The Sap is Running. . .

Maple sugaring season is in full swing here at the farm, and we just brought in another collection of sap this afternoon. We're getting ready to boil down the sap tomorrow. Here are a few photos, courtesy of Dan, that show a bit of the fun we've been having.

Look who's here!

We're very happy to see this little arrival at the farm!

Giveaway!!

Acreage Magazine is giving away five copies of How to Raise Rabbits! Check out this link for info on entering to win:

http://www.acreagelife.com/giveaway.cfm

Good luck and have fun! :-)

The latest "buzz"

The new bee hives are being painted this weekend, getting ready to add them to the others we already have in the orchard. They are really pretty hives complete with copper roofs, they look like old time English Garden hives. Besides being a "super" home for bees, they'll make great photo props this summer. These hives came from Brushy Mountain....I love them!

Excerpt from "How To Raise Rabbits"

Check out the Spring 2009 issue of Out Here magazine, as there is a review of Samantha and Dan's new book, "How To Raise Rabbits" in it. Also, there's an excerpt from the book on Out Here's website: http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WcmDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10551&catalogId=10001&contentName=/tractorsupply/magazine/current/spring_09_how_to_raise_rabbits

if you'd like to take a look!

We're so pleased to announce the latest book by Samantha Johnson and Dan Johnson......"How To Raise Rabbits" published by Voyageur Press. "How To Raise Rabbits" is 192 pages with over 200 full-color photographs, and covers a wealth of topics, including:

• Establishing your rabbitry


• Housing your rabbits, including cages, hutches, equipment, and a special section on colony raising


• Health care and feeding


• Breeds and colors


• Selecting foundation stock


• Raising rabbits for meat, fur, or fancy, along with special coverage on selling pet rabbits, breeding stock, and show rabbits


• Managing your rabbitry; record-keeping, marketing, promotion


• Breeding and kindling


• Showing

How to Raise Rabbits is available at bookstores nationwide, as well as at TSC (Tractor Supply Company) stores. The book is also available online from Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble---click here to view the book at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Rabbits-Raise/dp/0760334803/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237090203&sr=8-2

Thanks for looking!

Coyotes 'N Cobs

This morning there was a big coyote in the pasture. . . Our Welsh Cob stallion, Orion, and I saw it at the same time. Orion lifted his head up and it seemed as though he made an instantaneous decision to rid his pasture of that unwelcome visitor, so he took off at a gallop heading directly for the unsuspecting coyote with a determined look in his eye. For those of you who own Cobs, you know that the sound of one galloping towards you definitely makes you look up to see what's coming. . . and when that coyote looked up, he nearly jumped out of his skin trying to make a hasty retreat out of the field. The poor coyote was running as fast as he could, all the while looking over his shoulder with terror as the big dark galloping thing was nearly upon him. The coyote was able to make a quick exit just in time to miss being made into something very flat. You could just see the look of pride on Orion's face as he strutted back and forth along the fenceline, his breath pouring from his nostrils, just daring his furry foe to come back. He shook his head the way Welsh do and seemed quite satisfied with his heroic actions. I feel really safe having a Cob in charge.