California Raw Milk Petition......

Today the CDFA California Department of Food And Agriculture is using broadly written regulations to put your local goat and cow share farms out of business. CDFA code 35011 and 35283 says that

"Dealing in, receiving, manufacturing, freezing, or processing milk, or any product of milk." 

is illegal without a California Dairy License.

If you are opposed to making herd shares illegal and want to help CA residents continue to enjoy the health benefits of raw milk, even if you don't live in CA, please sign!  Help us keep our rights to drink raw milk!

Keep Herd Shares Legal!

Is it me or is this crazy that we are having to fight for the rights to have gardens in our front yard and to drink whatever milk we want?  

Have to brag about what I won!

I know, I know, I know.....nobody likes a braggart.  But this brag isn't a "neener, neener, neener, look what I won" kind of a brag.  It's a "hey, check this out!  I won something really sweet and want to share with you" kind of brag!  

I love aprons.  There is something about them that just makes my heart happy when I see one, when I wear one.  I am loving that I see so many on movies and TV shows now too!  It's an apron revolution!    So when I got the opportunity to join in on a contest on Fresh Eggs Daily on Facebook I jumped in.  Hardcore.  I was in it to win it!  I didn't think I would though because I am on dial up.  It can take forever for a page to refresh.  I already knew I wasn't going to win because, well, I have joined in to win things millions of times and haven't.  Well, that's not exactly true.  Once I went to a breakfast put on by a local radio station that I used to listen to.  Somehow I ended up winning the book So That's What They're For, which at the time I had no use for, what-so-ever.  But I did win, so I technically can't really say I never win anything.  Anyway.......so like a pitbull in a cage fight I went in, fingers tapping the keyboard wildly, a couple answers I didn't know so I was trying to google them, luckily Chris and Maggie weren't here to witness the crazed look in my eyes.  They would have thought I lost my mind.  I have to admit, the thought did cross my mind.

Well, guess what!  I won!  I really won!  I was so excited I couldn't contain myself.  I know, it was an apron not a million dollars.  But it sure felt like a million dollars.  This apron is so darned cute!  Lisa has put her sewing skills to good use.  I love the little pockets (5 of them), perfect for egg gathering!  I was able to get 2 large eggs in each pocket.  Can't wait til my girls start laying!  My picture doesn't do it justice.  Make sure you click on her Etsy Shop link at the bottom of this post for a better picture!

When I opened the package Maggie was excited, we had a little discussion about who it belonged to.  It seems whenever I get something cool she ends up with it.  But not this!

I would encourage those who are reading to check out Lisa's Etsy Shop, Fresh Eggs Daily, there are some really cute aprons and other things on there!  I love her chicken coop plans.  You wont be disappointed!!  So go check her out!  

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Lisa for doing the contest and having such a wonderful prize!  It went to a very grateful home and will get a lot of use!  :)

Anticipation.......

I found these two little gems in the garden today....can't wait to enjoy them!

Maggie's cherry tomato plant

First Blackberry that has color!

Can.not.wait!

  

Hot*Hot*Hot!

After wondering if summer was ever going to bless us with her presence, she has shown up.  And she is yelling loudly that she is here!  I am happy because this is finally making my garden grow.  I was starting to get a little bummed about planting so much food, and counting on it to feed us!

With the hot weather comes good things, but also bad.  Our animals need to stay cooled down.  Rabbits are especially susceptible to heat stroke.  So I have been concerned about Eliza most as she seems to be most affected by the heat.  Peter Pan the Rabbit (yes, that's his name) seems to do better, but we still watch him carefully.  

We have frozen gallon jugs that we put in their cages.  They like this because it's cold and they can lick the water off it.  

                                                                    Eliza cooling off

Fresh mint is also great for cooling them down.  We also have a circulating fan on them, Eliza would sit on it if she could.  Silly rabbit.  

                                                        Peter Pan the Rabbit enjoying his newly cleaned cage

I found this really great article on heat stroke-- prevention, signs and how to deal with it on ehow.com.  If you have rabbits, it's a great read!

Red Flags

• 1. Lethargy. If your rabbit doesn't want to move as much as usual, or can't be tempted to move by its usual motivators, continue to assess its health.

  2. Slow movements. If the rabbit doesn't move at its usual speed, but pads sleepily along, keep looking.

  3. Lack of appetite. One early sign of heat stroke is less-than-usual consumption of rabbit chow, or no eating at all.

  4. Panting. Is the rabbit working hard to breathe without exercising, or panting? He could be trying to cool himself down.

  5. Dehydration. Dry mouth, dull eyes and strong, concentrated urine are signs of this condition.

  6. Reddening of the ears. Check the concave, normally pink side of the bunny ears. If it's red, it's a sure sign that it's trying to cool itself.

  7. Excessive Salivation. If your rabbit has drool on his chin, he's salivating too much.

  8. Poor coordination. The movements will not be synchronized, leading to clumsiness.

  9. Confusion. The rabbit's behavior will not be logical or usual.

  10. Seizures. This will look like severe, violent shaking. It is a veterinary emergency.

  11. Unresponsiveness. The rabbit will not try to defend itself even from uncomfortable or painful stimuli. This is also a veterinary emergency.

Emergency Stabilization

• 1. Move the rabbit to a cooler away from the sun. The basement is a good choice.

  2. Mist the pink (red) sides of the ears with cool water.

  3. As an alternative, cool the ears with an ice cube that's been wrapped in a thin cloth.

  4. Bathe the rabbit in room temperature, not cold, water only up to the neck. Do not submerge it.

  5. Feed wet vegetables, if the bunny will eat, and supply cold water.

  6. Blow a fan near the rabbit, but not directly on it.

  7. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Prevention

• 1. Groom the rabbit regularly to remove loose fur.

  2. Keep the rabbit away from sunlight and out of hot areas.

  3. Provide fresh, clean water at all times.

  4. Run a fan in the area but not directly blowing on the rabbit.

  5. Supervise him in warm weather.

  6. Freeze water in an empty soda bottle and lay it in the cage. The bunny will cool itself next to it.

On my mind.......

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY. If you're in another country you should join in when you read this, even if it's still Thursday.

To take part, all you have to do is post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here. Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When your photo is published, go to down---to---earth and add a comment below, with a link to your blog photo so we can all find you. Please visit all the blogs that appeal to you and leave a comment. Slow down, take the time to cruise around and enjoy your cyber visits.

Thank you Rhonda Jean!

Today what's on my mind is my fresh gallon of cow's milk I got this morning.  I am seriously addicted. The order comes with two jars like this.  I didn't take a picture of both because the other is already half empty.  I just got it about 2 hours ago!  Told ya I am addicted.  

Dreaming of the coming months going by and our sweet girls, Bluebelle and Clover will be providing us with goat milk!