Big Egg!

Check out that huge egg! We get at least one of these every day.

New Coop in the Orchard

Another coop finished last night. Trying to relocate the chickens that insist on roosting on the barn rafters, making a mess of things below. We'll keep these egg producers and their rooster (Big Red) cooped up for a week or two, pushing them to make the new coop home. All this also in preparation for baby goats to born! Not to mention these unruly chickens like to lay eggs in silly places, looking forward to collecting eggs in one place! (or 3 if you count all the chicken coops we have)

Juiced!

Afternoon delight... freshly juiced with 5 carrots, 2 apples and a chunk of ginger. 

Just what I needed, love our Champion!!

Greenhouse Sun, How it Goes....

Oh man, I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! It's not like I haven't been blogging either, it's just that all my computer time is used up for work. That's how it goes, I guess, especially when you have a toddler. I miss this space terribly though -I miss the personal journaling. And I can't just pick up from today, I must share the beautiful afternoon we spent with friends straight after publishing my last post -you know, the one where I was feeling the woes of winter...needing some sun. Sooo, with that little preface, here we go: an excerpt from that afternoon back in February....  

"Weekending" ... I've heard of people doing this, but we're always so busy on the farm to enjoy a break. Family & friends, Home brew, hot springs (Roxie's 1st skinny dip!), greenhouses (bananas!) and ladybug sex -perfect weekend get away. 

And there you have it. I am back to blogging (that really does sound silly to me, I blog everyday!)

Sun Shine Down...

Needing sunshine...seems to be the case whenever I feel overwhelmed with responsibility - yup, I yearn for the sun. For that empowering fire ball to bestow its glorious love on me. 

I have so many happenings to blog about! Honey, rabbits, barns, remodels, babes getting older, recipes...and I never seem to get back to this space. I love blogging! But I suppose it's one of those luxuries I grant myself only when "this and that" is complete. Totally a mom thing to do - to put myself last. I am trying to get past this block. Trying to find the balance I crave and need.

So with that, I will share a favorite photo of the sun shining down on me on a beautiful summer day, and then give myself the "mama break" I deserve. (yes, I said deserve -just like all busy mamas do)

On the Farm: Can you say Wabbit Satay?

On the farm: 5 more fat baby rabbits, and a craigslist trade: one of our 13 week old does for this handsome, albino male -for introducing new genes into our rabbit family. He has been named "Big Al" (albino). Supposedly, he will throw some awesome colors -just like his dad. Lance will be building him a proper hutch this weekend.

Dispatching (and cooking!) our first round of rabbit this weekend! Can you say Wabbit Satay?

Honey Harvest...

We seem to have lost our bees and now have empty, yet full, bee boxes. We are going the easiest and cheapest route for the honey harvest: heating it all together and straining. I'm pretty excited about it.

"Fresh" Dilemmas...

I have a love/hate relationship with our Food Saver. I love it for the "fresh" garden vegetables it provides in the middle of winter, but dislike (hate really is such a strong word) it for consuming plastic.

Walk Through the Barn

  ...Out to feed the rabbits, stopping to say hello to the goats...

Outtakes...

 ...the outtakes are usually the ones I love most...

Creates a Ripple...

One of the best things about moving our family to the farm is the ripple it creates in our family circle -sharing love and awareness, the why and how of where our food comes from. It makes my heart so happy. These kiddos are what its all about!

Sugar Mountain Ranch Sign

We were spoiled at Christmas this past year...in a BIG way! My father in law made us a sign for the farm! How very cool is that?! We are excited to see it installed beside the drive, nestled into the native flower bed, greeting us as we make our way home.

Yes, we were spoiled indeed.

A New Year...2012

A New Year, full of hope and dreams. Embracing the joy of fresh beginnings, and holding on tight.

To bring the New Year in properly you must rid yourself of the past years "baggage". And that is just what we did New Years Eve, we torched the burn pile! Topped with our recently discarded Christmas tree, we burnt the ever accumulating 2011 pile, the one that took up residence in our soon-to-be home for pigs...yes, Pigs! Now with the pen clear, we are one step closer to our goal: "Pigs: Spring 2012".

Another milestone was reached this past weekend. A milestone that helped kick the New Year off to a great start: major demolition/remodel work on my parents home has begun! Really and truly. I can see progress, and it comes at a time when I am yearning for such. It's amazing how a touch of progress can make one feel so very determined, and grateful too.

2012, We welcome you with Full Hearts and Determined Minds.

Ameraucana Hen, Green Eggs!

We have one Ameraucana hen and she has finally started giving us eggs, blueish green ones!

Meet Buckley, Our New Goat

We have high hopes for this handsome young buck!