Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Building Stalls and a Fort! (plus Tavern Naming contest update)

Work is progressing at Serenity Valley... in some cases at a tremendous speed!

We are *THIS* close to being able to advertise for boarders.  The stall is done (except for mats which will be purchased next week at Quarter Horse Congress).  We've put down extra stone in a couple places where the run in footing was a little soft.  The ramp to the workbench area has started and will be solid AND soft for the horses.  3 of 4 lights in the area are up and running!  it's really looking nice.

Due to the chillier fall weather that finally descended upon us, we picked up a ginormous tarp from Craigslist (bigger than the seller advertised) and the bar now has a roof!  The goal being to be able to keep a bit more heat inside the bar area for upcoming gatherings.  Yes, between surrounded by canvas and now covered with a tarp... it looks like we built a fort! :)  but it does help retain heat.  I only wish I'd remembered to take pictures during construction.  which reminds me... next time you're at the bar, take a look at the washers used to help keep the roof tarp in place.  I think they'll make you smile.

Winterizing activities will start in a couple weeks.  Until then, we're continuing to clean out the storage area (in order to house hay for horses as needed), finish the stalls and further "insulate" the bar.  Oh and we'll be getting a tree to plant sometime this week for the patio area. 

The latest standings for the Name the Tavern Contest & 50/50 Raffle are below (as of Sunday, Sept 26).  Remember... voting open til 10pm on Saturday, October 30th (during teh Halloween Party) with the drawing at 10:30.  you do not need to be present to win the 50/50 drawing!  Name that collects the most $ will be the official name of the Tavern.  Each $1 you vote gives you a chance in the drawing to split the proceeds.  Vote often!!

Name leaderboard:
1.  The Withers Tavern
2.  Kookyduke's Tavern
3.  The Shindig
4.  The Browncoat Tavern
5.  Old Nelson's Charge
6.  The Bascule Tavern
6.  The Prancing Pony Inn
6.  The Stirrup Cup Pub
9.  Airs Above the Ground Tavern
9.  The Shiny Oxer Tavern

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Last Day of Summer update

Last day of summer still is feeling quite like summer, as the weather forecast is calling for a couple days of high 80s and afternoon thunderstorms.  As dry as it's been, if that's what it takes to get some rain our direction, that's probably ok.

Everyone at the farm is doing great.  We've cleaned out the run in part of the barn and have begun to build a stall.  I think as soon as we can get that up and look at purchasing some electric tape fencing, we'll be advertising for a couple pasture boarders.  Thought long and hard about it and I know boarding can be iffy, but I think it will help in the long run.  Pasture board only, no riding.  My ideal would be to find a couple older retired horses.  Guess we'll see what we come up with.

Couple of events coming up:

First, Kelly Day Race.  Willow's idea.  We're inviting the WILC (homeschool group) kids and their families over to the farm on Sunday, October 3rd for a trail race.  2 laps around the running trail (about 2.5 miles total) followed by snacks and just hanging out at the farm.  If this goes well, it may be something we look at repeating in the future in a more formal way.

Second, the Halloween Party.  Keep it in mind -- October 30th.  Costumes encouraged but not mandatory.  Not sure when we're "starting" yet but request to bring a snack/desert/drinks to share.

The Name the Tavern 50/50 Raffle is still going on!  In fact, we had a name suggestion that we liked SO much that we're adding it to the mix -- "The Shindig".  If you've already voted, your vote still counts although if you want to change it, let us know and we'll switch it.  Voting open now through 10pm at the Halloween Party.  Vote ANY time you wish... doesn't have to be at a party.  Vote as often as you wish and for as many different names as you wish.  Name that collects the most $$ will be the name of the Tavern.  Each $1 you put into the voting gets you a chance in the 50/50 Raffle!

Hope to post more pictures of projects soon!  Stay tuned!  Fall is coming. :-)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Feeling like fall

LOVING the cooler weather we're now having.  It's so much nicer and so much easier to get things accomplished around the farm when you aren't constantly sweating.

The first official SVF party is now history.  Thanks for everyone who came out.  Hope you enjoyed yourself.  The LBDHW (Labor Day House Warming Bash) was a success by all accounts.  Had some folks filtering through in the afternoon then a nice group from dinner til late, even a few that crashed in the camper.  Have a couple pictures I need to get posted but once dinner arrived we all got so busy enjoying ourselves that we forgot to take a lot of pictures.  Oops.  Have to do better next time.

And the next party is planned -- Halloween!  Costumes not required but highly encouraged.  We're working on ways to keep some heat in the bar too.

Speaking of bars, the Name the Tavern contest is going on and getting some good feedback.  Can't wait to see what the name of the bar is going to be.  If anyone is interested, voting will take place between now and the Halloween Party and you can vote whenever you want and as often as you want.  Remember, every $1 vote also gets you an entry into the 50/50 raffle!

In other farm news...

The hens are doing great.  we're now getting essentially 1 egg per day per hen.  We also have 25 chicks on order from McMurrays Hatchery.  They should be arriving next month -- 12 Arcaunas (laying blue/green eggs) and 13 Rhode Island Reds.  By spring our personal egg production will have grown enough that we may be able to start selling a few dozen/week.

We're also investigating options for the next year... be that broilers, growing out a calf or pig for butchering, or boarding a couple horses.  Lots to think about.

And lastly, we're working on revamping the website to be more up-to-date and useable.  Plus we've added a Facebook account (Serenity Valley Farm, what else?).