Harvest Time Again

Avila Valley Barn is so great.  In my mind, it's become a symbol of all that was once free in the world, and one of the last places on earth where people don't necessarily charge money for something just because they can.  I love the old-timey-ness of the place:  how you can pick berries, apples, peaches, etc.  And I love that unless you buy something, it's all free:  entrance, feeding the animals, and the hayride and maze.  We were only there for a short while this time to buy squash, and cornstalks as decorations for the Harvest Party we are having this Friday at church, and Elliot didn't get to play in the hay as much as he wanted to.  But, in the end, he settled for some bribery (come get in the car, and I'll give you some trailmix (with m&ms) once you're buckled in).  The seasons are changing quickly now, and I think today I will finally plant my fall vegetable garden.  Hopefully Roscoe won't dig it up before everything gets a chance to sprout.

It's Beginning to look a lot like....

Christmas! Here is a sneak peek of the Christmas crafts we have been whipping up to sell at some upcoming Christmas craft fairs. If you are interested in attending and purchasing some really cute stuff, the dates are: Holiday Boutique at the Atascadero Lake Pavillion - November 15th; Winter Wonderland at the Atascadero Sunken Gardens - December 12th 5-9pm; Holiday in the Plaza in San Luis Obispo - December 6th and 7th.

Make Way for Ducklings

The ducklings arrived today!  The post office called me around 2:30 and told me I could come pick them up.  Four little ladies in a box.  I don't know for sure what their names will be yet, but it will have to be something fitting with Featherfield park.  Right off the back, we could tell that the faun and white Indian Runner was way more active than the rest, kept trying to escape, and basically thought she was the boss.  Here are a few quick pictures of them.  Feel free to write in with your name suggestions (they are all girls).

Meet Roscoe

Yesterday was a whirlwind of cleaning for a Pampered Chef party that I hosted (click the link if you want to order from my party - you have until Tuesday).  Then I went to pick up our new Boxer puppy, Roscoe (I named him on the way there).  What fun!  And mess!  And fenzy!  He is so cute, and really seems smart.  He already knows his name, and comes when you call him.  Last night he was not enjoying the crate, but when I told him to lay down, he seemed like he pretty much obeyed.  Not bad for a little guy!  So far only one pee spot in the house, and no poop!  He is doing great and is such a mellow puppy for a boxer.  Chewie is helping him learn where to go to the bathroom, and get his excess energy out!  And, he is pretty tuckered out today after whining half the night.  

Elliot getting mobbed by Roscoe's brothers and sisters.

Here's Roscoe in the morning sunlight.

Uncle Chewie abiding over his young one.

It's funny how much alike they are in coloring and markings.  Sometimes their movements are synchronized, which is really funny!

Roscoe claimed this blankie as his bed.  He likes to take a nap in front of the fireplace.

Mini Holiday

Wow, it has been a busy few days!  We went to see our friends, Brooke, Darin, and Mikayla in San Clemente Monday through Wednesday.  While there, we went to the beach, San Diego Zoo, and ZooMars... also had a pool party on their deck which I don't have pictures of, but maybe those will come later.  What a sweet time with friends!  Elliot got along pretty well with Mikayla, aside from the occasional grabbing away of a toy, and scaring her with a growling voice.  We enjoyed a very hot day at the zoo, during which we saw Dominique Monaghan hanging out with Billy Boyd and his wife (I think) and kid.  So, we're pretty much famous.  Also, we accidentally stayed at the zoo way after it was closed.  We were way out in the zoo boonies by the hippos, and we started to realize that there was no one else there, but we just figured people left to pick their kids up from school or something.  Actually it was 5:25, and the zoo had closed at 5:00.  So then we basically took our time slowly making our way toward the entrance and left at about 6:15, I think.  It was great because it was finally starting to cool down, and all the animals were getting more active and waking up from their naps.  I think those are my highlights, aside from spending some great quality time with friends.  :)

Here's Elliot at the San Clemente beach right by their house.  He is pretty much in heaven with all the sand to build "nests" in, swings, and train tracks right behind him.

Elliot and Mikayla riding a tortise at the San Diego Zoo.

Aw, he loves the daddy Gorilla.

Elliot and Mikayla chatting over breakfast.

And here's Elliot holding a bunny at ZooMars, a little petting zoo with a huge pen  

of bunnies and guinea pigs, among other things.

Me and the Moon

The moon followed me home from San Clemente tonight.  Though I should have been watching the road, as I drove north on the 101, I found myself stealing glimpses of the reflection of the moonlight on the beautiful pacific ocean.  It has always been one of the few sights that absolutely takes my breath away.  I have tried to take pictures of it, and paint it, but it seems impossible to capture the majesty of the glittering, glowing waters.  Tonight it struck me a little different for some reason, and I started thinking about how dark the water is, yet how brightly it can shine even though it's only dimly and intermittently reflecting the moon, which is in turn a dim reflection of the sun.  Tears made me into an even worse driver as I began to read the scene as an allegory.  I believe that we as humans are a dim reflection of the brightness and perfection of God.  Despite all the flaws and folly of humanity, he still sees traces of Himself in us, and to Him we are so very lovely... so very loved.

Featherfield Park Preview

Here is a little glimpse of the glorious duck house, made by my genius dad.  I guess I should say, "duck cottage".  That seems more fitting, doesn't it?  Check out all the cool features!  Wheels that can go up or down, handles to wheel it with.  Awesome cedar roof, and a little back door for sneaking the eggs out of the nesting area!  Also, you can't see it, but the whole top part detaches from the floor for a thorough spray out a couple times a year.  My dad put so much work into this, and I am so touched, and grateful.  It's just so cute, I almost don't want to put the ducks in there for fear they will mess it up!

The Nappier Farm

Today was a big day for animals at my house.  First thing when I woke up, there was a message on my cell phone from a friend/dog breeder telling me that my puppy is ready to be picked up!  I wasn't expecting him to be ready (8 weeks) for another week or two, but I guess we lost track of how many weeks old they were (now they're 9 weeks).  Luckily she didn't mind keeping him an extra week, because I am going on a little trip out of town for a couple days next week.  But we will be picking him up Thursday or Friday.  I think we are going to name him Porter.  He is a flashy fawn Boxer, just like Chewie.  I think Chewie will be so glad to have a little brother-dog to play with.

A little while later, my dad called and told me that the duck house he has been building me (we call it Featherfield Park) is finished!  He has been working on it non-stop for about three weeks, and it is amazing.  It looks just like a miniature house complete with hinged doors, and a peaked roof.  It has a mesh bottom, and wheels that can be lifted up or locked down so that I can put the house on the lawn (duck fertilizer, you know), and wheel it to a different spot each day!  Also, it has big handles that you lift up like a wheelbarrow to wheel it, and a little nest area in the back with a back door right by it so I can reach in in the morning and grab out the fresh eggs!  So, among some other errands, I squeezed in a trip to Farm Supply and bought some duck starter crumbles,  a waterer, and a feed container.  The ducks will be shipped on October 13th in a little cardboard box with air holes, and a heat pack to keep them warm.  I ordered them from Metzer Farms, and got all females:  a Faun and White Indian Runner, a Blue Indian Runner, and two Blue Swedish.

Erik pretty much talked me into getting the puppy, but the theory is that if the pup and the ducks grow up together, they will be used to each other, and maybe even be friends.  I guess I can't complain too much, because I really talked him into the ducks!  As soon as my vegetable garden starts cranking out the produce, it will really be like a miniature farm around here!  I just hope the animals don't decide to organize and take us hostage or anything like that.  But, I am really, really excited about all my fluffy babies.  It's going to be so fun to have little creatures prancing about the lawn!