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We Lost a Goat and Chick

In Livestock by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Any day in which we lose an animal is sad and gloomy. Today was a particularly crummy double-whammy. After treating a sick goat for the last couple of days, Aaron got out to the pen first thing this morning to discover she had passed overnight. Sadly, I don’t have a photo of her – a sweet little white gal with a …

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Isai’s Very First Birthday Party on the Farm

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Isai’s very 1st birthday came and went in a barrage of joy and chaos. We honestly couldn’t be happier with the way our little guy was able to celebrate. When we started planning for Isai’s 1st birthday – we were notably bummed by the threats of COVID-19. Technically, we’re still working from home everyday and social distancing whenever possible. Aaron and …

Renovation Swatches to Drool Over

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We had the actual greatest time meeting face-to-face with Elaine this week to look at…swatches! As is usual – she killed it. She pulled together all of the raw materials that will go on the walls, floors, counters and more throughout the house. We got to touch them, shuffle them around and swap in new colors where they fit our style …

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We Have Goats!

In Livestock by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

I can barely explain the excitement that has come to the farm with our truckload of goats. After the incredible adventure to the auction barn over the weekend, we’ve been giddy to see our new animals enjoying their space. After many warnings – we erred on the side of “that fence isn’t going to work.” Our farm friend Brian warned that …

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Our Family’s First Farm Auction

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With the goat fence built, Aaron and I set our sights on bring goats to the farm. We asked around on local Facebook farm groups. We talked with some farm friend experts. Ultimately, we learned that – to fit our just-getting-started budget – we needed to go to a farm auction. I grew up in a farm family and even worked …

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The Egg Game

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These cluckers are incredible. The chickens continue to add such epic personality to the farm that I honestly couldn’t imagine what this place would be like without them. I grew up with two chickens – Squirt and Pepsi – that were grown from eggs in an incubator in my 4th grade classroom. They came home with me one day and lived in …

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Big News from the Sunflower Fields

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On the way into Kansas City earlier this week, we made a quick stop by the Grinter Farms sunflower fields. Grinter Farms is about 15 minutes from our own farm and, each year, they plant a crop of thousands of sunflowers. It’s gorgeous to see in person and is truly an incredible kick-off to Fall in the Heartland. Aaron and …

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A First Look at Finishes

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Our big renovation plan keeps taking massive strides toward breaking ground. Honestly, I’m so anxious I can’t stand it. However, seeing these views every few weeks is scratching the itch. This week, Elaine sent us our materials draft. For real – look at these beauties. Um, when do we move in?!

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Building a Goat Fence

In Livestock, Projects and Renovations by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Over the past month, Aaron and my brother Chris have been installing a 4-wire electric fence around 2 acres of our wood line. The goal: we want goats to do all the brush clearing for us. We’re getting goats. The two of them have put some long evenings into engineering not only the fence, but genius ways of making the …

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Morning Chores with the Cows

In Livestock by Laura CrossleyLeave a Comment

Whatever the weather, the cows need water. Aaron’s innovative water pump in the pond plus barrel on the side-by-side strategy has been working great for transporting water to the cattle pen in the pasture. This morning, Isai and I joined him for the routine. Isai was totally into it. Our little guy is getting bigger by the minute. As we …