phew!!!

well if it isn't one thing it's another. hose broke in the pole barn auto waterer, an item we had been meaning to do some maintenance on in the summer. Fortunately it was just he hose portion of the waterer and we were able to close the hose shut to keep water from flooding the barn. The waterer has a spigot that has been there for who knows how long and it is firmly rusted shut, any action to close the spigot I feel would result in a metal part disintegrating and leaving the pipe open, not something I want in this weather.

Morning started with Hubby saying 'come here,it looks like we have a problem' turns out it was only two of the cows that had snuck through an open gate (LAWRENCE!!!!) and were on their way to the mini barn. this actually was quite fortidious, as I had been thinking this morning that we needed to move big momma cow to the mini barn for her upcoming calf. Big momma was amazingly one of the two cows venturing forth and it was a simple matter to get them into the pregnancy paddock. It also was the reason we were in the pole barn that early and noticed the busted hose. Fortunately it looks like only two bales of hay were affected, and should still be ok to feed.

I have also gone forward and ordered inventory for our Rosary, chaplet, jewelry business. We feel confident that this is where we have been lead, to start our own business, but it was still kinda scary placing the order. We have several beautiful desings, and the girls have shown a natural talent for design and creation of items. It's great to have us all working toward a commen goal.

Heat stroke, well at least the weather is out of the minuses, its a balmy 20* today. Not sure if this will last but it has been nice to appreciate the warmth. LOL, having lived in the south, many people would still call our temperatures not fit for life. It's amazing how you can adapt. In any event, I sure appreciate the spring alot more than when I was in the south and could harvest flowers and vegetable in Febuary!!

Blizzard the rooster has completed his reovery and is now back in the barn with his 'chicks' since T-rex the other rooster has gone 'suspiciously' missing, Blizzard is doing well out in the barn with no competition from Rex.

My first Blog

Don't put the Florentine Fish with the Triangle Fish because there Evil there from the bermuda triangle.

Thins I say in my sleep.

Lawrence

Trials of winter

Well, we have the auto waterer in the pole barn frozen, the spigot in the little barn surrounded by an ice moat, courtesy of the teenager allowing the water to overflow and a temp of -24 currently. Our old mare had a bad couple of days, but seemed to enjoy her pampering in the stall and some anti -inflam meds for her arthritis. She's back with the herd and doing well.

We have sold one of our bull calves, Bezee, he's now a steer and in Chisago City. Funny his mom didn't really bawl for him as much as I expected, I'm sure the neighbors were glad of that. Blizzard the chicken is doing wonderfully. Hubby took him to our friend, a vet, all at the clinic got a chuckle out of seeing barnyard animals and the fact that he crowed the entire time at the clinic. Blizzard also escaped from his crate he was being transported in and took a few arial laps around the truck cab while being driven to the appointment. Apparently this was just TOO much for our lab and all 80# of her tried to crawl onto Hubby's lap. All in all it sounded like an exciting road trip... a man, a dog and his chicken!!!!

Recieved about 7" of beautiful snow yesterday, they are calling for another 1-4 this afternoon.

the girls and I are enjoying our time beading chaplets, rosaries, bracelets and necklaces. We have come up with some beautiful designs. We are to start business calls this weekend, wish us well in this endeavor.

Good News!!!

It's been a busy couple of days. Lawrence and I have decided to dedicate and form "Butler Creek Co." producing hand-crafted chaplets and rosaries. Searching for jobs over the last couple of months has not produced any for either of us. Family obligations also limit one or the other of us in regards to work schedules. After a lot of soul searching and we came to to conclusion to form this company, portions of the proceeds will be donated back to church and our community. We both feel very strongly about this and hope that you will wish us well in this venture. We have totally given it to God and if it is meant to suceed it will. We will also continue in raising heritage livestock w/o the use of hormones/herbicides or any other additives. We hope to be able to provide fresh farm eggs/lamb/beef and continue to steward the land back to a healthy state. Several of our friends are quite talented in many other crafts (that's some of you followers of this blog) and we hope to be able to help advertise and sell their products as well.

We intend to carry multiple price ranges and custom designs, this also fits in perfectly with my decision of a few weeks ago to go forward with hand-crafted jewelry.

The house chicken decided yesterday to join the figurines of chickens in the kitchen/mudroom window-see photo bottom right of blog. We performed what we hope was the last mini surgery on his foot and removed a foreign object and hope that he continues on the mend.

Not much else is new, looking forward to warmer weather but acknowledge that it is the cold that makes those warm days so much sweeter.

sunny and beautiful

wow, what a beautiful night last night was. It's always so amazing to me to see how many stars are visible when there are no city lights to detract. I again saw a shooting star, which seems to happen most every night I'm out to notice.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the beauty and glory and the priviledge of living here.

I will have to get the camera out to take some more pictures, it's so spectacular today, cold I will admit but sunny. Horses still don't spend any time in the barn although the cows do come in at night when it is really cold out.

Blizzard, that darn chicken.... I mean the wonderful house chicken seems to be missing Lawrence who spent the last two days snowmobiling in Wisconsin with almost 2 feet of fresh powder. Blizzard seems to crow quite persistently waiting for someone to come talk to him in the morning (Lawrences job :) )

I have added a link with directions for making rag rugs, I have always admired them but never made one....yet.

chicken song

lol, hubby is in the kitchen singing a made up song, called the "chicken song" Blizzard the rooster is very helpful and crows at the appropriate times. Yes, we are the funny farm!!! the song apparently now is about his not having 11 special spices and herbs, but he must cook a pizza in a very funny falsetto. Its always interesting!!! Rooster does seem to be getting better, he is starting to use the foot more and more.

Had the Downs family Christmas get together yesterday. It was a good time, always interesting and usually intellectual conversations, at times getting pretty rowdy.

All of the critters are doing well. The driveway or should I say "slideway" is a now the luge run, the sun has been out and melting some of the snow off which all drains and then freezes on the long sloping 'slideway" Hopefully the salt we put out will make it at least somewhat passable.

Rodeo-yee haw

phew, finally dehorned the calves yesterday. Bezebull was as anticipated quite the rodeo. I have what I believe is the biggest bruise of my life on my thigh. It takes up my entire thigh and is a fascinating blend of blues,purples and yellow. I suspect that Bezebull is older than the breeder told us. He is a good 50% larger than the other two calves, and had actual horn formation instead of the nubs on the others.

We were very fortunate to have the assistance of two teenage relatives along with our teenage daughter. Having extra hands to hold and prep supplies was a huge help.

Snowing and blowing today, temp of 8* this morning. Blizzard the rooster continues to be an effective alarm clock. Hopefully soon he will start using the hurt foot.

Tiny the border collie was anxious to help herd the cows and sort them prior to dehorning. After herding she was ready to rewire the house, build an addition, plow the snow..... any of you with experience with BC's know what I am talking about!! Annie, the lab is occasionally showing her age, not however when it comes to retrieving the ball, she will still do that for hours.

Merry Christmas to all, have a safe and blessed season!!!