5.27.2016

Friday!!! Yip!!

With all the excitement of the new guys being at the farm, visiting with long lost friends, catching up with Christian (who was out of town for a week), my classes, work, AND my garden coming along (finally), I have been putting this here ol' blog on the back burner.... I regularly post on Instagram if you ever are just dying to know what's happening at the farm, but for now, here is a little recap of the last few days....

I have finally gotten the push I needed to get my garden going. Yeah, I know it's a bit late in the year, but better late than never. I will be posting pics this weekend probably. The tomatoes and peppers went in about 3 weeks ago and last week I put in some peas, beans, and cucumbers. Last night I put in a few of my straggler tomatoes (everything was started from seed BY ME!!!), a few cantaloupes, okra, and this weekend I will put in my baby watermelon plants! 

The new crew has been adjusting fine, and aside from the goats getting jealous of the rye hay being fed morning and night, they are happy to have new neighbors.

Rose and Hazel are doing great and every day seem to get even closer. 

Eddie had a bad last few days, but seems to be improving. They call it geriatric vestibular disease. Pretty common for an old boy like him. Lots of encouragement and stimuli seem to be the key. I just took him for a walk and he seems better than yesterday. All in all, things are good and now it's Friday!!

Here are a few snapshots from my phone yesterday:


Eddie at the Vet. It is a bit far from my house, but I love this place. If you need a reccomendation for a small animal vet, I highly recommend The Vet at Blue Ridge
They have taken great care of all my cats and dogs. Totally in it for the cause - here, it's not all about the money.
 Big G and Plum.... I caught G in mid head shake. Boy looks like he's modeling with that pouty lip and that mane shake...
 Misty helping me in the back yard while I was working in the garden....She keeps the apple trees pruned so that I can get under them with my mower with no problems ;)
 Eli. What more is there to say?
 Cool as a cucumber Ellie. Straw hanging out the mouth and all. Not a care in the world....
 Magnolia flower....
 A tiny little horse named Taffy.... I am SOOOO loving having her out here! I will hate to see her go!
 Blackberry GALORE ripening in the sun.....
 My first felfie with Plum. She's a sweetheart.
Happy Friday - see you guys tomorrow! 

xoxo

-s

5.24.2016

excited for summer....

SO, even though Summer doesn't start for another month, I am really feeling it. The temps have been pretty mild, but I have really been enjoying this menagerie that I get to call home. The garden is happening slowly but surely and the animals are thriving..

The peaches are coming along as are the apples, and hopefully we can actually enjoy the peaches this year! Last year a horrible wind storm came through and wiped us out before they were even close to being ripe....

A few things I am really looking forward to this summer are:


~some old school concerts with some old school friends

~homemade ice cream

~a few mini vacays.... I have finally found a few people worthy of farm-sitting the critters....
   .....and one of the things I hope to do before the end of the year is take Eddie to the beach! He's    never been!

~eat veggies grown from the garden (hoping the bunnies don't sabotage us!)

~reap all the benefits of the work I have put into at this place. Last year was not good for relaxing, but this summer is looking like its shaping up to have lots of lazy moments with my feet kicked up, a cold beer in my hand, and my guy by my side....

~some road-tripping, yard sale, junking road trips with my mom and sister!!!

~my first gallop around on a horse.....perhaps...

~girls nights at the farm! Nothing beats a fire, some drinks, and a whole lotta laughs under the stars...

~a trip to Six Flags. I am a roller coaster QUEEEEEEN! Flash Pass and all  I ain't got time for the lines ;)

~my 40th bday!!! YES!!! I am actually excited about this! It blows my mind that I met my redhead when I was just 22 years old.... We were shy and young and scared of love, but a year later we kissed and the rest is history. This Fall we celebrate 17 years together!

....so..... just a few things...

ahhhhh.....sooo tired. I am off to dreamland. xoxo

-s






5.23.2016

National Taffy Day!!!

Yes, friends there is an actual holiday for Taffy. Maybe not the Taffy that is staying at the Bed & Breakfast out here, but we are going to celebrate her anyway!! Why not! So happy National Taffy Day!!





5.21.2016

saturday snapshots...

It's super late, and I have had a blast today with the Texas crew. I am taking care of them until their family arrives next month. They arrived Wednesday, but I am already in love. Taffy is hilarious, Big G is a sweetie, and Plum is a quiet gal.... here's the day in pics. All iPhone - I was too lazy to get out the good camera!

 Mom got snapchatted as a kitty and didn't know it.....



















We ended the night with some stargazing before watching the movie "Spirit"....


I'm off to bed......

xoxo

-s

5.20.2016

....a new way to save


Have any of you heard of the app called Digit?
I was hesitant to participate in this savings plan, just because I thought it sounded too good to be true, however after numerous articles came out about it, I decided to give it a try.

You can read all about it here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

To use Digit, you need to connect your checking account. This allows Digit to analyze your income and spending, and find small amounts of money it can safely set aside for you. They  use 128-bit bank-level security, and don't store your bank login. Every 2 or 3 days, Digit transfers some money (usually $5-50) from your checking account to your Digit savings and they never transfer more than you can afford, so you don't have to worry about over-drafting your account. In fact, they  have a no-overdraft guarantee. When you need your savings, send Digit a text message. Digit will transfer the money from your Digit savings back to your checking account next business day.

Digit allows unlimited transfers, with no minimums, and no fees.

Sounds easy, right? Annnnd it IS! I get small random withdrawals taken out here and there and then also can choose to save any amount I choose as well. So far I am saving between $50-$75 a month and haven't even noticed it! At this rate, we will have a mini vacation paid for by the end of the year....  

Speaking of mini vacays..... I would LOVE to take Eddie on his first beach trip ever this Fall. Now to find a farm-sitter..... 

Happy Friday! Now go check out the Digit app!

xo

-s

5.19.2016

*pinching myself* am I dreaming?

Sorry for the lack of posts these last few days, but I have been a little under the weather. I seem to have developed an allergy to something. I have NEVER really had a problem with seasonal allergies, but something has been giving me a time! Anyway, let me catch you up on the happenings at the farm....
So as you know, I am fostering Hazel from a local rescue and due to this connection, I was able to be involved in temporarily caring for these three who are moving here with their family from Austin, TX. I could hardly say anything but YES!! when I saw that one of them was a tiny little mini horse named Taffy!

Yip!! Their arrival!!! Eeeeeek! This is Big G....
...and Plum.....
Little Taffy was too tiny to see in the trailer, but she was in there!
They will be with me for a few months until the land is ready for them at their new permanent home, which is just down the road, but in the meantime, I LOVE having them here! Rose and Hazel have been enjoying having the very large Big G there as he is one handsome fella!
Then there is the sweet Miss Plum. Shy, and unsure of this new situation, but slowly she is gaining trust in me.
My sister says that Big G looks like the horse in Spirit, so I have a feeling I will be watching that cartoon movie soon - possibly this weekend.
Eli doesn't really know what to make of the new additions.  'Is she a goat like me? Or a small version of Rose?' Ha!
Look at the SIZE of that big boy!!! Talk about some intimidation..... but turns out, he's a big ol' sweetie!
I plan on having a lonnnnnnnnnng weekend of doting on all the animals and as usual will be snapping pics the whole time, so this week's Saturday snapshots should be really fun.

Rose and Hazel munching away in their own field...
This weekend I cannot wait to work in my garden, hang out with family, and have an amazing brunch with my ladies on Sunday....


My foot next to Hazel's:
 ....and then compare that to little Taffy's hooves. ADORABLE!!!
 Eddie doesn't really know what to think of the new guests...and as long as he's getting the good life INSIDE the house, he doesn't care!

 good night!