Animal Crackers - Cat in the Hats

Howdy

Found some great vintage hats at an estate sale a while back... asked Hubby to bring in the box so I could go through them and see about pricing and selling them at a future show. Came around the corner and found that someone had claimed the box as a nice cushy bed... Cat in the Hats .. or should I say "Gato" in the Hats -

She was so cute how could I get upset with her - did run and get my camera before I made her get out... 

This week has been all about Moxie - making sure she isn't roaming off looking for Nally. Man we are really missing Nally. And we don't want Moxie to head off somewhere looking for her. She has been doing just as I hoped, and staying close to home. Hubby has been mowing A LOT due to all the rains the clover, grass and weeds have gone insane, so he has been out mowing... Moxie has been following him from pasture to pasture and then back home. Thrilled with that.

Here I caught a little bit of her funny grin when I called her name. 

She has been receiving lots of belly rubs too... only one of the three siblings that did enjoy that.

Now that she is the only one here now she is taking lots of advantage to getting even more of them.

 

Hank was really enjoying the mowing yesterday afternoon - all that cut grass was just flying into his pen... no biting off required all the guys were just eating away - not too much though as that might give them upset bellies... LOL 

 

Here is a shot of Black Jack --- longing for the girls in the pasture just a bit away from him. We make sure there is a good space between them. Other wise I think Jack might figure out a way to get through. This is far enough to watch and call out to but not touch!

Man you can really see how lush and green things are!

Chicks are probably going to move outside onto the porch today. They have gotten SO BIG this week.

Will keep a heat lamp on them at night but the weather is so nice and warming up so they need to move out to the fresh air... they got in their tail feathers this week, and now their body feathers are coming in. Looked like little porcupines one morning then by afternoon they were better looking.  I have been calling them my little giraffe chicks. Kills me how far they can stretch those little necks.. LOL

Here one of them is giving me a look... I think it is "Get that camera out of my face please!"

 Hope you enjoyed this week - Feels like Spring is about here. Trees are budding out and things are green. I am so ready for winter be over. Animals are too -

Have a great weekend - HUGS and

Animal Crackers - ups and downs

Howdy -

Well another roller coaster week here on the farm. Highs and Lows - Ups and Downs as that is normal for us I guess. Started off on a up - we got new chicks this week... Hubby and I stopped at the feed store earlier in the week. Normally if it is just a pick up bags of feed  (BORING)  I stay in the truck and catch up on my reading... facebook usually... As Hubby got out of the truck I looked up and saw a giant sign "New Chicks Here Now" - I looked at Hubby and he shook his head. I jumped out and said I am just looking....

 We got inside to the chicks and they had some gorgeous breeds... mainly they had Australorps... one of the breeds we knew we wanted to get more of. You see we have come to the conclusion that the chicks we got last year from a private seller... well I don't think they were the best chickens. Of all the chickens we bought... we only have 5 left. And now yesterday we found the Lavendar is sick and I don't think she is going to make it. All my other chickens the Reds and Wyandottes are healthy and fine. I have been so depressed about all of the Heritages...  But I have learned a lot about buying chicks and know what to look for. Mainly... active and clean. Well these new chicks are active and clean. And before I could start the look and the pout... Hubby was asking for a box and telling me we should get at least 6 for now. I have such a wonderful Hubby....

These little ones are so amazing. Most active and responsive that we have had. I can't believe how much they have grown in just a few days.

Cute - Cute - Cute!

I guess I need to before I go much further let you know the down this week. As I am sure you are wondering. It is a real low. We lost one of our outside doggies... A true happy spirit. Nally died this week. We really don't why -

We just found her in her bed on the porch. No wounds - No injuries. We did notice that she didn't eat her dinner the night she died. Not totally out of the normal for her as some evenings a large rabbit does fill her up. We think she got into something poisonous. But don't know. I miss her so much. That dog was always happy - always. Now we are paying real close attention to her sister Moxie to make sure she is ok, and other than looking and barking for her sister she seems ok. But she has never been with out Nally... So She has been getting lots of love this week. Not that they didn't before - WE will Miss Nally horribly -

Ok before I start bawling again... lets talk about something cute and happy -

A few of the baby goats. Or as Hubby has been calling them "Knot Heads" -

LOL Doc, Man oh Man he is going to be one stunning Buck. Handsome and Sweet what could be better?

I called out to one of my bottle babies ... Jackie. Love that this girl always comes running to me when I call her name. :0) She was screaming out and running full pace to me. Love that!

You can see that she is a little Knot Head can't you? Those little horns are coming in on her. Adorable.

Her Sister Lizzy is just as adorable. And love to come running as well. But she has really put on a little gut this last couple of weeks... not sure why as there had been no bottle feeding for the past two weeks. I guess she is filling out on grass and Mom more than normal. If she don't stop chowing down may have to put her on Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers or something...

 I was kind and didn't show her belly from the back - she has really pooched out! But with that grin and those little Knots - she is precious!

Hope you have a nice weekend planned. And that the weather is nice where you are. Here today is suppose to be gorgeous... but tomorrow will be an indoor day. So we will enjoy today! :0)

Hugs and -

Animal Crackers - I have a Stick

Howdy -


Brrrrr..... Baby it got cold outside. And I braved the cold yesterday morning early just to snap these photos! Really early like before 7 am! LOL We were going to be gone all day and with the time change I was concerned that it was going to be dark when we got home so I went out to photo before we left. And it was a good thing I did... cuz it was really dark!


Was just at freezing here, and all the animals were puffed up to stay warm. I went to snap one of "Red" Scarlett is her real name, but we call her "Red" She was enormous! But just as I went to take a beautiful photo of her she picked up a stick and was flipping it up and down in her mouth to show me just how talented she is.

Up and down with her lips she flipped that little stick. So proud... Finally she dropped it and let me take a pretty photo...

Ok so she isn't a rocket scientist... but she is beautiful. Such a vibrant shade of red too. I am thinking she is going in with one of the boys next week to try for more RED!

Found the boy donkeys all puffed up and enjoying breakfast.

My baby Sergio made a few noises at me as a "hello, I would really love to come over to you and get some head scratches, but breakfast just got here and I really don't want to loose my place over the largest piece" I totally understood of course....

But Felipe.. head scratches were more important to him.

You can really see how large his face was poofed. Cheeks and bangs.  I rubbed a bit on him and then told him he better head back to grub as the others would eat it down fast as cold as it was.

Even the chickens were all puffy... Inge was really strutting around...

Her coloring is just amazing. I so need to find a boyfriend for her so we can make more Swedish Flower Hens as I am in love with her.

Speaking of in love ...

 As I left the chicken coop and came into the back yard I found Moxie and Nally at the other gate waiting for their morning "Cookies".  Every morning, Every Night before bedtime, Every time we have been gone from home and return they get a little Cookie. It is sort of our way of making sure they stick close to the house and checking up on them. Now I could not turn those faces down so I got them each a cookie loved all over them, rubbed bellies and faces and then they took off with their treats to the front porch where they have a bed and a big cozy quilt to cuddle down into. Just as they ran off Hubby walks up and ask me if I gave them a cookie.... well yes of course. He laughed and said well so did I about 10 minutes ago... LOL Their record for working both of us all day is 7 a piece... Ha! But we try and stay at the 4 and under most of the time. They deserve being spoiled though... Love theses two to pieces! Sister and so much alike and so different as well.

Hope you have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Smile!

Howdy

Thought we would start out with a smile!

Vicki gave me a really big smile the other morning. Usually I don't have my camera in hand for these great faces, but I was ready this time!! She is so funny... You can really see how black her spots are now. All the donkeys are really slicked off.

Even our baby boy Patricio is loosing his baby fur.

Are those ears or what? Babies usually keep most of their fur for the first year, unless it is really hot. And it is getting pretty hot here. Isn't he just adorable. Really turned red with the sun though.

Pepita really has slicked off and is just stunning now. Look at how black and pretty she is -

She is shy... and is my girl. Won't come to everyone but we have a special relationship... love this sweet girl.

Got a shot of Lillie waiting for breakfast - Lillie is our "old lady". We don't breed her anymore. Too many issues and we don't want to put her in danger for a bad birthing.

She is just too funny...

We call her "Popeye" as a nick name. When she gets excited her eyes look like they are huge and well going to pop out! Especially for oatmeal cookies... she loves when "Dad" shares his oatmeal cookies with her!

Speaking of waiting for breakfast...

 Had to stop shooting photos for a few minutes to give the outside doggies their morning cookie. Every morning, every time we come home and then one more at night before bed time they get their little cookies. Started out to make sure that they always were always home and ok. Now it is just a time for lovings... they get rubbed and loved on before each cookie. They are too cute.

I finally got some good photographs of Periwinkle to show you just how crooked her or his.. (we are leaning towards the he for him and "Eleanor" started hearing some young cock a doodle doo's in the morning too... sigh) anyway back to Periwinkle...

 
You can now see how it bends off to the side -

Top view especially...

Doesn't seem to slow her/him down. Still eats fine and is growing good. Hopefully there won't be issues later - this one has so much personality.....

Animal Crackers - How to you keep a Goatee in place in the wind?

Howdy -

What wild Texas weather this week! Down to 17 degrees earlier in the week and then yesterday afternoon it was 70! I much prefer the warmer… LOL The furry babies don't mind the cold but that really icy cold is a bit much. And the WIND wow…

Really is hard to keep your Goatee in place in wind like that!!

Paintbrush is one of the older ladies…. she isn't real fond of cold weather, wet weather, windy weather or even really hot weather… LOL She likes it sunny and 70! My kind of gal. Goats are sissy's when it comes to nasty weather….

Gracie came out the other evening to check on if it was dinner time. She is so beautiful. And LOUD when she is hungry by the way...

Speaking of loud when hungry… 

This is a crew of gals that really know how to scream for some attention. They were trying hard to get an extra meal the other day… but there is still some of their breakfast there on the ground behind them and we don't waste hay around here…. way to pricey to waste and they were really just wanting attention more than anything and they got that :0)

Speaking of lots of attention…. These two girls have been getting extra like I told you last week.

 When it was so cold this week Hubby and I decided that they needed a new blankie… They love their bed, but in the winter they usually are hunkered down under something. But this last week I found a blanket for them just in case they needed it. And they are really lovin' it. So much so that the lazy bones have been napping in their bed during the day too… LOL

Yes, this is my front porch. Their bed is our front porch. We never go in and out the front door anyway. :0)

Kind of short this week huh? Sorry about that. We have an Antique Show and I just knew I would be home early enough yesterday for a few more photographs for you especially since it was so pretty…. but the line at the drive through for dinner was a bit longer than we thought and we got home just as the sun was setting. Had to gather eggs with a flash light and the gals don't like that… LOL

I will try harder next week - Suppose to be pretty and warmer and we are planning to get lots done outside. Hubby thinks he will get the greenhouse done! HOPE so the seeds arrived this week and I am excited to get them going.

HUGS and-

Animal Crackers - Breezy Sunny Afternoon

Howdy -

Well I braved the chilly weather, and went out to take photos for today. Now that isn't dangerous by any means... but I am on that ledge...fighting the icky illness that everyone seems to have. I don't want it. I have no time for it. We have a show next week. So I am thinking soup and lots of vitamins... But before I crashed for the day yesterday I went out with my camera and snapped some of the animals.

This was my favorite photo of the day...

 My baby... Autie Boy. He is actually clean and sooo soft right now. But then he was running with Chica enjoying the breeze and sunshine yesterday afternoon - then they got that lovely doggy smell... LOL But he is still so handsome....

But now this shot is also a favorite. Miss Nally LOVES to stop and look at the camera -

  I named her as a puppy... "Personality" She was shortened to Nally as she grew up. She has so much "Personality" it just oozes... Love this gal...

Rhett was wanting a close up too... oh wait....

 No she was thinking I had some oatmeal cookies for her. LOL She does love just getting a little attention too though... almost as much as the oatmeal cookies.

Felipe came for some lovin too. They were let into their old pen yesterday, Hubby has been watering it and growing some winter grass for the boys...

 I feel so honored and loved that he stopped eating to come and get some attention from me.... I mean lush green winter grass you know... Sort of like Baskin Robbin's Ice Cream free for all...

The "Gals" were wanting their evening "treat" But there was a problem.. they had it about an hour before. Lettuce and Carrots, not exciting but they like it... and then forget.

 So they were really chattering quite a bit. And not accepting that they were already fed. Well they are not real smart you know...

 Just as I was heading in I spotted the three standards. Lovingly referred to as "The Three Stooges"

Normally this time of the evening they are out in the front pasture enjoying some grazing. But the "boss" Cocoa.. she doesn't like the cold wind. So she took the boys and headed off into the brush. She was very happy in there.. and I was getting a not so nice look from her she thought I was going to make her come out. Nope.. just a photo..

Oh one more photo...

 Hubby's newest project. YEA! A GREENHOUSE!!! We have talked about it for years, but we are finally getting it built. Hubby says a week at the most - Can't wait!! We already ordered a whole bunch of Heirloom Seeds -LOTS of fresh veggies this year!!!

Now off to look into that soup... I am really feeling it and thinking soup and my warm quilt are what I need right now.

 Have a wonderful weekend - warm and HEALTHY!!!
HUGS and-

Animal Crackers - Is it Goldilocks in our hay?

Howdy -



Well hope you all had a blessed Christmas with family and friends. We did here. This week though we had some concern here and Hubby was really getting a bit nervous about our hay barn.
You see for the last week or so he has been finding rounded out "beds" in our hay barn. And that doesn't usually mean a good thing. As varmits can leave some really bad things in hay that can really harm the animals. So Hubby is really careful with the quality of our hay and making sure that it is "secure"and clean for our kids. Well when he found the hollowed out bed like imprints in the hay barn he was getting worried and was pulling  out the traps to relocate what ever was coming in the barn at night to sleep. (Remember the opossum that we drove miles away to relocate on a river a few months back... LOL)

Well the other morning he went out to feed and I get a text message from him just after he reached the barn. It was this photo with a message "We are safe... and aren't they adorable"

Nally and Moxie have claimed the hay barn for nice, warm soft beds at night. Hubby tried to snap a photo of them before they got up, but they got excited to see him and sat up and stretched knowing it was now breakfast time. The girls are finally settling down a little bit and aren't looking constantly for Niner. Moxie still barks at night for him, but I think they too have come to the realization that he is not longer here. We miss him so. And the Girls are getting even more spoiling and hugs and kisses from us as we want them to know we love them and don't want them going off with any strangers!

Haven't shown off the chickens in a while. The girls are still all doing great, and still giving us their normal numbers of eggs. They Wyandotte's still have their red bare rear ends... I was going to snap a photo for you but they asked for only front shots this time... and I totally understand their embarrassment. 

Caught Little Bit here shaking out and puffing up her feathers. And you might still be able to tell that she has no tail feathers just a few sprigs sticking up... Wish I could get them to leave their tails alone.

This one cracked me up - it is from last week...

The goats were making sure I wasn't feeding any treats... if I was it might be worth getting out of their warm hut... and at that point I wasn't so they just popped around the edge and gave me a few baaa's then popped back in and cuddled up again. They don't like the cold.

Snapped a sweet one of Juliet. She is the standard among all the miniature girls. Girl is going through her teen age lanky stage... bony rear end, long ears and long legs.

 And we love her totally ... LOL She looks just like her brother Ted E. Bear. Especially when he was young. I cant' tell you how many times I have looked out into the pasture and seen her among the girls and my heart jumps a beat thinking that the Big Guy has gotten in with the girls. LOL

Little light on photos this week. Sorry we have had just nasty weather here the past couple of days. Everyone is muddy and wet and just yucky. Sun finally came out late yesterday afternoon, and we were out working in the barn. It wasn't until after the sun set and it was dark that I realized that it was Friday evening and needed photos for today... holidays really do mess up the days of the week don't they?

I am still having a hard time getting use to the idea that there are only a few more days in this year. It flew by!! Seems the older we get the faster they do right? All though right now I wouldn't mind winter to move on and things warm up and Spring get here. I love Spring here on the farm, and this spring we will have a few baby donkeys!!!! Oh my I am so excited!!

Have a wonderful weekend -
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Missing Niner

Howdy -

This week has been a very worrying and sad week here. Last weekend we left the house for 1 1/2 hours and when we returned, Niner was missing.

The three outside dogs, Niner, and his sisters Nally and Moxie, were playing with each other just like the always are. They ran and followed us to our front gate. Normally they would have run back to the house as soon as we would drive away. That is how it has been for the years since we adopted them from our neighbor. When we returned home just 90 minutes later the girls were laying at the gate as if they were waiting for us. But we soon realized that they were waiting for Niner. We searched until dark. Was up the next morning at sunrise and 27 degrees, and Hubby went out and starting searching more. Talked to all our neighbors and also located the workman that were working across our pasture. They all remember seeing him playing, but no one knows anything about where he went. 

The only thing we can come up with is that someone that came down our road saw how friendly and funny he is and decided that they wanted him, coaxed him out of our fence and took him.

 We hope and pray that he if was stolen, he has a good home and is loved. But I still keep looking and calling for him. As do his sisters... poor girls have been looking for him all week. The girls are more skittish with strangers and would not go up to someone. Niner knows no strangers and was happy and friendly with anyone.

I am still holding out as much hope as I can that he will be found and return home. But after a week... Hubby and I have just been sick all week. It is always hard to loose one of our babies. When one of our kids get sick or dies it just guts us both. But this one has been really hard to deal with... we don't know what happened or where he is. We miss him horribly...

One evening after Hubby had been out walking the pastures and fields looking for Niner he came back in at dark and laid back in his recliner to rest a bit. Libbie has learned a new trick this week, something she has not done before. She has come find that all though she is only 10 inches tall, she can jump! And jump high enough to get in her Daddy's lap and cuddle in the evenings with him. That is a place that Gato has claimed until now as her private place.... Now she has to share...

They were all resting and it was too cute to not snap a photograph.  - Now he may not be happy when he sees it here.. but it is really a cute photo... I HAD to share it right?

Later that night we put a movie on and I climbed into my recliner. Covered with a quilt and my feet up trying to relax. Then Gato decided that my quilt and my legs looked more comfortable to her....

She crashed big time and soon my legs went numb.

Didn't dare want to disturb her though... again just too cute. Lucky I had my phone next to me to snap a photo :0)

Sorry this weeks post isn't all fun and happy... the whole week was all about Niner and after thinking about it I have shared everything else here at Animal Crackers - you guys are part of the Animal Crackers family so we (Hubby and I) decided that sharing good and bad sometimes is life. You have been here for us with all our kids - births, lives, and deaths. Missing is a new one for us... but I know you guys will say prayers and think good thought for  this one here as well.

Where ever you are Niner... We Love you and miss you!

HUGS and -