Why are rabbit faces so cute?
Kisses? No, just trying to eat mom's food.
When you're feeding 9 babies, you have to eat a lot!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Eating Machines
The babies are 3 weeks old now, and cuter than ever. They've started coming out of the nesting box so they can explore and eat solid foods. Their poor mom seems to be annoyed by them now and then, and she'll either lay flat on her stomach (so they can't try to nurse), or she'll hop up onto the nest box to get away from them.
Why are rabbit faces so cute?
Kisses? No, just trying to eat mom's food.
When you're feeding 9 babies, you have to eat a lot!
Why are rabbit faces so cute?
Kisses? No, just trying to eat mom's food.
When you're feeding 9 babies, you have to eat a lot!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Kid Stuff
The kids have been in an after school program this year, and it just ended. They had a showcase the other night, so parents could come see what their kids have been doing. Kylee has been very busy doing lots of arts and crafts!
This is a French town they created. Kylee's house is to the right of her.
This is a flower she created with oil pastels.
I don't remember exactly what this was, but she made one of the squares.
Devin made this structure. First they had to create the architectural plan, then he had to create it.
This was a ticket to France they made.
Some of the other students in the program created a mini-golf course using recycled materials. They had it set up in the gym for everyone to try out.
One of Kylee's best friends was also in the program. They're cute together.
Last night we had Family Movie Night. We watched Brave, which was cute. The kids snuggled in their beanbags, and Buford thought it looked really comfy, so he joined in. We also had homemade vanilla ice cream and popcorn.
This morning (Mother's Day), I woke up to breakfast in bed! The kids made me peanut butter toast and a big glass of orange juice. They also made me some really sweet gifts.
Kylee made me this craft with cut outs of her hands and really nice sayings on them.
Devin made me this necklace with sweet sayings.
Kylee made me the bird mask and the card in the middle. Devin made me the card on the right.
Devin's card is tied in the middle, and this is what's inside
I tell ya, I'm the luckiest step-mom in the world! I hope you all had a great Mother's Day!
This is a French town they created. Kylee's house is to the right of her.
This is a flower she created with oil pastels.
I don't remember exactly what this was, but she made one of the squares.
Devin made this structure. First they had to create the architectural plan, then he had to create it.
This was a ticket to France they made.
Some of the other students in the program created a mini-golf course using recycled materials. They had it set up in the gym for everyone to try out.
One of Kylee's best friends was also in the program. They're cute together.
Last night we had Family Movie Night. We watched Brave, which was cute. The kids snuggled in their beanbags, and Buford thought it looked really comfy, so he joined in. We also had homemade vanilla ice cream and popcorn.
This morning (Mother's Day), I woke up to breakfast in bed! The kids made me peanut butter toast and a big glass of orange juice. They also made me some really sweet gifts.
Kylee made me this craft with cut outs of her hands and really nice sayings on them.
Devin made me this necklace with sweet sayings.
Kylee made me the bird mask and the card in the middle. Devin made me the card on the right.
Devin's card is tied in the middle, and this is what's inside
I tell ya, I'm the luckiest step-mom in the world! I hope you all had a great Mother's Day!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
4-H Field Trip
The kids' May 4-H meeting was a field trip, and we went somewhere near and dear to my heart. We visited Wye Angus, where I worked as an intern my last semester of college and for a year after I graduated. I can't even begin to explain how much I loved working on that farm. I loved everything about it..the history, the scenery, the cattle.
Here's a video explaining the history a bit, as told by my former boss. He also narrated our hay ride for the 4-H meeting. Everyone piled onto the wagon for the ride.
We went through the farm and out into one of the fields where cows, their calves, and a bull were out grazing.
It was getting dark, but I still managed to get a few pictures.
The kids were pretty excited about being out in the field with the cattle. I forgot that they only have sheep and goat experience, not cattle. I think they were impressed with the size...especially the bull!
The bull.
The cows were scattered at first, busy grazing.
But after just a bit they got curious and wanted to know more about us.
Devin was nice enough to take this picture of Kylee and me.
More cows...
More pretty scenery...
The kids had a great time! They loved seeing the cows, and they were a little excited and scared knowing there was a bull just a few feet away. Part of the tour was describing the breeding program, including embryo transfer and recipient cows (yes, cows can be surrogate moms too!). Devin asked what an egg was, so on the way home I got to explain about eggs and sperm, and how when an embryo is frozen it isn't exactly like freezing an actual calf. Fun stuff! I enjoyed showing the kids where I used to work. It was definitely a great 4-H meeting!
Here's a video explaining the history a bit, as told by my former boss. He also narrated our hay ride for the 4-H meeting. Everyone piled onto the wagon for the ride.
We went through the farm and out into one of the fields where cows, their calves, and a bull were out grazing.
It was getting dark, but I still managed to get a few pictures.
The kids were pretty excited about being out in the field with the cattle. I forgot that they only have sheep and goat experience, not cattle. I think they were impressed with the size...especially the bull!
The bull.
The cows were scattered at first, busy grazing.
But after just a bit they got curious and wanted to know more about us.
Devin was nice enough to take this picture of Kylee and me.
More cows...
More pretty scenery...
The kids had a great time! They loved seeing the cows, and they were a little excited and scared knowing there was a bull just a few feet away. Part of the tour was describing the breeding program, including embryo transfer and recipient cows (yes, cows can be surrogate moms too!). Devin asked what an egg was, so on the way home I got to explain about eggs and sperm, and how when an embryo is frozen it isn't exactly like freezing an actual calf. Fun stuff! I enjoyed showing the kids where I used to work. It was definitely a great 4-H meeting!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
New Roof, Rabbit Babies, and More
We went with the same color brown as we had before. I love the new look! We'd love to do the house with metal roofing in the future.
We set the hammock up in the front yard last week when we put the animals out there to graze (so we could keep an eye on them). Kylee and I got in some good relaxing time!
The sheep/goat pasture is finally ready to graze, so I set up the first paddock for them on Monday.
Then yesterday (Wednesday), I opened up another small section for them. This picture below was taken Wednesday afternoon. You can see the line where they grazed the first section. Normally I would have put up a back fence (to keep them out of the already grazed section), but I didn't have time before work.
The lamb is following her mama, Darla, out to graze.
I thought this was a nice family picture of the purebred Southdowns. Darla, the ram, and the lamb.
I knitted a jumper for my good friend's baby girl. I hope she doesn't read this blog. :-)
My #2 doe kindled (had babies) on the 24th. She had 11, but lost 2 shortly after. She still has 9 fat, healthy babies.
Rabbit babies are the cutest!
These babies' father is my American Chinchilla/Silver Fox buck. I bred my #1 doe to the New Zealand buck, hoping for some purebred babies, but she didn't take. I'll breed her again soon.
And I need to get around to posting about the meat aspect of the rabbits. I'll get to it some day!
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Great Mulching Challenge
Every year my garden gets taken over by weeds. This year I'm determined to control the weeds, without as much weeding. I plan on doing that by mulching every section of garden that can possibly be mulched.
I start by laying down something like cardboard or paper. I stop by the feed store now and then and ask for any cardboard they've got that they're not using. These pieces below come from the pallets of feed.
I also use paper feed bags. I cut the bottom seam off, and cut the bag up the side to open it up. The paper bags have three layers, and the middle one has plastic on it, so I don't use that layer.
After the paper gets laid down, I put a heavy layer of straw on top.
I've only got one row done so far, but as I plant the garden I'll mulch more. I'm really hoping this effort will pay off later this summer!
And my asparagus is finally up! I planted it last year, and when I weeded the bed earlier this spring I saw a ton of vole holes. I thought for sure voles had eaten all the asparagus, but luckily it seems fine! I only picked 3 asparagus this year, but next year they'll be ready for a bigger harvest. I can't wait!
I start by laying down something like cardboard or paper. I stop by the feed store now and then and ask for any cardboard they've got that they're not using. These pieces below come from the pallets of feed.
I also use paper feed bags. I cut the bottom seam off, and cut the bag up the side to open it up. The paper bags have three layers, and the middle one has plastic on it, so I don't use that layer.
After the paper gets laid down, I put a heavy layer of straw on top.
I've only got one row done so far, but as I plant the garden I'll mulch more. I'm really hoping this effort will pay off later this summer!
And my asparagus is finally up! I planted it last year, and when I weeded the bed earlier this spring I saw a ton of vole holes. I thought for sure voles had eaten all the asparagus, but luckily it seems fine! I only picked 3 asparagus this year, but next year they'll be ready for a bigger harvest. I can't wait!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
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