Saturday, November 29, 2008

Thanksgiving






Thanksgiving is a time to think about all the blessings in your life and to thank God for those blessings. When times are tough, with layoffs and the problems with the stock market and high prices on necessities and so forth, it can seem overwhelming and you wonder if your life is blessed or not. But, if you look closely at what is truly important, you will see that your blessings far outnumber your troubles.

What am I thankful for? First of all, my relationship with God. Without my faith I never would have made it through those tough times in life, nor would I really be able to appreciate the wonderful blessings I have had. I am thankful for my incredible children. I am thankful for my loving parents,  siblings, aunts and uncles. I am thankful for my home and my farm. The precious animals that have been intrusted into my care. I am thankful for my health, and the health of my children and family. I am thankful that I live in a country where I can be a farmer, or a teacher, or anything I would like to be. I am thankful that I have food on the table, insurance to see a doctor when I'm sick, a warm bed to sleep in, and a car to drive. There is so much to be thankful for. My life is far from perfect, but it is a truly blessed life.

As for the rest of Thanksgiving- The turkey was great! Gobbles (our pet turkey) was glad he wasn't on the menu, LOL. The animals all had their special Thanksgiving meal (their grain mixed with chopped carrots, mashed pumpkin, molasses and oats).

Sunday, November 2, 2008

In Memory of Duke



Duke, a black lab mix






The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.


There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.


All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.


They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.


You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.


Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....


Author unknown...

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Needle Felting Classes, New Animals, 4H






Beginning next month I will be able to offer classes in needle felting at Cupola Hollow Farm in West Suffield. Our first class offering will be a beginner level class and we will be creating holiday pins/ornaments. If all goes well, we will continue to offer various classes there, including other beginner needle felting classes, intermediate classes, "painting" with felt classes, wet felting classes and more. Our November Newsletter (you can sign up on the http://www.tranquilmorningfarm.com/ website) will include dates and information about available classes.






We've added some new fiber animals to our wonderful farm. We have two new llamas who will be arriving soon, Nicole and Peek a boo. Both females, who we plan on breeding to Dominoe of Henson's Menagerie. We now have 3 female alpacas (one of whom was born on our farm recently) and four male alpacas. We have settled on breeding shetland sheep, shetland/icelandic crosses and cormo/cotswold crosses. The crosses have been carefully thought out to achieve a particular type of fiber. We are presently breeding our colored angora goats, nigerian dwarf goats, and nubian dairy goats for early spring kids.






Our 4H club is off to a running start this year. We have already had a couple of community service projects and have a couple of big ones planned for this year, including bringing 4H activities and our animals to a housing complex in the city. Our club, at last count, has 19 members doing alpacas and llamas, dairy, meat and fiber goats, sheep, rabbits and poultry. Sounds like a fun year!!