Oh Easter...

Pictures of clean, well dressed, smiling children sitting Amongst playful, cute, cooperative animals is a far, far cry from what happens here on this farm...

It's a family affair..

Bottle feeding, among many other things, has become a family affair.

And I wouldn't want it any other way!

New addition

We brought a new critter to the farm today! A beautiful blue eyed bottle baby buck. He's the sweetest little thing, I am enjoying snuggling him in my lap and watching the joy on my children's faces when he bounces around and nibbles on their clothing..

I know what his future entails- a dirty ol' billy goat but I am SO enjoying his baby ness while it lasts ! And I am already anticipating the colors he will throw for spring 2014 babies! I think him & the girls shall make fine, colorful kids indeed.

His name is Bill Bo Baggins.

For a friend...

One of my dearest, longest and truest friends is going to be having her first baby in a few very short weeks. I am so happy for her and can't wait to see the tiny precious baby she will have .

I am also very excited to see her in her new role as a mama as she's worn many other hats but has waited to have a baby for a some time now. I kept her entertained and informed with the antics of my children, but it's just not the same as having your very own. I know she will wear this new hat proudly.

I thought of what to give her in celebration of this new life. I wanted something to comfort and honor the baby. I decided on a sail boat quilt, as both my friend and her husband served in the US Navy and are both retired. I know the baby will be as proud of his mom and dad as everyone else who knows them are ! What a special set of parents this baby has! I can't wait to meet him!!

It took me about a week to make this quilt from start to finish. Baby quilts are great to make- quick enough that I don't start to loose interest as I have in bigger quilts!

House warming

House warming

Over the past year or so my husband and i have come up with a goal to only make hand made gifts or buy local. It was sparked just in time for last Christmas. We came up with great ideas and followed through and were able to stay true, the only exceptions we've made for gifting has been with children.

Christmas 2012 was a home made extravaganza! Even extended family members joined in and I have to say it was the best Christmas! We saw so many great ideas come to life- found talent we didn't know we had and gifted and received treasures to hold onto forever. And even though I was stitching up the last gift in the car over to the party (literally) I was so much less stressed than in Christmas pasts. Something about making hand made gifts makes u really think about what that person would REALLY want and use. None of this wondering hopelessly in aisles hoping for an easy grab and go gift.

Fast forward to now and I have a beloved and dear aunt who just bought a farm with the love of her life. I'm so happy for her words can't even say! This was the aunt who took me to my first concert (and to many many more afterwords!) Shes the young at heart aunt that I turned to as a teenager with questions or advice when I knew my mother (her sister) would flip out about! She's always been there for me and now I want to give her a little something to celebrate her journey!

Sticking true to 'hand made' only and short on time I wondered what we could come up with to gift them for this very special time.....

Goat milk soap and a wooden soap of course! Soap i made, wooden spoon from my husband! I wanted whatever we gave to be small and meaningful, not something to 'clutter' up the new space and something they could actually use and enjoy. Soap of course doesn't last forever but while it does I hope they enjoy it! I hope they enjoy our gifts and there new lives :)

Update

I suppose theres been a lot of changes since my last post.

Weve accomplished many of the goals we set for ourselves and our little farm. Im excited to be back and start documenting our experiences. I think its safe to say we have offically become a farm!

We started out with a big garden last summer and canned like crazy!! It wasnt big enough though and this summer I plan on going even bigger and canning even more! I want to be able to not buy any vegetables from the store. We are buying very few now. I also started making goat milk soap- which I LOVE!! I cant imagine ever buying store bought soap ever again! (I seem to be saying that about  a lot of stuff lately!!)

We have 9 chickens and 3 ducks and 2 goats. We have goat babies due in April and since welcoming Charlotte to the farm we now have an  endless supply of milk :)

Fred & Dafney

Our Orpingtons

Fred

Miss. Charlotte in the milking stand

Mama May & her baby bumps :)

Its good to be back, life is good :)

-Bethany