Chasing Fireflies

Horse Tales

2010-08-08T07:49:00.008-05:00

Summer is flying by !

2010-08-07T17:20:00.010-05:00

As we gear up for school, we have been thinking about what a great summer we have had on the farm. We have picked blackberries...and Ryan even learned how to can blackberry jelly and jam ! We now collect approx. 15 fresh eggs per day from the laying hens. We have Black Australorps that lay brown eggs, and Araucana/Americana's that lay colored eggs. Earlier in the summer we learned how to process our own meat chickens. We have been milking our Jersey cow...getting approx. 2 gallons of fresh milk per day. We have made butter, and attempted to make mozzarella cheese. Our first try at making the cheese didn't turn out, so after we start milking Lucy again we'll try again. Lucy (the cow) is now resting and not being milked until after she has her calf in September.

We have learned something new everyday...some good, some bad. We have had to learn some things the hard way. We learned not to put a strange baby pig in with an adult sow. Claire did not want Maggie Mae (the baby pig ) in with her and hurt her very badly. We moved Maggie Mae in with Fainting goats to recouperate. She is doing good now, and she's starting to think that she's a goat !

We have also had land cleared for a new house that we will start building soon. Every day continues to be an adventure here !

Red Wattles are here

2010-06-15T20:24:00.005-05:00

5 Red Wattle pigs have been added to the farm. We will have piglets on the farm in August !

We also have 2 new fainting goat's who are bucks.

Dog Days of Summer

2010-06-06T06:39:00.003-05:00

Hank has now joined us on the farm. He is a registered Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD). Hank is 7 weeks old, and he shows great potential ! Sarah, our LGD who is a Great Pryenees X Anatholian Shephard, has been patrolling the farm by herself. She does a great job...we have never seen anything like it. We have always had "indoor" dogs that were pets. Sarah doesn't need to be on a leash. She knows the boundaries of the farm, and when she hears or sees anything strange she gives warning barks. Otherwise, she is totally silent. Our Golden Retriever's bark MUCH more than Sarah does ! Sarah just ignores them...she has a job to do.
Sarah also is familiar with all of our farm animals, and protects them.
Last night, Sarah saw some deer . She ran towards them, stopped at the property line, barked and they ran away.
Hank goes outside for a few hours with us as we do farm chores. He is still a puppy, so he needs lots of breaks for puppy naps !

Working hard !

2010-05-12T19:50:00.007-05:00

Every day brings something wonderful and interesting on the farm. We stay outside until about 9 p.m. at night working. We have put in a very big garden, and we've added lots of animals. We now have Lucy , our Jersey milk cow. She is pregnant and expecting in September. We have her on a schedule to milk her once a day - which is perfect for us right now. We get about 1 1/2 gallons of milk from her each time. I've made butter with the extra cream.

Our Freedom Ranger Poulet Rouge chickens are almost ready to be processed. We are looking forward to that....it will be a learning experience.

We have Bourbon Red turkeys, Black Australorpe (brown eggs) and Araucana/Americana (rainbow colored eggs) eggs layers, and fainting goats.

Red Wattle pigs are coming to the farm in a few weeks, and our first Murray Grey cattle will arrive soon, too.

We have more guinea's (that are still very young), and we are getting another Great Pyrenees dog - Hank. He is 5 weeks old, and we should be able to get him soon.

I've learned to use the tractor, and how to bush hog. We have had a lot of people laugh at what goes on here.....it really is fun, and we all love it here !

We've moved to the farm !

2010-02-19T17:31:00.005-06:00

We have finally moved to the farm ! Mark went to Nature's Harmony Farm in Georgia to buy Sarah, our first Livestock Guardian dog. She is a Great Pyrenees X Anatolian Shephard. We have also ordered our laying hens, along with a few cute Bantam Silkies. We are getting another Great Pyrenees LGD, because Sarah will need help patroling the farm !

Buckhorn Creek Farm

2009-09-20T21:39:00.005-05:00

We've all just returned from Virginia. Buckhorn Creek Farm is now ours ! It's in a small town in southern Virginia, and it's 165 acres. The sky was blue, it was peaceful, and at night the stars were brilliant. There were also fireflies ! We discovered chiggers, ticks, a snake, a swarm of bees, and a bunch of turkeys.

We worked all week on the house that we will be living in until we build a house. But first things first...we need to put up a fence and build a barn. Mark leaves for Virginia October 3rd, and starts his new job on October 5th. The horses will arrive some time in October, so there is a lot to do to get ready for them. Mark is also bringing our dogs and the guinea pigs.
So much to do !

Buying a Farm !

2009-06-16T19:46:00.004-05:00

We have been looking at farms for a long time. Our learning curve has been steep, considering we've never lived on one before. There is so much more to consider than living in a subdivision. However, we finally found a 165 acre farm in Virginia that met our vision for our business. We close in September ! The house inspection has been done and the survey is supposed to be completed this week.

This is scary in some ways. The house leaves a lot to be desired. But we had decided that we wanted more land so that we could have a larger herd of cattle. I'm on board, but I have my moments.

We have a barn planned, a pond, and a ton of fencing has to be put up. More of the land has to be put into pasture.

We also have to get our house on the market....so much to do !

Send Out A Search Party....

2009-02-25T22:42:00.009-06:00

We are trying to find a new kind of normal.

On December 24th, my dad was admitted into the hospital. We knew that he had a glioblastoma, grade IV. I left on Dec. 25th. to go to California and be with him while he was in the hospital. My mom came to stay with the kids. I was in CA for 2 weeks (about). Came home for a week, then went back. Came home for 2 days and went back again, this time to say my final goodbyes.

My dad died peacefully at home on February 2. We have just returned from CA (all of us) from his Celebration of Life Service.

The months of December and January have been a blur. I've stopped being self conscious about crying mightily in airports. And on airplanes. Each time I left dad it was unbearable.

My heart is broken that my precious dad isn't here anymore.

Tis The Season... !

2008-12-24T20:38:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas ! We are finally getting over being so sick...the kid's have been great though it all. Ryan and Mark arrived safely home from Virginia, and they had a great time looking at farms.

Pretty much the minute the guys left for the airport, 2 of the kids got really sick. 9 throw ups within 24 hours. This is how it works, you know. Then Emily got sick. I knew it was just a matter of time before I had it. That all of the Lysol in the world couldn't stop it. Then I got it SOOOO much worse then the kids. Today is my first day back to kind of normal. We've been out of commission here for awhile. A long while, to be exact.

Mark has had his hands very full taking care of us, plus getting ready for Christmas. I really hope he escapes whatever it is that we had. Which would be unusual, but a girl can hope !

Happy Birthday, Grammy Sue !

2008-12-04T10:57:00.003-06:00

We love you !

School

2008-12-03T09:37:00.002-06:00

This is a candid shot of Daniel and Emily doing school. They love to do it ! The best time at our house is when all 4 kids are around the table doing school.

Mark and Ryan left at 5 AM to go to the airport to PA/MD/VA for a farm convention. The farm conference is in PA, but they are flying into BWI and then will drive to PA. 2 days later, they drive back and trek around VA. Hopefully they will have time to see my brothers in MD/VA !

Farm School

2008-11-11T22:07:00.005-06:00

That's what I'm calling it, anyway. Plans were finalized today for Mark to go to a 2 day seminar in Pennsylvania Dec. 4th and 5th. The course will teach about the business/financial aspects of farming. Grass fed farming, not regular farming. Better than organic. They also teach about rotational grazing, which types of animals to add and when, all the aspects of farming that we need to learn about to form our business model. Ryan is going to go too, and is very excited about this trip with his dad.

Then, Mark and Ryan will drive to Virginia and tour Joel Salatin's farm, and look at land. They'll leave here on Dec. 3rd, and return on Dec. 9th. Fun !!! I can't wait to hear what they find out !!!

Kindergarten !

2008-11-08T09:05:00.005-06:00

Emily and Daniel have started Kindergarten ! My sweet children who move as one... Life is fun for this dynamic duo ! They are excited that they are actually doing school like their older brothers.

Happy Birthday !

2008-11-07T20:29:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday, Ryan! We now have a teenager ! Ryan is as tall (or taller) than I am, and his feet are bigger than my husbands. Yikes ! Since everyone still isn't feeling great, we ordered pizza, had cake and watched a movie. I'll be so glad when everyone is back to normal again. 13 years old....Wow !

What does Heritage mean ?

2008-11-04T14:17:00.008-06:00

Heritage, in terms of animals and produce, means rare and old breeds/plants. The kind your grandparents grew up eating. They do best on pasture, and produce rich, tender and juicy flavors. Studies have shown that meat raised on grass is higher in omega-3 oils, are rich in vitamins and minerals, and contains less fat and cholesterol. Grassfed beef is also higher in cancer fighting Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Beta Carotene, and Vitamin E. Consider this : "within the past 15 years, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct worldwide, and there are currently 1,500 others at risk of becoming extinct. In the past 5 years alone, 60 breeds of cattle, goats, pigs, horses and poultry have become extinct."
Why ? The answer is mass production. Nutrition and taste has been forfeited for profit.

The Plan

2008-11-04T11:41:00.006-06:00

Our long term goal (hopefully within a year) is to move to a farm and raise heritage meat and produce. We've been learning about this for a year now. I guess you would call us grass farmers, since our animals would be raised on pasture. The ultimate goal is to be able to provide people with the option of buying food that not only tastes good, but is healthier than what you would buy in the grocery store. We still have a lot of work to do, as far as creating a business model. We are narrowing down the breeds of animals, and we think we will have beef, poultry, and pork. Plus eggs and a milk cow.
This dream started when we bought a half side of grass fed beef from a farmer. We had read about the nutritional benefits and were shocked. The more we have researched, the more shocked we became at what has happened to our food supply.
2 years ago, this was not on our radar at all....however, the more we learned and researched, the more we knew this is what we wanted to do.
Buying the horses was actually part of our preparation for this. We wanted to learn about big animals and feel comfortable around them. We've made great contacts, and people have helped us in so many ways with advice/knowledge/experience. We never would have met those people if it hadn't been for the horses !
So that's the plan, Stan.

Halloween

2008-11-01T11:22:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween ! This year we had 3 sick kids and one sick hubby. We didn't decorate, buy a pumpkin...nothing. But we did go trick-or treating. Hubby stayed at home being sick. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon around here !

China

2008-10-26T14:54:00.006-05:00

We are going to be adopting a Waiting Child from China, rather than from Taiwan.

We have a lot to do now....assemble another dossier, update our homestudy (which was about to have to be done anyway), and wait again.

2 More Birthday's !

2008-09-30T00:02:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to my dad and sister-in-law ! For 4 years we couldn't figure out who our youngest son looked like. Then my dad sent a picture from when he was a little boy. Can't believe how much they look alike !

Happy Birthday !

2008-09-24T09:28:00.001-05:00

Happy 10th Birthday, Matthew ! He wanted a cowboy hat for his birthday !

Introductions

2008-09-23T23:32:00.007-05:00

Last night Moonshine and Hunter were introduced to Dakota, and tonight we introduced them to Mooney and Badger. We've been taking it slow with Hunter and Moonshine so they can settle in at their own pace. We have ridden them the last 3 nights with our other horses next to them and they have done great. As a matter of fact, Badger seems to be suddenly shaping up and acting better for some reason. Maybe Hunter and Moonshine are setting a good example for him !

Besides Badger, Hunter and Moonshine have a lot of personality. Very loving. Moonshine wrinkles his nose into me and just stands there...his nose getting heavier and heavier as he relaxes. Hunter also lets Moonshine eat first - he actually backs away, waits and then eats after her. No fuss or anything. Hunter is a patient guy !

Moonshine and Hunter are also walking right to us when they see us now when we come to get them.

I didn't take any pictures tonight since we were busy with 4 horses, but I've added a picture of Badger that I took on Sunday after his bath.

Settling In

2008-09-21T22:01:00.003-05:00

Hunter and Moonshine have really settled in today. We gave them a good bath (I'm not sure who got wetter, the kids or the horses), spent time with them, and rode them. They really are good friends, and don't like to be too far from each other.....we noticed today that Moonshine has a perfect letter "A" on her forehead ! They're super horses !

They're here !

2008-09-20T23:13:00.006-05:00

We spent the day getting Hunter and Moonshine used to the pasture, walking them all over. They also have to get used to the sights and sounds of a new home. They both got a bath, and after a few hours, they seemed to be relaxing. They are used to being together, so having each other seems to help them adjust. They are very special horses to us....the family who sold them to us loves them so much.

My camera was on the wrong setting tonight and I didn't realize it so our pictures aren't too great. Hunter is the chestnut horse (second picture), and Moonshine (first picture) is the darker bay. They are both appaloosa's and are both 8 years old.

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-15T10:42:00.008-05:00

We still don't have Hunter and Moonshine because of Hurricane Ike ! We were supposed to get them last week, but we have been waiting on their Coggins test. The vet sends the sample to Texas A & M University to be checked. And Texas A & M has been closed since last Thursday due to the impending hurricane. Which I realize is a VERY small thing compared to the families who have lost everything. It just never crossed my mind that we would feel the effects of the hurricane like that. We are waiting to hear if today is the day.....

UPDATE : The tests still aren't ready....so we continue to wait....
UPDATE as of 9/17/08 : Moonshine and Hunter have a negative Coggins test, so we will be making plans to get them soon !
UPDATE as of 9/18/08 : We will be getting Moonshine and Hunter Friday night. More news later !

Twinkletoes...or not...

2008-09-13T17:35:00.005-05:00

I was getting Emily out of the car last night and I said "Come on, Twinkletoes". She declared that she was NOT Twinkletoes. "I'm a butterfly and a ballerina". Ohhh......my mistake. When I lifted her up, she said "I'm not Twinkletoes because I don't like toes". Hilarious ! I don't like toes either, so I completely understand......I love the way kids think !

Brothers....

2008-09-08T00:55:00.002-05:00

Matthew on Dakota (or Cakota as Emily calls him), Daniel on Mooney, and Ryan.....

Dakota......

2008-09-06T23:09:00.003-05:00

Here he is.....a great horse...great for kids...will go fast if you want him to or slow. Very fun to ride !

Adding to the herd

2008-09-06T15:39:00.008-05:00

I really didn't think that this blog would be so much about horses, but really that's kind of what our life is turning out to revolve around. Anyway, back to the title of this post. We are in the process of adding 3 more horses to our "herd". None of this was planned, but the situation presented itself and was just too good to pass up. And we really could use another horse that is kid friendly. We just weren't planning on it happening right now. We get the first 2 new horses on Thurday, and I think the next week we will be getting the other horse.

We will have Mooney - a 11 year old gelding, Badger - a 5 year old gelding, Moonshine - an 8 year old mare, Hunter - an 8 year old gelding, and Dakota - a 13 year old gelding.

Horses live past 20 years old, and finding a dependable horse is one who is usually around 9 years - 13 years old. Badger is a baby, kind of. Still has a lot to learn.

The kids can't ride Badger.....Mooney is a "pusher" type horse for kids (meaning you have to push them to go). The kids will also be able to ride Dakota and Moonshine. We'll have to see about Hunter. He has had a lot of training, but has been out on pasture for the last 3 years. I have high hopes that he'll be a lot of fun !

Will post pictures soon.

Hugs

2008-08-30T09:47:00.004-05:00

Have you ever been hugged by a horse ? We hadn't until we met Badger. We've had to learn how to get him back into his own space, but sometimes he just needs to be held. Some days he lays his head on my head. In this picture he is hanging/laying his head like a baby would on my shoulder. And he's just standing there. It's heavy, but feels good too. My arms are on him, and I'm watching his front hooves. Horse hugs are awesome !

New Shoes

2008-08-29T23:39:00.004-05:00

Mooney (11 yrs. old) has 2 front shoes now and is feeling a lot better ! He was running and jumping in the pasture, so they must really help. He is still a slow guy, but he's such a great horse to have for the kids to ride. Badger (5 yrs. old) has also made improvements with his training. We've really been working with him and we are finally seeing results. He is such a big sweetheart, he'd sit in our lap if he could. He can really go, so the little ones don't ride him. Badger gives great horse hugs !

Our life isn't all about horses, but for now it kind of seems that way ! We stay really busy trying to train these 2 guys and give them lots of saddle time. Which isn't hard since the kids love to ride. They have been taking riding lessons, and we've all been learning a lot.....

Life With Horses

2008-08-23T23:05:00.007-05:00

We spent tonight at the barn with the horses. Mooney was shod by the farrier a little too short, so we might have to put shoes on his front hooves until he isn't so tender. Poor guy. I'm not sure we'll be able to ride him until this clears up. Badger is good....still trying to decide what to do about training for him. Yes, I'm the only person in the family without a pair of boots. Which may not be wise, considering that Badger stepped on my foot one day and broke my Ked's. I was lucky he didn't break my foot, but I just can't bring myself to own boots. Not yet. But it's coming.

Emily Turns 4 !

2008-08-23T00:44:00.008-05:00

August 22, 2008

Happy 4th Birthday, Emily ! Tonight we went to Build-A-Bear and then to Toys R Us to pick out a bike for Emily. For dinner Emily chose to eat at a favorite Chinese restaurant. Fun !

Yeay ! We have a blog !

2008-08-22T11:07:00.004-05:00

A huge thanks to Blogovers With Love and their hard working volunteers for making our blog possible !

Stay tuned..... :o)

Jennifer