The Big 4-0

Can you believe that after 5 days, we hit the Big 4-0 today?  

I did water twice for the ducks with NO COAT!  

Unreal! 

I promise you it will not last long, they are talking about snow for Thursday. 

However, Keith's Christmas present, the Oak Ridge Boys concert in Topeka on Tuesday, looks good as far as weather is concerned.  Yee ha! 

You will have to take my word that the goats had a great romp around the yard, running and running for sheer joy... and browsing upon all sorts of things that had been covered under the light snow we got, and frost.  

They went happily back to their pen, and the henspa boys and girls came out for an hour of exercise as well. 

Now everyone is at "home".  

This was taken early this morning.  The ponds look pretty leaden down at the bottom of the hill. 

Look up in the tree to the right, do you see it? 

Biggify it by clicking on it..  I'm betting an owl, because that is where one used to sit last year. 

If you biggify it, the shape appears to be that of an owl.  He stayed there for a long time this morning, eyes sweeping the ground. 

 I found two of the Elvi like this yesterday.  Some things just don't have an explanation.  It WAS cold, and I think everyone was sick of being inside and there was some fighting going on. 

I think these two hens, one old and one young, were just trying to keep each other warm in the henspa. 

My little helper was ready to go this morning. 

She made a trip to see her new Dr. this afternoon, the same doctor the goats are now seeing.  His vet tech here is very gentle and good with the animals. 

Yes, she's on an official diet now, with official diet food.  She got a going over, and her nails trimmed, and was very glad to get back home.  

She gets to have her teeth done just after Christmas.  

Meanwhile, our red girl was on duty outside. 

The 40 degree temps today were a teaser, the high tomorrow is expected to be only 23, and with wind chills in the teens.  Oh.  Joy. 

As Keith would say... it's winter in Kansas. 

Tomorrow, the Baking Commences.  

I leave you with a shot of where the ducks are sleeping. 

Taken with a flash last night, and I disturbed them.  I have made a deep bed of prairie hay that they are nestling down in this corner in. 

Here is a better view taken during the day.  I also loaded up the tarped pen with prairie hay, because Aflac has gone in there several times.  They can all nestle down in this and stay relatively warm.  

I got a book in the mail today that I am going to share with you tomorrow... don't know that this one will be a giveaway, but maybe I'll get another copy for one of you! 

I intend to get caught up with everyone's blogs... this weather has just been doing it to me, though... and when I come in from doing chores, I usually need to rest a bit. 

Everyone stay warm!