I had put her in the smaller turn out while I was working Chance earlier today. After we were done and I was taking him back we walked by her and she became very boisterous. I think she wanted to be sure we didn't forget she was there.
Her braying is just so cute I wanted to share some of it with you. Watch how she gets going it's like she has to work up to it. The video is a little bumpy as I whipped out my phone so quickly but worth the watch, what a sweetie...
Of course we didn't forget her, how could we. Shortly afterwards she went back in with Chancie in their large turn out and she's a happy girl... Apparently we all love Chancies company :)
The weather is warm and we haven't had any rain this month. A first time in history they say.
We are so very dry. Every thing is dusty and this winter has been strange to say the least.
This warm weather has been great for the garden. My chard, kale and peas are doing awesome.
The girls seem to be enjoying it as well. In fact Dixie laid an egg today, the first one in 3 month! This has been the longest molt ever...But it appears we are almost done, yay! Three of our girls are laying now we just need the other five to start.
Chancie's sore. Nothing happened. I just noticed he was a little off Saturday and stiff by Sunday so perhaps some arthritis in his shoulder? He's been resting, getting massages and getting to know Punkin who by the way is adorable.
Oh my gosh I can't stop giving her hugs and kisses. Look at those eyes... Pure kindness and she's loving all the attention. The music man calls during the day as well to check on her. She seems to be settling right in and I'm hopeful all three of them will be a happy herd. For now though we have her with Chancie only and in time we'll add Luna to the mix.
Duke has mastered the art of digging huge holes but the gophers remain elusive.
and we've been enjoying some gorgeous sunsets. I know I say it all the time but I really do love my hood.
Saturday morning Ms. Punkin joined our family and we are beyond thrilled. She is such a sweetie and when she brays... Oh be still my heart.
Punkin is an 11 y/o donkey who's a chunky little cutie patootie pie. Unlike Chancie and Luna who had challenges before coming to us Punkin has had a wonderful life, full of great care and BIG love. She recently lost her companion (a gelding) that she lived with for ten years and is heartbroken. Her owner made a difficult and selfless decision to re home her so she could have a new herd.
We are so grateful and excited to have her here at the ranch. I think she and Chance will be best of buddies, she is more his speed. I have a temporary fence between them and my guy was a perfect gentlemen in welcoming her. I expected a few fireworks but they were both really calm. Luna, surprisingly has been very welcoming towards her too.
The music man, monkey and I are smitten and already in love with her. I'm looking forward to seeing her find joy and bloom as she settles in. I know she'll be best buddies with everyone here. Even the Jack and Duke who spent a couple hours laying outside her fence...
Before I go I wanted to thank everyone for their sweet comments about Chance and our look back over the last year, thank you. And a quick update on Duke and the elusive gophers.... Well it continues and he is such an efficient digger. He now has a couple holes he can almost get his entire body in!
It's windy and cooling down rapidly this evening here at the ranch. Tonight's sunset was gorgeous with all the dust in the air it looked like the sun beams were streaking across the sky. Hoping some of that portrays in this image. Linking to sky watch
Tomorrows a big day for us as we are going to me this sweet girl.
She recently lost her companion and needs a new buddy to live with. Turns out Chancie and Luna Tuna Pie would love to be her new herd. I spoke with her human today and she sounds perfect for us...Fingers crossed!
not that Monday is bad BUT Monday morning's don't come with pancakes made by the music man with fresh berries and a visit from a friend. We had such a great weekend and I'm looking forward to a nice warm weathered and productive week. Happy Monday Peeps! Jen
The weather this week has been more like late spring then the middle of winter here in my hood. So I've spent much of the week outdoors. The other day Monkey and I drove to the coast and shot the sunset at a place called Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.
These tide pools are only visible and accessible during low tide. I like the reflection in this one.
Jack and the girls are enjoying the warm weather. Fingers crossed their molts are finally finishing. I have two out of eight girls laying and we need eggs. The garden seeds are growing, the buckwheat is blooming and both horses are super dirty. If the temps stay up as predicted they will both get rinsed off. Chances face look like he grew tons of white hair but it's mostly dirt.
but less back filling by the gopher this time. Perhaps Dukes has the upper hand? Maybe... Today anyways.
This weekend our search to rescue a Jenny (female donkey) continued as well. I heard through a local rescue there we're a couple at a shelter not too far away who desperately need a home so after our hay run we stopped by to meet them. Anxious, excited and hoping one could be the perfect fit our family. Fingers crossed, yay!
Unfortunately, she wasn't. Turns out this dynamic duo is a mama with her offspring who are wild, not broke at all and scared to death of people. Sadly she would not be a fit for us.
I've been on the look out for a Jenny as a companion to the horses as well as a herd protector for goat and sheep I hope to get in the future. I want to rescue and because of their kicking power I need to be sure she'll meet certain requirements. Not broke is okay but she must be able to be handled safely. I'm sure we'll find her and when we do it will be perfect. Just keeping in mind that God's time is not necessarily the same as my time and I have "peace" with that.
By the way "peace" is turning out to be such a great word for me this year and though we're only a couple weeks in, it's also proving to be not an easy one. Duh, of course I guess I knew that which is why I chose it but jeez... Not that life is bad, in fact my life is blessed and full. I have no real complaints but reality is though life is good it ain't always easy... Daily pressures sometimes get the best of me but that's okay I have all year to get it balanced out :).
The weather man says it's going to feel more like spring this week instead of winter so i'll be spending as much time outside soaking it all in before the cold returns. Our weather has been SO weird this season.
Yesterday he spent most of the day running around the ranch digging holes.( It actually started the day before but was only one hole.) Big holes and several of them as the day went on. There is a gopher somewhere in the earth down by our hay storage and Duke took it upon himself to sniff it out. In fact, I think it became his sole focus yesterday, this was a dog on a mission...
Amazingly in his freshly dug holes I saw tunnels that were not visible above ground and not only that but the holes he dug seem to follow the gophers tunnel system. He must have an incredible sense of smell.
I shot this photo of him last night after I got all the dirt off of him. Gopher hunting is messy business I tell ya. Dirt was up his nose, in his eyes not to mention all over his coat and seriously packed between his paws.
I love how he lays down. It's always with his legs crossed and is so darn cute.
So I planned on filling in the holes today so no one twisted an ankle but noticed when feeding this morning the gopher actually starting filling them up again. Crazy right? So the gopher is still in there somewhere we'll see what happens today...
Last night my daughter was home, no work or school so she was able to help with some of the evening chores. So what would I do with a little bit of free time? Yep,I bounced over to the lake and shot the sunset.
This is the Kayak and Canoe dock at Lake Skinner and I had it all to myself. I know I'm a lucky girl.
The park ranger was very nice too and let me stay a few minutes after the park closed
so I could get this shot. The light was amazing and I just couldn't leave until it did. Thanks Monkey for blanketing and feeding last night. I sure love life in our hood!
If you've followed my blog for a while you know that I choose a word to focus my days on for the new year. Last years word was "fill" and boy did I fill my days. I filled them with faith, family, friends, adventures, photography, animals, clean food and lots and lots of love.
For this year though I feel full and very content I've chosen "Peace" for my word.
Seems like life always has it's ups, downs and challenges. I'm a planner. Oh man am I a planner... I love lists and busting out moves to get things done. In the morning I plan out how I think my day will go but often find that the universe has different plans. It's all good though and my Faith has taught me to be flexible and patient.
So this year I hope to hang out and spend some time in "peaceful" bliss and am looking forward to the year ahead. Here's to finding peace in all that 2014 has in store for us.
If a city were made of tree's then this would definitely be a crowded one.
What a busy couple of days, phew... Happy New Year friends! The music man's band played for our city's NYE Grape Drop. We sure had a great time ringing in 2014 with lots of friends, old and new.
The next morning after chores I had a photo shoot here at the ranch. I'm still working up the photos but wanted to share a couple of them here. I'm loving them so far...
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