Yes, I know... another Tuesday posting. But yesterday was a holiday... so it doesn't count, right?
1) The horse show on Saturday went wonderfully... despite the fact that it was in the upper 90s! Holy moly it was hot!! Spot did fantastic!! We ended up doing a second warm up round and then dropped down to the Future Hunter division instead of the Baby Hunters. 6" isn't much and he was spooking more at the flower boxes and such and not the fences. Besides.. it meant being done faster and in the case of that heat, faster was better. Was wiggly and had issues with our canter leads, but I couldn't be happier with his performance. Hopefully I can get some pictures to post soon. He took 3rd in the flat class, and 3rd in both the jumping classes... and was division Reserve Champion! I'm definitely planning on showing him at the Stillwater Pony Club Hunter show in a couple weeks. Need to make a decision about the Backyard Horse Trials though.
2) The Labor Day Shindig went well. Smallish crowd but it was fun to hang out and talk to folks. Halloween is the next big shindig... and then hopefully one to celebrate buying more land. At least that's the plan.
3) The turkeys are being really good about staying in their run so they have been let out all day the last several days, including when I was not home on Saturday. They have figured out where the shady spots were to try and stay cool on Saturday... and I suppose stayed out of the rain on Sunday (more or less). Still not the brightest animals on the planet, but they're doing really well.
4) Egg production from the hens is still down. Now that it's cooled down, I'm going to try an experiment where I keep them in their room all day. Trying to determine if production is down overall... or if several of them are sneeking off somewhere and laying eggs in secret. I'm hoping for the latter so I can get back to offering more eggs for sale than a dozen here and there.
5) What an amazing difference in temperature!! I daresay it was a tad chilly yesterday. But I guess a 30 degree difference in 48 hours is a lot to adjust too. Didn't get a whole lot accomplished as it was a recovery day from the Shindig the night before, but puttered a little. Hoping to get a few projects underway shortly and have decided that I do want to enclose the backside of the workbench area for a new tack room. Fed the horse tack addiction on Saturday and purchased a few things that would look lovely in a nice, finished tack room. Not a major priority, but one that wouldn't take much time or money to complete since the area is already lit and has studs to attach plywood walls to. Hopefully the lovely fall temps stick around for a while as it's much nicer to work in.
Showing posts with label Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Party. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
First trail race, tavern updates and impending new arrivals
Sunday we held the Kelly Day Race. This was a simple trail race on our running trail (just over a mile in length) for the kids and parents of the homeschool group (WILC). We had 23 runners participate and several other visitors. A bit chilly but great for running. Afterwards, the kids entertained themselves running around the farm or playing air hockey, while the adults congregated either in the lounge area or in the bar itself (mostly in the bar as we have a couple kerosene heaters in there). Hopefully we'll get the pictures downloaded from the camera soon, but it was definitely a success!
With several runners in the family, we hope to make a trail race at least an annual event, and eventually our goal is to be able to host a 5k trail race around the property. Look for more trail updates as they happen.
Friends stopped by the tavern last week and a suggestion of writing on the bar our favorite, funniest and most poignant quotes from Firefly was mentioned. We love the idea and have started putting it into place. So next time you're at the Tavern (chilling or perhaps voting for a name), you'll have some reading material on the bar itself. It's looking really nice so far.
We have 2 impending arrivals at the farm. First, sometime next week we expect our day old chicks to arrive! There will be 26 -- 12 arcanas, 13 rhode island reds and 1 mystery chick (could be of any breed and either sex -- here's hoping it;s a hen or his name will be Broth).
Also this weekend, we learned that we should be the proud owners of a Jersey cow in the near future! After speaking with a farmer on the topic several times, she has agreed to sell us one of her cows. Soon there will be no more sleeping in... but the fresh milk will definitely be worth it. Watch for more details!
With several runners in the family, we hope to make a trail race at least an annual event, and eventually our goal is to be able to host a 5k trail race around the property. Look for more trail updates as they happen.
Friends stopped by the tavern last week and a suggestion of writing on the bar our favorite, funniest and most poignant quotes from Firefly was mentioned. We love the idea and have started putting it into place. So next time you're at the Tavern (chilling or perhaps voting for a name), you'll have some reading material on the bar itself. It's looking really nice so far.
We have 2 impending arrivals at the farm. First, sometime next week we expect our day old chicks to arrive! There will be 26 -- 12 arcanas, 13 rhode island reds and 1 mystery chick (could be of any breed and either sex -- here's hoping it;s a hen or his name will be Broth).
Also this weekend, we learned that we should be the proud owners of a Jersey cow in the near future! After speaking with a farmer on the topic several times, she has agreed to sell us one of her cows. Soon there will be no more sleeping in... but the fresh milk will definitely be worth it. Watch for more details!
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?).
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?).
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Chickens, Cats and Bars... oh my! Plus a Party!
More unpacking has been completed. In fact, I think we're basically done with everything IN the house. Now the chore is to start going through all the boxes in the barn storage area. The chore part of that will be sorting through it all as there's plenty of stuff back there that is probably good for Craigslist or a yard sale. Speaking of the latter, I think we're going to try to do a Yard Sale the last weekend of August.... although that is only 2 weeks from now, so we'll see how that goes.
Thom's work on the bar has been wonderful! Of course nothing got accomplished last weekend as we were working at Hunters Run Horse Trials in Michigan. But the floor in the main bar area is done, the bar is designed and a bit of the railing and new walls are up. Took pictures last night of the progress and one day I'll get them posted.
Speaking of pictures, I did take this one last night...
It's a horrible picture taken by my phone -- which really should leave the photography business and concentrate on being a phone. This is the farm sign... partially completed of course. I'm just excited to get a photo on this blog at all... even if it's crappy quality, out of focus, too dark AND the subject matter is a half painted scarecrow wearing Jayne's Hat.
This past week we drove out to Germantown to visit Trudy. She has pastured chickens, both laying hens and meat birds as well as pasture fed jersey cows (what amazing milk!). She was kind enough to let us come up and just talk to us about how she manages the animals, both the chickens and the cows. And it was the middle of the afternoon and blazing hot (reference my sunburnt shoulders for verification -- OUCH!). We definitely have a great idea on how to work with the chickens now. We just need to get some. Think we'll be waiting just a bit longer, perhaps even through to spring before getting a milk cow. But we're definitely anxious for the fresh eggs!
As for the "party"... the house/farm warming shindig date is set -- Saturday September 4th. Time is only determined by the participants. Pretty much our philosophy is show up when you want... leave when you want. It's a holiday weekend so we're not opposed to a several day party. :) And we have plenty of crash space between couches and floors in the house... the "sleeps 9" camper we can put up... and the 7000 sq ft barn. I think we'll have some munchies and foodstuffs plus some drinks. Haven't confirmed it yet though so more details to come. At the very least, the grill will be on-site... the bar, now dubbed Serenity Valley Pub, will be ready to be inaugurated... extreme bocce is on the menu as is a bonfire after dark. Need directions? Just ask.
And lastly, due to the pasture mowing guy mentioning the field mice and actually seeing one in the barn the other night, we have adopted 3 new barn cats from Jen's (iTolt Training Center) -- Pictures coming soon but we now have in addition to Curlina and Phoebe (who has started going outside), Buff Puff, Daryl and OB (aka Other Brother Daryl). Buff Puff is a long haired mostly white girl and EXTREMELY laid back... even when Curlina is growling at her for 10 minutes straight. Daryl and OB came from the same litter. Daryl is a gray/black tiger. OB is black. Neither have been spotted for more than a micro-second since their arrival, but I'm sure they're around.
Thom's work on the bar has been wonderful! Of course nothing got accomplished last weekend as we were working at Hunters Run Horse Trials in Michigan. But the floor in the main bar area is done, the bar is designed and a bit of the railing and new walls are up. Took pictures last night of the progress and one day I'll get them posted.
Speaking of pictures, I did take this one last night...
It's a horrible picture taken by my phone -- which really should leave the photography business and concentrate on being a phone. This is the farm sign... partially completed of course. I'm just excited to get a photo on this blog at all... even if it's crappy quality, out of focus, too dark AND the subject matter is a half painted scarecrow wearing Jayne's Hat.
This past week we drove out to Germantown to visit Trudy. She has pastured chickens, both laying hens and meat birds as well as pasture fed jersey cows (what amazing milk!). She was kind enough to let us come up and just talk to us about how she manages the animals, both the chickens and the cows. And it was the middle of the afternoon and blazing hot (reference my sunburnt shoulders for verification -- OUCH!). We definitely have a great idea on how to work with the chickens now. We just need to get some. Think we'll be waiting just a bit longer, perhaps even through to spring before getting a milk cow. But we're definitely anxious for the fresh eggs!
As for the "party"... the house/farm warming shindig date is set -- Saturday September 4th. Time is only determined by the participants. Pretty much our philosophy is show up when you want... leave when you want. It's a holiday weekend so we're not opposed to a several day party. :) And we have plenty of crash space between couches and floors in the house... the "sleeps 9" camper we can put up... and the 7000 sq ft barn. I think we'll have some munchies and foodstuffs plus some drinks. Haven't confirmed it yet though so more details to come. At the very least, the grill will be on-site... the bar, now dubbed Serenity Valley Pub, will be ready to be inaugurated... extreme bocce is on the menu as is a bonfire after dark. Need directions? Just ask.
And lastly, due to the pasture mowing guy mentioning the field mice and actually seeing one in the barn the other night, we have adopted 3 new barn cats from Jen's (iTolt Training Center) -- Pictures coming soon but we now have in addition to Curlina and Phoebe (who has started going outside), Buff Puff, Daryl and OB (aka Other Brother Daryl). Buff Puff is a long haired mostly white girl and EXTREMELY laid back... even when Curlina is growling at her for 10 minutes straight. Daryl and OB came from the same litter. Daryl is a gray/black tiger. OB is black. Neither have been spotted for more than a micro-second since their arrival, but I'm sure they're around.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
History (I) and our first party?
Breaking up the history of how we got to the farm we're getting into a couple different parts (probably 3)... makes it easier to read and hopefully a bit less rambly.
Part I: The Villa
Over the last couple years, we quickly came to realize that we needed a plan. The kids were getting bigger and we were definitely outgrowing the house on Cottage -- a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1425 sq foot home on a corner lot 3 blocks from the civic center. We wanted our own farm if at all possible. So we set about doing what needed to be done. In 2008 our "big" project was reroofing the shingle parts of the house. In 2009 we did the gutters/soffits/facia (and evicted our tenants -- squirrels, birds and bats). The plan was to do carpet and such after the winter snow/mud and then put the house on the market spring 2010. As the saying goes... things don't always go according to the gorram plan.
In August we started looking at houses. The idea was to narrow down what we liked/didn't like and what we wanted and what was available, so when the time came, it would be easy(er) to find something. We came across a lovely 1970's built home that was fantastic! 3500 sq feet, 3 car attached garage, a detached garage/building all on 10 acres and we thought it might be within our price range. So off we went to the mortgage broker to discuss options. Well, the property was within our price range... but we would HAVE to sell the house on Cottage first. Guess that moved up our timetable a bit! We spent about 3 weeks doing everything -- new carpet, new paint, fixes, upgrades. Cottage went on the market mid-September 2009! "The Villa" as we called it would be ours as soon as we got an offer. :)
Then came the long wait. We didn't even have a single showing until November 2nd... but that showing turned into an offer! That's the good news. The bad news was 1) the owner of the Villa had leased it out for a year starting November 1st and 2) our potential buyer had crappy credit. #1 we didnt' have any control over. #2... we accepted a contingent offer of sorts (nothing on paper) as she worked with our mortgage broker to get her credit up to snuff. So our next steps -- look for another place for us and hope we either get another buyer or this one cleans up her act soon.
Stay tuned for Part II....
In other news, we are still waiting on the appraisal to come back but feel it went really well. At least the appraiser "knew" farms.
Spent most of the weekend out there in one fashion or another. Got a few things accomplished. Purchased our first farm-related item -- a Cub Cadet 29cc gas-powered weed whacker. Realized my mistake at purchasing squash seedlings -- ended up with 18 zucchini, 18 acorn and 72 butternut! Oops. But we did get them all in the ground, along with another 8 cucumbers and 15 hills of corn and beans. Took some walks around the property and relaxed on the porch or in the living room here and there (it was HOT out). Gave a few tours to friends. Drove the new barn van into town to grab lunch on Saturday (that was INTERESTING). We also cleaned out the storage unit and moved all that stuff into the back room of the barn -- no more $125 per month rental fees!! Took a TON of pictures of the farm on Sunday... but don't have them loaded from the camera yet. Stay tuned for that fun.
Monday was Memorial Day. We ended up with a few friends out at the farm to see the place and it evolved into an impromptu cookout! Well, the grill needed to end up at the farm anyway eventually, right? Had a great time and broke in Kookyduke's (the future bar in the barn) the right way... with some good food, nice drinks and fabulous friends. Hopefully we'll be all moved in by the 4th of July and can really have a nice holiday party.
Part I: The Villa
Over the last couple years, we quickly came to realize that we needed a plan. The kids were getting bigger and we were definitely outgrowing the house on Cottage -- a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1425 sq foot home on a corner lot 3 blocks from the civic center. We wanted our own farm if at all possible. So we set about doing what needed to be done. In 2008 our "big" project was reroofing the shingle parts of the house. In 2009 we did the gutters/soffits/facia (and evicted our tenants -- squirrels, birds and bats). The plan was to do carpet and such after the winter snow/mud and then put the house on the market spring 2010. As the saying goes... things don't always go according to the gorram plan.
In August we started looking at houses. The idea was to narrow down what we liked/didn't like and what we wanted and what was available, so when the time came, it would be easy(er) to find something. We came across a lovely 1970's built home that was fantastic! 3500 sq feet, 3 car attached garage, a detached garage/building all on 10 acres and we thought it might be within our price range. So off we went to the mortgage broker to discuss options. Well, the property was within our price range... but we would HAVE to sell the house on Cottage first. Guess that moved up our timetable a bit! We spent about 3 weeks doing everything -- new carpet, new paint, fixes, upgrades. Cottage went on the market mid-September 2009! "The Villa" as we called it would be ours as soon as we got an offer. :)
Then came the long wait. We didn't even have a single showing until November 2nd... but that showing turned into an offer! That's the good news. The bad news was 1) the owner of the Villa had leased it out for a year starting November 1st and 2) our potential buyer had crappy credit. #1 we didnt' have any control over. #2... we accepted a contingent offer of sorts (nothing on paper) as she worked with our mortgage broker to get her credit up to snuff. So our next steps -- look for another place for us and hope we either get another buyer or this one cleans up her act soon.
Stay tuned for Part II....
In other news, we are still waiting on the appraisal to come back but feel it went really well. At least the appraiser "knew" farms.
Spent most of the weekend out there in one fashion or another. Got a few things accomplished. Purchased our first farm-related item -- a Cub Cadet 29cc gas-powered weed whacker. Realized my mistake at purchasing squash seedlings -- ended up with 18 zucchini, 18 acorn and 72 butternut! Oops. But we did get them all in the ground, along with another 8 cucumbers and 15 hills of corn and beans. Took some walks around the property and relaxed on the porch or in the living room here and there (it was HOT out). Gave a few tours to friends. Drove the new barn van into town to grab lunch on Saturday (that was INTERESTING). We also cleaned out the storage unit and moved all that stuff into the back room of the barn -- no more $125 per month rental fees!! Took a TON of pictures of the farm on Sunday... but don't have them loaded from the camera yet. Stay tuned for that fun.
Monday was Memorial Day. We ended up with a few friends out at the farm to see the place and it evolved into an impromptu cookout! Well, the grill needed to end up at the farm anyway eventually, right? Had a great time and broke in Kookyduke's (the future bar in the barn) the right way... with some good food, nice drinks and fabulous friends. Hopefully we'll be all moved in by the 4th of July and can really have a nice holiday party.
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