tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14150612112044478552024-02-19T10:31:43.951-08:00MoonCat Farms MeanderingsA bit about us, a lot about our critters and plants, and much about the goings-on "home on the farm". We try to make use of things that we grow here on our small place with an emphasis on plants and herbal items. Our goal is to try to live a greener and more natural life and leave our place on Earth better than when we arrived here!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-82707208406997249012016-02-20T18:57:00.001-08:002016-02-20T18:57:47.012-08:00MoonCat Farms is Meandering to a New Home at Red Barn Blue Skies - Join Us!After quite a bit of deliberation, we've decided to move this blog to a new home at <a href="http://www.redbarnblueskies.com/" target="_blank">Red Barn Blue Skies</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.redbarnblueskies.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjmtwGTDhmUJaSQvgA1Y6e8qC3vPVQZZ9bj12euYNfYvTTrEABfTPSjzJwr4ogNdOcXV-s0iDgicHa4NjntGstPDWRAEeKwWFWTyO5v9sqVAiyYfUtczoGvl88j05f22FN9k4a1hnb0E/s320/Red+BarnBlue+Skies+%25281%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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All of the posts and information from here has been transferred to the new site. We're adding some new and exciting features and look forward to a lot of new fun as well as our old friends. </div>
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This will be the last post at this address so please be sure to bookmark our new one: </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.redbarnblueskies.com/" target="_blank">http://www.redbarnblueskies.com</a></span></b></div>
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Please join us!</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-78667136182067160642015-09-24T17:55:00.000-07:002015-09-24T17:55:43.770-07:00Celebrate Nature and Nation with FREE National Park Admission<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This Saturday, September 26th is National Public Lands Day and is <b>the day </b>to visit your local National Park - for FREE!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go <a href="http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see which parks are participating and then go out on Saturday and celebrate our great Nation and Nature.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*The next date (and final one for 2015) is November 11th, Veterans Day. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZp2G10KyRuzuLsfHZDpJRjpdh3F_g08NZN9J0BymQEoTiwwwWFfAHkqmnF8a1u7D86sgFX-cS1h0BQf9n5ekFa4lv9qRo5CmYE-bIpWqLZxdiSsoXiM7OVrYYD6-xza8cuqpAVE1kWZy/s1600/yosemite+half+dome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZp2G10KyRuzuLsfHZDpJRjpdh3F_g08NZN9J0BymQEoTiwwwWFfAHkqmnF8a1u7D86sgFX-cS1h0BQf9n5ekFa4lv9qRo5CmYE-bIpWqLZxdiSsoXiM7OVrYYD6-xza8cuqpAVE1kWZy/s320/yosemite+half+dome.jpg" width="268" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKQM9j4hPasrJuofE1WSEuq0A1b820cs8QbOWaPlnBHs0viRIPFJ7_olmoBnrPe0iLRTtSrHnaCMuFdJFjQxs773HpsmYPYuYYc1myi6qb2quiZ3qRVWzZX-iJDQf45DKjXSdU4limstV/s1600/yosemite+merced+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKQM9j4hPasrJuofE1WSEuq0A1b820cs8QbOWaPlnBHs0viRIPFJ7_olmoBnrPe0iLRTtSrHnaCMuFdJFjQxs773HpsmYPYuYYc1myi6qb2quiZ3qRVWzZX-iJDQf45DKjXSdU4limstV/s320/yosemite+merced+river.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yosemite photos </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>courtesy of http://www.pachd.com/</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>**article first posted </i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> at <a href="http://centsablecouponing2.blogspot.com/2015/09/national-parks-free-admission-september.html" target="_blank">Centsable Couponing</a></i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-59368124886534932172015-09-22T18:17:00.000-07:002015-09-22T18:17:05.959-07:00Extra Eggs Recipes - Chile Rellano Casserole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 0.23in;">As many of you know, I have chickens. LOTS of chickens. One of the bonuses and sometimes quandaries, that goes along with this is LOTS of eggs! I have been developing quite the collection of egg-heavy recipes to help use up these lovely little presents I'm gifted with daily. This is one of my (and Mr MoonCat's) favorites. We pretty much eat this once a week when the girls are laying in abundance. Enjoy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDurBXOniNHJq2sHF02-NOr6kBNhHuPxit4dUSoK2yXnhE4_0mucNeGRJ_3weocujcXPWXk8DNo1RhRXuMvQ2jEEp6c79ct9qQ5qRNFfvmqKds4F-9JmRupCc4EubhyphenhyphenHWjyB5rsY9SqQ/s1600/chile+rellano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDurBXOniNHJq2sHF02-NOr6kBNhHuPxit4dUSoK2yXnhE4_0mucNeGRJ_3weocujcXPWXk8DNo1RhRXuMvQ2jEEp6c79ct9qQ5qRNFfvmqKds4F-9JmRupCc4EubhyphenhyphenHWjyB5rsY9SqQ/s320/chile+rellano.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Century Gothic, AppleGothic, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 0.23in;">Chile
Rellano Casserole</b></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2
pound hamburger</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2
pound ground sausage</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1
cup chopped onion</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3
cloves garlic, minced</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2
cans (40z) whole green chilies, drained, seeded and divided</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">3
cups shredded cheddar cheese </span>
</span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6-8 large eggs</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/4
cup all-purpose flour</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1
cup milk</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">½
tsp Salt</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">½
tsp Pepper</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">½
tsp Cumin</span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 0.23in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 0.23in;">Preheat
oven to 350 degrees. </span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">In a large skillet cook the sausage &
hamburger together. Once browned, add the onion and garlic in with
the meat. Once onion is soft, drain the fat from the skillet and mix
in salt, pepper and cumin. </span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Line a deep 13″x9″ baking dish with
chilies split in half, save the remaining chiles for later; top with
2 cups cheese. Layer in the meat and top with remaining chilies,
chopped up; set aside. </span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Beat eggs with flour until smooth. Blend in
milk. Pour mixture over meat in the casserole dish. </span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Bake uncovered
for about 45 minutes until center is done. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup
cheese on top. </span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border: none; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Let stand 10 minutes before serving. </span><strong><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Makes
6-8 servings.</span></span></strong></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-83540846051455630082015-09-20T00:30:00.000-07:002015-09-20T00:30:05.966-07:00Sunday Selection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrbLmtqm_TmWN-PKpC2A5ED4JwOODgVR49_g-gFN-fOoKZABHTY4bwKpdCOEAwQClr16iv72XHyMwL4mLcJoD_Ud9tF8cC0f4Y1eWngHZSQRmbVWoI-KS-Vm3rh4lapGoU6_F6fQKLNE/s1600/ID-100149977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrbLmtqm_TmWN-PKpC2A5ED4JwOODgVR49_g-gFN-fOoKZABHTY4bwKpdCOEAwQClr16iv72XHyMwL4mLcJoD_Ud9tF8cC0f4Y1eWngHZSQRmbVWoI-KS-Vm3rh4lapGoU6_F6fQKLNE/s320/ID-100149977.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Image courtesy of Keattikorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nothing Gold Can Stay </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>by Robert Frost<b> </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nature's first green is gold, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her hardest hue to hold. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Her early leaf's a flower; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But only so an hour. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then leaf subsides to leaf. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So Eden sank to grief, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So dawn goes down to day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing gold can stay.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-41770285223317449242015-09-11T00:30:00.000-07:002015-09-11T00:30:03.948-07:009-11 Never Forget<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAtPNwRYuslIPt4jgNnT4S3nJZXEWovkMcmEm3HqW45ZpG4zXh02C7iqPk-F_jWRdLy8iJcFwISAWHrrqiAaJzMSHN-1Y8bjAPi1GwP1sYlGSfa7p604mFjUktyzWJ8VzFrekf_yrWtg/s1600/911+flag+firefighters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAtPNwRYuslIPt4jgNnT4S3nJZXEWovkMcmEm3HqW45ZpG4zXh02C7iqPk-F_jWRdLy8iJcFwISAWHrrqiAaJzMSHN-1Y8bjAPi1GwP1sYlGSfa7p604mFjUktyzWJ8VzFrekf_yrWtg/s1600/911+flag+firefighters.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our lives will never be the same after this fateful day. Please take a moment to remember the victims and their families, the heroes and the unity felt across our great nation in the aftermath. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We need to find that unity again before it is too late.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-78446803385313373112015-09-10T19:38:00.000-07:002015-09-10T19:38:31.848-07:00Longmire is Back! Season 4 is Available on Netflix NOW!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BFAIH68/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BFAIH68&linkCode=as2&tag=moofar-20&linkId=A4EQZ5ECGXZXIV6R"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BFAIH68&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=moofar-20" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EIXWW2O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EIXWW2O&linkCode=as2&tag=moofar-20&linkId=XRFBBFR2VS54ADCT"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00EIXWW2O&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=moofar-20" /></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O8J0KXG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00O8J0KXG&linkCode=as2&tag=moofar-20&linkId=5ACL33TUOWCAQANP"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00O8J0KXG&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=moofar-20" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a lot of happy dancing going on around this place tonight. One of our all-time favorite TV series is back! Longmire's long awaited Season 4 is available TODAY on Netflix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hubby and I did a marathon viewing of the first 3 episodes last year when we finally got internet service that would stream Netflix. We were hooked on the series after the very first episode, only to find that it had been cancelled. What the heck is wrong with the idiots at A & E? <i>(This isn't the only series we love that they have cancelled..)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyways, Netflix to the rescue! They were smart enough to see the absolute obsessed cult following this show has and did some negotiating to order the 4th season. Whoo hoo, yay Netflix! So today is the day, we are finally getting to have another fix of one our favorite cowboy lawmen and his trusty sidekicks. We are re-watching the last episode of season 3 first to reacquaint ourselves with the happenings and then we're good to go. It's going to be a late night here. Pop that popcorn hubby.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-60055057047999062842015-09-07T22:23:00.000-07:002015-09-07T22:23:30.167-07:00Leisurely Day with No Labor<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope everyone enjoyed this Labor Day weekend. We had a busy Saturday and Sunday, but today was all about the relaxation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI0Puq1kYcfprj2vQS6AgUwvrjAw_eWz8A1xBefNtLySV5sISfRsZnUbB3yuJZ8p46rDqtY_5w6cD80CufDpeh-e7MzOEPftv7f6Eqq3InBc7UkHPOXXzhWjKOdNWUdhe0C8ArYA87FM/s1600/football.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI0Puq1kYcfprj2vQS6AgUwvrjAw_eWz8A1xBefNtLySV5sISfRsZnUbB3yuJZ8p46rDqtY_5w6cD80CufDpeh-e7MzOEPftv7f6Eqq3InBc7UkHPOXXzhWjKOdNWUdhe0C8ArYA87FM/s1600/football.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mr. MoonCat and I both belong to a fantasy football league. I've been a team owner since 2005 and this will be the hubby's third year. The league is mostly made up of some of my dearest friends from kindergarten to now! We've always stayed close and connected and look forward to our annual draft party on Labor Day weekend and the Super Bowl party in the winter. It's a fun and very competitive way to keep our lifelong relationships strong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The party is usually a weekend long event with a "pre-party" on Friday night, a golf tournament on Saturday and the actual draft/party on Sunday. It is always an extremely fun weekend, but the older I get, the more tired I am come Monday.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefHafM0vBKCpJEiQG-d8Rr6YOxJX48Tkke_Sy_ZRYY7PzVC5O3XWoYK1ksX6Boc1vbe1x9vv6ejqpeBugHGaHntgdKfL1NuV6mhR4zQdaqoQBXWQoAoeFihI99zw14_I_IOlqiDPyNhM/s1600/.facebook_880171606-20130906-081423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefHafM0vBKCpJEiQG-d8Rr6YOxJX48Tkke_Sy_ZRYY7PzVC5O3XWoYK1ksX6Boc1vbe1x9vv6ejqpeBugHGaHntgdKfL1NuV6mhR4zQdaqoQBXWQoAoeFihI99zw14_I_IOlqiDPyNhM/s320/.facebook_880171606-20130906-081423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love these guys, but it's probably a good thing we DO only plan these things twice a year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>(That's Mr MoonCat 3rd from the left)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So today, I rested! I spent a large part of my day reading and catching up on my pile of "To Be Read" books. I'm still doing reviews over at <a href="http://www.onebookshy.com/" target="_blank">One Book Shy of a Full Shelf</a> as well as doing some sensible saving at <a href="http://www.centsablecouponing.com/" target="_blank">Centsable Couponing</a>. I'm busy, but it's stuff I love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How was your weekend? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">~~~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5289439/?claim=hgeez4n28fq"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</span></a></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-31158395999934130892015-09-01T22:17:00.000-07:002015-09-01T22:17:29.200-07:00Landmines and Hairballs Oh My!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit11e1oGYErslAxYNJ5lpHkRscKsbhpghE82BxxEblh6lZqYf1RL78yS8XdQZ7EsErop1BvuqT5uh2c5eGmsIrNkhL4h9LKdWbz9bDrW6GSkvFEwDKT3ct6fHl9Tveukpk7GVIGh5aWHA/s1600/cc+logo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit11e1oGYErslAxYNJ5lpHkRscKsbhpghE82BxxEblh6lZqYf1RL78yS8XdQZ7EsErop1BvuqT5uh2c5eGmsIrNkhL4h9LKdWbz9bDrW6GSkvFEwDKT3ct6fHl9Tveukpk7GVIGh5aWHA/s320/cc+logo+3.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm sitting here tonight going over our monthly and annual budgets. We've been doing pretty good at saving some money wherever we can in our goal to move to Idaho next year. I've slashed our spending in most areas and am surprised at the savings in one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That one area is our pet food expenses. By pets, I'm not including the poultry, horses or cattle. Strictly dogs and cats - 3 pooches and 7 purrers. We are feeding a higher priced feed to both cats and dogs and have actually been saving quite a bit of money. It all comes down to a better quality feed and the animals eating/needing less while being healthier. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though I am fairly well versed in animal nutrition, I used to be bad about watching sales and using coupons for my cat and dog food. Whatever seemed to be decent food for a decent price AND had coupons, I went for to save a buck. Unfortunately my critters paid for it with poor coats and up/down weight issues. So I went to the other extreme and bought really pricey, overly hyped feeds. I think probably more to assuage my guilt than anything else. This also didn't really benefit my animals <i>or</i> my pocketbook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flash forward to last winter when I went to work part-time for our new Tractor Supply. I chatted with a few of the nutritionists and feed reps to see what they were feeding their own animals. I found it very interesting that most of them were using the TSC brand "4 Health". It's priced pretty much in the middle of the scale and the ingredients seem to be very good. So I gradually switched my crews over to the appropriate formulas and I am thrilled!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Both cats and dogs have all done very well with these feeds. Their coats are thick and glossy, they all maintain steady, healthy weights, fewer hairballs and a large bonus overall is less poop. That may seem funny or trivial to some, but when you have a 125 pound hound, you want smaller landmines and fewer of them. Since there are so many less fillers and more of the good nutrients, the animals utilize the feed better and need less to be happily full. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I'm curious what do you feed your furballs? Anyone else use 4 Health? </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-176339832109095312015-07-24T16:15:00.000-07:002015-07-24T16:15:18.550-07:00Guacamole - It's What's For Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G_DtYVPU9Rgjv8jbZrO4ZxBdDmGqLUN5NWtqRtUmC5teImyU7psFaP5TqOdFBwGGpezM7YpSNmWH8zkObC83b-sUtarl_JztSRZG4kEBAdE3RlEn4wKoj7fEYSC31lkJJW_l9n80L7g/s1600/avocado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G_DtYVPU9Rgjv8jbZrO4ZxBdDmGqLUN5NWtqRtUmC5teImyU7psFaP5TqOdFBwGGpezM7YpSNmWH8zkObC83b-sUtarl_JztSRZG4kEBAdE3RlEn4wKoj7fEYSC31lkJJW_l9n80L7g/s320/avocado.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This time of year Mr. Mooncat and I don't really like to eat a heavy dinner. <i>(This also translates to "I" don't like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen when we're dealing with temperatures in the high 90s, low 100s!) </i>We tend to either snack or just have an appetizer instead of an actual main course. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My favorite guacamole recipe is a bit of a hodgepodge of several I've come across over the years. I play around with it quite a bit, but this one seems to be the hubby's favorite, so we stick to it - the fact that it's easy helps.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoSmJdzFuK2Gbcwb9kNZN1i_2O3TJWY8MSjycwI5UhS_WDaxbN8b6o-ZTliP9zKhb3mZoVtpjMqodj7FWwQZq1fhZUjwDDO0zEXU2WnZVqTRUF0coSCnOXfXiSziIqP83h3hVWRt8yw4/s1600/guacamole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoSmJdzFuK2Gbcwb9kNZN1i_2O3TJWY8MSjycwI5UhS_WDaxbN8b6o-ZTliP9zKhb3mZoVtpjMqodj7FWwQZq1fhZUjwDDO0zEXU2WnZVqTRUF0coSCnOXfXiSziIqP83h3hVWRt8yw4/s1600/guacamole.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>image courtesy of Knorr, Inc. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Makes 4-6 servings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4 Large Avocados</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3 Roma Tomatoes, diced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Red Onion, medium - diced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Fresh Lime, juiced <i>(lemon can be substituted if desired)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 TBsp chopped Cilantro, fresh preferred</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2-3 large cloves finely chopped fresh garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 pinch sea salt <i>(optional)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 pinch coarse black pepper <i>(optional)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp extra virgin olive oil <i>(optional)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a large bowl, mash avocados and lime juice <i>(& optional salt)</i>. Add in the tomatoes, onion, garlic and cilantro. Finally stir in the pepper and <i>(optional olive oil.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I like to cover this and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving, but it can be served right away if desired. I think the flavors tend to be better blended if you wait though.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-67042789068795327652015-07-19T01:19:00.000-07:002015-07-19T01:19:23.439-07:00Still Kicking and Clucking<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's Alive....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a way too long hiatus, I'm back. In a way, a lot has changed and nothing has changed - if that makes sense. It will take me some time and many posts to bring you up to snuff. I appreciate you all still being here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and sharing our little world again with you lovely people. I've missed you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's a clue on what I'm still doing....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDbCWC2wQzQ_f5j2rVcqe_1pfvXd9tyyzfQJWj9b8ja6DtZz4z4eDaiqSV4a3OaplfG7iam0BOaHgSVGt1Sfubzqu07_zIJofKefw6jrBApJyXP6mkMDiq7hUBuU1fZjAXzRVIs-_-0U/s1600/DSC_0040+Guinea+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDbCWC2wQzQ_f5j2rVcqe_1pfvXd9tyyzfQJWj9b8ja6DtZz4z4eDaiqSV4a3OaplfG7iam0BOaHgSVGt1Sfubzqu07_zIJofKefw6jrBApJyXP6mkMDiq7hUBuU1fZjAXzRVIs-_-0U/s320/DSC_0040+Guinea+2.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-38309221636464190522012-04-20T14:07:00.001-07:002012-04-20T14:07:10.383-07:00The Defense Rests<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the case of MrMoonCat vs.THE CHICKENS, the defense offers this photographic evidence: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B0UoTukpFMPOJe08hyphenhyphenanjjVJ9kImZKgaxhyphenhyphenJUvVaQZwfpVWGjALBm-PMp9lesZikuN3sbq_xYXBSzRziC8C30pSliBZEaL87h5_xqMvFc4Nhyphenhyphen_bVqWa8kASXc9xap5IeR5POmug_Y2M/s1600/Mike+with+Cochin+Roo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6B0UoTukpFMPOJe08hyphenhyphenanjjVJ9kImZKgaxhyphenhyphenJUvVaQZwfpVWGjALBm-PMp9lesZikuN3sbq_xYXBSzRziC8C30pSliBZEaL87h5_xqMvFc4Nhyphenhyphen_bVqWa8kASXc9xap5IeR5POmug_Y2M/s320/Mike+with+Cochin+Roo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>MrsMoonCat states:</b> <i>"My husband is very supportive of my chicken obsession. He helps me out and encourages me in growing our endeavour. But, he tells the guys that he is just indulging his crazy wife. He says that he puts up with the feathered fiends to appease me and doesn't have anything to do with any of the birds. I don't understand why he doesn't want anyone to know that he enjoys being out with them almost as much as I do and has his favorites in the flock."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b>MrMoonCat replies:</b> <i>"Uh, no comment. I need to go feed my chickens."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The defense rests..</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-90734618186843541872012-03-16T23:04:00.000-07:002012-03-16T23:04:32.918-07:00Spring is Sprung in the Coop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnqs_g5ysZqNjROKIYKwNcS7axKeUrSeuxFOAAZNrgWFI8mY1Xv7ZuDbKLQSZWDV-axS2vZYE2Qs2uQu1egc_KjvjwvKuwZ5nY7yrnNfQ-34xxsb7M-BxXN720FLDEWVYQ1Zl7nqHmRE/s1600/Broody+Cochin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnqs_g5ysZqNjROKIYKwNcS7axKeUrSeuxFOAAZNrgWFI8mY1Xv7ZuDbKLQSZWDV-axS2vZYE2Qs2uQu1egc_KjvjwvKuwZ5nY7yrnNfQ-34xxsb7M-BxXN720FLDEWVYQ1Zl7nqHmRE/s320/Broody+Cochin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nature's Incubator</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I initially started raising Giant Cochins with the thought they would be broodies for my Blue Andalusian chicks. Andalusians just have no interest in taking care of their own kids. They produce a bajillion of them, then they are just "dead-beat" parents and don't want to take the time to hatch or raise them! Spring fever has hit hard and they are popping out eggs like crazy in that pen. I was in need of some help to get the blue babies hatched. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So Cochins to the rescue...or NOT. I waited and waited for one of my beautiful blue Cochin gals to go broody. You would think out of 9 hens, one would cooperate? Nope. Nada. So I took the plunge and ordered an incubator off of eBay. Guess what? The pretty little lady pictured above and below decided she wants to raise some chicks! The very day <i>after</i> I spent a small fortune on an "alternative" way to get those babies hatched. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Goofy bird...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"We are NOT amused"</span></div>
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May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-12261108888726778202012-03-07T20:24:00.001-08:002012-03-07T20:24:21.734-08:00Baby Blues at MoonCat Farms<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm sure the title of this post had you thinking of something else. Never fear, we aren't pregnant and we aren't blue at all around here, but our new babies are! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Welcome to our first hatch of the year <i>(from Monday)</i>. 24 eggs went into the incubator and exactly 21 days later, these pretty babies made their way into the big wide world outside their shells. I'm especially happy with these 17 hatchlings because they are the first chicks from my young breeding birds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the first week of incubation, 4 eggs were found to not be fertile while 1 started and died. The other 19 eggs went the full three weeks. 2 eggs didn't hatch for unknown reasons, but 17 did and 17 out of 24 is still very good. The fertility and hatch rate should both improve as the breeders get a little older ~ <i>and more experienced :)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The fuzzier chicks are Giant Blue Cochins with the others being my Blue Andalusians. As you can see in the photo, there are some differently colored birds in the brooder. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most birds that carry the common blue or "<i>Andalusian" </i>gene have the possibility of producing Blue, Black or Splash chicks. I am pleased with the group of mostly blue babies: 10 blue (5 Cochins/5 Andalusians), 5 black (3 Cochins/2 Andalusians) and 2 Splash Cochins. Splash chicks will be a whitish based bird with blue or black "splashes" of color. More about the blue genes later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">More photos and blathering on about my birds to come soon!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-36234269557739921452012-02-22T21:28:00.000-08:002012-02-23T12:06:21.029-08:00Chasing Chickens<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, it's been so long since I've posted that I pretty much had to learn how to do it all over again! </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Life has kept us very busy here at MoonCat Farms since I last checked in many moons ago. There's too much to cover in one post so I'll just start fresh with one of my favorite <i>and frankly, most time-consuming </i>interests. My chooks...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mr. MoonCat's parents call them their <i><b>"grands"</b></i>. When they come up for a visit, they enjoy helping me with the little feathered fiends. In fact we're looking forward to a visit next month when I will be enlisting their help in vaccinating the flock and accomplishing a few other chores that seem to need a few willing extra hands. Plus, we just have fun playing with the birds and spending time outside. The chickens reward <i>their</i> "grands" by sending them back to Arizona with a bunch of beautiful farm fresh eggs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rudy Roo is called a Barred Plymouth Rock or just a Barred Rock. He runs with my laying flock of mostly Rhode Island Red hens and a few girls of questionable parentage. He's a very gentle bird that takes great care of his girls and is pleasant for us to be around. </span><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(His neck shouldn't look all fuzzy like that, he's been sticking his head through the fence to reach the rosebush and messed up his feathers. I will be putting up more chicken wire soon, as Mr. MoonCat accused me of trying to strangle poor Rudy!)</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozujlAf6kojs7g50a0371xRvSsAMaN0FPQfrLRv4Y3Toz2b2wzI21-jJWTc6DGHRr0gaR8lnikV4t1E_DvSwE1dK2wZUSWhmQJ92OwMDCf8CJu8T460nqHwTvQ_oSZkXXK793iC0d-so/s1600/Iowa+blue+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozujlAf6kojs7g50a0371xRvSsAMaN0FPQfrLRv4Y3Toz2b2wzI21-jJWTc6DGHRr0gaR8lnikV4t1E_DvSwE1dK2wZUSWhmQJ92OwMDCf8CJu8T460nqHwTvQ_oSZkXXK793iC0d-so/s320/Iowa+blue+closeup.jpg" width="288" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This little gal giving us all the stink-eye is an Iowa Blue hen. She's a smallish bird that lays a small creamy colored egg. They are a personable breed that is enjoyable to be around and as you can tell by the up close and personal photo, very nosy! <i>(BTW, they aren't blue..just those Iowa people coming up with a name for their birds...</i> :)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE9yhBwy7YSWitzjy0a_w2kWsoSM2uJvDFih2ibxB_YFCPK6q4d1mRI8HxYUVG4izSTzEWiOli3tX1czFOEaNfYsB25YvrjTN1G5EqrLtdVfFBxFxQ8gRN4Z8RsXizXj0C8fZB3tGIr0/s1600/Blue+Andalusian+blue+rooster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxE9yhBwy7YSWitzjy0a_w2kWsoSM2uJvDFih2ibxB_YFCPK6q4d1mRI8HxYUVG4izSTzEWiOli3tX1czFOEaNfYsB25YvrjTN1G5EqrLtdVfFBxFxQ8gRN4Z8RsXizXj0C8fZB3tGIr0/s320/Blue+Andalusian+blue+rooster+2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This pretty guy is one of my favorite boys here at MoonCat Farms. He is Boo, a Blue Andalusian rooster which comes from Andalusia, Spain. Blue Andalusians actually show up in three color variations: Blue, Black and Splash. They are all the same bird, they just carry the blue gene differently. <i>I will do a post on each of the breeds I am raising and go a little more into the colors then.</i></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The fluffy butts in the photo above belong to my lovely Giant Blue Cochins. <i>That is one of the two roosters with his head up while the others were pigging out on a pumpkin.</i> They lay medium-sized brown eggs, but not in large quantities. In spite of this and in all honesty, <b><i>because they are so darn cute</i></b>, they came to MoonCat Farms with a purpose - to sit on and hatch the eggs of the Blue Andalusians. Andalusians are notorious for NOT sitting on their own eggs while Cochins are notorious for being broody and wanting to spend their time raising chicks - instead of laying eggs! It's a perfect match :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you haven't noticed yet, I have a bit of a theme with the BLUE chickens. This has become quite the endeavor and I am truly hooked on my birds. I look forward to sharing more about this journey with you.</span></div>
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May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-31682055969430113882011-09-08T14:52:00.000-07:002011-09-08T14:52:34.724-07:00Ernestina Hemingway - Our Polydactyl Cat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfLAGNXn_2YTJXfmxw2Dd6uISwCRLxrneNJ2G_jKgVppGwHPFX8FYwP9n-BL8c7mHVNK643G2o-tlVhbipbSMiFOGxjn-Q0FeCjjgt36Oz_Ky9R2U5IwilNRf1T8NHv4F2_idD-BJjrE/s1600/140+ernie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfLAGNXn_2YTJXfmxw2Dd6uISwCRLxrneNJ2G_jKgVppGwHPFX8FYwP9n-BL8c7mHVNK643G2o-tlVhbipbSMiFOGxjn-Q0FeCjjgt36Oz_Ky9R2U5IwilNRf1T8NHv4F2_idD-BJjrE/s200/140+ernie.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a quick post to introduce you to the baby of the house. "Ernie" is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydactyl_cat">polydactyl</a> cat with extra toes on each of her paws. She actually has little "thumbs" on her front feet which makes her two times the menace of the other cats ~ she can open drawers and latches like a person! I'm baby-proofing several cabinets now. I did try to get a better photo of her feet, but she kept swatting at me so I'll wait until the monster is asleep for that. You can see a bit of her thumb in the second photo.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdz4DzPN93H109OfR50suZ50ZigFDY5W7pd7PtJuszpG42CN43mYbuUKfvZSLYuABRzbVnUvFFx4dynI7hIf5DykZuhkKqpIt9z_QyPjKOMBzhfNJByOmIE__EIREjasV3YNoyaFNjOQ/s1600/138+ernie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdz4DzPN93H109OfR50suZ50ZigFDY5W7pd7PtJuszpG42CN43mYbuUKfvZSLYuABRzbVnUvFFx4dynI7hIf5DykZuhkKqpIt9z_QyPjKOMBzhfNJByOmIE__EIREjasV3YNoyaFNjOQ/s200/138+ernie.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for her name, it obviously stems from a beloved and well-known figure in American history. What isn't quite as well known is that the Nobel prize-winning author <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Hemingway">Ernest Hemingway</a> had a his house full of these "abnormal" polydactyl cats. In fact, even decades after his death his home in Florida is still a haven for the descendants of his original six-toed cat that he received as a gift from a ship's captain. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These type of cats are said to be much more common on the East Coast than here in the West. I personally hadn't come across one until we adopted Ernie after someone dumped her at our non-pet friends' house. At the time we had a hard time telling if she was indeed a girl, so I called her Ernie and Mr. MoonCat was calling her "Hemi". Got a little confusing since we already have a "Hammy" in the house. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074693784490041852noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-22402886441330249412011-06-20T00:01:00.000-07:002011-06-20T00:01:01.202-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">to all of the Dads out there including </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">my own dear Daddy!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgeDHjmur5bODHphyphenhyphend1t-_PeaJ0vIrDEU4J6QodpKqyftZryRFZWNmHL7IvcizWImn5K7R55EMa6qQzxUmzwxzv5sjnFPKpO2n2F_FiH1qc8A3Kb5vHBaPPz0MF9zFe27MEt2ZGdJ79M/s1600/dad+n+pete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgeDHjmur5bODHphyphenhyphend1t-_PeaJ0vIrDEU4J6QodpKqyftZryRFZWNmHL7IvcizWImn5K7R55EMa6qQzxUmzwxzv5sjnFPKpO2n2F_FiH1qc8A3Kb5vHBaPPz0MF9zFe27MEt2ZGdJ79M/s320/dad+n+pete.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-17599038270050090762011-06-17T15:17:00.000-07:002011-06-17T15:19:32.102-07:00While I've Been Away..<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As usual, I can't make any excuses for the severe neglect that this dear little blog of mine has been suffering. My only excuse is that I've been super busy in the great outdoors. Mr. MoonCat and I have been working on expanding the chicken runs and temporary coops. I have great things planned and my hardworking, ever-suffering hubby usually is the one to make them into reality. Good thing he loves me...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> A few pics to show why I've been preoccupied elsewhere:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpVH0HwQSWMeG8_u6UhQ23y0NW_9H8hnOHiQfUjk9WYINzbXodZrzXPX6gt5yDojpQIQuPbifvePtaWGqeDKBrYhgRDwPomnDcJeFlb6u3-hdsh1Dn_hyphenhyphenK-7oSO-Nxq3jxatXxyNZCGg/s1600/chicks+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpVH0HwQSWMeG8_u6UhQ23y0NW_9H8hnOHiQfUjk9WYINzbXodZrzXPX6gt5yDojpQIQuPbifvePtaWGqeDKBrYhgRDwPomnDcJeFlb6u3-hdsh1Dn_hyphenhyphenK-7oSO-Nxq3jxatXxyNZCGg/s200/chicks+45.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are YOU talking to ME?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6U2VJfnEbezQmtxw4xfqPueiJnL1MoffVoDg-fvOZpwbvYitQKkvaaGwT2uI3KS4Caz5WWRutY3FEdpglwNDK24WwGL2E2GJ1WPfCChpjhOpYy0lhmjcl993l348o5TF6puGFM0e0gQ/s1600/chicks+44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6U2VJfnEbezQmtxw4xfqPueiJnL1MoffVoDg-fvOZpwbvYitQKkvaaGwT2uI3KS4Caz5WWRutY3FEdpglwNDK24WwGL2E2GJ1WPfCChpjhOpYy0lhmjcl993l348o5TF6puGFM0e0gQ/s200/chicks+44.jpg" width="119" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My baby blue roo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOer3Aiej4Sh4I2ndLw_QWlUFOSdJh5d6RLLKGUonbFK7oT64BtuwObtiairXFYn4x01pf0AI36gaXhtgr98sHL8Wzlbtb8WZQcUjnpIXDlVCy8-IexvV0rtYuwtm3fkYuVrwWwl8KJXs/s1600/chicks+46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOer3Aiej4Sh4I2ndLw_QWlUFOSdJh5d6RLLKGUonbFK7oT64BtuwObtiairXFYn4x01pf0AI36gaXhtgr98sHL8Wzlbtb8WZQcUjnpIXDlVCy8-IexvV0rtYuwtm3fkYuVrwWwl8KJXs/s200/chicks+46.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voracious appetites</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When I <strong>am</strong> inside the house I spend a lot of time:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Saying "Aren't they cute?":</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PwupmGNSZeSSmVSP2iSGeJYM-8hjIzI65OTTkTxS7bB5QW-uhbfT9fWAUaUkAcASAa8qwAvmOdt8s9XK0f4siKrb7eMoTUbF0zeQOffBoVFkX4D1EO2vWbRAwQc_KJDNULkBqm97V2Y/s1600/pip+n+pea+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PwupmGNSZeSSmVSP2iSGeJYM-8hjIzI65OTTkTxS7bB5QW-uhbfT9fWAUaUkAcASAa8qwAvmOdt8s9XK0f4siKrb7eMoTUbF0zeQOffBoVFkX4D1EO2vWbRAwQc_KJDNULkBqm97V2Y/s200/pip+n+pea+27.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Then acting as referee:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zQhx9STcV6LHrkfsKnATt5gvQiObsJQcIivkYjF5snT3O3OdcqT7fPv3CT6iOG9M-Zs24Po9qsDns-jpQIVLDFs1V8C4eJIjchfuFiR-0y5XohLfuCw5KOi_m19ko8qQC4zOYfmUFiw/s1600/pip+pea+n+porkchop+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zQhx9STcV6LHrkfsKnATt5gvQiObsJQcIivkYjF5snT3O3OdcqT7fPv3CT6iOG9M-Zs24Po9qsDns-jpQIVLDFs1V8C4eJIjchfuFiR-0y5XohLfuCw5KOi_m19ko8qQC4zOYfmUFiw/s200/pip+pea+n+porkchop+33.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's<strong> MY</strong> mommy &<strong> I</strong> want to lay in her lap<br />
~Notice my normally rotten Porkchop just<br />
ignores them & continues with his nap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And, trying to convince a large hound that I can still see him behind a tiny pillow:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8O_OJaeSzYIr9Z1_chsndb-GDgRTgoCiH-8nvv5l-nYqAryLHpHT1CCGi2sEWnXDfRuwmpk8eAXqubhK_nl7TRY1B9HvJEPo2USkWndNxfZb951C4IQ-bI52Vz9P5t6ZE_ET99ipAbU/s1600/chandy+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8O_OJaeSzYIr9Z1_chsndb-GDgRTgoCiH-8nvv5l-nYqAryLHpHT1CCGi2sEWnXDfRuwmpk8eAXqubhK_nl7TRY1B9HvJEPo2USkWndNxfZb951C4IQ-bI52Vz9P5t6ZE_ET99ipAbU/s200/chandy+23.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Maybe she'll think I'm part of the sofa.."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So that's just a tiny peek at what we're doing around here. I won't make any promises as to when I'll see ya next ~ I'm not very reliable that way lately....</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-72753918125849922382011-05-08T15:44:00.000-07:002011-05-08T15:44:55.506-07:00Happy Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Mother's Day to all, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">whether your kids have skin, fur or feathers.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDmR2-kX9sw5McTZnag1zuUUCqg134XKsuOtLyZ56uDc-j7Guh1sjHZWMbV2oMsNF5432aPflHOXy1XZipMqVSGXTdtDF72dabp-4nzXGkKaE-Wr9AoaWPDPIYllOYZfuQRM2nILg5uY/s1600/Photo+of+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDmR2-kX9sw5McTZnag1zuUUCqg134XKsuOtLyZ56uDc-j7Guh1sjHZWMbV2oMsNF5432aPflHOXy1XZipMqVSGXTdtDF72dabp-4nzXGkKaE-Wr9AoaWPDPIYllOYZfuQRM2nILg5uY/s200/Photo+of+Mom.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I miss you Mama</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-51830958705296702822011-05-02T20:38:00.000-07:002011-05-02T20:38:42.874-07:00Cowboy Up!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We had a fun time out at the ranch today. After having a lively breakfast, horseback riding was the scheduled event. The star of course was Rowan!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Our favorite little nephew dude dragged his parents and his Grandma up to visit Aunty Julie, Uncle Mike and Papa Bill. He was sporting his brand new cowboy boots and told them he just had to go on the long drive to see us. <em>We weren't fooled though, he really came to see the horses, the chickens and Adolph the dog! We're all aware of our place in line :) I think the tractor we call "Greenie" has also moved ahead of us..</em></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_0fOMedflsJF_MCpww9AxpROl9PF3wGJJn4RuT3ok34uu6MMdXBEWfth61yjl7s_jItJgI7sTUYuZj1GA8MbWll6TVZGjKzRTE9Q4Sj9-I9N8hYG3tUHmBM-BNHIrlPHZJdYoPW8QrQ/s1600/DSCN3788+ro+%2526+mike+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_0fOMedflsJF_MCpww9AxpROl9PF3wGJJn4RuT3ok34uu6MMdXBEWfth61yjl7s_jItJgI7sTUYuZj1GA8MbWll6TVZGjKzRTE9Q4Sj9-I9N8hYG3tUHmBM-BNHIrlPHZJdYoPW8QrQ/s200/DSCN3788+ro+%2526+mike+1.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rowan was all dressed up for the occasion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">-Uncle Mike, not so much</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgyga-LvWg0YzqvVuy74lZnZI6Fkol0MqqpH3hUOlp7FOWAqjnbNW3j_LD2zM2ApWjK68ddNnsq3C3gvYAw4ir3BpFOtbHKwdYH3IigcoX0v78ykbIkOASFSxIPwJxIaaR9ldP0w8jc8/s1600/DSCN3793+ro+%2526+mike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgyga-LvWg0YzqvVuy74lZnZI6Fkol0MqqpH3hUOlp7FOWAqjnbNW3j_LD2zM2ApWjK68ddNnsq3C3gvYAw4ir3BpFOtbHKwdYH3IigcoX0v78ykbIkOASFSxIPwJxIaaR9ldP0w8jc8/s200/DSCN3793+ro+%2526+mike+2.jpg" width="174" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rowan on Hailey, Uncle Mike on Ace</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbGK4-Sk2nCRy7uF4AJ2RTN97YlhOx6mtyzgjv4jatJ02EA-Xm88w9YQK_t42jA7rKW2tMKcSrrcmL6uUirzAVSPrhB_5y0-kaCzkfDITxnw4kUwiycuyWWcbEdCihYFlUBlqYDGAmkI/s1600/DSCN3799+ro+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbGK4-Sk2nCRy7uF4AJ2RTN97YlhOx6mtyzgjv4jatJ02EA-Xm88w9YQK_t42jA7rKW2tMKcSrrcmL6uUirzAVSPrhB_5y0-kaCzkfDITxnw4kUwiycuyWWcbEdCihYFlUBlqYDGAmkI/s200/DSCN3799+ro+3.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Tickle, tickle Hailey!"</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFVqWCdvUqxFOwidFhV1y5V_XxpYaxnYWMI_HDLgBiPF8tIR9kEdf1VKkIeeomXibSL1Bo1jy0Qkyt3_bIRSq90bt9R2kIWqIbVtnAvY503vtFbR4YqTKNP6fZcc6vxPKLI8PRuKPBjQ/s1600/DSCN3808+rowan+%2526+dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFVqWCdvUqxFOwidFhV1y5V_XxpYaxnYWMI_HDLgBiPF8tIR9kEdf1VKkIeeomXibSL1Bo1jy0Qkyt3_bIRSq90bt9R2kIWqIbVtnAvY503vtFbR4YqTKNP6fZcc6vxPKLI8PRuKPBjQ/s200/DSCN3808+rowan+%2526+dad.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rowan showing Papa Bill how to drive "Greenie"</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OipH_0qLAeL7B8Eireweo-c2gEWaYZupCYHXFZgj8k-HXtf6rkrGqKWxNAQ1YTuvWk2Zk4sbR9LQX5CuXkL2j0hapIvDRaw_a0ALL5VbELsTbpwSSk9QrS7DqcSQl0b9mWHbGQ-R0aM/s1600/DSCN3813+rowan+%2526+dad+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OipH_0qLAeL7B8Eireweo-c2gEWaYZupCYHXFZgj8k-HXtf6rkrGqKWxNAQ1YTuvWk2Zk4sbR9LQX5CuXkL2j0hapIvDRaw_a0ALL5VbELsTbpwSSk9QrS7DqcSQl0b9mWHbGQ-R0aM/s200/DSCN3813+rowan+%2526+dad+2.jpg" width="164" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He's a natural farmer!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was a fun way to spend a sunny morning with loved ones who don't live close enough to see as much as we'd like. We're already looking forward to Ro's next foray into cowboying. Look out Hailey!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-14572852692684104232011-04-27T13:51:00.000-07:002011-04-27T13:51:29.955-07:00Recipe - Basil Beer Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBtxhaTuG9NiL-JqL16AATZkvdeMvwhkOrJTUuRM-BfjW4BSKXOrn_Jzr4kt_pSJF5Ed5C6X3ZukeWBy4lM0fRV6j61vor7dL4A66Qsn94K-vOAD395swxQTj1b14a3pxKIsjdM8Zs_s/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBtxhaTuG9NiL-JqL16AATZkvdeMvwhkOrJTUuRM-BfjW4BSKXOrn_Jzr4kt_pSJF5Ed5C6X3ZukeWBy4lM0fRV6j61vor7dL4A66Qsn94K-vOAD395swxQTj1b14a3pxKIsjdM8Zs_s/s1600/basil.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I do grow most of my basil from seed, I sometimes can't help myself and MUST buy a beautiful plant when I see it. I recently snagged two gorgeous basil plants while out shopping. I was pleasantly surprised when one of them had the following recipe included on the plant marker. Because I had all of the ingredients on hand and just reading the recipe made my mouth water, I tried it. And I loved it....So here it is...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tvm4HH-p0oSAhVUSyU1K9B-1ImPPaRJpBIftOpjy8PuV2DEJnziK8nZx_nJQMwVLxqy-m_dZozAxG28VcNQ3OnVADz8Z47iQ_h1Gpr-1s6lggNk2kDkqEtiDwQvgjHS8kkhtJW2HepA/s1600/basil+beer+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tvm4HH-p0oSAhVUSyU1K9B-1ImPPaRJpBIftOpjy8PuV2DEJnziK8nZx_nJQMwVLxqy-m_dZozAxG28VcNQ3OnVADz8Z47iQ_h1Gpr-1s6lggNk2kDkqEtiDwQvgjHS8kkhtJW2HepA/s320/basil+beer+bread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong><u>Basil Beer Bread</u></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3 cups self-rising flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3 tbsp granulated sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">12 oz warm beer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 cup chopped basil</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Pour mixture into a well-greased loaf pan or dish. Put loaf pan into an unheated oven. Turn the oven on and set at 350 degrees. Bake for 50 minutes or until lightly browned on top. Remove from pan and place on a wire rack to cool. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>***I think I would leave it in the oven for a few minutes longer and just keep a close eye on it. This first loaf didn't get quite as brown as I would have liked.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The basil smell alone was enough to get the hubby wandering into the kitchen to find out what I was up to. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I sliced it up while still warm and used some of this overly delicious <a href="http://lemonverbenalady.blogspot.com/2011/03/ok-couldnt-stay-away-making-herbal.html">herbal butter</a> that I had made up the day before. I followed the recipe I found at my idol Nancy<em> aka </em><a href="http://lemonverbenalady.blogspot.com/">The Lemon Verbena Lady</a>'s blog. <em>(Be sure to visit her site for great recipes and herbal wisdom.)</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was a huge success as we skipped dessert and opted for another piece of bread instead. Needless to say, this will be a recipe that we'll use quite a bit in the coming months. Many thanks to the lovely Nancy for the awesome herb butter recipe :)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRT_OY4RFQ0gwhcczl8Gc5UjqIW0tuNxe5b7DvaqBPfrNGx8WbDFJkMbvmX10WfMBCG2jmL8rlrjXFrejtMYZN0VKfciD-qMiierXp5_gxRZGxlzLSLtUwgXwEQNYBzioeGhDxNlg3O8/s1600/purple+basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRT_OY4RFQ0gwhcczl8Gc5UjqIW0tuNxe5b7DvaqBPfrNGx8WbDFJkMbvmX10WfMBCG2jmL8rlrjXFrejtMYZN0VKfciD-qMiierXp5_gxRZGxlzLSLtUwgXwEQNYBzioeGhDxNlg3O8/s200/purple+basil.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-13422164987780294132011-04-08T13:28:00.000-07:002011-04-08T13:28:07.576-07:00Dawg Days<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="143" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6MpKgSe9PvE5JDbrfcmhMgHkqLNrKDQ-k5tGnSOWdxjc2e4f3e8k4ilRv3NUQnUpuiehVFrqRwKlcYuLawixe_LJS5NEFHuwtN5GECfmk89VlDIq3gY57C4UUSUi0O-Jm-2gCNeiHYg/s200/DSCN3583.JPG" width="200" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-j3X82m-psDJZvnqQTgaqRMn3adScYnJ4MaWDmfvd0PFiRAG_cxpZyCK20P7C7zF_nl9rK71jmcHb9d312jJhhEEEGnXtHudfy_Vb-y5iP2jLwXOGUPWa2KJHoYCwJtZeULTUJ5qQUk/s1600/DSCN3585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-j3X82m-psDJZvnqQTgaqRMn3adScYnJ4MaWDmfvd0PFiRAG_cxpZyCK20P7C7zF_nl9rK71jmcHb9d312jJhhEEEGnXtHudfy_Vb-y5iP2jLwXOGUPWa2KJHoYCwJtZeULTUJ5qQUk/s200/DSCN3585.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>The little tyrant tells him off and then attacks</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Cailen and Pippi)</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshOtq8uZd0JCST5Z3uBSssiCt1Y5JnxUYmnbiGUHpMgoFDjNujK8fOwK3Jfzr4VBfRL3rwmzN9BZK9OwijGogFvlu7RqaDEY9BSz4zHkoNRgIihyphenhyphenPHuqiXCzyAXiTmLFHe7CerxRjip0/s1600/DSCN3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshOtq8uZd0JCST5Z3uBSssiCt1Y5JnxUYmnbiGUHpMgoFDjNujK8fOwK3Jfzr4VBfRL3rwmzN9BZK9OwijGogFvlu7RqaDEY9BSz4zHkoNRgIihyphenhyphenPHuqiXCzyAXiTmLFHe7CerxRjip0/s200/DSCN3596.JPG" width="109" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The old man ignores them all</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Muttley)</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkwCs_AlAO1UkHXJVu6v_VMysvHXGAB8jAbB3AyBLiOGtICZeDkxlpNgGmdG1szanuwniJhnPKZXoMaF-XytJRySZBsTp8hnsQEdogcw9CJNA4zPKirddAs0If-SyziUc7pzvs-7rL6w/s200/DSCN3606.JPG" width="200" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Bottoms up! Vole hunting..</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>(Chandler, Cailen & Pippi)</em></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6MlwEdemMIiim2VL0PkgHUYxPfO2bpBSS9zhP_zG9HnHJi9kyNsOBAjdLjyBo-JQhZUxpHT3r0WziWa_WWCmzOh6CnyX5h95CqIk-Hv0Vo9h4VxQSORVBVvYQ2ZzSeze4FnxMLNqoIA/s1600/DSCN3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6MlwEdemMIiim2VL0PkgHUYxPfO2bpBSS9zhP_zG9HnHJi9kyNsOBAjdLjyBo-JQhZUxpHT3r0WziWa_WWCmzOh6CnyX5h95CqIk-Hv0Vo9h4VxQSORVBVvYQ2ZzSeze4FnxMLNqoIA/s200/DSCN3640.JPG" width="156" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How can you stay mad at this face?</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Pippi)</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mqj4_GgOfJVlGyKQKl8RTpRJ7DxKukrs6gICEdO3xMml_gk5SurQtefrv1cIljiF0Rv59h_Ng6IdDK34cfMsRQzMpvxKTV8EeXcUmH3XkpXMUOXaXPEJVMDuyvYVUJCrQY8-8F42fMM/s1600/DSCN3647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mqj4_GgOfJVlGyKQKl8RTpRJ7DxKukrs6gICEdO3xMml_gk5SurQtefrv1cIljiF0Rv59h_Ng6IdDK34cfMsRQzMpvxKTV8EeXcUmH3XkpXMUOXaXPEJVMDuyvYVUJCrQY8-8F42fMM/s200/DSCN3647.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mama's big baby boy</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(Chandler)</span></em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJsDZEoTn4dVriR9Se0RI7NRYNE3PKIZBanTd_CPfKr1dI8Jw6aEHulcamZK26japtdaK89-guDZmTuyKd4WwYKGjz6qUusnihyphenhyphenM3jvMHMiycbaRLz_xWn0hHKXD7c1Ao6D7FTA4gqNA/s1600/DSCN3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJsDZEoTn4dVriR9Se0RI7NRYNE3PKIZBanTd_CPfKr1dI8Jw6aEHulcamZK26japtdaK89-guDZmTuyKd4WwYKGjz6qUusnihyphenhyphenM3jvMHMiycbaRLz_xWn0hHKXD7c1Ao6D7FTA4gqNA/s200/DSCN3667.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chandy has the toy and is ready for take-off!</span></em></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-30115869749703306932011-03-30T17:20:00.000-07:002011-03-30T17:20:49.179-07:00Spring is Sprung<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You know you've been a neglectful blogger when the hubby of all people, asks why you haven't posted anything in several weeks! I didn't even realize that he'd been paying any attention to <em>"my little blog"</em> as he calls it :) So I have a couple photos for you today..</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYW4zY4NfzQoEhBO71RPOvv7wEMrR8GFLMU-yI50eigyp6itsK_p1oLvYMGoDnRuW792zYglReHMBHsdMKB1vOhNJ2EjEnAH78yPFpNFiIHOMjg8iafXXE3ruOzgm2mEvdOBSNI93CSA/s1600/DSCN3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYW4zY4NfzQoEhBO71RPOvv7wEMrR8GFLMU-yI50eigyp6itsK_p1oLvYMGoDnRuW792zYglReHMBHsdMKB1vOhNJ2EjEnAH78yPFpNFiIHOMjg8iafXXE3ruOzgm2mEvdOBSNI93CSA/s200/DSCN3576.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first flowers of the year</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Needless to say, I've been spending a lot of time outside this week. After weeks upon weeks of storms, we're finally seeing some sunshine. This has been our wettest winter since 1997 ~ we've been having extreme flooding and our ground is completely saturated. Since we usually live in a state of near panic due to drought conditions and the threat of wells going dry, it really is nice to see an overabundance of water. <em>It would just be nice if it could rain a few days and then be sunny; then rain a day or two and be sunny..... </em>We had ten days straight with rain at some point so we're a little soggy.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkHx42N07-PRiojLcrTZyIU4sVn7-cPTpRtk5w8H5yllHZsVoo14ZmCiMr1zuoegujS5gLLoJYSuXSxWPAOx1u4TWCFPkHIT4E-PqiHc_JYMmg35y5Wy1zrgLW3TUNRJ4PZfbEcJ4CMc/s1600/DSCN3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkHx42N07-PRiojLcrTZyIU4sVn7-cPTpRtk5w8H5yllHZsVoo14ZmCiMr1zuoegujS5gLLoJYSuXSxWPAOx1u4TWCFPkHIT4E-PqiHc_JYMmg35y5Wy1zrgLW3TUNRJ4PZfbEcJ4CMc/s200/DSCN3599.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super high grass and weeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Poor Mr. MoonCat is asking if I won't reconsider adding a couple of goats to our menagerie for weed control. We may have to get the mower deck for the tractor for the front and back yard as the grass and weeds have been growing several inches a day. The ground is super wet so we can't get the lawn mower in there yet and the lovely sunshine is just making everything GROW!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEBQ-kXecZBmJCM8wVfweF_yQou4vXJl_Deg9QT2WTcZdvYqTzFXvJnSZhgAVKZ4NeAJedYKYu6JKKy-2V4Gb_5ycw18gTJJpKsAfkGWG2iI3kiR12KfKKTVWja_1g_eQzJSu8MIDr6A/s1600/DSCN3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEBQ-kXecZBmJCM8wVfweF_yQou4vXJl_Deg9QT2WTcZdvYqTzFXvJnSZhgAVKZ4NeAJedYKYu6JKKy-2V4Gb_5ycw18gTJJpKsAfkGWG2iI3kiR12KfKKTVWja_1g_eQzJSu8MIDr6A/s200/DSCN3579.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our gorgeous Weeping Willow</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The photo below is actually a blossom from a weed. I loved the shading and pattern on the bud.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIBOfeHl95lOcZGFTgEQvwSi6WqR1Ml27C0mo5FQNeZcVs4x-tVsR269hFndszOJpgXPGdku25TrivyosO1awGp1flTxJ1t8PZVTZB2iKhxnxTEOfK5Eaow7o9SponIEdomM-8crUE_g/s1600/DSCN3612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIBOfeHl95lOcZGFTgEQvwSi6WqR1Ml27C0mo5FQNeZcVs4x-tVsR269hFndszOJpgXPGdku25TrivyosO1awGp1flTxJ1t8PZVTZB2iKhxnxTEOfK5Eaow7o9SponIEdomM-8crUE_g/s200/DSCN3612.JPG" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weed flower bud</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And finally, we already have a rose <em>(or possibly, still have a rose?)</em></span><em></em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_5tFW8Mdv0TZtmNg0AvGEDMr7iAA4O9LoF_okWsV5g8H5gEiBnqOQcVjz3RmSEg1MPe5tAVHQlppx2U6sBAs-ebXbIsOBWIs7spJwxRTFDGe0pz1eJ2SIgDOdK7lT4RKiMseu0CPiZg/s1600/DSCN3589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_5tFW8Mdv0TZtmNg0AvGEDMr7iAA4O9LoF_okWsV5g8H5gEiBnqOQcVjz3RmSEg1MPe5tAVHQlppx2U6sBAs-ebXbIsOBWIs7spJwxRTFDGe0pz1eJ2SIgDOdK7lT4RKiMseu0CPiZg/s200/DSCN3589.JPG" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose in bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More to come...</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-51450389094062600922011-03-07T21:10:00.000-08:002011-03-07T21:10:47.557-08:00Woman Eaten by Chickens or Stuff n Such<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, as usual I've been a flake. I guess my only excuse for not posting is that I didn't really feel like I had anything to say. I figured I'd better give a brief update on what's been going on around these parts or you'd think the chickens truly had eaten me. Bad birds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mr. MoonCat has been working six days a week, keeping very busy. I've been working on my new business which is in the infant stages. I'm excited about getting it off the ground and I'll have more on that at a later date. The garden is starting to see some activity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The hubby's uncle passed away a few weeks ago after a very long battle with cancer. We've spent a day up in Sacramento for the last two weekends helping his parents clean out the house to get it ready for sale. While it was a sad reason for us to all be together, we really enjoyed visiting with his parents. Hubby's best friend/brother from another mother Chris went with us this last weekend to help us move all of the furniture. We were grateful for the help as there was a lot of heavy lifting involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Most of the critters are doing well. The dogs and cats are happy that Spring is pretty much here. The chickens are keeping us snowed under with eggs and attitude. We have a great bartering deal going on with my "other parents" - my best friend Becky's folks. They keep kitchen scraps saved up and I weigh them down with eggs. Everyone's happy! <strong>Especially</strong> the chooks - it is hysterical to watch them dig through the goodies. They recognize the large plastic ice cream tubs that the scraps are saved in. When I walk out carrying one of those it is a large squawking herd of mini-monsters meeting me at the gate. (</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Remember the <a href="http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com/2010/09/velociraptor-chickens.html"><strong>Velociraptor Chickens</strong></a>?) They get quite rude and scary!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">All is not great though as we do have some cause for concern. Wedgie's leg isn't healing like we had hoped. Since I posted about his <a href="http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com/2011/02/wedgies-week-of-woes.html">injury</a> we've had him x-rayed and found that he had actually fractured his leg. The vet seems to think it will heal just fine in time, but it's sure making us worry. He has to stay in the small box stall and not move around too much. Poor little guy isn't taking confinement well, he is horribly bored. It's really hard for such a curious and mischievous little dude to deal with forced inactivity. We try to keep him entertained, but it's a challenge. He is such a good baby though. He allows us to change his bandages/semi-cast with a minimum of fuss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">That's about it around here at MoonCat Farms and the ranch. I will try to post some photos in the next few days - truly. Wedgie really is getting cuter all of the time. I know he sends his love to all of you who love him from afar, especially his honorary auntie <a href="http://lemonverbenalady.blogspot.com/">Lemon Verbena Lady</a> :) <em>(Phantom kisses being blown your way)</em></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-84492663379214379112011-02-09T13:20:00.000-08:002011-02-09T13:20:51.643-08:00Building a Small Business and Killing Some Trees<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As many of you know (and our new readers will soon learn), we've recently joined the ranks of "backyard chicken farmers". I mentioned my initial desire to have about six chickens in order to provide enough eggs for us and the immediate family. Well, the hubby and the Dad decided if six was a good amount then NINETEEN would be a GREAT amount of chickens to have. Men!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ncys9Kikj2Tu4u9M87ngyRdMDBbGA9RP08ufK3S2FsnqL0rInKoiKBgxMSiTIpFyrQZNUsh91K-8vWfE7XQBMsuJWvB2znsDiK5ec0dVCoCyo1UpJSCoZK_gzeePv5oV1Q5EGC8gQTI/s1600/chooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ncys9Kikj2Tu4u9M87ngyRdMDBbGA9RP08ufK3S2FsnqL0rInKoiKBgxMSiTIpFyrQZNUsh91K-8vWfE7XQBMsuJWvB2znsDiK5ec0dVCoCyo1UpJSCoZK_gzeePv5oV1Q5EGC8gQTI/s320/chooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Well, all of this has led to a MAJOR over-abundance of eggs and the addition of "farm fresh eggs" to the things that we are starting to sell here at MoonCat Farms. I am trying to get completely organized and making sure that everything is legal and by-the-book. One of the first things I started looking into is <a href="http://www.bizinformer.com/20208100/the_importance_of_insurance_coverage_for_a_small_business.php">insurance coverage</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It is <strong>amazing</strong> how much information is out there and just how uninformed I am! I had no idea the different types of insurance I could or <em>can't</em> get for our little operation. The green things we grow are covered in one area and the birds are a completely different ball game. I've learned things I could never have imagined ~ <em>or wanted to imagine</em> knowing. So for instance, do you know that along with credit scores there are also insurance scores? <em>(I found an informative </em><a href="http://www.freeinsurancequotes.org/news/2010/01/23/what-exactly-is-an-insurance-score_/"><em>guide to insurance score</em></a><em> in case you didn't and would like to.)</em> Needless to say, I'm doing more homework than anything else right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I've been filling out so much paperwork lately that I'm afraid I'm responsible for at least two trees being killed. I've always known that agricultural pursuits are highly regulated, but OMGosh! I have permantly cramped hands from filling out forms in duplicate and triplicate..blah blah blah... I'm nowhere near done either. Still have banking to go...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z9q5eMggpt3nF96fcxo2HX73rapOilgu2ArbpgoKy4k28EoiGoHL2kpoVtEKozKxNs291wiLybeMk-x1kF_6hrxhkKRbLToc8hI8hd81xXI3F0z5Si03DTfQxj_flG8FYDU8HvpWQAQ/s1600/we+have+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z9q5eMggpt3nF96fcxo2HX73rapOilgu2ArbpgoKy4k28EoiGoHL2kpoVtEKozKxNs291wiLybeMk-x1kF_6hrxhkKRbLToc8hI8hd81xXI3F0z5Si03DTfQxj_flG8FYDU8HvpWQAQ/s200/we+have+eggs.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">On a good note, we have happy chickens who are happily producing lovely eggs. LOTS and LOTS of eggs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Have a great Wednesday my friends.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1415061211204447855.post-8844662447049764192011-02-04T00:01:00.000-08:002011-02-04T00:01:00.324-08:00Wedgie's Week of Woes<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wedgie had a lot of firsts this week - he was FINALLY weaned from his mama, he got his first big boo boo, his first haircut AND he had his first hoof trimming. All pretty much within 48 hours. Little guy's world was turned upside down. We had planned on weaning him a couple months ago, but the unbelievably wet weather the last two months made it difficult. We didn't have any spare stalls or inside pens that were dry, so the pasture was the best place for him and his mama.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ONPLUDoG-eBjZN7Cu33HoxK3giCvd2bJ5QN0At8x5VbOwleypC4TA7sW_xHffJOGJJ6FyHU15g2-ZKHuKiaHTQmNydVSKAyDCER-DkeuGt8D523TO1ZV7hWJdUOsEh0Zp1KJtFE1ZyE/s1600/walking+the+wedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ONPLUDoG-eBjZN7Cu33HoxK3giCvd2bJ5QN0At8x5VbOwleypC4TA7sW_xHffJOGJJ6FyHU15g2-ZKHuKiaHTQmNydVSKAyDCER-DkeuGt8D523TO1ZV7hWJdUOsEh0Zp1KJtFE1ZyE/s200/walking+the+wedge.jpg" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the Wedge</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The use of a "butt rope" laid loosely around his hindquarters helps teach Wedgie to walk forward while being lead with the halter. This is a very common training technique we use with foals. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He was actually taught to lead and accept a halter when he was just a few days old. He was then turned out with his mama and the other mares in the pasture where he was allowed to just be a baby. <em>(The photo above shows him getting a reminder to go forward when led.) </em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He'll be worked with up close in the barn for a few weeks again while he's completely weaned and then turned back out to pasture to continue learning how to just be a horse. He'll now be out with the rest of "the boys" instead of the mares. At two years old, he'll be brought up again and start very light training to be ridden. Their leg bones are still maturing up to about three years old, so heavy riding at too young of an age can actually be detrimental to their development. He'll probably be gelded at this point as well.</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UfxEu7bybLFDO1XyX83qq_uVvqAIjsC895FmMd_h2Hr_ih3gZH-07zk9_zbEiLbopSLHvPch_RlzUziD_Clzq_JhZgxhKj3Usn4jWMTPrJd27yDPq8WbLKH1n4SIZ9OgyXNxuZL8MJU/s1600/wedgie%2527s+boo+boo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UfxEu7bybLFDO1XyX83qq_uVvqAIjsC895FmMd_h2Hr_ih3gZH-07zk9_zbEiLbopSLHvPch_RlzUziD_Clzq_JhZgxhKj3Usn4jWMTPrJd27yDPq8WbLKH1n4SIZ9OgyXNxuZL8MJU/s200/wedgie%2527s+boo+boo.jpg" width="121" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boo Boo wrapped in blue</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Wedgie's boo boo.</strong> He cut himself on the ankle when he was having a tantrum over being separated from his mama. We put them in side-by-side stalls when weaning, but he still managed to have a fit and bang up his little leg on the wall. <em> **On a related note ~ Horses tend to find numerous ways to hurt themselves. It's a full time job trying to keep them safe. For instance; if you have a mile of fence posts and only 1 has a tiny nail sticking out, the horse will find that 1 tiny nail and cut himself on it. I think you could put them in a padded cell, cocooned in bubble wrap and they'd still manage to do something! It's part of their nosy nature and part of life with horses. </em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rU-PEUVi-3tmb5djITNqDOT_YVtZvd7iA7auqCez7PR0TYHqlINOEUgxTzXwlv-yoNPN6l08czneBZCJPAD7KAr66nV-5xUwJ7dYfSZ8odKDSBu1q0GH-WF65mpMWoLsFQe8P7NZl0U/s1600/wedgie+gets+a+trim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rU-PEUVi-3tmb5djITNqDOT_YVtZvd7iA7auqCez7PR0TYHqlINOEUgxTzXwlv-yoNPN6l08czneBZCJPAD7KAr66nV-5xUwJ7dYfSZ8odKDSBu1q0GH-WF65mpMWoLsFQe8P7NZl0U/s320/wedgie+gets+a+trim.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedgie's 1st trim</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Wedgie received his first pedicure or in equine terms: hoof trim. A lot of times this is a very difficult task as the babies don't like their legs and feet messed with and lifted off the ground. This first trimming was made much easier because we got him used to us touching his legs and looking at his hooves when he was just a few days/weeks old. The more they're handled when young, the easier it is to do the necessary tasks as they grow. He was a perfect little gentleman while Dad trimmed his hooves. He won't actually get his first set of shoes for another year or so. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YRmLMn0NSdItgnYOwvbFjuWw2cDptO6hUv7nwPEG5oZTJ99_OgSHDTPXqMfNhXL4HFh4QNbLjrNzoubd_je5zx9EZrGdZRNJfgxQXxjaMVDJL6tBPhbk56N91Su_IinvQJorZIrDo-0/s1600/me+n+wedgie+wild+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YRmLMn0NSdItgnYOwvbFjuWw2cDptO6hUv7nwPEG5oZTJ99_OgSHDTPXqMfNhXL4HFh4QNbLjrNzoubd_je5zx9EZrGdZRNJfgxQXxjaMVDJL6tBPhbk56N91Su_IinvQJorZIrDo-0/s200/me+n+wedgie+wild+hair.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedgie's 1st haircut</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This photo was more of a snarky comment by Mr. MoonCat on the similiarity of Wedgie's wild forelock and mane and my wooly head. It was pretty foggy that day and with a lot of moisture in the air comes lots of curls and frizz in my hair! So yes, the Wedge and I both have naturally out of control locks. We did manage to trim what is called a "bridle path" for Wedgie (not me). It is a strip of about three inches of his mane right behind his ears that we trim down to the base. It makes it much easier for the halter to fit snugly and secure. It's also more comfortable for him as the halter won't be sitting on top of a wad of mane and pulling his hair.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So that's pretty much Wedgie's traumatic week. He's doing fine and starting to enjoy being in the middle of everything at the barn. He has already learned to pull the lid off of the grain bin as he goes by and tries to snag a mouthful of hay when passing the bales. One thing is for certain, Wedgie will be in the middle of things on a regular basis.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><p>
May the moon always light your path! - Jules
http://mooncatfarms.blogspot.com
</p></div>Jules@MoonCatFarmshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16638422573079515625noreply@blogger.com1