Farmhouse Front Porch Makeover

There's nothing like ending the day wrapped in a blanket, with a glass of wine overlooking the farm. This spot was definitely craving some attention.

The dresser was pretty, but I claimed it for the master bedroom side table. So, we needed a makeover.....

I went antique shopping for a chicken hutch type set of cubbies, but couldn't find one. I came home and remembered I had this white set of cubbies in the garage just taking up space. I knew it had to go olive green.

Satin Italian Olive is the color I chose, and it is absolutely perfect. However, I severely underestimated the amount I needed. It also turns out there is a spray paint shortage. I could NOT find this color anywhere......except Amazon had TWO cans left - just what I needed.

Would you like to know how much EACH can was?

Twenty. Dollars.

Crazy. Right? I bought them. I figured my cabinet was already here and I had most of the decor and that's how I justified that price. I had to talk myself into it.

I went to the basement and found a bunch of random decor I had leftover, more fall pieces and brought it all to the porch.

A few pumpkins, a crow lurking in the tree and fall leaves for a nod to the season. Books with covers removed to be a little more subtle.....

A few blankets to wrap up in on extra chilly days.....

A pair of outgrown cowgirl boots and a stack of my favorite fall magazines complete the look.

I'm pleased with how it turned out. It was the perfect pop of color this corner of the porch was craving. Now, just waiting on my million dollar spray paint to arrive.

Happy Fall. Grab a blanket, get outside and cozy up!

Meet the farm!

Happy Friday friends! Our farm has changed so much in the last 4 years. It's been so much fun learning about caring for all of these animals, knowing when to take break and when to go full force. 

I thought I'd introduce you to our current animals here on the farm. We're more of a horse farm right now. In the past we've raised a couple pigs each year. Baby piglets arrive in March, and head out in October. We skipped this year. We just had so much going on with the new baby, rearranging and getting barns, riding rings and fences in correct places that we just felt a year off was necessary. 

We were right - we needed that break but boy do I miss having pigs on our farm. They'll be back next year!

This is Holly. She is a Hackney Pony. She may be tiny, but she rules over all. She gives pony rides, and I've started training her a little more as I have time. She was one of the first horses to arrive here at Rockfish as a companion to the retired lesson horse we also acquired. She's a sweet girl. Word is she pulls a cart. We may have to give that a try one day! Sleigh rides around the farm, anyone? 

We have 17 hens, and 1 mean 'ol Rooster. I absolutely hate that rooster. 

But, it just wouldn't be a farm without each day starting with his wake up call. 

Their coop resides in our garden, and they'll soon start free ranging into the horse field. Happy, free ranging chickens make great eggs. This is one of our newest babies. We get babies in the fall so they'll be laying eggs by spring!

Avery & Sage are our two barn cats. I love outdoor cats. They have so much personality. They love snuggling up in the hay in the barn. The scour the fence lines in the morning, perch on the stall doors of the barn and oversee their farm. And, randomly we will find them sitting on the horses backs. They own this place. 

Raleigh. Our Redbone Coonhound. Unless you know how much work this breed is - go ahead and avoid it. 

I love this dog. He is so sweet and wonderful with children. But, this is a hunting breed. He has some quirks you just don't find with a Labrador. As much as I love him and as beautiful as he is - we will (probably) never own this breed again. Hard to contain in a yard (our entire property now is in electric fencing), howls non stop when on a scent, and doesn't hear a thing when on a scent - forget calling him back. He gone. They also have the longest puppy years - two whole years. 

It was HARD. But, I will say now that he's almost four he has finally settled down. We've worked through a lot of his quirks and could not have asked for a better dog to be around children. I can finally say "he's a good boy". Most days. 

This sweet 'ol gal is Hershey. She is a quarter horse and is 24 years old. She was rescued from an auction down in North Carolina. I don't know much about her past - but from riding her I feel she was a well worked western horse. She is a lover. She would probably crawl into bed with Cheyenne if we would let her. She was meant for me, but Cheyenne has claimed her. They have a bond like no other. 

And sweet Glimmer. She has come a long way. I left one afternoon to go pick up Hershey, knowing we were going to look at this second horse too. I grabbed two halters, but had no intention of bringing home two. After we picked up Hershey we stopped by to see Glimmer. She was in a dry lot in the back of the barn. Well cared for, but no grain, barely any hay. She had previously foundered and her owner was terrified it would happen again. If we didn't take her they were going to put her down. I said "load her up!"

Robert was less than thrilled when I unloaded two horses instead of just one off that trailer that night. But, you know what? She's a great horse. She's an Old Style Arabian - and has one less vertebrae than other horses. Kalyn claimed her - I've worked thru her quirks and have been training her as well. 

And do you know what horse that leaves me to ride? That's right. None. So maybe next year I'll start horse shopping for myself. Because momma needs to ride too! 

That's our farm! We hope to grow it a little more next year. Adding what we can little by little to be a little more self sustaining - like bringing back baby piglets and venturing into meat chickens for next year. And maybe another horse in the mix. 

Thanks for visiting. We hope you enjoyed meeting our animals! I'd love to hear from you if you stopped by! 

October 2021 Farm & Garden Tour

One of my favorite months is finally here! Many of the blooms are still rockin' and rollin', so I figured I'd show you around! 

I put my pumpkin seeds in the ground a little late this year so they didn't get as large as they were supposed to, but all you see sitting around were grown here at Rockfish! 

The ferns still look great! 

The Little Lime Hydrangea has taken on it's fall colors! I leave them thru the winter for some winter interest as the snow falls on them.

These petunias. I grew them from seed last winter and I plan on doing it again - except quadrupling the amount I do. They have been AMAZING. They are huge and take hardly any water or care and have bloomed like this all summer. It's been such a great pop of color for up at the house. 

The front fencing is in, we're next working our way around the garden and the riding ring. 

It really separates the yard from the field and makes everything look complete. 

There's so much still in bloom. Most of what you're about to see was started from seed either over the winter inside or direct down early in spring. 

The amaranth will definitely be a repeat next year. It's gorgeous, huge, burgundy plumes really stand out in the garden and in arrangements. 

And the double cosmos? Yeah, repeating. Huge pollinator attraction. 

Benarys Giant Zinnias. They're a show stopper. The blooms were almost as big as my hand. The copper Celosia started to fade in September, but looks pretty as it dries out so I'm not yanking it out quite yet. 

Nothing says fall more than mums. When you get those mums for your front porch, make sure to plant them. They come back bigger each year and are beautiful fall color in the garden! 

This poor Autumn Joy Sedum has moved several times since I planted it. I just never had it in quite the right spot. But, it's definitely found it's home next to the coop. 

A little fairy garden under the Plum tree that was planted this summer. And yeah, that's toplling okra in the background. It dries really pretty on the stem and makes another great fall decor item. 

The Eden climber roses have put on quite a bit of growth since being planted earlier this spring. They will climb up over this trellis and cover it in blooms. It bloomed a little this spring - and they are GORGEOUS. They're like a creamy color with peachy centers. 

Here's a backed up view. By no means beautiful, but it will be when this area is complete. Stay tuned. 

The grape Vines did well this year. This was only their first year but there were a few clumps of grapes that formed. There's 3 types of seedless grapes in here plus a raspberry and a black berry. I've got two open spots so I'm going to plant more raspberries and blackberries next spring. Off the the left where you see the white posts are several types of blueberries - including a pink lemonade blueberry. And yes, it's pink. We're excited about these! 

Another not so exciting photo, but this is where "Christmas's Alley" is going in. Full of trees and bushes that can be clipped by friends and family (and myself) to make homemade Christmas wreaths and garlands! 

Got about ten pumpkins this year. I liked my setup, but the area needed some work. Writing my notes and next year will be even better. 

A little backed up view of the space. Lots more work to be done here, all of that grassy area will be raised beds and paths. 

This is the area we worked on this year. It's nice to have a spot that's not fully "under construction". 

Lemonade cosmos look great against the Deodar Cedar. 

And when your corn fails, at least it makes pretty fall decor. 

I keep several wire wreath frames in my basement so I can crank out projects like these! 

That Vertigo Pennisetum is the most beautiful grass. It gets huge, this is aactually an older picture so it's even bigger now. I've got sunflowers planted all around it and I will definitely repeat next year! 

This verbena bonariensis was started from seed indoors and will definitely start double next year. Hoping to gather these seeds soon! It is gorgeous! I'm actually hoping it reseeds itself right in this spot too!

And just behind the garden is our new riding ring. It has gotten a lot of use already and the fence isn't even up! We've got some happy girls here who are excelling in their riding. 

And the tour wouldn't be complete without a visit up to the road to show you one of my most favorite container combos I've ever done! They are GORGEOUS. A juniper tree in the center, black eyed susans at the back corners, some orange lantanas mixed with diamond frost Euphorbia....all of that takes over, but there is something spilling out over the front - which I cannot remember the name. But honestly not needed because of the size the Euphorbia and Lantana get. These are stunners. 

Well, this is it. The frost will soon come and the garden will go to sleep. And I'll sit inside by the fire with a cup of coffee and research seeds, and flowers and draw out plans on graph paper for Spring 2022. When the peach tree starts to bloom, it's time to bundle up, get outside and get to work. 

If you don't plow in the cold, you won't reap in the harvest. 

Well, what did you think? Do you plan all winter too? And, what are you planting this fall? I am hunting down some bulbs for a colorful spring show! 

How the mornings start.....

Our rooster and the rooster down the street talk to each other early every morning. "My girls are up!"

"Mine are too!"

And that's how mornings start here on Rockfish Farm.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

Matt 11:28-30

Summer Barn Days

The weather has finally started to cool off some, and for that we are thankful! Extreme heat and humidity makes it hard to get outside for long periods of time and keeps us from doing one of the things we love - hanging out at the barn and riding!

The girls have been home from school this week so between the (home) school work we got a good chunk of barn time! The new (larger) riding ring is just about finished. This area was wooded and was where our pigs were kept. We had it cleared and leveled. And boy did they move some dirt! But, it was worth it because it is perfect!

The wood was delivered yesterday so the fencing will go up soon. This bigger area was just what was missing for these girls. Their riding has come a long way and they are ready to take it to the next level.

We're working on Hershey's balance, and being able to canter in an arena. I believe this horse was just a good 'ol western trail horse so at age 23 Cheyenne is working on turning her English and balanced. She's a determined little girl and loves this horse.

Glimmer is a sweet little thing, but also has no ring skills. She was kept in a field all alone with no grass before we got her. They were going to put her down, and that's when I said "load her up" and she came home to Rockfish Farm. Best decision ever. She needs some work but is a great pony and is loved by Kalyn (and secretly my favorite)!

And little Evie? Oh boy does she love these horses already! She loves her barn time!

A quick little end of summer grooming session. We're fitting in the last of the baths before it gets too cold.

And trimming up noses, lips, and bridle paths to keep them looking good!

And of course, the little one has to try it too!

And steal kisses from Holly!

And be in all the action.

Freshening up the water buckets is last on the list before we head up for lunch!