Our getaway spot - Jen

We are blessed with a state park that is 20 minutes away from our house, right on Lake Ontario. It is fitted with nice campsites, trails, a modest playground and an AWESOME lighthouse. You know, its one of those places that you live right next to and only go to when out of towners come to visit and you find yourself saying, "Hang on, why don't we come here more often?". Sort of like Niagara Falls but not really cause I hate Niagara Falls. Another blog topic for another day. So that's where we were last weekend, and here are the photos:


Here is the lighthouse, keeper's residence and carriage house.


You are allowed to tour the residence and go up into the lighthouse. These are the circular stairs that take you up to the top. There is also a 3 bedroom living area on the 2nd floor you can rent for $200 a night.












The light. (There is a really nice tour guide that tells you all sorts of interesting facts and data. Which went in my one ear and whistled right out the other. You will have to come out and see it for yourself if you want to know who was the manufacturer of the light, when it was installed, when it stopped being used, etc. I'm also pretty sure there is a more technical name for it other than "the light")



















Andrew, Rich and Will. I am thinking of renaming the boys "Thing one and Thing two" from the Cat in the Hat. Look at the hair! Needless to say I didn't take the picture as I needed both hands to clutch onto the wall of the lighthouse to prevent any accidental falls into the rocky shoal below.


















A nice shot of our camp, see the green tent? That's us.


















This is the start of the hiking trails.


















What is he planning on doing with that tree branch?

The trail leads you to this enchanted oak grove. I was enjoying the peace and quiet and then Will whipped an acorn at my head, so Rich had to put him in a sleeper hold.













Andrew is a unique individual.



















Skipping rocks onto the lake, which was unusually calm that morning.









The bridge was out, but made a cool teeter totter.
































We are going to state fair Wednesday till Sunday. I'm sure will have much to blog on when we get home! Everyone have a nice labor day weekend!

Medina HS Reunion 1983 the sequel - Jen

Well, I did it, went to my 25th reunion, my first one. Had a blast and enjoyed catching up with those that showed up. I tried to get a photo of everyone, but I was becoming a pest, so if I missed someone, sorry - come to the 30th and we'll try again. I can't believe I didn't get a photo of David B. though. Perhaps if he would have stayed in one place for 3 seconds, I would have had the opportunity. Thanks to the organizers, lots of work, it was v. much appreciated.

Medina HS Reunion Class 1983! - Jen

Technically, this is a farm blog. BUT, I had so much fun last night at my reunion mixer, must post photos!!! Didn't get nearly all the photos I wanted of everyone, but I still have tonight, so hopefully will not get too tipsy and end up with all blurs and ceilings!

I have to admit I was a nervous wreck before I got there, but once I walked in the door I felt right at home with the people that I spent 13 years of my life with. Really, your high school class is like family. We shared so much together, good and bad, and we care about each other. Anyways, sappy time is over, on to the photos!!!

Not bad for a bunch of 43 year olds!!!

My best friend from high school, still exactly the same! I haven't seen Lisa for 15 years, but I look forward to my beautiful Christmas card every year. LOVE HER!
Gary and Keith, bellying up to the bar. So great they both made the trip back home.
Isn't Gary a dreamboat! He totally blossomed after high school. And look at me. Prime example of why I always say, "Chin down, ladies!" Ugh, I'm hideous.

Doug Harnish is still hilarious. Great guy, even if he hates the Chargers.

Harold and Beth, kindred spirits still today.

Our Violet is for sale - Rich

Pikehill Violet S25080
DOB 3/23/07
Black Katmoget ewe
Dam: S15816 Painted Knoll Picante Mia
Sire: S20838 Sheltering Pines Birch
AaAa/BBBb/SSS?/M?M?
Micron test date 6/08Ave 24.8, SD 5.9, CV 23.9, CF 82.8
Sell price: $300 (see our website for terms of sale)

Pike Hill Violet has been one of our favorite ewes since we brought her in last summer. She has a unique, and what I would call, very alert carriage, if that makes any sense. She has a “look at me” quality, with both her striking katmoget markings, and the way she carries herself in the pasture. She has an excellent conformation, straight legs, very nice fleece density, and gentle crimp. I wasn’t nuts about the way she was sheared this spring, but her fleece is soft and dense. She has pretty much anything a person would want in a shetland ewe. She may also carry spots and modified coloring. She had an extremely nice ram this year that we will be keeping, so we decided recently to make Violet available. Although, we hadn’t planned on selling her, given the direction we are heading, it probably makes more sense to sell her than to keep her another year or two. Although we’re not sure it’s the right move, we already have quite a few katmoget ewes, and her ram is extremely nice as well. She is a grey katmoget, but carries brown genetics as well.

4h Fair 2008 - Jen

Survived another Niagara county fair last week, still recuperating. We brought 8 shetland sheep this year, probably will never bring that many again, but really wanted to show the variety to our regulars.

Here is Chaya helping me photograph Jasmine. Jasmine will be going to a beautiful farm in Westchester County in October.




Here is Andrew, passed out from all the exertion from the weeks events.
















Andrew and Will again were the only youth showing shetlands, but we have a plan to remedy that next year.

Will was down and out with the flu, but he managed to get through the sheep show without incident. He missed 2 good days of fair, home sick in bed. Bummer as they look forward to fair week all summer.

4h Fair 2008 - Jen

Survived another Niagara county fair last week, still recuperating. We brought 8 shetland sheep this year, probably will never bring that many again, but really wanted to show the variety to our regulars.

Here is Chaya helping me photograph Jasmine. Jasmine will be going to a beautiful farm in Westchester County in October.




Here is Andrew, passed out from all the exertion from the weeks events.
















Andrew and Will again were the only youth showing shetlands, but we have a plan to remedy that next year.

Will was down and out with the flu, but he managed to get through the sheep show without incident. He missed 2 good days of fair, home sick in bed. Bummer as they look forward to fair week all summer.

Yuglet and Smirslet ewe lambs - Jen

I've been asked to post current photos of our black and white twin ewe lambs for sale. One is a yuglet and the other is smirslet with the white ring around her neck. Here they are! The yuglet is at our county fair and the smirslet stayed home, so its hard for visitors to compare the two. Anyways, thought I would just post them for all to enjoy!