It’s been busier than usual around here, with the holidays right around the corner, kids coming and going from college, and new critters here on the farm. An art and facebook friend Katherine Dunn posted an appeal from a friend of hers who needed to re-home two wethers before Thanksgiving. We finally got around to meeting and both decided that her boys Puck & Draco would make a good addition to my herd. She had moved to an apartment in Olympia and couldn’t keep them up there, so was traveling down here to care for them and depending on a friend to help out too. They arrived early this week and are integrating well, though they still like to push my smaller nubians around when it comes to feeding time. For the time being, they have their own stall and I’ve moved the sheep to the third stall which used to house the pullets.
Puck & Draco are Alpines, so they have wonderful long beards (no horns on these guys) and sweet soft voices, much quieter than my nubians, which I love. Here they are on their first day in Oregon City with my son Tim. Aren’t they cute? I wish you could see their beards!
I’m trying to finish my decorating and cleaning by this weekend so that I can enjoy some relaxing time with the kids while they are here. This is the first year that our son Tim will not be with us at Christmas. He is leaving tomorrow to fly to Alaska with his girlfriend to spend the holiday with she & her family. I’m really going to miss him 🙁 So we will open gifts with him tonight. The tree is decorated, the garland is hung on the front door, and I’m making some chili to prepare for a cozy night by the fire. I hope you are savoring time with loved ones, delicious treats and the good tidings of peace and joy.
Wonder
There is
faint music in the night,
And pale wings fanned by silver flight;
A frosty hill with tender glow
Of countless stars that shine on snow.
A shelter from the winter storm,
A straw-lined manger, safe and warm,
And Mary crooning lullabies,
To hush her Baby’s sleepy sighs.
Her eyes are rapt upon His Face,
Unheeded here is time and space
Her heart is filled with blinding joy,
For God’s own Son–her little Boy!
SO happy you adopted them! I found this breed to be just magical…give them time to settle, sometimes it feels chaotic, but 6 months into it it usually all gets resolved. What a beautiful tree, I miss having one this year [kittens and lab tails] and hope you have a lovely season!
Thanks Katherine! I’m sure it will work itself out. They are sweet guys 🙂 I’m a bit worried about the tree myself… my son’s kitten arrives tonight! Pray for the ornaments 🙂
Solution to the kitten vs Christmas Tree: Tie the top of the tree with fishing line to a curtain bracket or other sturdy fixture at that level. This trick and unbreakable ornaments also work with toddlers. Merry Christmas!
Thanks Liz,
I’m sure that would work! I’m not so worried about her knocking over the tree, just don’t want her to strip it of its ornaments, lol! She seems to enjoy that 🙂
Your red and white tree is wonderful! So nice of you to adopt the two goats onto your homestead. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Thanks Nancy 🙂 I’ve always loved red & white for Christmas. I have a few gold & silver ones in there too, but the red & white really dominate.
Ruth, I am so glad that Puck and Draco are settling in so well. That is a great picture of Tim with the boyz!
Remarkable chain of “small world” events that got Katherine in touch with Becki.
Big thanks for sharing your wonderful home with them.
Happy Holidays to you and your family (two-legged and four-legged!).
– Mark
Thanks Mark! It was fun to meet you and Becki! We are really bonding with Puck & Draco 🙂