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.

Chickens at 11 weeks

Every week I still think they are little peepers! Turns out they are actual chickens now. When the kids and I go out in the morning, I open the chicken door for a while and let them come out if they so choose. Only a few have been so brave and only 1 has gone back in the coop by herself. That would be Nancy Drew, she comes out, eats and pecks around for a while and hops on the ramp and goes back in.

Ragnar the Rooster is almost always the first to jump out. That little guy (who makes the funniest noises right now!) loves to be outside. I took him over to the other side of the yard with kids so he could explore. I figured if he is going to be in charge he needs to learn his surroundings. He mostly stayed right by us. I did see him checking the skies a time or two, that's a good start.

And then there's the ducks. Trying to catch those little buggers is a huge pain. They block the door most of the time, take one step out on the ramp and then try and go back in. about half the time they miss and fall out of the coop. They are perfectly happy to be outside (unless they are separated) and are a huge paint try and get back in!

Our garden is a bit over run with slugs right now, lucky for them I round 'em up every morning for a breakfast treat. You're welcome!

Every few days someone else figures out the roosting situation. There was 5 chickens on 2 roosts last night. Peepers has been leading the way for everyone. She still stays mostly by herself except and  night when it's a chicken snuggle-fest.

Photo Friday

May already! That's bananas! This beautiful hummingbird moth has made friends with my yard. I'm perfectly ok with it. He (or she) has pretty little bits on pink on or under it's wings. It's too bad you can't see it in the picture.

I hope you're weekend is full of rest and relaxation. I've got some good stuff to share next week!