Lighthouse Quilt

I have been toying with the idea of making my dear grandmother a light house quilt for some time now but every pattern I came across just seemed so complicated I gave up before I even attempted it! I even thought maybe I could make my own pattern ... Then I realized that would be even more complicated!!! So I put the idea on a back burner..

But with my grandmothers 75th birthday coming up I knew I wanted to do something light house related, as she loves them! For years she's been getting light house calendars, lighthouse puzzles, lighthouse coffee mugs, lighthouse books .... She hasn't said it but really how many coffee cups can one have with a picture of a lighthouse on it? She must be getting tired of it!

So, one day while aimlessly walking the aisles of a thrift store back in February I came across light house embroidery squares! And so, a light house quilt began! I did all the embroidery (12 squares) while watching tv at night and then sewed it all together in about two days! I'm happy with the results and Even happier that she loved it!

I love my Grammy and hope she enjoys Her new quilt :)

Also, I gave her a bar of honey oatmeal goat milk soap i made and she thought it was a cookie and almost took a bite!!!! So now my next mission is to make labels for my soap bars!!!!

I love may!

Among other magical things that happen in spring one of the most exciting for me is getting the garden rotor tilled! With every turn of dirt is the promise of crisp cukes, juicy tomatoes, delicious corn, green beans, peas.... Need I go on? And images of sparkling, colorful jars lining the pantry shelves from the summers bounty! (My shelves are looking pretty bare right now!)

Our friendly bee-keeping neighbor came over with his big green tractor and got done in an hour and a half what would have taken us a day (at least) to do with a hand tiller!

We really need a tractor. Some day...

We have tomatoes, peppers and watermelon started, the garden mapped out and rest of our seeds in hand! The kids are taking full advantage of the freshly tilled dirt (the chickens are too!)

Happy gardening!

157 days

After 2 weeks of pawing, grunting, groaning, restlessness and down right discomfort may finally had her baby!

I counted and recounted her dates and realized that apparently I can't count because I was two days off! Still, 155 days went by and still no baby! however, on day 155, during the evening chores I noticed her bag had tripled in size and she walking weird. I checked her three times that night and nothing.

The next day- Friday morning (day 156) when i went out to do chores and she wouldn't leave the goat house so I thought it was getting closer. I had an appointment 45 minutes away so I figured shed probably kid while I was away... But I came back and still no baby!

As the day wore on she wasn't eating or drinking and looked even more uncomfortable... By Friday night she looked miserable. Her bag was solid, red and hot. She wouldn't lay down and I was getting worried. I called my uncle who's been raising goats for 15 years and he came up to check her. He couldn't feel any babies in the birth canal but he said she was really close. At this point she hadn't laid down in over 12 hours. I was so worried about her.

At 5:30 am Saturday morning I went out and she had a long string of goop hanging out. I was so excited... I knew it would be soon. I was so glad to not be alone and have my husband with me as it was both our first times to watch a goat deliver! She started pushing at about 9:50 am.

When the bag came out and popped -almost immediately after a hoof shot out! I knew it wasn't presenting right so my husband went in and tried to find the other foot. It was bent under the baby's mouth. He couldn't get a hold of it so I went in and couldn't get it either...( man are those babies slippery) i started panicking so my husband tried again and finally got it... It was really stressful and scary but all went well!

What was weird was I watched dozens of YouTube videos of goats in labor and giving birth and May had all the signs for two weeks before she actually delivered! But... 24 hours before they all went away and she just stood in her house. She didn't paw, bite at her belly, didn't pant.. Didn't make a sound until we had to intervene and pull out a leg.

Im kind of glad in some ways that we had to assist because now we know we can do it. It definitely made us feel better about next season and having babies! So, on a beautiful spring day our first baby was born on the farm-

A 10 pound buck! Welcome to the farm Gandalf!

Agony ...

Well, the first goat I ever got is due to have her first set of kids anytime! She's at 153 days and it's torture waiting for her to kid!! She's been showing signs since last Saturday.. Apparently she has her very own copy of the "does code of honor" -And she's using it!! It's agony waiting... I check her several times a day and can't imagine whAts taking so long for them to come out! Yesterday I noticed a giant protrusion on her right side! I could hold it in my hand .. I'm pretty sure it was a little goat bum! I can't wait to finally have them come out!!

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

neglected

I have completely neglected this blog. That I promised myself I would NOT do, ah, life happens I guess.

And its not like I haven't been busy, because I have been.

I have this little guy in the oven. Due November 6th.

I slaved all spring to get decent grades (I pulled an A and an B)

I have this cute little guy to run after daily:

And not to mention the goats, the dog the cat and and all the other things that I have to care for daily.

All I really wanna do is quilt though. My latest is for the new baby!

Terrible picture and not finished...

Front and back! Can't wait to finish it!!!

I have been....

 Dreaming a lot lately!! I caught myself day-dreaming today on a trip to town.

I snapped myself out it. I have everything I ever wanted. What nonsense to dream about a new Jeep (that I want soooo badly) or a minature donkey (we have one up the road and once I set eyes on him I wanted one!! Sooo cute!)....I have everything I ever prayed about or ever imagiened having...

Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives.  ~William Dement

Wouldn't it be nice too have freedom to walk outside and stare up at the pretty trees?



Or a little buddy to to hang out with and play dinosaurs and snuggle whenever? 

Or little rascals to entertain when cable is not readily available?

Or a darlin' little house.

Or this hunk of love to snuggle with every night?

Or a farm with a name like this?

Ahh, isn't it nice to dream.

10 below

Woke up this morning with a temperature of 10 below. Wowerz. The cold of Maine winters never ceases to amaze me. I can handle the freezing take your breath away cold air but when it starts getting in the negatives, well that's when I stay indoors and say the heck with any out door activities. Brrrr

Anyway,
Ice fishing and dreaming is what we have been doing.  Saturday and Sunday were spent ice fishing. Saturday was freezing. Bundled up and moving in the sun were not enough to keep warm. What made it even colder was the lack of fish. Some how is doesn't seem as cold when there are fish too measure and "ohh" and "ahh" over.

Sunday was better; not so cold and a couple of fish. Oh and a really pretty view!

These are our ice fishing chairs. They are bucket seats removed from an RV and milk crates are nailed the bottom of them. Mine is engraved "Wifey" and Merle's says "Merle's". We get compliments everywhere we go. I told ya' we were rednecks :)

We adopted a new kitty from the shelter on friday, I pictured him in the last post. Mr. Hazy. What a character! The other animals are adjusting slowly to him. Hazy seems okay with them, they are just weary of him. He is a great cat though! We are so excited to have him in our home! Rescuing animals is such a great thing to do. We have adopted our dog and one cat so far...I would like to adopt one more kitty but I am not sure if the hubbs will let me? We donate money too knowing that it goes to a great cause!



Max and Hazy. Merle and Steve never let their sides just in case a fight broke out, lucky it didn't!!



All three of the animals! Nala and Max..the trouble makers! And Hazy behind them watching!

As far as the dreaming is we need to build a fence, a house for the goats and an  additional house for the chickens and ducks for spring.We also have endless dreams when it comes to the house and all the improvements we would like to do! Like the hardwood floors that need to refinished...the fun just never ends!

Saturday I went through a catalogue to show Merle what kind of chickens and duck that I want. Obviously, we need to get practical birds...good layers and meat birds HOWEVER there are just some darling looking exotic ones that are sooo cute!! Growing up we always had chickens but they were always the common ones, like Rhode Island Reds for egg laying reasons, and of course we always had the meanest roosters!!! I don't know what it was about me, but I was forever getting attacked by the mean old rooster! Anyway...I want to make it fun and spice up the fun of farm life with some fluffy feathered feet and pastel eggs! Who said you can't mix pratical and fun?!

Hello

Rapid Falls Farm is a beautiful piece of earth that we purchased in November of 2010. It is a charming 3 bedroom 1950's cape that was love at first sight. We have done minor changes such as ripping up carpet, exposing beautiful hemlock floors and repainting the livingroom and 2 bedrooms. Winter is a tough time to begin acquiring the herd of animals we need to really be able to call our land a "farm" so we are holding off our dreams until the warm weather comes. And let's not forget the garden that we have mapped out, utilizing all the square footage and getting a freezer in tip top shape for all the freezing and harvesting that's going to be going on come fall.

...That's not to say we don't have our hands full in the mean time!  We both have experience in these activies as we both grew up on a farm, one day dreaming of this life style. We feel extremely blessed that the time has come for our journey to begin!  We have full intentions of farming it as best we can, live as self sufficent as possible and of course  be the happiest we can be.

So a little about us. Both born and raised in Maine. Love the outdoors and all that this great state has to offer. I am a full time momma of a darlin' little 3 year old boy and part time student. My other half is a paver who is an avid fisherman. We do all the typical activities that all true blooded "rednecks" do and we are proud to fit into that catergory!

Here are our formal introductions:

 Well here we are.

This is more like it. In the woods. Rockin' the bomber hat.

This is the wee-little one. With a pine cone. And a walking stick. True woodsmen.

Our huge mischevious 50 pound mastiff/hound puppy. Who is always getting into trouble. Always!!! Mr. Maximus Boboli (middle name is that dough for pizza, what a funny name. we actually had an inside joke about "boboli" since its just a ridiculous word and even more silly to call pizza dough that and once we adopted Max, a big butterball puppy we thought hey! he's kinda "boboli" and the name stuck. Maximus Boboli.

Our newest addition. Mr. Hazy. A true American Bob Tail. Hazy is a dream come true to me since I have ALWAYS adored bobcats and from one of the very first dates with Merle I told him I wanted a bobcat. (Note: I realize it's ridiculous to ask for a true wild bobcat and never had any intentions of actually getting one just fun to tease the new BF that I truly had to a bobcat kitten) Anyway, we saw Hazy at our local shelter and HAD to have. Save an animal PLUS get a bob tail!? He's my dream come true!! As close to a bobcat as I'll ever get.

Oh, and he also the KING of the world. Well, his world anyway. I researched American Bob Tails, turns out they have "dog-like personalities". He truly has no idea he's a cat. I'm pretty sure he has no idea that he's a animal. Coolest Cat..... Ever.

The view from our back door step. There's the river and covered by the trees on the left are the rapids. Hence, "Rapid Falls Farm"

 

So far we have a little 3 year old who seems to get bigger every single minute, a huge puppy with a movie star personality (no really, we adopted him at 3 months from a shelter and that was his description "attention getter", "movie star personality") I am pretty convinced that he has no idea he is a dog. He truly believes that he is famous and thus is naughty at every oppurtunity because it seems celebrities get away with everything and anything.  A kitty who is king of the world and prances around the house strutting his stuff. I just can't wait to meet the rest of the farm! Hurry up spring we are anxious, cold and ready to play in the mud!!