Moving to Oregon | Build Me a Dream

Time to Redefine our Lives in Oregon

Posts tagged ‘Moving to Oregon’

Peahens and Peacocks

We’ve had an invasion of sorts….a far east, invasion. Exotic? … Yes …. Beautiful? …. Yes …. Loud, chicken feed loving, and hard to capture by cell phone photography? …. Yes, yes and yes!!

I think it’s mating season!!

Our neighbor’s Peahen hangs around our back patio area…many times sitting at the glass door, almost as if she is saying, “Can I hide out for awhile?”

But, the boys call out to her….and she hides in the grass….

CAN YOU FIND HER??

The boys seem to know where is…..

They climb the waterfall as their instincts tell them that they are getting closer…

Ms. Peahen is well hidden…she has gotten as low as she can in the tall grass…..

…well, maybe not in this picture….but, you can’t see her at all in the next picture….and the boys searched…

…and I believe that they peacefully found each other, or they didn’t…either way, they disappeared. Maybe in a couple of months or so we will see something like this again…..from 2014….

I hope you enjoyed our little far east invasion……

Please have a wonderful, wonderful Sunday!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Cats and Peahens, Movie about Peacocks, Peacocks, Peahen, Springtime

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Who can take a sunrise…..sprinkle it with dew….cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two….the Candy Man…..oh the Candy Man can….the Candy Man can cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good. (The Candy Man – by Sammy Davis Jr. Writer: Chambers, Karina / Monaco, Katherine / Schjolin, Morten / Ingoldsby, Denis Noel Copyright: Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Music Publishing)

It’s kind of amazing how all creatures..big, small, human, animal….zombie…..are all attracted to the sweet things in life, at least sometimes. There are THOSE yummy things that take more effort to resist than others.

I think that that kind of treat will be important in the management of our little goat herd. Clark and Lott, being bottle fed babies, are easy to handle. They come running when they hear our voices….they call out when they see us….in stark contrast is, Montana!

Since Montana was raised to forage with the herd, he is not accustomed to as much direct handler contact. He does not relish the idea of being scratched or hugged, and if he senses movement in his direction…he goes the opposite way. Montana is completely wonderful….he is exactly what we wanted to help the bottle fed babies learn the basics of, “How to Be a Brush Goat.” However….I do want to be able to handle Montana when it is necessary, so he and I have been working on familiarity with being touched. He doesn’t have to like it, he just needs to be able to stand still when it is necessary. We have made pretty good progress….and then…there was yesterday!!

We broke boundaries yesterday….Montana actually ate out of my hand!! The lure….goat candy…better known as young Douglas Fir branches. Tony introduced the three to this delicious treat a couple of days ago.

Since licorice flavored goat treats weren’t pull enough for Montana to breach that border between food and hand…I decided to try a young fir branch…..SUCCESS!!!! This seems to be a treat that all three of our kids cannot resist.

As chomping ensued, I was able to get a few scratches in behind Montana’s ears, and between his horns. Petting his furry body was a little more intrusive than Montana would welcome, but progress is progress!! Later that evening after I had closed them in for the night, Montana stood still and allowed me to pet him a bit. I didn’t push it….by the way…I never knew that goat kids were so fluffy!!

No worries, little guys…there is plenty more where that came from!!

Thanks for visiting the kids this morning!! I hope you have a sweet, sweet day!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Douglas Fir wood, Goat Treats, Goats, Meat Goats, Spanish Goats, Spanish Meat Goats

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Peace of Mind

Peace of mind is a valuable thing. It allows me to sleep…it allows me to…well…basically, carry on in life. Recently, there has been this issue…I don’t really know if I should talk about this in such an open forum. My thoughts run to, “Well maybe if I just get it off my chest.” “Maybe then I can stop feeling so guilty about this thing?” So here it goes…..

……we’ve enlisted the help of a guardian…more powerful than even our big, Penni girl. I know!!! I feel a little guilty because this guardian has Penni on the run…literally. Meet the Guardian…hot wiring around goat base camp..AKA – Candlestick Park II.

Penni has been zapped…twice. The first time, I believe she touched the lower line with her paw because her reaction was to bark…incessantly for a about 30 seconds while running as far from the fence as she could get…and then straight to Mom. She needed comfort, and there was a totally confused looked on her face. We cuddled for a moment and then hung out paying attention to chicken chores….Penni didn’t mind as long as we were far from the fence.

Today, curiosity was far too intense to be dismissed. Penni just had to find out why the fence had bitten her. As I glanced to the left….there I saw it. Penni was slowly pushing forward with her nose, and just as I had yelled out, “Penni, Leave IT” ….. zzzzzap ….. and then a running, yelping, running, yelping Great Dane took flight. She was zapped smack dab on the nose! Obviously, that area is a bit more sensitive than a paw.

Knowing that this type of incident would probably take place, and that Penni would not be injured….the importance to provide some protection for our youngest babies on the farm trumped the occasional “zap” that Penni may experience. I think she is learning very quickly.

And now, I have peace of mind once again.

Thank you for visiting the farm today, but please keep you hands, feet, and especially noses away from the black and white strings along the fence lines. You may have a shocking experience!!

I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Farm Fencing, Great Dane, Guarding Goats, Hot Wire Fencing, Penni the Great Dane

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Great Strides

The Wolf and the Goat A WOLF saw a Goat feeding at the summit of a steep precipice, where he had no chance of reaching her. He called to her and earnestly begged her to come lower down, lest she fall by some mishap; and he added that the meadows lay where he was standing, and that the herbage was most tender. She replied, “No, my friend, it is not for the pasture that you invite me, but for yourself, who are in want of food.” Aesop’s Fable – Translated by George Fyler Townsend – Chicago, Belford, Clarke & Co., 1887

There is a look in Penni ‘s eyes, an instantaneous moment in time that predicts one action, yet is also that brief “you’ve got one shot at this” invitation allowing correction and redirection. It is easy to recognize, if you can catch it….in one pin-pointed blip on the radar the entirety of a 130 pound Great Dane is focused, poised, energized….readied like a loaded gun….and then, as if the trigger has been pulled, the explosive energy forward is unstoppable.

Penni has a passion for our new little kids, Montana, Clark and Lott. She seems confused by her primal instinct to hunt and chase, and her desire to “mother.” With direct supervision, she is off-leash now within the goat’s penned area. Clark and Lott were the bottle fed babies, and they seem to have no problem with Penni ‘s sniffing and slobbering….Montana on the other hand, was raised with the herd and is much less accepting of Penni ‘s affections. He stares at her … in Dane language that is the equivalent to, “You want a piece of me?” , which then causes the response back, “You want a piece of ME?” … and the chase is on. If I can catch the stare, before the quiver of muscle just prior to take off, I can stop the chase with a stern, “OFF IT”….but it is a very brief moment, and the cue is ambiguous at best.

All of this energy, the entire reason for the chase is that Penni needs to sniff, and slobber……but how can you reason with a strong-headed goat…..and how can you negotiate a warmer encounter with a female Dane driven by her desire to mother. For safety’s sake, the use of a shock collar may be in order here. I don’t advocate the frequent use of those, but in terms of a dog’s or goat’s safety, I’d rather Penni got a quick jolt than a pair of broken ribs from horns on Montana’s head….and if Montana is in a vulnerable position like his head is through the fence and his horns are preventing a quick pull back…I’d rather he not hurt himself because he is panicked. He’s just too cute!!!

Everyday, Penni is calmer and more bored with the whole situation…especially when it comes to Clark and Lott…they don’t run…but the chase……..that is a hard game to give up!!

Thank you for visiting the farm today!! I hope you have a fabulous, Sunday!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Goats, Great Dane, Meat Goats, Penni the Great Dane, Spanish Goats, Spanish Meat Goats

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Penni the Goat Mama

– Pay no attention to my shushing of my husband…LOL

Our Great Dane, Penni ‘s first introduction to Montana, Clark, and Lott was….well, shall I say, exuberant??!! The excitement was immediate, and intense. That of course, is Penni ‘s way. She is big, her excitement is big, her movements are big, her voice is big, and her heart is huge! Penni demands to be “Mommy” to every new baby critter she comes in contact with….the new Kids were no exception.

Basically, the afternoon and evening were all about trying to welcome, and help make our little ones feel comfortable and safe….and allow Penni to get some familiarity with the little critters that she can see through the windows of the house. If we wanted to have any peace at all, this was non-negotiable. I knew that it was going to be the kind of day that would require a lot of patience, and a good, sturdy leash.

As big as she is, Penni can still stick her head, all the way through to her shoulders.

Getting her head out, is not as easy.

Does this picture look familiar??

She is ever watchful…these are her new babies.

Once a baby is smelled from head to toe, and slobbered on all over…they are hers. Be it chick, kid, or poult…her motherly instincts are strong….either that or…..no, I don’t want to think about the “or.” It’s never been the “or”….but sometimes it looks like the “or.”

Today, the leash came off….but NOT inside “The Stick” (Candlestick Park)….only on the outside of the fence. Thank goodness for this reduction of intensity. The exuberance is still there, but she has brought it in a little bit, and is more able to control the instinct to just mow everything down to get to the kids. They are responding with a little more calmness around Penni too. Everyone is adjusting…WHEW!!! Right now, the adjustment period is strictly for the big dog and the kids…the little dog’s introduction will be several days from now…after more of the exuberance wears off.

Other than that, the kids had a good night….no surprises. They seemed warm and cozy, and everyone seemed well….very well. I think they slept just fine.

I think they are happy!!

Thank you for visiting today!!

I hope you have a wonderful morning, day, evening, or night…whenever you may be reading this!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Goats, Great Dane, Penni the Great Dane, Rasing meat goats, Spanish Goats

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The Boys

Last night’s sleep was pretty restless. It felt like I wrestled all night with the logistics of the kids’ arrival. Then, I had this dream…..

It started out with Tony and I wrestling with the thought of where to store the hay…yesterday we purchased, loaded, and hauled 10, 80 pound bales of Willamette Valley Grass Hay from our neighbor who is in the hay business….anyway…back to my dream….

….so we were trying to decide where to store the hay….time was running out, we had to go pick up the kids, but I hadn’t cleaned out the x-large dog carrier yet, nor put a layer of straw (or pine shavings) inside of it for them. It seemed like nothing was in place…the gate to their “base camp” had not been hung, they had no water, and everything was still in the back of my SUV. We had no time left we had to go. I was flustered. So we get there and the rancher already had the goats boxed and ready to go. They were boxed up in a moving box. He said, “Just leave them in here, and when you get home, put the box in the barn, leave, and then check on it in about a half an hour. So we did. When we went back to look, there was like this beautiful, glowing light in the barn (old chicken house) and lots of little animals….hedgehogs, burrowing prairie dogs, a small cat like cuddly thing that turned out to be a baby mountain lion (in no way did it look like a cougar cub), various miniature birds that looked like hawks, and seagulls, and two tiny, tiny baby deer…..spotted, and only about a foot tall. But there were no goats…not one!! I thought, “hmmmm…I need to get them some water” … and then my alarm went off.

Hahahaha….that was too weird.

Welcome little ones!!! We picked up our two….no, three little kids from the rancher at Cozine Springs Ranch ( http://www.cozinespringsranch.com ) – never go to pick up animals with extra money in your pocket…hahaha…our plan was for two! The fact is, we couldn’t split up the twins…they were bottle raised together, and are very sweet. The brown one was raised with the herd going out to forage with mama from the beginning. He will be a good teacher for the two bottle fed kids…they have a job to do.

We carried the two bottle fed babies into their new enclosure, but the brown kid wanted a different kind of entrance. He needed to feel out the territory first….then once he had feet on the ground…he checked out the hay….kept walking and started munching on a patch of grass….YES!!! Exactly the job we need them to do.

Their names…..introducing….. Lott (as in Ronnie); Montana (as in Joe); and Clark (as in Dwight)…in that order! Hence the need for their stadium…Candlestick Park II…in case you haven’t guessed, or just plain have no idea….it’s all about the 49ers…as in football that is.

So there you have it….our introduction into the world of goats…livestock….growing this farm. Will it be sustainable?? At some point will we start producing income, instead of sinking more money into it?? Will I ever have to mow again?? There is one answer for everyone of these questions….only time will tell.

I have found that this breed is nicer looking in person (or in goat in their case, LOL) and not as photogenic. They are a rugged breed, the Spanish Heritage Goat….built for ranging outdoors most of the time, and in their enclosure only when they want to be…but not yet…they are too little, and fluffy, and cute. How was their first interaction with Penni our Great Dane….that’s tomorrow’s story.

Thank you for helping us welcome the newest members to the farm, today.

I hope your day was wonderful!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

49ers, building a new home, Cozine Springs Ranch, Goats, Rasing meat goats, Spanish Goats

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Crazy Goat Eve

This day, April 6, 2015, will officially be known on our farm as Crazy Goat Eve. Tomorrow is the great goat experiment. It has been close to 4 weeks since we have seen them, soooooo…I’m not sure what to expect. How big will they be? Is the “base camp” area we have planned for them big enough for the next 5 or 6 weeks until we get the first real pasture and goat barn built? YIKES!! I don’t knoooooowwww!! I’ve been just a tad…stressed….even had a few scary goat dreams, but I think those have passed…hahaha. I hope so!!

The preliminary plan is to adapt the old hen house to support our little Spanish kids for 5 or 6 weeks. I cleaned the place from top to bottom, and Tony enlarged the chicken door to fit our young charges.

Creating a temporary “base camp” was the main mission of the day, today. We had to move the house, now known as Candlestick Park II (you will understand that tomorrow) about 15 feet. This would allow us to put up the fencing and evade this beautiful, stomach upsetting tempting goat treat…..Camillia Tree flowers and bark….

….the blossoms are falling off now, which are not toxic, but apparently, can cause stomach upset in goats.

Okay, so the house did separate from it’s foundation a little…a lot, but it is fine now….we lined it back up just fine…

….it’s just a little off…..I thought it was lined up better….LOL. No worries though because there is a large base for the skids to rest on. I tested it out, and it didn’t tip over so it all good!

The fencing went up pretty quickly as the ground was soft from all of the rain. It was so great to find that the roll of fencing we had left over in the barn was enough to encompass the entire area which is about 1500 – 1600 square feet. These little guys are used to foraging over 250 acres with the herd, or staying in if they prefer….hopefully this area that seems large enough for a few weeks will keep them safe and entertained enough that they don’t push their fence boundaries.

There are stumps for climbing onto, and jumping off of ….. and a patch of cement to help keep hooves nicely trimmed….

…and of course, Penni took on the responsibility of checking the yard for and weak spots….after all, we all know that these little goats will be Penni’s kids. I think she’s as excited as we are!!

“Get goats”, they said. “They take care of themselves,” they said. Then, why does the back of my SUV look like this??? Well, I guess I needed these things anyway….right??? At least the two bags on top are for the chickens..LOL. Beyond this, we have a barn to build……pasture fencing to pull…..and a whole lot to learn!! I look forward to sharing it all with you along the way.

By the way, make sure you stop in tomorrow to meet the newest members of the farm….I can’t wait!!! AND…there are now…

…four Canadian Geese (2 couples) on the pond!!! That must mean something good.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope your day was absolutely wonderful!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Building a fence, Farm Fencing, Goats, Spanish Goats

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The First of Spring

The beautiful, spring weather has given me such an itch (okay, yes, my eyes are a bit itchy since the trees are pollinating, but that’s NOT what I am talking about) to start our vegetable garden. In California, my small, backyard garden would have been in by now…maybe my seasonal planting alarm is going off still based on CA time….STOP IT!!! I’m pushing the snooze button!!

We have experienced frost well into April, since moving to Oregon, and I’ve lost many plants due to the malfunction of my “seasonal alarm clock.” This year, however, I’m trying something new….

…peat moss starters. They stay in the house, away from direct sunlight, covered…..

….to create humidity and warmth. I hope it works…this is the first time I’ve started these particulars plants from seed. There is a problem of which I have become aware….I forgot to make a map of the tray indicating which seeds were planted in which pod. I have a total of eight different vegetable seeds planted into those pots…..hahaha!! This should be fun!!

In the mean time…. just in time for Easter Egg hunting….one of my hens laid this bad boy!!! Really….

…How did this happen?? The shell was really rough, and thin….and calcified. It felt like, well, calcium.

It was delicious, though!!

The flock continues to enjoy the warm, spring sunshine….GET OFF THE PORCH!!

And Penni is enjoying the fresh mounds from the awakening gophers….UGGHHH!!

BTW…I didn’t really eat that egg, hahahaha….YUCK!! I threw it to the frogs in the pond….good eats!!

Happy Palm Sunday!!

(Old Testament) Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.

(New Testament) John 12:12-15

¹²The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ¹³took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’^[a]
The King of Israel!”

¹⁴Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:

15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;

Behold, your King is coming,

Sitting on a donkey’s colt.”[b]
**********************************
Christ knew what He was riding into……..He loved us too much to turn and ride away…but He could have….He didn’t.  Blessed be the Lord God, Almighty!!
Please have a wonderful week as we build up to the most Holy of celebrations.
Your friend from Oregon,
Tami

Category:

Calcified Eggs, John 12:12-15, Palm Sunday, Peat Moss Pods, Wrinkly Eggs, Zechariah 9:9

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A Surprise Delivery!!!

Yesterday we were surprised with a very special delivery……well, we are expecting our little wethers…..so….guess what??!!! Are you ready????? Were we ready????? Well… we had better be….because….you may have guessed it already, but…..

ONE OF OUR GOATS CAME HOME TO THEIR NEW FARM!!!

Tony and I are pleased to announce the arrival of the very first goat to our farm…….please welcome….

Goatee the Goat!!

Isn’t he a cutie!!! Tony surprised me with this little gift in the mail!! So sweet!!

Our thoughts lately have been all goat. Where do we put them?? I mean it seems like an easy question, but it’s not….not at all. We need to set up “base camp”….there is a lot to think about, like…Will the barn structure block our view? (that is all me..LOL)…..Do we make base camp within and around an already existing structure? (most of those are too close to the house – I’m thinking flies and smells here)…..If we build a new structure, how much is THAT going to cost?? (I do not want to spend a ton of money, but I want our kids to be safe.

I like this spot….it’s on a hill which will make it a slight bit challenging to build the barn, but the goats will love it….just look at their play ground…..

….there is a bunch of brush for beyond the grass for them to enjoy. It’s a great location!! Far enough away, and down-wind from the house. Tony thinks it’s too far, especially when the weather is bad….he has a point.

On the other hand, there is this spot…..

Of course….I’ll have to move this important piece of the farm….

….which will be okay. The garden gets just a little too much shade for too long in the morning, and I need to make it a bit bigger this year.

Anyway, back to the goats….I need your help. Where would you put Goat Base Camp?

The foreground is closer to the house…..a lot closer to the house. Looking straight through to the tree line is the location I first suggested….with the brushy playground, and further from the house. One downside is that this is a good hill to sled on when it snows….but there is another!! So…where would you set up…closer to the house…or out by the tree line?

Thanks for your visit…and your help!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Goats, Spanish Goats

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Much Ado About Eggs

“For which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me?”
― William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

There really is a “love affair” that happens once you get hooked on free ranged, from Farm to Table chicken eggs. However, there is a question bringing me stress from time to time. The dilemma of the day ….. “To wash or not to wash??” ……. I’m so confused!! This question goes around and around…Much Ado About Eggs!!

A Symphony in Eggs

I was visiting a very seasoned rancher, and we got to talking about chicken eggs. At one point, he had over 100 hens from which he sold dozens, and dozens of eggs. I asked him if he sold the eggs straight from the bird, or if he washed them. He told me that he washed them…”Always wash them,” he said. He just used warm water, no stringent egg wash products. His point was that you just don’t want to take a chance….that you don’t know who is handling the eggs after they leave you, and if they will use good hygiene practices. GOOD POINT! GREAT POINT!!

After talking with him, I was pretty sold on that idea…then I thought….. “I just don’t know.” That bloom that is on the egg from the hen is a great protector. It protects the developing chick inside the egg from harmful bacteria penetrating the shell….left undisturbed, it should do the same thing to eggs intended for the frying pan…right??? AND…it is actually ILLEGAL to sell washed eggs in the UK, and all of Europe!! http://www.forbes.com/sites/nadiaarumugam/2012/10/25/why-american-eggs-would-be-illegal-in-a-british-supermarket-and-vice-versa/ I think that says A LOT!!

From http://thepoultryguide.com/collecting-and-cleaning-fresh-eggs/

Well, the USDA is also on the side of the UK for eggs in shell unless you are a USDA egg handler producing graded eggs sold in grocery stores (large egg producer with caged birds)….. “Should you wash eggs?
No. It’s not necessary or recommended for consumers to wash eggs and may actually increase the risk of contamination because the wash water can be “sucked” into the egg through the pores in the shell When the chicken lays the egg, a protective coating is put on the outside by the hen. Government regulations require that USDA-graded eggs be carefully washed and sanitized using only compounds meeting FDA regulations for processing foods.” http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/egg-products-preparation/shell-eggs-from-farm-to-table/ Basically, if the water is too cold, you run the risk of bacteria permeating the shell…….

From http://www.pure-watersolutions.com/makes-water-smell-like-rotten-eggs/

So, it seems to be one of those “Damned if you do….Damned if you don’t” kind of situations. Since there are no rules I can find regulating the washing or not washing of eggs in Oregon ( I have looked far and wide for regulations on this), I think I will leave this up to my individual customers. And yes, washed eggs are going to have to cost more since they are more labor intensive. It’s not like I have a lot of customers………right now! I guess a call for clarification to my county’s extension office is next on the list for the coming week. I want to be in compliance with my county / state’s requirements.

How do I manage eggs that I personally use, or sell?? I keep my nesting boxes clean…very clean with new pine shavings every few days, or if there is any soiling or broken eggs on any given day. The hens / rooster are outside the hen house all day…unless laying eggs. Their roost, where 99% of the poop falls, is 5 feet or so away from the nesting boxes…so things stay pretty tidy.

That being said, if there are smudges, soiling, or dried products from a broken egg on any of my eggs, they go to the dogs….literally. Depending on the weather….literally, rain or no rain, determines how many treats the dogs enjoy.

So, the eggs I eat, sell, and give away are visibly clean. I, personally, wash my eggs in warm water right before using….and tell others to do the same (with the exception of a couple of friends this past week going by the advice of the farmer …. which I still think is good advice…..) According to the USDA….maybe we don’t even have to do that….not sure. The learning process continues…..always!!!

What are your thoughts????

Thanks for spending part of your Sunday with us here on the farm!! I hope your day is wonderful!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Chicken Eggs, Free Range Chicken Eggs, Free Ranging Chickens, Nesting Boxes, Washing Eggs

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Two…The Next Step

Two…..two are a pair……a couple……a set of twins……a pair of socks…..the usual number of hands, feet, legs, arms, eyes, ears……and mouths. Let that sink in for a moment………..mouths????

GREAT BIG NEWS!!!! The farm is growing by two mouths!!

Two young Spanish Goat kids will be coming home on Monday, April 6th. They are both males….wethers…which means they will be castrated by the time they join the farm. One of the boys has been bottle fed, the other, nursed. One is black, and one is brown….both are extremely cute!!

The herd that our kids were bred into are not pastured…they roam around and eat down the brush on 252 acres….then come home every night to the barn. Spanish Goats are bred for this type of life….our forested terrain is perfect for them.

Sturdiness is synonymous with the Spanish Goat, and it is not unusual to have a buck reach 120 – 150 pounds. Although they may be large, they have a milder temperament, and doe’s generally do not need assistance when kidding…..good information for the future, ’cause right now, our two castrated males won’t even be thinking along the lines of being daddy….

Not a great picture….this guy was much cuter in person. Tony reminded me that we’re not looking for cute….these are meat goats that will clear the brush. They will have a job, whether it be to fill a freezer, or save us time on the tractor. Have you ever eaten goat meat (Chevron?) I have not. The farmer we are purchasing the kids from, said that it tastes suttle, like pork, unlike lamb that has a stronger flavor. We’ll see what happens.

There is a lot to do to get ready for these little brush hogs…..stay tuned!!!

Thank you for sharing in the next step of growth on the farm!! The next few weeks should be very exciting!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Brush Hog, Spanish Goats

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Welcome our Guests!!

Have you ever been to Canada? I have, once, as a child. I remember beautiful gardens, driving go-carts, the fairy from Vancouver to Victoria, and everything seemed very clean. In contrast, our current Canadian guests, Fred and Ethel, are really quite nonchalant about their housekeeping. Please welcome the most recent guests to the farm……. <turn up the volume>

This was the first day of Fred and Ethel’s visit, so I didn’t want to spook them by getting too close. We’ve had a myriad of ducks on Gloria’s Pond, and have hoped for geese….now I’m kind of wondering, “Why??” These beautiful pond ornaments are messy, messy, messy!! I wouldn’t mind so much if they stayed in the front pasture / pond area, but they are branching out. There is evidence….evidence that is undeniable (I will spare you the messy visual – LOL.) I’m glad we can accommodate Fred and Ethel’s desire to explore the farm…

….here they are behind the house enjoying the view. The adventure of their day came at the point that Penni caught sight of them…….honking loudly, off they flew….toward the hills, around the trees, over my neighbors barn, and back to the…..

…solace of the pond. I told our guests that their accommodations were on the pond side of the fencing….we had an extensive conversation regarding their reservations. I was convinced that they understood….

….obviously, Fred and Ethel…follow their own rules!! Despite their rebel nature, I really love our new guests, and hope they stay awhile. Might we have a gaggle of goslings this spring….I sure hope so!!! In the meantime, I don’t mind the extra housekeeping…..but I do expect some sort of reimbursement for those services provided. A few tiny swimmers would be much appreciated, but I will accept a couple of their beautiful feathers in consolation. Fred, Ethel…..get busy!!!

I other news…. Ever wonder why it’s so hard to get rid of those nasty thistle weeds…..take a look at that humongo root. We still have a week of winter, right?? Why are these already threatening to take over the garden??!! UGHH!!

In true form…my girl, Claudio, stayed with me throughout my dig-out-the-thistles afternoon catching any bug or worm that were turned out. Claudio and I have a special relationship….she knows when I have shovel in hand, goodies follow….smart girl!!

Thank you for visiting the farm today. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami – P.S. Don’t forget the green on Tuesday!!

Category:

Birds of Oregon, Birds of the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Canadian Geese, Fred and Ethel

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Benedict’s Bungalow

A few posts ago, I hinted…well maybe more than hinted….on the flock’s new house. it has been a work in progress….work a little…..NOT…..work a little….NOT, and finally it is finished I had very little to do with this construction project beyond design …. Tony did 90% of the work, my son…..maybe 10%. So, although the new little shelter should be called, Tony’s Place, (or something like that), it has to be….Benedict’s Bungalow!!!

It started with a moveable foundation, built on skids. The one part I did help with was the building of the trusses for the roof.

Every hen house deserves a nice porch to sit out on while enjoying those long, summer evenings!!

YES!!! We are wired for electricity!!! No more flashlights, or construction extension cords draped across the ground from the shop. Hey…we have to have….

……Christmas lights!!!

Insulation for our fine feathered friends!! They deserve this…they work hard for us.

I think I could live in this little house!!!

I think they are enjoying their little house!!!

The flock is really enjoying this set-up of their roosting boards. There seems to be a lot less picking on each other, and there is enough space for those ladies lower on the pecking order to find a peaceful resting spot.

The new 16″ x 16″ nesting boxes.

I think the girls are happy….I know they are! With more light, peaceful nights, and these amazing nests…we are getting between six and nine eggs a day now!!!

And with this automatic chicken door….. I’m a happy camper too!!! It raises and lowers with the light of day, and as night descends. Now that I trust that the flock understands that this is their home, and they haven’t missed getting into the house on time for two weeks…I am not running out every night to check on them. I’m trusting that everybody has made it in… it’s very liberating, actually!!! 🙂

So, I leave you with this….the next time you crack open an egg…..think about the hen that gave you that little gem, and thank her. If you think it’s easy work….just listen to our morning……they do carry on!!!

Thank you for visiting the flock today!! I hope your time here was fun!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red Mix, Buff Orpington, building a new home, Chicken House, Chickens, Rhode Island Reds

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T-I-M-B-E-RRRRR

The sound of a chainsaw screaming in anticipation of the job ahead….that was the sound this past week. As most of us, west of the Cascades, have experienced, winter has already turned to spring. I don’t know what happened with that old ground hog’s prediction this year, but for those of us in Oregon, and California (I’m pretty sure Washington, as well) those 6 more weeks of winter did not hold true… at all. My condolences if you live on the east coast…….

Service Dog Project – Ipswitch, MA http://www.servicedogproject.org/ …… snowed over for weeks now!!

Although we are still getting into freezing temps through the night, the days are very mild…perfect for timber work….as necessary, and cyclical as the annual, “mowing of the grasses” season. It’s important to rid the forest of damaged trees, they become unstable…the “widow makers” of the forest. In turn, we resupply our firewood supply for the winter….ideally, we’d be cutting for the winter of 2016-2017 right now, but we are a little behind and are still stocking for 2015-2016. We’ve got to pick up the pace a little as our season to fell timber stops with the “burn ban” that occurs every year in July….maybe earlier this year if the rains stop sooner than what is normal. With the weird weather pattern we’ve had this year, I hope the rains don’t stop too early, but I worry.

In an effort to not add to the particulars and such in our gorgeous, clean, Pacific Northwest air, Tony and I decided a long time ago that instead of burning, we would chip the branches that we couldn’t really use for firewood.

It’s better for the environment, and provides us with some beautiful mulch for the garden. This pile is from one tree….there are a lot of needles as this tree was very full….the aroma is amazing.

Like the best Christmas Tree smell, ever!!!

When the chainsaw, and chipper’s jobs are completed, it’s time to split the wood into wood-stove-useable size logs. Since we don’t live in -0 temps, and our house is pretty energy efficient, we don’t need huge logs to keep the house warm. Plus, smaller logs are just easier to handle…and look really pretty when they burn.

So Gorgeous!!

Seriously, when logs like these are burning hot, like this, we barely use our heater at all. It a wonderful thing!!!

When you think of splitting wood, what pops into your mind? Is it the iconic lumberjack, or cowboy wielding an axe that he purposefully hammers down onto an upright log, as the wood splinters from it’s stronghold, and falls to the ground? Sexy…yes….impractical for my man’s back….also yes!! This is how Tony (or any of us for that matter…mostly Tony) splits our firewood, and I have to say, there is something very relaxing about watching it break apart in slow motion, really…if you can get past the noise. Listen for the cracking…..

This tree that gave us the batch of logs, from the video below, had it’s top crown broken off in a wind storm this year. The wood on the inside of the tree was wet from water being absorbed back inside the tree’s trunk from the top break. It was good to fell this tree.

Amazing how much moisture this tree absorbed.

The beginnings of a rotting, live Douglas Fir.

In other news……I have a question. With all mature hens in the flock…which one of the girls laid this tiny, tiny egg??

Only about the size of a walnut.

Thank you for taking the time to visit the farm today. I hope your winter quickly turns to spring. Keep watching…….it’s on the horizon.

Take care of yourselves out there!!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

building a new home, Chipping, Service Dog Project, Splitting wood

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We’ve Left the Farm…

…it wasn’t easy to do. The decision was the result of a few months of thinking, planning, and visiting options for the furry four legged, and feathery two legged residents of our little community. The circumstances driving us away were/are important, equipped with their own unique pulls. So, during this past week, we made the final arrangements for the animals, packed up, and left the farm. To say it was a little emotional for me would be like saying, “The sky is blue” … a bit obvious. I haven’t left, left my new home for 3.5 years….except for a short trip to Disneyland a few months after we had moved here. Our beautiful piece of God’s great creation has become my most favorite place to be in this world….sorry Walt. Really, why would I want to leave it?

For my Bay Area peeps… Can you tell what area we were flying over?

So, is this the end of our Oregon story? No!!, because you see, although we did leave the farm, it was only for the weekend!!! Hahaha….gotcha!!! Since this blog is about the journey of moving from our life-long lives in the San Francisco Bay Area to a small town in Oregon, and how our lives change, grow, and expand, I thought it was only natural to write about the experience of my first time visiting home. It was all so familiar, yet all so different.

Leaving is a struggle, it turns out, I don’t really like the “leaving” part. My mind is filled with, “What if’s” and “look at those big brown eyes,

she’s not going to understand why I’ve been gone so long.” The longer the delay, the bigger the, “What if’s” become. In contrast, the logical part of my mind works on the premise of the “to-do” list….the preparations so that leaving is actually possible. It’s a little different now….it’s not just about packing….and it is helpful in keeping the “What if” bugs out of my head….they are definite energy zappers. Studies show that, approximately, only 8% of the things we worry about are likely to occur, or actually impact our lives in some way…..Who studies these things??!! Good to remember…..did it help…..well, I didn’t worry about the flock much at all while I was gone…LOL….they are pretty self-sufficient….with a little help…..

……like a quick, temporary fix to the new chicken house. Wait….What??!! I didn’t mention the new chicken house…….well, it’s not quite finished, but it has an automatic door that open and closes with light and darkness., hence nobody needs to do that for them. I just looked around and grabbed what I could to make their lives comfortable. I hope they were!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting today!! I hope your day is amazing!!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

building a new home, California, Homesteading, Oregon, San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley

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Got to Get Going

It’s just that kind of a Friday morning….wishing we could linger just a little longer! We are close to the weekend….we are very, very close!!

Oh well…time to get going! Hope you all have a lovely day!!

Thanks for sharing our morning!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Black and White Cat, Black Cat, White Cat

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Breaking Bad – Black Walnuts

I’ve been meaning to update, Harvesting Walunts, for a while now. To say that removing the nut from the shell has been a lesson in frustration would be an understatement. OMGoodness!! Breaking into that black walnut shell is like trying to break into Fort Knox. For whatever reason….the nutty gem within is highly, highly protected…I mean beyond what seems reasonable….seriously!!

If you think I’m joking, take a look at this……..

Jimminy Crickets….unless you have teeth like a squirrel, or jaw strength like a Great Dane (more about that below)…I’m not entirely sure we were meant to actually eat these nuts. I mean think about it…if you were reliant on the calories and nutrition that black walnuts can provide, by the time you broke open enough for a handful size serving, you would have expended more calories than the walnut provides. There’s got to be a better way than my finite mind can fathom.

The results of about 45 minutes of effort resulted in this…..

The 2nd clue that this was not going to be an easy process. See all those dents in the wood…those are walnut shell impressions from banging it with a hammer!!

The black walnut’s chamber of secrets!! It’s a matter of digging out small pieces of nut.

My question is, “Why is the meat of these walnuts so protected?” Look at the damage to the wooden board that trying to break into this shell has caused. Is it worth the effort to gather those small pieces of nut?

The comparison of nut to shell. This is the result of shelling four black walnuts. The nut is sweet, and very…nutty. Quite good, actually, but I think next year…I’ll probably just leave all of them for the squirrels. Obviously, they are more equipped to eat these nuts than I am!!

Now, if I can just invent a tool that breaks the shell as efficiently as this girl…maybe I’ll harvest more this coming fall….

In all likelihood, I think I’m sticking with the good old English Walnut…look at the difference three nuts yield, besides that, there’s no danger of being impaled by flying walnut shells!!

Quite the difference!! I don’t think I’ll be harvesting many black walnuts in the near future.

Thanks for visiting the farm today. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Black Walnut Tree, Black Walnuts, building a new home, Cracking Black Walnuts, Harvesting walnuts

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Egg-zample of Diversity

Penni and Lilly

Chicken eggs…keep me thoroughly entertained. Really! There is a kind of, “Treasure Hunt,” satisfaction that happens every time I go out to collect them. I never really know what I’m going to find….well…I don’t usually expect to find dinosaur eggs or anything like that, but I’m always hoping to come upon that golden egg…..wait….that was Aesop’s goose. However, in Laos, there is a similar fable with a hen being the giver of the golden egg….it could happen!!!

Our very first hens, remember them…the Untouchables (meaning, these hens and our rooster, Benedict, will never visit the stew pot…they are the Untoucables)…started laying eggs about a year and a half ago. This was my very first experience with eggs not bought in a grocery store. At first I thought, “Uuuhhmmm…..EEEWWWW!” They looked different than store bought eggs….they weren’t…..perfectly sized and formed. The shells had blemishes….this couldn’t be okay….could it? Well, I quickly learned that they are very much OKAY….and delicious!!!

Here is a sampling of how free range chicken eggs can differ one from another…..

A Symphony in Eggs

….pay no attention to the ketchup packets….hahaha…they provided structural support 🙂 As you can tell, I have all brown egg layers. The difference in shading is quite remarkable. I wonder what determines the shading from hen to hen or egg to egg….hhmmmm…..lots of things I suppose.

Home-grown, free range eggs come out spotty with deposits of pigment dotting the beautifully browned shell. Notice the little warty thing on the egg to the left….those happen too. I imagine those are little extra deposits of calcium. It’s all good!!

Eggs 2014

Sometimes, the spots look like someone spattered white paint all over them.

Is this splotching pigmentation deposits, as well?? I don’t know…but it is common, and does not affect the integrity of the egg. I will admit, the first eggs that I discovered with this kind of….decorative coloring…were discarded. I just didn’t like them….I soon learned that the goodness inside was beautiful, perfectly formed, and perfectly healthy.

Torpedo Egg

Some of my hens have a great sense of humor…..they lay torpedo eggs!! Seriously, I think I have one hen in particular…not sure which one….that lays these extra extra large, elongated eggs. I feel bad for this hen as laying these eggs must be quite the feat!! Many times these eggs are more fragile…..

…and their smaller ends come out a bit wrinkled…sometimes cracked. The torpedo egg below….

Extreme Torpedoing

Torpedo Egg cracking

….is an example of the cracking that can occur. Only the outer shell is cracked, but the integrity of the egg has been compromised. This egg either goes into the compost pile, or directly to our Great Dane, Penni.

Of course, my hens lay perfect eggs…why not…they, themselves, are incredibly perfect!! Doesn’t that egg look entirely delicious!! The goodness inside is like no other egg you’ve ever tasted, unless of course, you have the privilege of raising, or buying true, free range eggs yourself. I can’t even order egg dishes in restaurants any more (with the exception of eggs benedict.) My hens have completely spoiled me!

Just look at the depth of color that yoke has!! It is fully of an amazing amount of omega-3s…truly, very healthy!! One thing you may notice is how the yolk kind of separated from the white in this picture. Many times, this is what happens when you cook eggs that are same-day fresh. It does make it easier for the yolk to break if you are trying to fry it.

BREAKFAST!!

Making a tiny omelette with two tiny eggs.

I usually have a supply in the fridge, and am generally cooking up week old eggs rather than same day. It does make a difference in the integrity, especially if you’re going for that “flip” when creating over-easy yumminess. I keep a carton of about 2 week old eggs for hard boiling, as the shell won’t stick as much to the white when pealed. HHHmmmm….makes you think, doesn’t it….how old are the eggs we buy at the grocer….I never had a problem with shell to egg-white sticking in hard boiled eggs when I was buying them…..HHHmmmmm!!

How about that lovely beauty….my first quiche!!

I think it’s easy to say that my hens’ free ranging, farm fresh eggs are the star of the show around here. If you’ve never indulged in a golden delight raised by one of your local small chicken farms…do yourself a favor and get a dozen….

Beautiful golden gems.

….I think you’ll be hooked….so be prepared, there’s no going back!!

Thanks for visiting the farm today! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Chicken Eggs, Free Ranging Chickens, Homesteading

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Dotting the Landscape

Miss Fozzy Bear

The moisture in the land this time of year brings about a true richness and depth in the natural colors that dot the scenery. I love how the redness in the wood that ladens the land pops through the bright green of the winter moss, and grasses.

A stray piece of Douglas Fir bark becomes a topographical mapping of the roadways various insects have taken to navigate their way, to and fro.

Stumps that are being slowly broken down and decayed dramatically showcase tunnels and caverns.

Stray branches damaged by weather, and time create an amazing centerpiece fit for a king’s table.

Even the flock want to get their feet onto a wooden surface………nope, not that one ladies…..no way….

….that’s more like it!!

Those are some beautiful girls!!

Thanks for visiting our forested farm today. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami

Category:

Buff Orphington / Rhode Island Red Mix, Buff Orpington, Chickens, Douglas Fir wood, Rhode Island Reds

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To Breed or Not to Breed

I realized the other day that it has been quite awhile since I mentioned our Great Dane, Penni, in a post. That is really unacceptable, as she is the pearl…the gem…she brings a, well,….regal quality to the landscape.

If you have been visiting our farm for awhile, you know that Penni is mother of all things chicken….hatchlings, to be more specific. Every new chick hatched on the farm (or not) is required, by the overseer, to pass the sniff-lick-slobber resiliency test by the queen herself. Once completed, Penni is bonded to the chicks, and keeps a very close eye on them….

I promise to watch over you… I may chase you, but I will protect you!

…the downside of this is like any mommy, she becomes very protective of her chicks, and will let the other dog(s) know in no uncertain terms. This is a very natural response, however harsh it may seem.

We’ve come to a point of “decision” with Penni. She is not spayed, and is a wonderful example of a classic, old school Great Dane.

Yeah, she thinks she’s a mountain goat!

By this I mean, she envelopes all the qualities of Danes before there was the trend to breed taller and taller dogs. This trend, and acceptance by the AKC, bothers me so much. I don’t believe that this adds to the health of the breed, I think it weakens it. I have seen danes with such long legs that they look spindly, the rear end is often higher than the shoulders, and the dog’s gait / strength appears off, weakened. I don’t like it at all; our Great Dane babies are not Irish Wolfhounds or Deerhounds…they were not originally bred to be as tall as those.

I think this breeding taller trend is what has also sparked the other current trend of breeding European Danes into the American Dane’s bloodlines. This, in my opinion, is a good, healthy trend, as it is bringing sturdiness back to the breed. Okay…I’m off of my soapbox now!!

My beauty!

Our pending decision…to breed or not to breed. I know…this is a dirty word to many….I usually think that way too, and am a huge advocate of spaying and neutering. In fact, this is the first animal I have ever had (besides chickens haha) that has not been “fixed” … she is the only four legged beauty that I have ever considered breeding. Physically, she is amazing, strong, and adheres to the standards of the American Kennel Club ( http://www.akc.org/breeds/great_dane/breed_standard.cfm ) ….mentally, she has a great, loving temperment….not at all aloof (although a common quality of the breed) and is very intelligent. Yes, I said it….I do believe that dogs think, and are not solely reactive…especially Danes.

Seriously…can’t you see the problems of the world being solved right there in that chair!!

FAQ’s:

Why would you breed her while there are so many in shelters and rescue? Beyond Penni’s safety and the safety of the pups throughout their lives, this is my biggest hindrance. I have worked in shelters or with shelters most of my life…this is an issue that I have not been able to justify yet, hence, Penni has never been bred. However, we have the acreage to take back any of our babies that may need to be rehomed.

Penni at 8 weeks old

Is Penni OFA certified? This is an expense that we will put out if / when we decide breeding is what we intend. She will be certified in heart, hips, knees, elbows, and thyroid… if and when.

Those are some great hips on that girl!!

Do you show Penni? No, Penni is an amazing family member. Although I thought, at one point, to show, I have not gone that route with her.

What’s the real reason you are considering breeding, Penni? If her OFA certifications are favorable, her classic dane stature, strength, beauty, and demeanor would be great characteristics to pass onto the next generation. If I could provide a few other families with a forever sweetheart like our girl, it would be a great gift….I know I’m romanticizing this very important decision…believe me, I’m looking at the issue with eyes wide open!

Reason for discussion? Penni will be three years old in April…at this point, she has been through five heat cycles. I will not breed her as long as we still have our 15 year old little Karli with us, as I will not subject Karli to that level of stress. For Penni’s safety, I don’t want her to go through too many more heat cycles if we’re not going to breed her…..hence, before her next cycle, I want to decide what to do. There are risks associated with the fluctuation of hormones in our furry kids that are unaltered.

Karli & Penni

Bottom line, there is much to consider…financial, emotional, intellectual, and social issues surround this decision, let alone the health and safety of our girl and her pups. Penni is depending on us to make the right choice. Beyond that, a suitable male would need to be found….not an easy task. I know this is a very controversial discussion for many…I highly respect your opinions, as I hope you will mine.

Thanks for talking with me today. Animal management (livestock or pet) on the farm always requires thoughtful consideration. It is never a light-hearted choice.

Your friend from Oregon,

Tami