We have another artist at the farm...

So I wrote this post two weeks ago, left it as a draft, then forgot to post it. So here you go! Better late than never...

This summer, I have a great 13-year-old kid helping out with chores once a week. He is amazing: a hard worker who  always has a smile on his face. The goat pens are so clean after he finishes with them that *I* would be happy to sleep in them. And last week, he made art in their supper bowls!!!

Yes, a beautiful and tantalizing mix of dairy ration, cattle starter, goat grain and black oil sunflower seeds. Those goats don't know how lucky they are!

Meanwhile, here's Queen Daphne looking down at her new minion, Bert...

She has somehow muscled her way to the top of the pecking order and is now herd queen. She's not very pleased with Bert, but the other goats are being kinder to him now. He is a surprisingly tough little dude. We are really smitten with him!

But let's not forget this gentle soul...

Saul is very tolerant of my selfies! He really is the sweetest creature. 

And he loves his cats...

...although he does love to nibble tails...

...which, strangely enough, the cats don't usually appreciate!

And look who's still hanging in there...

Tristan has really slowed down this summer and spends a lot of time sleeping, but he seems content. One of his favourite things on earth is Tim Hortons coffee cups with dregs of coffee still in them! And his good buddy Shawn is happy to provide them. Among other things, Shawn looks after our garden and keeps it looking beautiful. He also runs a CSA called Stonefield Acres which is doing great in its first year!

And he is always kind to Tristan. Tristan loves Shawn back.

Meanwhile, down in the goat pasture...

Henry is sleeping with the fishes. Literally, because there are three (no doubt alarmed) goldfish living in the goats' stock tank!

He does have a selection of pig pools, but apparently this one was more enticing! 

The goldfish are in there to eat mosquito larvae and also help keep the water clean.The pig is not helping.

After his refreshing dip, Henry took a mud bath...

If that's not a happy pig, I don't know what is!

And there's Daphne again, keeping an eye on Monty and Bert.

Monty is doing well. He is 5/1/2 months old and is now acting like an ass at times as he enters adolescence, but overall he's doing well and is quite the charmer...

He gets busy at night, barking at coyotes and keeping an eye on things!

Daphne likes to keep an eye on things too!

And here's the other latest addition...

...Patrick the pig! We let him out with the herd for the first time yesterday and he did very well.

I feel pretty lucky to have all these beautiful animals!