TGFG: Thank Goodness For Grass!

Yesterday was a big day in our farming calendar here at Terravita Farms. We anticipate it every year but with hay prices as high as $9.50 a square bale and $90.00 a round bale our favorite past time lately has been walking the pastures and watching the grass grow. Yesterday afternoon we decided the time had come and we spent the remaining daylight putting up the portable electric fences we use to keep the animals in, moving stock tanks for water, feed bowls, batteries, and various other things necessary for a move from haylot to pasture. When the time came the cows literally stampeded to their appointed square of grass--have you ever seen a bull kick up his heels? Stand back! The sheep didn't have to be asked twice, and the lambs, having only nibbled on bits of grass here and there in their winter lot didn't need any training on how to put their noses to ground and tear off mouthfuls of green goodness. 
This morning, when checking to make sure everyone was still where they were supposed to be after their first night in new surroundings, I was greeted by the following scenes. I'm sure if they could smile, they would all have been grinning wide!

**For best effect, click on the pictures to 'biggify'**

The Terravita Farms Randall herd--all 9 of them!

Lucien, the bull, leads the girls.

Guys always have to flex their muscles . . .

Last fall's 4 calves, "Hey, let's see who that is!"

"Hey, move over!"

"Would you tell her to move over?"

"Ok, I guess we have to yell!"

Mother and daughter, Jacob sheep.

Priscilla, Shetland ewe, "Wait a second, I need a scratch!"

Jasper, Shetland wether. "Yes, it's that good and it's all mine, mine!"

68th Annual Granville Garden Club Daffodil Show

This weekend was the 68th Granville Daffodil Show, at Bryn Du Mansion, an event I always look forward to--even more so since Terravita Farms began growing daffodils for florists two years ago. My appreciation for and admiration of the daffodil continues to grow! 

Before I get to the pictures I'd like to share a happy coincidence that took place at the show. As I was getting ready to leave I decided I would wear a daffodil in the lapel of my jacket. I have quite a few daffodil bouquets in the house and was debating the strengths of the various flowers I had to choose from and finally settled on 'Accent'. I felt 'Accent' had something unique to offer as the clear white petals surround a trumpet that begins as yellow at the base, changes to gold near the middle, and finally ends in salmon, quite striking. The last room of the show has individual daffodils displayed in vases and each variety is available to pre-order as bulbs for fall planting. I noticed that one vase had a picture of the daffodil variety rather than a real flower--and that daffodil just happened to be 'Accent', the one in my lapel! I offered to give my flower to the show and it was quickly placed in the vase and exchanged with the picture--what a happy coincidence!

What follows, in no particular order, are a series of displays I found beautiful, interesting, and or eye-catching. Enjoy.