Happy belated Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful holiday out on the farm with family and friends. Unfortunatley, I must have messed with my camera settings and the memory decided to shut down. I did not get any holiday photos, but trust me, there were so many great things to photograph.

Some highlights:

The turkey was fantastic, Chuck did a great job. All of the trimmings were equally as good and we ended the event with a pear, apple and mixed berry pie. We were all pleasantly stuffed.

Maddy was home from college. We went to watch Tori and Spring at a horse show and some how Maddy ended up riding in the show, tennis shoes and all.

Chuck did find a way to fix some leftovers. Finally, I pulled out the camera manual and figured out my photo problem.

Great leftovers = turkey and cranberry pizza. Yum.

No photos to post at the moment. Lots of new things — 13 chickens + 3 ducks = 16 eggs in one day. Everyone is doing their business. We now have electric up to the coop rather than extension cords.

Chuck and I have been cutting, hauling and splitting wood to heat the house in the upcoming winter season. It has had its challenges including a flat tire and a blown engine. Hopefully we’ll be up and running by tomorrow morning.

Ginger is on the market and getting a few visitors. I’ve had the fun job of keeping her mud free. We’ve become quite close these days with all the brushing and grooming. Sigh.

The hunters are out in force. Duke is wearing an orange collar, Chuck is wearing an orange helmet to cut trees and the horses are confined to a small area. I can see the hunters on the other side of the river and hear them fire their guns. I watched a doe escape their bullets and bound through our property. I think we’ll all stick close to home for the next week.

Finally, for those of you who know me, I have a new job. I am leaving the position of Art Director for the Wisconsin School of Business to be the Public Relations and Marketing Director for UW-Madison’s School of Veterinary Medicine. For all of my animal-loving friends, I will keep you up to date on all the great offerings at the UW Veterinary Hospital, Clinic and School.

November 14th, a record-breaking egg-laying day—13 eggs. Three duck and 10 chicken. Our max is probably 15 eggs total, so we’re getting close.

This is what I call a really big chicken egg. Every now and then we find one of these. The shell is not that thick, but when we crack it open….

double yolks. So I guess this means if this egg was fertilized, we would have twin chicks. Actually, after a little research I have discovered that a double-yolked egg would not be able to produce twins, not enough room.

Aaron and Ashley came for a visit and we went outside to hang with the chickens.

He is definitely interested in these strange birds.

One finally did stop long enough for him to touch some feathers.

The chickens are as interested in him as he is in them.

Perhaps they are even more interested. His little fingers are looking tasty.

And, what the heck is that?

Well, you can’t go long without Duke getting some of the action.

Everyone is enjoying the nice weekend.

…especially Duke.

The chickens (and ducks) now have a windblock in front of their little chicken door. This place is looking better and better every day.

It is a lot of fun saying “I’m going out to the back 40″ and actually going out to the back 40. The soybeans were recently harvested, so Duke and I took a trip around the fields.

He’s hoping to spot a deer or two. I’m just enjoying the nice weather.

It’s a great view to see the valley below. You will notice the cows in the other part of the back 40.

It is really fun seeing the farm. As soon as winter hits, it will look like a Christmas card.

Tonight’s recipe calls for lots of farm eggs and lots of mushrooms. The farm eggs we have gathered, but the mushrooms are still in their natural environment on the log.

Since the moonlight isn’t what it use to be a few days ago, we thought we’d go by lamplight.

These are a pretty spectacular grouping of Oyster Mushrooms. We’re pleased to have them right outside the house.

We need about 5.5 cups of mushrooms.

Looks like there will be a lot more leftover for another meal.

The horses came running from the pasture and stood behind their protective wooden fence with the large gate opening. I knew something was up.

They had visitors. A nice buck and doe thought they could hang out and share the pasture. All was well until they heard my feet in the leaves and Duke barking at the door.

Which was enough to make them feel unwelcome. I must say, they are graceful animals. Hopefully the horses are not taking notes.