Daffodils

February weather is always unpredictable, but this year, it is beautifully unpredictable. Today it was 68 degrees and the sun was shining just warm enough to coax these pretty little daffodils into a full bloom. The hens were so happy with the warmth and the flowers they decided to lay four eggs today. Enjoy the end of winter as it disappears into spring! 

Neighborhood Watch

This beautiful barn owl is part of the neighborhood watch on mice, voles, and other rodents. This one is a fairly large owl and it is difficult to tell the difference between male and female. The owl does not hoot, but it make a loud screetching call. The wing span is enormous and the white face has given the owl the nickname of ghost owl. Since it was viewed near the full moon, we will call it the moon owl! No matter the name nor the sex of the bird, it sure is a beautiful bird! 

This February Snow Moon had the perfect timing of shining brightly on Valentine's Day. 

As you can tell we are all under the spell of the Night Watch!

We Need the Rain!

It has been so very dry in Southern Oregon since September. We are all very relieved to have this rain. Hopefully the river can keep up with the drainage. The river reached a flow in Grants Pass of over 18,000 cubic feet per second.  The Rogue River is considered flood stage at 20,000 cfs. Fortunately there was a lull in the rain to last long enough for more of the land to drain.  We have strategically placed water buckets under the barn roof line for the animals to drink easily and to access every bit that Mother Nature has to offer!

Buckets collecting rain water under the barn eaves.

Giant, old walnut trees. They look like sculptures.

Wonderful water everywhere!

Rain is literally streaming off of the barn.

Again, strategic placement on the buckets keeps them full!

Turkeys are dry and warm.

Pigs are getting ready to snuggle into the straw!

Amazingly, there were three eggs today.

Pretty wet, but chores are finished for the day. We are so lucky to have the rain!

Pasture Raised

Pasture raised is the motto on our farm! We have pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, and chicken that live and grow out in the Southern Oregon sunshine and rain and fog and snow! In the middle of winter we have managed to see some amazingly sunny days in the midst of winter and even a pretty sunset or two along with the animals. All of the animals are on pasture for their whole life, except when they are the tiniest of babies in a warm, cozy stall with their mamas, or deep straw bedding and a heat lamp. Fresh well water, organic feed, pasture grass, vegetable surplus, and clean air.

Pastured pigs under the walnut trees.

Pastured pigs enjoying pumpkin pie! It is really just surplus pumpkin from the gardens!

Pastured chickens enjoying the garden clean up this winter.

Pastured chickens enjoying the gardens and the grass.

Pastured sheep enjoying purple mountains majesty at sunset.

Pastured sheep named Snowball, but she could really be named Freckles!

Pastured turkey hen at the end of the day, Lulabelle, she likes to tease her mate, Buddy Love!

Pastured turkey on a walk about!

Pastured children and goats! Kids in the fresh air are the happiest kids we know!

Life on the pasture raised farm!

Evelyn Rose

Happy First Birthday to our littlest Evelyn Rose! She is truly an Irish Rose and has a twinkle in her eyes and laughter that makes all of our hearts sing! We can't believe a year has flown by so quickly! Happy Days to you!  We love you, happy girl!