Oh, there is so much to talk about. I try so hard to make these posts short and sweet enough to be fun to write and entertaining to read.
I wish I could tell you everything that makes my eyebrows raise, everything that makes me laugh. Everything that catches my eye. But I would not put you through it. So, how about just this one:
Aren’t they sweet. Inseparable until I put Marcel into his crate to sleep.
I thought I would reassure you that all Boo’s interactions with the lamb are supervised. He is a dog after all. And Marcel is a lamb. Although it is fun for us to point to the, sometimes almost human, attributes of our dogs. They are still dogs. One of the reasons Boo is seldom photographed with Marmalade anymore is that the cat does not tolerate rough play and steers clear of the dog. As the cat got older the dog got bolder. Often they will sleep next to each other but dogs bring a lot of weight to their play. Though Marmalade is now clever enough to keep himself up out of plays way. We humans must be responsible. Dogs are not humans. And thank you Rumpy for writing such a good article on this the other day.
Here is a rather muddled picture of the new super dooper milking machine. It will look happier when it is in the barn (in 21 days) and not loitering in the Cloakroom. It is a very sturdy model. I am well pleased. The Cloakroom where a lot of stuff sits that should not be sitting. Ah well. 
Good morning. Here are Sheila and Ton coming home from a walk. Some of the snow has thawed so they were able to get out for a bit longer yesterday. Both of them hate to be cooped up. Sheila is allowed to take Ton for walks unsupervised. As long as they promise not to go outside the gates. They have to wait for a human to go down to the creek with them. 
But both of them slipping and walking awkwardly on the icy snow. So no humans wanted to go out the gate and down to the Creek that is really a Ditch, yesterday.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “Are you my Mother? Some Sweetness.”
They are sweet photos though, aren’t they? But good to remind folks that, cute as they are, they are still different species.
The Pup and Lamb look so darn cute together!
I know that you’ve had some disasters over the past few months but you’ve certainly had an awful lot of cuteness too. Nature’s balance. I suspect that Marcel likes having his picture taken, he poses so nicely! You must be really excited about your new milking machine – so shiny, new and efficient looking!
Christine
And it’s on wheels!!!
Great shots! I’m sure glad you take the time to share these photos with us. Ooooh! a new toy; being a guy it’s like bees on honey 😉
Sad news at my end, my big cat died last night. I had rescued him as a kitten almost 15 years ago. He was a true polydactyl harbour cat with 8 functional toes on each front paw, and he grew to be very big (30lbs).
I figure it was a heart attack that took him and I was in the room at the end, strocking his head as he left. Strange as it may seem I feel fortunate to be a witness. It’s really mostly for my comfort but I don’t like my companions dying alone.
Oh Peter I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sure you were a significant comfort to him all through his life and at the end. I have a rescue cat too, he is about 15/16, I sure hope to be there for him, especially at the end.
Peter, so sad to hear you old cat died and so wonderful that he was able to die under the hand that loved him. There is a great deal to be said that cannot be said. Sad but right. A 30 pound cat! Mercy what a big moggie. c
Peter so sorry for your loss. I know it is hard to say goody bye to our treasured friends and they leave a big hole in our lives when they pass. I hope your fond memories of your guy brings many smiles to your face.
Hugs Lyn
Peter I think the greatest comfort you can give your companions is the touch and smell of a familiar friend at the end, as hard as that may be.
That dog (Boo) and lamb photos are just out of this world… that dog amazes me…
The new milking machine, I’ve never seen anything like it… looks good though…
Tottally off subject: I LOVE that you have painted your doors! I’m so tired of looking at white doors…
Marcel’s smile is so sweet. I love his dirty little knees…seems a sign that he’s been up to some good lamb behavior. And Boo is most impressive, I must say. Never saw such loyalty. The first photo is stunning, Celi…not to be outdone by the “cute” animals. That image holds such a lovely narrative…there’s a “contained” drama in it, somehow…thaw, winter light, the sense that something is about to happen. I love it.
Looks like you’ve been taking good care of that lamb!!! And that farm dog…there is nothing better than a “farm dog.”
i would have loved to have had that milking machine when i was a kid, having to milk cows by hand
You could write thousands of words every day and the fellowship would gladly soak them up. Glad to see Marcel doing so well. He has to have the longest legs I’ve ever seen! Sunny here today and it’s going to be 60+ degrees. I can’t wait to get in the garden! Have a great day Celi!
Well I’m quite jealous of that pump, it is a beauty. I really agree with the Rumpy blogger. It really bothers me the way so many people treat their dogs like other people. They are dogs and just because you treat them like another human does not make them a human. They often end up putting the dog, themselves and especially children in very dangerous situtaions. Then they have no understanding of the fallout when the dog acts like a dog or how to keep it from happening again (nor do they seem to want to learn) so they repeat the process. Marcel has quite a set of legs and clompers under him. Looks as though he will be growing up to be a big boy.
I love Marcel’s smile!
So many lovely photos you delight us with each day, Celi. I chuckled a little about the milking machine loitering in the cloakroom, where lots of stuff sits that shouldn’t be sitting… I think we all have rooms or areas like that in our homes. Rooms are to be used for whatever purpose they serve us well with. Cast out silly ideas about room labeling! Our homes are practical, functional, and filled with projects, clever devices, animals (some full-time residents and some temporary), and the comforts we love. If visitors have expectations about how it should be, to me that is silly. I love that you welcome us to your home (or barns or whatever!) every day and you greet us as family. We all probably find that cloakroom the most interesting room of all because we can delight in all of the unfinished projects and see what ideas you have up your sleeve for days of puttering around. I feel the love every single day I come to visit your home…
Just so darn cute! Yesterday I wrote to my friend (the shepherdess I wrote to you about), and she wrote back saying, “Some days, the losses can be overwhelming and it is not so much about the hard work, but that you ache inside for life lost. I feel that some days, but I look into the eyes of the critters who still need me and I press on, vowing never to forget all who left hoofprints in my pasture.” I think the winter has been awfully long for her too. I’m happy the snow is melting now. 🙂
Are you my mother was one of the kids’ favorites when they were little. So much fun to read to them! Wonderful photos C. I love how Marcel almost always appears to be smiling. His little face is a happy sight and a great way to start the day. 🙂