Crochet Projects for Man & Beast

After morning chores and a quick breakfast I gathered my list and set my sights on a nearby town where I like to shop. A trip to buy groceries and a few household supplies was needed. I try to advoid the crowds whenever I can. Especially during the cold and flu season. With a holiday weekend coming up it was even more important to have my pantry stocked and not be out on the roads with the party hardy folks.

While there I decided to pick up some more yarn for a couple of projects I want to do. How is it that you can have a stack of projects waiting to be completed or even partially started sitting on a shelf. Only to find yourself wanting to start something new that you saw in a pattern you recently saw? I'm pretty sure no one who doesn't craft could understand the attraction. For those of us who do, we can't explain it! LOL Though I'm sure there are some who would like to try. If you have the answer, please let me know. Then maybe I could get more finished before starting something else.

Most of the baby goat sweaters I made last year ended up being on the girly side of color. I only made 2 that were boyish in color. Wasn't a problem then, as we only had two bucks. But as of the past couple of days as you know, we have already added 2 bucklings to the nursery. With the possiblity of 8 more babies if all of the does should have twins. I figure the odds are pretty good that there will be more boys to need a sweater before warmer temps arrive. Besides, one of the existing two is a small size. So it alone will have to be replaced as the buckling grows, if the weather warrants added warmth. Sounds like a good reason to buy more yarn, right? After posting pictures of our new little doe in her sweater. I thought it only fair to give the bucks their time in the limelight as well. Didn't want you to think I wasn't an equal opportunity caregiver. So here are some pictures of them as with their sweaters on too. Aren't they the cutest little babies? So cuddlly you just can't help but snuggle one up to your face.

The one skein of bright blue wouldn't have seem like alot to add to the shopping cart. If it wasn't for the other 5 I bought. They were for a human sweater (mine) and became the more obvious splurge. I would like to think that in the long run I will be saving some money by making myself a sweater. Not sure what the cost will be in the end. Do you think it should matter? To figure in my time crocheting, it would definitely raise the total amount. I'm thinking if for no other reason the joy of making it and being able to wear a handmade item should offset any cost. Right? RIGHT.

The pattern is a "Granny Squares Jacket." Featuring bright shades of fruity colors, like grape, watermelon, mango, limelight and lemonade against a black edging. Sounds delicious doesn't it? I'm using Caron ~ Simply Soft yarn that is a pleasure to work with and is oh so soft against the skin. It looks easy and I've made granny squares before so I am hoping I can get it done during the long days of Winter. The bright colors should help dispell any greyness during them. Then give me the opportunity to wear something bright as well as warm till the early days of Spring roll in.

Yarn and hook ready,

Deborah

Sweet Surprise ~

Morning chores didn't get done till after Lon came home from the station today. I was still wiped out from my all-nighter with Anna. Plus I wanted to be present when he saw Anna's baby girl for the first time. As soon as we opened the door to the barn we knew a surprise awaited us. From the door you could tell that Sugar wasn't alone in her stall. I knew that it was a good idea to check on her before I went to bed last night. But tired as I was and with no new signs from her, I just went on to bed. Thinking that it could possibly take a couple more days for her to deliver. WRONG!

Baby boy #1 ~ Darker coat

Boy #2 ~ light coat

We were greeted to the squeals of one proud momma and two hungry babies. Sugar birthed twins this time. Two beautiful boys were hovering close to her side. One with the same coloration as her coat and the other a soft taupe color with a small dark stripe down it's back and another across the top of his head and ears. If the stripes had joined it would look like a cross. They are way too pretty to be bucks, but I guess I need to say they are mighty HANDSOME BOYS. I can't get over their coat colors.

Boy #1 ~ darker coat

She had birthed them all on her own and had everyone and everything cleaned up. Last time she did the same thing when she birthed Glory. Not letting anyone know the time was close or to be around to watch or help out if needed. We are guessing she had them sometime during the night, possibly after midnight. Yesterday was the date I had calculated as a possible due date for her. As I didn't know for sure when she was bred, she sneaked that in too. But I did know the weekend she was in heat last August. So since we found them this morning we have decided to let today be their birthday. This way they have one all of their own.

In less than 36 hours we have gone from NO baby goats to 3 ~ one doe and 2 bucks. Today's to-do list got dumped in favor for getting both Mommies and babies set up in dry pens. Hauling home both eating and bedding hay, along with a trip to the feed store. You never know when life will hand you a surprise. The best thing is to accept the gift and learn to savor the moments, despite what your plans are.Baby boy #2

These new arrivals brings our baby count for the year to 4 does and 4 bucks. Our next in line to deliver is Amber, who has given twins each time prior. She is our oldest doe and faces her 4th delivery date in late February. Giving us some time to re-adjust back into our baby/milking routine. To build a couple more stalls inside the goat shed to hold youngsters, awaiting their time to join the herd. At least that is the plan, we are learning more and more each day that when it all comes down to it. They really have the last word and are known for giving us not only loving kisses but surprises as well.Baby boy #1 ~ darker coat

Baby boy #2 ~ light coat

Smiling at our beautiful blessings,

Deborah

Midnight Magic ~ Winter Beauty!

No, our cat ~ Midnight hasn't taken up preforming magic tricks. Although he is getting good at hiding from me when he doesn't want to come in for the night. I'm speaking of the magical beauty I saw twice in one night. The first one is a sighting of the Winter Beauty kind. Our recent snow storm left melting snow in just the right places to perform a "right before your eyes ~ presto, change-0 trick." During the daylight it goes unnoticed for the most part. Their beauty doesn't comes to life until the skies are dark and the inner light is turned on.

Icicles are a sure sign of Winter and a frequent guest in the ice storms the south usually gets. Even as the snow was melting from the yard. It left behind a gift to be remembered by. We had several that were well over 2 feet long, frozen in place by the sub-freezing temperatures and strong winds we had whistling through the trees.

Would you ever have thought that plain frozen water could look so beautiful? Almost magical!

The other magic happened just after midnight, in the early hours of this morning. Anna our herd queen gave birth to a new baby girl at 12:30 am. We were not expecting her to be the first one to deliver. So she caught us by surprise, as that is way magic operates ~ it surprises us. I was working solo on the farm chores late yesterday (Lon was at firehouse). When I noticed she had separated herself from the rest of our goat family. A RED flag in the manual for pregnant goats. Placing her in a labor & birthing pen beside Sugar. The one we had been watching closely the last 4-5 days. It was soon evident that she was quickly checking off the labor & delivery signs we watch for. After a quick bite of supper and dressing warmly I set up down at the barn. Calling Lon to let him know that we probably would have a new baby by morning. Things got to rolling about 11:30 as her sides began to roll and contract. By midnight she was having pushing contractions. I kept watching the clock to make sure she was progressing normally and to note which day he/she would be born on.

Anna became urgent in her pushing with only small results for her efforts. A flashlight check revealed a pair of two front feet, but no presentation of a face. It was evident to me then that additional help was going to be needed. Amidst prayers shot towards heaven, I gloved up thinking I would have to "go in" and reposition the baby. In all my years of nursing I have assisted in the birth of numerous mothers. I was praying that I would be able to feel my way around as I had in the human mommies. Anna was quickly exhausting herself and had started hollering in a painful way. Before I could get in the position to check, she collapsed in a heap. I thought Oh, no! What am I going to do now? Praying for divine assistance I grabbed the now exposed feet and legs and with a gentle tug began to pull as she continued to push. My prayers were answered I believed when she went down.

Yes, in what appeared to be potential problem, an answer was given. At that moment I can't help but believe that the baby's head was pushed into alignment by a heavenly hand. For with the next contraction I saw a small nose appear at the opening, right before the bag broke. Then I was greeted by a small licking tongue and with the next few pushes, working together I pulled out a doeling. Both Anna and I was glad to see her baby breathing. She started in on cleaning up her little one, while I checked it over and tied off the umbilical cord. Murphy's law is always waiting to happen, last night was no exception. But this time it was foiled, even though I was home alone. I really wasn't alone at all.

Despite the barn heater being on, the teen temps made our little girl shiver alot. So I dressed her in one of the crocheted sweaters I had made. To help her regulate her body heat better. There can be no doubt she's girl in this bright pink.

The hours past quickly as clean-up was under way, teats were checked for clear passage of milk and encouragement to nurse was given to her baby. Who finally was able to 2 hours after her birth. It is important that they get their mother's colostrum ASAP, for they are born with no immune system in place. Getting what they need to face the world in that magical milk, present at first in all mammals. It was especially important, given the challenging birth that I make sure all afterbirth was passed and no additional problems found. It took another hour for all to be completed and the stall ready for a peaceful night of sleep for mommy and baby. I, myself crawled into bed this morning at 4am. Only to be awakened a little before 8, giving me just 4 hours of sleep. So goes the life of most midwives; little sleep, lots of challenges and the joy of helping to bring a little one into the world on it's birthday.

There really isn't any real magic to be found in all the world. All honest magicians will tell you that it is simply a slight of hand that preforms the tricks we oooh and ahhh over. But I can tell you I saw a magical midnight last night. When I saw the hand of my Creator, who form the frozen Winter Beauty that glowed from our roof top, assist me in a miraculous birth. Every birth that I have ever participated in has always touched my heart and brought a tear to my eye. This one was no different. Every birth is a miracle, a beauty to behold. For Heartland Farm ~ this was a birth in the midst of Winter Beauty.

Eyes still looking, but closing with sleep and with a heart still thankful,

Deborah

Winter Beauty ~ First Sightings

As promised I wanted to share the Winter Beauty that I have not only noticed but savored over the past 5 days. A very busy 5 days they were leading up to our family celebration yesterday. I'm sure everyone had their own last minute surprises to tackle before Christmas. Mine started the actual day I posted the Winter Beauty challenge last Monday.


One brief phone call changed all of our plans for the day and set the tone for the week. My son called to say my granddaughter was running a high fever and he needed me to keep her, as she couldn't return to preschool. Both he and his wife could not be out of work. So Nana & Papa came to the rescue. Taking her back the next day to meet her daddy for her doctor's appointment revealed she had the flu. Just the kind of words you love to hear when you haven't taken the flu shot, it's 4 days till Christmas, you've done none of your holiday baking yet and you have family coming the next day to stay for a long weekend. We had one sick little girl to comfort and love on, so we decided nothing else mattered. Life was happening and the best we could do was to live it out as it unfolded.

But in the midst of the opportunities to live out the days given to us. I was able to see some Winter Beauty. For I knew that in the midst of the storm I would need the emotional boost now more than ever. So I kept my eyes and heart open to what beauty I would be shown. To borrow a line out of a familiar storybook. . . "To what did my wondering eyes should appear?" Let me show you in the pictures I captured. I wanted you to know for sure that I was looking, so concrete evidence was essential. (smile)

One of my favorite things about Winter is snow. Living in the deep south we are not blessed with the frozen precipitation that often. I know many would argue about snow being a blessing, but for me ~ seeing the intricate beauty that's locked into each snowflake makes it one. I have lived over 50 years and can't recall ever having a White Christmas, but this year was different.

Snow began falling early on Christmas day for us. As I worked to prepare our holiday meal it was a treat to look out my kitchen windows to see it's beauty. Big half-dollar flakes floated through the air and bounced along the ground. Before meeting up with a few hundred more to create a blanket that would change our horizon this morning.

WE didn't get as much as many others in the south, but we did have a WHITE CHRISTMAS!

I slipped out to take a few pictures through out the day yesterday and was tickled by the second Winter Beauty I saw. True it was created by the help of the snow, but I smiled none the less when I found it.

We have quite a number of "critters" on our farm, most known to us and sometimes others who are not. But these were made by our resident mouse chaser, Midnight. This was his first snow and curiousity caused him to venture out into the world of icy toes. Leaving behind paw prints for all to see that he was still on the job, prowling the premises.

My third sighting I have to confess that I expected, but was struck anew by the simple beauty of it's appearance.

I have been greeted most mornings for the past few weeks by these "Christmas birds." Not that they are called by that name but their brilliant red coats remind me of Christmas. Back in the Fall I hung a feeder in the peach tree outside my kitchen window so I could enjoy their beauty up close. Yesterday was no exception, except for the fact that the pair I had been enjoying brought along about 12 of their best friends with them. The impending snow and cold brought an urgency to their feeding. Every where I looked you could see Cardinals. Seeing one against the skies of winter is a bright flash of color on any grey day. To see one against the back drop of glistening snow is a Winter Beauty to behold. My photo doesn't give it justice for it is a little dark, but after all we did have heavy dark grey clouds over head. Making it's little coat of red stand out even more.

So, has your eyes been open? What have you seen that has touched you with it's Winter Beauty? Let the rest of us know by leaving a comment, just click on the comment link below. We only have 76 more days to be finding the beauty that goes unnoticed by the world at large. Be sure to check back in and read about the beauty that others have found.

Looking through rose-colored glasses,

Deborah