Saturday, November 13, 2010

Donkey Days

The blue skies and abundant sunshine this past week provided some quality outdoor time for the donkeys who altered their usual habit of feeding in the lower pasture, for a day in the vegetable garden--the last vestige of summer, and in its current condition, a harbinger of winter. It's a win-win situation. The donkeys will eat the garden remains and simultaneously help clear it for the winter. 
Elmer and Cherry Cola
I'm pretty sure they weren't thinking anything of the sort when the forbidden garden gate was opened, cautiously approaching it, as if they couldn't believe their eyes. "The gate is open. Is this for real?" 

Andy enjoying weeds and withering zinnias
They wiped out two rows of corn this year when the garden gate was mistakenly left open. And the husband was none too happy about it when he returned and found them having a field day, lazily munching on the corn and stomping tomato plants. As Samuel Donkey and his cohorts were rushed from the garden, that day, Sam was caught leaving with a corn stalk in his mouth. Nothing like take-out. Corn stalks to go. 


Otis enjoying a donkey salad
Samuel Donkey, does that taste good?

Does anyone see Cherry Cola?

It was a great day for the donkeys and a great day for us.  They got to enjoy the leftovers while doing the lion's share of the work and we got lots of donkey love and great pictures.

They ate until late in the evening and went to sleep that night with full bellies and happy hearts.






Today we are linking with Angela at  West Virginia Treasures.  Check out all the wonderful animals shared on her Tuesday Show and Tail.  She has a wonderful blog about a Wild and Wonderful State.

Hee Haw, 

41 comments:

Tete said...

Your donkeys are so sweet. It's good when they can help out in the garden, too. They probably thought it was their Thanksgiving dinner..LOL
They look so healthy and clean. I like Andy's spots. Just too cute.
Hugs- Tete

Jennifer said...

Awe...I love this post! Great way to get help clearing out the garden...what a chore!

Heritage Farm Village said...

ok, now haul them to the big man garden...your uncles just brush hogged the garden yesterday! such sweet little faces, amy, give them each a big hug for me! jill

Sharon said...

The donkeys were working and didn't even know it! Good for them and good for you!

Anonymous said...

I think donkeys are so cute. I remember Nester the donkey who carried Mary..the cartoon. Oh my I cried and cried over Nester the long eared Christmas Donkey.

Anonymous said...

I just read about your house, barn, and bear cage......the history is awesome. The pool and best of all the rose garden...this is what dreams are made of. wowow

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Amy, I love those pictures of the donkeys! They are so multi-purpose..:)JP

Pondside said...

My goats would be in goat heaven!
The donkeys have such sweet faces. We once rented a gate house on a Main Line estate. Our landlady had donkeys and I came to love them. Who knows...there may be donkeys at Pondside one day.

TexWisGirl said...

I think that's even better than goats mowing the yard! :) How cute and helpful!

Jill said...

You also get free fertilizer! Ha. I just let my donkey and mini mules into my pumpkin patch for cleaning duties. My donkey, May, did quite a bit of damage to my pumpkin crop when the fence charger stopped working earlier this summer. Your donkeys are absolutely adorable!

Farm Girl said...

I really do love your donkeys! I like that you let them have such a good chomp around the garden. I do miss having animals to eat the leftovers.
Glad you are home now, I hope you have a very pleasant weekend hanging out with all of your beautiful animals.

Unknown said...

Corn to go, huh? I would be ticked too but it creates a funny picture in my mind! : )

~Andrea~

Country Gal said...

OMG ! They are sooo cute , I have always love the minitures, ponies, donkey's, herefords, goats, Thats what we are slowly striving for, a Hobby farm of mini's and two horses for hubby and I to ride. Have a great day

Terry said...

What a smart idea! The donkeys are very cute.

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping over at MommHen's coop!! So glad to have ya, hope you come back!!

Maureen said...

Talk about an efficient system! Your mowing crew is awfully cute too!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

What handsome donkeys. Do they let you pet them? Or are they timid and skittish. Wish I could live on a farm. I think you must have way too much fun at your farm.

Razzberry Corner said...

The donkeys are happy and full tonight!

Visit The Farm said...

Amy ~ this really inspires me to add mini donkeys to our Farm family! I wonder what they'd look like next to our Clydesdale, Goliath?! Thanks for the adorable pics!

Laura @ Our Wee Farm said...

I'm so glad you found me, because now I've found you! I LOVE your donkeys, they're just gorgeous, and your cottage is very similar to ours, so if course, I love it too. :) xx

Laura @ Our Wee Farm said...

that should have been "OF" course.

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

How fun for them... and I'd take help clearing out the garden any day!
Chris

Vintage Country Girl said...

You have the cutest animals ever! Good idea about letting them "finish off" the garden. Our chickens do it for us!

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Ohhh, those lucky donkeys! They can come to our garden next, they'll have a hay day!

Melodie said...

That is the same way we clear out our garden! It means less work for me,happy critters and some free fertilizer to boot!

Lisa said...

I can picture the happy carryout customer now. Thanks for making me smile this morning. As someone who supervises a Carryout, I love a happy customer. lol.

John Going Gently said...

blue skies
I am jelous
x

Karen Thomason/Gordon Setter Crossing said...

Hee Haw Hee Haw........I love it!

Inger said...

Your donkeys are adorable! I just love donkeys so much and yours must be sooo happy after all those treats.--Inger

Danni said...

I ♥ donkeys!
Your minis are adorable and look how seriously they take their farm work! lol

Deb said...

oh they are so cute...and hard workers too...

Angela said...

They are all just too cute Amy! Glad that could be of assistance in your garden! hehehe I'm sure they really enjoyed their feast.

Have a Great Day!
Angela

Lori Skoog said...

What a great idea! And could they possibly be any sweeter?

Janice Grinyer said...

OH! they have their winter coats, they look like little eyeores from winnie the pooh!!! I wanna cuddle with them - do they let you hug 'em sometimes? Or do you get that look and then you move fast lol?

Yes, they should be very thankful for your garden this time of year - still smidgens of goodies and they benefit too with the extra "goodness".

Sigh, i just love your farm!

Judy said...

Your goats are so cute! I love how they help you out.

Jen said...

Cute pics. Nice clean up crew :)

Unknown said...

So cute! What lucky donkeys they are...

xo,

annie

Chatty Crone said...

Gosh I think we need one here! That is a great idea.

I'm checking you here from Angela's blog.

sandie

Anonymous said...

I love this donkey post.
-Jo
-LazyonLoblolly

Carla said...

I. Want. Donkeys!
The End.

Rainy Day Farm said...

What an adorable post, love the donkeys. I let my goats free for all in the garden and the end of the season too. They LURV to eat up the garden. It is a great way to recycle!