Winter, Tree Guinea Ornaments, and Coots

Winter is in full swing. We have had snow followed by melt and then rain and then blizzard.  A real swing. More like a pendulum. The guineas have decided that there is just too much snow on the ground. They have become tree birds. They sit in the lilac tree waiting. Waiting for the warm summer days when they can roam the pasture looking for ticks, grasshoppers and those tasty seeds they are so fond of. 

There is another snow storm headed our way this weekend. Then the trails will be loaded with that fresh beautiful snow. We are waiting, not so patiently, to take the sled out again. I think Maine trails are some of the most beautiful. The best groomed that is a definite.

For two old coots we  do have fun.

Now we just have two little young coots to take along.  We are looking for a youth helmet and snow gear for Jasmine. That way she can go with Ted or me on the sled. Noah is still too young for the snowmobile. He doesn't mind staying inside on those cold days. A nice dry diaper and a warm bottle.

I can sit here and remember the warmth of summer, the green lush grass and the sounds of crickets.

 

Then there is the ever present reminder of winter. We aren't bemoaning our winter. We are embracing it and enjoying it's drastic differences from the other seasons.

How is your landscape changing? Are you having a blizzard or nice sunny warm days? Are you tree sitting with the guineas? Happy Winter Ya'll!

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.

Make Plans, I DARE you!

 

Is it just us or does this happen to everyone? You think you are on your own and you start to make plans to go on trips, see a little bit of the world. Then, as soon as you put the deposit down, Bam! Your plans change. We were able to get a farm sitter for the week, deposit down on a cruise, dreaming of warm sunshine. Then we have two crumb snatchers with us. Not that we mind. We love these crumb snatchers.  They are mighty cute. 

This is Noah. He is 14 months. Back to diapers, pack and plays and bottles.

Noah is Jasmine's little brother.  She spends every summer with us so she knows her way around the farm.   The animals don't intimidate her at all.

Emma and Lucy are right at home with her.  They love having Jasmine here. After playing all day with the girls they all "dog pile" onto the couch and pass out.

Jasmine has started school and has made many friends.

We don't know how long they will be with us.  Diapers. Oh man. I'm still reeling over that one. Naps. I love naps. Noah napping and me too. Yes, naps are some of my favorite things.

 The farm is in slow motion for now. The chickens are beginning to lay again. Everyone else is laying around waiting for green grass to grow. 

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm

Christmas Trees Everywhere

Gold Mine! I hit the jackpot. No, not the lottery. Although that would be very nice. I hit the Christmas tree goldmine.  Christmas is done and gone for another year, New Years followed closely behind.  Now is Christmas Tree drop off time.  There are reports of a mad woman out there with a truck who stops by and robs these drop off sites.  Truthfully I get some really strange looks.  I stop at this same subdivision in Bangor every year.  Look at all of these wonderful abandoned trees!

Trees and more trees.

Loading up the truck.

Now off to Walmart. I don't think I got any strange stares. After all it is Walmart.

The boys were excited to get the greenery.  Not much around green at this time of year. 

Yum!

The sheep weren't as excited but pleased to have something new to head butt.

Ted hooked up the snowmobile trailer and went back the next day for more. Why should they go to the landfill? We have a goatfill.

This huge tree on the top of the pile will make the animals very happy for a few days. They eat all of the needles, strip and eat all of the bark and then chew the smaller stems. Nothing goes to waste.

Evergreen also serves as a natural dewormer for sheep and goats.  They still get grain and hay everyday needs.  The trees get recycled, the animals are happy. It's a winter win for all.

Much Love from Mainely Ewes Farm.

It Worked!

Thank you to all who commented to my query.  We now have Google Chrome and it seems to work.  

 I guess that Google didn't hear me when I said I don't like change.  

Much Love to all from Mainely Ewes Farm.

The farm of the lady who doesn't like change but grudgingly get pulled kicking and screaming into the new technology.

Did I mention I don't like change?

Blogger glitch?

Cant upload pictures from computer to blogger. Any help?

First Real Winter Storm

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  Once again we had our celebration a couple of days early.  It seems to work out better with our family so we can be together. I had the pleasure of working Christmas this year. It was really a good day that I got to spend with some really great nurses and doctors.

The weather took a wonderful turn after Christmas and we got about 8" of snow sooo.... it looks like Maine again!

The skies are a beautiful blue against the pure white today. 

During the snow showers yesterday Ted had to get out the new toy.  This year we treated ourselves to a new snowmobile and all the gear to stay warm while out on cold winter days.  I have a tendency to suffer from SAD during the winter. I am great for staying inside way too much.  After much discussion we decided to go ahead and get the Yamaha Venture, 4 stroke, 2 up. So, the purchase of the snowmobile is a therapeutic investment of sorts. Well, that is what I keep telling myself. Sounds logical.

This is the picture I took from the top of our hill today. I already feel better just being out in the sunshine. I love the view of the farm in the distance. We knew this hayfield would be good for something besides hay.

 

Our granddaughter, Jasmine, is up until after the New Year. We were warm and toasty yesterday while the snow fell.  We made 4 batches of cookies.  Enough to enjoy now and plenty for her to take back to New Jersey and share with her mom. 

Emma kept watch for any drops and there were a few.

Lucy kept close watch on the wood stove to make sure it kept burning bright. 

A peaceful time.  Quiet view from our window. I love snow storms, especially when I can stay home and not drive in them. 

You can barely make out some white shadows in the sheep barn.  Fuzzy is looking out at the storm. They stay nice and cozy in their little barn while the weather is nasty out. No chickens out either.  We open the doors to let in fresh air but the birds refuse to go out in the weather.

I don't really blame them. Things on the farm are at a slow pace.  We got a late start this year with taking the lambs to butcher. They will be going on Jan 4.  At least that will lighten our feed load a bit.  Hope everyone is safe and staying warm.

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm

 

Flat Creek Wool and Pottery Ornament

One of my favorite blog friends is Tonya at Flat Creek Wool and Pottery. She is a very talented artist.  This year she had a giveaway on her blog.  I won and did a happy dance.  She was giving away a Rustic Wool Ornament.  It came in the appropriately labeled box. 

She felted this round natural wool ornament from her own sheep's wool.  How cute is this? I am one of those people who is so amazed with someones talent. I have none. I think that is why I am so in awe of someone who does.

I had to wait until we got a new tree.  The old one went kaput.  I cheat, we have a fake tree which is already prelit.  I think with all of the kids gone I just don't have the energy to get a real tree, string lights, decorate it and make sure it has water.  I always forget the water and then the needles all fall of and it kinda looks like Charlie Browns Christmas tree.  I digress..... this is the beautiful ornament on the tree.

This is Tonya's ornament from 2010. Ewenice sporting a bell.

Last year I emailed Tonya a copy of our farm logo.  She was able to recreate it in this lovely ornament.  I was so pleased I gave all the kids one for their tree. Oh, and the secretary at the hospital. I wasn't sure if the mailperson would appreciate one so I did practice a small amount of restraint. 

 

We were able to find a 6'5" tree that would actually allow an angel to top our tree.  Our ceilings are a bit low.  Folks were a bit shorter back in the day.  The angel will have a Crick in her neck because she is sort of jambed up there.  As I look at this picture she sort of lists to the side. Is that port or starboard?

Now all lit and cozy. 

Thank you Tonya for such a special gift.  I will treasure it and it will grace our tree for many years to come.  Christmas is such a special time of year.  Tonya can also make mugs with your farm logo.  Feel free to follow the above link and contact her.  Like I said she is one talented lady and has the cutest little son.  Well, not so little anymore but he is still cute.

 

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration this past weekend at our daughter Sue's home.  It was filled with love, family and of course fun.  I hope that everyone had a happy and safe holiday. 

 

Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm