ROAD TRIPPING

Took a little road trip. Met these spring lambs and now I want one. Real bad. I would learn to spin and knit. Promise.

This guy was more than willing to come home with us and I am crazy for goat cheese...

Where'd we go? Not telling yet, but I'll give you a hint...

Gotta run now. More tomorrow. Bye.

XO

ADKINS ARBORETUM

Yesterday, knowing the foul weather was about to return, we set off on another woodsy ramble. This time we went to Adkins Arboretum in Denton, MD. Wow! Why we've not been regular visitors to this outstanding 400 acre native garden and preserve all these years, I don't know. Like Blackwater, it is only about 25 minutes away.
Caroline County had a bit more snow than we did on Friday, so there was a nice little crunch underfoot and the temperature was just above freezing. We fell in love with this place and can't wait to go back. The walking trails are smooth and easy to negotiate and bikes, dogs, and cross-country skis are allowed.
Check here for more information and a schedule of upcoming activities. We are definitely planning to go back for the Full Moon Walk or one of the Soup 'N Walks.
Have a look...

Icicles on the creek bank.

What is this bird? Anyone? Not the best pic but I was startled when this one's mate flew right up in front of me. Woodcock?

The Arboretum keeps a small herd of goats for controlling invasive plant species. We happened along at feeding time.

Did someone say dinner?

Today we woke to freezing rain. Thursday's temp is supposed to be 60 degrees. Then we dip back down for another frigid weekend. What a roller coaster, this winter is. Waiting for the slop to stop falling so I can let the grumpy mares out, then I'm going to get to work. Seems to me I've been promising some tutorials for a few weeks now.
Hope you're staying warm and dry, and finding time to make something at your house. XO.

Piebald Deer

While I was doing barn chores yesterday, I noticed Zoey staring intently at the field across the street. I could tell by the way she was standing that she must see something out of the ordinary, and hoped it was a reappearance of the piebald deer. We spotted her frequently in the early spring, but only saw her once over the summer. Well, that's exactly what it was... a mad dash to the house for my camera, hoping she would stay around and managed to get a couple of pictures...

Lovely!

A piebald deer is a genetic variation that occurs in less than 1% of the white-tailed deer population. Glad to have her around. Planning to keep my camera close for the next few days in hopes of getting a better shot.
More excitement when I turned Zoey out early this AM. This time, however, it was 2 runaway goats from the Curtis farm down the street. They were headed for the highway, so I grabbed a couple of carrots and lead ropes and ran after them. Nothing like a bit of goat wrangling before breakfast!