| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 22 2013 : 8:34:53 PM
I am exhausted, y'all. I mean, I can hardly move right now. I get up like an old lady. It takes awhile to get to walking normal. Farming is hard work. I have been hauling wagon loads of hay mulch and wagons full of good humusy soil from out back. It's heavy! But thank goodness, I had an empty wagon going up the little hill to get the soil. So all down hill when full. That helped a lot.
So just got 3 beds worked today. It took nearly all day. I'll till some more tomorrow and plant beans, field peas, squash, zuchinni and cucumbers. I'll be getting peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from my friend up the road around the first part os May.
Plus working for all these animals is hard too. Seems like that's all I do lately, work for them. Fencing, moving chicken and rabbit tractors, feeding... It is never ending.
BUT, I LOVE IT! I would NOT want to be doing anything else. I love to see the results of all this hard work in the gardens. I love to harvest all the things I've planted and weeded and mulched. I love going to markets and selling and meeting people and talking about how to prepare all this food for their families. I love knowing that people will be eating good healthy organic food that I, with God's help, grew for them. Very satisfying for sure.
And I love seeing the sheep eating good green grass and going to take a break and chewing their cud under the shade tree. Or standing out in the pasture with them and hearing them munching. I love that sound so much. I love to see the lambs being frisky and chasing each other like good friends. So satisfying.
And seeing the 2 pigs I got a little over a month ago, already so big from all the good food they get. And then seeing them laid out under the shade tree in their yard, napping and dreaming. So satisfying.
Then going out to the hens and getting pretty perfect brown eggs. And hearing the rooster crowing during the day. So satisfying.
And I love the good fresh raw goat's milk I get from my goats, to drink and make cheese and soaps. And to share with friends who appreciate good milk too. And knowing my family loves it too. It's all worth the hassel these goats are sometimes! That is really satisfying to me.
So yes, farming IS hard work. I am dirty ALL the time. I stink most of the time too. Today, my hands smelled like sheep pee and poop from all the oldhay I got from their stalls to put on the garden. I am not complaining at all.
I read somewhere that in the spring you should smell like dirt. Well, I do. And I love it!
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 20 2013 : 06:11:37 AM
It's a mess out there. All the soil is washed away, exposing the little seedlings already sprouting. And it's going to be 9- today so they will all be burned up by tonight. It just makes me sick to see all that wasted. Washed away. I guess all the seeds are at the bottom of the garden and maybe I can just get everything from down there. Just stand in one spot and pick. I just don't know what to do really. Most of the plants are ok. Like the tomatoes and peppers. And the row with the spinach and kale and one bed of field peas. And maybe some beans, I'm not sure. But it's a mess. And my push mower belt broke that makes it self-propelled. I cannot push that machine without that working. So the grass is a foot tall again. When it rains, it sure pours!
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - May 19 2013 : 7:38:19 PM
You are right my farmfriend, farming is hard work! But the benefits of caring for the land, the animals and your family make it worth while. Keep up the good job you are doing.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 19 2013 : 06:54:51 AM
Garden is under water again. It's pouring out there. I hope my poor chickies don't float away too.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 18 2013 : 6:09:27 PM
Grace, my daughter gave me a nail brush with the pumice stone on the other side. For my always dirt stained hands and fingers. It does not work. The brush does get the fingernails clean, but not the dirt stains. Sorry sweetie! That's just the way my hands will look from now til, maybe December? We just had rain all night with a little more today. And it's going to be in the high 80's with some low 90's thrown in for next week. Plus some scattered showers all week too. So if this doesn't jump start my garden, I may be throwing in the towel. And yes, I do believe I wouldn't be happy doing anything else but this. I planted more lavender too. I hope your garden grows and thrives!
I think the past 2 years I have worried about my gardens too much. I have some friends up the road that are into their 2nd year gardening and going to markets. The guy is an archetect. She's a perfectionist. I think I find myself trying to compete with them and do like they do. And it's just not working for me. I mean, their gardens are works of art really. All nice and fluffy soil with no clods because he picks them all out. No weeds because they mulch like crazy. Beds all laid out in perfect rows with seeds spaced perfectly apart. She even has a ruler she uses to plant seeds with. And I have realized that it's just not me. I don't have a straight row of anything anywhere on my farm. I like weeds. I am lazy. And I have always had good gardens with no problems. So I don't think I will try to do what they do. It works for them but not for me. I need to get back to the way I have always gardened. It works.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| katmom |
Posted - May 18 2013 : 10:17:35 AM
Kristin,,
not only should we (farm girls) smell like dirt... but we should have the 'dirt manicure' to prove it! lol!
3 weeks ago, I was ready to throw in the towel w/my garden,,, but as of 3 days ago,,, all of a sudden my garden has come (back) to life!
But I am still watching the daily weather report for any last minute 'freezes' that we might have...
So true, Farming/Gardening is hard, but it beats the alternative, sitting around, eating BonBons & watching Soap Operas... lol!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 16 2013 : 7:47:29 PM
Well, if it weren't for my daughter doing all the inside work, this place would be a disaster area. I don't even cook anymore. I'm so glad you're doing so well in your Etsy store. I tried that but never sold a thing. And also glad your fruit trees are ok now. Good for you for spraying them.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| jollyquilter |
Posted - May 16 2013 : 7:25:42 PM
I covered the strawberries for 2 nights. And would rise before daylight to spray the apple trees with water. We saved them all.
I am now cleaning beds and planting gardens and trying to keep up inside and do some spring cleaning to. I am also getting lots of orders on my etsy sight so I do those orders between dark thirty and dawn!
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 16 2013 : 6:39:29 PM
Heather, I saw all your pictures. So cute! I bet it's just as crazy up there too.
I just replanted more than half my garden this morning. I still have so much more to do. But my step dad has been in ICU since last Tuesday. So between the hospital, markets and gardens and making soap and jelly in between, I am pooped. But it will all be just fine. I am not the only one who's haveing to replant. So many more. Some have even had to get truck loads of dirt to make raised beds just to get plants from the greenhouses into the ground.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| nndairy |
Posted - May 13 2013 : 12:12:33 PM
Kris,
I just seen your post and would like to say what a beautiful farm you have. My husband and I are dairy farmers and I know exactly how you feel. Exhausted and wonderful at the same time. Thanks for sharing your photos. (I posted some on the "a farm of my own" board if you would like to see them.) Best of luck with the weather to all you farm girls! It's been crazy in Ohio too, but what can you do?
Farmgirl Sister #4701 |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 10 2013 : 05:01:52 AM
I had over 200 plants several years ago down in front. I still see some and need to dig them up and move them up in the garden. I want to put the pigs up there to til it all up for me. But have to get some electric fence up first. Then get about 100 people to help herd them up there! That's gonna be really fun. But I know they will do a great job rooting it all up for me. I can't get a tractor down there. And a tiller wouldn't be able to do a thing. So pigerators it will have to be. But I have nightmares even thinking about how to get them from out back to up front.
I hope you don't egt that frost.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| jollyquilter |
Posted - May 09 2013 : 12:24:46 PM
I am trying to come up with something to cover the strawberries with. But it is alot of berries!!!
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 09 2013 : 04:43:13 AM
I sure hope that's wrong! It has just been so strange this year so far. I don't know what I'd do if we had a frost here. It's going to be late for a lot of things this year for sure. Can you cover the strawberry plants up? I just have a small raised bed of them.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| jollyquilter |
Posted - May 08 2013 : 10:48:30 PM
Kristin......I am in SW WV and we are expecting frost on Sunday Monday and tuesday. All our trees are leafed out and the fruit trees have set fruit already. Strawberries have fruit on them as well. Our last frost date is May 10th. I usually have around a dozen tomato plants in the ground by april 30th......but not this year!!!
God bless and good luck to you.
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 07 2013 : 05:25:30 AM
http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/heavy-rain-hurting-local-farms-5288.shtml#.UYgxxinQxag.facebook
Click on the picture for the video.
This was on the news here last night. These are friends who also go to the same markets I do. It's been SO wet here and most farmers are like this right now. I have had a lot of seeds wash away here too. And the garden has been under water. But that's part of farming. And we have no control over the weather. We just have to go with it and take it as it comes. I know a lot of the country is really dry right now. I have no idea what that's like at the moment. I am not complaing, but it is a mess out there. I would normally, at this time of year, have green beans about a foot tall, tomatoes with flowers on them, squash and zucchini blooming. But the weather has had other ideas.
What's it like in your neck of the woods right now? Any planting? Or harvesting yet?
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 26 2013 : 04:25:48 AM
Thank you, Laurie. That means a lot to me.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| laurentany |
Posted - Apr 25 2013 : 6:10:21 PM
Kris,
What an absolutely beautiful photo journey of Outback Farm! Every single one of your animals look fabulous and oh so happy! You are an inspiration to me. Just reading your posts makes me tired, but the fruits of your labor is evident in your farm and in your beautiful animals.
Thank you for sharing with us, and keep up the good work! You sure do make us farmgirls proud!
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.
~Robert Louis Stevenson |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 25 2013 : 04:32:51 AM
Sandra, I know you do so much too. It is hard and lots of blood, sweat and tears, like Tina says, but worth it all. That's kind of my favorite thing to do now, turn the hose on those silly pigs. Makes me smile and laugh. They are so funny. I have to somehow get the pigs from where they are in the back of the property, way up to the front where I had strawberries years ago. I need them to work that ground up for me so I can use it for more garden space. BUT, I will need a bunch of people to help. Because piga are NOT easy to move. Now that is hard work! But to look at what they've already done in their yard in just 5 weeks, I could be planting a garden by June.
Lisa, I hope you'll be able to do this soon too.
Kathy, any time you need a "farm vacation", let me know. I welcome any help I can get!
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| KathyC |
Posted - Apr 24 2013 : 7:45:54 PM
Kris,
The pictures are great and your animals do look happy. You are so busy, if I lived closer I would come help just to learn from you.
Kathy |
| SandraM |
Posted - Apr 24 2013 : 07:09:29 AM
Kris,
Great picture! I love the hose/pig!!
I think most who homestead/farm get discouraged at one time or another. I know there are days I love it and can't imagine doing anything else and there are other days when I wonder if I am just plain nuts! :)
Thanks for sharing your pictures
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
| nubidane |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 7:06:28 PM
Kris, I just love your lifestyle. Somehow I have gotten twisted up in the "work outside of home world" like most of America, but I am trying to cut back & appreciate what I have on my land. Keep doin what you are doin.. God Bless you & all of your hard work, critters, and reaping what you sow!!!
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 5:50:42 PM
Betty, she is the sweetest dog ever. So loving and nice. I found her almost 2 years ago in June, running down the middle of the road with a long rope tied so tight around her neck, I couldn't even get my finger under it. I had some scissors in the car, thank goodness, and cut the rope off, put her in my car and took her straight home. She's been here ever since. She's a mess though. She loves to dig holes. But she loves her Bubba.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 5:45:56 PM
Wow, this makes me almost cry. Because sometimes I do get frustrated and want to just run away. It's not always smiley happy. But 98% of the time it is. Most of the time though, they just crack me up. Like when I turn the water hose on those pigs! Oh my goodness, they run around and squeal and they do smile. And when Stella sits and then raises up with her front feet and sits there. And she also high 5's too. She's so funny. Even Sophie, who will be 16 in July, runs around like a little puppy, shaking her little stumpy tail.
Tina, you hit it right on the head. You do so much and I know you feel the same way.
Nini, that's one of my favorites too, of the pig. They are very photogenic. And they know who feeds them!
Jonni, Jaimie is SO good. I want her to come back and do more now. She found me on my FB page. I am always taking animal pictures and posting them on my Outback Farm FB page. So she asked if she could come out. I want her to come back when Sandy has her kids in a few days. And the sheep have been sheared too. And yes, it does not take me long to get to sleep.
Susan, that is so nice. It is definetely well worth ALL the work. It's just what I want to do.
Thank you all for the nice sweet comments. I wish you could all come visit some day. You're all welcome any time!
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| Betty J. |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 5:25:53 PM
I love Stella. She reminds me of my Penny. A real lover.
Betty in Pasco |
| Cindy Lou |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 5:15:01 PM
Kristin,
The title said "Lots of Pics" and as I was reading your post I felt there were a lot of pictures in the words alone. Really happy people radiate that feeling, its not bragging at all, it is something far more powerful. The real pictures are amazing. I agree with Nini your animals are happy too! Thank you for reminding us that the work is well worth it!
Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Apr 23 2013 : 1:52:21 PM
working your own land and reaping all the benifits is really worth all the blood, sweat and tears that go along with it, cause in the end, all you do is smile, smile watching all the farm babies playing, listening to their mothers low calls to them, watching them take their first bites of grass..watching your own babies playing and getting sooo dirty that you have to scrap the muck off of them and yourself, cause you are playing too, jumping in the pasture ponds to cool off, and then taking a hose to yourself before you go back into the house...the the smells, the sights, and the sounds of total contentment...every child and every adult should be able to at the least experience what we all experience every single day...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
