This is a story about why you don’t ever complain about the current amount of adventure in your life. (*Cough, cough, Aaron Crossley, cough*) On Sunday. While doing seemingly nothing at all, we acquired an ass. Not just any ass. Archibald Crossley I. We introduced Archie to his new buddies – the goats we own (I’m still entertained this is …
Welcome Home, Archie!
Our low-key, relax-and-recover Sunday got out of hand real fast. We had planned to go to the weekend’s auction – however when Isai and I caught a head cold and ultimately gave it to Aaron too – we were all down for the count. Luck would have it that Brian was at the sale again and kindly offered to bid for us …
We’re Adding a Goat House
Some of you likely aspire to one day own one of those gorgeous lakeside dream home with a backyard pool and boat house. I’m here to tell you where the fun is really at: a Goat House. You read that right. Naturally, with the acquisition of goats, we needed a Goat House. Most of you – the sane ones – would say …
The Free-Range Chickens
Day by day, it become more and more obvious that we only have a farm for the animals. Exhibit A: the freaking chickens. Not only did the chickens get an epic chicken palace as soon as they moved in here, but they are slowly making the entire farm their playground. Each and every morning – they impatiently wait at the …
We Lost a Goat and Chick
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 …
We Have Goats!
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 …
Our Family’s First Farm Auction
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 …
The Egg Game
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 …
Building a Goat Fence
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 …
Morning Chores with the Cows
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 …