Winter May be Here

We are going to be much colder than usual for the next two weeks, even down in the 20's at night. Brrrrr!  Glad we filled the propane tank a couple of weeks ago.

The  leaves are  still falling.  I love how the west yard looks when it is covered.   The best that  I will do and that is a maybe  is mowing them into a windrow throwing next to something that could use the mulch.  I don't  rake and I don't bag.  I often think it is good that we live on a farm and have a 'farm' style yard.  No neighborhood organizations  to remind me  of how untidy I garden. 



The Red Maple is just showing color on one section ??? hope it finishes.

The Pin Oak has a good color this year:



and I have one burning bush left after the front ditch renovation.  This is a seedling nearer  the front tree and  shrub  border in the front  yard.



and the redbud has no leaves but I like the looks of all the seeds.  You can see why it sprouts up all over the yard.



CHICKENS

I was happy to see a nice difference in the yolks of the eggs when I was able to let the range  for a while.  Even DH could see the difference.  I believe  the darker the yolk the better for you the egg.

Of course that little project  came to an end when one of the 'gifted' chickens began eating an egg a day in the nest.  DH thought he knew which one and tossed her  feathered fanny out into the grassy pen.  The problems seems  to be resolved....then yesterday the eggs were dirtier than usual so now we are wondering.  This morning I am going to make a little alley to the back of the larger pen so the main flock can graze again.   Grazing will soon be over because of the freezing temperatures.

This area is now almost bare of green things.  It is amazing how much they can eat.

Puppies are thriving.

Jewel's Baby

It was really cold here this morning at 4 AM, 10°.  I think we  will be at normal temperatures for the rest of the week which is 40's and  20's.

I milked yesterday morning, both cows.  Getting  them both started up the ramp was the hardest part.  Once on the ramp they moved up into the barn easily.  We  had so much excitement getting them  up to the ramp that Jewel didn't give quite as much.  It is not good to excite a dairy cow before milking......you pay.

I did go out afterward and got a couple of pictures of the baby.  The color isn't as  good  with the Panasonic as it  is with the Canon.  The baby has slightly more red in her coat.  I think she will end up being black.



Our granddaughter and her  friend got in about 7 pm last night.  I had a pot of hamburger soup waiting.  I wasn't supposed to do dessert because her friend is dieting....but I had made  a new  recipe for a large sour cream coffee cake early in the  day.  So be it.   The dark  is a layer of streusel filling  around the middle of the cake. 



This was a recipe  from Martha Stewart.com called Sara's Classic Sour Cream Coffee Cake. 

This is errand day.  I need  to grocery shop (lots of fruit and veggies! no fat), pick up a library book  and get a license for the trailer.  DH and I may leave before the girls get up.