Last night, I had an unexplained allergic reaction that resulted in a short trip to the ER. As a result of being up until 2am and the meds making me so drowsy, I went to work for only a few minutes and then to see the Dr’s. I got some more meds and came home for rest. Around noon, Anna woke me and informed me West View Swan’s Saffron was kidding. I joined Anna and Vicki for the event in the kidding stall.
Saffron is a 4th freshener 5 year old who gave 11-12 lbs of milk a day last year.
This is an udder that has “popped” meaning looks like 14 hours since it has been milked and is stretched tight. Don’t milk her, just get your kidding supplies by the back door, because it means you won’t be waiting long. For Saffron, imminent signs of kidding included lots of pawing, grunting, visible contractions for about 40 min, and then baby goats.
We are raising all the kids as bottle babies this year. Since Anna doesn’t want to trek back and forth to the barn all day and night, they are in the office in a dog crate starting out.
Saffron gave us 2 doe kids: the dark one is Sawyer Farm’s Milky Way and the light one is Sawyer Farm’s Caramel. It appears this year’s name theme will be candy.
Here is Vicki holding Milky Way. She is very excited to have babies to bottle feed again.
After Vicki finished her home work this morning she begged me to help her make some blankets for her Breyer model horses. So we used some left over fabric from the pillow case project and some bias tape and sew on velcro to make some fabulous blankets. Vicki did ALL the sewing. I helped with some of the pinning and taught her how to make a pattern. She’s really happy with the outcome.
Yesterday, Alex and I built a new growing rack for Anna to use with seedlings. We have had a couple of different setups for the past few years, but they were not quite what Anna wanted. A few years back, I got 2 4-bulb fluorescent fixtures for free. They were already modified with plugs, and they have been the grow lights (using the daylight style bulbs). The problem is situating the plants under the lights and suspending the lights at the right height.
So, Anna gave me a sketch of what she wanted. I made a few modifications based on available wire we already had and the actual dimensions of the intended setup location (next to the fireplace in the living room). And off to the store I went. Total assembly took just under 3 hours, and almost half that was getting the lights suspended just right. Each shelf is 3’x5′ and can hold up to 9 seedling trays. Anna intends to use the top shelf for supply storage since there isn’t a light on that shelf – so 18 seedling trays is the limit. The unit is on wheels so it can be removed from the nook easily.
The new order of seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company also arrived in the mail yesterday. 28 packs of seeds. Luckily, we already had some so we didn’t have to buy all new seeds this year. The box shows what Anna will be planting as seedlings. The ones on the table go straight into the ground. I am particularly looking forward to our plans for a large heirloom corn crop this year.
If anyone has a good phone app recommendation for tracking what was planted, how it grew, and how it tasted, please let us know. Otherwise we might have to use paper! Now if only the snow would melt so we can find the garden…
Today we spent some time enjoying the snow instead of shoveling it. The sun was shining and the kids rode the ponies bareback in the snow. Then I got King out and drug the kids around on a sled for a while. He is such a good boy!!
Tomorrow we will be back to shoveling as there is another storm approaching.
Anna thinks I have hobby ADHD. She is right. I also tend to get obsessed/addicted to the current focus. I definitely have a problem wavering back and forth when I don’t have a clear goal. I am a goal oriented person, and without a goal, I get despondent and lazy. There are always reasons excuses. 2 years ago I suffered what turned out to be a rather severe concussion. I’m not sure I will ever be completely the same again (note I didn’t say NORMAL). However, in the last 2 years, I have gained about 15 lbs and I’m really starting to notice the effects of my reduced fitness. In particular, in my trimming career, I don’t hold up to a day of trimming as well as before.
My blood work numbers have been creeping up, and I really want to avoid all the bad that comes with that. I would much rather do it working out than with meds. It is time for my obsession to take a health focus again, like it did from 2009-2011.
Therefore, I have set some tentative goals for this year with regards to my fitness.
1. Get back to 175 lbs or less (Jan 1 weight 183 for accountability). I want this to be a reasonable and achievable goal. I found 175 to be a good maintenance weight for me. Racing weight is under 170.
2. Ride at least a metric century (100 km) bike ride this summer. This may be a training ride instead of an event. Maybe CHUCK CURTIS will join with me on this goal! In 2010 I rode the 100 km Tour de Cure for Diabetes. I MIGHT do that again this June.
3. I have a specific event in September that I want to do. But I need to tri some working out for a little while before I commit. I have found forking over $$ to be a good motivator for goals, so stayed tuned for the final goal.
Christmas this year was a small affair. No familiy visiting from out of town, and no where we had to be. On Christmas Eve, we joined the Smith’s, owners of Cedars of Lebanon Farm, or their annual Christmas Eve brunch. It has become a holiday event we look forward to. The fact that their daughter Natalie is in culinary school and uses the brunch to showcase recipes doesn’t hurt.
After we got home, Vicki set to work baking the cookies for Santa, sugar cookies with a pepermint glaze are the appropriate recipe.
Amanda is taste-testing Vicki’s recipe
Pepermint glazed sugar cookies for Santa
That evening, we headed to North Stonington Congregational Church to see some old friends at the evening service, and then back home for a traditional Swedish dinner that Anna put together. We had meatballs with cranberry sauce (she couldn’t find lingonberry jam locally), ham, potatoes, pickled herring, pickled salmon, and pickles. Afterwards, the kids got to open 1 present, plus their new pj’s from Grandma and Grandpa. A fire in the fireplace seemed like a good idea, but as the evening progressed, the temperature outside climbed to almost 60F. Turbo joined us fo the reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Opening a Christmas eve gift
Kids in their new pjs
Kids in their new pjs
Reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
We told the kids before they went to bed, no presents would be opened on Christmas morning until the animals at had to been checked on and horses fed hay. The rest of the chores would be deferred to later in the morning.
At 7:30, the kids came into our room to wake us up. The horses had been fed their hay and Alex had actually completed all his morning chores. Vicki went to make a pot of coffee for us while we got ready to join them for presents.
Santa brought Alex noise cancelling headphones
Turbo likes his new bed
Vicki likes Turbo
Alex opening a gift
Alex studying his new Lego book
Vicki showing off her new scarf
Amanda playing with her Breyer horses
More presents to open
Amanda with My Little Ponies
Amanda with her fully stocked “Rescue Pack”
After opening gifts, the kids got to play with their new toys. Since it was in the low 60s, Anna and I decided to head outside and spend 6 hours on a fencing project. We significantly collapsed the goat paddock and gave a most of the back property to the horses. By the time we came in well after dark, we were ready for a simple dinner of farm fresh eggs and bacon.
We were also surprised with a very nice gift from some friends and found the perfect spot for our new addition in the kitchen.
Today was spent loading hay in the barn, loading shavings, riding horses, and time at the gun range. Merry Christmas from our family to yours, and have a Happy New Year!
1. Store Christmas presents from Amazon in travel trailer and lock doors.
2. Sneak presents from shopping trips into travel trailer and re-lock doors.
3. Move wrapping supplies into trailer.
4. Turn on heat the afternoon before wrapping.
5. Let the kids watch a new movie on tv.
6. Mom and Dad wrap presents in with soothing Christmas music and no interruptions.
7. Store presents in trailer until ready to put under the tree.
8. Merry Christmas!
This afternoon I (Anna), Alex, Vicki and Alexis took the ponies on a trail ride. Living next to Pachaug State Forest really has its advantages. It was a perfect not too cold December day for a trail ride. The ponies were all feeling good and walking through the brooks and puddles from the recent rains. We went a little faster too…and everyone stayed on. It’s kinda fun now that the kids are older and can stay with their ponies a bit better and handle the occasional frisky moment. Fresh air, the sound of rustling leaves, filtered sunlight, really can’t beat it. Now with two 9-10 year olds it wasn’t quiet but enjoyable.
Anna’s parents, Roland and Sylvia have been visiting for Vicki’s birthday and Thanksgiving. Now that the turkey leftovers are almost gone, Anna started getting out decorations and Sylvia made gingerbread with the kids. Swedish gingerbread cookies are much thinner than American style. And the flavor is different, including cardemom, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Today was Vicki’s 9th birthday. She left with Anna early this morning to go to the Big E in Springfield MA for a dog show with Turbo. There was a special 4-H class: Vicki got 4th in 8-10 year old showmanship. They got to participate in an AKC agility clinic and a junior handling clinic. They also watched some showing, obedience, and agility trials.
After she got home, it was time for presents. Dinner was her favorite: venison steak and mashed potatoes. And of course cake for dessert! Enjoy the pictures
Here is Vicki holding Milky Way. She is very excited to have babies to bottle feed again.
