Each spring hillsides around our county erupt in a yellow profusion of Balsam Root, like being swathed In sunshine. This one near town takes my breath away every year when I see it in flower for the first time! Aren’t they such friendly, happy looking flowers?
Before the days of aluminum and plastic, how did gardeners label their plants? What on earth did Thomas Jefferson and George Washington do? Here are two 18th-century methods from Wesley Greene of Colonial Williamsburg: "I have come across an interesting reference to plant labels in instructions from George Washington to William Pierce, his manager at [...]
One evening last week I looked up to see these clouds. Really interesting, eh? And pretty, too. We have no idea what this formation is called. If you know, please tell us!
Lambing is officially over for 2015. What a work-out! We had a total of 10 lambs born- with 3 sets of twins! Two lambs died, so we currently have 8 on the ground. There is a nice amount of color and pattern, too. This is the most lambs we’ve had yet. It’s fun [...]
Heroes come in various shapes and forms. A man, a dog, neighbors, a wood stove. Even one who was once in need of help can become a hero. Birth is such a miracle, conception itself and then the birthing process, which is quite traumatic on its own even when things go right. When they [...]
We had the privilege of meeting up with Laurie Dawson and her dog Titan… who is the mother of our girl Ailagh! Being that Ailagh is due to whelp any day now, we took her daughter Niamh along with us so the two dogs could meet. I’ve heard that dogs can tell if they [...]
We rarely get the chance to see our puppies all grown up in person, or their new family for that matter. Sure we see pictures, but it isn’t quite the same as up close and personal. So seeing two of our former puppies recently was quite a treat! While in California, I had the [...]
Our 2015 litter of Naturally Reared English Shepherd puppies made their debut on March 23rd! All ten, beautiful wee babes and their mother are health and growing fine. The boys have it this year with 7, to the 3 girls. Commence snuggling with puppies, precious baby sounds, and all-too-soon romping around the [...]
Dirt under the fingernails. Scratches and bruises. Cattle getting out and having to be rounded up. Tall conifer-covered mountains. Bumpy dirt roads. Muddy diesel truck. The scent of the wood burning stove in the air… and in my hair. Soft fur. Hawks soaring in the big blue expanse. Calves playing in the paddock. Dogs romping. [...]
There is another voice on the ranch adding to the usual cacophony… Ducks! An adult flock of rare Ancona ducks is the generous contribution of a sweet Lady who has to move off of her farm. Thank You Sherri!!! Ducks are a completely new species to us, so it’s quite interesting and entertaining to watch [...]
