Milk Maids

Milk Maids

Carolina and I are the milk maids. Every morning (unless someone forgets to separate the calves off) we head out to milk Bell.

Bell has the routine down, usually she is already in the chute waiting for us. Carolina chains up her leg so she cannot kick the milk bucket over.

Sometimes it takes a minute or two for her to let the milk down, however this morning she let it all down as soon as we started.

I usually try and milk with both hands, but sometimes it's easier to milk with one hand (fine ok, maybe it's because my hands get cramped, and they need a break).

Rusty awaits patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for us to finish milking so he can get his daily squirt of warm milk.

 Open wide...nailed it!

Is there more?

After we've milked her out, we turn both the calves loose on her, and they finish up anything we left in her bag.

Rusty's highlight of the day is to "lead" the calves to momma cow. Just between us, I don't think they need any help finding momma cow. ; )

*insert lots of sucking, slobber, milk foam, and contented calf noises*

Meanwhile, as we were milking, all the horses were gathering at the fence, and as soon as we stepped through the gate they surrounded us and started escorting us safely back to the house. Okay, maybe the real reason is they know they'll get treats as soon as we get back to the house. (Note: see the 'lil basket Carolina is carrying? It's full of horsey treats, and Lorna knows it).

Camera Lady have snacks????

Finally, Lorna gets her smacks..today's menu was sugar cubes, pretzels, and saltine crackers.

She gave us a gallon of milk this morning. The day before we could only squeeze (literally) 1/2 gallon out of her. Good Girl Bell!

That's about as fresh as it gets right there folks. Unless, of course you want it Rusty style. ; )

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

Proving A Statement

Proving A Statement

 As I said in an earlier post, the bunnies spend very little of their precious time in their respective hutch. Instead them get to come inside. Their favorite pastime when inside, on my bed, and lounging on my pillow is to sleep.

Nibble on carrot sticks...

Get cuddled...

Eat more carrots..

Have contests with owner to see who can look the most pitiful...

Get more cuddles from owner...

Hold debates on whether or not to eat another carrot..

Then, no matter what the jury decides, you eat one anyway, and look very innocent in the process.

Get hand fed carrots, because honesty, why on earth would I want to eat a carrot off the floor? That would be barbarous!

Make adorably cute facial expressions to melt your owner's heart..so that you get even more treats.

It works 99.99% of the time.

Reach for the last carrot bit..

Get mad because your twin is also eating a carrot..

and fight over one carrot instead, because that is always better!

But, then when your owner, who is snapping an outrageous number of pictures of you, starts laughing..you stop and stare them in the face..

Then you make a mad-dash for the Bunny Tunnel (a.k.a a goose down comforter molded into a cave/tunnel)..

Afterwards you are exhausted from the said mad-dashing and plop down to get some shut-eye.

Then you decide you'd rather nap with your buds..

and eat more carrots...

and stick out your tongue..

hold secret conversations with your partner in crime..

Then, when owner gives you a naughty look, you drop what you were doing and start munching on a carrot and try to look as inconspicuous as possible.

Yes, the life of a rabbit is good, but only if it involves comfy beds, lots of petting, long periods of time scampering around in the front yard, and please, let's not forget a lot of treats!

Blessings - 

~ Aspen

My Morning

My Morning

Got up at 4:30, started some laundry, worked out until about 6:30. Made the guys breakfast and packed up their lunches. Worked on the blog, took pictures of a beautiful sunrise...

 Some of the trees are changing colors, and shedding (can that term be applied to trees??) their leaves.

Let all the feathered dinosaurs out of their pens. Checked on the bunbuns and gave them a treat of apple bits.

Chip smells something good...

Chip tastes something good...

Chip eats something good.

Alora wants a nibble, too.

I added a sandbox for the bunnies to dig around in, but they seem to think it is a litter box. Oh well. 

Chip is very curious about the camera.

Later on that morning we started a fire in the kitchen wood stove, as it was a crisp morning. The dogs were exhausted from keeping the predators at bay all night long with their ferocious barking..

We felt sorry for the bunnies being out in the cold, so we brought them inside, and put them in a box by the stove.

Dutchess making a nest in the socks

Dutchess decided it was a good spot to take a nap and plopped down.

But then she decided she wanted a treat, and started begging.

Please enjoy the random Bunny Pile shots I took through-out the day:

The bunbuns were very relaxed and slept most of the day by the fire.

 Stockton and his bun looking over my shoulder as I work on the computer (..how do you like my complicated hairdo? I know, amazing right?).

The Zebra Finches, Fenton and Fiona, enjoyed the warm fire, too.

Fiona swinging

Fenton and his bright red beak and orange feet..so adorable

I just love their 'lil rosey cheeks!

 All for one, and one for all!!!!

Blessings - 

~ Aspen