Flashback-Round Hill Exhibit Farm, 2011

An interesting day this one. Another early morning to enjoy the world waking to a fine drizzle and fog. Lola and I are on the patio and she cocks her head listening to each bird call, this is all so new to her. I am seeing my world with new eyes, with Lola. 

That leads me to this re-post. I rarely do this, It was such a special day. We toured the exhibit farm and enjoyed the calm and peaceful setting. It was the last time.  My Dear Son loved animals, he would have loved Lola. His 40th birthday would have been Monday. I'm looking back at all the great times we had. And this day was a great one. Remembering July 15th, 2011.
 


herb drying shed and raised beds

As a cook, the Herb growing and harvesting is very important to me. Because my little table garden has grown to jungle proportions,  I decided to move the dill plants because they were getting no sun. Mistake, I pretty much killed them. So I hit a few of the local nursery spots to see if anyone had viable dill that had not yet gone to seed. No luck. So while I was out I decided to visit a local Exhibit Farm to see how their Herb garden was coming along. I had not been there for years but remembered it fondly and wanted to replicate it.

Since I have been there (probably 10 years or more) the trees have grown and totally shadowed the garden. It appears to have been abandoned. Talk about disappointment. In my head this was the best herb garden, ever.  A few straggly plants have managed to eek out an existence, the weeds are prolific. Herbs need sun. In spite of this I have a plan in my head. I want to build the structures for next years plants in the fall. I am still sketching.

Since I had not toured the farm in a while I decided to visit some of the animal exhibits. So here are some photo's of rather pampered animals in an exhibit farm. It is a working farm so that city people can get the experience. This farm used to be owned by a friend of my Fathers. I remember visiting there for meals and enjoying the animals. It is a beautiful place with a county park adjoining.
 When we arrived we saw these two little lambs running around the grassy parts of the entrance, gobbling up green grass and clover. Their Mommies were up the hill, fenced and calling out. The little ones would look back and run to the next patch of clover. I remarked that I didn't know that any of the animals were likely to be running free throughout the park. Well, I was right, these two little absconders had let themselves out of their enclosure. Apparently they had been separated from the rest of the herd, and placed in  exhibit pens near the house. Well, apparently their heard their Mommies, slipped under the gate and had a wonderful little romp. They were herded up and returned to their pen. They bleated constantly while we were there, they know the grass is greener on the other side! 
This beautiful Guernsey (I think) was happy to greet. A friendly and beautiful animal with the most precious expression. If I could have brought her home I would have. She was waiting to be milked.  I want to call her "Petunia!"
 Two Holstein-Frisian calves. Absolutely beautiful animals. Munching away in their stalls. Their Mommies were out in the fields after having been milked.
 This is the calf of the friendly girl I nick-named "Petunia." She is a little older than the Holstein-Frisians. Unfortunately, there were no workers available for more information.
 Does this one not appear to be laughing???
 These pigs were eating and could not have cared less about their visitors. In the next pen there was a LARGE pig. The way she was lying against the front edge of the pen I could not get a photo, couldn't even get her in the frame. Wow, that was a big pig.
 This is a retired police horse. In our county we have a large mounted police presence. Their horses are stunning. This gentleman was retired 15 years ago, he is 37 years old, 103 in horse years according to the placard. He has arthritis and a bit of a malabsorbtion syndrome. He receives pain meds twice per day and special food. He is thin, but otherwise healthy according to the veterinarian who has treated him his entire life.
 I am sure he was quite a prize in his prime.
 Look at this character. He was just hanging-out, catching some rays, taking a break and he appears to be smiling1

 Just look at that face. On our way back out of the exhibit area I noticed he was up walking around. What a hoot!

I remember going in this door to the kitchen when we visited here. While the stone wall and flower gardens are new, the house is remarkably intact. The paths/sidewalks around the house are slate, the original ones. Beautiful.
 The grape arbors are still intact and loaded with grapes.
 This is the back wall of the summer kitchen. That little grate was a clean-out for the wood stove used there.
 One of two chicken houses and yards. The other one is divided between chickens and turkeys. I have to say, those turkeys were looking a little nervous, they probably checked the calendar.
 Chickens, not a good photo, it was dark and soon as they saw the flash, scattered.





Beautiful and friendly old Belgian Draft Horse. Most of the horses here are rescues to live out their old age in bucolic pastures. The old man was a sweetheart.

I love animals, I love farms, when I win the lottery, I will have both. Can't wait.
  • I still haven't built the herb building and gardens, I have made do with what I have.
  • I still haven't won the lottery.
  • I still haven't done so many things, but that's okay, I have a list and I'm checking off what I can, have a lovely week end.

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