Began in earnest on June 26, as we spent our first night here at the farm. After moving all of our furniture that day, we laid our heads on quickly applied sheets before the midnight hour struck. We had been waiting for this day for quite awhile and it was quite a day to be sure. The Lord sent an "angel of mercy" to help us move when He sent our son home from a job site in New Jersey, just hours before the move began. After driving 12 hours and arriving at 5am, he jumped right in with no sleep and little to nourish his body for the task ahead. Lon and I knew that we only had each other for this move as everyone else was working. He was truly a gift from the Lord to us that day. Thank you Jason, for going beyond the duty of a loving son to help your parents move. Fifty-three year old bodies just don't move like they used to. (no comments from the peanut gallery) Without you we would still be trying to move the heavy stuff like the bookcase. LOL.
The next day saw the animals moved in two trips back and forth and being placed in quickly erected housing made ready for them. All of them came out but the biddies who stayed one more night with Jason till we were set up and ready for them. We even had 2 turkeys in tow, as we had acquired them literally just a few days before we move. Given to us by a sweet couple we had became friends with at church. Thank you William and Sue. We are going to miss you. Come out and see the turks in their new surroundings and hear their sweet calls again.
We are officially here! YEA! ! ! ! ! !
Spending my first night alone on the place came quickly as we only had two days to get stuff moved and stacked around before Lon was due to be back on duty. After moving an ump-gillion boxes and shoving furniture into place all day. I was too tired to worry about being out in the middle of all this space alone. Black except for the security light on the power pole, quite and peaceful as it was. No worry though~ Tigger, my cat of 14 years kept me company at bedside. Due in part because he wasn't too sure where I had brought him to and wasn't too keen on checking out the place. He will have his own adjustments to make in the days and nights ahead. New sights, new smells and wide open spaces greeted his twitching ears and dilated eyes that first night. I have heard you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but can you teach an old cat a new way of living?
The first Sunday after the move we attended a small church just down the road, less than 5 minutes from the house. It felt funny waiting around till time to leave, as we have never had that much spare time on a Sunday morning before. It was our second visit to Bethel East and was just as warmly welcomed as we had been the first time. We received an invite from one of the families to come over to their place and pick fresh blueberries. An activity that I have not been able to do as of yet, but plan to. I see a fresh blueberry pie in our future. The very next week I had visitors on 3 separate occasions. A friend's mother and one of the ladies I had met from the church came to pay us a call, bringing a sweet gift of homemade chocolate chip cookies baked just that morning. The second visit came with a return of Mrs.Marlene to purchase 3 dozen eggs from me and to bring me a lovely teapot to add to my collection as a house-warming gift. Our third visit that week came from our cookie baker and her husband to "welcome us to the community and say how glad they were that we had moved into the area". Mr. Tracy and Mrs. Janice brought a house-warming gift of a couple of ripe tomatoes from their garden and a jar of pickles that Mr. Tracy had put up. Yummy, yummy! You just can't beat the homegrown hospitality found in the the country life. Everyone we have met is friendly and ready to help if the need should arise. Phone numbers were exchanged using only the last 4 digits, 2499, 6333, etc. There is no need for a 10 digit number to be shared or recalled as there are so few living in the area to warrant using it. Names, faces and numbers are easily memorized and called upon. Folks just being who they are and sharing what they have with those around them. Try to find that in the city life of multitudes.
There is so much I want to share, but I need to gather my thoughts first. That is after I unpack the mountain of boxes still waiting on me. I only have one short week before I will have to be re-packing for another adventure. One that will take me hundreds of miles from home to the country of Honduras. The mission trip will be here before I can turn around and find a place to sit down for a rest. My hubbie will get to experience the farm life in it's entirety while I am away for a week of mission's work. Coming home will be filled with surprises I am sure, as he will have completed some loose ends on the house and the chicks I know will be twice their size. It is a home-coming that I am looking forward to.
When ever you can, stop by for a visit.
There's room on the front porch for another chair and a great view awaits you.
Till then,
Deborah
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Missing in Action
I discovered some MIA's last evening as I went up to close the chicken coop up for the night. After putting the biddies to bed in their own safe housing, checking on the 2 determined broodie hens, I realized there was a fewer number on the roost. Counting heads revealed that 6 of our hens were missing. The first of our flock, given as part of my birthday present last year. Two Orphingtons, 2 White Rocks, 1 Rhode Island Red and Martha was not to be found. I hoped that they were holed up somewhere, being caught by the late shower right at dark. I also wondered if someone had taken them, as they are the calmest ones and quite friendly. Walking right up to you for a free treat if you have one. Martha would even ask to be picked up by pulling on your pants leg.
A search of the property next door this morning answered the questions in my heart. I found 1 pile of Orphington feathers and the body of Martha a few yards away. None others to be found and the worst outcome revealed. They were killed by something in broad daylight, either a dog or possibly a hawk. I did not see any signs of the others but at this point it seems futile to look.
A search of the property next door this morning answered the questions in my heart. I found 1 pile of Orphington feathers and the body of Martha a few yards away. None others to be found and the worst outcome revealed. They were killed by something in broad daylight, either a dog or possibly a hawk. I did not see any signs of the others but at this point it seems futile to look.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Solo
On this Friday in May I made my first trip out to the farm alone. It was a pleasant drive out as there were very few people on the road with me. My plans for the day were to get some additional painting done in hopes of speeding up the process of getting the rooms completed. Opening the door and stepping into an empty house except for remodeling supplies scattered in every room seemed oddly enough normal to me ( the emptiness not the mess). I can see myself coming through the back door with groceries in hand or with a laundry basket propped on my hip with fresh sun-dried laundry piled high. Or coming home from an errand somewhere and upon entering into our new home place, I am stepping into a different way of life. Pleasure and peace flowing in and out of them.
All was quiet as I worked, not a sound to be heard except for the swish of my paint brush, along with the sounds of nature outside the windows. Birds chattering to each other, bees buzzing around the windows and the wind blowing in the trees. All were soothing sounds to my mind and soul. Off at the distance I could hear a horse whiny at a farm down the road. The quiet this morning I imagine will be a good example of the type of days to come once we are living here. Although with Amber's greetings and complaints it could be a little more noisy for awhile till we all get settled in.
I did get the painting done on the pieces above the kitchen cabinets, using the same color from the adjoining dinning room of "Calm Air". A fitting name for this morning's work. I have been unable to find a border that I like. So I have decided to use the space above the cabinet doors for displaying antique items, signs, anything smaller enough to fit the space and be able to be hanged. I will definitely be on the lookout for things that make me smile, that have a kitchen feel and give the area a cheery look.
Our kitchens are to be a place where love is cooked up for our families and we spend time gathered around as we share our day's adventures. It needs to be uplifting, a warm, happy and an inviting place for all to hang out. My decor choice is be a country~farm motif, to reflect the new adventure in our lives.
I was also able to trim out the closets, readying them for a fresh coat of paint. Like everyone else, ours will be filled to capacity and leave very little wall showing. But none the less it is always good to start with a clean space. No one else will probably notice, but it is comforting to me to have them painted.
All day long only 2 trucks rambled down the dirt road and 1 plane heard at a distance to far to see. Something I will enjoy immensely is the absence of planes overhead, we have lived for 20+ years in the flight pattern of the Atlanta airport. Quiet is what I will be looking for, may even have to teach the Goats and Chickens to whisper.
Enjoying the quiet,
Deborah
All was quiet as I worked, not a sound to be heard except for the swish of my paint brush, along with the sounds of nature outside the windows. Birds chattering to each other, bees buzzing around the windows and the wind blowing in the trees. All were soothing sounds to my mind and soul. Off at the distance I could hear a horse whiny at a farm down the road. The quiet this morning I imagine will be a good example of the type of days to come once we are living here. Although with Amber's greetings and complaints it could be a little more noisy for awhile till we all get settled in.
I did get the painting done on the pieces above the kitchen cabinets, using the same color from the adjoining dinning room of "Calm Air". A fitting name for this morning's work. I have been unable to find a border that I like. So I have decided to use the space above the cabinet doors for displaying antique items, signs, anything smaller enough to fit the space and be able to be hanged. I will definitely be on the lookout for things that make me smile, that have a kitchen feel and give the area a cheery look.
Our kitchens are to be a place where love is cooked up for our families and we spend time gathered around as we share our day's adventures. It needs to be uplifting, a warm, happy and an inviting place for all to hang out. My decor choice is be a country~farm motif, to reflect the new adventure in our lives.
I was also able to trim out the closets, readying them for a fresh coat of paint. Like everyone else, ours will be filled to capacity and leave very little wall showing. But none the less it is always good to start with a clean space. No one else will probably notice, but it is comforting to me to have them painted.
All day long only 2 trucks rambled down the dirt road and 1 plane heard at a distance to far to see. Something I will enjoy immensely is the absence of planes overhead, we have lived for 20+ years in the flight pattern of the Atlanta airport. Quiet is what I will be looking for, may even have to teach the Goats and Chickens to whisper.
Enjoying the quiet,
Deborah
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Farm Update
Morning chores are done for now. An activity that comes around like clockwork, day after day. Both morning and evening chores are a steady part of our lives now. The work is not hard and offers a type of routine that brings pleasure most days. Looks like we will be having no more baby chicks for awhile. For our growing brooder boxes has grown to 3 as the biddies continue to gain weight and height. Out growing their space and needing room to move about.
Another quick stop at Home Depot for ceiling paint and we were ready for another day of painting. On the way we stopped off for a box of fried chicken from Publix. An attempt at variety for our lunch, helpful to our usual fare of sandwiches.
For me it has been hard to choose the paint colors for the interior rooms; kitchen, bath, office, etc. It would be helpful if I had a border decided on for the kitchen. Choosing a color from it to accent the walls with. I also need to be deciding on curtains as well for the guest room, bathroom, dinning room and office/activity room. Could start with just blinds on the windows. They would certainly cover the windows and give privacy. Not that I expect anything but a stray bird or two to look in. None the less I don't plan on have blank windows at night, like to close the house up when it is time for bed. Blinds would allow us to move in and give me more time for shopping later on.
So many small details to think about and purchase,
Deborah
Another quick stop at Home Depot for ceiling paint and we were ready for another day of painting. On the way we stopped off for a box of fried chicken from Publix. An attempt at variety for our lunch, helpful to our usual fare of sandwiches.
For me it has been hard to choose the paint colors for the interior rooms; kitchen, bath, office, etc. It would be helpful if I had a border decided on for the kitchen. Choosing a color from it to accent the walls with. I also need to be deciding on curtains as well for the guest room, bathroom, dinning room and office/activity room. Could start with just blinds on the windows. They would certainly cover the windows and give privacy. Not that I expect anything but a stray bird or two to look in. None the less I don't plan on have blank windows at night, like to close the house up when it is time for bed. Blinds would allow us to move in and give me more time for shopping later on.
So many small details to think about and purchase,
Deborah
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