Scribs Farm one year later

We've officially been on the farm for a year. I'm a bit late, are you surprised? It seemed to have both flown by and taken forever. We've learned a lot, had some pretty stressful times (Hello flooded field!) and learned exactly what is important. The kids are so much happier here. If I let Nature Baby be in charge, she'd never come in the house. I foresee more animals in our future! We've seen the progress we've been making and it's so satisfying. Google maps updated their maps (this happens every 3-4 years) I can see the difference from above. Our garden is in there, and the compost we've built, no coop or removal of garbage hill.

Highs
Chickens (The coop and eggs!)
Garden (July,  June, and May)
Living room redo I still can't believe it's the same room in the same house.
Wild life (and here)
Finding the Elephant Hawk Moth I still haven't seen any signs of another.

Lows
Flood
Garbage hill
Living next to a berry field, the sound machine. My goodness, I'm not looking forward to it again next year.


To Dos this year
Paint kid's rooms
Fence both for the yard and field
Paint hall way and back entry
Screen door for backdoor
Play set for the kids
Switch Septic field to a wild flower mix.

Next 5 years
Reside the barn
Landscaping - I want big trees!
Patio with a pergola
Re-insulate, new windows, basically get this house warm in the winter
Paint the kitchen cabinets

This year, I don't think my hands have ever been clean and I've never worked so hard in my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm excited for the future, for myself, the kids and the farm. We have a plan for the direction we'd like to head and some ideas on how to get there. I have finally gotten my knitting mojo back and now I'm starting to consider sheep. We'll see what the future brings.

Being here, I've found a sense of calm. I wake up happy. I'm no-longer as cynical, hating everything and everyone. Maybe that comes with age or maybe that comes with finding and being somewhere that feels right. People in the Pacific North-West, in my experience, are happier because they want to be here. The first thing we noticed upon moving from California is that people here are nice, they are friendly, they're willing to tell you about cool new things to do and see. We spend time outside, exploring! It's green, the wildlife isn't trying to kill you and you can be outside without worrying about extreme heat and the ground moving.

For the first time in a really long time, maybe ever, I'm still and I'm happy.

Blame it on the rain!

It's here, our first flood season at Scribs' farm! A few nights ago around 5pm, our neighbor came by to tell us "it's coming." my stomach dropped and I felt that I was going to throw up and cry at the same time. Scribs and I went out to check things out and it was indeed coming. I had no idea what to expect! It was already dark out making it a challenge it see exactly what was happening. We walked out in the feild, then checked the neighbors berry farm. And there is was, coming across rows of berries.

For the rest of the night we were watching and waiting for something. We didn't know how much water would come or how fast it would rise. Once the sun came up, and I was sure that the water wasn't at the house I took the dog out and looked around.  This is our newly formed Lake Scribs. 

 

I went out to check how thick the ice was and how much was was under it. I'm surprised to say that there is 3" of ice but nothing under it. I'm guessing the ground has absorbed the water. I'm hoping the weather cooperates and melts the ice before it rains or floods some more.

I noticed a hole inside the fire pit, after breaking the ice I found nothing under it.

Watching water creep into your yard is terrifying, especially when you have no idea whats normal river flooding and what might wash your house away.