Must Get to the Farm

Spring is springing up everywhere and I can only imagine how pretty it is down at the farm. We've been so wrapped up in wedding plans and Farm Boy's big birthday that we haven't had time to head down. BUT, I daresay that should be resolved in the next week or two. Can't wait to see what is waiting for us. We have grand plans, which will have to be cut back a bit with the upcoming wedding, but I am sure we will still manage to have tons of fun and get lots done.

Until then here is a picture or two from last spring...

the magic of a woods in winter

So Farm Boy surprises me with a quick trip to the farm. There really is no quick trip about it since it is 3 hrs each way but I have said, apparently several times, that I wish I could see the farm with snow and John Dear wanted to rev up his tractor and check out the roofs so off we went; me with my trusty camera and John Dear with his atv, his keys and his big ole' heart of gold. The drive was quick, we were eager to get there and the scenery along the way was beautiful. Pristine fields of solid white, mostly uninterrupted aside from the occasional drift or animal tracks.

I was not disappointed when we arrived at our little place. In fact, I was delighted to find that no one had attempted to track back to the woods for deer or turkey hunting and the land lay bare and quiet. Parking at the neighbors so as not to get stuck we weighed our options for arrival. A) would the truck make it in through two feet of compacted snow? (of course it would he said - it's a four wheel drive...but I don't want to have to dig us out, he added.) Option b was the atv - but it sort of had its own issues as in "i don't want to take the time to unload it." so Option C it was - time to put on the hiking boots and start walking. The snow was so hard we mostly stayed on top of it but every three or four footsteps we'd sink into a soft spot and have to pull our ankles out to continue - great cardio workout if I hadn't already had mine for the day. We walked the half mile up the driveway to the trailer and the garage. We had had company - bird tracks joined us on our walk and closer to the house a small animal had been playing leaving behind his footprints, perhaps a racoon. The woods welcomed us with its quiet majesty. Tall oaks and tiny evergreen scrubs alike stood tall to show us they had waited patiently for our return. A little further up the drive we came to the storage barn - all was in good shape except for the unmistakable odor of a skunk party a few nights back - faint but definately skunky. Even the icicles offered a welcome, spelling out the word Hi as they froze solid along the vines that clung to the barn. We continued down the lane, James' meadow on one side and the woods on the other, listening to the many sounds that the woods offers. Wild turkeys called in the background warning others that someone had dared to invade their space. We both noticed how clear and close the mountains seemed this time of year without anything to block their view. We came out into the opening where the circular drive will one day go and surveyed the back fields and noticed that a) the abandoned house had not yet caved in and b) the spring fed creek was alive and well and happily carving its path through the snow. This stream had not yet had water in it that we had seen so we hiked down to it to check out the spring. John wanted to hike up the hill to the house but I begged to proceed through the woods (partly from the cardio workout and partly because I knew there would be better pictures awaiting me in the woods.) So off we went again in the direction of the woods, past the deer tracks and down the path towards the "big" barn and the little sharecroppers cabin. John Dear commented on the many great places for sledding. I personally was dreaming of a fire pit. Some day he will be out sledding with the grandkids and I will stay in and tend the fire, I said. He smiled, "Of course you will" In the clearing of the tobaccy barn we noticed that a good third of the roof was no longer a part of the roof line. "Well that takes care of that," he said, making note that some of his spring work had been started for him. We walked down to spring-fed creek #2 - this one also noisily making its pathway through the woods. Back through the woods we traipsed, the snow being much softer under the trees making our progress a bit slower, giving us time to notice the lacy effect of soft leaves that had not fallen, the buds on other trees promising us that spring was coming and the sheer peacefulness that comes from a walk in the woods.

An hour and a half had flown by as we made observations of the farm in winter. Day was dying and light was quickly waning. We popped into the neighbors house to say hello (that's what you do in the country) and to warm ourselves by her cheerful fire. After a short visit of pleasantries, invitations to dinner, rainchecks and promises of being back soon, we loaded up in the truck that waited in her driveway and headed back home.

in the news

Last night our little town made the news. Apparently someone murdered 8 people and then made off for the woods. The suspect was surrounded last we heard. Sure hope it wasn't in our woods - maybe the black bear will get him...... Appomattox will have something to talk about for days.

Is it spring yet?

cozy in the snowstorm

Oh, I can't wait to be curled up in my little log cabin in a snowstorm. I hear reports that our little farm has a foot at the moment. Would love to see it in the snow. Maybe next year?

Happy Anniversary Little Farm

A year ago this week we bought our farm. Yes, it was love at first sight and yes, we are still in the honeymoon phase. It has been a fun year of getting to know the little farm, working our tails off to begin cleaning up the place and dreaming about the future. We wish we were further along, we thought we'd be started on the house by now, but things take time - even when one isn't very patient. Here is the first picture taken on the farm - yah it looks alot like the last pictures I posted but anyway, "it is what it is," as they say.

We've enjoyed each of the four seasons this past year and look forward to many more seasons of blessing as we build and plant and grow and bring this little piece of country back to life. Thanks for enjoying it with us.

farmgirl

Trying something different

I liked this idea and after reading several of these for a few weeks decided to share what is on my mind today. I find it helps me to slow down and focus on some of the things that matter most. I hope you enjoy.

FOR TODAY

December 7, 2009

Outside my window... the snow is melting, everything is smushy and wet

I am thinking... about whether or not I am posting this daybook correctly

I am thankful for... my dear sweet husband and my three wonderful kids. I am feeling sentimental about them today.

From the learning rooms... learning to slow down, live a little simpler and be content

From the kitchen...this is cookie baking week

I am wearing...my comfy sweats since I try to stay home on Mondays

I am creating...christmas ornaments for some of my friends

I am going...to get off the internet as soon as this is done :)

I am reading... Coming Home, devotions for Advent and December's Cooking Light

I am hoping...to get a few projects off of my to do list - but shhh, they are surprises

I am hearing...quiet

Around the house...I've started decorating, waiting on hubs for the outside lighting and then will start on the inside

One of my favorite things... a pot of tea, flavor du jour is Cinnamon Plum

A few plans for the rest of the week: cookie baking - need to get the freezer full for when the kids come home in a few weeks

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

For more daybooks go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

would love to hear your comments - Mary aka farmgirl

of bonfires and weiner roasts

The leaves have fallen from the trees and the branches are bare; the brilliance of autumns colors has been replaced by a new kind of beauty - a silence, a resting. Farmer boy said he guessed I wouldn't be taking many pictures this weekend - HA, there are all kinds of fresh images to capture.

Take this sunrise for instance

or these mushrooms growing on a tree stump

or the new view of the sky through the tree branches

Then of course there is the family fun - with our new atv and a bonfire planned for weiner roasting and marshmallow toasting and s'mores and nieces and uncles and aunts and cousins and dogs and a hike through the woods. All part of a lovely day and evening spent "down at the farm."