animals everywhere!

Well maybe the animals are not everywhere. A majority of them have been juggled out of the pastures this morning and into the cattle yards. There is not much room in there, but we crammed in 5 horses and 3 cows.

The reason for this seemed insanity? Poppy Mulch. It is meant to be some sort of wonder food for plants, we were supposed to get some spread last year, but it didn't happen. So 2010 is the year for another experiment. I am hoping that it works well, it might just mean that we don't have to spread as much super-phosphate... I'm all about using natural above man made. The best thing about the Poppy mulch; dad suggested it!

I am pretty sure there is no stock with holding period after spreading, but we are due for some decent rain tonight and tomorrow. So we will be leaving the animals in the cattle yards, and the "wood yard" which is also known as the diet paddock, for a day or two. It means feeding out hay, but it should give the pastures a little rest and allow the poppy mulch to get "watered in".

That is all the news on the farm front. I am considering baking another loaf, or two, of bread today. Now that I know I can, I will.

ANZAC day

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we Forget.

I will not forget.

Off to complete my little tradition(which I am sure half of Australia and New Zealand also participate in), cooking ANZAC biscuits on ANZAC day.

On another note this morning has been quite productive. Spent some time with Clara online. I am pleased to announce that she now trots, while maintaining a relative amount of calmness. Also when she looses her calm she looks to me to see what's the go. I am very happy with the way Clara is progressing, I will have to admit it has been a slow process but I think we are covering everything.

another day, another million dollars

The days seem to be running together here at Beauty Farm. Our Indian Summer seems to be at a close, the rain is here. The days are colder, the nights are longer. Old Tonto pony has graduated from his cotton fly rug to his waterproof rug. Not yet at a Winter weight. Just water proof to keep him a bit warmer. I do feel sorry for the poor lil man, his joints object to being subjected to the cold cold nights. It's only going to get worse.

I spend a vast majority of my days observing the animals as I go about my jobs. The lambs, now almost fully grown, make me laugh. Horrace wants to get friendly, if you know what I mean, but the girls wont have any of it. I can almost hear them in my head. "Mmm, nice grass...(munch, munch)... wait, what was that noise?... RAM! OMG THE RAM IS BEHIND ME!!" as they quickly sprint off and away. I fear we will not be having any little lambletts this Spring. I am considering haltering the girls and holding them still so that Horrace can get his job done. Mum and Dad think this is insanely funny. Booger heads.

My knitting is coming along, I have finished 1.5 squares. I can knit and purl stitches now. Hooray. The current square is a basket weave pattern. No swearing to be heard either. I am very proud of myself.

I have felted another project. A scarf, of course. Next felt project; a largish piece of felt to be used as a baby blanket. Fingers crossed it works out nicely. I do have to get some more wool tops before starting this project. Then it will be time to get some patterns and start making "things", rather than just "felt".