggest eggs I'd ever seen.  Although I admit I don't get attached in my heart to our strictly outdoor animals around here simply because they are more vulnerable to hungry wildlife when we aren't looking.  It's just part of having them and I have to understand that.  I am sad but more in a smile way for the way she was and her personality than a sad and crying way.  When you have farm animals it just is that way.  I enjoyed taking care of her and getting to know her as our lone chicken for so long.  However, this does open up the possibility of getting a larger flock.  I didn't want to introduce new chickens and was protective of her because when you mix new chickens in with existing chickens they can tend to bully especially if they are already familiar with each other and I liked her and respected her enough to not want to expose her to that.

She actually spent the night in the shop two of the coldest nights and days this past week with the warmth of the heater and Miss Kitty's company and she had her usual appetite back from where she had molted during January.  We have been blessed with a couple of really sweet chickens during the last several years of raising hens and she was for sure a sweet soul.  I would carry her around and she would talk to me in her own way.  She loved bathing in the loose garden soil and when we'd take a walk along side the shop lifting rocks and looking for worms.  Ok.. now I'm getting emotional... a little.  Enough said.  Cotton Bottom will for sure be missed.

I used this picture in the calendar I made for my family this year and it brought home a ribbon in the county fair in 2014.

Shaun recently let her out to roam for a couple of hours only to find that he couldn't find her when it was time to put her up.  Oddly enough he could find Kate either.  Turns out they were both taking a nap in Kate's dog house.  How sweet.

Weekend Scenes

I had a pretty enjoyable weekend.  Most of it spent hanging out with my man.  We had a Christmas lunch Friday followed by an evening with friends, a dinner and a movie out Saturday afternoon, then just being at the house yesterday doing around.  I weather that keeps him at home more and I miss it during the summer when he's working until dark every day. 

 

 

If you look closely you can see the full moon above and to the right of the barn.  I could see it better than the camera took.



Pretty Miss Polly Pockets and Jerry... too big for their britches.  They have broken both feed troughs and turn their very large water barrel over on a daily basis.  They have about another month with us then they will be feeding us.
Katie Bug... always too big for her britches and always ready to play.
Miss Kitty... Mr Kitty... whoever.  She's been a sweet heart wanting so much love.
Fiona is molting and very shy about it.  I made them a mixture of canned turnips, canned cabbage, oats, strawberries and watermelon.  Mainly for Fiona who needs extra nourishment right now.  They loved the combination.
Yesterday afternoon I made rice krispie treats, very bold nuts and bolts and almond rocca.  I took pictures of the almond rocca making as if I would break my bond of secrecy with the person who gave the recipe to me.  I just can't do it... yet.
My Tommy.  He has taken up residence and found comfort away from Kate under our tree.  I will find the old quilt top pulled out into the floor almost every day where he has been napping and playing and sometimes he takes the ornaments off the tree.

Creepy Thoughts

Things that are stuffed.  By things I mean animals.  Living in the country, having a husband who hunts and apparently being the red-neck-lady-bird, or Laurie Bird as Aunt Lynda calls me, we have lots of taxidermied animals adorning the walls and corners of our home.  Some women care and don't allow their husband's hunting trophies to be hung inside the house claiming they would "look better" in the man cave.  I could care less.  I like the way the coyote looks on the landing and the sets of antlers above each door looks.  Pick up a copy of Elle Decor anytime and you'll find antlers on a table or a fox fur on the coffee table.  It's chic!  Get with it peeps. 

Here are a few examples of lovely, furred art that were available over the weekend.  All you have to do is look and purchase items for your own home and you too could move into the world of high fur fashion in your home.

#1

A nice Buck.  Looks fantastic over a fireplace or consider a Doe... like mine... over the bathtub.

#2

Some sort of a pheasant or duckling.  Very nice especially sitting comfortably on a bed of ivy.

#3

Comes with it's own box.  And I'm pretty sure it's smiling.

#4

I think this dove has seen better days but then think about it... it is probably pretty difficult to skin and stuff a delicate mourning dove and keep it from looking too sickly.  Nevertheless... not too bad.

#5

Cage not included. 

I do not know what kind of rat dog this was but notice the inner front leg and how the fur comes together.  Yes folks... someone had FooFoo stuffed. 

EEEE, EEEE, EEEE, EEEE! A STUFFED HEAD!

See... Creepy Thoughts.  Good fun for a Halloween weekend coming up!  Be Safe Kids!