Changes are Happening

Changes are happening around here and I am not just talking about the upcoming change of residence. We have been having a warming trend all week, a definite contrast from the snow last Sunday. Each day has brought a rise in temps from the day before. Today's high was in the upper 70's with a strong afternoon sun that banished all coats and sweaters to the back of the closet. YAH!

As I sat at the table on our front porch journaling today I had to stop and savor the moment. I know my porch dates with this type of activity are numbered. I wanted to soak up the details , a gentle breeze ruffling my March flag, the serenade of the Spring peepers (frogs) down by the lake edge on this warm day, who are whispering that Spring is on the way. The sky, a shade of pale blue waiting for the intensity of a summer sun to brighten it. A red tinge that colors the tips of the maples in the yard and the little tuffs of green growth which is seen emerging through the brown blanket of color over the yard. Weather perfect for being outside with my hands in the dirt.

Pond greens for the aquatic life

Instead I did some housekeeping chores up at the chicken coop. The biddies born back in January are so big for only being 7 weeks old. With the warmer temperatures this week I promised them a day in the play yard and today was their field trip day. Closing off the sliding door to the coop and with the girls and Rusty out in the yard looking for their own adventure. I put 4 youngsters out to play in the sunshine and fresh air.



See how they have grown!

They seemed to enjoy the open space, as they have lived their lives so far in a cardboard box and a small pen. Walking about was a favorite activity and they looked funny lifting their feet so high off the ground. Both Clara Belle and Rosey had to come by for a peek at the little ones, not quite sure why they were inside and not outside with them.

Clara Belle

Rosey

Another big change that has been happening this week is the "sexy babes"have been getting braver with their wandering out into the yard for the daily scratch-fest. Even coming the 25 yards or so to the back porch this morning, a BIG step for the new girls. Today was the first time since bringing them home that they have totally incorporated themselves into the flock.

Staying near to Rusty and the girls than they had been and free-ranging right along side like one of the crowd. They too have grown in size and their feathers have brighten and fluffed out from their rag-tag appearance when we brought them home a month ago today.

Welcome to the family girls, note that Rusty is keeping a close eye on them.

Speaking of Rusty, his crowing is showing much improvement. Along with the growth of new tail feathers, he is looking quite the "Man" around here. He takes his job very seriously and tries really hard to find sweet treats for his ladies to munch on. But he doesn't like for you to mess too long around his house. Giving me the "don't come in here with that camera" look when he tired of my picture taking.

Rusty guarding the doorway to his castle.

Lon called this morning with a surprise message for me. A promise for an electric butter churn and butter mold from a neighbor we haven't even met is such a blessing to go along with such a day like today was. Both items I have been secretly wishing for in my heart. To have when we are able to get a Jersey for the farm and fresh milk to make butter. The benevolent man and his family will be living nearby the farmhouse we are trying to buy. It seems the churn and mold belonged to his mother and I feel honored to be given the opportunity to use them. We haven't even moved in yet and already this is the second family to make us feel at home in the neighborhood. You just can't beat the down to earth heartbeat of friendliness from country loving folks.

I should have been doing something towards packing for a move hopefully in a couple of months. Instead I took pictures, hung a load on the line to dry in the warm gentle breezes, talked to the chickens and knitted for a bit after eating lunch on the spot where I started my day. I am not sure where I will place the table at the farmhouse, but it will go with us and I am planning lots of evening meals shared on it while overlooking the farm. . . . dinner "al fresco". Lon says we won't be rushed to pack because we will have plenty of time to get the farmhouse ready before the need comes up. But I am sure if the truth be known, that he will be just as anxious as I am to be calling it home.

After cooking out last night for the first time this year. I can officially say Spring fever has set in for me. Why is it that the first grilled hamburger of the year tastes like something out of this world? Truly a taste of summer yet to come in due time. We are scheduled to go back out to the farm on Monday and I would love to be able to go ahead and move some plants out there for future flower beds. But I better wait till all have signed on the dotted line first. Then let the digging begin.

Do you have your Spring favorites list ready to share? Only 2 more weeks till Spring is here! I have been working on mine and will post it then.

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn".

~Hal Borland

Enjoy!

Deborah

Farm Search Update

I have been wanting to update the news about our search for our homesteading farm. Our searches have brought us back to one of the first pieces of properties we had look at. Actually I never stopped thinking about this place while searching the country side for possibilities. Quite a lot has transpired since the last time I wrote about our dream.

Long story short ;) ~ after viewing a lot of acreage we realized that the brick house/land that we had found by accident on one of our journeys through Alabama was exactly what we had been praying for and a whole lot more. I was the first to be drawn to the place and Lon came to see it with all of it's possibilities in a favorable light as well. After several trips out to look at the place, walk the property and check out the house for needed repairs we made an offer on the place. Some financial adjustments between us and the owners were made back and forth. Then on the 26th of February we were informed that our offer to buy the place was accepted.

It has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions over the past few months of looking but nothing like we have experienced in the last week. Keeping our news quite was hard until we could let our family know of the farm we are buying and that we are to be moving soon. So much has happened in our family these past few week to over shadow the joy of newly acquired farm ownership. But each time we drive out to the place my spirit lifts at the views and the thought of having the chance to live out a dream.

The views though quite brown at present are so open and serene. We have seen pictures of the pastures in all of their "green glory" and I can't wait to see them first hand. With chickens, goats and a milk cow grazing across them to start off with. Starting at the front steps here are panoramic views moving clockwise around the house.

View from sitting on the front porch steps looking out the drive. (Looking South)

Looking down towards small cabin in the woods, site of future dairy barn.

The huge old oak has a massive canopy of bare limbs right now, but with new spring leaves it should provide the house with cooling shade this summer. A great place to put a yard swing don't you think? To enjoy those gentle breezes in the cool of the evenings and for star gazing on clear nights. Something I am looking forward to with being so far out in the countryside and away from city lights.

Looking Northward at end of house.

Check out the blue skies overhead.

We saw a large red-tail hawk circling on the air currents the last day we were out there. We will have to keep a close eye on it as I am sure the hawk will assume that we are bringing our chickens with us for it's grocery shopping needs.

Looking across the backyard from the other end of the house. (North)

Notice the old roadbed off to the right?

It is one of several that crosses over the 21+ acres. One rambles down off to the west of the property leading to a large creek with swift flowing water and a great place to set up a picnic area in the shade of the tree canopy, adorned with wildflowers and ferns. This one leads to the back of the property and has shown fresh signs of deer activity on the land. A great place for hunting vension without ever having to leave our backyard!

Future site of Chicken coop ~ looking east.

Coming full circle you are looking back out the drive.

There is much to be done to bring this land up to farm status, but I am sure with a mindset towards our dream and some energy output it can become a reality. We are only a few more steps away in order to make it legally ours. Hopefully in the next week or so we can claim it's address as our own. I would like to keep regular posts listed as we make the transition. But with all that needs to be done to freshen up the new house, packing and getting our present home ready to sell my time with be stretched, but I will try.

Leaving is always an unwelcomed thing to do, as my heart wants to stay.

But I know over the next month or two I will be traveling down that driveway alot, as we prep this house into a Home for us.

Deborah

Farm Girl in the Making

Last week Leah spent part of a morning with her Papa taking care of some errands that needed to be done. Coming home full of excitement over all that she had seen had her eyes sparkling and words tumbling out of her mouth. Papa had made a stop at a local farm to pick up some fresh Jersey milk and butter for us. The milk cows were up close to the barn and she was able to see them clearly and pet a month old calf in the barn. While there the gobblers that are penned up near by began strutting their stuff and gobbling to no end. Papa reported she was thrilled and unsure where to look first with all the activity around her. Even the roosters joined in the poultry chorus, not to be undone by the "big" boys. A stop at one of the local fire station gained her much praise and a quarter from one of the firefighters for some "m.m.'s" from a machine. Their last stop was at the feed store for some grains and feed for the chickens. Inside the owner had a very large Rhode Island Red rooster in a cage that was making it's self known to all the customers. So much to see and do in just one morning for a future farm girl.

Then this past week we made a trip to Alabama to look again at some property we have been considering for our own future dream farm. On this trip she was able to see the countryside and all the livestock present in just about every yard we past by. She loves to see animals where ever we are, a true nature lover like her Nana. ;) At one of our friends home she was able to get close to some Mommy cows and their babies. Watching them eating their "lunch" with messy faces tickled her.

She wanted very much to go through the gate and "pet them". Not understanding why that was not a good idea with the 800 lb. mommy's inside. But one of the babies did feel brave enough to peek out from behind it's protective mountain and let us get a better look at it.

Leaving this farm after getting her fill of watching cows we travel just a little ways down the road to another friend's place to see his horses. Where she got the best treat of the day. Not only did she get to see his horses up close but he offered to let her ride a pony just her size. That was not something she was anxious to do at first, as all she wanted to do was to just "pet" them.

After a quick introduction to the 35 year old pony and some assurance that Nana was going to be right by her side, she sat on top of it with wide-eyed wonder.

Several laps around the barnyard and she was a satisfied customer, giving commands to the pony to "giddy up" and enjoying the ride tremendously. When asked about getting off she gave a quick flat no and began to tell us she did not want to leave. Our gracious host assured her that she could come back anytime to ride as often as she wanted to. Our little farm girl was quite tired after her day's adventures and promptly fell asleep in the truck on the trip back home. Memories made that will hopefully carry her farther into her love for life. I see a chance to ride together in our future, as I love to ride myself. I have always wanted a horse and thought one day if I ever had the space I would get one. Until that day comes I have an open invitation to ride here at this farm with someone who loves horses more than I do and has a fondness for little granddaughters too.

Living the life through the eyes of a 2 1/2 year old.

Deborah

March Snows

We're coming down to the wire with Winter being officially over in 17 days. You can always count on it going out with a bang though. This year we thought it would pass quietly having been a very mild one. As we have had very few days of really bitter cold compared to past years. March 1st. decided to be the sacrificial day of snow for us. Predicted by the weather watchers to arrive with some accumulation, 1-4 inches. It arrived a little early in the day and with a force not to be missed. I love snow, probably because we rarely ever have it, unlike those of the north who are generally tired of it by now. In the South it is a rare treat to be seem in our own back yards. Ice we can get, but fluffy snow is only seen in the movies. What a treat we received that day.

I wish I had my camera with me as I came out of worship services at church. Everything was covered with a 3 inch cover, that made backing out of parking spaces adventurous to say the least. The force of the snowfall could be seen from the windows while inside the sanctuary, blowing sideways. I am sure more than one person had trouble keeping their minds centered during that hour. With each passing moment if became heavier and most of the children had difficulty sitting still. With visions of "no school tomorrow" dancing in their heads. Slip sliding home on quickly freezing roads I was surprised by the winter wonderland that greeted me here.

The pictures do not show the snow falling which is a shame. Big flakes floated down in a continuous rain of frozen fluff. BEAUTIFUL!! A chill invaded the house that can only be found with the breath of snow, an Arctic scent that smells of a place far away. The weight of the snow had the huge azaleas out front kissing the ground from their heavy load

Even the 16 foot camellia was leaning out away from the house with candy cane stripped blossoms peaking out from the blanket of white.

It was hard to pull myself away from the view in order to take my "Sunday" nap. It was so pretty and it has been such a long time since we have had a pretty snow like this. I was afraid it would be gone all to soon and I would miss it charm. Seeing it made me wonder how it would look falling scattered over the rolling fields of our future farm. I am sure the chicken were wondering what had happened to their world. As I did not let them out of the coop that day. Sure enough by 4 pm the winds had picked up enough speed to begin blowing the frosting off the trees. The snowflakes changed from quarter-half dollar size flakes to pea size. Later on I went out to gather eggs and put a warm wrap around the nursery pen of baby chicks. The signs of melting snow could be seen dripping off the roof and in little puddles gathering in the yard. The magic show was over, but sweet are the memories while it was here.

Such a statement on the first day of March makes one wonder what the rest of the month has in store for us.

Deborah