Post 100!

I think had I known I was approaching 100 posts on this blog, I might have done a better job of getting it done in a timely fashion!  I seem to be on a roll this year -- taking 2-3 weeks between posts.  Well, there's a LOT coming up so hopefully it will spur me to update more often.

Regardless, welcome to Post 100 for the Serenity Valley Farm blog!

Also... Welcome to April... before we end up hitting May! LOL  So, what's going on?  Plenty!

The best news is also the most recent -- Shirley and Spider went to their first DLSC show with us this past weekend.  It was the first hunter show of the season and held at Hilltop Equestrian Center in West Alexandria.  This was my first time showing there.  The arenas are a lovely size, but there's a bit of a bottleneck to get in/out of hte indoor where the show actually took place.  Not to mention a few spooky elements in both rings, especially the indoor.  I didn't get to see much of Spider's warm up or showing as I was working Shirley at the same time.  Ella was showing her and from what I did see as well as the results (Baby Hunter, 1st on the flat, 2nd in both jumping classes and Reserve Champ for the division), I'd say they did fantastic!

I entered Shirley in both warm up classes so she could have that extra time to settle (something Ella was also doing with Spider so I thought it was a good idea).  The idea worked as our 2nd warmup was still anxious and nervous but not NEARLY as bad as the first.  For classes, I entered her in the 18" division (Future Hunter).  I cannot say enough about how proud of her I am.  She was a bit looky when in the arena but she performed quite well given all of that.  We did blow the 2nd canter lead in the flat class and did not place.  Our jumping rounds were a bit faster than one would like to see for a hunter, and I opted to trot into the first fence instead of cantering.  We placed 6th and 5th in the jumping classes.  She stood at the trailer like a champ, even when her trailering buddy Gus was taken away.  Really, she was quite amazing! Unfortunately, there aren't any pics of us jumping at this point.

In other news, the cows are finally at freezer camp!  Haven't heard when they'll be returning but it shouldn't be too much longer.

The chickens are still laying a ton of eggs if anyone is interested in some! (hint hint)

I still have several things for sale and am contemplating setting up a yard sale maybe in July.  However the one thing I don't have for sale any longer is the Ford Explorer.  Traded it in and downsized to a 2004 Saturn Vue.  Am really enjoying it!

The garden as officially begun as I have several plants and seeds now IN the ground an some lovely flowers are popping up.

Along the fence, though you can't see it, the peas have started to come up! The 4 green plants are new broccoli transplants that I bought, and in the other pallet, I have a couple rows of spinach and lettuce.  In addition, I'm attempting to grow spinach and lettuce in the gutter gardens on the fence again this year.  One more shot.

Love the multi-colored tulips that came up under the farm sign.  Freshly mulched too!

New sign on the privacy fence along the driveway.  Seemed fitting, even if a tad western.

Garden Update

No photographic evidence yet, but I looked at the new gutter garden and the spinach is starting to pop up!!  I'm really excited to see how this works.

Put down 12 bags of top soil the other day and planted 1 short row of snow peas and 3 broccoli plants.  Of course the cats seem to think I created a new litter box for them.  I swear, if it's not the cats getting into something, it's the chickens.  I may need to fence it off until the plants actually start taking root!  Hopefully I can get a bit more accomplished sooner than later as I have cauliflower and cabbage starts that are ready to plant, and I want to get more snow peas in the ground (one can never have too many snow peas).  I think that may do it until closer to the frost date.  I know you can buy tomatoes and peppers and whatnot now, but I'm really leary of planting them and then getting hammered with a late frost.  Plus I am putting in the top soil a little at a time anyway so it's not like it does me a whole lot of good to go out and buy a ton of plants right now.  Ah... but it IS tempting!! LOL

I think I've made a change to the pallet garden.  I would love to do it the way the instructions say -- using soil to fill in between plants and voila... water for a week or so laying down then you can stand up with no worries.  Unfortunately, I've started and then come to realize that for a regular size pallet... that's a LOT of plants!  So I'm backtracking.  Going to probably remove the plants I have... or at least fill the pallet with more soil and spread them out a bit.  Then I picked up a couple packets of wildflower seeds.  I have the time to let them grow so why not?

Overdue Update

Happy Spring!  Granted, there's been frost on the ground the last 2 days, but the tulips and lilacs have been blooming for a couple weeks and it IS the middle of April.  Another tell tale sign of spring?  The animals are shedding like fiends.  Thankfully the sign of "mud everywhere" hasn't struck yet, but the "I'd rather be outside doing yard projects than inside cleaning" certainly has.

A lot has been going on so here's a very quick run down:

• FINALLY!!  There are 2 boarder horses at SVF now: Map is a 6yo Arabian/Trakehner cross stallion and Teddy is a 6 year old Percheron/Morgan cross gelding.  Both came from iTolt Training Center and are doing wonderfully.  Of course they'd much rather be out on the grass ALL the time, but they're slowly getting more and more grass.  Shortly after they arrived, I was able to purchase mats for the cross tie area and we've used it a few times when I decide they need to be brushed.  Both have long manes and I end up telling them that while we like Bob Marley, no one at SVF is to LOOK like Bob Marley -- no dreds!  Seriously, it's a lot of fun to watch them from the kitchen window.
• BRING ON THE BEEF.  Last year's experiment with raising a beef steer went really well and I've signed up to raise 2 more this year.  They should be arriving in 2 weeks.  They'll be limited to sharing the chicken room and having a separate grazing area from the horses until everyone gets used to one another.  Several friends are joining in and "purchasing" shares in the steers.  I believe there is at least one 1/4 share left if anyone is interested -- cost is $250 with at least half payable up front and butchering fees are not included.  Should work out to roughly just over $3/pound overall.  Expected delivery date is January 2013.
• TALKING TURKEY.  Now taking orders on this year's crop of turkeys.  The plan is to raise both the Broad Breasted Whites like last year as well as some Bourbon Reds, a heritage breed that I've heard a lot of good things about.  The BBWs should end up larger than the Bourbon Reds as they are a larger bird (last year's purchase weights ranged from 11.5 pounds to 16 pounds).  They do not get as large as they would in their typical commercial environments, but I'd rather lose some possible pounds than have a bird that isn't able to get out and eat grass and chase bugs.  Bourbon Reds average 23 pounds for toms and 14 pounds for young hens, live weight.  Here's a link to a wonderful review and amateur taste test conducted last fall.  The Bourbon Reds and Midget Whites for this test were raised by an online friend of mine:  Lets Put Turkeys to the Test  Turkeys will be ordered next month, so if you want to guarantee yourself a wonderful turkey, whether a BBW or a Bourbon Red, contact me by May 1st.  $10 deposit is due up front (to help pay for the chicks).  BBWs will be sold at $3/pound dressed weight (same as last year).  Bourbon Reds will be $3.50/pound.
• SPRING MEANS GARDEN.  Finally getting the garden started.  Moving it closer to the house to make it more accessible and to be able to use the old area as a new paddock for the animals.  Currently only have lettuce and spinach planted, but hope to soon have peas and broccoli as well.  Trying a new technique this year -- the lettuce and spinach are being planted using rain gutters attached to a fence, like this:

The ends of the gutters are a double layer of landscape fabric... keeping the soil in but allowing any excess water to drain out.  Cheaper than gutter end caps and easier than drilling drain holes in the gutters.  With any luck it will work.

I think that's about it for now.  Have been dealing with mechanical issues all over -- 2 wheel bearings and new tires for the Explorer, scooter is in the shop now dealing with a "won't start" issue, just dropped off the weed eater for service and the push mower at the rental won't start.  Maybe I need to take a class in automotive repair?  Also have several projects coming up -- finishing the garden, getting water to the barn, fencing in the new paddock, etc.  One thing at a time though, right?  or at least no more than what will drive me crazy. 

In the meantime, heading to Equine Affaire on Saturday for the first time in a few years.  Looking forward to it and hope to run into some friends.

Happy June

Looks like summer may actually be here.  The monsoons of spring have stopped and the temps have jumped.  Been extremely busy at the farm, mostly catching up with mowing!  It's always amazing how quickly grass can grow when there's a bit of rain and a bit of sun.

Have one of the raised beds near the back patio completed.  Haven't taken a complete picture yet, but this was just before the final addition of top soil.

It currently has a Thai basil, cilantro, rosemary and some lettuce planted in it.  I think the other one is going to house some strawberries.

Have also decided to try to put in a couple straw bale gardens.  Since we got a late start and haven't been able to work the ground in the garden area much, the straw bale (or in our case hay bale) garden idea has promise!  There are currently 6 bales in the regular garden area ... here's a picture of 2 cucumber plants in them.

Unfortunately, they weren't ready and we didn't have the rain as predicted after I planted the cukes... and they burnt up.  Working on the bales again and will hopefully have a few cucumbers, some pole beans and some nasturtiums living in the bales.  There are also 7 bales up against the chain link rabbit kennel.  The plan is to work them into beds as well and use the space for squash -- allowing it to trellis itself up the chain link.  Looking forward to seeing how this process works out.

Last but not least... a picture after the last bad rainstorm we had go through.  It was a week or so ago, but it's a nice picture.

How time flies!

So much has been going on.  I hope to start posting more regularly again.  Here's a quickie rundown for now...

• Back in January, I was cast in Playhouse South's presentation of "A Piece of My Heart".  The play is based on true stories from a book by the same name and recounts the experiences of 6 women before, during and after serving in Vietnam in the 1960s.  it's an amazing show and if you're reading this before May 21st, you should really go see it!  May 20 and 21st at 8pm.  See the Playhouse South website for more details.  If you're a vet and want to see it and can't make those shows, email me!  Needless to say, preparing for this has taken a LOT of time.
• The weather has been... WET!!  Wettest April on record for almost a full century.  Someone told me that it rained 20 of 30 days in April and I told them they were nuts -- I would swear it rained more than that!  And some days we had over an inch.  Placed the steel water trough under one of the barn intersections one day and it FILLED in 8 hours!
• We have a cow!!  Co-owned by Jennifer Shimp from iTolt Training Center and Anita Mays, "Stewie" seems to be contently spending his days in the pasture.  He's currently there alone (except for the chickens and the occasional visit from Reilly) but I'm still working on that!  Still hoping to get 2-4 horses in for boarding.  Potentially have some additional fencing to put up so there can be rotation in the center field and a separate run for Stewie, but that will depend on the individuals who come.  Looking forward to seeing horses out there soon though!
• We have EGGS!!!  Oh my gosh do we have eggs!  The girls are doing a great job and we've been getting 14-20 eggs per day EVERY day!  If you have a hankerin' for some farm fresh, pasture raised, truly free range eggs... we have them!  $2 per dozen.
• The garden is coming along slowly.  With all the rain as well as the time and energy distractions, it's been hard to get in and do much.  Currently there are 2 small rows of peas coming up, 6 cabbage plants (would have been 8, but the chickens kept digging up 2 of them and they disappeared!), 4 broccoli, 4 cauliflower and 8 pepper plants in the ground.  Have 6 more peppers and a dozen tomato plants ready to go.  Due to the nature of the soil, most of the remaining planting is going to be done via Hay Bale Gardening.  Moved 6 hay bales out to the garden area yesterday and am looking foward to getting the bales conditioned and planted by next weekend... along with a few more that will be located outside the bunny kennel so the squash plants can use teh chain link fence to trellis and climb!  One of my better ideas I thought.  In addition, I have 1 of the raised beds for the back patio halfway completed.  Hoping to finish it by monday and get some spinach, lettuce and herb planted and get started on the 2nd one.

So that's a quick run-down.  Here are a picture for you...

Stewie when he arrived in april

LONG Overdue

Wow, has it really been that long since I updated the farm blog?  I'm such a slacker!  Well, no not really... a lot has been going on at the farm over the past few months.  Plenty of changes and a few new things that I'm sure I'll fill you in on in upcoming blogs.

For now I'll leave you with the following:

• Despite the wicked storms the last few days, the farm is still standing... although a little muddier in some places than others.
• The chickens are doing beautifully!  Turns out that Hawk was a rooster and he now is ruling his own roost at a friend's farm nearby.  The remaining girls are laying consistently about a dozen and a half eggs per day.  So if you're in search of quality raised farm fresh eggs, just let me know!
• We're still working on getting a couple horses in for boarding.  The interior paddock paradise fencing is up and running and I've almost completed 1 of the 2 hay trees I intend to make.
• We're getting a cow!!  Well, half of one anyway.  "Stewie" should make his appearance at SVF in the next week or so.  He will be co-owned by Jennifer Shimp of iTolt Training Center and be boarded at SVF for the remainder of the year, living on the wonderful grass pasture.
• The Shindig is open!  We had a very small opening party for St. Patrick's Day (belated as it was held that Saturday) but it was officially opened.  It is also available for small party/gathering rentals.
• The garden has been started.  We lost a round of radishes to a hard freeze, but the peas and spinach are starting to come up and we've planted some broccoli, cauliflower and 2 different types of cabbage.  Plans include putting in 2 raised beds around the back patio for herbs and such so they'll be close to the kitchen as needed.

Lots to do as usual!  Now that spring is here and some things have been accomplished, I'll do a better job of updating the farm blog.

Until then... if you're in the Dayton area, please check out Playhouse South's presentation of "A Piece of My Heart" -- I'm in it!!  http://www.playhousesouth.org/

Eggs & Auctions

First the eggs.  The chickens gave us our first eggs yesterday (sunday).  It was a great sight to see!  Here's hoping for a lot more soon.

We participated in an online auction of a local business liquidation.  Their stock had all been sold and it was the store furnishings that were being sold.  We came away not spending very much money at all, but in return we "won" quite a few wonderful additions - including an electric beverage cooler for under the new Pub bar as well as several tables and chairs for the Pub, a bookcase for the house, and what I hope will be the whiteboard we've been talking about getting for our calendar.  In addition we picked up a few things that I couldn't pass up for the price and we'll be looking to list them on Craigslist as soon as we pick them up.  Should be able to make a little money on the deal.

In other news, parts of the garden have been doing really well.  We have tons of tomatoes, some funky shaped cucumbers and a few peppers are ripening.  The peas were doing well as well, but I think they've been "missed" the last few harvesting rounds by the kids and I'm not sure they're producing anymore.  The corn and squash?  Well... not sure if it was the weeds they were planted amongst or the soil that's in desperate need of a LOT of help, but they're not doing well at all.  I'm contemplating mowing the whole area and just calling it a wash and start laying compost in that space for next year.