Mothering Up + Storey Homesteading Book Giveaway

Do you know the term "mothering up?" I didn't until I heard it on Sweetgrass that amazing SHEEP Movie I told you about about a month ago. I knew it happens every evening when dusk arrives and the lamb races are over but I just didn't know the word for it. The lambs look for their mamas, have a drink of milk and then lie down next to them. It's almost like bedtime story hour for lambs. 

I've been feeding the bottle lambs every evening around 7 p.m. I'm all alone with ALL the sheep. It's rather peaceful in a mildly chaotic way - sheep and lambs all around and the only ones that are worried about the food are my noisy crew of eight who don't have mamas. I'm down to twice a day and truth be told, 4 of them should be off of the milk. But I'm babying them, what can I say?

We've got another bit of mothering going on here...... The day after our wonderful mama cat Lily Pons passed from the world, her 3 year old daughter Annika had her first litter of kittens. I didn't think she could have babies since she was yet to have a litter. Quite a miracle of nature... one cat passes and the next day, 4 beautiful little kittens arrive. She is doing an awesome job. 

There are 3 beautiful fluffy medium haired black and white patchy kittens and one classic striped short haired tiger kitten with a white chest like her mom. They are at the incredibly cute stage right now! We are having lots of cuddling fun with all of them. Lots of kitten photos to come. If you are interested in a kitten, please email me. They will be ready to go to their new homes just around Easter.

 I call this one "the intrepid explorer." Have you heard that quote from Jules Champfleury?  "There is no more intrepid explorer than a kitten." It is rather perfect.

 

Today's blogiversary giveaway comes to you via the fine folks at Storey Publishing. Storey is what I would consider the top "homesteading" publisher in the USA. They do many, many different kinds of books - cooking, baking, animal husbandry, crafts, knitting, healthy living, and more. Their books are clearly written, full of vital how-to information, and great photos. I have been lucky to have them publish two books of mine - Colorful Stitchery and Kristin Knits. This giveaway is awesome:

Bread Making - I've spent lots of time making bread this winter. This book looks fab.

Chick Days - you all need chicks this year, don't you?

Maple Sugar - that sweet stuff that is running at full tilt here in western Massachusetts

Put Em Up - making that garden produce of this summer last until next winter

The Backyard Homestead - everything you need to know for homesteading in the country, the suburbs or the city

 

Here's how to enter:  Answer the following question in the comments by Saturday evening at midnight..... I'll announce the winner on Monday morning. Contest is Closed. 

Question: What is the one new thing you want to learn or do this upcoming summer? It doesn't need to be a homesteading thing - it can be anything. 

Please don't forget to leave an easy way to get a hold of you! Good luck everyone!

Added Monday April 4, 2011....The winner is Jessica who said:  I need to start learning how to knit lace! (what can I say, I'm scared!) Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! And for all the baby animals! Pretty much made my day :)

Thanks so much for entering everyone!