tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16805476609142625852024-03-13T11:53:53.959-07:00Spindrift Studio at Reindeer Station Farm"One of a kind, one at a time."Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-86592221335399434272016-02-09T19:39:00.000-08:002016-02-09T19:41:27.433-08:00And Then There Were Six<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So on Saturday when I went to feed Trooper, I found her busily eating something in her nether regions. Bunny people aren't as surprised by this as other pet owners would be because rabbits regularly eat special poops they make (cecotropes). So we're used to it. But this went on and on and on and then there was squeaking. She'd been having some runny cecotropes so I thought (hoped) it was gas. (I'm an eternal optimist, what can I say.) Then there was more squeaking, and I freaked out.<br />
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She was hanging out in her clubhouse at the time.<br />
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So I gently picked her up and looked underneath. That's when I saw this:<br />
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And I said, "You're having BABIES???!!!!! You have GOT to be kidding me!!!!!"</div>
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Trooper said, "Duh."</div>
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And so that's how I ended up with six rabbits after rescuing one. Of course, they can't (all) stay. So if you know of anyone looking for a bunny...<br />
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At this point in the proceedings, Trooper was still recovering from her car accident. The very last thing she needed (or was capable of) was to take care of babies. I wasn't sure she was even physically able since she could barely maneuver her own self around. She kept stepping on them and they'd squeal. Fortunately, she had a vet appointment the same day so she got checked out. (If you want to support the kindness of Trooper's vet who saved her and is donating his time and resources to helping her stay alive, there's a button up there on the right.) Turns out she had some milk, but not a lot.<br />
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I've had experience raising babies from a day old, so I felt confident that I could step in if it turned out that Trooper wasn't up to the job of nursing her babies. You know what they say about confidence. It comes right before everything goes pear shaped. Those babies wanted nothing to do with me. I have nursed wild cottontail babies and they were nowhere near as squirmy as this lot. In fact, I've handled these babies for three days now, and I'm completely amazed at how tenacious and resilient and strong they are.<br />
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So far I've managed to give the runt one supplemental feeding that he accepted with grudgingly bad grace. As a work-around, I've figured out a sneaky way to get him some extra food he doesn't have to compete for. When Trooper finishes feeding everyone she always hops out and goes to get some more food and water. So I tuck the runt under her and he tops off his partially full belly. So far, he's keeping up with everyone else. He's a bit smaller, but he's thriving.<br />
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Raising the babies is very much a team effort. I'm sure Trooper would be a great mom if she wasn't recovering from being run over by a car. But after she gave birth she went from being a big, hefty rabbit to being a sack of fur and bones. There is nothing to her. Fortunately, she's begun eating on her own and once she started, she doesn't seem to be able to stop. I've never seen any animal pack away so much food. All she does is eat, drink, nap, sleep, poop, and do it all over again. Nursing babies isn't really on her radar. That's my job. I keep track of how full their tummies are, and when they're looking kinda empty, I pop her into their house and she nurses them. Sometimes I have to stand guard to make sure she actually does it because she's apt to sneak right back out again.<br />
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After they eat, they have to have their bottoms stimulated so they can pee. This is such an important job that Trooper has left it to me. That's how much she trusts me now. We're like besties. So I make them pee (read: I rub their little hineys with a warm, wet cottonball until they pee...or until I'm sure they don't have to pee.) You want to know what happens if I don't do this? They throw themselves around squeaking in agony. It's not pretty. When I'm done with them, if Trooper is interested, she gives their bottoms a thorough cleaning. Then they go back in the nest.<br />
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This is working for us right now. Trooper and the babies are spending most of their time sleeping and eating. I'm spending most of my time awake and making sure they sleep and eat. It's not perfect, but it's a system. Prepare to be blinded by cuteness because here are some baby pix:<br />
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And I'll leave you with a video of one of the babies having a kung-fu fighting kind of dream. The real action starts after 12 seconds or so:</div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-28075305968150336942016-01-30T19:59:00.000-08:002016-01-30T19:59:18.886-08:00Update on Trooper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I promised an update on Trooper, the feral rabbit I took in to nurse after she'd been hit by a car. These pictures are grim, so consider yourself warned. But the good news is that Trooper, despite being hit by a car and now fighting pneumonia, is doing remarkably well. She's not out of the woods yet, but she doesn't seem to know that. The first day she couldn't even stay upright on her own or move at all. Now she's not only moving a little, but in one picture you'll see she's stretched out snoozing.<br />
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She spent the whole day shuffling herself around on the floor on a towel spread on top of a feather bed. She tries to do normal rabbit things like shake herself, stretch, clean herself. Occasionally she topples over, but she gets right back up. (And actually looks a little embarrassed.) While you may not see much difference in the way she looks, the pictures go in order of when they were taken and she's made some fantastic progress: her lower lip is not as swollen, her eye looks good - it's beginning to open more as the swelling goes down and the vet says she'll keep it - her paw is still swollen, but she's learning how to use it to prop herself up, and she's demonstrating a tendency towards being nosy. Oh, and I'm happy to say there's absolutely nothing wrong with her bladder. She has peed on me more times than I can count.<br />
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Her coat is ATROCIOUS, but in the interests of keeping her alive, I'm restraining myself. I would like to give her a sponge bath, but I won't do it until she's past the danger point with the pneumonia. In addition to the brown staining from the Critical Care I'm feeding her, which is messy stuff, she's also a dingy yellow all over. And when I sponged the blood off her face, I uncovered blue on her cheek and under her chin. ??? I'm wondering if someone dyed her at some point and this is what's left?<br />
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She goes back to the vet on Monday. I'll try to post a new report then as I should have more news about the pneumonia. (p.s. Excuse the bunny beans in the pic...she fell asleep just after she made them, and it was a choice between getting a cute pic of her sleepy self or cleaning the area first and risk waking her. I took the shot.)<br />
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-8560397884310190912015-12-15T05:02:00.000-08:002015-12-15T05:02:31.009-08:00Her Sassiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here's Brontë being her usual nosy, sassy self. I was trying to take pictures of the hoarfrost on the flowers, and she came bouncing up the hill to see what I was doing. Notice the other, less nosy animals, in the background wondering what on earth she finds so fascinating.</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-82756612717450537362015-05-25T09:40:00.000-07:002015-05-25T09:40:01.502-07:00Ambushed by Awwwwwwwww<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The sheep and I were minding our own business yesterday morning, merely walking out to the movable pasture where they graze in the morning, when we were suddenly menaced ferociously by these little rascals.<br />
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The sheep would have jumped out of their fleece (if they'd still had any). Instead they bolted. Siobhan was on a leash and nearly took my arm off. The others jumped halfway across the meadow. (I have to admit, before the sheep startled I had walked right by and seen nothing.)<br />
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In these photos they are only minutes old. One is still wet and neither one can stand up yet, but the older one was trying. (If you want to know what they are saying to each other, you'll have to check out their photo album on our FB page.)<br />
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When I let the llamas out, they immediately discovered MamaDeer and the babies and were lined up along the fence rubbernecking. Roux, in particular, was enthralled. MamaDeer didn't seem to mind much. That is, she didn't seem to mind Roux and Jak-Jak much. I was a different story.<br />
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I crept up and watched them for awhile, and Roux could have given MamaDeer the "all clear nothing to worry about here" but instead he kept staring at me with a "I've never seen that scary person before in my life" expression that did nothing to help MamaDeer understand I was harmless. So I didn't stay long. I did find one baby several times later on because she likes to cuddle up right next to the fence. How cute is that???<br />
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-73520334246109183622015-05-03T08:31:00.001-07:002015-05-03T08:47:37.610-07:00Home on the Range<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ Oh, give me a home where the alpacas are prone, </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-D6oG_WFCQ/VUY8kUNbf2I/AAAAAAAABeM/uIE3CYNnBKY/s1600/Beatrix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-D6oG_WFCQ/VUY8kUNbf2I/AAAAAAAABeM/uIE3CYNnBKY/s1600/Beatrix.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh, those glorious <i><span style="font-size: x-large;">curls</span><span style="font-size: large;">!!!!!</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1b87jssuFQ/VUY8sDN7aaI/AAAAAAAABeU/O_KE0sIqDnM/s1600/Siobhan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1b87jssuFQ/VUY8sDN7aaI/AAAAAAAABeU/O_KE0sIqDnM/s1600/Siobhan.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-20507407145322132072014-02-14T07:10:00.000-08:002014-05-28T14:49:29.761-07:00Buried<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
'Bout time.<br />
<a data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pbPIwcOtOY/Uv4wzz6ABXI/AAAAAAAAA8c/UPO6gESWLkU/s1600/Blizzard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pbPIwcOtOY/Uv4wzz6ABXI/AAAAAAAAA8c/UPO6gESWLkU/s1600/Blizzard.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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Love this shot:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i687eqLAU5w/Uv4xgl9OIvI/AAAAAAAAA8k/S0ZhoixuM7Y/s1600/Snowing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i687eqLAU5w/Uv4xgl9OIvI/AAAAAAAAA8k/S0ZhoixuM7Y/s1600/Snowing.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Enjoy the snow!!</div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-70684474398223622572014-01-16T06:20:00.001-08:002014-01-16T14:04:14.968-08:00Come With Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">The light this morning was amazing, in that we actually had some for a change. So I took my camera with me when I walked down to the barn to see what I could see. And one thing I saw was this strange plant that was part botany and part sheep.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsaM4O2Eklw/Utav8wqNM1I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/hGS3_2pmuqw/s1600/Strange+Plant_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JsaM4O2Eklw/Utav8wqNM1I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/hGS3_2pmuqw/s400/Strange+Plant_4.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am still learning how to use this camera, which is new and could probably be programmed to run my entire household it's so fancy, but even keeping that in mind I was blown away by the quality of the images I captured. I so miss photography. I miss my old Minolta Maxxum. But I have to say that in this area technology truly satisfies my need for instant photographical gratification.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vckdEwzKGXw/UtaygYHTPXI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/wUH2Q7kG6_4/s1600/Swirls_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vckdEwzKGXw/UtaygYHTPXI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/wUH2Q7kG6_4/s400/Swirls_1.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Granted, there's not a lot of color in the landscape at the moment, but considering this is winter light, I think the quality is luminescent.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CrnhWxALYI/Uta2uLIZzXI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Q5qaP02_8CQ/s1600/Backlight_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0CrnhWxALYI/Uta2uLIZzXI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Q5qaP02_8CQ/s640/Backlight_2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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More fiber. It practically does grow on trees.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKa4A6q7Yfs/Uta463zXN1I/AAAAAAAAA6o/jiyhbQ11CPQ/s1600/Plant+Fiber_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKa4A6q7Yfs/Uta463zXN1I/AAAAAAAAA6o/jiyhbQ11CPQ/s640/Plant+Fiber_2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-20662510418909919512014-01-01T06:02:00.005-08:002014-01-01T06:02:56.368-08:00Wild America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know I'm late posting this...more on that, and the reason for it, later. For now, check this out and Happy New Year!<br />
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These guys:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLJABqA16Rk/UkYIYhtlLOI/AAAAAAAAA24/AV7YAIeI4kA/s1600/turkeys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLJABqA16Rk/UkYIYhtlLOI/AAAAAAAAA24/AV7YAIeI4kA/s320/turkeys.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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came to check out the hens:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNJ0ARJf5EM/UkYI1cWDnUI/AAAAAAAAA3A/E0VEC37xmng/s1600/Wild+America.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mNJ0ARJf5EM/UkYI1cWDnUI/AAAAAAAAA3A/E0VEC37xmng/s320/Wild+America.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A couple flocks of turkeys hung around near the house all summer. There was even one lone turkey I called Romeo. We're not sure why s/he was kicked out of the big flocks, but s/he seemed lonely. </div>
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Turkeys are VERY aware of their surroundings. I had trouble getting pictures of them up close because even though they came close to the house (they even chased the chickens across the front yard at one point) they noticed the slightest movement and immediately headed for the woods. That's what the group in the first picture is doing. They got to the edge before I'd even focused the camera. The bottom picture was taken from inside the house. </div>
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I have to say, I really enjoy having them around. And they are HUGE. Much bigger in person than I expected them to be. It's fun to watch them interact. By the end of the summer they had started to tolerate me and wouldn't immediately take off when they noticed me if I was far enough away. Haven't seen them since Thanksgiving. I hope that doesn't mean anything significant. Hopefully they're just wintering over somewhere in the woods and will be back in the spring with lots of little turkeys.</div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-75949027383223731242013-06-28T16:25:00.002-07:002013-06-28T16:25:36.175-07:00Play Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rachel playing a game of <i>Can You Eat That Piece of Hay?</i><b> </b>with one of the cottontail babies.</div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-12390389834431760692013-06-27T11:38:00.001-07:002013-06-27T11:38:20.803-07:00Growing Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These were taken a few days ago at 3 weeks. We're in the homestretch. Countdown to release ...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCkVZuWyXAI/Ucx0wULLEFI/AAAAAAAAA1c/5q-hT3aJHfA/s1600/Cottontails_3+weeks_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WCkVZuWyXAI/Ucx0wULLEFI/AAAAAAAAA1c/5q-hT3aJHfA/s320/Cottontails_3+weeks_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-58306453178418679462013-06-11T09:18:00.000-07:002013-06-11T09:27:27.710-07:00Little Visitors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter came back to visit this year and they brought their friend Benjamin Bunny with them.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzdBCEr70tI/UbdMdwpSSPI/AAAAAAAAA0w/Y83PaNLI55I/s1600/Bunnies_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzdBCEr70tI/UbdMdwpSSPI/AAAAAAAAA0w/Y83PaNLI55I/s320/Bunnies_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Needless to say I haven't been getting much sleep.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJhqwGY4Ib4/UbdMbfMZhdI/AAAAAAAAA0s/utuftNpMNvk/s1600/Baby+Bunnies_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJhqwGY4Ib4/UbdMbfMZhdI/AAAAAAAAA0s/utuftNpMNvk/s320/Baby+Bunnies_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This one, we'll say this is Benjamin since I can't tell them apart, drank his formula, peed a river, and then crawled up into my hand where he proceeded to curl up and fall asleep licking me. One little monster promptly bites me before he deigns to start eating his formula. They've all just finished opening their eyes which means they are approximately 7-8 days old today.<br />
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I don't know their back story. My vet's office called to see if I would foster them. They'd been brought in after someone found them. As much as I don't want their poor mother to be dead I really hope someone saw her get mangled by a dog or watched the nest for 24 hours before rescuing these little guys. What is more often the case is that someone comes across a nest and thinks the babies have been abandoned because mother rabbits don't spend much time taking care of their young. They visit the nest only a couple times a day to nurse. This kind of negligent mothering causes many people to think cottontail babies have been abandoned. These kind-hearted rescuers are actually stealing baby rabbits from their moms.<br />
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Unfortunately, rabbits, due to their incredibly sensitive, difficult to balance digestive systems are the hardest of all babies to raise. It takes approximately 8 hours a day just to feed these little guys. I am fortunate in that I have domestic rabbits who can "donate" cecotropes to populate their guts with good flora. Without them their doom is pretty much ensured. Even with dedicated nursing and supplemental cecotropes there is no good replacement baby formula for rabbits which makes for a high mortality rate. Which means, no matter how hard I try I could lose most or all of these little guys.<br />
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But for right now, everyone is eating, peeing, pooping, and sleeping. Big thank you to my daughter, Rachel, who pitches in to help with some feedings. She's a pro:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFZyTmFY6Dw/UbdMaa21kiI/AAAAAAAAA0k/I2i0T25n2xE/s1600/Baby+Bunnies_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFZyTmFY6Dw/UbdMaa21kiI/AAAAAAAAA0k/I2i0T25n2xE/s320/Baby+Bunnies_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-68576137890548293952013-06-06T11:04:00.004-07:002013-06-10T13:07:41.742-07:00A Little of This Going on Today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
... before the writing got started. Figured I ought to get it done before the rain set in for the next few days.<br />
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Ah, the wonders of Kool-aid. And tea.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2NycS2NeGxU/UbDOi6YJ2fI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/K8Z35FvRMb8/s1600/Kool-Aid_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2NycS2NeGxU/UbDOi6YJ2fI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/K8Z35FvRMb8/s320/Kool-Aid_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-19175767613553815262013-06-06T10:59:00.004-07:002013-06-10T13:07:08.256-07:00Eat Your Weeds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
No, seriously.<br />
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Step 1: Weed garden<br />
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Step 2: Wash your weeds<br />
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Step 3: Sauté and enjoy!!<br />
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Today's episode of Eat Your Weeds was brought to you by pigweed. (As I was cooking this my daughter wandered by, looked in the pan, and asked, "Is that pigweed? Yum!!")</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-80745419794068795982013-05-28T14:06:00.000-07:002013-05-28T14:06:48.721-07:00Letter to my Sweetie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Honey,<br />
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Before you go look at what I did in the garden please try to remember that I'm not like everyone else. And just because something has never been done before doesn't mean it has no merit. It only means that no one has ever been clever enough to try it before. So just because you never thought of planting a pumpkin patch in clay pots next to the porch so they'll climb up and hide the ugliness beneath/behind does not mean it can't be done. Yet. And just because you never tried to plant the potatoes in hay alongside the front of the garden to save space doesn't mean it's not a good idea. It may end up being another way not to do something but only time will tell. So let me try my little crazy experiments. After all, you're at least as crazy as I am. As evidence I submit our marriage license.<br />
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Also, I have a message from the compost pile. You know, the one that's been growing all winter when I dump the bunny poo on it? It says it has two words for you: gold mine. Now who's dissing the bunny poo, baby? Huh? Huh? I could sell this stuff. If I was as rich in money as I am in compost I'd be a billionaire.<br />
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So try to remember all that before you go have a look-see at the garden. My thumb may be black and yours may be green but let's try to be colorblind for awhile this summer, OK?<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
The Love of Your Life<br />
xoxo</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-80092669628234323492013-05-01T06:31:00.000-07:002013-05-01T06:31:21.467-07:00Long Time Gone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Smelling this . . .<br />
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Magnolia. There is a difference between how it smells as the morning sun hits it and the fragrance it gives off in the warm night air. The morning notes sneak up on you, like a quiet song. In the evening they surround you like a symphony, drawing you right up to the tree to glory in them.<br />
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Blooming right next to it is this . . .<br />
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Forsythia. Together they are like the sun and the moon.<br />
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Welcome back, Spring. You've been a long time gone. </div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-60694028064615328782013-04-30T13:43:00.000-07:002013-04-30T13:43:12.790-07:00Death by Artattack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I don't mind admitting that I'm exhausted. Not only by the relentless last two years that involved writing a 365 page, heavily researched book on 365 completely different topics followed by a mad 4-month dash to create inventory in time for a festival and teaching at a retreat. That was all exhausting, no question. But what I find even more bone-crushingly draining is the suspicion that maybe this sort of artistic life isn't really viable after all.<br />
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Working every hour God sends six days a week isn't so bad when it's work that you like, but even people doing work they like need a break sometimes. Even work you like has its demanding, frustrating, annoying moments. And at the end of the day standing behind that work, laid out naked and exposed on a table like a newborn infant, smiling at strangers, hoping they "get it" and connect with your vision, and fall in love and Must. Have. It. and feeling your heart sink as they admire and handle and then ultimately walk away empty-handed, that, my friends, not only takes great courage, but I'm beginning to fear, great stupidity.<br />
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A friend who has made a desperate effort to keep her artistic endeavors going but has made no secret about the fact that the struggle may soon prove fatal to her business said, "People tell me to hang in there and not quit but then they don't buy anything. If no one buys anything how can I stay in business?" Heading home with almost nothing to show for my efforts, her words ringing in my ears, I can't help but wonder, does the world really need art the way I need art? Because I need it passionately. I need all kinds. I need art in my clothing, my possessions, my tools, my surroundings, on my walls, in my house, all around me. But maybe I'm alone.<br />
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Maybe the world is happy with stock pictures in frames from big chain stores and mass produced clothes and million-of-a-kind possessions. Maybe the world isn't as dedicated as I am to expressing myself in every way possible, part of which is by purchasing <i>real</i> things, things someone made with their hands, not mass produced by machine in a third world country from dubious materials where the laborers got paid $1/day for their work. Yes, maybe that means I don't own as <i>much</i>, but what I own has <i>meaning</i> to me, whether for what it represents about me or the connection I felt the maker express in its creation.<br />
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Are you happy, world? Do you feel a deep sense of connectedness with the mass produced? Should artists all hang up their tools and get 9-5 jobs instead of 24-hour-a-day jobs? Should art be allowed to die a dignified, if very lonely death? Because if that's the case I'd rather let it die now while there's still some shred of dignity still clinging to it than watch it get beaten to death over the course of agonzing months only to lie gasping and suffering on the pavement outside the next venue, or the next, or the next when it finally, inevitably dies of a lack of interest.<br />
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If you like artists, won't you consider supporting them? There are so many to choose from. Support their vision and their way of life. Most people think artists live a very lackadasical life but the very opposite is true. Yes, they may get supreme satisfaction from their work but it's generally never-ending. It begins the moment their minds engage in the morning and doesn't turn off until they pass out at night. Artist does not equal slacker, quite the opposite. And they can only live off their art if people see value in it and purchase it. End of story.<br />
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I'm trying to do my part. I support other artists by purchasing their products for myself and to use in my own work. But there needs to be a collective, concentrated effort if the little artist is going to survive. The next time you need to buy a gift, dare I suggest you check out the work of artists before going to a major chain? Handmade is so much more personal. If you don't know what they like artisan sites like Etsy offer Etsy gift cards so the lucky person can choose for themself.<br />
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I guess what I'm trying to say is, please feed the artists; they're starving. Do more than "like" someone's work. Purchase it so they can make more. Or, before you know it, there won't be anymore.</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-38262642043370552072013-04-16T12:58:00.003-07:002013-04-16T12:58:51.524-07:00Please Pass the Lettuce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I think I am in desperate need of some lettuce this week. I always thought Beatrix Potter's mention that it was soporific was invented, <a href="http://thetanglednest.com/2009/06/soporific-salads-and-lettuce-opium/" target="_blank">but not so</a>. Not only is it soporific, but also helps calm the nerves. Why didn't I stock up at the grocery store? Why??</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-28363601098083403082013-04-15T15:49:00.001-07:002013-04-16T07:13:01.984-07:00A Plea From Wiggins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is Wiggins, a juvenile cottontail rabbit. On my way out to feed the sheep this morning I heard a terrible ruckus in the grove of trees across the meadow from our house. At first I thought it was an injured coyote. I could "see" its progress through the woods by the birds taking flight ahead of it so I watched to catch a glimpse. I saw a canine of some sort but when it circled back still yowling for all it was worth I figured no self-respecting coyote, no matter how injured, would be so careless. So I dropped my water buckets and went to investigate.<br />
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What I found was the neighbor's beagle obviously on the trail of something. When I finally caught sight of the something it turned out to be Wiggins. She was in a thicket of brush and the beagle couldn't reach her. Neither could I. The stupid dog wouldn't leave her and finally flushed her out of the thicket where she practically leapt into my arms to get away from the cursed dog. I raised orphaned cottontails last summer and I know how skittish they are, even when they are used to handling, so believe me when I tell you this was a very telling glimpse into her mental state.<br />
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It was plain to see two things: she was injured and she had almost resigned herself to death. She was crawling and throwing herself forward rather than hopping and the light in her eyes was gone. She was more than happy to stay in my arms as I carried her back to the house with the dog leaping and jumping around me the entire time trying to get at her. I have no doubt this usually harmless dog is a cherished pet but at that moment I would have happily put a bullet in its head. (Well, maybe not. But if looks could kill...)<br />
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I'm not sure Wiggins will make it. I've given her food, water, and shelter where she can rest to see if she heals enough to be released or if she lives but remains so injured that she'll need sanctuary for the rest of her life or if she lives but is so miserable she has to be put down. This scenario is senseless and is the third time that dogs I know have killed or injured wild rabbits. Usually its babies, wandering out of their burrows in the twilight. So for Wiggins and the babies I know who were killed by dogs can I just say, please, please, please, for the love of cottontail bunnies, would you consider keeping your dogs on a leash especially during this time of the year when so many babies are venturing out?<br />
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I realize rabbits, especially wild rabbits, are prey animals and intended for food. And I accept that even though I don't like it. But for dogs to wantonly kill or cripple wild rabbits they do not need for food is preventable and part of responsible pet ownership. I thank you for your consideration and Wiggins thanks you.</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-8639465674050157982013-03-13T10:06:00.000-07:002013-03-19T15:36:31.288-07:00The Truth About Bunnies - Busting The Myths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's around this time of year Peter Cottontail loads up his Easter basket and takes to the bunny trial. I know this because Twisk auditioned for his job one year and lost on a technicality (Peter thought his ruby red eyes were more suited to Christmas than Easter.) Anyway, this is also the time of year people start looking for rabbits to put in their children's Easter baskets. The goal of the Make Mine Chocolate campaign is convince people to choose any kind of bunny but a live one. </div>
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Having a little experience with bunnies I thought I would put in my two cents in support of the campaign by dispelling a few myths surrounding them.</div>
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<b>Myth #1 Bunnies are cuddly</b></div>
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This <i>can</i> be true, but isn't usually. Bunnies love to be petted, yes, but being held is a different story. Consider the fact that rabbits are prey animals. Any action that grabs them and lifts them into the air (picking them up to put them on your lap or in your arms, for example) is reminiscent of being picked up to be carried off and eaten. They automatically - genetically - are afraid of this. Most of them will tolerate this behavior in us and some of them will learn to trust us enough that they overcome their natural fear and enjoy being held, and some are just bold enough not to mind as much. But the majority of rabbits will not learn to like it. They will simply endure it and be relieved when you return them to their pen or cage. (Whereupon, having reached the safety of their home, they will want you to pet them.) </div>
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<b>Myth #2 Bunnies are sweet.</b></div>
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Well, this one <i>is</i> true but it doesn't presuppose that bunnies can also be pretty vicious. I submit to you Exhibit A)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVBQwuHTp9E/UUCdJrY2uSI/AAAAAAAAAvM/_L9tihSEDz4/s1600/St+John+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVBQwuHTp9E/UUCdJrY2uSI/AAAAAAAAAvM/_L9tihSEDz4/s200/St+John+001.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My arm after it met St. John's teeth.</td></tr>
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This cute little guy is St. John (Sinjun.) This was the first (bad) bite he gave me but it wasn't the worst. The worst one nearly sent me to the emergency room for stitches because he tried very hard to help me commit bunny-assisted suicide. After that I brought him to Dr. Bruce to be neutered in the hopes of not having to put him down. He gave me still another scar for my collection later but has since - finally - calmed down enough to enjoy petting and not try to kill me most days.</div>
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Yes, the truth is bunnies bite. Having been bitten - numerous times - by bunnies I can tell you with authority that if a bunny bites you the severity of the bite will tell you what kind it was: a warning, a reminder, a forceful objection, or an outright attack. Warnings and reminders are bunny's way of telling you something important like "You're trespassing," "I'm done," "Get out of my space," "You're hurting me," or, "Not today, I don't feel like it." They don't break the skin usually and they don't really hurt but they don't tickle either. If you ignore these love nips you'll likely get something harder and more damaging. Something that will cause bruising and bloodletting. </div>
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Bunnies are often possessive of their space. Putting your hand into their cage or enclosure, even if you're only trying to fill their food bowl will likely make them growl and sometimes lunge at you. These are usually just warnings but if you persist in messing about in their space you'd better be wearing gloves. I've learned not to take bunny grumpies personally - it's how they communicate. But I also don't trespass without being respectful either. </div>
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<b>Myth #3 Bunnies are pocket pets.</b></div>
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Before I had bunnies the idea of taking one to the vet was ... I admit it ...absurd. Little did I know that owning rabbits would put me on such friendly terms with my vet. Lucky for me he's a really nice guy but exotic animal vets, particularly ones who know a lot about rabbits, are difficult to find. Rabbits are subject to a host of ailments from colic to colds to injuries. If treated most are surmountable but if left untreated rabbits quickly die. I have used more of my nursing skills treating rabbits than I ever did as a licensed nurse. Fergal is my only special needs rabbit but he requires ten times as much care as the others. I have to grind his pellets three times a day. Often I have to feed him with a syringe, give him injections or other meds, give him fluids through a sub-q line, and bring him back and forth to the vet every month to have his teeth trimmed. Even with the support of my wonderful vet taking care of Fergal is costly both monetarily and emotionally. Bunnies require every bit as much time, energy, and money as pets like cats and dogs. Sometimes more. </div>
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All rabbits should be neutered, which is costly. Males who haven't been neutered are given to spraying those they love - that's you hopefully. Yes, I said spraying. With pee. 'Nough said?</div>
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<b>Myth #4 Bunnies are children's pets.</b></div>
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For all the reasons I've already listed bunnies are not great pets for kids. Two of the bunnies I currently care for were a child's cast-off. The reason? They weren't cuddly. Also, because bunnies are prey animals they are very good at hiding illness and injury. It takes an observant adult to realize when a bunny is ill and needs medical attention. Otherwise bunny goes quickly from just fine to dead. As in, "Honestly, he was just fine a couple days ago and now he'd dead."</div>
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However, bunnies make excellent pets for adults who enjoy quiet companions with subtle rather than demanding personalities. When neutered they take quite well to litter box training, they are amusing to watch, challenging to completely understand, and let's face it, are the cutest animals on the planet. They won't want to be your buddy, like a dog. Or make you serve them, like a cat. They'll simply keep you company, amuse you, and lower your blood pressure by letting you pet them copiously.</div>
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I love bunnies and I can't imagine my life without them. It's for that reason I dearly hope that you'll consider the ramifications of bestowing that fluffy, trusting little life to a child this Easter. Consider making your Easter bunny chocolate this year. Or, if you want something cuddly, here are three bunnies up for adoption:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHPXb_KbYB4/UUCuvVyvetI/AAAAAAAAAvs/98fRUedpRWw/s1600/Wilson_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHPXb_KbYB4/UUCuvVyvetI/AAAAAAAAAvs/98fRUedpRWw/s320/Wilson_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125633048/ooak-bunny-stuffie-stuffed-animal?" target="_blank">To learn more about Wilson, or to adopt him go here.</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125635197/ooak-bunny-stuffie-stuffed-animal?ref=v1_other_1" target="_blank">To learn more about Newton, or to adopt him go here.</a></div>
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<img alt="OOAK Bunny Stuffie Stuffed Animal primitive "Millicent"" src="https://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/5562670/il_170x135.268179986.jpg" /></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/80986205/ooak-bunny-stuffie-stuffed-animal?" target="_blank">To learn more about Millie, or to adopt her go here.</a><br />
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For more information about the <a href="http://www.makeminechocolate.org/" target="_blank">Make Mine Chocolate campaign go here.</a><br />
If you've gotten through all that and you're still thinking about a bunny <a href="http://ilovemyhouserabbit.com/do-i-buy-an-easter-bunny-an-article-to-share-with-your-friends/" target="_blank">this is an excellent post</a> about what to expect and so forth. </div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-70356396839163188332013-03-10T13:31:00.004-07:002013-03-10T13:31:57.931-07:00And The Winner Is . . . <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hamish resting after the exertion of choosing a winner.</td></tr>
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Drumroll please!<br />
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Beth Major!!<br />
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Congratulations! Hamish plucked your name. We think we might have hit on the perfect system. I put the names in his FOOD bowl and he knows paper shouldn't be in there so he starts picking them out one at a time and ta-da! A winner is chosen. Email me your address so I can fill in the gift subscription form. You can send it to: reindeerstationfarm@gmail.com<br />
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Thank you all for playing. If you haven't signed up for our other giveaway, hop on over and you could win a cute little Easter bunny with a Cadbury chocolate secret inside. <a href="http://reindeerstationfarm.blogspot.com/2013/03/and-winner-is-and-bonus-bun-us.html" target="_blank">Go here to enter</a>.</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-84714552502685640232013-03-05T16:24:00.001-08:002013-03-05T16:35:58.089-08:00Folk Magazine Giveaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yes, you read that right. Just call me the Giveaway Queen. Or not. Maybe that doesn't sound so good. Starting over . . . next up in the recent rash of giveaways (hey, you can't say I didn't come back into Blogville without a bang) the awesome folks at Folk Magazine have authorized me to give away a free subscription to Folk Magazine! If you haven't seen digital images of the magazine yet better sit down and brew a cup of tea before you go visit <a href="http://folk-magazine.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">here</a> because otherwise you'll be kicking yourself. You'll definitely want to take your time and savor the experience. They have the most GORGEOUS images. Total eye candy. I just want to cuddle the lamb in the new Spring issue in the worst way. Check out the blog too while you're there.<br />
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Anyway, Folk Magazine is on a mission "to bring back America and to promote bloggers, artisans, makers, doers, creators, and the every day people that make America so great." I must say, they're off to an awfully good start. The only peeve I have with them so far is that they give me way too much to love. So, to enter this giveaway all you have to do is go visit the site, poke around, and then leave a comment telling me what you think of the magazine and/or if anything caught your eye. That's all. But do it soon. This one ends Sunday, March 10 when we're all trying to recover from springing ahead and losing that extra precious hour of sleep.<br />
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And if you don't win (or you just can't wait) you can take 50% off your subscription compliments of the good people at Folk by going <a href="http://www.magazinebyfolk.com/" target="_blank">here</a> and entering the code #FOLK. Let them know I sent you please.<br />
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Hamish is going to get whiplash choosing all these winners. (Have you entered to win the Easter bunny filled with Cadbury yet? <a href="http://bit.ly/13tNMCV" target="_blank">You can find that one here</a>.)<br />
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May the odds ever be in your favor!</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-50331317162361544512013-03-01T10:49:00.003-08:002013-03-01T11:33:04.493-08:00And The Winner Is . . . And a Bonus (Bun-us?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t_znalWy2h8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t_znalWy2h8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t_znalWy2h8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Okay, so I have no idea how to edit this video. You'll have to take it blurbs and all. I took four in all. They were variations on this one...me chasing Hamish around with a tin lid full of names and Hamish flinging it or digging at it or growling at me because I was starting to annoy him. And...you guessed it...just the absolute second he FINALLY snatched one out of the tin and I cried "You did it!" the camera battery gave up the ghost. I was hoping it had caught it at the very end before it died, but alas, nothing. But I thought you'd like to see Hamish anyway. And you'll have to agree that he did try very hard.<br />
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There were 15 entries altogether. I apologize that I made it difficult to actually find the correct post to "like" by continually posting reminders. To make up for the confusion I scrolled through all my notices and collected all the names. So while there were only 10 official entries, I put in the five people who accidentally "liked" the wrong post. If you didn't win, I'm sorry! But I'll do another one soon. AND if you didn't win you have another chance to win something. See below. Would you believe all the entrants were women? (Men, what's the matter with you? Don't you know Mother's Day is coming???)<br />
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And the winner is . . .<br />
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Drum roll . . .<br />
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Scroll down a little further . . . the suspense is killing me . . .<br />
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Alison Valdes! Send me your address Alison so I can mail your prize out to you. Congratulations and thanks, everyone, for playing!! Now for the bonus part. If you can tell me the name of the song playing in the background of the video (you don't even have to tell me the group singing it) LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST with the name and if you get it right I'll enter your name in a drawing to win this sweet little guy:<br />
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He's holding a surprise:<br />
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Can you tell what it is???? Ready? Name that tune . . .<br />
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I'll give you one hint . . . it's Hamish's favorite song. Contest ends March 25 so I have time to mail the prize before Easter.</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-86093681236593621752013-02-22T14:52:00.000-08:002013-02-22T14:52:21.578-08:00Walking Wounded<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is Agatha, the worst of of yesterday's walking wounded. See her ace bandage poking out from beneath her wing? She seems to kind of like it, which is good because she needs it. She's got deep puncture wounds on either side of her sternum and her tail is half chewed off. I was afraid of what I might find when I took off yesterday's bandages but her wounds look good (you know, for wounds.) She's dozing here but a few seconds after I snapped this shot Max (my German Shepherd) walked across her field of vision behind me and her eyes snapped open. All the girls are on house arrest until we figure out how to manage the fox threat. </div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-23053124025413897462013-02-21T12:29:00.000-08:002013-03-01T11:37:31.833-08:00Fiber Retreat! Come One, Come All!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vRWCj24XJY/USO8jGiU5tI/AAAAAAAAAtM/ysg5PHCuatw/s1600/2013-02-19+01.38.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vRWCj24XJY/USO8jGiU5tI/AAAAAAAAAtM/ysg5PHCuatw/s320/2013-02-19+01.38.47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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OK, I've officially got BIG NEWS! I've been asked to be the presenter at the Fibers of Faith Retreat at Singing Hills Christian Conference Center. This retreat is going to be awesome! I know because I'm planning a lot of it. I mean, seriously, if you're into fiber what could possibly be better than going to a lovely location and doing nothing but playing, praying, and praising??? If you throw in a couple of bunnies you've pretty much got my idea of heaven.<br />
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If you want to curl up in a corner and do nothing but beaver away on a sweater or lace shawl you can certainly do that, but if you want to play with me here are a few of the toys I'll be bringing with me and demoing on:<br />
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<b>Carding: </b>I'll have my Fancy Kitty drum carder and I'll show you how to make fancy-schmancy art batts that you can then . . .<br />
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<b>Drop Spinning:</b> . . . use to spin some yarn on a drop spindle. It's easy; I'll show you how! Or . . .<br />
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<b>Spinning:</b> . . . on a real wheel. I'll be bringing my workhorse wheel, a Kromski Sonata as well as the wheel I spin a lot of my angora on which is probably the most standard wheel since your mother was a pup, an Ashford Traditional. I'll teach traditional spinning techniques as well as demoing a couple of art yarns, probably corespinning and tailspinning. If you want you can use the yarn you make during the . . .<br />
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<b>Scarflette Class:</b> . . . during which we'll be making something that's a cross between a scarf and a yarn necklace. Bring your leftover ends from home and/or dig through my stash and/or use the yarn you make during the demos or off-time. There's a $5 materials charge for this class.<br />
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<b>Weaving:</b> My 4-harness Dorset loom will also be at the retreat and I'll give a short demo and open it up to anyone who wants to give it a try. The loom will stay set up throughout the retreat so if you don't get a chance to try your hand during the demo time you can play with it whenever you have some free time.<br />
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<b>Needle Felting:</b> I'll show you how to make a simple sculptural form and we'll also work on a group project throughout the retreat.<br />
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All of my equipment will be available for playing with and practicing on throughout the retreat and I'm happy to answer any questions, or demonstrate any skill I possess (except tap dancing) even if it's not part of the stated curriculum.<br />
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I know this is already beyond amazing, but wait! There's more! I'll also be vending on Friday and maybe Sunday morning. I'm planning to bring with me: yarn, stitch markers, art batts, buttons, and roving. Retreat guests will receive a coupon code when they sign up. When you get this code you can get 10% off in my Etsy shop online and free delivery to the retreat if you want to pick it up there. Anyone who purchases something from me during the retreat (Etsy pre-sales count!) will be entered into a drawing to win the scarflette I'll bring as a demo! The art batt I make for the carding demo will also be given away in a random drawing to any participants in the demo.<br />
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But wait! There's more! Do you like fiddle music? In the evenings, when you're relaxing, quietly chatting or working on your projects I'll be sitting in a corner providing live entertainment on my fiddle.<br />
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<i>And</i> . . . I've been asked to lead out during the praise sings. I'm in the process of choosing songs right now.<br />
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So . . . . . . . . . . . come one, come all! Let's play, and relax, and laugh, and sing, and praise, and pray together for 4 days. Give yourself the gift of some "me" time. Fill your own well so you can go back to your life filled with new ideas, skills, and projects that excite you. <a href="http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1105083501833-93/Fibers+Of+Faith+Brochure+2013.pdf" target="_blank">To sign up go here</a>. If you register before March 1st you get $10 off!!<br />
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Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680547660914262585.post-591318889779437362013-02-21T09:25:00.000-08:002013-02-21T10:02:19.119-08:00Fox Attack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was standing by the kitchen sink fixing Fergal's food when I saw something, a lot of somethings, drift across the meadow.<br />
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"What is that? Ashes?"<br />
"Leaves," Rob said.<br />
"From where?"<br />
"Dunno."<br />
"They don't look like leaves."<br />
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A little while later he came in the house. "That stuff in the meadow is chicken feathers. Lots of them."<br />
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We couldn't figure out what on earth it was at first. There were feathers from different chickens all over the place. Brown ones, red ones, gray ones. Piles of them. Like the Grim Reaper had danced around the farm butchering. But strangely, no blood.<br />
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We found a lot of chewed up hens which I spent the morning doctoring and two dead ones, carried off down the hill by a fox which Rob saw and chased off. We are wondering if there were two of them. How could one fox do so much damage in such short time? Rob said he heard the girls squawking this morning but didn't think anything of it at the time.<br />
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I don't know how many of the injured ones will live. One was so bad I had to wrap her in an ace bandage. A couple appear to be in shock. I put stress vitamins in their water and I'm about to make them a stodge of oatmeal, yogurt, and other nourishing things.<br />
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I hate to walk outside and see the feathers drift by. They're everywhere.</div>
Reindeer Station Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05176754203396681897noreply@blogger.com