There's a fella at the farmer's market who is earning money to buy a washing machine.
He paints buckets.

I think I know the girl painted on that bucket.
We've outfitted the pots with handles to use as egg collecting pails.

Drake the Duck is new to the farm. He was given to us by the plumber.
The rest of Drake's flock had been abducted by coyotes.
He is happily recovering with us. He fits right in.



These are my girls, Nigerian Dwarfs Misty and Sally.
I'm searching for a suitor buck to knock them up.



Cow Hunt

I've been neurotic about checking my email this morning. 
I'm awaiting a response from a breeder.
Good news will require a 5 hour drive and learning a new set of skills.

I've been on the hunt for a calf. But not just any calf...a Dexter calf.
Did you know that there are over 800 breeds of cattle recognized in the world today?
Each breed has its purpose. Some have better meat quality, some have better milk quality, some are more heat tolerant and others are easier on pasture.

I've grown attached to the Irish Dexters. This breed is also known as the mini cow. 

There are cows all around me. But Dexters are hard to come by. Their owners love them and aren't so keen on selling. Sure I could buy a Jersey at auction; they're practically giving them away. But Jerseys and Holsteins (the average dairy cow) become BIG cows. Honestly, they frighten me.
I've gotta be able to grab her tenders to get my milk.
So, I'll be patient for the girl I want (and am not afraid of).
If I don't get the response I'm hoping for then we'll keep visiting breeders.
At least we're meeting some fun people.

It's fair to say that our life is completely different.

I'm still scattered from this move. But, I've been taking pictures and will share soon.

Here's the long and short:
For many years our understanding and inspiration, regarding the way we provide for ourselves, has grown.  We felt an urgency to reduce our out-go and learn to produce as much of our own food as possible.  We were inspired by those who left the city in search of greater purpose.  So, we did just that.

We have been grateful for the business we knew and worked for many years. 
But, we knew it wasn't sustainable.
This change has required great faith in our Heavenly Father and in eachother, as a family.

First, we set out to find land that met the following criterion:
price
rainfall
soil quality
growing season length
GreatSchool rating
Winnsboro, Texas met the mark.

We sold our house in Georgetown and found a piece of land in the middle of the countryside with a very simple house.  People in this part of the country aren't city savvy and they talk real slow.  But they're genuine, kind, and good.  The nearest Target is an hour away and Winnsboro doesn't even have a Mcdonalds!

We don't exactly know how we're gonna do this;
(that's where our faith is being s t r e t c h e d) but the plan is to start a homestead for ourselves and then help and encourage others.  We figure we'll do odd jobs, breed and sell small scale farm animals (for homestead use), and sell food at the farmer's market. 

When I named this blog (about 3 years ago) I had NO IDEA what was in store. 

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid452319854?bctid=1716487854