VIDEO~New Baby Calves

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Earlier this week, our neighbors got three calves, which had lost their mommas and a couple cows from a farmer nearby.  The farmer delivered them to our neighbor by putting them into the pasture.  All the cows and calves ran around and would not come into the barn.  After trying to round them up for a day or so, he was able to finally get them into his barn.  His wife called us and asked if we wanted two of the calves. We accepted and they brought them down to our place the next day. 

They parked their cattle trailer in our pasture and unhitched it from the truck. They told us it would be good if the calves could stay in the trailer for 5 - 6 days so they could get used to us. That evening our neighbor tried to get them to drink from the bottle, but to no avail.  They fought him and kicked and bucked and just had a fit!!  So we left them to sleep for the night and then we came out the next morning, bright and early!

We were happily surprised at these little creatures when we approached them that morning! They must have been ready to eat, because they were completely different. 

Now, you must know something...I/we know NOTHING about cows.  Horses...YES! Cows...NO!  So, this something totally new to us. My boys know absolutely nothing about how to feed, catch, ties, pet, give medicine to, or anything...did I say, "Nothing!" at all, about COWS!

So, here is the very first time we have ever tried to give a bottle to a cow in our lives.  Ever! 
Enjoy the show! 

Blackberries for summer jam are coming in

Yes, they are definitely coming in and we're heading out of doors to pick and pick and pick. We have so many bushes that we are going to be picking blackberries for some time.  Jams and preserves are on their way to the cubbard. 

We trekked out into the pasture the other day and followed a path to the woods.  We found umteen bushes and thousands upon thousands of berries...all green.  We have a little bush in the front pasture, near the fencing...I checked it yesterday and the berries had turned RED and a few were even dark red and BLACK.

Ok, that means that "time is getting close" to pick them. 

So, with buckets in hand we are off...I'll be showing what we find.

{Spring Recital} CRC~Style!

Yes, it's recital time again! Last week several of the children and even some of our talented adults were featured during the recital held at Cornerstone Revival Center.  Among them were D. Brazeel, H. Cottingham, L. Knight, G. Wisener, G. Pintaro, M. Pintaro, A. Isaacson, M. Wisener,C. Wisener, V. Wilbanks, G. Pintaro, and Rev. Z. Isaacson.  As I was taking pictures, my camera's battery died and I didn't get to finish taking pics of everyone.  So here's what I have! 

Afterward, refreshments were served and everyone was able to share a few moments together talking.  
We enjoyed the musical talent of each participant and are looking forward to next time.  Thank you Sis V. Wilbanks for pulling it all together and for inspiring us. 

Here's how the coop was moved...

...from the previous property to our new property.  We balanced it on the tractor with a 1200 lb round bale of hay.  Of course the hay weighed much more than the coop, but it worked.  We just strapped the coop onto the front and drove staight through the back pasture.  A few of the chickens were still inside.  We set it down carefully and opened the door.  Out they came running and when one of the kids tried to pick up a chicken, out from one of the chickens, came an egg as they were running around!  What a shock!

We found the perfect spot and positioned it on some cement blocks. 

How 'bout it was cold the day we moved it and then it got colder!! We didn't even have a chicken run made for them yet.  They didn't seem to care.  They just roamed freely in the pasture.  They even laid a few eggs nearly everyday.

Since we had a large warming lamp for them, they didn't seem to mind snuggling down in their coop.

Finally it warmed up some and the snow melted.  They are enjoying their free-ranging pasture.  We have to be careful the area predators  don't have a healthy organic snack.  We've already lost a few to the hawk family that lives in the woods nearby. 

Since it was beginning to get warmer, we decided to go ahead and build that chilcken run for them.  The kids and I set out and put up the lumber and started at it.  It ended up being 10 1/2 ft by 16 ft. 

We had the sides and top up and then we started on the fenced sides.  We really thought this would keep them inside for at least the time being...but, oh no!  They definitely flew the coop!  Aggrivating!!

Now, they have a safe little place to get fresh air and walk around. 

Next, I'm going to show you how we clipped our chickens' wings because they kept flying over the fencing.  It's easier than you'd think! 

Here's what came for a visit

As we were clearing away an area of the fence line, we came upon this big guy.  He wasn't too happy we disturbed him as he was on his way to the pond.  We pulled the grass away from him and he reared his mouth open wide and stretched out his rough neck.  He was a thick, sturdy alligator snapping turtle.  His tail looked like an alligator with large bumps and ridges. 

So we watched him a little while and then left him alone. We must have found him while he was taking a little rest in the cool of the grass. 

We kindof figured that he knew where he was going and he didn't need any help to get there. Later that afternoon we came back and he was gone. It's pretty safe to say, we won't be going swimming in the pond this summer.