Animal Crackers - boys and girls

Howdy

I guess the first thing is to report on the chickens since that was the biggest concern last week. I am sad to report that we lost one more. And it was Orchid, one of my heritage chicks. She was fine that night and the next morning she was so weak she couldn't stand.  I have been so depressed. Still pampering my Rhode Island Red now known as "sick girl" - she seems a little healthier, but not really with it mentally all the time. Well as much as a chicken should be anyway. She is now eating a little on her own so hopefully she will continue to improve.

Hubby spent an entire morning and set up a misting system for them. Really helps cool things down but we are having to mess with it trying to get the pressure right. Too much.. not enough... back and forth.

Now we have three boys in our Heritage pen. And now Hubby has started planning the new pens... not sure when they will be built but he is working on the plan and gathering supplies.

Sam is really coming on with his "Adult" feathers and color - oh... and sound! Wow he can talk!

 I think he knows he is good looking. Now Periwinkle one of the Lavenders, he is really laid back and still doesn't really crow. Maybe he just lets Sam and Leon have the spot light so he can flirt with the gals.  Oh and Hubby says he needs to be referred to as "Perry" as it sounds better for a guy. But I like Periwinkle...

You know that crooked beak gets him some added attention from the girls. Since loosing Orchid  he now has only one girlfriend now, Violet. She is walking there behind him. I really would love to gets some chicks from these two.

Now I am trying to not focus on talking about the heat this week again. But I thought this one was too funny. You have to share the shade around here... but these two crack me up... looks almost like the Guinea is filling Annie in with all the gossip. You see Annie has been living in Frankie's pen for the last few months. But this week we let all the girls being bred out and back into the girls pen. So who knows... maybe the Guinea thought Annie should be filled in on some things...

 Now that Frankie is back to being a bachelor for a day or so he is right back to flirting with the young girls. 

He is such a funny guy....

And another funny guy. I wish you could see in this photo what I was trying to show you...

This guy is SOOO dirty it isn't even funny. It is very dusty and dry, so those dirt baths are extra dirty. He was covered in dirt! Oh and You can almost see how grey his face is starting to get. Well he is over 20... and still a handsome man!

And a beautiful girl... Miss Libbie for sure!

 We had baths this last week, and did lots of brushing and everyone was so good looking. I can't show you Autie and Chica... just too embarrassed. Just a couple of days and those two don't look like they had a bath or groomed at all. Chica loves to roll in grass dirt mud whatever. Now Libbie. She enjoys being clean and brushed and likes being pretty. :0)

Hope you got a smile this week -
Have a blessed weekend!
HUGS and

Whimsy Stamps - Horsey Holiday

Howdy -
Today I have a new Whimsy Stamp to show off. I just love Crissy's Digi's Horsey Holiday!  - Just wish all that snow would cool things off!

I used Penny Black Madison papers - Colored with my Copics (colors below) And then used stickles for some sparkly snow - and then some sheer ribbon. The sentiment is also from Whimsy - Season's Greeting Sentiment.

Close up of Horsey Holiday - 

Inside same papers -

 Copic colors used -

 

Got lots in the works.... next week there are two new releases - so I have LOTS of cards to make! 

Hope you have a wonderful day! 

HUGS and

High Hopes Challenge - Fall Colors

Howdy -
Today's challenge at High Hopes is Fall Colors. Maybe if we all start thinking Fall and coloring Fall then it will get here faster? I am going to try.... I am SO ready for summer to be over!
Here is my card -

This is "Harvest Harry"  - I think he is staying still and waiting for it to cool off too!! Dreaming about Fall coming! I colored with my Copics (colors below). Then I added papers from Graphic 45, and card stock from Core'dinations that I sanded. I sewed the layers together then found some lace that I colored with a Copic. Old flowers from Prima that I added Martha Stewart Leaf punches, and Viva Decor Brown Paper pen in the center.

Inside the papers are all the same and ready for sentiment.

Here are the colors used -

 Now you just must see all the fall colors at the High Hopes Challenge blog and then join us! More chances to win more High Hopes stamps!!!

Hope you have a chance to do some crafting today!
Have a great one!
HUGS and-

Animal Crackers - Hiding in the Shade

Howdy -

Well most everyone is hiding in the heat here. Been a tough week for us - We have had days all week over 100 degrees and it has taken its toll on the chickens. We lost one this week. Sunday one of our Rhode Island Reds had a heat stroke - I worked for days with her. Hand feeding applesauce and yogurt, and lots of waters with electrolytes and vitamins. But after 5 days it just didn't do any difference and we lost her. We have two others that had a little dehydration, but has been better than the first. We are trying to save those two. I so hope we can. 


All the other chickens have been really enjoying the extras ... spraying down the pens twice a day - Frozen Fruit and Veggies at least once a day, yogurt, applesauce and lots of water with the electrolytes. Oh and the tarp on the end of the pens as well... more shade.

The Wyandottes are hiding under and behind their hut. Shade! Oh they run out for the treats don't worry...

Alice is loving that their pen has the tarp over then end. We put that up when we built it as their pen is just shy of the tree for late afternoon -

But it is all good with the tarp... Shade!

Now Violet seems to think standing on the water can keep you cooler... 

Leon was requesting that she not poop in the water as then Mom has to change it over and over.  LOL

Now Bella she decided that all the way against the trunk of our large Oak tree was the best place to be. 

It really wasn't bad while I was visiting under the tree. Around the other side I found three other ladies that were smart under the oak.

Darlene - Our oldest lady. I think she is about 26-28 now... Old sway back lady. Our matriarch. We have decided that we won't breed her for a while... she has given us some fabulous babies since we bought her, but it is time for her to think about her -

Chica and Libbie went up and were up on the porch and were ready to go in, but my boy Autie was toughing it out in the sun at the gate waiting for Mom. He is always at the gate waiting on me.

This guy is my boy. Always waiting on me for the ok, and to do anything. Sweet... but not at 6 am when "Dad" is already up and is trying to take the dogs out.... Autie wants me to get up and take him to the door and let him know it is ok. Sweet.. yes, but man... LOL

Hope you have some indoors in the air conditioning planned this weekend if not... stay in Hiding in the Shade!

Have a great day -
HUGS and - 

Whimsy Inspiration - Birthday Kitty

Howdy -
Today I have a card to show you that I did with one of the new Whimsy Stamps for the month. This is Birthday Kitty from Lia Stampz -

 I really had fun coloring up this kitty! Used my Copics, and went for a calico cat. Don't he look like he is having a lot of fun at his party? I found some papers from my stash of scraps that went well, including some shiny card stock I think that is from Bazzil? Then I used some ribbons and flowers for the corners.

Inside more papers -

Copic Colors Used

 A fun quick card. I just love kitty cards! Now make sure you see all the new at Whimsy! Those Digital images can be in your email pretty darn quick for you to be coloring right away!

Hope you have a wonderful day -
HUGS and

 

High Hopes Challenge - Polk - a - Dots!

Howdy-

Today is Tuesday and that is the High Hopes Challenge Day - And today is a fun one ! Polk - A - Dots! We all love dots don't we? My card was one that I just flew with and had some fun! And pulld out a High Hopes image I haven't used in a long time.

Who doesn't love a bunch of pigs in a bath tub? 

  This one is called "Good Clean Fun" I colored with my Copics (colors below) Then added stickles for the bubbles... cuz bubbles have to sparkle!

My papers are are from Graphic 45 - And the PERFECT Sentiment is also from High Hopes - "Hog Wash!" 

Inside are the same papers -

 Copics used -

This one is one I really had fun with and is one of my favorites! I just love those little piggies!

Now make sure you hop over to the High Hopes Challenge and see all the DT work and then we would be thrilled if you would join us! And win more prizes!

Hope things are good where you are... we have spent the last couple of days hosing down some of the outside pens. Chickens are really having some issues with the heat! 100 degrees days in a row seem to really do damage! So lots of water and sprinkling down things every few hours seem to help. What is it like where you are?

Have a great day -
HUGS and

Garden Sunday - Concrete Donkey

Howdy,


Since not much is growing here I thought I might take today to show you one of my favorite things here. This old Donkey concrete Statue -

 

This old piece of concrete was here when we bought the place many years ago. Found it in some very deep weeds under a tree. Loved it the day we found it. But then when a few months later we purchased our first donkeys and started "DonkeySmiles" it really has become special.  Ears are long gone and the concrete is smooth with age, but still has so much personality. 

Now it sits under the tree in the backyard. And yes I know back in the weeds... hey it is just too hot to mow right now, and at least the weeds are a little green. 

Side  view -

 

Also wanted to show off how much Hubby has gotten done on the neighbors barn!!

90% of the framing is all done. Next are the frames for all the double dutch doors down the sides. There are 9 of them... And then two huge sliding doors on the ends. Then the metal siding. I am so proud of how much he has accomplished in this 100 degree heat and all by himself. Those peaks in the center are over 18 feet high so it has been a challenge for sure. This last week he has had to stop working on it every day between 2-3 pm as the pieces of metal just get to hot to work with.

Hope you have a wonderful blessed Sunday!
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Bye Bye Pedro

Howdy,

Was a long week here. I have been working like crazy - heat - and we said good bye to another donkey that was sold. I purchased a huge collection of stamps last week and took a couple of days to unbox and sort them, and now I am putting them all onto eBay... you might want to peek :0) It is going to take a while to sell them all.. but I am going as much and as fast as I can.

We said Goodbye to Pedro.

We had a very nice lady call a couple of weeks ago and was interested in a donkey. Well she called again the week and was ready. Her and her son came to see the boys. After a little while with everyone she decided she liked Pedro. Pedro is a Darlene Baby- so he has that sweet slow personality and is very friendly and loves attention. All though here we had to take a break from going to the trailer and he was questioning leaving. After getting to his new home he has new friends and is settled in and doing well.  We are going to miss him terribly, but he is going to be spoiled have lots of new friends and family.

For a little while they were talking about taking Jorge -

 When they decided to go with Pedro I could see the relief on Hubby's face. He is totally in love with Jorge. Well all of them, but Jorge is like his little shadow. Follows him everywhere when he can. After they pulled away with the trailer Hubby looked at me and said that Jorge was now on the not for sale list. He just can't let go of him. I can't argue... Sergio is on the list for me. We are not the best ranchers sometimes our not for sale list gets pretty long... LOL Oh I am sure if the right person came and we had nothing else available we would rethink our list. But for now... we have two boys on our list in the youth boys pen.

Got a funny shot of Lilly...   That is a little tree we have been trying to protect in the goat pen.... but it just wasn't to be. It has died. From LOTS of head scratching. 

 You can see how they have rubbed the bark off of it. Now please lets not say anything out loud about Lilly's "extra weight" you would think she was huge pregnant... but she isn't, she is one of the older Ladies, and has had LOTS of babies in her life. She loves having babies. Been known to steal a few when she didn't have one of her own. But it has now gotten to dangerous for her to have babies. All she does now is lead everyone else, sleep, and eat. And this girl LOVES when "Dad" shares oatmeal cookies! But we don't allow that very often at all... due to that little extra weight. LOL

I have been showing you the beautiful colors the Heritage Chickens are getting in.

 Inge is really just now really changing and looking gorgeous. She is a Swedish Flower Hen chicken and rare in these parts. I only got her as she was an accident left behind at the breeder. She is really beautiful.

As are the Lavendar Ameraucanas - They are so different that the other girls. 

This is Orchid - She always looks so "poofed" up. Love those little cheek feathers. Really pretty in the sunlight. And really fabulous fuzzy rear end photos... but I'll save the back end shots for another day.

Then I walked by the "Cat House" and found Momma Cat in the house and out of the heat.

 Life is tough for these cats...  She has those gold eyes that just are so striking. So happy the are all getting so much calmer. Thought about climbing into the house and joining her she looked so relaxed!

Hope this week gave you a little smile -

High Hopes Challenge - Bug it!

Howdy,

This week the High Hopes Challenge is all about Bugs! "Bug It!" - Use a High Hopes Stamp with a Bug image or use bug paper or embellishments. Well if you read my post Sunday you know I am not happy with the bugs here lately. But this High Hopes Bug seems nice -

"Sweet Dreams" 

Love this little guy - I colored with my Copics ( colors below ) Then I pulled out a new paper pad from Marion Smith Designs, "Mad Hatter" fun papers for sure! I inked the edges cut out the clock and roses and stuck it all down. Added some Viva Decor pearl pen dots. The sentiment is also High Hopes - thought it was funny with the image. "Take time to smell the flowers!"

Inside more of the same papers - and another sentiment from High Hopes - "Its your day, dive right in!" You can dive into a hammock right?

Colors Used -

Hope you can join us! We really would love for your to win!
Have a great Tuesday -
HUGS and

Garden Sunday - Buds

Howdy -

I asked Hubby to take me a couple of shots of the Garden yesterday evening while he went out to water. I was really surprised to see just how much the Tomatoes had grown!!

 Just over a week since I took the photographs I showed last Sunday - we did have that little bit of rain one night so that is probably what helped. We are even showing signs of buds! Buds mean Tomatoes!

He also took another photo that surprised me! We have one fruit tree that hasn't been planted yet, still in a pot near the door of the greenhouse. A Pear... And look what he snapped yesterday -

 YUMMY! I just hope the tree stays healthy and we get to eat these before something or someone else finds them. We have been really nervous about our little orchard. You see we have now had attack of the grasshoppers here. Millions of them. Would be fine if they ate the weeds - but they have decided to go after the fruit trees. Hubby has been really watching them close and hoping that they won't die from all the damage from the bugs - Hot Texas Summer and certain bugs just really go nuts. I just hope they eat the leaves and move on and don't kill the trees. Lots of time and money and then we would have to start all over. Isn't Gardening Fun? Sigh....

Hope you have a blessed and wonderful Sunday -
HUGS and