Always strive to "Live at the Pace of Nature"...

Wow...what a busy fall!  Being an admirer of nature and it's simpleness, I do strive to "Live at the Pace of Nature", but that is so hard to achieve with work, farm duties and all the chores that the "Holidays" create. Always the optimist, I continue to try though and refuse to surrender the quest! :) Another exciting year to attack...I am updating this farm journal and hope to keep up better in 2015.  My new years resolutions include: keep calm and keep going (i think the Queen of England said that once!) be sure to maintain perspective (everything on a farm is a priority...it is hard to focus sometimes on what really matters) Smile and enjoy the simple work...it is so wonderful!, follow the plan and stick to the schedule, Relax and enjoy this life (we chose it)...it will all get done...eventually! We sincerely hope 2015 is amazing for you and yours!


Winter is here and we are ready...sort of :) ....we still did not get the frostless faucets installed on the property and so are already facing farm chores with frozen water sources.  We cleaned and filled the 50 gallon, food grade water barrel in the garage, and are using it when we have to.  We did this last year and it worked well.  Maybe we will get those faucets by next year.  The new chicks...we call them the Chicklets (like the gum) are grown now and have been living in the small coop area.  We are actually moving them this weekend to the big coop where the adult birds will teach them the facts of life.  They are already acquainted with each other as the big coop and small coops yards are just separated by a wire fence so they have been "visiting" for the last few months.  The fact of life on a farm is that change means some hard choices.  We only have room for 6o chickens in the big coop and yard, so we will need to cull out about 10 of the less productive chickens, as we move the 20 new birds in. We will be humane and thank them for their meat.


The Dogs....Jack and Jill are loving the cooler weather.  They have 2 feet of clean straw in their 6'x6' dogs barn and seem cozy.  They love it when we go in and sit with them on occasion.  We have covered the veggies in  VG 1 with a gauzy row cover that allows air, sunlight and rain in, but offers some frost protection.  I am even covering the lettuces, spinach and swiss chard growing in the hoop house floor on those really cold nights, and have a small heater in their now.  We bought a solar fan, but haven't installed it yet.  Even on the coldest days, air circulation is a must!  We tilled and fenced VG2.  It is located within the dogs fenced acre and will be planted this coming spring.  We are going to put a veggie tunnel there also....we love those things.  The tomatoes, beans, cukes and peas grow over it and hang so handy for picking.  Organizing seeds and veggie/flower bed plans now. Cleaning up and out...caring for and sharpening tools.  Enjoy the winter...Rest, Reflect and Re-ignite!