Happy New Year To You!!!

I have been so busy, that I have not been on the computer much. I wish each of you a Happy New Year, one that draws you closer to the Lord and closer to your family and friends. We did not really make resolutions, but we always look at the beginning of the year as a time of new beginnings. We talked a lot about the things that we want to accomplish with the house this year. There are so many projects that need done both in the house and around the farm. We desperately need to get the barns painted. We got an estimate for the big barn (in the first 2 pictures above). It was over $10,000. It would be a lot of work to try and do it ourselves though. So, at this point, the barn stays in need of paint. =) We put down a realistic list of things we would like to do. We are having company for a week starting the 13th, so we will not start any of the bigger projects. The family that is coming to visit are very good friends from Florida. They are praying for lots of snow the week they are here. We are praying with them. They have 8 children. We have never met the baby and are looking forward to seeing them all and hugging their necks.

On Sunday afternoon we were over at the neighbor's house. Someone looked out the window and asked if the animal over by our pond was a coyote. The men decided that it was a coyote and they all ran out of the house grabbing jackets on the way. It must have seen them coming and was gone by the time they got there. We don't think it got anything that time. However, on Monday afternoon, I heard the chickens making a racket. I hollered out to my husband in the shop barn and he quickly went out there. He did not see a coyote, but he did see some feathers on the ground. Last night we counted and one chicken is missing. This animal is coming in broad daylight. The windows and doors are closed, so it is hard to hear unless you are sitting by a back window. I kept checking on the animals today. Both times that it was around, you could see the sheep all huddled together looking in the direction it would have been. They are behind an electric fence, so I am not as worried about them or the goats. However, their behavior today was a good indicator that all was OK. They were all spread out grazing away. The chicken run is open on the pond end since we let our chickens free range. I will have to keep a sharp eye out. I know it will be back.

The pictures above were taken this evening. The vivid colors in the sunsets never show up. The moon looked so neat coming up through the trees. You can see a bit of pink on the clouds around it. If you look closely, you can see the sheep in the second picture.