Mt. Renny

For at least the first week Renny was here, one of the first things we did when it was time to doctor her injuries was feel her foot. The injury to that leg was so significant that we weren't entirely sure she'd not lose it. As long as it had some warmth in it we had hope.



Now she's not only regained maybe 90% use of a leg I was sure, even if it didn't need to be amputated, would never work again, she's taken up mountain climbing.



And contemplating an excursion into the loft.



When she first got here, she'd daintily pick up pieces of hay, chew them, move on to the next piece. Living with Ewenice she's learned the art of burying her whole head into a pile of hay. And making a big mess.

The mountain of hay is actually a layer of several bales of alfalfa and a couple bales in front that they've had a big party tearing up. I should probably re-think the "let Ewenice and Renny have free range of the farm" decision.

I'm A Sheep!

You're a Sheep!

With little separating you from the crowd, you like to copy whatever
everyone else is doing. You're abnormally scared of dogs, sticks, and just about
everything else. You love wool and like little more than curling up 'neath a wool
blanket and next to some of your comrades. If you are black, you are the outcast
in your family. Whatever your skin looks like, you go to the barber more often
than most. The baaarber!


Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Well, I'm not really abnormally scared of "just about everything" and I only get my hair cut about twice a year (much like a Cotswold now that I think about it ;-) but since I know what real sheep are like, I am honored to be one.

Playing With The Cardboard Box

Keebs... Click to biggify.



Big Ewen and Heidi.



Blizzard makes a stand and only gives Sherman enough room for his front feet.



Pizza Mia. The last one standing on The Best Toy Ever.



B. Willard. The B stands for Brick now - the odd little kid from The Middle. The more we like you, the more names you get ;-).



Tilly, Ewenice, Renny and Comby.

Yesterday was the last snow day. Warming up to mid 40's today and 1-2 inches of rain moving in tomorrow. Ugh. Where was all this rain when we really needed it...

Walk With Me Wednesday

On a Thursday. Of course ;-).



It is such a pretty morning and I am so happy the snow is lasting. We'd worked so hard over the weekend that I didn't get a chance take the time to take any pictures. I appreciate the second and third and fourth chances.



Hank's walking with us by the way.



The Frog Pond flowers.



Ice crystal bokeh. I love how sparkly everything looks when the sun shines. I wish I could take a picture of the sparkles at night walking back from the barn. Love it. Love the snow.



Lines upon lines upon lines. I enjoy knitting, but if there was one of those "what sort of fiber art would you be?" quizzes, I'd be weaving. I took a neat gate shadow shot too, but just remembered. It was early in the photo choosing review and I forgot to go back. I really need to connect with some work though, so I'm leaving this as is for now.



Definitely click to biggify. I'm not making my photo files as big anymore so I hope you can still see all the ice crystals on top of the snow. Stella's joined the world wide web, but she has dial up... 'Nuf said.



Some of Handy's tail hair stored on a tree branch for springtime. At least someone's gotten some Christmas decorations up around here ;-).

The simple beauty of common objects. Thanksgiving.

'Cause Christmas Can Be Every Day

When we first got Hank, I was very worried about what he would do once it got cold. We had been previously very well trained by every cat and dog on the farm. Heated beds are mandatory. Sleeping inside the kitchen is a given... Hank's job is to stay out with the sheep. No heated beds out there.



The first cold, snowy day I just knew he was going to be miserable, which would in turn make us miserable. I went out to the barn and couldn't find him. I looked in every possible sheltered spot. No Hank. And then I caught a glimpse of him - galloping around the paddocks, happy as a clam, completely oblivious to the weather. He loves the cold. Snow? Even better!



Lately I've been doing one last barn check before I go to bed. That started when Renny came and now has transferred to worrying about Esther in the cold. Last night was brutal. The walk to the barn almost hurt. I found Hank curled up in one of the outside run in stalls. Up high on the hill, near his sheep, but with a good view of everything. His favorite spot.

He came out to greet me and I noticed he'd made himself a little bed in one of the back corners. I grabbed a half a bale of straw and spread it out to give him a little more insulation. This morning I found a nice little round nest. I'd guess he did that by circling and circling until it suited him.



I'd had to run to the grocery to pick up a couple items this afternoon and got "suckered" by a dog bone display. Hank loves bones. He has stashes of bones (and other treasures) all over the farm. He know exactly where they are and he periodically moves them all around. One day you'll find a pile of treasures by a fence post; the next it might be out in the arena. I decided to surprise him.



I wish I'd thought to turn on the video camera. He was so excited!



He immediately had the perfect stash in mind, but unfortunately his bone wouldn't fit through his gate gap. It reminded me of that super cute commercial with the little terrier dog who's "troubled, troubled, troubled" about where to safely stash his bone. Can't remember what the ad is for, but love the dog and the perfect song accompanying his plight ;-).

Hope everyone is staying warm...and enjoying some holiday cheer!