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
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
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 $$ will be the name of the Tavern. Each $1 you put into the voting gets you a chance in the 50/50 Raffle!
Hope to post more pictures of projects soon! Stay tuned! Fall is coming. :-)
Everyone at the farm is doing great. We've cleaned out the run in part of the barn and have begun to build a stall. I think as soon as we can get that up and look at purchasing some electric tape fencing, we'll be advertising for a couple pasture boarders. Thought long and hard about it and I know boarding can be iffy, but I think it will help in the long run. Pasture board only, no riding. My ideal would be to find a couple older retired horses. Guess we'll see what we come up with.
Couple of events coming up:
First, Kelly Day Race. Willow's idea. We're inviting the WILC (homeschool group) kids and their families over to the farm on Sunday, October 3rd for a trail race. 2 laps around the running trail (about 2.5 miles total) followed by snacks and just hanging out at the farm. If this goes well, it may be something we look at repeating in the future in a more formal way.
Second, the Halloween Party. Keep it in mind -- October 30th. Costumes encouraged but not mandatory. Not sure when we're "starting" yet but request to bring a snack/desert/drinks to share.
The Name the Tavern 50/50 Raffle is still going on! In fact, we had a name suggestion that we liked SO much that we're adding it to the mix -- "The Shindig". If you've already voted, your vote still counts although if you want to change it, let us know and we'll switch it. Voting open now through 10pm at the Halloween Party. Vote ANY time you wish... doesn't have to be at a party. Vote as often as you wish and for as many different names as you wish. Name that collects the most $$ 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?).
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?).
Friday, August 27, 2010
Back to School Update
Ok, not really as Willow and Rhowan are homeschooled and won't be starting "classes" til after Labor Day... but it's ok. Couldn't come up with a catchier title.
Been a whirlwind of activity... mostly in the barn. As mentioned, the chickens have been giving us eggs (note the photo evidence below of the first 2 collected). Typically 2-4/day. We have realized we have a couple rodents in the barn that need to be evicted/exterminated and we MAY be losing eggs to them. Have to see after the eviction.
Went last night and purchased all the immediate supplies needed for chicks. The plan is to order them soon so we'll start getting eggs from them in the spring. Minimum order is 25... only question now is ordering all 25 Rhode Island Reds... or doing a mix of RIRs and Arcaunas (for the blue/green eggs).
The bar/tavern/pub/dancehall/whatever you want to call it is looking amazing!! The floor is finished (added a 2nd layer of plywood so it's VERY solid), the railings were completed a couple weeks ago at a "work party" we had with a bunch of our wonderful friends coming out to help. The bar is up with a plywood top. no fronting yet but solid and functional. The furniture we picked up at the auction last week looks amazing and fits so well. And this week has been all about lighting. Put up 2 ceiling fans in the large area and then hung 10 (so far) hanging lights in various places along with a string of "cute" lights, a string of holiday lights and a tube of lights. the Latter is hung under the backside of the bar and looks great... the others are up over entrances. I hope to get some decent pictures of the place all lit up in the next couple days because it really does look fantastic. Finish the bar and clean up the wood and it really could be rented for functions as it will look amazing.
In the meantime, here are a couple pics from the work party a couple weeks ago:
Been a whirlwind of activity... mostly in the barn. As mentioned, the chickens have been giving us eggs (note the photo evidence below of the first 2 collected). Typically 2-4/day. We have realized we have a couple rodents in the barn that need to be evicted/exterminated and we MAY be losing eggs to them. Have to see after the eviction.
 |
| Chris with the first 2 eggs produced at SVF |
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| The girls -- Barred Rock hens |
The bar/tavern/pub/dancehall/whatever you want to call it is looking amazing!! The floor is finished (added a 2nd layer of plywood so it's VERY solid), the railings were completed a couple weeks ago at a "work party" we had with a bunch of our wonderful friends coming out to help. The bar is up with a plywood top. no fronting yet but solid and functional. The furniture we picked up at the auction last week looks amazing and fits so well. And this week has been all about lighting. Put up 2 ceiling fans in the large area and then hung 10 (so far) hanging lights in various places along with a string of "cute" lights, a string of holiday lights and a tube of lights. the Latter is hung under the backside of the bar and looks great... the others are up over entrances. I hope to get some decent pictures of the place all lit up in the next couple days because it really does look fantastic. Finish the bar and clean up the wood and it really could be rented for functions as it will look amazing.
In the meantime, here are a couple pics from the work party a couple weeks ago:
 |
| Rhowan working on the railing. |
 |
| Dakota, Brandon and Ryan working on the railing. |
 |
| L to R: Willow, Dakota, Chris, Rhowan, Amanda, Thom... and I think Brandon's foot -- relaxing the in bar post work! |
 |
| Thom drinking a beer in/at his bar. |
And just a couple other shots...
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Side 1 of the SVF Farm sign... almost done! |
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| Reilly is staring at the door to the chickens... he KNOWS they're there! |
Monday, August 16, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Ah, projects!
No, before you ask, we are NOT unpacked yet! Found the camera... but the adapter to download the pictures is still AWOL amongst the boxes so no pics to add to this blog yet. Which is really a shame... cleaned up and decluttered, the house looks fantastic! And the barn looks even more cavernous (if that's possible).
So the work has started. Last Friday we replaced the water softener and added a sediment filter to the water line. It took literally ALL day to do for one reason or another, and is going to cost a little more as we now have to replace the faucet in the downstairs bath, but the water is now clean, clear and beautiful - not to mention tasty! YAY!! No more water jugs! I think the only one who will bemoan that at all is Reilly who enjoyed playing with the empty jugs (at least long enough to chew them up a little and drag them around the house). Have to recalculate my shampoo usage too as I've noticed getting a LOT more suds with the same amount than we used to.
We've also gotten someone lined up to bush hog (mow) the pasture. It's been in desperate need of being cut for almost 2 months now. Thom tried, but I guess in the end realized it was just easier and actually LESS costly to just hire someone to do it. Would love to find someone willing to do it on trade (either for the hay it produces or for something else) but in the meantime, I think once we get it under control the first time, we'll be able to keep it down. Especially once we add animals.
We have a line on some chickens and possibly a cow but that will probably wait until after we get back from Hunters Run Horse Trials next month. No sense in getting the critters and having to have someone stay at the house so soon afterwards to care for them. We'll just wait another week and it will all be good.
Thom's at an auction this afternoon trying to score us a table saw. *drool* mmm... power tools! :-)
The project list is still quite long as I'm sure it will be for a while to come yet (if it EVER dwindles). Have had a couple people over lately and love it. I hope people are comfortable stopping by on a whim or just hanging out even if we're working on something.
So the work has started. Last Friday we replaced the water softener and added a sediment filter to the water line. It took literally ALL day to do for one reason or another, and is going to cost a little more as we now have to replace the faucet in the downstairs bath, but the water is now clean, clear and beautiful - not to mention tasty! YAY!! No more water jugs! I think the only one who will bemoan that at all is Reilly who enjoyed playing with the empty jugs (at least long enough to chew them up a little and drag them around the house). Have to recalculate my shampoo usage too as I've noticed getting a LOT more suds with the same amount than we used to.
We've also gotten someone lined up to bush hog (mow) the pasture. It's been in desperate need of being cut for almost 2 months now. Thom tried, but I guess in the end realized it was just easier and actually LESS costly to just hire someone to do it. Would love to find someone willing to do it on trade (either for the hay it produces or for something else) but in the meantime, I think once we get it under control the first time, we'll be able to keep it down. Especially once we add animals.
We have a line on some chickens and possibly a cow but that will probably wait until after we get back from Hunters Run Horse Trials next month. No sense in getting the critters and having to have someone stay at the house so soon afterwards to care for them. We'll just wait another week and it will all be good.
Thom's at an auction this afternoon trying to score us a table saw. *drool* mmm... power tools! :-)
The project list is still quite long as I'm sure it will be for a while to come yet (if it EVER dwindles). Have had a couple people over lately and love it. I hope people are comfortable stopping by on a whim or just hanging out even if we're working on something.
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