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! 

Rabbits Busy Growing

The baby rabbits have opened their eyes and are growing fast. We still don't have a final count, this was the first time one was picked up. They are so adorable! Gonna be the hardest animal to butcher, I think. I keep telling myself they will be loved and live a good life. They are the sustainable meat. I am having a hard time calling them rabbits instead of bunnies.

Twelve

 This girl of mine celebrated her 12th Birthday this week. Here she is holding a photo of the two of us back in '99. I love this photo. Just look at her now! 12 seems such a step up from 11.

...Thank you, Kaziah, for blessing my life with your beautiful self...

Garlic

The garlic has been planted, twice as much as last year.

Our Busy Fall Weekend, Butchering Roosters

 

We butchered 7 young roosters this past weekend. We follow Joel Salatin's Killing Cone method. An old bleach bottle works well for this. Dipping the chicken in hot water makes for easy plucking.

Roxie helping pluck with my mother, Mimi. Roxie did much better with the butchering that she did last time. And this may seem silly, but I was proud to have plucked 2 completely by myself! The meat will be a bit tough, but these roosters were sealed with a Food Saver and placed in the freezer for future broth making.