Model Goat & Tardy Duck

This evening's gift from Mother Nature was a lovely sunset.

Mellie suggested calling her glamour shot: "Snowflakes on Goat under a Peach and Lavender Sky".

Kate the duck was also out enjoying the view, so much so that she lost track of time and missed curfew.

At the conclusion of evening chores, I just happened to pause for one last glimpse of the sky's quickly fading colours when I heard the faintest "Cheep, cheep" coming from the direction of the chicken coop.  I headed over to check it out because usually I cannot hear the birds once the coop is closed up for the night.  

Sure enough, I found poor Kate pacing forlornly by the back door whispering softly to her brethren cuddled up warm and snugly in the coop.  As soon as I unlatched the door for her, Kate scampered inside ever so quickly with a soft but grateful quack.

Luckily I have excellent hearing because it would have been a very cold and windy night for a little duck to be stranded outside by herself.  I am glad that all my farm family are safely tucked away until sunrise.  One can only hope that tomorrow's sun up will be as enchanting as today's sunset.

Done & Done

I was lucky enough to catch the beautiful sunrise and a slice of blue sky this morning before the storm front blew in smothering the rest of the day in sombre grey.  

And so, it was on this relatively quiet, very grey, day that I managed to complete our Christmas preparations.  All our holiday gifts (including stocking stuffers) are wrapped up tight and ready to go.  They are currently well disguised in Alistair's empty diaper boxes.  What kid would think to look there?!

This is such a huge departure from past years when I have shopped 'til I dropped and then wrapped everything up on Christmas Eve.  Pre-kids and pre-COVID too, I suppose, I used to love wandering through the beautifully decorated shopping mall on the day before Christmas searching for the perfect gifts for my special someones.  This year that plan was a hard nope.  

So, thanks to a little internet shopping, a few dedicated wrapping sessions, and the Peaceful Piano Christmas playlist on Spotify - Christmas might still be ten days away but this homestead's "Santa" is completely ready to rock and roll.

Bring on the stress-free holidays and a tall glass of eggnog.  I am just going to put my feet up by a roaring fire and let 'er rip.  My job here is done.  Mic drop.

Saturday Brew Day

It was much quieter around the farm today with the big boys off for a visit with Grandma.   I had ample time to muck out the barns before the rain storm and Ian got some uninterrupted beer brewing time.

Initially, Alistair was not sure what to make of being an only child for a day.  He walked forlornly around the house for a while calling for Liam and "Dey-dis" (Seamus).  But he quickly realized that he had our full attention and made the most of one-on-one play time and Alistair-centric snuggles.

Caring for one child instead of three is so much easier - practically a vacation, lol.

Happy Chicken Eggs for a Hungry Toddler

We love the always fresh, free range, happy chicken and duck eggs that we produce here on Gael Glen Farm.  They come in every shade and size!

But do you know what is even better?  After a follow up with his allergist this morning, we were delighted to find out that Alistair is completely over his egg allergy!  Yahoo!  His doctor prescribed adding eggs to his diet several times per week, which we can easily accommodate.  I am thrilled that we all now get to appreciate the deliciousness that are our farm fresh eggs.

No reactions to chicken or duck eggs cooked or raw!

If you are not going to give me more eggs to eat,
can I please get out of here?!
I can see the door, you know...

When Laundry Makes you Blue...Bake!

After failing miserably at laundry - someone kept foiling my folding efforts - 

I turned my attention to baking.  Behold!  Today's loaves were coloured with butterfly pea flowers.   The first loaf was plain and the second was flavoured with The Spice is Right from David's Tea.

No filter.  Pretty cool, huh?  Do you think if I dyed all the laundry blue it would be more fun to do too?

Snail Mail from Santa

Today was super exciting for the boys because they received their letters from Santa in the mail.  Santa was happy to share that all is well at the North Pole and the reindeer are really looking forward to Christmas Eve.  The boys are now content that their Christmas lists have been received and they can rest easy until Christmas morning.  What a relief!

With the reminder that "Santa knows if you've been bad or good" in the forefront of their thoughts, the boys made up their minds to be especially helpful around the farm this afternoon.  We had a load of hay delivered today, so Liam and Alistair worked hard alongside me to relocate the hay from beside the driveway to inside the hay loft.  It was heavy, scratchy work but rewarding upon completion.

Liam was an exceptional big brother today.
He was incredibly patient with his baby brother who desperately wanted to "help".

Alistair is a determined little thing.
He pushed that empty wheelbarrow for all he was worth.

We earned our hot chocolate today with extra points for patience, perseverance and teamwork.  Yay us!

Woolly Balls

Liam got to stay up late tonight to help wrap some skeins of our sheep's wool into balls.  These are destined for knitted socks and slippers.  Hopefully a pair makes its way under the tree with my name on them!