A Little Surprise

We had a little surprise arrive this last Wednesday.  It was a busy morning.  DH had regular chores to do and we had 3 semi-trucks coming to haul our calves to the sale barn in Aberdeen.  The trucks had just gotten there and one of the drivers asked what was wrong with one of our llamas.  Sure enough, Lillian was having a baby.  The head and one long leg were out, but the other leg was back.  With a little assistance this little one was helped into the cold world.  It was only 14 degrees out.

 After the trucks left with the calves, DH and I loaded up mom and baby in the horse trailer.  We set up a pen in the heated shop for them.  (That sounds a lot easier than it was!!  Lillian was not very cooperative!!)

Lillian really didn't appreciate the help or the nicer accommodations.  Llamas don't bite, charge or run over you--thank goodness!!  BUT they do spit at you--nice big soggy hunks of yunky smelling partially digested hay.  We got the pair settled and then showered and headed for the sale.

They were just fine when we got home to check on them.  Baby is all legs and long neck.  She is light as a feather.  I'd rather carry her than a baby calf. lol

 

Michelle was home for a visit this week-end.  The baby is so fun.  She is curious and soft as a bunny.  She liked the sound of Michelle's voice. She bounces around and shows off too.  They are now in a suite in the old red barn.  Lillian wants to join the rest of the family.  It is suppose to warm up the end of this next week, so that will help.

 

 

 

I'm still practicing my FMQ.  I'm going to have a lot of "cat mats" when I'm done, because I need alot more practice!!

Fall

It's fall and I'm not liking the cold weather.  I'm going to show you my flowers and pretend it was 80 today.

The Lamb's Ears really spread-which I hear is normal.  My one perennial, Brown eyed Susan was lovely.

 I forgot what these were, but I loved their pretty purple flowers.  I had to water a lot to keep them going.

 My hen I planted last year had a good little brood going this year. Do you know do I need to cover them for the winter?  We had a hard freeze last week, so the flowers are done for the season.

Oh, look!!  Another llama baby!!  The llamas have been in the far pasture for the summer, do we haven't seen much of them.  This little one will be just as wild as last years.  It will be fun to have them closer to home, so we can see them more often.

This is kind of a silly post.  I wanted to blog, but I don't have much for material to blog about.  I have not been sewing.  I hope some day to do that again.  I really miss it and I miss all of you. 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Hanging In There

Today was another cool, cloudy and rainy day.  The temperatures have warmed and the snow is all melted.  I'm not complaining about the rain or mud.  I know how precious moisture is and we have had years that were dry.  Dry is not good!  I know better than to complain about rain.   So far we have been doing well with keeping everyone healthy.  Tomorrow they promise sunshine and 70 degrees!!!  No one has been able to get in the fields to plant anything yet. 

I love these little guys with the white faces.  They are all needing some sunshine.

So far this one gets the "funny face" award for 2011.

I've gotten good use out of my mud boots.  Hopefully some drying will happen tomorrow.

More mud!

The llamas are such "easy keepers".  DH said he would buy some more if they were worth anything.  I have been keeping an eye on them.  We aren't sure if they are pregnant or not.  There were some "activities" back on May 30th, so there is a possibility of little llamas.  Wouldn't that be fun?  They don't really look any different, but how can you tell under all that fleece?

Here is Puss's favorite sleeping spot.  She can hardly wait for DH to lay down on the couch so she can snuggle down and snooze.  We are getting caught up on our sleep slowly. 

 Michelle is coming tomorrow to help for a day.  Her "big final" is Monday and then graduation Thursday evening--if she passes the final.  I've told her not to stress so, but she is.  I probably would too.  Don't tell anyone, but Jen is flying home for graduation and Mother's Day--can't wait.  She is surprising Michelle.  Dear BIL has agreed to cow sit, so we can all attend the graduation festivities.

Sorry,  I haven't been answering comments.  I've decided April is a no sew and no reply month.  I'm looking forward to the month of May!!

Frosty Morning

Thank you for  all the birthday wishes!!  It was a good day.  I'll draw for the books on Friday.  There is still time to comment if you haven't yet.

It was a beautiful frosty fairyland this morning.  I had to take a few pictures for you.   The little tree that the cats love to climb is loaded with thick white frost.  The sun was so bright and the sky a gorgeous shade of blue. 

Of course, it wasn't much fun driving home in the fog last night!!  We went to Aberdeen (about 90 miles north and east of the ranch) for the day--my birthday.  : )  We did some farm supply shopping and went out for supper with one of DH's sisters and her husband.  The last 45 miles home was pretty foggy in places.  It was -2 F when we got home about 9:00 pm.  Brrrrr.  As you can see we don't have hardly any snow yet.  Aberdeen has about 8 inches.

No surprise this morning to find out that the heater in the shop wasn't working.  Whenever the temperature is below zero you can count on something not working.   lol  Thank goodness DH got good advice over the phone from our propane man.  He had it going after 3 trips to the shop.

The haygrinder came today.  I thought you might like to see the machine that grinds the big hay bales into ground hay.  DH is feeding the grinder the big bales.  We mix the ground hay with silage and oats in the feed wagon to feed to the cows.  He ground bales for 2 hours for $500.00.  The price has gone up since last year.  Hasn't everything?

The cattle have been in the fall pastures.  Last week we brought them home and worked them.  The calves got fall shots and everyone was "poured" to kill lice, grubs and worms.   In a few days we will wean the calves.  There will be alot of "bawling" going on. 

Oliver, Olivia and Lillian are back closer to home too.  Oliver has gotten bigger and has more brown spots on his coat. 

I didn't get to the sewing machine today.  Bookkeeping, cleaning and laundry needed to get done.  I'm hoping tomorrow is more "fun". 

Doin' the Happy Dance!

I think the dancing started in my heart yesterday.  So much energy and bubbles inside!  What's happening you ask?  I am picking up my baby girl at the airport today!!!  Jen is coming home for the wedding this week-end.

There will be a lot of laughing, giggling, talking, cooking and Phase 10 playing in the next 4 days.  DD2 hasn't been home since Christmas, so we have alot of hugging to catch up on too.  DD1 has work off Saturday and Sunday and is coming home too.  DH's nephew is getting married, so we will get to see alot of family over the week-end--more laughing and hugging.  We are looking forward to a happy time all together.

I promised llama shearing pictures.  The shearing went better than we thought.  The critters didn't like it, but they are much more docile than cattle to work with. 

We put them in the cattle chute.  BIL used his sheep shearing clippers.

Poor brown one didn't appreciate the hair cut.  She was vocalizing and spitting the whole time, but she stood pretty good.  The guys worked fast together to get her done.

She's working up another good wad of spit here. 

Looking much cooler for summer!

Not looking too pleased while waiting her turn.  She vocalized and showed her teeth while she waited, but stood very well for the actual haircut.

What a sweet boy.  He just layed down in the chute.  No yelling, no spitting, just laying low.

Do you have any good llama names?  We were waiting for the girls to come home and help name them.  DH and I haven't come up with any good ones ourselves.  BIL has a llama that lives with his sheep.  His name is Homer.  I have been giving them a few raw carrots.  They don't eat them out of my hand, but they seem to like them.  We will be taking them to pasture for green grass next week.  It's been fun having them close in the yard, but I know they will be happier after the move.

We are getting down to the last calvers.  Yeah!  We will be working calves and taking everyone to summer pasture sometime in the next 2 weeks.  The weather  has been rainy this week so far.  We have received 3 inches of rain.  As I said before "the wettest spring ever".  Our corn isn't planted yet.   Our neighbors have been cleaning up the tornado mess.  There have been alot of people helping.  Sunday there must have been about 80 high school age kids come to help.   It's been so awesome to see everyone work together.  I'm so thankful their house didn't get damaged and the boys weren't hurt.

I've only gotten 2 words playing Spring Fever Bingo--am I surprised? No!  lol  It's been fun to check for the words, tho.  Have you been to Jenny's to sign up for The Christmas Story giveaway?  Thanks Vivian for entering! :)  I think my "girls coming home" joy has splashed over into all my daily living.  Isn't it crazy how happy that can make you---"they are coming home".  I better get cracking around here.  There probably won't be much blogging in the next few days.  Have a great Memorial Day week-end with your loved ones and activities!! Hugs................