Santa's Reindeer

Mr. Hunter celebrates the season with some genuine reindeer.

Yo!
Ho ho ho!

Season's greetings!

Frontierland
Disneyland
Anaheim, California

December 2005

A Halloween Tradition: Turnip Carving

Mr. Hunter has been a guest at a number of turnip carving parties over the years.  Originally, jack o'lanterns (in Ireland and Scotland) were carved out of turnips rather than pumpkins, and one of Mr. Hunter's coworkers decided that our department needed to revive the turnip tradition for our Halloween celebrations.

I never managed to carve a turnip into a replica of Mr. Hunter, but Mr. Hunter always made an appearance at these events.  After all, he enjoys the company of other carved items.

Michelle won a prize for her turnip, whose face was inspired
by the judge for the trial for which she had recently served as a juror.

Here comes the judge again, this time sans wig and with a candlelight glow.

Karen's prize-winning turnip featured a dragon design.

Karen had also carved some lotus petals
 onto the bottom of her dragon turnip.

One of the friendliest turnips we've ever met.

Happy Halloween!

October 2005

Mr. Hunter's Friend, the Farm Cat

As we walked at Hildene Farm, this enthusiastic black and white cat came bounding over to us.  I set Mr. Hunter down so that they could get better acquainted, and the kitty reached out to give Mr. Hunter a handshake (or perhaps a pawshake) of sorts.

The cat--and a fly--say hello to Mr. Hunter.

Eager to say hello!

The cat reaches out to Mr. Hunter.  Such an honor!

Hildene Farm

Manchester, Vermont

September 2012

Hildene Farm

Mr. Hunter got a peek at the workings of Hildene Farm.  Located on the grounds of the old Robert Todd Lincoln estate, the farm is home to Nubian goats, guard llamas, and some friendly farm cats.

Suppertime for the Nubian goats.

Guard llamas at Hildene Farm.

You know how you forget that your camera is set to take video?  It happened here, which is how I came to capture this snippet of Mr. Hunter, the Hildene Farm landscape, and a little bit of goats bleating.

September New England sky.

Hildene Farm

Manchester, Vermont

September 2012

About Hildene Farm Signature Cheese - http://www.vtcheese.com/members/hildene/hildene.htm

Lincoln's Hildene

In Manchester, we stopped at Hildene, which was the Vermont summer home of Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln.  We arrived too late in the afternoon to tour the estate.  There also seemed to be some tempting walking trails on the grounds, so we intend to return someday when we have time for a bit of hiking.

Mr. Hunter and Hildene.

About Lincoln's "Hildene"

Hildene

Manchester, Vermont

September 2012

Official site for Hildene - http://www.hildene.org/

The Enchanting Belgian Draft Horses

At Taylor Farm, we sampled some gouda cheese, said hello to cats and chickens, and then spent a few wondrous minutes in the presence of some beautiful Belgian draft horses.  I especially marveled at their sturdy legs.

Taylor Farm

Londonderry, Vermont

September 2012

Official site for the Belgian Draft Horse Corporation of America - 

http://www.belgiancorp.com/

Creatures at Taylor Farm

At Taylor Farm, we were greeted by a friendly calico cat on the farm store's front stoop.  The cat even wanted to meet Mr. Hunter.

A bunch of chickens scooted about near the woodpile, including these notable roly-poly hens.

Two necks.

And we also made the acquaintance of a group of sturdy Belgian draft horses.  More on the draft horses in the next post...

Taylor Farm

Londonderry, Vermont

September 2012