New Blog

We have finally made it to our new home in New York. Since we no longer live on our farm, I thought it appropriate to start a blog focusing on our new life here. I was going to let the blog die but then I was reminded by friends and family members that the blog is the only way they can keep up with the children and what is going on in our world. I am touched that those closest to me actually read my ramblings and nonsensical posts. Sometimes it is just easier to push the publish button at 2 a.m. than to pick up the phone. I am naturally anti-social and a recluse. It is hard for me to keep up with everyone. I'm working on it. Really.

Here is the link to the new blog:

http://anatesparvae.blogspot.com/ .......if you'd like to follow along.

Herding Ducks...Home for sale.

The time has come for us to move on. We have put the house and property on the market. If you know of anyone who would like to move to a small hobby farm in the Montgomery area, this may be just the ticket. This is a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home that sits on just over 3 acres. There is a LR, DR, Kitchen, and two bonus rooms. Included in the property is a large barn that has a built in chicken coop and nesting boxes, fenced pasture for horses, horse shelter, and a separate animal enclosure attached to the barn for chickens or goats. There is a 50x50 ft garden plot, a (young) orchard with 20 producing fruit trees and small goldfish pond. If you are interested or want additional pictures or information, e-mail me at camd23@hotmail.com or leave a message here.




Fenced pasture.
Fenced pasture with barn. The fence is solar powered.
Horse Shed attached to the back of the barn.
View from Orchard.
Another view from the orchard.

Orchard entrance. There are 20 fruit trees; Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, Santa Rosa plum, assorted peaches, Asian pear, Bartlett pear. There are blueberry, strawberry and blackberry bushes, a mint garden, 250 foot herb gardens, a small fish pond and several ornamental trees such as weeping cherry, Crepe Myrtle and Camellias.


Part of the herb garden. There is Rosemary (tons), Tarragon, Lemon Balm, Cilantro, Sage, Pineapple sage, oregano, fennel, chives, pansy and basil.

Front Porch

LR



LR..fireplace is 24 feet high.


Back wall under 24ft. vaulted ceiling.


View from kitchen window.
Kitchen
One of the two bonus rooms. I use this one for a school room.


Downstairs bedroom.
Upstairs Bathroom.
Upstairs bathroom...huge jetted tub.




Downstairs half bath.


Downstairs full bathroom
Slate floors in bathroom. There is slate/wood floors throughout the house.
Back porch

French Marines, Creeks, and Half-Naked Men

We went to the Fort Toulouse/Fort Jackson Living History Days again this year. Thankfully, I was not imprisoned for being an unruly wife, like last time. I'm thankful to my husband for showing a little compassion and humanity to me this year. He is a gem. We saw several reenactments as we took a leisurely stroll around the fort.


We saw items that were traded between 1700-1820.


Among them, grain, mustard, fruit, bread and of course.......


Handmade muskrat mittens. They keep hands warm and simultaneously act as a tool to scare the heck out of your brothers. Okay, Lex, put the evil mitts down and walk away.


I tried to barter for this long handled paddle but it was a no go. For some reason, they did not think mints and lint was worth the trade. What-evah. I so wanted it for my homeschool room. Hey, don't judge, I need to keep order somehow.



This was a Creek Indian dance that was about their heritage going away. It was very sad.





But then. Then, there was this. He was saying something. Umm, it may have been important or informative or educational but I have no idea because his snow white... naked... bare legs were screaming over his voice. Sometimes, his lappet would peek out and I would think; Wait, was that?? No it couldn't have been. I have no idea what he said. Even after watching it at home several times, I still don't have a clue.



Happy Fronteir Days!

Around the Farm

It has been a while since I posted the goings on around the farm. The summer was busy and this school year is even more so. We are facing a move in the next year and to be honest, I have avoided posting about the farm because it makes me sad to think we will be leaving so much behind. We have worked so hard to make the property what it is and we have experienced so many blessings. It will be difficult to go but I know there is a new adventure waiting for us.

This was one of the Copper Maran chicks I got just a few months ago. She is big and beautiful and just started laying.

This is the reason these hens are so sought after. On the right is a normal brown egg from one of my Rhode Island Red hens. On the left, the Copper Maran's egg. They are a deep chocolate brown and only get darker as the hen matures. It makes a normal brown egg look white.

This is the sweetest horse that has ever lived. How can you not fall in love with those deep brown eyes?

Miss Prissy is feeling much better. She gave up on her golf ball hatching and is back to her old prissy self. Except she stopped laying eggs. I think she just resigned herself to being an old maid.

The herbs are going to seed and getting ready to go dormant for the winter.

The scarecrow is not doing his job at all. The deer and chicken have devoured what was left of the garden. I am thinking of demoting him to a yard decoration. He is lazy and just stands around all day anyway.

It is very quiet in the pigpen since we took the last hog to the butcher. I miss the squealing and snorting. Also, all kinds of plants have started to grow in there. At first sight it looks like weeds but a closer inspection revealed tons of tomato plants, cucumber vines and squash plants. They are doing better than the plants I started inside, babied and fretted over all season. Next spring, I am just going to throw seeds everywhere and ignore the plants.

I hope you all are enjoying the cooler weather and have a great weekend.

McWane Science Museum

Our homeschool group took a field trip to the McWane Science Museum last week. We have been here several times but it is always fun and the kids really enjoy all the activities here.



This is a screen that displays butterflies flying around. If you are very still, the butterflies will land on you and won't move until you do. Or until your brother comes and scares them off which results in stories I do not wish to repeat.




I seriously need one of these in my home. I think it would curb scenarios like those mentioned
above.



Help! I'm being eaten by a giant trout.



This was a really neat touch tank that had sharks and stingrays.


Brandon was cracking me up with this giant pin impression.
You may have to turn your head sideways as I always forget to orient the screen right or it comes out sideways.