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.

Some pictures from around the farm

I am definitely no photographer. I have no idea how to use photoshop, nor do I have it. I can crop and remove red-eye from pictures. Thats about it. I will say that I LOVE the macro setting on my old camera. It's probably close to 10 years old. I know, I'm so not up to date with my technology!

Here's whats been going on around here lately.

A few weeks ago, maybe a month, (I'm not sure I have no concept of time anymore) There were hundreds of lady bugs flying around! I went outside for a few minutes and had 10 on me. They were everywhere. I'm guessing its from all the corn fields being cleared but I could be wrong. It was kind of magical!

Our hole-y, lichen covered barn is pretty spectacular. There's a Northern Flicker that likes to hang out inside while it's rainy. I call him Harold. He's pretty tough to get a picture of. He's coming around. Last week instead of panicking and flying around the very top of the rafters, he was flying around just above the lights. I think I'm wearing him down. It is supposed to rain most of the week (What a shocker!) I'll have to try and sneak in and steal his soul. 

Crows have been rolling walnuts off the barn roof to crack 'em open. They got one right in between the fire pit stones. There's a murder of around 60 hanging around the fields. 

First thing I noticed when we moved in was the enormous, fully bloomed hydrangeas. Who know the leaves would change to such a pretty color. I'm slowly learning how to care for all the plants we have, let me tell ya, it's a daunting task. 

Last one from the lady bug invasion. There's still a few lady bug stragglers hanging around. I found one on the ceiling yesterday morning and a few upstairs this weekend. 

Things are busy as usual around here. Whenever it isn't raining the Scribs are running around trying to get as many outdoor projects done as possible. I have taken a ton of pictures that just need some of those pesky words to go along with them! Every time I sit down to write, upload pictures or get anything done thats when the kids wake up. Speaking of which….