Raccoon Tree

On the drive home we spotted these young ones in the road. They saw us and ran up the tree. Their mom was in the field watching us.

So cute to see during the day. However, they are thirsty, hungry and are nocturnal. All the animals are acting out of character in this drought. Food and water are hard to find even in these woods. We have deer, turkey, and snakes all visiting our ponds at all hours of the day and night.

We hope we get more rain to take care of these wild ones for the fall and winter.

Maive Quilt

I was invited to a baby shower and needed to make a nice heirloom for the family. Since it is the end of summer and will soon be getting cooler in the Ozarks. I chose summer colors with oranges and yellows for fall. The mommy wanted pinks and yellows for her baby's room.

 This quilt is lap sized with a flannel backing. The center blocks were donated by 

another crafter's UFO (Un Finished Object).

I added a matching strip for the boarders.

Closeup of my machine quilting

I added the orange binding to finish off the quilt edges. 

New Boer Goats

New female Boer

Two year old Boer billy

 My neighbor and I went to a livestock auction to look at Boer goats. He has three and wants to expand his herd with some billy goats. Even in this heat it as a full house of sellers and buyers for sheep and goats. He got to bid for what he was looking for. He bought two billy goats, a wither (gelded male) and two older does. The billy are adding a lot of entertainment to the herd dynamic. With the billy goats in the herd means the does should give birth around Easter time. Boer goats are a hardy breed that can thrive in drought conditions we are having here. And they can eat just about anything and live off that.

Close up of the older billy

Two new goats, my husband, Opal the donkey and Rick the goat owner.

Four month old billy with the darker brown head.

The older billy

Young billy on the left and young wither on the right are from the same litter.

Older billy never stops moving and eating.

Younger billy is doing his job on the farm, making more goats.

Opal rushes in and breaks up the party.

The group is having fun as one giant herd.

Older billy close up with his auction tags still on.

Older billy, young billy, wither and Foxy Lady a young doe.

Drought Living

So again we have another month beginning with no rain in the Ozarks. I water only my garden and important trees and the livestock. I have no pasture just dry dust for my horses and have to start feeding them my winter hay. But before I begin that, I am feeding them corn stalks from my neighbors cornfield. I cut a truck load and brought it to feed my horses. Next, I will feed them my corn stalks that did not make corn this year. We are pricing hay at $100 a round bale out here in the Ozarks. We need about 30 to make it through the winter. Last year we paid $45 for a round bale. Next I have to grain my horses and chickens. There are no bugs to feed my chickens. Corn and Oats have doubled in price due to demand, shortages and drought. We are lucky to be able to feed our animals, most people are selling their animals for very little. If you can't feed them you have to sell them.
My poor garden as provided me some food to can and save for the winter. My bitter cucumbers are now pickles. I was able to harvest 5 small pumpkins that survived in my neighbors garden. I was hoping for a huge crop, but no amount of watering can save a plant in 100 degrees and no rain for 3 months. I was able to save many tomatoes. And I was able to share them with neighbors who also can. I hope my fall crops get some rain. Living in a drought is very hard when you have livestock that depends on you. Pray for rain and lots of it soon.

Zilla Grows

Zilla on the move

Looking at squirrels

Zilla and Osa tracking home