Someone posted this on my facebook wall today, and I wanted to share....
"There comes a point in your life when "FUN" no longer means bar hopping, clubbin, being out till 4am or drinking too much, but it means board games, movies, going out for family dinners, bedtime stories, sleeping in means 7am. Having a family doesn't change you, its realizing that the people who love you deserve the best of your free time and you!" Please take a little extra time with your family this week...Let every one of them know you love them...
The barn is coming along wonderfully... All of the walls are up for my work room and the hospital! The windows and doors just need to be installed!
The days are coming closer to when my baby goats will be born, and I can't wait! As soon as this crazy weather makes up it's mind, I'll be starting the fencing. I look forward to being outside again.
This Saturday is my second gardening class with my mom. I wonder if Cat Piss and the Garden Preacher will be there?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Brown Chicken Brown Cow
This was sent to me today, when I said I spent my day in the barn. TOO CUTE!!!
Trace Adkins - Brown Chicken Brown Cow
www.youtube.com
This link should work...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzQ4qdlhurc
And to put the rumor to rest, the "work" I am having done on the barn, is NOT to add a stripper pole. (Thanks mom!)
Trace Adkins - Brown Chicken Brown Cow
www.youtube.com
This link should work...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzQ4qdlhurc
And to put the rumor to rest, the "work" I am having done on the barn, is NOT to add a stripper pole. (Thanks mom!)
Not a cloud in the sky...
What an incredible day yesterday. I woke up around ten, which I never do...but Friday night had been a late one for me!!! A friend of mine from work invited me to an Italian cooking class in Gig Harbor. We had a blast! Thanks for getting me out of the house Karen! And thanks to MFC for joining me last minute!!!
So I woke up Saturday morning to this weird thing called the sun blaring through my window. I groaned and looked at the clock and halfway rolled out of bed. The dismount wasn't pretty. I halfway fixed my hair, and threw on some clothes. The way this thing called the "sun" works around here...is one minute its there, and the next minute its gone. So I wanted to take advantage of it before it disappeared. I drove into town and got a caramel macchiato. I felt a twinge of guilt, so I got a tea too. That way I would have the yummy caramelness, AND get my dose of antioxidants. :) I headed to the feed store and stocked up for all the animals and headed home. I had my sunroof open so I could see the blue sky, and cranked up the country radio station.
When I pulled into my field, I decided to leave the windows open and the radio on. I traded my slippers for my boots, which were still in the car from the night before, and jumped on the riding lawn mower. Hello my old friend. I had no intention of mowing the field, but my compost bins needed some "green" before I added more shavings from the coop, so I did a couple of laps, and raked up the clippings for the compost bin. I then let the girls out and started cleaning the coop. Well, to make a long story short, I was down in the barn for 4 hours. It felt good to be in it again! Between cleaning the coop and nesting boxes, and taking breaks to sit in the sun and watch the chickens, the time went fairly quickly. When I was done I was absolutely filthy. I closed everything up and jumped in the Tahoe. I went to start it and "click click click". Are you f*ing kidding me? I tried again. "Click click click". Well I guess that's what I get for rockin out while cleaning out the coop. I don't think the radio would have killed the battery alone, but I noticed my blue tooth had been activated the whole time too. I didn't even have enough juice to close the windows and sunroof. But the music was still playing!!! I grabbed what I needed and walked up to the house. I text my good friend James, and he came by to save the day about an hour later, and did his best to not make fun of me. He also brought his wife Becca, and their son Tyler. They had all just got back from the zoo, and Tyler loved to see the chickens. He called them "Bird" and when I showed him two eggs, he said "Egg" and tried to grab them from my hands.
All in all it was a great day. Hope I have more blue skies in my future. :)
**A new post was entered for the beginning of January. It is called "Something to ponder" and for some reason didn't post until today. Thanks!**
So I woke up Saturday morning to this weird thing called the sun blaring through my window. I groaned and looked at the clock and halfway rolled out of bed. The dismount wasn't pretty. I halfway fixed my hair, and threw on some clothes. The way this thing called the "sun" works around here...is one minute its there, and the next minute its gone. So I wanted to take advantage of it before it disappeared. I drove into town and got a caramel macchiato. I felt a twinge of guilt, so I got a tea too. That way I would have the yummy caramelness, AND get my dose of antioxidants. :) I headed to the feed store and stocked up for all the animals and headed home. I had my sunroof open so I could see the blue sky, and cranked up the country radio station.
When I pulled into my field, I decided to leave the windows open and the radio on. I traded my slippers for my boots, which were still in the car from the night before, and jumped on the riding lawn mower. Hello my old friend. I had no intention of mowing the field, but my compost bins needed some "green" before I added more shavings from the coop, so I did a couple of laps, and raked up the clippings for the compost bin. I then let the girls out and started cleaning the coop. Well, to make a long story short, I was down in the barn for 4 hours. It felt good to be in it again! Between cleaning the coop and nesting boxes, and taking breaks to sit in the sun and watch the chickens, the time went fairly quickly. When I was done I was absolutely filthy. I closed everything up and jumped in the Tahoe. I went to start it and "click click click". Are you f*ing kidding me? I tried again. "Click click click". Well I guess that's what I get for rockin out while cleaning out the coop. I don't think the radio would have killed the battery alone, but I noticed my blue tooth had been activated the whole time too. I didn't even have enough juice to close the windows and sunroof. But the music was still playing!!! I grabbed what I needed and walked up to the house. I text my good friend James, and he came by to save the day about an hour later, and did his best to not make fun of me. He also brought his wife Becca, and their son Tyler. They had all just got back from the zoo, and Tyler loved to see the chickens. He called them "Bird" and when I showed him two eggs, he said "Egg" and tried to grab them from my hands.
All in all it was a great day. Hope I have more blue skies in my future. :)
**A new post was entered for the beginning of January. It is called "Something to ponder" and for some reason didn't post until today. Thanks!**
Sunday, February 13 2011
Up and out of the house at 530AM. Today, Mariah my mom and I went to see Willy, the Berkshire pig. Two weeks ago, she had her babies, and Karry invited us up to see them, and to stay for her husband's famous frittata since we were traveling 3 hours and catching a ferry just to see everybody!
The ride over was beautiful. I've always loved Whidbey Island. We pulled into Karry's driveway around 9am and the jets were flying overhead one after the other from the nearby Naval air station.
Karry greeted all three of us with huge hugs and took us out to see the babies. She called out Willy, who my mom was seeing for the first time. She couldn't believe her eyes at Willy's size! I got good pictures of them together. :)
Then out trotted out a few of the babies. Mariah brought her "Big purse" and I told Karry to count her piglets before we left.... Mariah, nor anyone else got that close to one of the precious little piglets though...Willy was a great mom.
They were so adorable. Their little pink snouts and long eyelashes. Karry informed us all of them were sold, and that she still had a waiting list. Way to go Karry!!! She then picked up ALIA, (Am Lucky I'm Alive.) This was the little piglet she thought she was going to lose when she was first born... and since then has decided to keep her. She was so cute. It definitely has to be a challenge in the farming community to raise something from a baby knowing it is being raised for butcher. I'm pretty sure I can handle that though. :)
While we were out looking at the pigs, Karry asked me if I would be interested in helping her this year during the farm tour in September. Are you kidding?! To work on the farm tour with Karry and Willy?! How cool would that be?! (Later when I got home, I realized its the same weekend Mariah, my sister and I are doing the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for breast cancer. :( So not only will I not get to help Karry out, I'm going to be missing the farm tour all together this year. Shit shit shit. Oh well, its for a great cause, and there will always be another farm tour...)
After seeing the piglets, we went in for breakfast. It was excellent! Mariah scarfed hers down and she doesn't even like eggs!!!
Karry, my mom and I then sat and discussed farm plans. She showed me hers, so I would know what to expect when the farm planner completed mine. Tons and tons of info, and many great things to apply for assistance on.
On the way home, Mariah and I rocked out to her Ipod with my mom in the back seat. It was a great day.
Thanks Karry for bringing us into your home once again! Come see us soon!!!
The ride over was beautiful. I've always loved Whidbey Island. We pulled into Karry's driveway around 9am and the jets were flying overhead one after the other from the nearby Naval air station.
Karry greeted all three of us with huge hugs and took us out to see the babies. She called out Willy, who my mom was seeing for the first time. She couldn't believe her eyes at Willy's size! I got good pictures of them together. :)
Then out trotted out a few of the babies. Mariah brought her "Big purse" and I told Karry to count her piglets before we left.... Mariah, nor anyone else got that close to one of the precious little piglets though...Willy was a great mom.
They were so adorable. Their little pink snouts and long eyelashes. Karry informed us all of them were sold, and that she still had a waiting list. Way to go Karry!!! She then picked up ALIA, (Am Lucky I'm Alive.) This was the little piglet she thought she was going to lose when she was first born... and since then has decided to keep her. She was so cute. It definitely has to be a challenge in the farming community to raise something from a baby knowing it is being raised for butcher. I'm pretty sure I can handle that though. :)
While we were out looking at the pigs, Karry asked me if I would be interested in helping her this year during the farm tour in September. Are you kidding?! To work on the farm tour with Karry and Willy?! How cool would that be?! (Later when I got home, I realized its the same weekend Mariah, my sister and I are doing the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for breast cancer. :( So not only will I not get to help Karry out, I'm going to be missing the farm tour all together this year. Shit shit shit. Oh well, its for a great cause, and there will always be another farm tour...)
After seeing the piglets, we went in for breakfast. It was excellent! Mariah scarfed hers down and she doesn't even like eggs!!!
Karry, my mom and I then sat and discussed farm plans. She showed me hers, so I would know what to expect when the farm planner completed mine. Tons and tons of info, and many great things to apply for assistance on.
On the way home, Mariah and I rocked out to her Ipod with my mom in the back seat. It was a great day.
Thanks Karry for bringing us into your home once again! Come see us soon!!!
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Farm Planner
Today was the big day I have been waiting for, for about 6 months! The farm planner came out to assess my farm, and help me create a farm plan.
My county's extension office offers farm planners, free of charge. They come out, evaluate soil types, water run off and soil erosion issues, appropriate "animal units" per acre and even provide engineered designs of hua's (Heavy use areas...duh), and compost systems based on your animal population and need. They can even provide grants for fencing, and design drainage systems (you're goin down natural spring).
So Ron, (Mr. Farm Planner) was supposed to arrive at 3ish this afternoon. Well, I took Smooth Move tea last night before I went to bed, and guess what time it started to work? About 2:57ish. When he pulled up in his white truck, (with a strobe on top that Dixie could totally rock,) I jumped into my tahoe, and had him follow me to the back of the property. Mom and Super steve were down there waiting for us, because they wanted to hear what he had to say, and get some information on what a farm planner can do. Fortunately, we spent most of our conversation leaning against his truck, and no one noticed my white knuckled fists. He asked what my plans were, and I layed out my plans for the next 3 years. He jotted everything down, showed me an overhead picture of my property, and I prayed to Big, Tall and Studly that the field grasses wouldn't make me sneeze. By the time we started touring the property it passed...(the feeling, nothing else.) He was pretty impressed by the chicken run, and told me I had a beautiful wetlands. (No one has ever said that to me before...I may have blushed.) He called my seasonal creek a "storm water drain off" which was great because it moved my proposed fenceline that much closer to it. He snapped a picture of my old barn, and my fruit trees. He told me I had a beautiful piece of land. Next, Mr. Farm Planner is going to take all the info I gave him, and establish an actual plan. I will share the details of it when it gets released. But his visit today puts me one step closer to this farm's grand opening. I am going to call it the Beckypalooza...3 days of music, love and manure.
The barn is coming along great. The outer wall has been built, and the windows are framed in. I walked into the barn and looked out what will be a window toward what will be the garden. I kind of feel like I am building my own clubhouse... I am going to have secret hiding places and may even require a password for entry.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined."
-Henry David Thoreau
My county's extension office offers farm planners, free of charge. They come out, evaluate soil types, water run off and soil erosion issues, appropriate "animal units" per acre and even provide engineered designs of hua's (Heavy use areas...duh), and compost systems based on your animal population and need. They can even provide grants for fencing, and design drainage systems (you're goin down natural spring).
So Ron, (Mr. Farm Planner) was supposed to arrive at 3ish this afternoon. Well, I took Smooth Move tea last night before I went to bed, and guess what time it started to work? About 2:57ish. When he pulled up in his white truck, (with a strobe on top that Dixie could totally rock,) I jumped into my tahoe, and had him follow me to the back of the property. Mom and Super steve were down there waiting for us, because they wanted to hear what he had to say, and get some information on what a farm planner can do. Fortunately, we spent most of our conversation leaning against his truck, and no one noticed my white knuckled fists. He asked what my plans were, and I layed out my plans for the next 3 years. He jotted everything down, showed me an overhead picture of my property, and I prayed to Big, Tall and Studly that the field grasses wouldn't make me sneeze. By the time we started touring the property it passed...(the feeling, nothing else.) He was pretty impressed by the chicken run, and told me I had a beautiful wetlands. (No one has ever said that to me before...I may have blushed.) He called my seasonal creek a "storm water drain off" which was great because it moved my proposed fenceline that much closer to it. He snapped a picture of my old barn, and my fruit trees. He told me I had a beautiful piece of land. Next, Mr. Farm Planner is going to take all the info I gave him, and establish an actual plan. I will share the details of it when it gets released. But his visit today puts me one step closer to this farm's grand opening. I am going to call it the Beckypalooza...3 days of music, love and manure.
The barn is coming along great. The outer wall has been built, and the windows are framed in. I walked into the barn and looked out what will be a window toward what will be the garden. I kind of feel like I am building my own clubhouse... I am going to have secret hiding places and may even require a password for entry.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined."
-Henry David Thoreau
Monday, February 7, 2011
Therapy
Some people lay on couches, dictating their thoughts to a pen...some drink and smoke...some run, pounding the pavement, not knowing where they are going or what they are running from. Some eat...some don't...some pop pills...and some crawl in bed and never get up....
Not me. I get in my Tahoe, roll down the window, crank up the music, and sing at the top of my lungs! The fact that its only 40 degrees outside doesn't bother me. Sexy songs, angry songs, happy songs and of course some country...try it some time...it without a doubt makes me feel like a million bucks everytime. And if someone pulls up to you looking at you weird, point at your ear and mouth "bluetooth" to them. Or crank it up even more and sing to them, but be careful...thats how weirdos follow you home.
My other favorite therapy is buying and reading books. I just bought a book called "Chipmunk Seeking Squirrel", or was the squirrel seeking the chipmunk? Anyway, its a book of precious short stories about the lives of animals. Every time I read one of the short stories, it gives me the giggles.
The barn has come a long way in the last week, and I've gotten over the fact that I'm not doing the work. I can see this barn done so clearly, I could taste it. (Not that I would ever lick the barn, but you guys know what I mean.) The sagging roof is now straight, and starting tomorrow will be the beginning of my workroom and the little hospital. My heart and soul need for this barn to be finished so I can start my next chapter of my farm. Thank you Troy for all of your hardwork!
Speaking of the hospital, Victoria is doing great. She has been back down in the coop for over a week now, and is having no further impaction issues. I tried telling her today just how lucky she was, and she cocked her head up at me and sqwaked. I don't speak chicken, (surprising I know,) but I think she said "thank you".
Not me. I get in my Tahoe, roll down the window, crank up the music, and sing at the top of my lungs! The fact that its only 40 degrees outside doesn't bother me. Sexy songs, angry songs, happy songs and of course some country...try it some time...it without a doubt makes me feel like a million bucks everytime. And if someone pulls up to you looking at you weird, point at your ear and mouth "bluetooth" to them. Or crank it up even more and sing to them, but be careful...thats how weirdos follow you home.
My other favorite therapy is buying and reading books. I just bought a book called "Chipmunk Seeking Squirrel", or was the squirrel seeking the chipmunk? Anyway, its a book of precious short stories about the lives of animals. Every time I read one of the short stories, it gives me the giggles.
The barn has come a long way in the last week, and I've gotten over the fact that I'm not doing the work. I can see this barn done so clearly, I could taste it. (Not that I would ever lick the barn, but you guys know what I mean.) The sagging roof is now straight, and starting tomorrow will be the beginning of my workroom and the little hospital. My heart and soul need for this barn to be finished so I can start my next chapter of my farm. Thank you Troy for all of your hardwork!
Speaking of the hospital, Victoria is doing great. She has been back down in the coop for over a week now, and is having no further impaction issues. I tried telling her today just how lucky she was, and she cocked her head up at me and sqwaked. I don't speak chicken, (surprising I know,) but I think she said "thank you".
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