Saturday #52

Good day couponing at Dollar General.  Lots of overage with paper coupons. 

No coupon for 6 packs of pepsi though.  Two different transactions, saved $57 spent $3.  

 

Hay And Humor

The last square bales we bought were when I was trying to train the mustang.  J realized she was going to need to be in the barn a lot longer than we had anticipated so he purchased a truckload of square bales.  

That was 4 1/2 years ago.  With careful management, and using the centers out of round bales when we needed to feed the odd animals in the barn, we were down to our last 1/2 bale.  

Then a miracle, I saw a post on Facebook that someone close by was selling horse hay, yay!  And at a reasonable price, $4/bale.  When we got there though, it was first cutting hay so they gave it to us at $3.75 plus 2 free bales for good measure.  Not many people put up square bales anymore so it's nice to find someone close by that we can get a few from. 

Now for a little humor.  
 

I would probably try to talk them into all ten, but maybe one at a time. I think they missed the whole point of trying to sell it all.  

 This was an add on Craig's List. "XX provides careful, personalized transport for your horses and livestock".  Looks like they live by the Priority Mail slogan, "If it fits, it ships."

Look Who's Here

Sweet little SJ made her appearance and the tail end of 2020.

V said the pediatrician said, "She is perfect."

They are still in the hospital but with covid restrictions we haven't been able to see her yet.

Can't wait to meet this precious little soul.  

Happy New Year one and all.
 

Guest Photographer

E has been hiking around the farm everyday with her camera and binoculars.  She says she needs one more bird to move up to 5th place on the county eBird list.  Here is a sampling of what she has seen. 

red-tailed hawk 

not a bird but a coyote.  we have seen this one a few times.

blue jay

golden crowned kinglet

song sparrow

eastern screech owl

northern harrier 

american kestrel 

E is letting the pictures speak for themselves, she has nothing to add. 
 

Parks Board Game

E received the game Parks for Christmas. 

It looked like a good fit for a naturalist interested in hiking and visiting the National Parks.   Four of us tried to play it yesterday.  Between us all were 4 undergraduate degrees, 3 masters degrees and a DVM.

Note the ages and time to play.  And interestingly, you can play by yourself. 

The game is super cute, nice game piece, 

and beautiful graphics. 

After an hour of reading the 10 pages of directions we finally had the board set up. We managed 1 round of turns with mostly illegal moves before giving up.  I really have no idea how a 10 year old could figure this out.  E decided we needed to try it when we were more rested and maybe with just 2 people, then add in more as we figured things out.  I have since watched a couple more youtube videos and think I am ready to try again.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

 

White Chirstmas

We woke up Christmas morning to about 4 inches of snow, which soon turned into about 6 inches by lunchtime.  Plus, it was only 10 degrees.  

The snow and cold meant extra work for J which took longer than he had planned.  He decided to stay home and deal with the farm chores while me and E went off to visit with family.   

The snow did make for some pretty pictures. 

The dogs didn't seem to mind.  

Maggie was right at home.  

The goats had to work a little harder to get to the grass but they managed.  

They are staying together better since we weaned the kids and have a billy with them.  Makes it a little easier on the dogs.  We have spotted more coyotes so it is never very safe for them.  

Ok, one more picture of the tree.  I just love a good Christmas tree. 
 

And This Will Be A Sign Unto You;

 Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Merry Christmas