Schoonover Farm Blog

Halloween 2026

Posted on November 1, 2026 by Donna

This holiday was muted due to Diddley’s death. But I still tried to celebrate. In the days before Halloween, it was getting spookier. The moon on Tuesday certainly qualified.

On Thursday early morning Louella confronted a spooky creature out back.

Later that morning doing chores, I admired the trees colors behind our pastures. Very autumnal.

Tom had told me that Jameson was growing small horns. I was able to feel them that morning. We shall see what size horns he ends up with. So far you can’t see them.

Thursday afternoon I went to visit Mom and Al. We played a fun board game, had dinner, and I picked up some house plants that she was wanted to get rid of. Friday evening after work I was able to position them in our house. Hopefully they like it here.

So finally on Halloween, I found time to carve a pumpkin and a turnip. I used a Spincycle pumpkin carving template for the pumpkin.

The turnip is obviously free-style. But I think he is cute.

I added them to the other decorations and lit a lot of candles.

We ate Jack-O-Lantern quesadillas for dinner and then watched spooky movies while eating candy. The movies were Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956).

It was a nice Halloween despite the sadness of losing Diddley. I hope you had a nice spooky holiday as well.

P.S. Earlier in the week we had Garlic-Butter Roasted Chicken for dinner which was amazing!

Diddley 2010-2016

Posted on October 31, 2026 by Donna

Diddley died today. As I have said before, he is my favorite sheep (but Tom’s least favorite. My all-time favorite sheep (personality-wise) was Bob, and both were progeny of Babette, a friendly grey Shetland ewe and one of my original sheep. He had been walking and eating less, enjoying hanging out in the barn. I worked yesterday, but Tom said he was walking around outside and ate well. This morning it looked like he was sleeping in his spot in the barn but wasn’t. I don’t see any signed of struggle so hopefully he passed away peaceful in his sleep and there was no pain or suffering. It seems appropriate that this black sheep might die on Halloween. But it is also National Hug a Sheep Day which seems particularly cruel. Here I am participating with Diddley 9 years ago.

Anyway, Diddley was born April 20, 2010 as one of two black krunet Shetland ram lambs. I named them Bo and Diddley. Their parents were my ram Lewis and my ewe Mona. Bo was sold to Denise and renamed Chone, but Diddley remained here his whole life. Here are photos of him from over the years.

Diddley & Hodor

Diddley on stepping stones

He started losing his teeth.

snowy Diddley

Diddley being sheared 03/21

I did have Diddley depicted on my Jocko spinning wheel for which I am grateful.

I will miss this sheep so much. He was always incredibly nice to me, looking for my attention and food. He was jealous though and didn’t like me paying attention to others. He did butt Piper once which I was shocked by. But it may have been a jealousy thing. And he wasn’t very nice to Tom either. The barn will never be the same.

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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.