Friday, March 8, 2013

Spring Chores



Spring is peeking through the grey ground again. Our horses are off the pasture and in a dry lot again. Got to give the pasture a chance to regrow again. Have to move the greenhouse and start seedlings. Have to build a second garden fence in the horse dry lot. All that black soil will be used for tomato and zucchini plants again. Will try to plant corn again this season. All my roses are in bud and life is starting again. Looking forward to fresh veggies and flowers to share.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Short Cold Auction

I went with a horse buddy to our local horse auction in town last Friday. It was very cold and snowy but it is always fun to talk horse. It was the same place I bought my first two pregnant mares three years ago. I have learned a lot since then about buying horses at auction. But it turned out well for our mares and now we have two wonderful young fox trotters to ride.
There were only a handful of horses being auctioned on this night. Only a few were said to be broke to ride. 

This one had a lame back leg but was kind and loved people. She was a big QH mare that
needed some groceries and a bath. Her injury looked recent and was left untreated to be auctioned instead of calling a vet.

This wild grey gelding had a lot of spirit, I am a softy for greys. He looks like my mare. Greys are hard to keep clean and are dirt magnets. 

This mule was very fat with a cresty neck. While rideable I am sure there will be some founder in its future.

This Standardbred mare was once taken care of as she had a short coat for winter. However, she suffered some accident in her left hip causing her to limp badly.
I was able to buy a bridle and a few tack items before the horse part began. I go these auctions to see how other people treat their horses. And I learn to take good care of my horses after seeing how neglect causes such suffering in these beautiful animals. Not all these horses are neglected, some are from broken homes and each has a story when they are at the auction. For my mares their story has a great conclusion, they are in a good home with clean water,green hills and warm hay. They are rideable and useful animals and will have one even after they are no longer useful..

The Long Hatch

About a two weeks ago my game hen was due to hatch her clutch in the coldest part of the year. I looked under her and two chicks were dry and hungry, but she did not leave the nest. So I put them in the brooder inside the kitchen. Next day another chick and still my hen refuses to leave the nest. After the first week I had 4 chicks. This week I have 6 chicks and my hen still does not leave the nest. So I have chicks of all sizes and ages inside my kitchen brooder box. While their mom is a great broody hen, she has gotten careless with her chicks. With chicken prices soaring these days, it is worth it save them from harm and let them grow up strong.

Americana and a Rhode Island Red chicks

Cute little red rooster and another Americana

Gotta love the grey/green legs and chipmunk stripes of this chick.





Cinnamon Nap

I have not had luck making my own cinnamon rolls from scratch. Until I got the mix kit from King Arthur Flour Company. Wow, they turned out great. On a cold day on the farm it hit the spot for us and our neighbor. It takes a little prep work and time to rise, but so worth it. 

My cat, Snots, took a nap while I made the rolls and the bunny looked on. I did not get a shot of the finished buns since they did not last a day.  At least the smell of cinnamon stayed in the house for a bit.