Blog Posts

Cuteness Overload

1/21/2018

January 9, 2018
Public health warning !!! Overload of cuteness. Another amazing day in the life of a farmer.....Baby Doll was so calm and contented with her new born twins. The other "moms to be" were less than happy with the rain but Baby Doll and her boys were warm and snug in the claiming pen. Today was time to let the new ones join the flock. Baby Doll and her lambs were introduced to the Gentle Giant ladies "in waiting" by Nicole and Barrett this morning. Nicole and Barrett were very enthusiastic to lend a hand. All went well and even Tiger the barn supervisor, was there to oversee the activities. Your turn soon ladies, who is next? My money is on big Dotty!
Just had a lovely call all the way from France..thank you Alexandre, it was lovely to talk to you !
Keep safe and warm. M xx

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Greg Was Told Off

1/21/2018

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January 2, 2018. Well... I have been told off... By the Surgeon... (and of course Maureen!). I have done too much, too fast. I had knee surgery on Dec 20, and was supposed to take it easy for about two weeks. My leg is VERY swollen and not in the condition it should be. So... another week of staying off my feet as much as possible (heh... heh... opps sorry Maureen!) Thankfully our WWOOFer's have agreed to stay and help us out. They are so good. I promise I will listen to Maureen and the Dr.
ICE and elevated leg are my friends. Sorry ... no photos for this one.

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Happy New Year Everyone

12/31/2017

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Happy new Year England, Ireland Scotland and Wales......oh ! and Holland. At 4 pm, (US time...midnight UK time) After checking that Baby Doll (the very pregnant and waddling ewe) wasn't in the process of delivering babies 1...2 , 3 or...4, ensuring George the very frustrated and lonesome ram hadn't escaped the confines of the bachelor pad and reassuring Angel and Anna the former "lambs" that they were now fully grown and capable of surviving in the adult ewe world...we checked our little "oyster phones" and it was ALMOST 4 pm in the UK. clearly, recording the moment was historical..but, the tripod refused to conform !! A log and a twig secured the camera and 2018 in the united Kingdom was recorded for posterity...um..about 4 minutes late..but the thought was there. Happy New Year Europe...Family friends and everyone...Love from the ranch..the raspberry wine is so good. Love you all...<3 xxxx

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Good Friends and Merry Christmas

12/17/2017

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Lights, camera, ACTION....great neighbours ( English spelling) and great friends.....My fairy godmother waved her twinkly wand over me and "just like that" I was a princess. It was PARTY TIME. We spend much of our lives scooping poop, cleaning muddy horses, herding cattle in the rain and chasing sheep in the wind and snow. Last night, in my $2 lacy top (courtesy of Angel's Guild, thank you) we had a fun night. It was our annual "Barn appreciation party", no two steps or square dancing and not in the big cedar barn but surrounded by lovely people who have in one way or another helped us make the life we love so special. Thank you everyone, family, friends, neighbours and Facebook friends who have made Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch such a special place to be. Greg has his knee surgery on Wednesday..lambing begins (potentially) in two weeks.....bring it on 2018, we are ready for you. Keep warm and keep safe.
If you are lonely this Christmas....just get in touch, there is no reason to be alone, there are always arms reaching out....seriously. We are here. Merry Christmas, thank you Key Peninsula. Maureen and Greg xx

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Dirt And Cobwebs

11/25/2017

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Under the apparent pretense of "grading the barn yard" Greg whirled the quad, a drag rake bounced behind him, a beaming smile on his mud smeared face, dogs alternatively chased or cowered and Tiger and Shy the barn cats retreated to the relative safety of the hay pile in the warm dry cedar barn. Clearly an overdose of neighborly hospitality, house wine and little or no sleep affected my mental state and I found myself attacking the spider webs that were threatening to overwhelm the cow barn. This was obviously a very foolish project given my horror of anything with more than four legs....I swear Shelob lurked in every crevice, on every post and every beam. Arachnophobia took on a whole new meaning as decades old cobwebs were sucked off the barn walls, eight legged horrors scurried, and sticky spider nurseries were sucked into the vacuum. The cow barn has taken on a whole new look tonight....guess what ?..I'm NOT emptying the vacuum this time. Over to you Greg. Take care, keep safe, M

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A Thanksgiving Treat

11/25/2017

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Thanksgiving 2017. We have so much to be thankful for...we have each other, we have an amazing place that we are fortunate enough to call "Home", we have wonderful family, friends and neighbours (English spelling ) . We spent a really enjoyable evening at Sue and Ralph's, got to know Katie and Mercedes a lot better and enjoyed a great turkey dinner. Thank you all for some lively conversation, great food and more than a little "house wine" Love, Maureen and Greg.

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Phase 2

10/31/2017

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Phase two of pond maintenance project....reinforcing the head gate. Quite impressed by myself really...not too long ago I didn't even know what a head gate is !. The sun was shining, a gentle autumnal breeze blew through the cedars, red gold and orange Maple leaves floated gently to the ground and the old farm tractor rumbled back and forth loaded with rocks and gravel. I guess we could have been sitting in front of a nice warm fire sipping a gin and tonic, we could be taking life easy and watching the clock go round...I'm so glad we made this life choice although at 3.30pm, in the barn kitchen with my feet in a bucket of water, my toes probably wouldn't have agreed. Wonder what is on tomorrows "must do" schedule ? Take care, keep safe, M xx

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Our WWOOF Host Video

10/23/2017

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We were visited by the WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) Ambassadors in late spring. While here, they made a video of us about our participation in the program.

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Girl Team At Work

9/20/2017

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It has been quite a week for the "girl team" here on the Ranch. Just over a week ago our two new farm friends arrived to experience life on the farm..Sikora style. No strangers to farming, Laura and Camrin were clearly prepared for early mornings, hard work and a varied work schedule, evidently they were less prepared for the boisterous welcome offered by our four legged ranch family. Gentle giant Quest, our big Shire gelding is a little (lot) intimidating even for the average horsey farm guest, Chelsey the old grey mare that drools, Charm, the golden palomino (beauty with attitude personified) and ageing bay Mr. Cooper have all taught our two new friends a little about life on the farm. George the big Suffolk ram and his resident harem refused to be ignored whilst Anna and Angel our ewe lambs would sell their souls for a carrot. Docile Bella the golden Jersey cow, beautiful Maybelline Grace her calf and Kobe the black steer know where the cow cookies come from and needy little Luke (the "wanna be" farm dog is everyone's new best friend. It has been a week of firsts for our intrepid WWOOFERS, Camrin and Laura have driven the tractor, milked the cow, mucked out stalls, fenced, used the saw mill, groomed and took care of the horses and livestock, stacked wood, picked grapes,made wine, put cedar siding on the coop, harvested the garden produce and are currently assisting building a staircase in the barn. It has been a busy week.....thank you ladies for your unfailing good humor drive and determination. are you up for another week ? .....Take care, keep safe, M

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Family Time At The Ranch

9/5/2017

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There is nothing quite as special as family and over the past days we have enjoyed the company of Greg's brother Tony and his delightful wife Debbie, Greg's son Matt, his wife Jodi and our ever growing grandsons. When the last goodbyes have been exchanged and the car has turned out of the driveway, we thank God that our life is so blessed by family and friends. Thank you Tony for making me work so hard for a smile (and letting me win !) ..thank you Debbie for being my partner in crime, thank you both for leaving your city life and throwing yourselves into a world of poo, poo..and even more poo. We do appreciate you so much, and are grateful that you left your safe, sanitary life on the East Coast to get up at 6am for a punishing (less than sanitary) day on the Ranch. Waiting for the arrival of brother #2 now....I am REALLY going to have a problem controlling "the cow" but excited for your arrival Stanley ( wish you were coming Joyce...we could REALLY have given the brothers a bad time). Take care, keep safe, M

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Cuteness Overload

Greg Was Told Off

Happy New Year Everyone

Good Friends and Merry Christmas

Dirt And Cobwebs

A Thanksgiving Treat

Phase 2

Our WWOOF Host Video

Girl Team At Work

Family Time At The Ranch

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