Christmas 2009

Wow, time sure flies!

We were busy getting areas prepped for animals for winter, it took a lot more time than we anticipated. we had our first real snowfall today, and everything seems to be working pretty well. We had severe cold two weeks ago and lots several litters of bunnies, but all the adults were ok. We re-bred today so hopefully we won't have another cold snap like that when these are due! Here is a picture of the rabbitry in process- now it has plexiglass around the bottom of the cages and straw bales in between the roof of the barn and the roof of the cages. I was really pleased to day when no snow was in the rabbitry!

The chickens are now snug in the barn with lots of roosts. We combined chickens from 5 separate places into one, so far we only lost one rooster and they seem to be adjusting.

The kittens are really growing! They are so cute, climbing on everything they can find and playing.

Chris and an experienced cow-man friend got the heifers loaded up today and delivered to another friend who has a bull. Hopefully the girls will be bred soon and deliver calves in the fall. Tomorrow we are off to Noblesville for the day, Beckett is being baptized. Monday we are driving to Wolcott to visit with a Silver Fox breeder and decide the fate of our 12 Silver Fox juniors. We'll let you know what we decide!

All the stars aligned and we have photos!

 8 week old Holland Lop littermates ( the gemstone litter)

PEARL

JASPER

ONYX

JEWEL

4 week old Holland littermates

and 2 litters of 8 week old Silver Fox! 

We have another Holland litter and a Netherland litter in nestboxes. We have 2 Silver Fox, 3 Hollands, and 2 Netherlands due this week. We gave them nestboxes today and some of them went right to work getting those nests ready. They are so much fun to watch.

Typical disaster

This is what happened when Chris tried to move a chicken house from one area to another for the winter. Oops! (It is laying on it's back, in case you can't tell)

...and here is why it happened! A broken bead on the front right tire of the Kubota. I few tries later the tire is fixed, but the chicken house is still in the driveway! Another project for today. More photos later of all the animals in their new homes for the winter. We have to get them all close to thawable (?) water.

Avis Acres little ones

One of the great things about Avis Acres is that we always have little ones of some sort or another! These kittens are so adorable right now. They get out of their box and follow you around the barn They play with any little thing they can find for 3 1/2 minutes and then they climb back in their box and collapse!

These Hollands are from our most recent litter. First time mom so I wasn't sure, but Emme is wonderful.  She gave us 3 sable points and a tort, so what more could I ask for?!?

Avis Acres Thanksgiving

All from Avis Acres- green beans in the casserole, sweet potatos, and a Bourbon Red turkey!

Camera? Anyone have a camera?!?

Can you believe 4 adult women meet to enjoy a weekend together and noone brings a camera?!?

Yes, I know, amazing. We had a great time, just no pictures except for a few cell phone pics that were taken. We had very little trouble navigating until the GPS and the map disagreed and we didn't know who to listen to! We met in Louisville and stayed at a very nice Embassy Suite. We had a cocktail hour in the evening and a great cooked to order breakfast in the morning. Saturday night we had dinner at Ramsi's Cafe on the World on Bardstown Road. The restaurant is located in a very interesting area of town, lots to see just in the people walking around! It had a wonderful variety of ethnic food that was really good. There was also some dinner time entertainment. I'm sure my sister will post something on her blog as well, but her 7 month old son Beckett thought the pair of belly dancers who danced for us were amazing!

We stayed up until 2 in the morning talking, while Beckett slept in the bedroom. Probably not the best choice since he likes to start his day before 8am! I'm a little tired at work today but it was definitely worth it. Thanks everyone!

Casey's back!!

Casey the steer is home in neat white packages. So far we have been very pleased. The flavor is great and it is so nice to have a freezer full of lean and clean (chemical free) protein. The turkeys are scheduled to be butchered just before Thanksgiving. Fresh turkey, anyone?



Football is finished so Nicholas goes directly to basketball. He is so active in his own way at home, I'm glad he enjoys structured sports programs, as well.