Animal Crackers - Crazy Start to a New Year!

Howdy - 

Happy 2025 Everyone! Sorry I was MIA last week. It has already been a insanely crazy month - We started off the new year with pretty nice weather so Chica and I spent a day or so watching Hubby work on his Green House. Chica loved being outside with us so long... sat next to my chair and every once in a while would make a circle around then entire yard checking things out. The yard is now much larger than it use to be so she really is loving sniffing things and learning just where she can now go. 

This last week though the weather has been horrible!! Very COLD for us in South Texas! And I do not like COLD! And then the one day I thought I would have some time to get out and snap a few photos... uh it was raining and near freezing temps! UH sorry... NOPE! Not for me and most all the animals were in there huts out of the weather! So instead this week I thought I would do something different and show you our booth at our first antique show of the year. 

It has been quite a while since I have shown photos of one of our booths on my blog I think... so why not, right? It is better than rain photos out my window... 

So here are some shots of our booth.... :0) 

 I would like to tell you it was a huge show and we sold most everything... but at the time of writing this it hasn't happened yet.... but hopefully by now it is true.. wink wink!! 

Hope you all have a wonderfully blessed weekend. Looking forward to some normal temperatures and Furry kid photos next week! 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Cold and Rainy

Howdy - 

Well so much for Sunny Warm Spring here in Texas - the last few days it has been cloudy, cold and rainy. I kept putting of getting my photos, thinking at some point I should have a break in the weather and go get some decent photos... well I had to give in and bundle up, put my rain boots on and try and find anyone willing to stand out in the rain with me to have their photo taken. 

 

Jorge will usually always come over to say hi. He is a tough guy and looks like he has been out in the rain most of the day. A few don't mind it and they were all out grazing out in the pastures. But Jorge... he will make his way to me for some ear scratches. All though they were very wet ear scratches! 

Penelope also made her way out of the hut to see me. Now I felt so special, loved by this sweet little girl. To come out of her warm hut and make her way in the cold drizzle to me. 

 

Then I looked up and many of the goats were starting to stick their heads of the huts... checking to see if I was Dad with their dinner! He is coming guys ... just a little longer and he will feed you. I would have waited for my photos until he fed, but it was already getting dark and the photos during feeding is just a bunch of heads down in their food. So dark heads down wasn't an option. But Penelope she is a good sport for her photo today! Came for loving and a photo.

And in the doorway of one of the huts I found Miss Olive Oyl cozy and enjoying the view of the rain I guess. No chance she was giving up her spot until there was proof of dinner on the ground!

This next photo is absolutely horrible. But cool too. Yesterday afternoon we were getting home and Hubby was getting ready to get out and get our gate. When we both saw "them". There was two huge hawks up on the poles of the guys front pasture. Now I know... there is only one in this photo... They are so fast at flying off I was amazed I snapped and got this one in a photo. Gorgeous Birds.

This photo is from a couple of weeks ago. I forgot to share it. So I just had to!  We were packing up the trailer for our Antique Show I sat down this old pull toy horse for Hubby to take out. And in seconds we had a rider!

 

McLaren riding without a saddle and didn't want to get down! I took the time to snap a photo, then made sure she jumped off the hundred year old horse. Then I decided to put it out on the back porch to wait its loading to make sure he was safe from all the kitties wanting a turn to ride the rolling horse! 

Since my photos were not the best this week and not a lot of happy color going on, how about a couple of Hubby's roses?

They are solid roses and buds. Stunning Colors and so beautiful. 

 He has such a green thumb - and grows gorgeous flowers.... as long as I don't touch or help in any way! LOL

I hope you enjoyed - and I hope you have wonderful weather and enjoy a weekend of family and friends for the Easter Weekend. 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Blessed!

Howdy - 

As we close out 2022 and move on to 2023 it is always a time to look at just how blessed we are. 

Now Libbie she is feeling blessed to have received a new cushy bed for Christmas! 

 

We are blessed to have our little Libbie - she has been such a joy to our lives since day one! Getting old now, but still a total joy!

Another blessing is another year with our matriarch, our old lady, Darlene. She will be 31 in May and still going strong!

 

A little stronger and faster if her Geriatric Feed on its way to her. Man she loves that stuff! LOL She is the heart. Part of the beginning of our Donkey family - We love her so much. 

Now I couldn't go out to Darlene's pen and see her with out visiting our Old Man Black Jack. 

Now he is just a couple of years younger than Darlene, but that grey hair is showing so much more on his black. This photo is for a second reason... my friend Deana said my last photo of Black Jack made him look like he had no legs.. just a floating head. Well Deana ... he has great legs attached! And for an old man he can still chase down things he doesn't like in his pen. Just ask the neighbors dog! (dog got away with just his pride kicked! LOL) 

Heard a trickling sound while out with Black Jack and Darlene. Uh oh.. Chicken's water bowl was leaking. Looks like it had just started so good timing! Hubby out to fix it right off! 

 

The chickens are a blessing for us too. We have always loved having chickens, a pro for living in the country for sure having chickens. But recently WOW the price of eggs have gone nuts. So they are providing a valuable product that little white egg! 

The goats - Another blessing of joy. They are for sure some great entertainment! Crissy came to represent them all. Ok she came for some scratches between those gorgeous long horns. She loves to be scratched right on top of her head, oh and on her nose and cheeks.

Sweet girl! 

Thought I would share one more blessing. We love to buy and sell antiques. The hunt of finding awesome items is so much fun. Then to find the person that loves it just as much and wants it for their home. 

Hubby and I were at a local estate sale just before Christmas and found this fabulous concrete bunny!

 

He is a big bunny too! 29 inches tall or 74cm - He will be adorable in our show booth this Spring! I do have to laugh. More than once we have driven up just at dark and he kind of makes you jump. (no pun intended) Driving up and seeing a giant rabbit peeking at you.. LOL for a split second we think there is a giant rabbit in our yard. 

WE are very blessed to live where we do and have ALL of furry family. I do hope you have enjoyed visiting the past year. And I do hope you will continue to visit in 2023! 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - SMILE

Howdy - 

Well I went out and was begging for someone to give me a good photo this week. Everyone was more interested in the feed that was coming, or just asleep in the shade. But my boy Sergio decided to try and out do Raffie's Smile for the blog... 

 

Ok, first .. ewe! Sergio we need to do some serious brushing of those teeth son! You haven't had anything but hay... so what is that on your teeth. I think I will let Hubby look into that... Ha! But my boy Sergio does think he is handsome ... he is :0) 

Now this photo of Ted was a bit earlier in the day - we were heading out to get some breakfast and then run to the post office. Now Ted... he likes to stand between our back fence and the truck. You are not going anywhere until he gets his breakfast.
 

Smart, good looks and totally a sweet guy! Just adore him. He got some ear scratches and nose scratches then a kiss on the forehead while "Dad" was gathering up their hay... 

Then I noticed Cocoa watching closely... what is that on her head????

Oh poor Cocoa... she must have walked through a spider web in the trees and it is now stuck on her head. I tried to approach her to get it off. But not happening.. all that matters in this moment is that that fresh flake of hay is coming. Hubby tried to get it all off after feeding her, but she kept pulling her head away. No worries if is finally off after her belly was full. 

It is so hard to get photos while bellies are rumbling. These boys would not even look at me! It was like they couldn't chance loosing sight of Hubby while he was rolling around the hay cart. Common on guys!

Nope that slight eye glance from Chipmunk was all I could get! 

But Sweet Pea - she came to me for a photo. Shame the sun was behind her - but it is still such a great capture of her personality!

She is just so funny! I adore her even if she won't let me totally rub all over her. Just a little head scratch now and then is all I get... and those funny faces! 

Now speaking of funny faces... sigh... Bubba -

This photo was a few days ago... I was trying to work at my desk on the computer, he is sitting up on my printer above me. He had been in trouble more than once that day for anything from hauling things around the house, climbing up on book cases among a few things I just shake my head at. He isn't "bad" he just is always curious and checking things out. Oh like trying to jump at moving ceiling fan blades. Don't worry he wasn't even close, he just thought he could reach the ceiling. He is cute not brilliant. He freaks me out at times with what he tries. And I can't even tell you how long he just sat there staring at me. I finally leaned back in my chair and said what do you want? He climbed down onto the desk and curled up on me to go to sleep. Gotta love him, even if he makes me nuts at times! 

One more photo this week... thought y'all might like to see the antique concrete angel we got at a local estate sale.

 

Plan  is to have her at our next antique show for sale... but man I am really loving her! She is so beautiful. 

Well I hope you have an Animal Crackers smile again this week... if not scroll back up to Sergio Smiling - Ha! 

Have a blessed weekend -
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Winter is Coming

Howdy - 

Winter is coming... we've seen a small touch of it, then it has gone back to the 80's. But that little touch of cold has really done a number on any grazing around here. Things are dead for winter. So time to bring in a few round bales for a couple of the pens. The guys are really enjoying their bale as you can see.

Couldn't see Patricio... but no worries he has just claimed the backside of the hay for his. As much as they really love fresh green grazing, they do love having a round bale. No work, large buffet meal right in front of them! HA! 

Now the young girls and their Mom's have moved in the large pasture of all the Ladies. That leaves just Lacey and "Big Al" in the Momma pen now. 

"We" meaning Hubby... really fought having the girls move into the big pasture. He loved them being right out the back door. Ok we all did. But they needed to have the space and room to grow up and get to know all the other Ladies. But for now we still have Big Al in the pen, he has handled loosing his half sisters to play with pretty well. I thought he might make more noise about it. But he is being a big boy! 

But he does still love HUGS!

I think he gets that from his Momma Lacey. She loves to give hugs too.. and when the two of them are both hugging... well it was a good thing Hubby had the fence to fall back on! Donkey Hugs are just the best!! Worth it even if you do fall on your rear end! 

Had a little chat with Speck. She is such a gorgeous chicken! 

She just went through molting so she is really brilliant and stunning. Love this girl.. and her coop mate Guinea too! Amazing I snapped and got her in the photo too... she is always on the move! Never stops moving or talking.

Found Jennifer relaxing in the shade of one of the huts. This girl is not one of our normal friendly goats. Her and her sister Malory are both very stand-off, we have no idea why but that is who they are. We still love them - 

Jennifer has striking colors though doesn't she? 

Thought I would show another one of my "Collectibles" - 

Hubby and I found this antique painting years ago. It is not perfect by any means, has a few tiny holes and a scratch, but I love it. Sweet kittens, in a old worn frame. Just makes me feel warm and happy. 

I do hope that you got a smile this week. We all need smiles. 

Have a blessed weekend - 
HUGS and 

Animal Crackers - Momma's Boy

Howdy - 

I know I have told you all  many times about our standard "baby" Valentine. 

He is a big time Momma's boy. He was blessing for us when we purchased Cocoa his Momma as a friend for Ted. She was pregnant already so a big bonus baby for us. This guy is seriously attached to his Mom. She loves to hide from him, and he will have a full out panic attack and run all over kicking, screaming and calling out to her and the entire time she will be deep in a line of bushes or trees watching him. So sad, we have to go out and find her and show him where she is. Big tears.. then he calms down and all is good in the world. You would think he was "young" but he actually is 15 years old! 

Found this the other day... a real photograph of the day Valentine was born... So cute! 

Momma Cocoa is starting to show her age...  really starting to show lots of grey in her deep red coat. 

We have no idea how old Cocoa is, we purchased her as a rescue donkey, there was no information with her. When going to see all the donkeys they were trying to sell and find homes for, Cocoa walked right up to us, her eyes were big and sad and it was as if she was asking to come home with us. She was super timid once we got home, I don't think she was treated very well early in her life. But she has filled our hearts and become the leader around her. She has her days where she is very sweet and lets you love all over her..... then her days where she just doesn't feel like any attention. Thats ok... we love her no matter what. 

Ted has gotten really grey... he is now just over 18 I think. The personality and greeter around here. He usually is found following Cocoa and Valentine where ever they are roaming. But if he gets board or sees anything that might interest him... he will wander off and be his own man. 

The three standards have the property to roam. They can go around most all the miniature donkey pens and goat pens. It is like they oversee everyone and make sure all is well here. 

Now if you have been reading my Saturday Animal Cracker post very long you know Hubby LOVES to take photos of bugs, beetles, birds, snakes... what ever - he loves nature. Well he got a spooky one this week! We find these ladies quite often actually, but not one that was so nicely posed upside down to show off her trademark! 

She is a big girl too! Glad he snapped this one to show me and didn't call me to visit in person! 

Ok to end on a fun note... you seemed to enjoy seeing my life size antique Rocking Rosie last week so I thought I would show off another favorite! 

This is two of my antique pull toy donkeys! The yellow one was called Maude the kicking donkey, the red and grey one is Jack the Kicking Donkey. Both are by All Fair Toys. Mid 1920's, this was before Fisher Price. I love them, they are approaching 100 years old and when you pull them the buck and do a little kick. I was thrilled to find them both in such good condition. They sit in my display cabinet and make me smile when I see them. Kids need toys like this today! But I guess if doesn't have batteries and do something it isn't for them now a days is it? Oh well... they still make me happy! 

Hope you got a smile this week, and that you and your family are safe! 

Have a blessed weekend - 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Uploading Slow...

Howdy -

 This post was tough!! Satellite Internet Issues... photos wouldn't load was so frustrating! But I am dedicated and stuck with it!

This week I had a hard time finding good models... Lots and Lots of Lightening and Thunder the night before, sadly we missed the main rain. We really really really need some rain!!! But all the noise must have kept most everyone up all night and they were all inside huts or bushes taking naps I am sure. I sure needed one!

Well Darlene was there... She was trying to tell me that "Dad" forgot to feed her again. And she needed a scoop of her special feed.

She tries this trick multiple times a week with me. I think she really believes I am not real smart. I think I'll just drop that right there. LOL I know a few friends will have a come back laugh for that!

Jackie came out of a hut .. at first I thought to see me, but ended up she was just stretching her legs and needed to scratch her back .... man those horns are useful!

Now old lady Jill came right over to see me and get lovin' all over. She is such a sweet girl.

My miracle goat. A stuck baby years ago nearly killed her. But she fought and survived despite the vet saying he didn't think she would make it thru the night. Love how friendly and did I say sweet?

Uh Oh... we have a chicken that didn't lay her egg where she was suppose to!!

Now which chicken is it??? I guess I could call in CSI and do some testing and get down to the bad girl. But well... as long as it was a one time thing I guess we will let it slide this time! Next time in the box girls!!

Just had to share this! We are getting ready for one of the Big Antique Shows and we have this beauty to sell!

This antique Pull Toy / Rocking Horse is about 3 1/2 ft. tall! Now first of all I know you are asking "WHY ARE YOU SELLING IT??" Lol well first of all space... small house and I already have a 1930's Macy's Store Window Donkey that is over 4 ft. tall that takes up a big wall in my living room. Second well... its a horse. Not that I don't love horses... now if it was a donkey... might be loosing a piece of furniture in the house! LOL and well... it is going to look great in our booth! 

ok.. that is all the photos I got to load correctly ... 

Now I guess I will do some research and find out what is slowing down my internet so much... sigh. A con of living in the country.. but the pros are so much more!

Hope you have a blessed weekend -
HUGS and