December 26, 2012
It was the day after Christmas
It rained; it snowed and was nasty all day. We are grateful for our family, friends and a warm fire to rest by.
We had a great holiday literally going over the river and into
the woods, cutting downed trees, clearing trails and cleaning up the house we
have sort of abandoned for the farm.
Amanda managed the farm and the animals for a few days. Judy’s brother, Bill, visiting from
Houston and JJ, came out to help with the work.
Christmas eve we opened gifts and tried our first “Filet
Mignon” from the beef we butchered a few weeks ago. The fact that the fat is minimal makes it a bit trickier to
cook. The recommended cooking is
on secondary fire (not grilled) with marinades, rubs or bacon. We just broiled them with some salt and
pepper.
We had a small “Charlie Brown” tree that was planted on
Christmas Day across the driveway where we planted one about 5 years ago. Bill headed home and we headed back to
the farm.
The dozen sheep got to go to the pasture by the pond,
basically after a few crawled under the fence we decided it was in our best
interest to open the gate and let them through. Amanda took the electric fence down to fence off some of the
fresh dirt that was put around the pond re-enforcing the Dam site, as the vet
warned us last summer that parasites can infect the animals from freshly turned
soil.
People have asked me frequently the last few months whether
the sheep are as dumb as they hear.
I really do not think any animal is stupid, but do like to watch animal
behaviors. Sheep definitely seem
to think in a crowd mentality, reminding me so much of humans. As Amanda opened the gate for the
remaining sheep yesterday they rushed to the corner the gate and fence formed
and took a few minutes trying to figure how to get around it. Then they all calmly went through.
Except for one.
She had been grazing and not paying any attention. When she realized she was alone in the
field she panicked and started to ram her head against the gate until she
realized the way to go around it.
It was fascinating and at times painful to watch.
The Chickens are doing great. We are getting at least two
-dozen eggs or more a day recently, the most all year…. Green eggs from the
Aracuna, Brown from the Marans and the big white from the Leg Horns.
The four guinea fowl continue to patrol the property and
have learned that food is
given twice a day, then they are on their own. They are roosting in the barn.
We got a new feral cat from the Athens Humane society a few
days ago. A beautiful gray cat
that I have named Grace. As recommended
we kept her in a crate a few days with food and water, and then let her loose
continuing to leave food and water out. The Humane Society has problems with finding homes for
wilder cats. By taking them here
at the farm….they are already given shots and neutered they have a home and
help us to keep down the problems with mice and moles, especially around the
barn and feeding areas.
We continue to go to the Athens Farmer’s Market on Saturday,
with Lamb, Beef, kale, carrots, eggs and more to offer. Gratefully the beef is selling quickly
with
at least a quarter of our original amount sold in less than
a month…. No Antibiotics and all grass fed, gives very lean meat. The lamb is tender and sweet as well.
If you cannot make it to the market and want to come to the
farm or have it delivered, please contact me at 740-541-4190 or at judyljenkinson@me.com
