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!

Summer in Quarantine

Summer this year has been interesting. Different, for sure!  In May we welcomed or third little girl. She has fit in perfectly, and is the best little baby. 

She is now 8 weeks old and is sleeping thru the night. Her big sisters love her, and help with her so much. She enjoys going out to work in the garden with mommy in the evenings when it cools a bit. 

The gardens look the best they've ever looked, and the veggies are rolling in.

I've spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen this summer so far. I am learning new recipes with all of the garden goodies that were growing this year!! 

Even though there's been challenges being quarantined because of this Corona virus, it's given us opportunities we otherwise wouldn't have. My husband has been working from home until just recently which has given him way more time with the new baby than he normally would have had. Those first weeks are precious and he got to be here for it! He was here to help our older girls adjust to this new life with the baby, and a mommy who had to be consumed with nursing every two hours and getting extra sleep during the day. 

No commute time in the mornings or evenings meant there was more time to pick up a few farm projects. Actually, we've done quite a few projects but the two largest ones were finishing the barn paint. 

And staining our fence! Finally! This project is still in progress, but it's getting there! 

We've also finished up the landscaping and laid fresh mulch at the front of the house and it looks amazing! It made the house look complete! This was one of my favorite foggy mornings from a few weeks back. 

I loved sitting on the porch in the early morning with my coffee, watching the fog lift off the horse field. 

With less errands to run and places to be, there's been more days to ride the horses.

More time to roast s'mores.

Summer in quarantine wasn't too bad! 

Snowy January Morning on the Farm

Finally! Some snow! It doesn't happen much here in southern Virginia so I'm always excited when it does.  

The farm is always so beautiful, and fresh looking with a blanket of snow. 

The girls couldn't wait to get out in it, so right after a warm breakfast we bundled up to play and take care of the morning farm chores. 

The garden is bare, but it won't be long until it starts waking up for spring. I have big garden plans for this year, but for now I'm enjoying the break. 

Cheyenne loves to eat the snow. 

Evie's first real snow. I don't think she could quite figure it out. 

And with each snow.....it reminds me how badly the orange dust sticks to the white house. The farmhouse needs to be pressure washed! 

The landscape here at the front of the house is heading into it's 3rd season. It should make leaps and bounds in size this summer. I had a vision, but the WAIT is the hardest when you start with smaller plants.

I always wait until after February to cut back my grasses, hydrangea and russian sage just so it looks like this for a snow. I love the winter interest it gives! 

Our newly stained fence (quarantine project) looks dreamy with a coating of white snow. 

The horses love it too! They take off running with excitement when we arrive for morning feeding time. 

Now, it's time to head back in and get warm by the fire! 

Happy snow day! I hope you got some too! 

Rain delays & Barn Stays

Pouring down rain and power outages at school means a “snow day” for the girls! This year we have seen only one snowflake fall from the sky, but we have had a TON of rain. 

All of this rain has put so many of our outdoor farm projects behind schedule.

 The two stall, one tack room run in barn we started last August for the horses still isn’t complete. We don’t try to get many outdoor projects done during the winter. We try to use that time to rest up for the following spring and summer. 

But, we were definitely hoping to have this barn completed before now. From here on out, we’re starting major projects in the spring! 

We’re close to being done- just one more stall door to build, paint and a little grading in the front and it will finally be complete! Having it definitely helps at feeding time, and I'm thankful that these two mares have shelter for all of this rain.  

This morning the girls got to help me, but they got a little distracted with all of the water and testing out items that would float! 

This muddy pony is ready for a spring bath and a field full of green grass. Mud on the farm is just how it goes, but one of our projects this coming year is to really work on the grass and field rotations so we see much less mud next year, both in the horse field and in the yard.

All of the horses will be put up in their barns this morning with some hay so they stay somewhat dry.

A quick stop by the chicken coop, which is also ready for its spring pressure washing and clean out, and we are headed back into the house to get dry and warm.

At least the Hellebores and Pansies are blooming to give us hope that the sun will again shine one day, we will pack up the muck boots and heavy clothing, the mud will dry up and everything will again turn green. 

Until then, we will stay warm by the fire, watching it rain and making plans for the yard work ahead, resting up for more fencing to install, and getting ready for the new baby girl to make her arrival in May!  I should probably use this time to get her nursery together, and start thinking about ordering a crib! 

xoxo, 

Jennifer 

Foggy Feeding Time

I was a little late heading out to feed the horses this morning.  They usually wait by the fence until I come out to grab the buckets.  Foggy mornings make the farm look cozy, and it also signals that my favorite season is soon coming! 

Of course my helper was right beside me - sock in mouth.  He's always got something to carry around. 

Where is my grain, woman?

You see, horses like to be fed on a schedule, and if you're late they're going to give you dirty looks.  I definitely got them this morning from Hershey! 

Don't worry girl, we're coming!

 It's starting to mist rain, but we've got a few more morning farm check ins to do, and grain to deliver.

Libby is happy to finally get her grain.  This is my dirty girl!  It doesn't matter how sunny it is out, or if I was to give her a bath daily - she LOVES to be dirty.  I see some cooler night time temperatures ahead so it will soon be time to bring out the blanket for this old girl.  

The only shelter we have at the moment is in the side field, so since it's supposed to rain today they're not going to go out onto the big pasture which means everyone gets some extra hay! 

The front pasture will soon be open full time to the horses.  My husband, with the help of my father have been building this run in shed.  It will have a feed room and two stalls.  This is where Libby and Hershey will stay.  I just had to walk down to check on it.  I'm super proud of all of the new skills my husband has learned while living on the farm.  While he's working I always walk down and obnoxiously yell "hunny, you're like a professional" just to cheer him on.  I also offer any advice that might be needed as the supervisor.  He's doing a great job.  I'm proud of him.  

The other two horses, Glimmer and Holly have the old tobacco barn to go into.  They don't do as well on grass full time so this field is a better location for them until our full barn is built and I can better limit them to the grass.  

The rain is starting to pick up, and more fog is rolling in.  We've got to go check on the chickens next and collect morning eggs! 

  

This summer we had a hen go broody.  She sat and sat on a clutch of over 20 eggs.  Only two of them hatched - one is an Americana/Leghorn mix and the other is a full Americana.  I'm excited to see if they're hens or roos, and what color eggs they will lay if they're hens.

Back up at the house we've got 8 more Americana hens.  When the others didn't hatch I decided to go ahead and pick up a handful from the farm store.  These are fully feathered and ready to head to the outside coop.  Raising babies in the fall/winter to me is the best time, because most hens slow down production a bit in the cold weather and pick up egg production in the spring.  These babies won't lay their first eggs until about 18-20 weeks, which will be just in time for springtime.  

The pigs are no longer here on the farm - which makes the farm checks a lot quicker, and easier.  We usually only keep them from March to October.  They're cute when they're little but when they're 400 pounds, knocking into you, biting and going through a 50lb bag of food a day - well, it makes it easier for them to fulfill their farm duties.  

The rain has picked up, so I'm heading back inside to put a boston butt in the crock pot for pulled pork sandwiches tonight.  It will be perfect for our evening of carving Halloween Pumpkins! 

Of course Raleigh had to check out the only bloom currently on the farm before he heads in for his morning nap.

Happy Halloween!  I hope yours isn't getting rained out.  Ours isn't looking too good! 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:6-7