born imaginative.

Those goats. (An update)

So, our goats "John Deere" and "McCormick Farmall" have been here a month now. (Did you miss their grand arrival? Look here.) It's like we've always had them. We all love having them so much. If there's a kid missing, they can be found with the goats. Audra says "I want maaaa". Adrian says "I'm a good farmer. I take care of my goats." Even my husband is smitten. They're kind, gentle, spirited and fun. Did I mention we love them? Here's some shots of our goats the first month on the farm.

They even help him with his new favorite pastime, collecting 'wood' for our fireplace.

We got them as pets for our little Adrian and also to clear land. They have done an amazing job!

The old 'mothering' pasture is next to the barn. The mama cows would calve here, so the previous owners could keep tabs on them. It is still so overgrown that you can't even walk through there. It's all raspberries and wild roses too-thorny messes. I've been following the goats daily to clip with hedge sheers what's left after they eat the leaves. Lots has been cleared, but goodness, there's much to go. This is what the pasture looks like. Probably a couple acres of this.

And this is what goats do to that jungle. Amazing, huh?! (Also take note the new windows in the barn on the left. The BOG made pressure treated windows to fit the spaces. He used old glass that was here before. He's done finished the rest, just waiting to install. How awesome is that?!).

This run right here will be for the chickens. We haven't been letting them out because a couple got stuck in that thick brush. As soon as we can figure out how to get that door open (it won't budge), we'll have a chicken run. How marvelous is that?!

This is what it looked like the beginning of summer. I wish I would have taken a picture of the end of the summer mess before the goats took charge.

Thankful they're still up for the job. It's a mighty big one.

I have a feeling we will always have goats on this farm now. We're hooked. Every picture I post of them, I think "Wow, they really belong here."

As for my little farmers, they're thrilled, indeed. (Note the magazine he's reading, given to him by our friends at the local feed store.)

But of course, this one still has his mind on what's next to come. All in time, little guy. All in time.

Don't forget to check out the Homemade Living Series. Staci, Daisy will be returning with fabulous posts and we welcome my personal pal, Sue to the mix. Check them out!

Today is:

Staci - http://lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/

Daisy - http://mymaplehillfarm.blogspot.com

Sue-The Little Acre That Could!

Next Wednesday is:

Me!

Tammy- http://www.ourneckofthewoods.net/

Mary - http://homegrownonthehill.blogspot.com

(Another) County Fair

On a whim, we ended up at (another) county fair.

My little farmers cannot get enough. You should have seen his face when we told we were going to the fair. Oh my goodness. It's his Disney. He said 'Mama, do you think Almanzo will be there?" Bless his heart, he wanted to see Almanzo from the Little House on the Prairie book Farmer Boy. It's funny...we read the "My Little House" books and he loves Almanzo. He really wants to meet him. He doesn't understand that the books about Almanzo are from a long time ago. When we read them, he thinks we're just like Almanzo. 'Mama, we do a garden too!' 'We have chickens too!' 'We tap trees for sap too!' 'Mama, we make pickles too!' 'We go to the county fair too!' 'We have a fire in our fireplace too!' And so forth. I guess he doesn't know what 'old fashioned' is, as we sort of play old fashioned daily.

Anyway, this fair was a bit too busy for my taste. But the animals. Oh the animals. Five draft horse barns. Three barns just for oxen. A playground for the goats. And tractors. And french fries. Cows for him. Sheep for her (they make her giggle). My kids loved it. Although my camera came out much less than usual, that which I did take came out as winners in my book. Perhaps you agree?

(And you know, my Adrian has a yoke. He's going to hitch up his cows to his yoke soon. Don't believe him? He'll tell you the same story a dozen times.)

I'm tuckered out just looking at these shots. What a day! I'd brave the crowds again and again for these two little farmers.

More BOG made toys.

For his birthday, he got another BOG made toy. It joins these:

It joins these other homemade toys for the kids from the BOG:
trains,
trucks,
car,
airplane
barn,
dumptruck.
bunny pull toy
Kids table and chairs
tow truck.

Ever farmer needs his own wooden tractor, don't you think? Is it a beauty?

Here he is, getting it.

It hauls important stuff everyday. Like sheep, goats and other farm animals. And bales of hay. And fence posts. And grain. You get the point.

We love it, thanks BOG.

Quilt 93

Quilt 93-2005-Twin Size

Oh weekend...

This weekend, I hope to be right where I belong. At home. With my two littles. The big guy. Our four legged friends. Our feathered pals. Without an agenda. Kites optional. Wishing you the loveliest of weekends too.

Her boots.

It's too late...again...that I'm sitting down to blog. I've done a lot of things, but nothing very well today (which will be yesterday by the time you read this). Things started, not completed. Making bigger messes in the process. You know what I mean. And then I have an awake baby who just fell asleep in my arms...and I'm not brave enough to put her down yet. And...you know...I sort of like that she wants to cuddle me. Okay, not sort of. I like it a lot. Someday she won't want to snuggle me. But she wants to be in my arms now. Her little warm body, the rhythmic breaths, her fuzzy little head nestled under my chin. You see... I can't refuse.

So, instead of bringing you what I had planned to bring you, I'll instead share with you her boots.

She has wanted to wear them for some time, but each time she has taken a step with them on, the boots either fell off or she toppled over. Frustrating for her.

But just the other day, she discovered they *finally* fit! Oh, she was so happy.