(Mostly) Growing babies

 The babies are growing well for the most part. All except for the one I mentioned before. I'm not sure why he isn't thriving, but we have started trying something to get him growing.

Thanksgiving food, and thanksgiving surprises.

The obligatory first photo of cute baby bunnies. This is them a couple days ago, a much nicer photo than the ones I got today due to the better camera and better skill level of the Lady of the House. So, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, we had a fairly good time, other than a couple surprises.

Thanksgiving Food Traditions

There is a lot that can be said about food and Thanksgiving in the USA. There is also a lot that can be said about food traditions, and what they do for our health and the generational continuity of families. A lot of good can come out of food traditions, but I figured I'd post this video for today since it's kinda a busy day!

It is a commercial for a boxed mashed potatoes.  Here a child is asking his mother about where they come from as she prepares them.  This is something that happens all over the country, particularly at this time of year. What do you think of her answer?

For nutrition facts look here at their own website.
http://www.bobevans.com/Grocery/51/Bob-Evans-Original-Mashed-Potatoes

For some information about what those numbers mean.
http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-bob-evans-mashed-potatoes-i166086

For what the nutrition on mashed potatoes made with whole milk at home.
http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-potatoes-mashed-home-prepared-whole-i11657

And if you use butter.
http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-potatoes-mashed-home-prepared-whole-i11934

Note that for the mashed potatoes made at home the serving size is twice the size. Also note that for Bob Evans original mashed potatoes that is without butter added.

Keep in mind too that the word farm often brings to mind a lovely pastoral scene ala Old MacDonald while the reality is more like science fiction, not to mention the underpaid workers in the fields and factories.

Sound off on what you think about this ad in the comments. For Tuesday I will try to have the recipes we used for Thanksgiving up for you all.

Enjoy, Happy Thanksgiving, and be well.

Shameless baby photos, and seed saving

 
 Yep, I'm taking advantage of the fact that we have cute babies right now to distract from the lack of serious content right now. I'll talk more about that below the cut.

The babies are growing well

The babies continue to grow, and are now getting to be an adventure to control as we do weight checks instead of being primarily worried about keeping them warm while we do weight checks.

Lots going on right now, including rat rescue.

Obviously, first and foremost the babies are doing well. The one small weak one did not make it, dying the night after I posted concerns about his health. The rest of them however are as you can see doing well. They didn't get weighed today due to the rain and cold weather, but their eyes are opening.

A little snow, and babies furring out

 But they aren't growing quickly at all. Indeed, the babies are hardly gaining weight at all. I still haven't had time to fully do out the chart, but overall they are putting all of their energy into growing fur and staying warm from what I can tell. I will try to get the chart up this weekend to do some solid comparisons and have real numbers for everyone that cares. There's lots more photos below the cut.

Cuteness on Voting Day!

 On this, the election day in the USA, we are fortunate to have some cute as a contrast to what is going on out near the poling stations. If you haven't voted yet, go do so before you partake of more cuteness below the cut.

No Babies, and Blog Goals

Dawn still hasn't had babies yet. She should be popping soon, perhaps as soon as when we get home today. It is always tough to tell with her, and apparently with any rabbits. She is big, and has made her nice nest. She is also eating a lot, which is usually a good indication. That said, we will see. We are especially interested in seeing what comes out of a breeding of Dorado Right and Dawn Below. Genetically we know what will happen, Creme babies. But what will they look like as babies, and will they grow more slowly than the cross breeds between Dawn and Umbra?

I am expecting them to grow more slowly, and not be quite as robust. Umbra is a particularly good buck from what we can tell from his production, and talking to Michelle Chandler. He is an incredible starting point for us. I will be very curious how this breeding program goes, and tracking their growth. The closeness of relation between Dorado and Dawn is obviously a concern for us, but not such a big one for just meat and fur production. I will also be very curious about the temperament of the babies with Dawn so gregarious and Dorado so shy.