One Month to Go...Winter

This lighting reflects the whole of winter - it is very cool blue - where frost hangs in the valley.

This year January was cold, frigid...temperatures everyday either 30.20,10,-5 or -10.  With one month to go, maybe it won't seem that bad.  I enjoy the excuse to stay inside read and write, but the chores still need to be done.  With the invention of fleece clothing, any layering will keep me warm - and it does, but so does the instinct to pack on the pounds.

Even the dogs are eating alot! Bud "Jake", Buckeye "DJ", Bucky, and Robin"Rabbit", the small beagle hover around the woodstove.  The other dog not pictured is in a cage off to the side, Gullah "Gunner".

Gullah "Gunner" loves to roll in the snow...

The cats can't stay away...

Bluecloud

Oconee

Robin "Rabbit"

she has been with us five or six winters, I have to look back at the first photos of her - she was in the woods for weeks, and it took the help of our neighbors dogs to keep her still so I could grab her.  She's been with us ever since!  The only thing she does wrong is pee in the house, so she is caged in the house overnight.

...even the mice are the more populated indoors due to the outdoor frigid conditions...and the cats don't seem to be doing their job.  See Gene's blog - thehaystore.blogspot.com -  on how to set a humane trap for mice - it works!

A Mix of Dancing Music

Animal Memories

The goats we lost in 2014 - four boys - the most we ever lost in one year.

While they were spared the slaughter most male goats endure in their young lives -  goats are prone to sudden illness.  We are trying to keep all our goats happy and healthy and let our herd live out a long lifetime on the farm.   ...some things our beyond our control...here are the ones we lost.

Helios

Cashmere

Achilles

Pontus

...all beautiful goats ranging in age from 3-7 years old - they enjoyed some time and quality of life.

Reflections 2014

Our cat, Oconee, in contemplation...

As I reflect on the past year, I am already looking to the future with hope and anticipation...to let go of any baggage of past mistakes and losses, of any weight that holds me down, both physically and mentally.  This is a way to avoid dangerous depression that afflicts some sensitive souls.  It is also a  way to set goals and expectations for the future - so that I work with focus, live with purpose, and create a life that accentuates my skills, talents, and dreams.

There is a beach lifestyle in our future... Gene and I  on the beach Christmas Day 2014.  As we approach our next quarter century with power and strength remaining - there comes a time we won't be able to do all the chores of a farm lifestyle.  I hope that the next decade on the farm will be fruitful and fabulous...and we will enjoy each day on this magical farm with animals.  Planning ahead to our later years, I hope we can live by the sea in a much warmer climate.  May we care for our animals in their sunset years - and begin planning for our own.

Holiday Memories: Photos

I still use an outdated phone camera - so these photos do not represent the true beauty of our family:

Holiday Memories:Video

Holiday Memories made special by Parents, Aunts and Uncles - the people that put food on the table and prepare dishes with such tender, love and care.  Some of the younger generation in our family continue these Italian traditions.  We are fortunate to have our Matriach in our lives.  At 91, she is more than we could have ever wished for!  Stamina, intelligence, culinary skills, hope and love...just some of what she represents.

Here she is making a special breakfast on Christmas Day.  The night before - on Christmas Eve  -- she cooked traditional fish dishes - including fried calamari, shrimp scampi, fettucine alfredo with seafood, seafood salad, mixed greens...all of the dishes are superb and memorable!  Thank you our precious Aunt!