Check out the Farm Video & Tell Me what you think!
So much more to do on the farm - Can't wait to see what next year has in store!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Rent-A-Chick!
Thanks to all that participated in the last Rent-A-Chick Program! We had a great turnout, despite the huge storm that night, everyone was bundled up in their boots and coats to brave the rain.
Gotta catch those first squeals of delight! I had my hands full with directing traffic so these great shots were possible thanks to the assistance of photographer Matt @ Eye of the Shutter Photography.
Everyone got their supplies, brooder kit and a short lesson on how to care for their new babies. Luckily I've created a little companion book to take home too - It's pretty hard to get kids to pay attention when you are competing with these peeping critters in the room!
Who can resist? They all develop names before they return home and I am always told in great detail by the kids of each chicks unique personality.
A few more floorless chicken coops are under construction over the winter months in prep for Next Rent-A-Chick event in the Spring. I adore how a few adults that joined this group and bashfully admitted at pick up day that they didn't have kids. Ha! I know the feeling but am well aware that we all turn into kids around these peepers. There is no age limit on this cuteness. 
Everyone got their supplies, brooder kit and a short lesson on how to care for their new babies. Luckily I've created a little companion book to take home too - It's pretty hard to get kids to pay attention when you are competing with these peeping critters in the room!Precious bundles of fluff. Each family gets 3 chicks, so it is great project where everyone gets to claim their own little pet. I do have to deal with the aftermath since many of the parents get pretty darn attached :)
Who can resist? They all develop names before they return home and I am always told in great detail by the kids of each chicks unique personality.A few more floorless chicken coops are under construction over the winter months in prep for Next Rent-A-Chick event in the Spring. I adore how a few adults that joined this group and bashfully admitted at pick up day that they didn't have kids. Ha! I know the feeling but am well aware that we all turn into kids around these peepers. There is no age limit on this cuteness. It takes 5 months for the chicks to start producing eggs. With heritage breed hens they lay a variety of colors - blue, green, chocolate and brown. Looking forward to March 10th for the next round of fun that make our yummy pasture raised eggs possible. There are only 11 kits available each session so RSVP for yours today - backbaybotanicals@yahoo.com
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Serious Construction Time.
Holy Construction project! After 2 years of waiting - The monster job of lifting the 1870's farm house is finally underway. Many sounds of demo work have filled the air over the last few months to reveal one serious tear out job...the home is uninhabitable but the contractors are so dedicated they are pitching tents inside and working in shifts to speed up the process.
Enter if you dare!
Removal of the porch to allow access under the house: 
All the wood floors are out...and footers are being replaced.
Sad to see the original 1870's wood floors being torn out but original idea of crawling under the home to do the work was just too constraining for the crew. Certainly didn't want to risk having the repairs done improperly in attempt to save the floors so it was the best thing. 
What used to be the living room..
Out with the old bricks and in with the new -
Just waiting for the contractor to give a thumbs up to go to home depot to pick out the new flooring...I predict some kick-ass after photos are in store soon.
All the wood floors are out...and footers are being replaced.Sad to see the original 1870's wood floors being torn out but original idea of crawling under the home to do the work was just too constraining for the crew. Certainly didn't want to risk having the repairs done improperly in attempt to save the floors so it was the best thing. 
What used to be the living room..
Out with the old bricks and in with the new -
Just waiting for the contractor to give a thumbs up to go to home depot to pick out the new flooring...I predict some kick-ass after photos are in store soon.Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Harvest.
Made 3 easy farm projects last month:
1) Herbal Salts:
Making the most of the last bits of Basil, anticipating only a week or two left before the first frost hits us. Making some basil salts, great for marinades and adding some fresh italian flavor in the winter.
2) Sugar Body Scrubs
Only 3 Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Raw Sugar & Local Honey.
Basically, will never have to buy St. Ives scrub again...
Scrub-a-licious
3) Back Bay Botanicals Bee Balms:
Experimenting with some pure and simple recipes.
Only 4 Ingredients
Almond Oil, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Pure Vanilla Extract.
Fair warning to friends and family:
Expect homemade Christmas Gifts this year :)
Pretty labels in the works!
Fall Check-In
Colors have changed here on the farm:
Dark reds, bright yellows, dark browns, and some autumn treats falling from the 4 large pecan trees on the property:
The squirrels make their run to and from the woods to the pecan trees all-day-long. Listen carefully you can hear them making quick work as they toss the shells from the branches littering the ground beneath. 
Fence posts make great place for squirrels to stop and crack a few and get a good view of anything suspicious.
Like Mr. Kitty as he sits quietly to watch their daily rounds between trees. nothing moves but the tip of his tail. 
Cool nights have started and all the rent-a-chicks are back home and tucked away all warm in their mini-coop. Have about 25 of them so they get to cuddle together for warmth at night. They are just now learning how to use the perches. 
Over at the eggmobile, the flock is doing great. Last springs rent-a-chick group is coming along. Should be laying any day now. Waiting for the colorful egg-basket to start soon. Here is a review of the breeds: Easter Egger Hen
Its not hard to spot the Easter Eggers because they have puffy feathers that poof out from their cheeks. They also have very small pea combs. 
Silver-laced hen. I am beginning to think these feathers act as bulls-eye for the hawks, only 1 hen of the silver laced left, cry.... 
Speaking of predators, hoping the maturing Roosters will help curb that problem alittle. As I was snapping shots, one was keeping an eye on a vulture that was soaring high in the sky. He lets out a special warning squawk if he suspects a predator is around and the ladies head for cover.
The Welsummer has gotten quite handsome. Really struts stuff and shows off his tail feathers. 
Front view of his beautiful colors 
Believe it or not here is his counterpart, a Welsummer hen:
The other boy in the flock is this New Hampshire Rooster: Testosterone has done him well from chicken nugget to beef-cake. 
Black Austrolorp hens have been alittle shy lately. They are molting their feathers now, and this one seemed alittle self-conscious 
Losing feathers or leaves, its all part of nature and change of season.
Maple trees are the prettiest. 
Have hosted a few photo shoots out here (pics to come soon). Fall sunsets are picture-perfect. 
In the front acre, all the flowers have been yanked, thanks to help from my new-found neighbor friend Melissa. We spent a sunday pulling them all and tossed into a gigantic pile in the back pasture and swapping stories of chickens and goats. Hoping to have a nice bon-fire with the spent zinnia plants. Instead of pulling up the plastic rows altogether, have decided to take advantage of the weed free planting opportunity for 1 last season. Still getting a few goodies from the rows. ok, so I wished I liked radishes more! But I couldn't resist planting them with a short 3 week seed to salad timeline. 
And finally... got the chick pen done, but now that its November, it's gotten too chilly at night to put the baby chicks inside it. Will probably move this into the greenhouse during the winter to help keep them warm, and let the new chicks run around in this until spring.
Dark reds, bright yellows, dark browns, and some autumn treats falling from the 4 large pecan trees on the property:The squirrels make their run to and from the woods to the pecan trees all-day-long. Listen carefully you can hear them making quick work as they toss the shells from the branches littering the ground beneath. Fence posts make great place for squirrels to stop and crack a few and get a good view of anything suspicious.Like Mr. Kitty as he sits quietly to watch their daily rounds between trees. nothing moves but the tip of his tail. Cool nights have started and all the rent-a-chicks are back home and tucked away all warm in their mini-coop. Have about 25 of them so they get to cuddle together for warmth at night. They are just now learning how to use the perches. Over at the eggmobile, the flock is doing great. Last springs rent-a-chick group is coming along. Should be laying any day now. Waiting for the colorful egg-basket to start soon. Here is a review of the breeds: Easter Egger HenIts not hard to spot the Easter Eggers because they have puffy feathers that poof out from their cheeks. They also have very small pea combs. Silver-laced hen. I am beginning to think these feathers act as bulls-eye for the hawks, only 1 hen of the silver laced left, cry.... Speaking of predators, hoping the maturing Roosters will help curb that problem alittle. As I was snapping shots, one was keeping an eye on a vulture that was soaring high in the sky. He lets out a special warning squawk if he suspects a predator is around and the ladies head for cover.The Welsummer has gotten quite handsome. Really struts stuff and shows off his tail feathers. Front view of his beautiful colors Believe it or not here is his counterpart, a Welsummer hen:The other boy in the flock is this New Hampshire Rooster: Testosterone has done him well from chicken nugget to beef-cake. Black Austrolorp hens have been alittle shy lately. They are molting their feathers now, and this one seemed alittle self-conscious Losing feathers or leaves, its all part of nature and change of season.Maple trees are the prettiest. Have hosted a few photo shoots out here (pics to come soon). Fall sunsets are picture-perfect. In the front acre, all the flowers have been yanked, thanks to help from my new-found neighbor friend Melissa. We spent a sunday pulling them all and tossed into a gigantic pile in the back pasture and swapping stories of chickens and goats. Hoping to have a nice bon-fire with the spent zinnia plants. Instead of pulling up the plastic rows altogether, have decided to take advantage of the weed free planting opportunity for 1 last season. Still getting a few goodies from the rows. ok, so I wished I liked radishes more! But I couldn't resist planting them with a short 3 week seed to salad timeline. Dill, and basil still left of the herbs. The Dill seems to fizzle in the heat of summer, but fall and spring it really thrives.
Beautiful Row of pole Beans and Peas soaking up the last few days of quality sunlight!
And finally... got the chick pen done, but now that its November, it's gotten too chilly at night to put the baby chicks inside it. Will probably move this into the greenhouse during the winter to help keep them warm, and let the new chicks run around in this until spring. More pics to come of some farm photo shoots, rent-a-chick day, and the new goats of course. Also been busy in the kitchen with making the best of the last weeks of basil!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Pitter Patter of Little Feet
Woke up at crack of dawn on a Saturday to take a ride out to Cornerstone Farms Bed&Breakfast in Clarksville VA. Special visit today to pick up 4 mini goats :) 
October made for a really pretty drive. Spotted fields with wild turkey, the start of fall colors beginning and lots of country scenery down windy roads. 
3 hours later arrived at Cornerstones dairy goat barn for my special pickup. They have lots of mini's- mini donkeys, mini-chickens - even mini-cows!
Couldn't wait to get them home. They fit into the car with doggie crates, only about 25-30lbs. of adorableEasy to just pick up, like puppies...
After a surprisingly quite ride home, it didn't take long for them to stretch their legs and get familiar with the new crib. Oh yeah, right down to finding and testing out any gaps in the fence already!
Yep, you hear it, thats the Pitter patter of little feet around the farm. They are really called "kids" ya'know. 
Hanging out with the goats the first few minutes -it was impossible to not share the happiness of this grand occasion.
Btw, have you ever tried to take a picture of 4 goats at the same time on your iphone walking backwards with a container of goat treats in your hand?
October made for a really pretty drive. Spotted fields with wild turkey, the start of fall colors beginning and lots of country scenery down windy roads. 3 hours later arrived at Cornerstones dairy goat barn for my special pickup. They have lots of mini's- mini donkeys, mini-chickens - even mini-cows!Couldn't wait to get them home. They fit into the car with doggie crates, only about 25-30lbs. of adorableEasy to just pick up, like puppies...After a surprisingly quite ride home, it didn't take long for them to stretch their legs and get familiar with the new crib. Oh yeah, right down to finding and testing out any gaps in the fence already!Yep, you hear it, thats the Pitter patter of little feet around the farm. They are really called "kids" ya'know. Hanging out with the goats the first few minutes -it was impossible to not share the happiness of this grand occasion.Btw, have you ever tried to take a picture of 4 goats at the same time on your iphone walking backwards with a container of goat treats in your hand? Well...it results in friends making a b-line to the farm. 
BFF (best farm friends) Lizzy and her hubby stopped in to say hello...it was fun to watch Dave -massive hulk of a powerlifter dude - melt like butter. With a gush of "aww how cute" - he descended to the ground to get eye level with the little ones. They are instant happiness!
The mini-herd of dwarf nigerian dairy goats consists of 3 girls, 1 boy. Their names are - Kourney, Kloe, Kim and...Lil' Wayne. (well what did you expect.. he's too short to be Lamar!)
BFF (best farm friends) Lizzy and her hubby stopped in to say hello...it was fun to watch Dave -massive hulk of a powerlifter dude - melt like butter. With a gush of "aww how cute" - he descended to the ground to get eye level with the little ones. They are instant happiness! All de-horned or dis-budded they can't fight like the real Kardashians though... ahahaha. Their names are kinda fitting since they each demand to be the center of attention. Never knew there was such thing as a "lap goat" but they are so gentle and loveable - Lil'wayne - is by far my favorite. Little man will nibble and tug at your sleeve if you stop petting him for a minute!
Here is Lizzy picking him up for a big hug...
Liz:"He likes my hair, I can hear him sniffing my hair"
Me -"aww his eyes are closing, he's totally relaxing."
Liz "oh-oh he just sighed." Me- "I gotta catch this - he's totally passed out in your hair liz! this kids asleep"
yep tucking the little muffins into the stall tonight was hard to leave..like my own little collection of stuffed animals.
Must be off to bed now too...Tomorrow is fence enforcement 101!
and more pics to come soon. :)
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