I decided to crash amongst the chaos, submit to the never ending piles of boxes and trash, and reminisce. I need time to take a deep breath, to really see my surroundings, to really interact with all that encompasses this farm.
Because we've only got a week left. And then it's…
Goodbye Farm.
Sunnier Days
Part of me is shouting OH HECK YES! And every time I carry a bag of feed up the steep, snowy driveway from the shop, I mentally count the days until we move to the new farm that has… wait for it… flat land! I've been spending the cold, dark nights this winter dreaming about paint colors, animal fencing, and permanent homes for our perennials. I've been planning garden beds and courtyards and bedroom arrangements. This farm, this little 2.25 acres, will soon be our permanent home. That's something we've never had before. To say I'm excited would be not nearly doing this emotion continually bubbling up in my heart justice.
But then, a least a part of my heart, weeps a wee bit for this farm that we've called home for the last two and a half years.
2013
When we arrived from Alabama on it's doorstep years ago, it was completely undeveloped. There wasn't a fence post or scrap of fencing to be found. Sage brush littered the hills, weeds were rampant, and animal shelters were nonexistent (apart from a run down chicken coop).
We first built a corral and shelter for our dairy cow, who arrived only days after we did. Oh Lord, have we learned a lot about fencing since those 1×6″ days…
Later on came electric fencing for the sheep…
… and then the piggies.
… we established a chicken run for the layers.
… and yet another chicken pen for the broilers.
We built two, fenced in garden beds and created an arch of willow over an old antique gate panel I picked up at a flea market. Hops happily grew vibrantly all over the other garden fence and enhanced the beautiful aroma of the garden all summer.
This past summer, I spent an entire month bent over in the potager planting dozens and dozens of perennials, hauling in an entire dump truck load of pea gravel to line the walkways and yet another load of stone to line the beds with. I planted fruit trees and honeysuckle who are now years into growth. Oh, and of course, we can't forget the greenhouse.
We built a stone retaining wall (okay, ‘we' being a very vague term here) and lined it with old, antique fencing. Moss was planted at the top of the wall, raspberries down below, and festive lights were hung in the trees above.
The pathways in the potager were lined with antique cast iron lampposts.
Hillsides were burned to control weeds. Shops were rearranged. Pathways were dug. Zinfandel wine grapes were planted. Milking parlors were built. Pig shelters constructed.
So. Many. Posts. Were. Sunk.
I will miss this view. Oh – what a view! Deep breath, Mama. Take it in.
I'll miss the supportive neighbors who are always quick to help me find a missing animal or ya know, kindly let me know that my pigs are trampling their landscaping. I'll miss the fact that this is the only place our children remember as ‘home'.
But with the sadness comes such excitement about what is to be done at the new farm! Sad. Happy. Sad. Happy. See how quickly one can lose their mind?!
In many ways, I feel like this is where I've grown up. In just a few short years, we went from raising rabbits and worms to raising cows, pigs, sheep, layers, broilers, geese, and turkeys. We've learned how to butcher pigs and sheep and chicken on this land. We've grown the majority of our food for the past years on this land.
I learned to milk my girl Sal on this land. And it's buried beneath this land that she'll remain.
I push forward with severe thankfulness and gratitude for what this farm has been and meant to us these past few years – for all the huge wins and huge losses endured on it's ground.
I also push forward still trying to figure out the logistics of moving 5 sheep, 1 steer, 30 broilers, 30 layers, 3 ducks, 3 geese, 3 turkeys, 5 pigs, and 3 children. But that's a tale for another day. I feel like I am forgetting some animals in that count… or maybe even children…
Goodbye, Farm! We love you. We appreciate you. ONWARD!
And Amen.
Deb B
Shaye,
How bittersweet that must be… Leaving all that hard work behind and starting over on a new place! But at the same time, so exciting to finally have a place that’s yours and nobody else can claim. And all the work to come is just a little easier because it’s yours… and it’s on flat land too!
Hopefully this is the time in your pregnancy it’s a little easier… unless, like one of mine, you are sick and tired the whole 9 months…sure hope that’s not the case for you!
Good luck with the new place , in the New Year …and a new baby too…how Blessed you and your family are!
Deb b
LaurieN
Loved this post. It brings up the multi-layers of emotions that we feel once we have invested of ourselves within our property, and are now moving on. What area will you be moving to and to how much flat land? I’m a few years behind you in moving from my very hilly property to flat land where I will hand build my home. Hope your move goes well.
Angela
Dear Friend, I very much enjoyed this post. I feel the nostalgia and memories for you. What an incredible job you guys did with that place. But I’m so excited for you too. Think of what you will do now with your OWN place!
Just days now.
Angie Sampson
I only found you guys a few months ago, but I’ve really enjoyed following your journey; the triumphs and heartbreaks. You have done amazing things, on a pice of land that most people would not have imagined could have become a working homestead. I’m sure that a farm on your new flat ground will become beyond sensational.
I am hoping to get started on the building of our house and building of fences this year, on our big flat farm. I too am sick of climbing a hill to feed the livestock, often falling in the mud or ice. I’m tired of not being able to grow a large garden. I’m also glad I did what I could with this tiny imperfect piece of land I’ve been living on for the past four years.
Here’s to all of us, doing what we can with what we have, and working on bigger and better things.
Sandra Grecki
I wish you all the best for this coming new year!!! We have just moved to our new farm ourselves last month, so I have an idea what you are going through… This post actually made me shed a tear, because I followed your journey for so long now that I myself feel somewhat attached to this good ole farm – from where you so kindly shared all your experiences with us so that we can learn through you in the process. I hope your move goes smoothly!!!
Good luck to all of you!!! And a special hug to all your animals, who I am superverymadly in Lurve with!! THANK YOU and happy new year!!!
Sandy
Abby Jo @ Forgotten Way Farms
I’m so thrilled for you, I know what it’s like to leave behind all the hard work. But this NEW Farm will be yours 🙂 You will have a blast making it your own, just don’t go and kill yourself. One step at a time 🙂 Blessing sent your way, and a Happy New Year!
Kerry- Whole Family Learning
So glad to have found your blog and to follow your journey! We’re just beginning our homesteading adventure in Vermont.
Kimberly B.
I loved this post! Hearing you reminisce about all of the many memories you’ve made on the farm is very touching. I feel like I’ve experienced so many of these events with you through your wonderful blog. I join with you in feeling the bittersweetness of memories full of both joy & heartache and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Good luck with the move! I wish you all the best in this new year and your new adventure. I look forward to hearing all about your new dreams, plans, adventures, learning experiences, as well as new babies on your new farm! Can’t wait to see the pics! I’m currently living vicariously through you, but I’m very hopeful that this new year brings me to my own new farm too! Best wishes! -Kimberly B.
Michelle
Loved loved loved the pictures! Thank you for the post too…. we are also attempting to sell our little 2br hobby farm. …to move to his family plot and start over new. Same here. ..so much work has gone into making this little 2 acre plot perfect with gardens and animals. …it’s hard! ! But God has a plan! 🙂 whoo…that was a sighing whoo :p!!
Melissa
We’re so excited for you guys to put down roots! I’ll never forget moving our entire circus to where we are now and am eager for the day when the next move will be that last. XO! Big time!
Analisa
I loved reading this as my dear hubby and I can relate. We finally bought our farm in 2013 after selling our suburban new-build and renting a less than perfect 1870’s farmhouse for four years. I’ve often thought of some of the money we spent on making it a home and farming as much as we could (rabbits, chickens, pigs, garden) and wondered if it was waisted, even though we lived very simple, frugal lives. Thanks for giving me a new perspective on those years. The knowledge and togetherness we gained will never be lost and I am thankful for that!
Now we are getting things in place to bring back the pigs and start a new adventure on our very own farm…. Cows!! I’m nervous and excited. One thing about dreaming in the burbs about our someday farming life was this: we could neither fail or succeed. Here is were the “rubber meets the road” so to speak, and our dreams take on hands and feet and become action!
I have enjoyed reading your story and look forward to reading along as you make this new farm and home your very own…. May God bless your efforts in 2016!
Analisa
Cablehillfarm.com
Mary Beth Elderton
Wow! As a reader, I will miss your old farm, too. After all, it is where you taught me—through your blog, of course—to bake whole wheat bread. But, a new place!!! How exciting! I can’t wait to see it!
Karen
A new year, new farm and millions of new memories! Bless you ALL! There will be a lot of growing pains, too! BUT, nothing enriches the soul like growing! I’ll look forward to your new posts to watch it all come together – AND it will!
5WarVeteran
I was crushed when I read you were selling your farm but elated to see it was for greener pastures and more land. Wish I could buy the old farm but the cold weather there is more than I can handle these days.
How much did it sell for anyway?
I too am looking for good land 2 acres or more cleared and home ready. But as a Veteran the finances are poor and the disability limits me.
Dan
Ashley
I bow down! I read your post about being being a mom a couple weeks ago and it hit home. I only have two and I don’t know how you do it! We are hopefully moving to 8 acres soon and I keep wondering how am I going to start and add to our farm with this littlest one attached at my hip! How do you do it?
Dona
My family too have lived-worked hard to make a rental farm our home. We planted numerous fruit trees, strawberries, etc to harvest in years to come. Then we found our forever farm and moved. One difference though……I wasn’t expecting baby #4!! LOL!!! Praying that you have plenty of strong arms to help with the move, and plenty of people to cuddle your little ones, and plenty of good food brought to you by family, and friends the day of your move. 2016 will be bring a new home, new land to fence, and most importantly a new baby!!! Question………when is baby #4 due???
Rachel
How do you move bees down the road?
Erin Ludwig
I love this post. So many memories had. My husband and I are hoping to make a similar move in 2016, leaving behind our home of nearly 11 years. Our first home. The place we brought our baby boy to from the hospital. So many memories had. Best wishes and I cannot wait to follow along with your journey. 2016 is going to be a wonderful year!
Margaret @ Pure Pearl Homestead
Oh my gosh this sounds like a wonderful adventure!! Thrilling and scary. The beginning of your post made me think of my own situation. We live on a ranch in MT and it was very hard for me to transition coming folsom the east coast. Eventually we want our own farm or ranch and after reading your post it makes me think that as much as I hated living here for a long time it will be hard to leave when we do! Thanks for sharing and best of luck to you I’m sure it’ll be an amazing experience!! ~Margaret
Mary N
You will have many bittersweet memories of the farm you so diligently built up. But God saw fit to open another door in your life. You will have a lifetime now to build what is necessary, redo what is necessary, raise your little family , etc. etc. etc. You will make a whole bunch of new memories in your new home and it will mean so much more, knowing that is yours to keep. Keep the smile on your face and the love in your heart and revel in the joys that God will give to you in the future. As long as He continues to be your MAIN focus, He will reward you abundantly. Yes, there will be sorrows also, but that’s all part of it. He will bring you through all things as you submit to Him. God Bless you and your family in this new phase of your life.
Janet
Feeling nostalgic with you, Shaye! I’ve followed you since Georgia was a baby, and learned so much from you.
We bought a farm last year, so I am still in the “all the hard work to get it like we want it ” phase. Praying that your move goes well, with no moving truck scams=), and that the children settle in easily!
Carole West @ Garden Up Green
I’m enjoying your blog! A farm move how exciting! You accomplished so many amazing things and have set such an amazing example for your kids. We are in the process of getting our current farm ready to sell this spring. Finishing up some last minute projects and hope to be ready by spring. It is a bittersweet experience especially now that we’re also looking for that new piece of land and hope to make a decision by February to purchase. Starting with raw land this time. Look forward to seeing your new place. Will be praying for you all that things go smooth.