Springing!

It has been very apparent lately that our barn kitty, Willow is expecting.

This is very exciting since we haven't had a litter of kittens in over 20 years!  Willow is our milkroom cat.  She does an excellent job of ridding the milkroom of rats...an important job since this is also where we store our feed.  

Well, the wait is over.  She gave birth to 5 kittens, unfortunately one was stillborn.  

I was very thankful that she chose to have them in her crate instead of going off somewhere to have them.

They sure are cuties!

I hope they grow up to be wonderful mousers like their mama...this one is already practicing to be ferocious...

Of course I have already chosen my favorite...

There are other signs of spring .... such as my beautiful Joseph's coat rose has made it through another winter and is getting new growth...

And is already getting it's first buds...

Probably for me, the most thrilling sign is that our wisteria has leaves appearing...

This wisteria was just a little stick when I planted it about 6 years ago.  I have anxiously waited each year for blooms....and it never bloomed.  Until NOW!!

Beautiful purple flowers are making their appearance!  I am so excited!

The wisteria provides much needed shade during the summer months, and we use the cuttings in the fall for basket making.....but this is the first year for flowers!

I love all the signs of new life each spring.  

Even a pen full of monster kids...

It is wonderful to shake off the winter woes and get back to work!

Overwhelmed....4 years old...and a must hear.

I have had a post about the mud and rain pending.  The mud is relentless.  It has rained nearly every day for a month.  We lost Joy's triplet bucks, and nearly lost Joy as a result of a flash flood and freezing rain a couple of weeks ago.  We are flooded.  The muck is awful.

But this blog is not about complaining.  I never could find the words for that post....which is why it is still pending...

Today, I understand.

Despite the weakness and pain in my hands......I am able to trim hooves.  Why?  Because they are soft from the wet ground.  I am overwhelmed by God's grace.

Today is our oldest grandsons' 4th birthday.  What a blessing this boy has been in our lives!  He has such a tender spirit and a joy for life.  He is my little buddy, and he works hard at everything he does....

Rylan was determined to dig out the fire pit so that we can roast some marshmallows for his birthday.

No cartoons, no video games, no distractions.  He wants the family around the fire pit to roast marshmallows.  I am overwhelmed.

In this world today, there is true suffering, pain, torture, and worse.

In this world today there is true grace and mercy.

I praise God for His grace, mercy, and blessing on our family.

Getting Ready for Quail Eggs

Every year I keep a supply of hot pink pickled quail eggs for snacking on, and for topping salads.  They are as pretty as they are tasty.  But before we can pickle the eggs, we first have to pickle some beets.  I use the pickle from the beets to pickle the eggs, thus giving them their beautiful hot pink color.

This year I have only 1 jar of pickled beets left....so it's time to get some ready because the quail have started laying!!

I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in January, and since that diagnosis I have cut GMO and non-organic nearly completely out of my diet.  I wasn't even aware of how much had crept into my diet.  Anyway, so in my quest for a nice bundle of organic non-GMO beets.....I found these beauties!

 This year we should have some pretty yellow eggs to go with the pink ones.  To make the pickle, I use:

Add 2 cups of filtered water, 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, 1 c each white sugar and brown sugar....

a handful of salt...

about a cup of my favorite pickling spice...

and about a cup of whole cloves....

Bring the pickle to a full rolling boil and set aside.  Meanwhile peel and cube the beets and place in pint jars.  

 Top with the brine and process for 30 minutes in a boiling water bath.

The apple cider vinegar masks the pretty yellow colors.  I'll put these in the pantry to sit for about a month and then I'll see if the eggs take on the yellow color from the beets. 

Either way, I'm sure they will taste great!

Some Moms...

Ever see a mom that lets her kids walk all over her?  Genesis takes it to a whole new level.  She has triplet bucks....and patience beyond measure.  LOL

Disappointment

We've really been looking forward to kids from our beautiful spotty girl, Rose.  Bred to Raj last fall this is one of the most anticipate kiddings of the season.  Unfortunately Rose had a single buck kid today that did not survive.  We'll continue to milk Rose.