Thanksgiving & My Blessings are Bountiful

It has surprised me that the days have past so quickly and the holidays will be ushered in come tomorrow. Lon has to work, so I will be spending our first Thanksgiving at the farm alone. We plan to gather around a turkey on Saturday. Prompting a need to go buy one, as I am not ready to give Thomas up yet. He has too much to offer next Spring with our new ladies to be sitting on a platter this week, all sun tanned from time in an oven.

Thomas with his Burbon Red Ladies ~

The rain has ended but the chill from Sunday still lingers today under solid gray skies. Nearly all the leaves have scattered across the lawn, except for the few stubborn ones on the old oak out front. Everything green has turned a shade of brown. Sitting out on the porch was a good idea at first, but my coffee was cooling too fast and even Boots was hunting refuge from the chill under my sweatshirt jacket. I wished I would have had my camera handy, as I often do when photo opportunities present themselves. He looked so cute!

Some of the hens have taken upon themselves to start laying in the hay of the goat shed. We found some hiding in it this past Sunday. Guess they like the freshly fluffed hay each morning just as much as the goats do. Production has been steadily climbing, but I fear the decreasing daylight will hinder it before long. Last year at this time we were living at our other house and was able to run a power cord out to the coop to add light and encourage their laying. But without power out to the barn yet, that is not even an option. But just look as the size of the eggs they are laying and heavy too. Is there a category for extra-large jumbos?

We are already going without our delicious goat's milk. As Amber was starting to dry up even before our last milking this past Friday. We don't want to be without eggs too! It was nice that first morning of "No Milking", as I didn't have to rush out at a certain time in the cold to do the morning chores. I could wait till the temperatures warmed up a bit and I had the chance to get awake with some coffee. Purchasing the store milk last grocery day was a bummer! It tastes funny now after having fresh for so long. Lacking the creamy goodness we are used to. It will be a long wait till Spring arrives along with our chance for fresh goat's milk again from not only one but all three of our girls! Should have plenty for some of the other goat milk projects I have in mind to try.

Leah came out this past Friday to spend the weekend at the farm. My how she has grown! We looked at her photo album of pictures taken this past Spring. They showed a young toddler, not the maturing girl I saw before me. Baking cookies is an all time favorite of hers and she even helped me put some cake ingredients together with the "big mixer".

We had a wonderful time together and was blessed with a special surprise on Saturday. A good friend's dad owns cows and one had given birth during the night on Friday. He invited us to bring her over to see the less than 24 hr old calf. She had visited there before back in the Spring to see his cows. But this time was different we were able to go inside the fencing and actually pet the newborn calf.

She was thrilled to be so close to the baby calf, to play with their dog "Sammy" and receive a small snow globe (which she adores) and treat bag from my friend's mom. She went to church with us the next morning and made her beautiful presence known by waving at her Papa in the choir loft. Then continued by waving at the pastor each time he raised his hand in praise to the Lord. Singing with gusto and swaying to the music caught a few smiles from those seated around us. My own - beamed! Such innocence and exuberance. I am thankful we could take her with us. These are the years when foundations are being set in her biblical teachings. What a privilege to be a part of them.

Thankful for my life,

Deborah