Day 2 not so tough....Ya right....

As you all know, when you start a to do list, it never seems to get shorter....Imagine my surprise, as I went outside to start one project..mowing the lawn with the giant antique lawn mower that my dad got from my uncle in SC....first 3 or 4 passes were great, then it stalled....and I couldn't get it started again...so on to the next thing...which turned into weeding a whole section of the front of house, finding out the soil beneath is terrific and with a little amenitizing we should be good for veggie/herbs and flowers...possibly even a good sight for a cold frame....which will require a bit of work as well...
I boned the chicken we had for dinner last night...made a killer chicken salad for lunch...and fed my hubby a nice healthy lunch, that he didn't have to buy at the local fast food joint...
I cleaned stalls, and did my regular chores...drove all the way to oxford for the farmers market, only to remember that it opens at 2pm on Thursday...4 hours early is a little to long to wait for the doors to open....
I played with my chickens, they follow me everywhere...so there excitement over freshly turned ground crawling with worms...made me happy in return.  More often than not the animals make me happy, and I find myself smiling and wondering what they are thinking.
I rode Gunner this afternoon, which was terrific..just a short trip out around the fields to see how he felt.  Only a single buck was hiding under the surface when I asked for the canter...nothing threatening or intimidating...just a little bad boy attitude to test me...
Took the time to sit on the deck and reflect on my accomplishments and mentally check off things on my list....Even thought it keeps getting longer...I always feel good crossing stuff off...
Finishing off the day with chicken tortillas, with cilantro, tomato, garlic and green onion...yummy...
and possible a little ice cream...we shall see how long I can stay awake after I post this blog.
So you see...its just a regular old life around here on the farm...some days are not as exciting as others....
But I am sticking to my guns...and continuing on my challenge...I found I was more present in the moment today, as I was thinking about the challenge I set for myself...

Until Next time...

the friendly female farmer...

Its a challenge...to myself....

Day 1
The challenge....its actually a number of things really....
One of the things is to do some kind of art every day...whether it be photograph, or a small drawing, or the start of a big one.  Taking the time to sit and relax and create something thoughtful.
The other thing is to blog everyday.  Hey listen if the Pioneer Woman can do it, why can't I? Hell I ain't feeding all those people on a regular basis, I am just starting out..
You know you might not want to read every single one of my blogs, but you might read one, that gets you to come and visit, or ask for a recipe, or for me to make a meal or dessert for ya..
So tonight, a fresh chicken got roasted, very simply seasoned, but laying on a whole clove of garlic, a few carrots, some onion and leeks....to go with that pan gravy.  Sides are Colcannon and Glazed Carrots...simple and delish...I can't wait the house smells great.
On a sad note we lost one of our little cluck cluck's today...she had to be one of the giant egg layers to be sure...this however is all part of farming...I will have to find a replacement for her...the fresh eggs are unsurpassed by anything bought at the grocery store..
So here is you insight into the farm as we go forward...a little bit everyday....hope you will stay tuned and share...Its been a slow start, but its our intention to keep chugging along...

OH and you don't want to miss out on our adventures with a lovely Irish Lassie by the name of Maria....

Take Care Ya'll

the friendly female farmer....

Noticeably Absent.....

So I have been noticeably absent.  I have been hiding under any large, heavy, warmth providing blanket, snuggy and afghan I can find.  I don't hate winter, when its mild I actually enjoy it very much.  This winter however, I have a bone to pick with MOTHER NATURE!  At this point, I am sick of calling the wood delivery fairy, and tired of hearing the smoke flap on our wood stoves bang up against the door as we are throwing chunks of wood into the never satisfied hopper..
So like just about every other Mainer out there, I have bitched about the winter being to long and to damned cold...so now its time to move on to something a bit more inspiring and uplifting....
SPRING...........its coming ya know.  Its actually only 10 days away, and I am so looking forward to it.  This weekend, I had big fat Robins in the apple trees.  I could actually hear birds singing.  The chickens have started to lay eggs,  the horse went off adventuring for drops under the trees.  The goats are clamoring to get out of their stalls....sounds and smells like spring to me. 
Seed order will be taking place soon and seedling starting will be on the agenda for the weekends. 
When thinking about all the things that I need to get done this summer, I stick with visualization for help.  I sit down in the evening, and visualize the project done.  I see cucumbers growing on the vines, and tomatoes ready to be picked.  It helps me not to be to overwhelmed by the length of my TO DO LIST. 
One of the things on that list is to blog more.  We have started the process of talking about our dreams and aspirations for this farm.  I have come up with a very neat and innovative idea, that we hope to talk about soon.  Teaser....Farm Culinary School!!! Details are in the works. 
We also hope to launch our website late this spring.  Which will also keep you up to date on our adventures and give you an opportunity to donate to our FARM REFURBISHMENT FUND. 

I can't even tell you as the years are passing, how each one brings new excitement for the future.  We have a TON of work that needs to be done, before we can ever have guests at the Inn, but working towards it,  is rewarding and fulfilling in a way that I didn't think was possible.  When you do the work yourself, when you cut your finger on the sheet rock knife and your blood stains the old wood boards, don't clean it up...chalk it up to just a little of the blood,  sweat and tears that will go into your labor of love.....

The Joys of Spring are almost upon us.  Take a moment, reflect on the winter and the joys and struggles.  Put it behind you and step out into the sunshine and rejoice...you have made it through and have a wonderful new season to experience. 

IF YOUR DREAMS DON'T SCARE YOU, THEY AREN'T BIG ENOUGH...............

Cheers,

thefriendlyfemalefarmer.....

Our adventure is beginning....

So we have collectively come to the conclusion, that the grocery store just has to go.  We are making a friendly seperation from its hold on us.  We are in search of  local and fresh ingredients, until the time when our gardens start to produce their bounty.  Our animals are ready to slaughter and the root cellar is filled.   Don't get me wrong, I can most definately see myself sneaking in, totally incognito of course, to grab limes ( my whiskey just isn't the same without one )  and lemons, and a few other ingredients I may or may not find at the health food stores.  My growing frustration with the grocery bill has forced us to make a drastic change.  One that I am actually really excited about.  Cooking, and putting away food, is a totally relaxing task for me.  I have on occasion talked about how I love to go out and watch the little green sprouts of spinach or lettuce break through the dark, rich soil.  Its a cathartic experience, one I enjoy so much...I am actually getting a little antsy about it, because I know its still months away.  I will get a small fix, starting some seedlings in the living room windows though...be not afraid. We will be putting in a very large garden, to produce enough food this summer for our root cellar in the fall.  We will purchase things like apples, and berries from local producers for the freezers.  Frank is a big fan of blueberry pancakes...any time of year.  In our decision to change our eating habits, its made us look at our goals for the farm in terms of animals as well.  Last spring was our first kidding season, and since the first kid dropped I was stressed about where the little bundles of cuteness would go.  After you get up in the middle of the night to make bottles for 15 goat babies, you tend to be a little territorial about where they go to live out there adult lives.  So to releave this stress, we will raise the babies and butcher them for meat for our freezer.  This will be our red meat in the freezers.  Our friend Aimee, is going to raise us a bunch of rabbits for meat, and we will be raising meat chickens for the freezer as well.  Now if I can just get someone to raise me some trout and salmon that would be great.  We will have fresh raw goats milk in a month, and cheese and ice cream.  I will be learning how to make yogurt, and have developed a connection for raw cow milk, so I can make our own butter.  Its such an exciting time for me and food.  I will know where 99% of our food is coming from, most of it right out of our own garden.  I really can't stop smiling about it, I am so excited.  This is one of the steps toward our long term goals for the farm...and everytime I look at the seed cataloge or look at a homesteading website I get really giddy...and when you are giddy about working your ass off, its a good thing...
Thank You all for checking out my blog.  I really really appreciate it...Check out our Facebook page.
Smiling Goat Farm on Facebook.  We are on a mission to up our likes and comments.
Best Wishes from your Friendly Female Farmer

Why Farming

Right now, while its near to or below zero degrees in most, if not all of Maine, I am seriously questioning my decision to farm.  Its only a passing thought though, especially as I am perusing the seed catalog cozied up to the wood stove in the dining room at night.  All kinds of people have asked me why farming? and it has gotten me to thinking about my decision to farm.  Farming doesn't make you a lot of money, it does however pay you in so many other forms
.  In regards to my farming choice, I have to say it goes back to being a kid.  Some of my earliest memories are of farming experiences.  For example, my parents and my uncle used to raise chickens for meat.  I can remember going over to their house, and while my dad and uncle were in the basement doing chores, the kids would lay on the floor upstairs and stare down through the big black grate in the floor at the peeping chicks.  Their little fuzzy bodies milling around in the what seemed like a giant homemade pen.  I can still recall the sound of the peeping down in the basement.  I can remember raising meat rabbits in the basement of our apartment building, and turkeys.  I recall, one ill fated chicken slaughter day.  My dad and his brother had raised some meat birds together, my mother and aunt did the cleaning of the hens in the kitchen, and the kids ran the headless chickens up from the coop to the house and shoved them through the window.  On this day, I saw my first headless chicken run around the yard, after being dropped by one of the kids hauling it to the house.  I am pretty sure I screamed.  Seeing a headless chicken run is quite a scene.  I remember the call to Dad, to see if he wanted to bottle feed a baby piglet.  The runt of the litter was being pushed out, and Dad having a reputation as a softie when it came to animals in need, set out to bring the piggie home.  I can remember the box in the living room with the little piglet in it.  These reasons and many others like it are why I want to farm.  There is something to be said about raising your own food, working the land and seeing your root cellar full to the brim with a bounty that you had a hand in producing.  I feel like being a farmer will continue to mold me into a more caring and understanding human being.  When you have a farm and raise animals, on a everyday basis you deal with a range of emotions and situations.  During kidding you have real highs, and super duper lows, the key is to take the experience for what it is and move on.  Don't dwell on the sadness of a death, or live birth.  Be thankful that you have more good than bad.  You have the highs of the first bits of spinach poking out of the dirt, and the first cherry tomato coming ripe.  The lows of a drought or an onset of disease or bugs.  The circle goes round and round, but in the end its probably one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.  I think I am really appreciating it more and more, especially this winter.  My husband has challenged me to put away most, if not all of the food we will need to get through the winter next year.  My heart is a flutter at the challenge, as I know its a daunting one, but it is my intention to come through with my end of the deal.  The thought of potato bins and boxes of apples, canned meat and veggies in the root cellar, frozen goodies and cold frames for the freshest of produce when we want it.  I am beyond excited to get started. So for me, this has been part of my makeup since I can remember, I continue to daydream about the picture perfect little farm in hopes that someday I will see a photo spread and write up of my farm in Hobby Farming Magazine.  I am practicing the art of being thankful, and feeling abundant and those feelings come so much more often in the midst of a farm and growing and producing your own food.  So folks, be thankful, for even the tiniest of moments in your life, you never know where it might bring you, or what feelings or passions it may bring to the surface.  Never forget where your food comes from, buy fresh and buy local.  You could be getting your food from...............
the friendly female farmer...

Thanks so much for reading, and I will chat with you again soon.

Blogging is harder than it looks....

Really, seriously...this is harder than it looks, or sounds, or seems...however you look upon this endeavor I have undertaken, its not a really easy task.  First off, It is not my intention to try an influence anybody who reads this blog.  For example, I don't write about politics or religion.  My beliefs are my beliefs, and I honestly feel as though that you my readers are not affected by what I do or believe.  I don't want to offend people or upset them, so I have really been  sticking to positive, upbeat and comical type blogs simply as entertainment.  It would be my intention to make people as happy as I can by reading this silly little missive.  This is also the place that I talk about my dreams for the future, and where I discuss options for the farm, and how we will proceed with our goals. This blog is about who I am, and what I intend to do with my future as a farmer, as a chef, as a wife and hopefully someday soon a mother.
This is my first blog since arriving home from Ireland.  That experience has touched me in a way that is hard to explain.  I will not deny my homesickness while I was there.  I honestly wanted to come home early and just say hell with it.  I am so glad that I didn't, because I got to have some incredible adventures, meet some fascinating people and friends I will have for life to be sure.  I in all honesty am now homesick for Ireland.  I could go back and never leave.  Its a wonderful country, one I will not soon forget.  While I have been home, lots of things have happened.  Mostly lots of thinking about my recent past experiences, and how I am going to move into the future as a farmer and a chef.  I know you have heard me talk about this subject before, and by all means if you are bored...move onto another blog...however, I have been told that if you want to see your dreams come to be a reality, you have to talk about it.  To as many people who will listen to you.  To think about your goals in a positive way, to think as if these dreams are currently reality.  So this is my intent.  To talk about what it is that I am passionate about, what makes me tick and how I intent to make these dreams come true for me and my husband, and our little piece of heaven in Casco.  So as things begin to move forward, I will share all the excitement.  My first really exciting step toward acquiring the title of Chef, will be partnering with a local bed and breakfast to do intimate dinners and small parties.  I am so excited to step forward into this new role, that will most definitely bring me closer to the dream of having a little gathering place at the farm...Please stick with me folks.  I am so proud to say that over 2300 people have viewed my blog and I am thrilled that the interest seems to keep going up.  Please share with your friends and family and please by all means post comments.  I would love to hear your feedback.
In positivity....Your friend....
the friendly female farmer.

Reflections...

The sun is coming up here in Ireland....I am having a glass of tea, and watching the sky change color...at this very moment, its a bit pink and dusty....and always changing, soon it will be a steel blue with not a cloud in the sky.  That is how a lot of mornings have started out here...honestly the weather hasn't been to bad.  I am thankful it hasn't rained every day.  On this quiet morning, two days before I head home for Maine, I can't help but reflect on my time here.  3 months ago I got here, after what seemed like endless travel, and I honestly thought I wasn't going to make it.  I definitely had moments of self doubt.  Why had I come here, why did I leave my husband and family...my farm animals and pets?  I considered going home early.  Then I would think about it and the guilt and self doubt would start all over again. What would people say if I came home early and worse than that, what would I say about myself.  Well thinking about it now, having stayed for the duration, I am sure I would have said a lot of swear words...I didn't give in to the blinding homesickness or the worry about the things getting done in my absence.  I simply needed to let go and think about myself and how much this experience was going to change me.  All in a good way mind...

Lets just say this, it hasn't been a bed of roses the whole time.  I have made some incredible friends though, and that makes up for all the wackyness I had to experience.  Aside from the young Irish peoples antics, I have gotten to see an incredible country, and talk to some wonderful folks.  I have seen things, I thought I would only see in pictures on the internet.  The vistas and scenery here are indescribable sometimes, breathtaking and slightly overwhelming.  Ireland is a very romantic country, where I am sure the legends and fairy tales are true.  I have found my sight and openness to be affected, and honestly believe I have seen the little people.  As it rolls on to the last days of my adventure here, I am torn between wanting so badly to go home to see Frank and staying here and never leaving.  I can see myself living in a tiny cottage with fields surrounded by beautiful stone walls, farming to my hearts content, drinking tea and hooking the cart to the horse to head to the pub for a pint.  I have set aside a little place in my brain and heart for this trip, simply because it has been so amazing.  I know I will come back with Frank to stay for a vacation, to show him what I have seen and go adventuring to new places with him.  How could I not come back, its like this place is part of me now.  I have an Irish Fairy godmother...who I will never forget, thank the sweet baby jesus there is internet and emails, because I am not sure how I would go on without being able to chat with her now.  I only wish I had more time with her.  I am so incredibly thankful that our advisor said, hey there is a beer class you can take....forever changed my life it did..oh and I learned a ton to...So all in all this whole 3 months has been simply incredible....I won't say goodbye Ireland, I will simply say see you soon...because I won't be gone forever.