Heritage Hill Homestead

A Beautiful Sunday

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

It has  been just a beautiful day today!  The weather was so nice and everyone appreciates it after the week we have had with the heat!

I had an early morning meeting at church, came home and went back with hubby for the morning service.  A wonderful lady was there today and really brightened the day for us all.  She had a stroke last August and has been in the nursing home since, today was the first day she came to church.  It was such a surprise to see her sitting there when we walked in............she is in a wheel chair and can not really speak, just a few words, but you could tell she was happy to be there and see all of us.  And her husband was just grinning from ear to ear all morning, he was so happy to have her there with him! God has a plan for her, we certainly do not understand it, but he does!!

We ate with Mom at the local cafe, then came home  and relaxed a bit.  I went out and rounded up some chickens to take and get tested this afternoon.  I took 1 rooster, 4 production red pullets and 4 Maran pullets.  They have to have a blood test in order to enter them at the county fair.  We will take them for the grandkids to enter.

One of our county fairs (we have 3 in our county) was last week.  The heat was unbearable those days!! Nick didn't enter his goats at this one, but I went to watch the goat show and it was hot.  I was kind of glad he didn't take his because of it.

I better get off to bed..........this week is going to be quite a crazy busy one!!!  Many extra things going on in our little community  for the 4th of July.  We are getting a float ready for the parade, baking extra for farmers market, have 4 special pie orders, want to make cookies for a contest,  our church is having a supper with fireworks on Friday night (have to make a side dish for that and make sure my work is done here so we can go!)  Sigh............tired already.  Good night

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

It has been a long time...................

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

I have been missing here for way too long.  Three months ago today was my last post, so it is about time I get back.  I have checked in and read some blogs along, but just not taken the time to post.  Several of my homestead friends have inquired about me and I am thankful for your friendship and appreciate your concern!

Things are going well.  Hubby has just passed the 3 month mark following his heart surgery.  He is feeling better than he has for a long time.  We are so thankful for his recovery.  God is Good!!

We are busy with Farmers Market season.  I am doing a lot of baking and the garden is doing fairly well.  Some of it we got in late due to wet weather and hubby's surgery.  We have harvested radishes, onions, beets, peas, some green beans, and 1 tomato!

I have just weaned some of the baby goats, a few needed to wait a few more weeks.  Next year I hope they will be born much closer together.  We lost a doe recently so I now have a bottle baby.

As of this evening.............an incredible heat wave has just broken!  Out just before dark and it was beautiful out!!!  For 7 days it has been nearly unbearable to be outside.  Temps in the mid to upper 90s and up to 100, with heat index around 105-110.  Early mornings chores could be accomplished, but as it usually cools down in the evenings during the summer...........that just didn't happen this time.  The other night I heard the weather man say that at 10 pm the heat index was still at 95!  I have been wondering how folks years ago could sleep with heat like that??  I am very thankful for air conditioning!!!

I need to get to bed, this heat has worn me out, and we have a busy day tomorrow.  I have an early meeting at church tomorrow.

Glad to be back, and I will try to keep up regularly again, I have missed my friends here!

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

I am back.......

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for us! Hubby had a heart catherization two weeks ago yesterday, where they found a 99% blockage in one artery.  They told us he would have to have bypass surgery because of the position the blockage was.  Usually a stint would have taken care of it.  So we went home and waited over the weekend to find out when.  Tuesday he was able to do all of the pre-op tests at the VA in Topeka, Wednesday we saw the surgeon at KU Med Center in Kansas City, and we had to be there at 7 am on Thursday of last week for his surgery.  It went well and he was able to come home on Monday.  The Lord carried us through all of this in His Mighty Hands, and we feel so blessed.  The power of prayer is amazing! We give God the Glory for taking care of every detail!

Oh the homefront, just doing chores and what little everyday things that have to be done lately.  We are being told that a major winter storm is heading our way tonight and tomorrow.  I am not looking forward to a lot of snow.  We are not in the heaviest snow area by far, so maybe it won't be too bad here.  I picked some daffodils and lilacs and brought in, they look like they are going to thaw out and be fine.  I sure hate to think of the lilac bush being ruined with the freeze, I so enjoy them each spring!

We still have 5 does left to kid.  I penned 4 of them up last night, just in case as it was raining and cold. I will go out pretty soon and do the same before it starts snowing.

The KU game will be starting before long, they are playing in the sweet 16 tonight.  Hubby is sleeping, but I was instructed to wake him up when the game starts.

I put a roast in the oven early afternoon and then added carrots and potatoes just before going out to do chores.  When I came in from the cold, supper was ready.....yeah for me!  We actually ate at a decent time tonight, I liked that and really should try it more often! Of course as the days get longer and warmer, that is hard to do.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Prayers Answered!!

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

Of course they are always answered! I am so happy tonight to let my friends here on HB know that hubby came through the heart surgery just fine this morning.  We could feel all the prayers being lifted up for both of us, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!  They took him into the OR about 9:30 and he was finished about 12:45.  I got to see him 3 times before heading home and he was a little more awake each time.  I am going to call in a few minutes to check before going to bed.  I am not feeling just totally exhausted like I expected to be tonight, and I know that is the prayers for strength being answered as well.

Rlyn ended up meeting us and riding up together this morning......very early!  And so he drove me home which was a blessing too!  Ryan and Nick and Maddy surprised me and came up mid afternoon to be with us.  And our pastor and wife met us there bright and early too.  Thanks to each of them for their support today, and thanks to those who left thoughtful comments here!

One homestead note, I came home to find that Lilly had kidded with twins this afternoon and they seem to be doing fine.

Please remember hubby through his recovery time, and thanks again.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Prayers Please

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

I have not had time to be on here much.  I just wanted to let my friends know that hubby will have by pass heart surgery in the morning, Thursday.  We have to be there by 7 am, so I really need to get to bed.  Please remember both of us in your prayers.........I know God is listening!  Thank you and I will update when I can.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Things

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

Just thought I would catch up on some odds and ends around here.

Hubby wasn't feeling well this morning, so I decided to stay home from church with him.  He is some better now I am glad to say.

We have a pot luck dinner this afternoon/evening, 4:00, whatever that is.  It is for the vendors at the Farmers Market in Emporia.  It is the annual meeting with new things for this year, election of board members, etc.  I made deviled eggs last night and have a cake in the oven now.  The cake is a recipe I got on here a while back, but as usual I didn't write down the blog I got it from.  It is Harvest Apple Pound Cake, sounds yummy.  So.......I need to get out and do some chores before we go........much as I would like a Sunday afternoon nap right about now!

We had a new baby doe from Willow on Friday night just before midnight.  A couple of years ago, I had made a note that she didn't want anyone around when she kidded, tried to bite me and all!  This time she was very clear that she did want me right there with her, it was cute.  Between contractions she would look over at me to see if I was paying attention to her, just like a kid might do.  I did have to pull the head, she probably would have been ok had I not been there, but she was crying and really working hard, so when I could see the nose I went ahead and pulled and had to pull really hard, so I was glad I was there to help her out.

Saturday afternoon Firefly also had a little doeling.  I happened to see the dog wagging his tail at something, so looked closer and saw a baby trying to get up.  This was in the pen outside the barn, I could see it from the kitchen window.  I had just checked on this girl a couple of hours earlier and nothing going on.  It is amazing how fast things can change when it is time!

Last night before bed we were having a rain storm, so I went ahead and penned up Daisy in the barn just in case.  Didn't want to take a chance on her kidding in the night, which is her usual time.  So far she hasn't had hers yet though.

We have 14 babies right now and are about 1/2 done kidding.  So far there are 9 little does and 5 little bucks.  We started out with all bucks, but the does have won out recently.  Have had 5 sets of twins and 5 singles.  Would like more twins, but the singles are bigger and healthy and strong and that is what counts!

We did get some rain last night, it has been very dry here, hardly any snow and so we needed the moisture badly.  I haven't put the rain gauge out yet so not sure how much.  Speaking of weather, in the past week we have had snow, 0 wind chills, rain, hail, wind, and temps in the mid 80's!  Never dull around here.

Rain reminds me of the garden......hubby has gotten some onions, peas and beets planted.  We have the seed potatoes here, but not cut yet. In the green house there are some tomatoes and basil coming up......so yes we have baby plants!!!  Exciting..........days.

I penned the turkeys up last week.  Last year we got no baby turks, so I thought I would pen them up now as they are starting to breed.  I hope they will start to lay in the pen soon and then if they don't set, I can put the eggs in the incubator to hatch.  We could sell the babies very easily, so I hope we have good luck with them this year.  I love to see them strutting around the yard though.

We are getting many eggs now!  The past few days we have gotten about 45 eggs from our pullets, then the older hens are finally laying better too.

I can see the green buds on the lilac bush from my kitchen window!  I can almost smell them now.  The daffodils are blooming, grass is starting to green up a little.  I heard frogs croaking last week. The signs of Spring!

Carol asked if the 4-H friends doe that died was the same one I posted a picture of in the front of the pick up going home a few months ago,  yes that was Flippy.  Sad, but the babies are doing great and they are having fun with bottle babies!

Regina asked how to pronounce my son's name?  Good question. It is Rlyn and pronounced just like r  then  lyn.  Usually the spelling is Arlan or something similar.  I saw the name in print before he was born and already having Ryan, I just loved the spelling and thought the two names would go well together!   Ryan and Rlyn     I have not found much on the history of the spelling, but I believe it may be a Welsh name, which is a huge plus to me, considering how proud I am of my Welsh heritage! 

I ran across this picture of Madelyn and I with one of the first baby goats this spring and thought I would share it with you.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Baby report

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

There have been no new babies for a week.............

I had 3 that I thought were due on Tuesday, but nothing has happened yet.  Willow is so close, she was very loveable yesterday, I really think she will go today sometime.  Daisy and Firefly both look close in different ways, so we will just have to wait and see.  We have 7 more to kid, so we are about 1/2 way through. Some of them are not due until the end of March.

The babies on the ground are doing well, they are so fun to watch.

Nap time

These are Brook's twins.  They were born last Friday when the temps were in the teens with wind chill around 0!  Saturday was very cold with snow. Just a note of Kansas weather........yesterday here it was 86.

Robin's little doeling.

Some mamas and kids hanging out

This is the creep feeder we set up for the early kids, there were only 4 of them.  It is a dog feeder set up between the kidding pens.  We have to get a bigger one set up today as the newest kids are 2 weeks old today and are starting to eat. We have a hog feeder and also a turkey feeder that work great for bigger groups.  We had the gate you see made a few years ago.  The bars are adjustable and it keeps mamas out while kids can go in and out as they want.  This is the back part of the shed we worked so hard to clean junk out of last fall.  Past years the goats only had the front 1/2 to use and this year all of us, the goats and us humans are really enjoying it! 

Sad note, Tiny Tim did not make it.  I finally decided he had Joint Ill and was getting the treatment lined up for that when he passed.  It was a blessing I am sure as he would have probably been crippled.

I have several friends that have had so many problems with kidding this year, it makes me sad!  We had a year 2-3 years ago where we lost so many kids, so I know how frustrating it can be.  I try to help them if I can.  A 4-H friend lost her doe, Flippy, this week after having twins a few days early.  The kids are doing fine and they will have fun with the bottle babies.  But you just wonder why the doe had to die?  She was one we had raised so she was special to us too.  She was here last fall to get bred and we got attatched to her again then.

Happy kidding to everyone with goaties........

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

New addition to the farm

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

We have a new, well not new, but new here addition to the farmstead this week.  A couple of weeks ago the filling station in town called and said they had a building they wanted to move off of their property and someone had told them we may be interested in it.  I think their thought was to replace the building we lost in the fire........or maybe we just have the reputation around here that we will take anything??  Anyway, hubby went up and looked at it and told them we would take it if we could get it moved.  We contacted a friend that does construction in town, he had moved our greenhouse out here a few years ago.  He looked at it and was willing to do the job.  So Wednesday was the moving day........

I did not go to town to see the loading process, but they met at 8 and it was 11 before they got out here.  This building was really heavy and more of a job than they anticipated I think!  Another farmer friend brought in his tractor and forklift to help out.  Actually the unloading only took about an hour, so it went smooth here.  They put a tractor on the back and lifted it up and slid it onto a stack of cement blocks, then put a tractor on each side and lifted it while they drove the trailer out from under it.  They then made a support from lumber we had around here (it looked like a lincoln log house) under the front.  They gradually took out the blocks in the back and lowered it and then the front and it was safely on the ground!  They did a great job!!!  Thank you to our friends for their hard work!

Now more good news, these folks who moved it are great chicken customers of ours and they are willing to trade out the moving for chickens when processed this summer!!  The friend who helped with his tractor just happens to like strawberry/rhubarb pie, so I had one of those made and ready to give him along with some eggs.  The folks at the station only wanted $100 for the building itself.  So we feel that we got a real bargain!

Are you ready for more good news??  We have discovered that the building is an old ice house..........why is that good news you wonder?  Well, for 3 years we have wanted to build a cool room of somekind to store veggies in and eggs for farmers market!!! We thought we would build a wall in this building and insulate the back 1/2 really well, install an air conditioner and use it for our cool room.  It is already insulated as an ice house........how wonderful is that!!!!  It has a little foyer in the front that we will use for some feed barrels.  The big heavy door into the actual insulated part is not there anymore, so we will have to figure something out there and it needs a new front door.  The compressor is still in it, but it was gas and I doubt that it would still work.  So there is some work to be done and it isn't a real pretty building.......but it is just want we need and the Lord always provides just what we need!  We are excited.

I should take a picture of the inside.  It was used in town to store oil, so it smells like a filling station, but we are leaving the door open to air out.

Hubby, Rowdy and a chicken greeting them in the driveway.

Country Blessings

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Excited!!!

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

It has been a really good day around here!  This morning we accomplished with lots of help a nice addition to the farm.  I will blog about that later.

But.........the library just called and said my painting of the little homestead goat kids had arrived!  I am on my way into town to pick it up.

Later...........Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Cold Winter Days

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

We have had some real winter days here lately.  Tonight is cold again, but it is supposed to warm up nicely during the week.  Thursday the high is around 70 again, I am sure ready!  We had a dusting of snow yesterday morning.  We have had very little snow all winter.

We went to the exotic sale yesterday, we only bought some chicken crates to replace those we lost in the fire.  We watched animals sell for a while, but didn't stay till the end.  There was a huge crowd there, and it was such a cold, windy, snowy day.............where did all the people come from?  And what were they doing at an animal auction?  One bottle baby goat doeling sold for $105.......now that doesn't sound like the economy is bad!  I would never pay that for a bottle baby, it could grow into a fine goat, but it also could die tomorrow.  There was a bottle baby camel there, so cute!  I really thought hubby should buy that for us to use at the Nativity.........but....they started at 3000 so he didn't bid.  A bargain we were told at that price, but it didn't bring enough to sell.

We have had no new babies since Friday morning.  The others are doing fine now, except Tiny Tim is still slow.  He is hanging in there though.  There are 3 due on Tuesday, so that might be a busy day. We have had Willow penned up thinking she wasn't going to wait until Tuesday, but maybe she will??  I will let you know.

Rlyn and Kaylan stopped by this evening for a few minutes.  Kaylan had not been here to see any of the babies, so she made some friends.  She was tired and they didn't stay long.  Rlyn had what could have been a horrible thing happen today, he bent down to pick up a log and ran a little stick into the corner of his eye!  It moved his contact, but didn't loose it.  He said it didn't even hurt tonight, I can't imagine that.  Thank you Lord for protecting him today and always!

I am going to be in bed before midnight tonight..........I hope anyway.  I am going to the barn one more time and then hitting the hay or bed.  We have to leave early in the morning.  We are meeting a lady from Colorado to deliver one of the puppies to her.  It is about 1 1/2 hour drive for us to where we are meeting.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Babies, babies, babies..............

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

What a fun time of the year around here...........baby goat season!! 

Last entry I was heading out to do one more check on the first one born last week.  He was weak and wouldn't lay upright like they should, so I brought him in overnight.  He did fine and has been out since then.  He has a problem with his front legs, they are bowed and weak.  I have tried several things and not seen any improvement.  Poor little guy, he and his mom are still in a kidding pen as he is not ready for the big world of goats yet.  He has been laying down right now for several days, so that is good.  We call him Tiny Tim as he only weighed 5 pounds.

Then Friday at noon, Ruby had a single buckling. 

Tuesday morning, Nugget had twins, a buckling and a doeling.

Wednesday afternoon............the one we had waited a month for...........Copper, had twin doelings!!  (She has enough milk to feed the 8 babies in California)

Thursday early morning, Robin had a singe doeling.

This morning Brook had twin doelings.

All are strong, healthy and doing well........Thank you Lord for blessing us with a good kid crop this year!

The twins this morning got a little chilled even though she was in the barn with them.  So I spent most of the morning working with them, but they are doing fine now.  You have to understand that Wednesday here it was 70 degrees and a sweatshirt was too heavy..........last night it dropped to 15 with a strong north wind!!  Coveralls back in order for this morning!  Snow is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow...........what next?  Well, next week is supposed to be back up into the 50's  yeah. 

Past years, we used heat lamps on the new babies, but this year we have used them very little.  One reason is the weather has been very nice when most of them have been born, and the other reason is after our fire.........I really think twice about anything as dangerous as heat lamps can be!  I have heard way too many stories of them starting barn fires.

Tomorrow is the exotic sale we like to go to.  High of 32 is what they are saying for tomorrow, so it won't be as much fun as sometimes I suppose.  But we will go and look around anyway and visit with friends, there are usually quite a few people there we have gotten acquainted with over the years.

Baking this week:  Monday cinnamon rolls, apple, coconut, custard pie Today  cherry, coconut, sour cream raisin pie

Yesterday was the St. David's Day Welsh tea in town.  I wrote about that and shared pictures last year here.  I didn't take my camera this time.  The actual day is March 1, but since that is on Sunday this year, the local celebration was held early. 

It is almost midnight, so I better get out to the barn and check on everyone and get to bed!  Willow looks to be the next on the list for motherhood.  She is one of 3 due on Tuesday, but I don't think she will wait until then.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

The painting is finished!

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

I was reading blogs this evening and ran across some exciting news!! Rob at One Log at a Time has finished his first painting already and he chose my picture of the two little goats peeking through a wood stall!  How fun to see the little kids in a painting.  Thank you Rob for coming up with this wonderful idea and for doing such a great job of my picture of the little Homestead kids!  I absolutely can not wait to see it.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Late night

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

I am up later than I would like, it is almost midnight.  We finally had a new baby this evening! I was checking all the goat mamas while they were eating tonight and I noticed a little white spot laying up next to the stall in the barn..........wait a minute, a new baby!  He was all dry and when I picked him up he had a full tummy.  I guess mama had told him to stay there out of the way while she went to eat!  His mouth wasn't as warm as I would like to see, but he seemed to be doing ok.  I got the two of them moved into a birthing pen and settled.  I just went out a little while ago to check before going to bed and he was laying flat on his side under some hay..........scared me, I thought he was a goner.  But I got him up and he was wobbly, but after a moment, he started to nurse and seemed ok except  seemed to have some hay dust in his nose.  He nursed a long time, but just didn't seem quite as strong as I would like, so I got him some molasses and fixed him a little coat to help him keep his temp up.  After I got the coat on him, he laid down on his side again?  His mama didn't like that and tried to get him up.  I just don't know what the deal is with that?  So, all that to say that I am going to stay up a while and go back out and check on him again before going to bed. 

Funny thing, this is Poppy that kidded, up until about a week ago I didn't think she was even bred.  I did notice a small bag at that time, but though she should have been due with this first group this week, I assumed she was going to be at least a month off.  What do I know???  Sometimes I think I know less every year about kidding, each time is different for sure!  We have been watching Copper, who has a huge bag and looks so close and has for weeks now.  I did pen 4 girls in a smaller pen close to the kidding pens tonight that are due in the next week or so.

My cousin came this afternoon and we had a nice time, visiting and exchanging some recipes.  I was in the middle of cinnamon rolls, so she sat at the kitchen table and kept me company.

Hubby is feeling better now, not great, but at least better.  He got some seed potatoes today and some soil so we can start some seeds in the green house!  Spring is getting closer each day! Now that was a bold statement, don't you think??

Rlyn, youngest son, called tonight and we chatted for an hour.  Wow, we hadn't had a visit like that for a long time!  I encouraged him to get started back going to church, he has been away for too long.  He is having some girlfriend troubles right now and I suggested this might be a good time for all of them to get started going again.  I claim the verse for him....Train up a child..........  It is hard to watch your kids struggle at any age!  Thank you Lord for your protection and direction for him and answered prayers!

Well, it has been almost an hour since I was at the barn, so I think I will check and hope to feel comfortable going on to bed.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Heirloom seeds?

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this company in ordering heirloom seeds?  I saw it advertised on Craigslist this week.  The prices look good and they said that shipping is the actual cost, so that is good too.

My Patriot Seeds

Thanks, and Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Catching up again

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

Last week was a busy one.  We had something going on almost every evening and we are not used to that schedule.  When the kids were little and involved in lots of activities, it was unusual to be home even one evening........but now we are home almost every night.  I went with the kids to Alexis's basket ball game on Tuesday, hubby didn't feel like sitting on the hard bleachers all night.  Wednesday was Bible Study, I got a little lesson together on Malachi 3:3, as we were between books.  We meet every other week, next week we will start the Daniel study by Beth Moore. 

Thursday afternoon we set up a time to make deliveries in Emporia.  We try to do this for our customers every so often through the winter months.  After a quick stop at Wal Mart (we had done a grocery trip the day before), we ate at Golden Corral.  This was our 15th wedding anniversary and that was our big celebration!  Then it was on to a meeting.  There is a group recently formed that is promoting Local Foods.  We had attended a meeting last fall, but had missed the last couple.  There is a lot of interest and we all hope this will bring awareness of the advantages of eating locally grown healthy food. 

Saturday was our Valentine Banquet at church.  It was a very long day for both of us as we are in charge of the kitchen!  It did go well, we had lots of great help in serving and cleaning up, and the food was good.  But we realize this type of day is just too much for hubby.  He has felt bad since then, just got too tired.  So next year.......I will need lots of help in the kitchen as I do not have the experience he does.  He can coach me and maybe help some, we will see how it goes.

Sunday was a relaxing afternoon, a nice nap was the highlight!   

Today was a very nice day, a little windy, but very enjoyable temperature wise.  I got a few things done outdoors, some trash picked up, nest boxes cleaned and new straw, just a few extra things inbetween chores this afternoon. And inside........ the laundry is done!  I will need to bake the next few days. 

The pullets are finally putting out a good number of eggs!  They were very slow getting started, but finally we will have some for our customers this week.  We sold 21 pullets last week.  We are about down to the number we want to keep for ourselves and wouldn't you know, we are getting more inquires all the time.  I wish we had another 50 to sell!  You learn as you go, I think our timing was a little off in raising these.  They were ready in December, people are spending their money on things besides chickens in December!  With the weather we have had it makes people think spring and they are now ready for some layers. 

The 4 little goats are doing well, we are waiting on Copper to kid now.  Her bag is huge, I don't see how she can wait much longer????  There are 4 others that are getting very close too....so things could get exciting around here in the near future! 

That about brings us up to date..........

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Beautiful Saturday

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

Saturday was such a perfect day!  The weather was beyond perfect really.  It was 44 degrees when I got up, and rose to 70 something in the afternoon......and drumroll...........there was no wind!!  I totally enjoyed every minute of it.

I had 1 pie to make, so got that made and in the oven by a little after 7.  I can piddle around and not get started early enough many times, so I was proud of myself!  As soon as it came out of the oven we took it in to the Diner and ate breakfast there. 

Then headed to a friend's house near Emporia.  She had kindly offered some small bales of hay to us, and we went to pick them up, along with a couple of plastic barrels.  She had gone through a terrible fire 5 years ago at her previous farm, losing not only hay and equipment, but also most of her goat herd!  I can not imagine losing your animals in such a horrible way!  We got a tour of her new farm and saw her goats.  Her teenage grandson came over to load the hay for us, such a nice young man!  Many teenagers would not be interested in helping with something like this, but he was willing and very friendly to us old folks.  Thank you Mary for your friendship and generousity!

On our way to her house, we were listening to the local radio call in program and heard someone advertise a TV antenna.  I was the first caller and we went and picked it up on our way home.  The Lord blesses us in lots of ways!  We were already in the area, and didn't even have to make a special trip to get it.  We had gotten the converter box a couple of months ago, but the two main local channels still would not come in, so we knew we would have to get a new antenna.  Hubby had been looking and priced them.  Well, this one was $20 in very good shape and came with a 30 foot telescoping pole!  Hope to get it put up tomorrow.  I know many of you don't even watch TV, but with hubby's medical problems he spends a lot of time in the house on bad days and really enjoys his TV then and evenings!

We are watching Copper closely now as she seems close to kidding, with a full moon, I am thinking maybe in the next day or so?

Hubby has gotten the entire garden tilled up.  It took him several days a little at a time.   It looks so good, wish it was time to plant.  The weather on Saturday just made spring fever that much worse!  Did I tell you how nice it was on Saturday???

We were to go to Granddaughter, Alexis's, 16th birthday party today, but they are sickly at their house this weekend.   She is to play basketball at a near by town on Tuesday, hope she is feeling better by then so we can watch her play.

This afternoon brought the perfect Sunday afternoon nap!  Then chores and a quiet evening.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Goat pictures

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

I am posting 2 of my favorite goat pictures because Rob is hosting a painting give away on his blog, One Log at a Time!  He has shared several of his paintings for us to enjoy.  The theme is to be our homestead.........well, of course the theme of our homestead is goats!

This is one of my favorite pictures taken last spring.  We take some critters to a National park near by for kids day each spring. It is Tall Grass Prairie.  There is a big rock house there open for tours and a unique chicken house, but the highlight is a 3 story rock barn.  I always say I could move right in that barn!  This is two of our Boer goat babies taken there that day, they are begging for attention through the wooden horse stall in that historic barn.

This one is special because it really captured the doe, Nugget, showing her love for her brand new baby girl!  I was glad to be there for this tender moment.  Actually this baby is the same one as in the first picture.  She was one of my special babies last spring, I called her "silly goat".  Nugget has always been one of my favorite does.........of course I would probably say that about any of my does, I love them all.  Goats have such sweet and unique personalities!

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Nice days and Nice people

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

The past two days have been very warm, much like a March day, warm and windy!  We have been able to get some things done outdoors which I of course enjoy.  Hubby is feeling back to normal now, and I did not get the nasty flu. His blood pressure has been very good the past few days, so maybe the change in meds is helping.  He goes back to the Dr. on the 25th.

Yesterday I drug some hog panels down by the pond and put them up over the barb wire fence to keep critters from getting out in that area.  We turned the llamas and heifers out in the corral around the pond today.  We need to get a big bale of hay moved in for them tomorrow, and will have to break ice on the pond when it turns cold again.  But I will have less hay to feed at the barn area now.  Also want to get a big bale moved in to the area where the donkey is and that will save us using up our small bales for him. 

I decided to turn the goats all together.  I had them separated according to due dates, with the closer ones getting more feed.  Some will be due starting Feb. 15 and the rest from then up until March 15 or so.  By doing this I will also have less hay and one less pan of water to fill for a while. 

Here is a picture of the mama's and babies I took when they were let out to run around the yard this week.

Ginger and her kids were checking to see if anyone was home.

Hubby tilled part of the garden this week, it really seems like spring around here!  The ground worked up so nice, I hope it is in that good of shape when it is finally time to plant.

People continue to be so generous to us concerning the fire we had!  I mentioned what happened in the newsletter I emailed earlier this week.  We received phone calls and emails from people who did not know until then with concern and offers of help.  A check came in the mail and someone also gave money at the elevator toward our feed bill!  It is just amazing how wonderful and thoughtful our friends and neighbors are!  If you are reading this........Thank you again!

Here is a picture of the Hull pottery tea pot Mom bought for me the other day.  I haven't looked it up to see any info about it yet.

You can see the chip on the spout, but I still love it and will turn it so that doesn't show.

Well, it is time for some popcorn.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Tired tonight

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

It has been a long day.  Hubby got very ill in the night last night, running at both ends as they say.  He has been really sick all day and has been back in bed now for several hours.  As I said yesterday we were away from home and both ate out, but we ate at different places.  We are really wondering if it was from something he ate, or could be just the flu??  I guess if I do not get sick in the next few hours, we will know which it is.  Doesn't really matter, the fact is, he is sick and miserable!

So, that left me to take care of preparing and serving the funeral dinner by myself today.  I didn't mind this at all, but our usual routine is........he goes in early and gets everything prepared and set up and then I come in and we are both there during serving, then he comes home and I stay and make sure everything gets cleaned up and put away.  That works out very well for both of us.  Well, today I was at the church by 8:30 and worked right through, getting home about 3.  I am used to being on the go all day, but this is a different kind of day and didn't even have a chance to sit down while we ate as the family was still there at that time.  We served between 60-65 people, so it was a big dinner as far as how many we usually serve. So.........I am tired this evening!

Didn't get anything done at home at all yesterday or today.......and boy could things around here use some attention!!  I will need to bake a couple of pies tomorrow and try to get the laundry caught up, kitchen cleaned up, bathroom cleaned, and the rest of the house picked up.  I will feel a lot better if these things get done as planned.

It was surprisingly cold here today, woke up to 10 degrees.  I wasn't expecting that.  It didn't get out of the 20's all day long, and tonight is to be 9, then in upper 30's tomorrow and back to 60's by the end of the week.  I am looking forward to that as I have some things to do outdoors Thursday and Friday.

Finally the pullets are starting to lay!  Good girls!

Today is granddaughter Alexis's 16th Birthday!  Also Kaylan's mama, Kylie is celebrating her Birthday today.

I took a picture of my Hull pottery teapot to show you, but I can't get my photos to download tonight for whatever reason?  I will try again later, I ran the battery down trying.

I am going to go and put my feet up.........

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Today

Direct my footsteps according to your word. Psalm 119:133

Wow, I had a lot of comments on my  "list of things to do this year"  blog entry!  Now, I am wondering how many of you will be able to come and help me accomplish these things??

Today was a good day for the most part.  Hubby had a Dr. appointment in Topeka.  We asked Mom to ride along and visit her sister.  Well, her sister wasn't going to be at home we found out this morning.........her daughter (my cousin) had a birthday yesterday and they had planned to go to a near by town for lunch today to celebrate.  So, at the last minute, Mom and I decided to go with them for lunch.  We had a nice time to visit and just spend time with family.  The place we intended to go was not open, but we found food......that is all that matters right?  Part of the little cafe had some antiques and collectables on display for sale.  I found a Hull pottery tea pot!  Hull is what I always look for and really enjoy.  It had a chip, so I thought it might be a reasonable price and it was!  But even better, Mom bought it for me for my birthday.........not until June, but she has her shopping done early!  I will take a picture and post later.  We also stopped at another shop on the way home and had fun looking around there as well.

That was the good part.  The not so good part was.........hubby didn't get a very good report at the Dr.  They increased some meds, he will see another Dr. for his heart.  It was more enlarged than the last test he had, so that is not good.  His ekg today was not normal, but not too much to worry about they told him.  His shoulder has been giving him fits, they took an x-ray of it.  I suppose when they see the results of that it will be another appointment?  Hard to say about that right now.  I am in hopes that there will be something to give him some relief of that pain, especially at night.  I hope he doesn't have to have another heart cath. but that would not surprise me.  I really thought things were going fairly well for the most part with his heart issues, but I guess I was wrong.  We will just trust God to work with the Drs. to get his meds regulated and feeling better.

We have a funeral dinner to serve tomorrow.  It was nice to be able to get all of the food donations worked out after church yesterday, instead of having tons of phone calls to make.  We will be serving about 50 people.

Better get to bed......

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead