New Baby Bunnies!

Midnight gave birth last night to 5 little baby bunnies! It looks like we have 1 brown spotted, 2 brown and 2 black. Time will tell as I get a better look at them. Mom got an apple treat while I got to sneak a peek at her babies! I will add pictures when the babies are a little more stable and have actual fur on them! This is Midnights first litter and I don't want to mess up by being too curious!

Numb Hands and Barn Chores

I am a warm weather kind of gal and this morning has proved that to me, I wake up at 5 am and get that all important first cup of coffee in me, Look at the weather on the computer while I try to wake up, then today I donned two pair of socks, long johns and jeans, Tee shirt, long john top and sweat shirt, put on my "Turkey Poop" Shoes and finally my coat, grabbed my gloves and out the door to the barn! There is frost all over the ground that glistened so pretty as the sun rose in the sky. I tread down the hill to the barn with my egg basket in hand and think...This isn't so bad!
That is until I get to the barn, start watering the animals and the darn hose is now leaking....out of the nozzle and over my hands, but I continued on even though after a short...and I mean short while later, I could no longer feel my hands! Have you ever tried to open the water bottle of a rabbit cage with numb fingers? Well let me tell you it isn't easy... but the chores must be done, I got the rabbits watered, fed and then saw Bubbers, our cat!!! He wanted fed, I needed warm hands with feelings and so, I grabbed him and tried to hold on to him for some much needed warmth!
Well...All I got was this look of disgust from him as he jumped out of my arms then proceeded to his feed bowl and demanded food! Lucky for him, I have a soft heart and obliged him.
Next it was the turkeys turn, I went in the coop with frozen, numb hands and grabbed the feeder...its metal! Good thing I already couldn't feel my hands grabbed the feeder and filled it, then had to empty the water can and fill it.... fingers burning from being so cold. After all that, I spread more straw about the Turkey coop and then had to make way to the chickens (ugg... I am so cold) and guess what?......
Same thing as the turkeys, the chickens needed feed and fresh water, well eggs have to be gathered and that is not easy to do with fingers you thought just fell off because you can not feel them! The only good thing was that while reaching under Queenie, I didn't feel much when she pecked me!!!
With the Morning barn chores done, I make my way to the house and grab my coffee, not to drink at this moment, but to warm up my hands!
Time to build a fire in the wood stove I think!!!!
The bad thing about this morning.....Its only October! I am not looking forward to winter, I think I need to ask Santa for some better gloves and warmer country clothing!

How to Shovel Manure

" When you imagine country life, do you imagine sipping lemonade on the front porch and spending quiet Sunday afternoons watching the corn grow? Think again, and let Gwen Peterson set you straight." (excerpt from How to Shovel Manure and other life lessons for the country woman.)

I am reading this book right now and recommend it to anyone who has ever lived on a Ranch, a farm or thought about trying it someday. The author has a wonderful sense of humor and makes the reading easy and enjoyable! I really liked the chapter about chickens and could relate to it! The book is packed full of country humor, helpful advice and touched with nostalgia. This is a great Christmas stocking stuffer idea for any country woman or one who aspires to live in the country!

Christmas Movie Warning!

There is a new movie coming out in December Starring Nicole Kidman and Sam Elliott titled the Golden Compass,and is based on a series of Anti Religious Themes. The first in a trilogy by Phillip Pullman an avowed atheist. Pullman stated in an interview that "My books are about Killing God"
Please be advised before you take your children to see this movie. Hollywood has of course watered down the Trailers in an attempt to avoid the controversy.
Please check it out on Snopes and see for yourself!

Stocking Exchange

Peggy over at Hidden Haven Homestead is hosting a Stocking exchange! Jump on over and check it out, this will be my first year and it looks like it will be alot of fun!

Making Apple Sauce

Its raining here again today, so I thought it would be a good day to make apple sauce!

I just core my apples and fill a large 10 quart soup pot with the apples, add enough apple juice or cider to the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking and cook until the apples are very tender and it begins to resemble apple sauce. run this through a strainer, I use a colander and pour it in over a big pot, then use a wooden spoon to separate the pulp from the peelings. Next in your pot with the apple pulp just add sugar and cinnamon to taste and cook a little while longer to dissolve the sugar and blend the flavor of the cinnamon.

That's it.... Very easy!

you can then put them into jars and can them in a water bath canner!

**When you make apple sauce use any type of apple that is very ripe to obtain maximum flavor, you can mix varieties of apples for a better flavor. I purchased deer apples from a local grower for $5.00 a bushel and picked out the best ones to make my apple sauce, then the animals get what apples I decide not to use for my apple sauce or apple butter!

Try some today, you won't be disappointed!

Ten Things I Love about Autumn

The Ten things I Love about Autumn Are;

1. Pumpkin pie

2. Spiced Cider

3. Hay Rides

4. Cool Crisp Mornings

5. Warm Afternoons

6. Jack O Lanterns

7. Colors of the Leaves on the trees

8. The smell of Apples in the air

9. Corn Mazes

10.Weekend drives around the Countryside!

What is your Favorite thing about Fall?