Killing Chickens - Rated G

This is the first time we've had meat chickens.  In the interest of education, I'm going to show the whole process.  But this post is for squeamish people, (that would include me...) so here is the edited  version:

Armed with a copy of our trusty chicken book, we all donned gloves and set up our work stations.

The chickens were blissfully unaware of the fate that awaited them shortly.  It was Braeburn's job to catch them and bring them to Mr. Bechtel.  I was truly grateful today that husbands always do the hard jobs.  I simply could NOT have chopped off any heads.  He wasn't thrilled with the idea either, but was very gallant and became the executioner.

Here you can see our work circle, or the "circle of life" as it was dubbed.  The birds go to the chopping block, then to hang on the gallows, then to simmer for 20 seconds in the boiling pot, and then to the table for plucking, etc.

A picture is worth a thousand words.... Now, if you could handle this,  the next post will have the unedited  "Rest of the story"....

Sheep Results

Well, I have no idea why these pictures are so tiny.  But here are the victorious lambs and children in action.

Prairie Spy and his lamb "Loco".

Nova Spy with "Hoss"

And Golden Delicious and "Olga".

I wish I had a picture of Braeburn and "Gimp" but Braeburn showed first and I was without a camera then, so you'll just have to imagine him in the arena smiling largely through gritted teeth while trying to drag a lamb around the ring...

We had a great time doing 4-H for the first time and are thinking about doing it again next season.   As soon as the sheep washing episode fades in my mind... 

Professor Higgins meets Sherlock Holmes

Meet Professor Higgins.  He got a spiffy new suit for his birthday.

Meet Sherlock Holmes.  We wants Professor Higgins' jacket.

Ahh... The good Sherlock can also give fashion advice.

Brilliant.

Best of Show

Congratulations

 to Golden Delicious

 for winning

 Grand Champion Dairy Goat

at our county fair.

She and her goat, Maggie, looked and performed Great!

All New Aerobics

Have you been wanting to get in shape?  Forget about all those boring clubs or workout gyms and join the new trend that is sweeping the nation: sheep washing.

You can vary the length of your workout, by how many animals you have.  4 is a nice starter number.

Be sure that your shoes have good lateral support and traction.  Water proofing is also a bonus.

No, we don't offer boring baby sitting with this activity.  Instead of your child crying with a bunch of other unhappy children while you workout, he can create masterpieces on the barn floor with old feed bags.

The aroma from this endorphin rush is just something gyms can't compete with.  Forget wet dog, try wet sheep.

Be sure to cool down at the end of the workout (or when you only have 1 more lamb).  And pat yourself on the back for another great workout.

Did I mention how fun the warm up is trying to catch the sheep?

It's futile to resist.  Join the trend.

The Best Part of Any Rodeo

Another Birthday!

July and August and birthday months for our family, and it's Braeburn's turn to be older this week.  Breaburn is currently off with Mr. Bechtel and the other Young Men in our ward canoeing and biking down the old railroad grade up by West Yellowstone.  Hopefully they'll come home soon so we can celebrate with more ice cream!

Oh Dear.  Now I'm feeling quite old.  What a cute, adorable child!  How can he have changed so quickly into a tall, capable, old person??  Time flies!

Happy Birthday Braeburn.