Sassy & Sweet Notes

Welcome to March!

Thought I'd share this year's MARCH photo, from the 2012 On the Farm calendar.

Hee-Haw!

...Green... a High Hopes Challenge

This week the High Hopes blog challenge is all about green... I chose to use several older High Hopes images to create a springtime scene. What's not to love about a top-hat wearing piggy!?

I used a combination of Shinhan Twin Touch markers and Copic markers to color the images. He just makes me chuckle ... he's just so ... naked!

I was asked recently how I photograph my cards for sharing on my blog. I thought it would be easy enough to snap a photo of my desk while I took photos of today's project. I place two sheets of patterned paper on my desk to create a simple staging area. I place the card or project at a slight angle to the camera and use two inexpensive desk lamps to light up my workspace. I use Reveal bulbs in the lamps. It works for me!

Join the fun here!

High Hopes Stamps used: Forest Background, Miss Peggy, St. Patrick's Day Hat

oh happy day!

White Crested Black Polish baby...

Cheep!

Babies!

A few weeks ago, our neighbor and I decided to split an order of baby chickens. Guess what arrived this morning! *swoon*

I ordered 8 Polish in various colors, and 2 Cochins.

More to come!

Happy Friday!

Zoooooooom! Where did this week GO!? Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that the weekend has arrived, but holy smokes... seems like just yesterday we were at the beginning of the week with plenty of time to cross things off the to-do list. BAM! Before you know it, Friday arrives and my to-do list is just as long, if not longer, than it was earlier in the week. Someone needs to put a hold on time so I can catch up!

One of our neighbors stopped by today to let me know that we had two cows out. Lucy and Darcy. Baaaaad, BAD, cows. They were enjoying the grass and clover patches in the front yard. Thankfully, with just a shake of a bucket our cows come running and are easily put back into the pasture. This isn't the first time Lucy and Darcy have been out this week. In fact, it's about the 6th time. We can't find a 'hole' in the fence, so I'm guessing they're jumping. Not good. We don't have time to stand out in the back yard and watch them all day to figure out how they're getting out, either. Baaaaad cows. Anyway, the sun was shining so after I got the fellons back in the pasture I thought I'd snap some photos of the new baby.

We have received MANY emails wanting to know if we've settled on a name for Dust's baby. Yes, we did! In honor of my friend Manetta who celebrates her birthday on Valentine's Day, we've decided to officially name the baby Manetta's Valentine. That will make it easy to remember when she was born! I'm sure she'll have all kinds of nick-names. Troublemaker, PITA, buggarbutt... none of which reflect in any way on Manetta. *grin*

Oh, and Manetta, if you would actually like to have this little one for your very own, you've got first dibs on taking her home... all the way to Oregon! What do you say, Manetta!? She's little ... won't take up much room, and hardly eats a thing! And I'm sure Alan will make you a real good deal!

She was out in the pasture for the first time today and was having fun exploring all kinds of new things. Mostly the trees and bushes. The pasture is such a big place for her, having been kept in the barnyard with her mama for the past week.

We think Albert is happy to have a friend his size. Well, almost his size ... he's actually 3 or 4 times her size, or more, but he's only 2 months older than her. They'll be good playmates.

Well, here's to a wonderful weekend! ENJOY!!

howdy!

Sorry for the lack of activity here on the blog this past week. Work has been rather busy, and unfortunately I've been feeling sicky this weekend. Just my luck ... busted a three day weekend feeling blah. But I've got several projects in progress, so hopefully in the next few days I can get some crafty goodness posted. Stay tuned!

In other news, the ladies have been laying pretty eggs for us. Oh, and speaking of ladies, I have a small order (10) of baby chickens arriving next week! Our neighbor and I split an order of chicks, and I can't wait for the little fluff balls to arrive! I ordered a variety of Polish chicks, and some standard sized Cochins. They're going to be so CUTE!!

Alan said he saw a bluebird outside today, and I watched a pair of them flit around in a tree just outside the living room window. Spring must be on her way!

Tiny Tim

One of our most often asked about farm critters is Tiny Tim. This little frizzled fella is famous for his need to wear a coat on the cold days of winter. I thought you might enjoy an update, since it's been nearly a year since his made an appearance on the blog. My, how time flies!

While his wacky feathers aren't "perfect", he did manage to make it through this winter coat-free. But then again, we really only had a couple of nights in the low 30s. Instead of putting his coat on him, we just nestled him between a couple of large, heavily feathered hens on the coldest nights. He stayed toasty, TOASTY warm!

Cockadoooodledooooo!

Ooooh, what to name a baby!

Look who we welcomed to the farm today! A sweet baby girl, just in time for Valentine's day! She's just hours old in these photos.

She was born in the farthest corner of the farm. Her mother is Pixie Dust, and her father is Houdini. And would you just LOOK at those eye lashes!

Any suggestions for a name? Valentine? Cupid? Or ... ?

Valentines, Love is in the Air...

Thought I'd do a quick post to share a few High Hopes Stamps Valentine themed cards ... some new, some from the archives. *smooches*

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Sunshine!

 

The High Hopes team is having a little blog hop today to celebrate the release of a small new Alien stamp set as well as some pretty new floral images. You'll find the complete release here.

For my project, I chose to use two of the new florals to create this pocket card. This is a fun way to send a greeting that promises to bloom and grow!

Join the team on the hop by starting at the High Hopes blog where you will find a complete list of participating bloggers.

Your next stop from here is the always fabulous ANDREA!

Enjoy!

PS: I understand there is going to be a give-away, chosen randomly from commenters on one of the blogs on the hop, so be sure to mention you stopped by. You never know ... perhaps my blog will be the blog chosen to offer the prize to a reader!

Give This Photo a Caption

Turken Girls

I had a request to post some "chick" photos. We don't have any chicks right now, so how about some of the Turken girls, instead!? Photos taken yesterday evening...

Olive Oyle, lays the prettiest olive green eggs that are covered with brown speckles.

Fancy, so big and fluffy, I just love holding her!

Cashew, a young pullet (less than 1 year), daughter of Olive Oyle and Admiral.

And not a "girl" or Turken, but I can't resist sharing this photo of Admiral. Such a handsome fella, and just as sweet as can be. I love his polka dot beard and chest.

Have a great weekend!
Cluck cluck!

TGIF!

Took the camera out yesterday evening just before sunset to see what I could see. Not much was happening and it was getting dark quickly so I didn't have a lot of time to take photos. I was able to get a photo of Albert, though! He's the young calf that was born just before Christmas. He is Princess' calf, and we're excited that not only is he dun (brown), but he's also polled (hornless)! Way to go, Princess!

 

As usual, Baaaaad Boxcar Betty wanted to know "When'z dinner?"

Callio-Pea wanted to know "Got any goat cookies in your pocket? I'm the good goat, you know!"

Walnut, quite possibly the sweetest hen to ever live, would also have liked some snacks.

Sorry girls, I'm fresh out!

And the Winner is...

We've got a winner for the Pink, Pink, and More Pink! give-away from earlier in the week. According to Random.org, today's lucky number is #18.

Counting in order the comments were made on the post, comment #18 belongs to .... CAROL DEE!

Carol Dee had this to say:

PINK!!! In clothing I tend towards, pinks, corals and purples. ALWAYS dark pants (LOL, like that helps my big butt look smaller...) :) The house colors range from Taupe, Sage green, Brick and beige. I LoVE the adorble pink card. Fun as I only have sons and grandsons. Posted by: Carol Dee | February 01, 2012 at 08:17 AM

Hahaa!! Thanks for the giggles, Carol Dee! Congrats, and drop me a note and I'll get your goodies out to you right away!

Cheers!