From the Country Farm

Katie like to ride in the truck..

2012-02-27T22:03:00.000-05:00

She likes to hop up into the cab of the truck (because I don't have a cap and it's COLD; too cold to ride in the back, here in February) and stand between the rear seat and the back of the front seat or lay down on the rear seat or stand with her head in between the two front seats. Usually on the way back from not playing nicely with the buck she'll rest her head on my shoulder and make her sweet little Katie noise. This was my last shot this season with her and once again she didn't co-operate. UGH!

Maybe we'll have more co-operation and hopefully some success with Galloway! This him at 4 weeks and I am SO pleased with his growth and confirmation! Really looking forward to having him here and hopefully get a little black doe out of him next year!

I love goodwill and milk-glass...

2012-02-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

And I love when I can go into goodwill and score a beautiful piece of milk-glass like this!

One happy hen!

2012-02-25T22:03:00.000-05:00

bucket list

2012-02-23T08:57:00.000-05:00

I've recently been on pinterest and created a bucket list, or at least working on creating one. You know making a someday list or a list of things you are going to do before I die, things like drive a team of draft horses, Montana, own a goat, try making cheese and soap, Greece, Tuscany, grow old with the one I love, and ride Garlic on the beach.............................

and oodles of others, which makes me ask....

What's on your bucket list?

music to my ears!

2012-02-21T13:52:00.000-05:00

Maple syrup season starts today!

Bridger took on the role of supervisor this year...

...he was about as much help as any supervisor ever is...

good quote

2012-02-16T08:02:00.000-05:00

“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.” ~unknown

good quote

2012-02-15T10:54:00.000-05:00

"Friendship is not about who you've known the longest. It's about who walked into your life, said "I'm here for you" and proved it."

~unknown

How very very true this proved to be this summer...

qood quote

2012-02-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

"I'll take character over reputation. Your character is what you really are, while reputation is merely what others think you are."

~AJPEREZ

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-14T22:19:00.000-05:00

Is there anything more sexy than a man in the kitchen cooking? YES! A man in the kitchen making chocolate covered strawberries for the love of his life. Ron's hands are severely atrophied and cause him extreme and constant pain so for him to think of and do this knocked my socks off. His sweet thoughtful gesture melted my heart, then melted in my mouth, they were delicious! Want more sexy?

A man who steps aside and shows his son to do the same thing for his mom. Andrew was just as proud as a peacock to be able to do this for me and grinned from ear to ear as he said to me "Open wide!" and plopped the biggest berry he'd dipped in my mouth. I love being surrounded by my men. :-)

Meet our new herd sire!

2012-02-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

This little guy, well.... actually not so little, born at 10 lb 6 oz and growing like a weed already, will be joining our happy little farm in March and hopefully next spring will be the proud papa of at least one little black doeling. ::Swoon::

Trying to decide what his registered name will be. I like Lapse of Reason Twister (hehehe selfishly), Lapse of Reason Galloway (cause he kinda looks like a beltie). or Lapse of Reason Mr. Right. Help me decide what his name will be.

and without a bursting bladder!

2012-02-09T16:28:00.000-05:00

"What is she doing?" may be a question you're asking right about now. Well this is an ultrasound to check for pregnancy being done on a goat. Strawberry to be exact. I'm very frustrated with this doe lately. With her first kidding she couldn't have made it look easier, Buckley was a big boy but not so big as to cause damage. Katie just slid out like one going through a tunnel on a water slide! No issues conceiving, kind of a one shot wonder type deal. Last year; two years after Buckley and Katie were conceived, I tried to breed her again, no luck. Figuring it was just too late in the season or what have you I chalked it up to a loss. This year I've used two different bucks and not has success with either one, both of which are proven bucks. So it's certainly my doe, what is frustrating is I have no idea why this is happening. I've talked to the vet about this and we've got a game plan, starting with this ultrasound to see if the last time was a charm. It was not. :'-( I've given her a dose of something that's supposed to help this process along and bring her to the buck tonight, but in all honesty I'm not counting on this working. I'm sooooo very discouraged. Right now Venus is the only one that is bred and I'm so hoping she took, but I'll have an ultrasound done on her as well to be sure. If she didn't, my last hope is Katie, cantankerous, persnickety, tail wagging Katie. And counting on her is comparable to counting on a politician to fulfill campaign promises. Don't hold your breath!

Strawberry was so good and the vet was so patient and really was hoping to find babies in there but with no success. I fought back tears in vet's office wondering what I'm going to have to do. This sucks!

And oh, I know she didn't have the bursting bladder that any mom who's ever had an early pregnancy ultrasound "needs" because she walked into the office and promptly peed and dropped 'goat berries' all over the waiting room floor! Sheepishly I asked for some paper towels...

We did it!!

2012-02-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

Remember a while back I asked you to show me the love? Well you sure did!!! Tonight we hit 224 fans on our facebook page! WOW! Thank you!

beautiful milkglass...

2012-02-05T19:06:00.000-05:00

my boy...

2012-02-05T17:10:00.001-05:00

so beautiful

2012-02-01T18:57:00.000-05:00

I was just sitting in the sunroom the other morning in the best seat in the house, looked out across the fields and gave thanks that I live here in a place so beautiful.

Have YOU tried them yet?!

2012-01-31T23:02:00.000-05:00

There are sooo many choices and more on the way - what are you waiting for?

thank you pinterest

2012-01-31T21:46:00.000-05:00

for my newest addiction - cinnamon breakfast puffs and browned butter, I mean really how have I lived this long without either?!

Uh-oh....

2012-01-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

Uh-oh.... Houston we have a problem... Last night when I went to pick up my doe (who's recently been playing nice with a buck...:-) ) and trying to find a herdsire for my girls, I was shown a little, (well actually not so little, one day old and over 10 lbs!!) black buckling. I didn't bring my camera doh! but he's an even better prospect than the little white buck I've told you about already. I have a very difficult decision to make and soon. It's too bad I don't need two - yet!

if all goes well this year...

2012-01-28T21:04:00.000-05:00

...we should have goat kids in June! I know I said that last year but I'm an optimist! Strawberry, if she took this time....(my gut says she didn't, the owner of the buck says he's got a good feeling about it...) is due on the 4th on June and Venus if she took is due on the 27th. I'm sooooo hoping they both did because Katie did not. :-(

his twin sister...

2012-01-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

a strong possibility

2012-01-28T00:31:00.001-05:00

There is a very strong possibility that this little cutie; who tonight is 3 days old and who comes from AMAZING milk lines, might just by our future herd sire. It's time, I think, for our own buck. I'm so tired of running all over creation and hoping to have the timing just right and hoping the ladies will co-operate... ugh it's just not worth it, so I mentioned this to the farmer who's been a great help, source of information and whose family inspires me and I've got first refusal for the bucks his does are having this year! I've got my eye on this little gem! He's got an "OK, I'll just sit here in you lap and be loved on all day" kind of attitude, exactly like Buckley (at least for now) which is exactly what we want!

He's a happy little guy!

only 5 spaces left!

2012-01-24T20:28:00.000-05:00

Our second annual Soap of the Month Club has some exciting new scents to offer this year, so if you're thinking about joining sign up today - we've only got 5 spaces left!

BEST chocolate EVER!

2012-01-23T14:06:00.001-05:00

As some of you are aware we're trying a raw food lifestyle for better health and so far we're loving it! As many of you ladies may want to know 'what about chocolate?! I NEED chocolate!' Well let me tell to I have no idea how I've lived my entire life without these raw chocolate truffles. Not difficult or a long process to make at all, I mean really the food processor did most of the work and I'll certainly be making them again! I'm on the best chocolate high EVER! ;-)

Ok, so for the recipe, it is not mine, I just added an ingredient - maca powder. Trust me, these may sound weird based on the ingredients, but trust me after you try these little beauties you'll thank me! Trust me.

½ cup pitted prunes
¼ cup pitted dates
3 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp Agave Nectar
2 tbsp cacao powder
1/4 cup grated unsweetened coconut
1 heaping tbsp maca powder
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

Directions

Place unsweetened cocoa powder in a shallow bowl and set aside.

Combine prunes and dates in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add almond butter, agave nectar, and cacao powder. Transfer to a bowl and mix in coconut by hand.

Scoop up about a tsp of fruit mixture and roll between the palms of your hand to form a small ball. Roll each ball in cocoa powder and place on a tray or plate that will fit in your fridge. Refrigerate until firm and enjoy!

Show me the love!

2012-01-19T21:44:00.000-05:00

Let's see if we can get 214 "fans" on our Facebook page by February 14th, if we get there one lucky "fan" will win this bag full of our best loved products! Sound good? Let's do it!

oh so happy to have these finished!

2012-01-17T21:38:00.000-05:00

I may have mentioned that I've been knitting my fingers to the bone, well, the above photo is the last knitting project I'll be making for a while, I've really injured my shoulder and had to finish the last project with my shoulder packed in ice and will continue to ice it for a while yet. Who knew knitting would be so hazardous?!

These are three headbands for a mother daughter duo and friends of mine all knit from yarn my boys produced, I'm SOO excited to have the yarn back as well as the knitting done! Er for a while at least.

a gray version

2012-01-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

This too is yarn from my boys, Crazy Professor and Blackberry I'm calling it CrazyBerry! Soft and warm and slips through my hands like butter!

now that's COLD!!!

2012-01-14T22:54:00.000-05:00

Right now it's cold here, I don't know exactly how cold but cold enough that when I went out to do the barn chores tonight the snot in my nose froze. Needless to say that I was not excited to be out there much longer than necessary but I do need to feed and care for my animals so I bundle up and go out and try to ignore the cold. Dakota, our llama has an abscessed tooth which I am in the process of treating. Not to worry, he's responding well to treatment and from what I understand this is quite common for both llamas and alpacas, considering this is our first one here I think I'm doing alright. Other than being over the moon disgusting treatment isn't that bad, a course of antibiotic and flushing the draining pocket of puss until it heals. By pocket of puss I mean the first time I drained it there was well over a tablespoon of thick, white, slightly chunky puss that came out of the hole in his face! Gross is not the word for it! In some cases I understand the tooth can be removed but the risk is a broken jaw neither of which sounds good to me.

Dakota is learning that when I come into the stall without food I'm coming after him for treatment, he has been taking off to the far end of his pen requiring me to follow, now he's realized that treatment isn't going to kill him and he feels better and is followed by grain - which he loves! Now he steps away just a few steps as if it's an attempt to remain defiant in front of his herd but secretly just giving to the temptation of grain...

Tonight after most of the chores were done I popped back into the house to draw up the syringe of antibiotic and the flush and went back to the barn to treat Dakota. When I got to the barn I placed the syringes on the mini shelf of the stall, went to fetch Dakota and tie him up because he does not enjoy the dose of antibiotic and by doing this it's less space for him to move and dance around in which allows me to use both hands. Got him tied and grabbed the syringes. Feeling around under a ton of thick warm fiber for a place to pinch up a bunch of skin is not exactly an easy task, after this was accomplished I pushed the needle into his skin. I was not able to press the plunger down, I was sure I was in, but the plunger would not move, so I switched out the needles and tried again. The liquid in the needles was frozen! OMW!!! The flush was warm too! I couldn't believe it! I warmed them up so they would thaw and be given but I could not believe in the three minutes they were on the shelf they'd gotten cold enough for the liquid in the needle; which was covered, to freeze. Yup! That's COLD! After the antibiotic was given and the abscess was flushed (and bonus tonight I didn't get any of the puss or flush splashed back onto my face tonight! woohoo) Faith led Dakota over to his bowl of grain which he devoured almost as fast as Andrew eats pesto!

hot off my needles!

2012-01-13T22:14:00.000-05:00

I have no idea why the quality of this photo is so grainy but who cares about that when the excitement is this high!!! WOOHOO!!! This lovely headband was grown by Jonathan and Ramsey and handmade by me! I'm so excited about this, in case you couldn't tell. ;-)

What do y'all think?!

Have we any wool? Indeed! Several cones full!

2012-01-12T14:26:00.000-05:00

These three top cones are what has come in today and the middle one is all Monkey's fiber, once this is gone it's gone - we lost him this past spring. I kept telling him that I couldn't wait to wear him and I'm pretty excited about now being able to!

So what do you think? This a huge step for the farm and I've just giving you a heads up - I've got a couple announcements to make when all the details have been worked out! woohoo!

I knew it!

2012-01-11T18:45:00.000-05:00

I love that I've learned to listen to my instinct, the finely tuned gut instinct that has served me very well when applied to my family. I mentioned that being told that Ron's bleeding was 'old blood just finding it's way out' just didn't feel right well - turns out I was right! Without going into details I'll just leave it at that. So I urge all of you ladies out there to listen to that instinct, it's there for a reason and for you husbands, listen to your wives!

25 - insurance

2012-01-10T19:54:00.000-05:00

So I'm making my list of things I'm thankful for, and for today it's certain;y insurance. Ron, as you know, had had surgery recently and ended back up in surgery yesterday because he had sprung a leak from the incision and and we could not get it to stop, after a trip to the ER, three trips to the doc's office and waking up in a pool of blood they decided to go in and see what was going on. UGH! Anyway, I went to pick him up today from the hospital, got home and having been gone for two days made Bridger need a bit of exercise so the kids took him out to run and less than half an hour later Andrew came in and took out a paper towel for Faith whom had just cut her knuckle wide open which required three stitches. Got home from that and took - I'm kidding. I have to laugh else I'd go insane! So one of the gifts I'm thankful for today certainly is insurance.

24 - inspiration

2012-01-08T16:35:00.000-05:00

My very special aunt cam to visit today and brought me one of her latest creations. I just absolutely love it! I am so happy to be part of a special, talented and creative family! This is a wire tree that she sculpted and told me that I was her inspiration. ::blush:: Unfortunately the picture doesn't do it justice it is just beautiful and I love the way it sparkles in the sun! Thank you Auntie Cupie for something to treasure other than our relationship.

#23 - a place of solitude

2012-01-07T00:28:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure the stress of 2011 has caught up with me and is now taking it's toll. For about a month or so now I've been dealing with a pinched nerve in my neck/left shoulder, with chiropractic care it is finally getting considerably better for which I'm thankful. At the initial visit and exam I was told that (without my saying what a treat 2011 was and what I'd been dealing with) it was likely due to loads of physical and mental stress.... hmmm what may have caused that?! So uh, yea, I've been a bit stressed and knitting my fingers to the bone trying to make ends meet and the physical stress of that combined with the mental stress has come to a head, but the timing is amazing! I was talking to the receptionist which ended up being the chiropractors wife and a holistic health coach! Bonus. We started talking and I have no idea how it came up be I made mention that part of the stress which has caused the pinched nerve was Ron's health, she looked empathetically at me and handed me a DVD to watch. She proceeded to tell me a bit about what it was about - 6 people reversing diabetes and getting off all their meds, including insulin, blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I burst into tears, which made her get all choked up, I said thank you and left.

Here is a wonderful preview:

So I brought it home, told Ron about it and we watched it together. The longer thinker/processor on the family need to process what he'd heard and decided a few days later that he's willing to give it a try! I almost burst into tears again. Let me back up a bit, during the cancer scare this summer I'd been directed to a few documentaries that might be a glimmer of hope in what seemed like a dark spiral we were in at the time, one of them that clicked instantly was: Food Matters

which led to: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, Burzynski the Movie, Vanishing of the Bees, and Gasland. All of which came on the heels of King Corn, Food, inc. and Fresh and all of which I think you should see. I had also been introduced to The Raw Truth and Perfect Weight America both by Jordan Rubin, both of which I'm in the process of reading. I was ready for a glimmer of hope, a ray of sunshine, a straw to grasp what have you, so I went back to another appointment and asked more about this raw food thing and asked for a book to start with. She smiled, made a recommendation and said that she was starting another round of raw food "cooking" classes in January so the kids and I are looking forward to that and hopefully Ron will join us.

Which brings us to the surgery Ron just had to relocate the ulnar nerve in his left arm due to the severe atrophy and muscle wasting. The surgery went well and outlook looks good. He got his stitches out yesterday and last night we ended up in the ER again because the wound had popped open and would not stop bleeding, and I mean it was a gusher! The ER nurse whose name is Chris is now quite familiar with us and recognizes us, joked as we walked in saying this was the best that Ron has ever looked and almost didn't recognize him, but could tell there was a serious issue and took great care of us. I hope there is a comment card I can fill out for him, he's awesome! The ER doc wwas finally able to get the bleeding to stop and we went home after a while with instructions to follow up with the surgeon today, so we did. She flushed the wound and dressed it and sent us on our way, we went over to pick up a script for an anti-biotic just in case... and while he was standing there it started gushing, again. We returned to the surgeon who'd gone back into surgery and the seemingly alarmed nurse in the office went back to get the doc. She came back out and dressed the wound, again and said to expect this until all the blood from surgery a week ago comes out. Quite frankly this doesn't feel right, I've learned to listen to my gut and this doesn't make sense to me. By the time we made it home the blood had soaked through a TON of gauze, dressings and ace wraps, so I watch add more gauze and wrap it again, and wait.

In the meantime the kids and I have a humdinger of a head/chest cold; how Ron had not caught it is beyond me, I'm trying to listen to my body and rest because that's what it is telling me it needs and take care of the kids Ron, and the barn. While out doing the barn chores tonight the kids made me ugly and I sent them into the house. Nearing tear again from the stress and concern over Ron, feeling like I've been run over by a mac truck, the pain from the pinched nerve and all the other things going on made me walk into the grain room and collapse on the hay. Bridger who is now a tried and true farm dog likes to hang out in the grain room on the hay while we do the chores was already in there making a nest for himself in the hay was all too happy to have me plunk this tired body down beside him. "Puppy" I whispered and he gently laid his lead on my lap. I let out a long sigh and he did the same. I leaned back onto a bag of grain; cushioned by Garlic's winter rug, put my feet up on a grain bin and listened to some of the most magical sounds on the planet. I heard the peaceful hum of the alpacas, the rustling of the hay and the occasional pawing as the goats enjoyed their hay, I heard the gentle cooing of the hens and an occasional flutter of wings as they finished eating and hopped up to their perch to settle in for the night. One of the goats started bleating in protest thinking I'd forgotten to feed him and wanted to make sure I hadn't. I hadn't, just hadn't made it there yet. And Garlic was snuffling through his dinner and enjoying every delicious morsel. Odd as this may sound I love the smell of the barn, I just love it, the sweet intoxicating smell of second crop hay, the combination of manure and fresh shavings, cold crisp winter air, warm breath of the animals, sweet smell of the grain, the leather in the tack room, it's all perfectly harmonious and brings me such peace. I just laid there listening and breathing in the barn and realized that I was feeling the stress just melt away and realized that I was so fortunate to have a place where I could find solace and I smiled.

it's real now!

2012-01-04T21:32:00.000-05:00

Today in the mail was a payment for some of the roving I just got back from the mill and for me that made it real! I'm so excited about this! I'm SO EXCITED! Yea!

best seat in the house!

2012-01-03T11:14:00.000-05:00

If I have to be in the house and not in the barn, arena or garden then this is where I love to be. This sunroon was the best investment the former homeowners ever made! Three walls of windows to let in oodles of light, high vaulted ceilings and only two outlets so that it cannot be spoiled with electronics like tv's and dvr's. blech! So next time you're wanting a great cup of chai, or a strong iced coffee stop in, have a seat and sit a spell.

600 and one word.......

2012-01-01T19:06:00.001-05:00

As I welcome the new year AND celebrate my 600th blog post I'd like to know what your New Years resolution or goal is - IN ONE WORD. Can you tell me in just one word? I'll go first. FREEDOM!

** The only New Years resolution I've ever kept was to not ever make any more resolutions, so I don't, I set goals, goals I can do!

good quote

2011-12-31T22:03:00.000-05:00

"If I can help just one person, right just one wrong, save just one life, then my life is worthwhile."

Alice Crawford

good quote

2011-12-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

Joseph Campbell

better than expected!

2011-12-28T19:46:00.000-05:00

just a quick pop in tonight to let you know that Ron was first up this morning for his surgery; the only benefit as far as he can tell to being an insulin dependent diabetic, and about 45 minutes after he was in the recovery room we were headed home! Talk about a drive-by surgery! HOLY COW!!! He is home and pain is under control and he is resting comfortably. The surgeon came to talk to me after surgery and told me the surgery went better than expected and his recovery outlook is bright. The nerve was happy in a less invasive procedure area BONUS!! which we'll take after the gloomy cloud we've had over us for a good part of the year.

and on the docket for tomorrow...

2011-12-27T19:50:00.000-05:00

another surgery for Ron. Ulnar nerve relocation. Yup. OUCH! I've got a big post coming soon, but priorities being what they are I cannot spare the time at the moment. I know y'all understand. I'll at least update you tomorrow night how things go. I'd very much appreciate any prayers for him as well as the surgical team. Thanks!r

From all of us...

2011-12-24T23:18:00.000-05:00

We wish you a very Merry Christmas! Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

a cloud so soft

2011-12-21T14:51:00.000-05:00

A cloud of roving soft enough to make one thing it came straight from Heaven!

Warm Winter Woolies!

2011-12-19T23:18:00.001-05:00

So here it is folks! Just back from the mill and ready for some creativity, all that's needed is YOU! This is our llama/wool blend.

100% Maine grown alpaca! Exclusive From the Country Farm blend we call Johnsey! Makes me think of a sinfully rich mug of hot cocoa. Silky. Soft. Warm. What more could you ask for?

Miss Audrey's favorite "Deorgepaca!" Again 100% Maine grown alpaca! Similar to Johnsey only a white chocolate version!

All our fiber is processed and spun into this wonderful yarn within 10 miles of our farm, when I say I like supporting local businesses I mean local! :-) When the rest of the yarn is finished and back I'll post some pictures of that as well, it'll be after the start of the new year, I think I'll have all this yarn in hanks by then! Have I mentioned I'm just giddy about this?!

Way to go Rockland Maine!

2011-12-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

Thought y'all might like a little Christmas Cheer and something you won't see everywhere! Let me know what you think!

is it tomorrow yet?!

2011-12-16T16:28:00.000-05:00

After months of waiting I just got a call from the spinning mill and MOST of my fiber is ready! I'm going to go pick up what's ready tomorrow and I'm giddy about this, it's been a long time coming and a huge step for the farm! I'll post pics when I get it - after I'm done swooning over it!

last night's sunset...

2011-12-13T10:57:00.000-05:00

another stunner!

dual purpose

2011-12-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

Around here it's a good idea if you have more than one purpose, if you only have one you're liable to find yourself at the nearest thrift store. Take for example my sap evaporator, it also serves a vessel large enough to hold a triple batch of party mix (made vegetarian of course!) although to many of you it might be considered handy to have around when you're baking a turkey. ;-)

Merry Christmas - Country style!

2011-12-07T17:26:00.000-05:00

I confiscated Andrew's ranch rope and made a wreath out of it for our front door. I'll admit I "borrowed" this idea from a fellow blogger thinking it was too cute not to make one.

I think these belong to Mrs. Claus...

2011-12-04T11:59:00.000-05:00

....don't you?

good quote

2011-12-01T22:06:00.001-05:00

I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in the truth.

3 John 1:4

this beauty...

2011-12-01T13:21:00.000-05:00

is headed to Georgia this afternoon.... where would you like us to send one for you?

Over two pounds of fresh Maine farm grown goodness in a handmade wreath with white pine cones and a red velvet bow!

18-22

2011-12-01T09:31:00.000-05:00

18. poppy seed in my handmade goat milk soap
19. a working washing machine and dryer
20. Christmas movies that make you feel wonderful!
21. clean sheet day!
22. Mrs. Meyers cleaning products that are geranium scented, ahhhhhhh what a wonderful scent!

and many more...

2011-11-30T20:48:00.002-05:00

This the last day of this challenge and I'm glad I was able to participate in it again and both years when I'm done I feel like it's gone too quickly, 30 days is not enough time to list all of the things I'm thankful for. So here are a few more things I'm very thankful for; some more than others, but thankful just the same.

1. my hot and toasty electric blanket, it' makes crawling into bed at the end of a long hard day in an unheated bedroom tolerable!

2. a good supportive bra or 2 or 20...
3. a great fitting pair of jeans and my cowboy boots!
4. Bridger
5. the digital camera
6. the kindness of strangers during this year with Ron's health.
7. being able to pay the toll for the person behind me on the interstate or buying the person behind me in line at dunkin dounts a hot chocolate and wishing them a good day or a Merry Christmas.
8. great neighbors
9. a mother-in-law who serves meals for three vegetarians and a mostly meat eating family and makes sure there are delicious options for both.
10. Tyler's giggle
11. Andrews gentle heart
12. the nurturing side of Faith
13. vitamins and whole body and soul nourishing food
14. Garlic - my horse eh, the food too ;-)
15. flowers
16. cilantro - basil pesto
17. wood heat

and there are so many more. This was just a few off the top of my head. I started reading a book about making a list of 1000 things that we consider gifts, I couldn't finish the book because of time and the fact that it was too mind numbing for me but I got the general idea and this quick list just made my think of making my own list. Hmm, maybe if I did that next year I wouldn't feel like November's Gratitude challenge went too quickly....

for better relationships

2011-11-29T23:00:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful for a relationship that is way better now than when we were kids, a relationship that is honest, fun and a blessing beyond measure. Thank you Jenny for being such and wonderful friend and blessing in my life. You are an amazing beautiful woman and friend. I love you!

uh-oh Buckley...

2011-11-28T22:32:00.001-05:00

You got caught being naughty...cute, but naughty!

Ummm Katie...

2011-11-28T22:19:00.001-05:00

...there is an easier way to get your dinner... Silly little lady!

for knowledge

2011-11-28T22:17:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for knowledge, information and common sense.

for water

2011-11-28T11:07:00.000-05:00

Very thankful for our Kangen Water machine!

my knitting needles

2011-11-26T23:40:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for my collection of knitting needles, the ones handed down from my great grandmother, the ones given to me by my grandmother the ones purchased at goodwill and thrift stores and the few that I purchased. I'm thankful that I can create beautiful things with them and that those beautiful things are helping make ends meet.

for medicine

2011-11-25T23:06:00.000-05:00

after another trip to the ER of the local hospital tonight with Ron, I'm thankful for medicine and medical care. I'm also thankful for my health.

for answered prayer

2011-11-24T22:10:00.000-05:00

photo courtesy of D. Baker

Happy Thankgiving!

2011-11-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

From all of us here at From the Country Farm we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! As we stop and give thanks for all that we have remember to not only thank the person that prepared our feasts but for the farmer that grew it!

toasy toes

2011-11-23T23:26:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful I found some nice toasty warm footwear last year; Bogs, so any of you looking for toasty toes, look now further -go to the nearest store and pick yourself up a pair today! Worth every cent!

fourth time!

2011-11-22T22:34:00.000-05:00

I am thankful I have a daughter who LOVES donating her beautiful hair to "lots of love" (as she called it when she was 5 years old). This is her 4th time donating about a foot of hair. The last time she donated was June 15th, 2010. Way to go Faith! Keep going!

good quote

2011-11-22T11:39:00.000-05:00

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

Abraham Lincoln

for wool

2011-11-21T20:41:00.000-05:00

I LOVE wool! Wool sweaters, socks, mittens, hats and the animals that produce them! I love the fact that when you put them on it's like an instant furnace. I'm thankful oh so thankful for wool!

How cute is this dress?

2011-11-21T09:54:00.000-05:00

good quote

2011-11-20T21:50:00.002-05:00

"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do."

Unknown

change

2011-11-20T21:42:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for my ability to effect change. It may sound cocky, but it's the truth. I was able to do it in a positive, no pressure, nonthreatening way and I am thrilled! And because of this a few more animals were allowed to live out life as they were intended to life and lived a good life.

for success and a good nights rest

2011-11-19T19:01:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful for the success of today's Open Farm Day, glad it's over for this year, tired and thankful I have a nice warm comfy bed to crawl into tonight. I'm thankful for all my sister's cooking skill, my mothers sewing skills, my childrens help and my husbands patience.

It's morning

2011-11-19T06:01:00.000-05:00

Less the stress begin! We made it to Open Farm Day! Woohooo!

preparations under way!

2011-11-18T08:44:00.000-05:00

We are steadily preparing for our Open Farm Day this weekend, the wreaths are made and hung, the lights and garlands are up in the barn and the animals have been put on alert. We told them to expect to be highly adored - by loads of people other than us! ;-)

eternally thankful...

2011-11-17T21:28:00.000-05:00

... for my salvation.

crafts

2011-11-16T21:31:00.000-05:00

LOVE having an outlet for my creativity, soapmaking, knitting, quilting, scrapbooking, spinning, what have you, I love being creative and am thankful for that gift.

the barn and inhabitants

2011-11-16T08:55:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for all the critters in my life. They are a blessing to work with and they keep me sane - most days!

my home

2011-11-15T23:47:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful I have a wonderful place to call home. I absolutely LOVE it!

for commitment

2011-11-14T21:59:00.000-05:00

I love this picture and even more so the couple in it. It represents love, peace, respect, sacrifice and commitment and it's the commitment I'm thankful for because it really involves all the others. Today is our 16th anniversary and there were times that I wasn't sure we'd make it. I'm being honest here. There was a time when throwing in the towel would have been the easiest thing to do, mind you it wasn't always that way and it wasn't a daily thing, but I'm thinking likely some of you can relate and know where I'm coming from. When it would have been easier to throw in the towel I realized that I stood before God and Ron and witnesses and committed to love him and be joined together with him until we are parted by death. That was a sobering reality! It made me realize that if I went back on my commitment not only to Ron but to God that would be a huge statement about who I am, if I took back my commitment I'd be a person who talked the talk but not walked the walk and that is not who I am. I took a look at our relationship in a whole new light and saw things I could improve on, where I could grow, where I could change, (some I'm still working at...) and not just expect all that from him. I married all of him and he married all of me including my flaws. I have a long way to go but it's worth it. I wish that more people would realize that when you make a commitment make the commitment!

Ron told me a long time ago that marriage is not 50/50, it's 100/100 and it has proved to be a wise statement. It's hard work, it's heartbreaking at times, sometimes you get your feelings hurt and yes you are capable of damn near killing your spouse with hurtful things you do or say, so are they. Marriage is not always fun and it certainly isn't always champagne and roses - though it is sometimes!

But if you work through all those things that's when you get to the good stuff; the part of you that is able to trust only this person with your life, who is the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning and who reaches out to catch you when you stumble or fall. The person who knows you in the most intimate way and has the ability for feel you pain even when you're "fine." The person who you share children with and can make your day with a kind word or warm embrace. Who can make you feel like the most cherished person on earth with a kiss on the forehead. The person who is there when you look into the future and who is also in the past and both places bring a smile to your face. The person who goes out of his way to do something he knows will make you smile or thrill you to the moon and puts your needs before his own happiness, the person you cannot breathe without. Yes my friends, that is the good stuff.

Thank you Ron for the 16 years of marriage, the time before that as friends and the many years we have ahead of us. I love you!

for a strong bond

2011-11-13T21:50:00.000-05:00

I know after I'm gone that they'll have each others backs.

wheels!

2011-11-12T23:57:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for transportation that is not always horseback. With all the traveling we did today it would have taken forever or not been possible if we had to rely on a horse and buggy or our feet. I do find horseback to be a wonderful mode of transportation and I do like to take a walk, but I am thankful for my truck despite the fact it needs an engine and tires and Ron's car to get us to the places we go faster and gets us home quicker as well!

freedom

2011-11-11T21:55:00.000-05:00

Thank you to the service men like my husband, father, grandfather and uncles and women like my grandmother for your willingness to serve our country. Thank you to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to those who are standing in harms way even as I write to keep us safe. Thank you.

new packaging!!

2011-11-10T21:11:00.000-05:00

These are my new labels! I think they came out nice if I do say so myself! So many bars to get ready before the open farm day we're hosting, gotta go get crackin'!

it may seem silly...

2011-11-10T20:50:00.000-05:00

... but I'm thankful for electricity! It allows me to do the things I have to do like cooking and laundry faster so I can do the fun things like learning a new knitting pattern or making soap!

freedom and flexibility

2011-11-09T21:20:00.001-05:00

I'm thankful for many things today all of which relate to homeschooling my children. First I'm thankful for the opportunity or rather freedom to home school; the full, complete and total support of my husband, the lifestyle that allows me to stay home and do this, the support of many family members and friends some of which home school and some that do not and for those that think we're completely nuts! I'm thankful for the flexibility, for the spontaneity and the structure of homeschooling. I'm thankful to those who paved the way before us who knew that this was in the best interest for their children and fought so the rest of us could have a go at it too. I'm thankful that I've been there all along for, with and beside my children and that I've witnessed many moments of "a-ha! I get it!" and worked through the frustrations of not getting things the first go round and I'm thankful we can take the time needed for them to get it and not hold the rest of learning back or be held back when they are ready to zoom forward in something. I'm also thankful that we are enjoying this journey together, even the days that are less then 'perfect.'

co-operation from Katie

2011-11-08T23:09:00.000-05:00

If everything continues along the path we're on right now we should have goat kids at the beginning of April 2012! I'm so thankful that Katie found the visiting buck WAY more alluring today than she found him repulsive yesterday despite the fact he has peed all over his face and beard and reeks like a rutty buck will at this time of year and maybe tomorrow Strawberry will find him completely irresistible as well! Venus is holding out for a buck at another farm, one that met her fancy quite well last year and had a stunning doe with!

blessed by and thankful for...

2011-11-07T20:55:00.000-05:00

...great meals shared with great friends. Thank you Nancy! You are a true gem!

spontaneous day trips

2011-11-06T20:07:00.000-05:00

I woke up to a back rub and a question, "Do you have any plans today?" Then a "Let's go to Portland Head Light and take some pictures! C'mon, lets go!" How could I refuse?! So off we went!

We had a really good time too!

for goat school

2011-11-05T20:44:00.000-04:00

What a blessing it was to have the opportunity to go to a mini version of goat school with the Spauldings of Stony Knolls Farm. What a wealth of knowledge and all around great people!

And what nice words were spoken abut our very own Katie and Buckley!

for life strengthening words...

2011-11-04T17:11:00.000-04:00

...words like:

Peace..............Mercy...............Grace.......Hope.............Love.....

...and the greatest of these really is love.

the past 4 months...

2011-11-03T19:44:00.001-04:00

Odd as it may seem I'm so thankful for the past 4 1/2 months, yes, I'm talking about the time my husband has been ill, in and out of the hospital and home. It's been a long hard road we've battled and tomorrow marks a big day, Ron is returning to work which I'm thankful for but I'm also viewing it as a mixed blessing. Ron is not cured, he's still weak but has made an amazing recovery and making wonderful strides daily! I cannot tell you how proud I am of him without the waterworks starting. So I'll spare y'all that and suffice to say I'm very proud of him. But it's the last the last word in that sentence I'm focusing on. Home. Ron was in the hospital for a month, and back to the ER several times since he got out but for most of the time during all this he was home. He was here recovering, enjoying, rehabilitating, resting, playing, loving, smiling and living. He was home and bonding with our children and seeing them in a whole new light. He tole Andrew yesterday that people should be retired while they have children at home and work after they are gone. Hearing him say that meant so much, it brought tears to my eyes. Our relationship has grown too and we're closer now than ever before. He's had time to reflect on the things that matter, to think about things that matter and let go of things that just don't. He's been given the chance to live like he was dying and then the blessing of knowing he's not.

We've managed to pay all our bills; albeit some were late, but paid just the same, we had food on the table and gas in the car to get him back and forth to the appointments he had due in large part to the love and support and financial help from family, friends, neighbors, churches and complete strangers. I know without a doubt that it was the prayer support, God's grace and mercy we had during all this that got all of us safely through this. I was able to leave the farm and be at the hospital every day with him and knew the farm was in the capable hands of my kids overseen by my mom and I was able to be there with him at his appointments and not have to worry about missing work because we made the choice a long time ago for me to stay home with the kids and I'm thankful everyday for that.

I'm thankful for the past 4 1/2 months because we've been home together growing, laughing and loving and I'm going to miss these past days when tomorrow comes.

Ron it's been so very nice having you home with us, these are days I'll cherish. I love you.

another round of giving thanks - for an entire month!

2011-11-02T20:52:00.000-04:00

Oops, I forgot to post yesterday despite the fact that I knew this was coming up - chalk it up to an overly stressed brain fart. But anyway, I participated in this last year and had such a wonderful time thinking about all the blessings of my life that I'm thankful for so I'm participating again this year. It's a daily challenge to focus ourselves on the things that we are thankful for, I encourage you to do the same.

To start off with, I'm going to post two things I'm thankful for today because I didn't do it yesterday. So for today I'm thankful for 1. photography and 2. beautiful things to photograph.

I am thankful for photography because my memory cannot hold all of the things in it that I want to remember; and there are lots, but when I look at a picture I can remember that moment, that feeling or place. Photography is very emotional and powerful for me much like scents. My babies are growing up so quickly and there will come a day when they are grown and gone and I'll have memories and pictures and hopefully will be able to look through them and smile as the tears run down my face looking back at a life well lived and loved.

I'm thankful for beautiful things to photograph because without them life would not be worth living.

not the Rockies...

2011-10-29T12:48:00.000-04:00

...but beautiful in their own way...

too early!!

2011-10-27T20:45:00.000-04:00

Went out to do the barn chores tonight only to find it was snowing. I'm SOOOO not ready for snow I've still got SOOOO much to do!

too excited!

2011-10-26T18:48:00.000-04:00

I'm TOOOOOO excited about next years soap of the month club scents!

Tahitian Waterfall, Tibetan Amber, Sun and San and Coconut lime verbena to name a few!

I'm taking enrollments now and space is limited so if you're interested or thinking about giving this as a gift for Christmas please email me at fromthecountryfarm@gmail.com for details!

yesterday's project

2011-10-23T11:09:00.000-04:00

This house used to be a kennel and dog grooming business and had this room as the grooming room for the former owners business, it has been very underutilized while we figured out what to do with it. Well with the soap business starting to really take off and needing to have a place to cure and store it all and needing to have the area in the sun room back as living space, not soap curing space I though about that room even more. You see, it's not part of the living space of the house, it's a room off the garage and breezeway connecting the house and garage and would be just perfect for something like this. What's even more exciting about this is the fact that the cabinets were built by my mothers father and have recently come out of a house of a dear friend of mine who is remodeling her house, I nabbed them for "the shop" and installed them yesterday after painting the wall. I had some leftover paint from another room in the house and since this room had previously not been painted and was just plain chipboard wood I thought it needed some color... soooo I grabbed a paintbrush, the paint and a screwdriver and got to work. I had the wall painted (I have only one wall painted, the rest will be done shortly) and shelving up and loaded with some of my product in the couple hours I was home alone yesterday afternoon. We're getting ready for an Open Farm Day here next month and this was something I'd wanted to do for that. Lots more things to get done between now and then, but we're really excited about it!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this set!

2011-10-19T21:06:00.000-04:00

This is the most recent set off my needles, and as soon it was done it went immediately onto the head and hands of the new owner. Saw the hat pattern in a book, and fell in love with it, made the hat and had enough left over to make some hand warmers, so I designed these to go with the great hat! So pleased at how they all came out, what do you think?

Our yearly hike

2011-10-16T16:17:00.001-04:00

I've mentioned here before that we take a yearly hike to the top of this hill to get some pictures of the foliage and of course my beautiful children, this year despite all it's obstacles was not exception. The bonus was that Ron felt well enough to come along too! First up was Andrew, looking back at the other photos on here makes me want to cry, he's growing up so quickly but he's turning into a fine young man.

Next up was Faith, no longer a child, a beautiful young lady on the inside and out. She's come a long way from an itty bitty preemie... Poor girl, 4th bout of poison ivy this year!

Then came Ron's turn. I'm so thankful to have this picture of him

I wanted a couple shots of each of us with the kids and love how these came out.

But this is my favorite shot!

Well, this might be a second favorite, if I'm being honest.

We all had a nice time and enjoyed the view of Mt. Washington, the delightful fall foliage and the time spent together in the company of loved ones. I have no idea why God has chosen to bless me with such a wonderful family, but I am eternally thankful.

{this moment}

2011-10-16T10:31:00.000-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Houston?? I think we have a problem...

2011-10-13T21:37:00.000-04:00

...in fact I know there is a problem - on the comment section of the blog. I know that there are comments being made and not coming through, so if you've been commenting and they are not showing up I do apologize, I have no idea why this is happening.

Sportsmanship!

2011-10-12T22:01:00.000-04:00

Now this is what I call sportsmanship! Tonight after loosing their game again, Andrew saw a member of the other team headed to his car and said to him, "Good game! I hope you win more games!" My heart exploded with pride! Between that and the pink shoelaces he's wearing (all his thought and doing) in memory of a family friend who passed away from cancer, I don't think I could be more proud of him!

ready to head to the spinning mill!

2011-10-12T15:46:00.002-04:00

I've finally got all the fleeces weighed and ready to head to the spinning mill on Monday and will have yarn for sale mid November! Really looking forward to this, finally!