Quick and easy broccoli and cheese soup

1. Boil broccoli
2. Drain
3. Add Alfredo sauce

Eat!

Seriously it tastes just like broccoli and cheese soup.

The buck stops here

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-buck-starts-here.html?m=1

Bringing a buck that needs fed 365 days a year to breed just 2 goats once a year? Interesting game plan.

Wonder if he's proven?

Also, quarantining new livestock is always a good idea.  Hope the missing hair isn't caused by a parasite or other contagious condition.

Adding up the "pay it forward" account

I'm ending the donation window on December 1st.

If you'd like to "right a wrong" or simply give to heifer international  please send your donation to via PayPal to:

Meredithamonson@gmail.com

All those in favor (who donated) to "send a girl to school" say so or make an alternative suggestion!

Way to go you all!

Shot by my great grandparents

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are your plans?

Free Ranging Chickens

Does it work for you?

Why? Why not?

When I had chickens in Bluemont, VA I couldn't free range safely unless I was outside or very active between inside and out.

I lost my first chicken to a hawk and the rest to a fox or coyote. I replenished my little flock but hated having to keep them in a fort knox enclosure. They paced and paced wanting out. I eventually got lax and allowed them to free range and I lost that group as well. All were killed during the day.

To have chickens they'd have to be kept enclosed. I was in the midst of building a chicken tractor when I ditched poultry/had the house fire.

I miss having chickens and am considering getting a trio in the spring if zoning allows.

So for me free ranging was too dangerous.  I now purchase eggs from those who can safely free range their chickens.

Free ranging pigs?

I've never seen free range pigs before.

Raised outdoors, yes.

Free range...not so much.

Electric fences equal NOT free to range.

Its like saying chickens in chicken tractors are free range.  Not so much.

Manipulative marketing.

Name that tool?!

Let's play a game...name that tool!

Blow this up!

You think they were going to blow up no evidence of abuse or neglect?

Loudoun County Animal Services was formulating a plan of action when higher ups had the case closed with no charges filed. 

They don't deny abuse, just trust it won't continue.

That is stated in a recorded conversation.

For every claim and allegation I have evidence to confirm my statements.

Fact check.2

All of these correspondences are available on The Truth Behind Ayrshire Farms Facebook page.

It's not my opinion. It's fact!

Fact v Fiction

Fact checking is invaluable.

Yellowstone Super Volcano

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2014/08/28-funded.html?m=1

Pledge, this basically has to happen.

"If the Yellowstone Super Volcano errupts before this is possible, I'm sorry and all bets are off. That's the biggest risk. Short of that, this basically has to happen. I can't not publish book at such a high investment from loyal readers. You will get your story!"

That's the spirit?!

"That advance goes towards the author making a living so a roof remains over her head while she writes about people losing theirs...."

Did the Yellowstone Super Volcano erupt?

From Scratch Magazine

I sent this via a Facebook message back in February to From Scratch magazine.

I sent another message today.

What a shame to compromise the integrity and credibility of their magazine.

It's now a trashed publication.

Meredith Amonson

Please reconsider Jenna woginrich from cold antler farm as an.award winner who you will highlight in a magazine. Jenna Woginrich has a long history of defrauding individuals of their money through her CSA programs, her Cold Antler Clan subscription, and her Webinar subscriptions. She takes money and does not follow through with products. Many have contacted the Attorney General and pursuing justice and compensation in small claims court. As a farmer I would also like to comment on her poor animal husbandry practices leading to ethic consequences for the animals on her farm. The mortality rate on her farm due to accidents and untreated illnesses are quite high and there are also.incidencesof not providing urgent humane urbanization when necessary.

Here is a blog dedicated to the individuals Jenna has defrauded and their quest for justice.

http://coldantlersham.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-sham-that-is-cold-antler.html?m=1

The integrity and credibility of your publication is at risk by supporting Jenna Woginrich and Cold Antler Farm.

Thank you,

Meredith

Feb 2

Blue Ridge Mountains

First Verse 
Somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains, far above the sad blue sea, somewhere there's a heart that's yearning, that is where I long to be. In my dreams you're near and yet so far, I'll come back to where you are.

Second Verse 
I can see the love light gleaming, guiding me along the way to a little lonely cabin where I'll be with you for aye. As we sit beside the cabin door, I'll sing this refrain once more.

Chorus 
I'm on my way back to you, like the mountains, dear, I know you're blue. Tho' the road is hard and long, still my love has grown so strong that I'd follow you the whole world through. Where the mountains and the skies above are bluer, I will find someone I know is truer than skies above, pretty mountains rose, doll up in your gingham clothes, I'm goin' to climb the Blue Ridge Mountains back to you.

Sometimes there is no tomorrow

I'm going through emails and creating files concerning Ayrshire Farm.

I stumbled across what I haven't been able to face.

I've never revisited my last exchanges with Eddie.

My cell phone was broken so we were emailing.

He died that night.

There was no tomorrow.

I haven't been able to face these emails.

Never settle for less than someone who is chomping at the bit to see you.

My beloved trio

Adhering linoleum

#amonson

Proud of my roots

Sandy Lerner - guilty on all charges

Want a little back info on Ayrshire Farm owner Sandy Lerner?

Google Urban Decay Holmes v. Lerner

This will give you an idea of what an evil vindictive law breaking corrupt heartless woman Sandy Lerner is and has been.

Soon the Ayrshire Farm Animal cruelty case will be another loss in court for Sandy Lerner.

It's worth it

Exposing the truth is worth being ignored.

Exposing the truth is worth being laughter at.

Exposing the truth is worth fighting for.

What breed?

I'm curious what breed or mix breed of pig this is?

I'm going to send an email to Heifer International for more info.

The little things

May all creatures have the ability to take comfort in a warm sun spot.

Lots of nails!

Ins and outs of flooring

Linoleum is going down in the bathroom.

It's been exposed boards until. Now...NOT good for a bathroom where things get wet.  In the midst of a remodel other things took priority and it went on the back burner.

I essentially haven't had kitchen or bathroom flooring since I moved in.

This week the underlayment was cut to fit the (not square) bathroom.  I  helped nail it down.

The linoleum was roughly measured then cut to fit.  We have yet to adhere it to the floor.

Once that's done on to the kitchen which will be laminate hardwood.

Fun fun.

Are you kidding me?!

Wtf?!

Rodan + Fields skin care products

Has anyone used R+F skin care products?

These expression lines drive me crazy.

I've heard positive things about this company.

I never thought I'd be a consultant type but am considering it based on the results I've seen.

I have serious "wtf?!" and "are you kidding me?!" lines.

Amazing!

Animals are so resilient.

Just call me Mrs Moses

Littles and Cali

There's Sadie

I have a couch!

I'm not sure who is more excited, the dogs or me.

The rust orange actually works for me. The throw pillows are from my mom and they've been sitting in a basket until now.

Its awesome having a spot other than ones bed to lounge. All the dogs enjoy it, especially cali who loves to look out windows.

Oh the irony

Mirror Mirror on the wall

Sometimes the scariest thing is one's own reflection.

Who you hurt in a fantasy is actually hurting in reality.

You can't run away from yourself.

My favorite new quote from a comedian (need to look it up for credit) is "there's no statute of limitations on the truth."

That means you can't run from yourself. Your truth won't allow it.

Live a life that makes you proud of your reflection.

Its not always easy but it's always worth it.

Sustainable Giving

This is an amazing alternative to Heifer International and who is i will support in the future!

http://awfw.org/gifts/

Plants-4-Hunger is our campaign that feeds people without harming animals.

Instead of using a “gift-pig” as food from a group like Heifer International, your gift will support on-the-ground, animal-free hunger relief projects.

We raised $12,240 in 2014 in addition to our on-going grants. Our four hand-picked programs are detailed below.

We send 100% of donations to these groups that provide both immediate assistance and long-term community solutions.

Plenty International works with agricultural experts to grow and distribute three varieties of non-gmo soybeans to farming families.

Their Karen’s Nutrition Program works with Guatemalan women to improve the nutrition of undernourished children living in extreme poverty at the Guatemala City landfill.

Local women’s groups produce enough fortified bakery foods and soy milk to distribute to 400 children living at the dump site and to sell for other expenses.

Ethical Choices Program

A great program working with our young people to develop compassion, integrity, and ethics through outreach and awareness.

Take a look!

http://www.ethicalchoicesprogram.org/

Heifer International

Lets right a wrong.

There is a special 12 year old girl with a love of farming that was wronged.

Together I'm asking you all to help right a wrong.

The plan?

Pledge a monetary amount in the comments that will be gifted to this child so she in turn can truly help someone in need to get a farming operation off the ground.

Do not pledge if you do not intend to fulfil your promise.

Pledge and PayPal that amount to Meredithamonson@gmail.com

Lets see how much we can raise in 30 days.

At the end I will PayPal all funds to grandma for her precious granddaughter to pick how she would like to donate based on the Heifer International catalog.

#monkeypigs

I do have an agenda with a capital A...and Y, R, S, H, I, R, and E.

https://www.facebook.com/ayrshirefarmabuse

Btw, littles is down to 3 more prednisone pills to be taken every other day.

His back right leg is paralyzed. I have to prop him to pee. He can somewhat walk but that leg drags and the foot bends backwards.

He is alive and pain free so I'm grateful.

PSA

All opinions are welcome here.

I can't guarantee everyone or even anyone will agree with you as others comments are welcome too!

I don't screen comments before they are published.

I don't berate or diminish those who post anonymously.

I don't delete comments (aside from duplicates).

An open forum is a fair forum.

I don't own the internet. I don't pay blogger for this service. I simply host a blog. Allowing everything and anything in terms of opinions is only fair.

Please don't get offended if your opinion is unpopular. Defend it!

Food Alliance fraud

Yet another untrustworthy certification label.

For more information:

https://www.facebook.com/ayrshirefarmabuse

Where is my award?

Per Jenna Woginrich

Drove home from a dinner party in my 1989 Ford F-150 in 2 inch heels. Where is my award?

9:22pm - 14 Nov 15

She drove to a party wearing shoes and wants an award?

What would be most fitting...Nobel peace prize? A Grammy? Golden Globe? An Oscar?

Good grief Jenna...LOOK at all these comments. You have a HUGE audience. You could be making a real name for yourself and creating a true brand and profiting off your land, creativity, and imagination if you applied yourself!

People are watching this life you are voluntarily publicizing. Take advantage of it...not them.

The people tweets like that are trying to impress wear 3 inch heels to the office daily and drove 1989 and beyond vehicles all through the 80s, 90s, etc.

No one gets it.

You want an award for going to a party?

Fencing

Look at this cool machine uses for fence post holes!

I know a bit about temporary electric fences but nothing about permanent fencing.

Today I got quite a lesson as we prepare for the yaks.

Want to help?

Send an email.

Why were charges not filed against Ayrshire Farm?

Loudoun County Animal Services was provided dated photos of pigs proven to be located at Ayrshire Farm in horrific conditions with NO medical attention or veterinary care within the statute of limitations of this crime.

Please email Loudoun County Animal Services Director Nina Stively, Loudoun County Attorney Leo Rogers and Commonwealth Attorney Jim Plowman and ask why charges have not been brought.

Nina.Stiveky@Loudoun.gov
Leo.Rogers@Loudoun.gov
Jim.plowman@Loudoun.gov

In a recorded meeting the County and Commonwealth don't deny abuse occurs but trust abuse will not continue in the future.

If abuse isn't denied why weren't charges brought?

Sugar Free

My aunt and cousin and I are going sugar free for 30 days.

We are half way.

There may have been a small handful of cheats but that's it!

Sugar in random things are ok...like bread, but no straight up sweets.

I put sugar free hot chocolate mix in my coffee, though that's a bit suspect.

Its crazy how the body does start to shift its cravings (though I've been craving Chinese for months and no amount of Ramen will satiate that desire!).

I'm down from 170 to 160 but want to drop another 20. I'm not really active outside of work which is making dropping weight really difficult.

I need to see about Medicaid and try my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome med to figure out if my tolerance has lowered since I've been off it for 6+ months.

I long to walk or even run.

It doesn't help the dog's can't go long distances anymore, but I do have the cart I can push them in.

Anyone want to do a 30 minute daily exercise challenge with me?

Advertising

I'm not sure how advertising works on blogger but if anyone has businesses I'd be interested in potentially linking to your websites via an ad.

Let me know.

Meredithamonson@gmail.com

Diarrhea and Drooling

Calis not feeling well.

The symptoms appear to be a parasite.  I think I'm ruling out poisoning.

I'd take her to the vet for a fecal but doubt they'd be able to collect anything with how runny her stool is.

The older man who owns the building we live in (he lives in the other upstairs apartment) has a day nurse.  She called to say the dogs were barking which is unusual and she peeped in and saw the mess. I came home and am I ever glad I did.

Unfortunately I missed a job fair at a local ski lodge, thought security might be an enjoyable outside winter job. I'll contact them later.

Crazy that Sadie is my oldest going blind, deaf, and senile yet the other 2 are my recent health scares.

Littles appears to be moving in the right direction but it still on meds.

I need to get all these dogs up to snuff!

Today's task

Take apart electrical outlets and switches.

I love using a drill.

This was a fun few hours.

Delicious Tofurkey

I LOVE this on bread with mayo.

This is so amazing. I could eat a package a day.

Next purchase...vegan mayo.

Eddie

All of Eddies clothes are in my trailer.

The comfort and smiles they bring are immeasurable.

I'm so glad I didn't listen to the advice of others and let it all go.

Grieve at your own pace!

Follow your instincts.

For those who are newer to this blog, Eddie Todd was my best friend boyfriend who died in a car accident April 19 2014.

Word Processing

Does blogger have auto correct?

I only blog from my phone which obviously does.

Does blogger used from a computer have auto correct?

http://coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com/2015/11/cold-mornings-good-dogs.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed&m=1

Writes eyes means ewes.

Writes trailers means trainers.

I suspect little miss I don't have a cell phone is blogging on a smart phone.

Father and son

Alpaca break

Operation reclaim wood

Slowly filling up the trailer

Operation reclaim corncrib wood

Good fencing

Jenna Woginrich ‏@coldantlerfarm

Moved sheep across several properties & back home safe with a sheepdog named Gibson. A good farm dog is worth his weight in kinder hippos.

A dog doing the fences job.

Interesting approach.

Good fencing is key!

Littles update

I'll post it in the comments if this uploads.  I have several "uploading" updates stuck in blogger!

Can you be proud?

Of someone who doesn't have a college degree?

Someone who doesn't have a job?

Someone who has a criminal record?

Etc.

YES!

I suspect Jennas mom is ignored unless she posts on Facebook. What Jenna does to the people she owes money to, she does to her Mom.

Balance

It's all about balance.

Is forsaking financial security for a life you love worth loving?

I envy those who can profit off their life calling and true love.

I certainly haven't figured how to profit off truly humanely raised pigs. In our commercial market I think it is insanely difficult to do especially starting from scratch.

This week I passed a sign for a jewelry store that said "compromise on everything but the ring"

It's one extreme of the other!

My dream is to be the first generation of a family farm.  Come on partner...where are you?!

Fact

There is no statute of limitations on the truth.

There's truth in every jest.

I think that's fairly accurate.

This was a statement from a friend addressing my sometimes incredibly sarcastic comments.

At first I denied that it may be true...but found there was a fraction of truth in every comment.

Those thoughts stem from somewhere in the psyche.

Thumbs up!

Chaining and hauling logs.

Next to working with pigs it's probably my favorite physical activity...and gardening of course.

10 things

I used to be obsessed with horses, from my first lesson at age 10 until college I rode almost daily.

I was a working student through age 15 and when I got my license worked at horse farms before and after high school.

I started riding at Belclare Farm in Stewartsville, NJ where I met my core group of girl friends. It was crushing when I moved to VA at 15. In VA most people that rode had their own barns and horses, there wasn't the community I was used to. Fox hunting also rules Loudoun County which was foreign to me.

I'll get back into horses one day.

Littles

Six years ago I pulled a little white bug eyed Chihuahua from a shelter in Spalding GA where they still gassed their dogs.  He was a rescue only because of his temperament.

I had him brought up on a transport in January of 2009 intending just to foster him. I went to reach for him out of the crate where I met the transport van and he tried to bite.  I had to shake him out of his crate like salt shaker to get him out. He was emaciated terrified and full of fleas.

I took him home and bathed him in  the sink at the horse  barn where there was warm water to get rid of the fleas before introducing him to Cali and Sadie.  After I got him in the house he took right to me. I was his.

Because of how terrified he is of strangers and his willingness to bite when cornered I decided to keep him. Out of 50+ foster dogs he was my only "foster fail".  I don't generally name my foster dogs. They are referenced by their gender or breed as I know people will change their names but will always default and say good boy or good girl. It would be familiar.

Littles was how i referred him at first and it stuck. This picture is from 2009.

Interestingly enough a bad break up with a guy named John prompted me to bandaid my heart with a distraction...Littles needed me and I needed him.

Talk about foreshadowing. Another silent John. The first one 6 years ago broke up with me by simply never talking to me again after we departed per usual one morning. As in I never heard from him again ( until 2 years later when he apologized and I gave him a second chance....and after 8 months of dating he did it again! Haven't spoken to him since).

Coward.

The both of them.

Blessings

Feeling blessed.

Thank you for the support everyone.

I'll continue to keep you all updated.

What an extraordinary source of strength you all have been. I am blessed to know you through this blog.

Through the uncertainty of what is happening with Littles my heart extends further to those who have recently lost pets, due to injury, age, and accidents. Pets are so important.

May we all provide each other with even a fraction of the comfort our animals have brought or bring us.

Love you all!

Fyi...I no longer have the bf. Couldn't make it through thick and thin.

We have pee!

Yesterday Littles peed for the first time since Friday night.

I was beginning to get worried and was googling expressing bladders and trying to figure out a way to pay for a vet visit today if he still hadn't gone.

He peed! So exciting.

Unfortunately it was all over my bed hitting every blanket, sheet, mattresses cover, and dog bed around. Fortunately I was blessed to have my mom in town for a sister's weekend (her twin lives about 25 minutes from me). My mom came over just before the monumental urine stream all over my bed. I was so happy but nauseous at the enormous task of how to launder it all. My place has a itty bitty washer that 95% of the urine soaked items wouldn't fit.

My mom swiftly packed up the bedding while cradled Littles in joyful but overwhelming tears and soon enough we were at the laundry mat. $40 and several machines later all my items were clean and dry.

We came home after a run to the Dollar Store for a plastic  shower curtain and puppy pads. I had a plan.

Fast forward to this morning and Littles peed on my bed again. This time the puppy pad in his dog bed caught most of the urine. A few drops landed on a sheet that's on top of the shower curtain over my mattress.

All I have to launder is the sheet and I can do that here!

I still need to learn to express his bladder so I can empty it on a schedule so he doesn't soil himself and have to sit in it when I'm not home.

He is going to pull through...I have faith. Time will tell. On day 4 the steroids become leas frequent and will be an indicator of progress.

For now he's comfortable and doing well. He is either crated or sitting in a dog bed lounging....or laying next to me in his dog bed on my bed. He doesn't willfully want to move unless I'm eating and he wants to beg. I have to eat while he's crated or he'll try to pull himself over.

Oooh Littles!

Thanks for your well wishes everyone.