Schoonover Farm Blog

Rugs, Teddy, and the Farm

Posted on October 27, 2026 by Donna

The felted fleece rugs are ready for sale. I call them rugs, but some people have used them on chairs to sit on, on their laps for warmth, and even as a shawl. They are pictured on a 6′ x 3 ‘ table to get an idea about size. I have photographed both the lock and felted sides. They are $150 each and are a great gift giving idea. This is from wool from Wendel,

from Vanessa,

from Bambam,

and from Harlen. Let me know if you are interested or have any questions.

Teddy is getting used to us. He follows me wherever I go but enjoys running around the farm.

We have bought all kinds of toys, chewing items, and licking devices, and he doesn’t seem interested in any of it. We did get Ryeleigh yet another Mr. Bill so she is happy.

I made myself a Clover Club cocktail Sunday evening before a work shift. I even made my own raspberry syrup. It was pretty and tasty.

There was a pretty full moon coming up over the barn last evening. Once again the iPhone photo doesn’t do it justice.

This morning doing chores I found our bronze turkey hen is laying eggs. I found a turkey egg the other day and wasn’t sure what was happening. I have 3 eggs now so I have started incubating them. My egg turner wasn’t working so I have ordered another one. We shall see what happens.

I moved the cows to their winter field today. Usually we have been feeding hay since mid October, but none so far this year. It feels weird. Sonja was excited to be back with the street cleaner brush again.

All of the cows appreciated the fresh grass.

The pumpkins I tried to carve with the grandkids names have ripened. Other squash has been ripening next to the wood stove in the trailer as well. So I dealt with all of them today.

I also pressed the quince with some Barland pears and stray apples. That is the extent of the farming I have accomplished this week.

P.S. I finished this little book. It is the book I have long been looking for as it describes how the indigenous people here harvested, preserved and prepared the local food sources including fish, seafood, game, fruits, vegetables and condiments. There is even a description of a feast. I am looking forward to trying these recipes.

P.P.S. I voted and hope you have too. If not, please do. The voices of the people affected by government actions need to be heard.

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Farming with Ted

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Donna

I had to work Friday, the day after we got Teddy. There was a pretty sunrise behind the dahlias that a neighbor grows on my way to work.

Tom sent me this photo of him checking out the garage.

On Saturday, we did the chores. Teddy is really good about staying out of the barnyard. The Ancona hens are so active. They get into everything if they get a chance.

Here he is watching me doing the chores. Sometimes he looks a lot like Vanessa, like in this photo.

Now he looks more like himself.

I’ve been working on the garden, cleaning up. It is looking better.

I believe this is the weed that has been hindering my plants. Hopefully I can come up with a better strategy next year to keep it under better control.

We found Wally on the garage roof and hollering that she couldn’t get down. Tom got a ladder and saved her. Roscoe was missing.

Sunday I did chores so Tom could working on pressing apples for cider. I was admiring Jameson’s hairdo.

The birds were enjoying the sunbeams in the barn.

I did stop to admire the peacock in the sunshine.

Here are some of the apples that Tom was pressing.

While I was working more in the garden, there was a commotion and then I saw Ted chasing Wally across the backyard. She ended up halfway up a tree. Later she was out of the tree, but we didn’t see her again. And Roscoe was still missing. So I was pretty worried about how this was working out introducing Ted and alienating our cats.

I did make Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Muffins using one of our Winter Luxury pumpkins. They turned out really well.

Monday we spent doing Fall Sheep and Goat maintenance. This involves catching each of them and putting them on the shearing stand. I check their conditions and trim their hooves while Tom gave them copper boluses. It was a lot of work. Plus I trimmed the extra wool off of Vanessa, our paralyzed sheep. I wasn’t able to finish, but I got most of it off. I still have Diddley and Bambam to trim too.

Monday Wally came back home so I was thrilled. I hadn’t slept well worrying about both of the cats. Then Tuesday Tom found Roscoe by the woodpile out front. So we moved both cats into the house and locked them in. The thought was that they will get used to the dog this way, rather than run away and hide.

Today with chores, I noticed the peacock tail feathers spread out in the hay loft.

Wally has been hiding in the bedroom, and Roscoe has been sitting in the living room. But the problem is they are not using the kitty litter box, and it has been over a day. So where are they going?

So this afternoon, I opened up the cat window and back door so they could go outside again. Hopefully they realize that the dog isn’t too scary, and they can come in again for petting and food. I am hoping this will all work out.

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Teddy

Posted on October 15, 2026 by Donna

We wanted to wait until our grief about Steve had settled and the summer vacations were over before looking for a new dog. Then we had William’s hospital stay as well. But then I started looking at the Skagit Humane Society page more closely. We visited once looking for a dog without success. I signed up for alerts for lab dogs at the shelter and yesterday got this notice.

I was working today, but Tom went, visited and said he was the only dog not barking there. And he seemed friendly, sniffing his hand. I went by after work and took him out to their dog area for a meeting. He was obviously really nervous.

But he seemed to get a little more comfortable and definitely enjoyed being petted.

I called Tom, and we decided to adopt him. While I was waiting I found our tile there commemorating our deceased pets. This is from a while ago because we have a lot more deceased pets now.

Here is Teddy after I got him into my car in their parking lot.

And here he is as we arrived in our driveway.

Now he’s in the front yard looking somewhat nervous.

Raleigh is being standoffish with a fluffy tail.

We have a Seahawks game to watch so he came in with us. He was initially staying really close.

Tom seems to love him already (as do I).

In head profile, he looks a little like our dog Vanessa. She was my all time favorite dog (sorry Steve- I loved you too!).

I pulled out the wine glass that Tom got me for Christmas. I have had a hard time using it because Steve died 5 days after Christmas, it says “pet the dogs”, and we didn’t have plural dogs anymore. It always made me sad when I pulled it out. But now we have plural dogs again!

He is starting to get more comfortable.

Wally is taking it all in stride. She even chased him around the house once. Roscoe is quite upset, hissing and spitting even when he isn’t close. So far he is quite respectful of them and the beagle.