While snapping pictures of the sunset a few weeks ago, the kids kept running into the frame. Though dark and a bit burry, I love how it captures their profiles along with my favorite time of night.
We breed AKC English Springer Spaniels here at A.D.Acres and have one litter a year. Springers are just wonderfully rounded dogs, perfect for most any walk of life. But that’s for another post when the puppies are looking for new homes;)
Meet Riley who I named after one of my favorite folk songs titled, Bold Riley expertly sung by The Wailin’ Jenny’s. Why would I name my dog after a sentimantal sea chanty oozing with heartbreak, telling the story of two lovers having to part, perhaps forever? I don’t know. I just really like old, moody songs. Does there really have to be good reasoning behind how I named my dog? And anyway, just look at him! How could you not be a dog lover and crazy about Springers?!
Riley is ten months and we hope will prove to be a good sire for our upcoming litters. He’s a looker!
I promise, there was no photoshop done on this picture. He’s always making me smile but this is just hilarious!
An old peach tree in bloom safely cradles a nest left from last year.
Gorgeous patterns in the clouds lately.
A little play in between all the work to be done.
Maters in the ground…in February!
Changing shades all evening.
The Dexters like to visit the chicken coop and are small enough to fit through the door. The cows are in the coop!
Spring batch of chickies: 4 Buff Orpingtons, 4 Barred Rock, 4 Partridge Rock. That’s a dozen!
What our laying hens have been producing every day now that it’s feeling more like Spring.
Addicted to sunsets. So glad we found property where they can been enjoyed. This girl needs wide open spaces!
Several more shots from last weekend. Not missing the heat when it’s time to muck out the stable!
Perks of the job: Turns driving the tractor
Wait for me!
Winter Rye grass Alan planted around the yard before our latest rain. So wonderful to see a little green!
Mowing down the dead stubble with faith for new growth soon.
Natural, South Texas beauty.
My Rye
The one mature tree on the property. A Red Oak.
It’s been a busy week! Kind of the first full week of feeling like things are back in the swing after the hectic nature of the holidays. On my list of things to do have been using up freezer food, visiting my bulk pantry items to reassess and get back into bread baking this month. I’d like to get lots of flour ground all at once and put together multiple bread mixes to put in the freezer. Maybe then I will be more consistent?!
Here is a fun Lamb Round Up photo shoot from last Saturday. The kids love to catch our newest addition to A.D. Acres in order to keep him “tame”. As the pictures will show, “Smudge the Lamb” is doing a pretty good job staying wild!
They have their methods…
Portable fencing will help…(yes, that’s our house and yes, that’s all of it;)
Can sheep fly?!
One…
Two…
Three!
Got ‘em cornered while mom holds the fence and takes pictures;)
And he makes the catch!
How do the kids handle it? I’m asked fairly frequently. They handle it fine. They know what these animals are for and though they have alot of fun with them, I guess they keep perspective. Even today, they helped with the nitty gritty of turkey butchering and had a blast! If it comes to one of our puppies having to be put down now, that’s an entirely different story. That was a rough day. But mom had to keep perspective. These are creatures given to us to be good stewards of and they’re not people. We are to care for them as best as we’re able and do what’s right if they’re not going to be able to serve their purpose or if they’re suffering. I guess I’m learning the hard lessons of farm life…or is it just life?
These cute little porkers are gonna make some good bacon!
“You smell funny.”
Chicken run!
A luxurious charcoal bath.
Dusty faces.
Meet Elsie and Rosalie, our Irish heritage breed Dexter cows. We purchased these girls in November, 2012 and expect great things from them. They are wonderful at putting our coastal grasses to use and we look forward to having our own fresh milk!
Doesn’t she have a cute hairdo?
Playing with my Christmas present from Hubby, a Rebel T3i. A Cardinal was quite curious. While concentrating on the zoom and manual focus, the cows snuck up and started nibbling my hair!
Dexters are a bit more like a goat in their dietary choices. Scrubby is what I call it, meaning they’ll eat twigs, and leaves and such along with grass…and hair, making them pretty hardy during Winter time or drought. I even caught them one day in the back at the burn pile, happily eating a paper bag! (Should’ve grabbed my camera.)