I Talked To The Animals

I don't even know where to begin to tell you about the afternoon I had today. I am still floating on air.

 I was able to spend time with Andy, Lizzie, Anna and Dennis at Cedarmore Farm...my new Amish friends. Every time I get to spend some time at Cedarmore, I come away with so much. I learn more about the Amish way of life. I understand the workings of a CSA even better. And it just feels so good. Cedarmore Farm is such a calming place for me. I met Andy at the house and he taught about sap gathering. I have written an entry on the Cedarmore CSA blog if you care to learn right along with me.

After learning about sap gathering, we headed back to the farm and I got to meet the animals.

All the animals were in the barn...they all stared at me when I walked in.  I think they could tell I wanted so much to be a country girl...but I was just another one of those city slickers.

Cows and goats...even a special kind of goat that has no floppy ears.  I really didn't see any ears at all.  Can you pick him out.  Not a thing wrong with him...he is just that kind of goat...one with no floppy ears on the outside of his head.

I thought I was going to jump the fence myself when Andy told me that they had a new (less that 24 hours old) baby goat.  He got her/him (I forgot to ask) for me to hold.  The little things still had a wet 5 inch or so umbilical cord hanging down and some wet sac on the backside.  I was in love.  Andy and Lizzy don't know it yet but I have named him/her Dilly, don't know why, just looks like a Dilly to me.  They better keep a close eye on little Dilly because I might just  see if I can get my sweet baby in the van my next trip out.

 

 If you look really close in that bundle of black, you will see a calf that is about two days old.  I ask Andy if the animals all had names.  He looked at me kinda funny and informed me that those were beef cattle.  I said beef cattle?  Then it dawned on me that they weren't long for this world...so it is not a good things to name them.  Got it, Andy.

These are the working Belgiun draft horses.  If I am remembering right this is Dan.  I'll check on that and let you know if I am right.  This is one tall, big work horse.

I want to say that this is Dolly.  She was a little camera shy until Andy gave her something to eat.

For now the chicken coop is under a big sycamore tree.  I don't know if you can tell it or not, but this coop is on wheels.  So when the chickens eat all they can in one area they can be moved easily to another fresh place for the chicken to scratch and eat.  I even found an egg beside the fence.  Right now these chickens have the run of the yard...free range.  But once the crops start coming up they will be fenced to protect the vegetables.

This rooster... Andy calls him the family alarm clock...was surly strutting his stuff and squawking at us.  He is really a beautiful copper and red color.  I'm wondering if we can call him Foghorn Leghorn?

 There's some of the chickens all huddled under the bushes.  And you can see Lizzie already has the wash hanging out to dry.  Just yesterday the family moved from the basement to the upstairs of the house.  The hardwood floors are beautiful!  It is nice and warm.  Anna was playing with her baby dolls and I finally got to meet Dennis.

 After Andy showed me around the farm and I got to talk to Lizzie for a minute it was time for me to head back home.  I am looking forward to my next visit and dreaming of my little goat and all the good things that we are going to be eating as a result of all of Cedarmore Farms hard work.  I am thankful and blessed to have our roads cross.