CRIA WATCH BEGINS!!!

Well, Cria watch starts again.

Chantilly is exhibitng signs that she is ready to deliver.

Barney is the dad of this one. He is the one in the profile picture. You can't tell from that pic, but he is a gorgeous shade of dark chestnut brown. We are hoping for some color for this cria. Chantilly's first cria was white, but she was bred with Impact who is a very light beige and given that her mom is Caitlin who is well know for throwing white no matter who she is bred with, well, hell, I guess I don't care. I just want the delivery to go well, Chantilly to do well and to have a healthy cria.

Chantilly is the girl on the left in the pic by the hay feeder. She is as big as the side of the barn, LOL! Her mama Caitlin is to her left.

Chantilly is also the one with the cria laying pretty much on her. That is her very first cria, born last November. She proved to be a very good momma.

I would appreciate positive thoughts from my blogger friends on this delivery. After our recent losses, I am scared.

I will say that we have 2 quarts of fresh frozen cow colostrum on hand, fcuk that powdered shit!

Will keep everyone updated.

COOL STUFF IN CHARLES CITY COUNTY!

First thing, I want to thank everyone who visits my little blog for their kindness during the past few very hard weeks. Your kind and supportive words brought tears but helped me so very much!


The pics are from Shirley Plantation here in Charles City County. This plantation is the oldest family owned and operated business in the USA. SOOOO much history at this place that I can't even keep it all straight.

A couple of facts:

Robert E. Lee lived here for a number of years when he was young.

The ladies saved the whole plantation from devastation during the Civil War when the Union troops camped on the property after a battle at Malvern Hill (I believe) by helping the troops with food and care. They hoped that the same care would be accorded to their loved ones if they found themsleves in a like situation. The plantaion was neither burned or looted.

During some really hard times in the early 1900's, the plantation had fallen on hard times and the ladies were looking at losing the whole thing when they had a visitor buy an original painting from the family collection. It was a full length portrait of George Washington. It was okay because "he wasn't family."

That is why Southern Belles are referred to as "Steel Magnolias."


LOL!

SPOT SULLIVAN 3/9/98-11/2/2010

We have had a bad couple of weeks here at Hummingbird Hill Farm.

Yesterday, I had to have my old Dalmation Spot euthanized and after the recent losses of Annie and Aran, it was extremely difficult. However, it was time and he was ready.

He went quickly and peacefully in our van and we brought him home and buried him in a sunny place near the house!

I know my dad was waiting for him.

I have had dogs all my life and, no matter what the situation, the end always rips my heart out, but I would never trade the love, affection and joy that these wonderful beings have brought me during my lifetime for anything.


Godspeed my darling Spot!

GODSPEED BABY ARAN!

We lost little Aran early this morning!

Unfortunately, she did not get the immunities she needed from her mom before she died, and the powdered colostrum didn't help at all. She was doing well, eating and gaining weight, but it seems she got some kind of infection and didn't have the ability to fight it.

She is now with her mother!

BACK IN TOUCH!

Things have been really crazy around here this past week. In addition to taking care of the new orphan which means feeding every 2-3 hours around the clock, we had out of town company for four days. We really enjoyed seeing them, but it was a bit challenging to make sure they had a good time and also take care of the Aran. I think we were successful.

The pics are from the last week.

Godspeed to our girl CPHA Anastasia! She was such a good girl and an excellent mom. We are waiting the results of the necropsy because this was so unexpected and tragic.

Baby Aran is doing well and Dancer, the big brown and white female has taken her under her wing, she will let Aran snuggle up to her at night. Bless Dancer's mommy heart!

I have also enclosed some pics from the show. Please ignore the fat woman with the cute pacas. We did pretty well and learned alot and made some more really wonderful contacts.

We are thinking of showing in Lexington again in March.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW CRIA, SURPRISE!!

These are a few pics from today of our surprise cria. She was not due for about 3 weeks. Her official name is Hummingbird Hill Araon (pronounced Erin). My daughter and her best friend did a great job as we were still at the show. Unfortunately, her Mom had some complications later, and did not make it.

I will post some more later.

OPEN HOUSE PICTURE FAIL!!!

I was going to have some pictures of the Open House we had at the farm on Sunday, but the camera went missing. We did eventually find it, but by that time, it was mostly over. There were a couple of our guests who were taking pictures and hope to get a few of them sent.

It was a wonderful day though. The weather was very cooperative, sunny and about 80 degrees with a light breeze. I had lots of good food and plenty of beverages and about 75 people came.

We enjoyed introducing everyone to our alpacas and even had some scarves, gloves, socks and hats that were made from paca fiber to show people and to sell.

Gracie got lots of good belly rubbings and the horses got plenty of attention and treats.

We leave tomorrow for Lexington, VA for the 2010 Virginia Alpaca Owners and Breeders Expo. We will be showing 3 of our babies, Clare, Kerry and Killa. We were going to be taking Tip as well, but his hind end still isn't 100% after his recent illness.

I WILL have pictures!!