On the Farm

Seven

claudiaJuly 27, 2016On the Farm

Mike reminded us that today is the 7th anniversary of the day we moved into the farm. Driving two cars heaped high with old furniture, junk, a mattress from our attic in Atlanta, two kids, two Great Danes, one Yorkie and lots of high hopes, we headed to Alabama, closed on the property (while the dogs were in the car, A/C running), and drove up to the hills. It was one of the most exciting–and most anxious–days of our life together. Yet here we all are…several years, drained bank accounts, and buckets of sweat later…happy as can be with the magical little place Mike stumbled across…on the internet.

As we look back and think ahead, here’s one of the first blog posts we wrote. Seems like so long ago, and just yesterday. 🙂 A heartfelt thank-you to all the kind and wonderful neighbors and friends who, over the last seven years, have come into our lives and made us feel right “at home.”

Lessons in Beekeeping

claudiaJune 23, 2016Friends, Good Eats, In the Garden, On the Farm

Well, we’ve gone and done it. Just added about 10,000 honeybees to our place — they’re out back in the orchard. Thankfully, we’ve got good neighbors who know a thing or two about creating a healthy apiary, so we’re really just apprentices at this point. But our best-laid plans did soon go awry when our one little beehive (Mike was adamant: we could only have ONE) decided it was doing so well that it would do this thing called “swarm” and subdivide. So now, after our friend Charlie rushed over to help capture the wayward bees that thankfully chose to hang out in a low branch, we have TWO hives. If these little drones divvy up again, I may have to start looking for a new husband because the current one might just quit. But let’s hope not. 🙂

Here are shots from our adventures so far, including installing the first hive (which came from a beekeeper on Lookout Mountain), capturing the swarm, and later helping Charlie rob one of his own hives and make a delicious 2-gallon batch of honey.

No stings to report yet — well, except for Lola, who just had to go and poke her nose into one of the boxes.

Rise ‘n Shine

In Search of Cantharellus Cibarius

our own giving tree

Lisa Makes Ratatouille

#chickenproblems

claudiaMay 30, 2016Animals, On the Farm

What happens when we take a few days off and Adrian forgets to collect the eggs.

Rise ‘n Shine

claudiaFebruary 26, 2016Animals, Friends, Good Eats, On the Farm

We love to surprise friends and neighbors with fresh eggs from all the girls. With spring now on its way, egg production here is heading into high gear, so place your orders soon! 😉

Fields of Gold

A Holiday Walk

Portraits of Dane

Lessons in Beekeeping

Open the floodgates

claudiaDecember 30, 2015Animals, On the Farm

Don’t you sometimes just crave a rainy day and the way it forces us to shift gears…suddenly there’s more time to read books, make fires, clean out your closets and, of course, Netflix binge. But we may have to build an ark over here if the rain doesn’t stop soon. The creek overflowed its banks this week and while we were all dismayed, the Danes couldn’t have been more delighted. Even sweet Lola hobbled down to the creek to join in the fun!