I used to find my fingers tickling these keys at night, while the other herd members slumbered in their dens. After child two, however, I couldn't train my eyes to stay awake for times of intentional adult thought.
I used to play chess too. In fact, I almost beat Stuart once. But I can't even fathom having that sort of intellectual depth to my thoughts at this stage of life. I suppose part of the nature of this “stay at home Mom” gig is being okay with your brain running full speed ahead, all the while not allowing it to seep deeply into any one thought.
Self, what do you think about death? About life? How can we solve the problem of world hunger? What does “peace” really mean? Is there extraterrestrial life out in space? Mom. Moooooom. MOOOOOOOOOMMMMM. Owen hit me and called me a meanie and poked me with a stick and told me he wouldn't protect me anymore from Sir Henry (the rooster) because I told him I wouldn't give him the brown egg.
Well, self, it looks like it's back to reality. Go pour eighteen glasses of milk, change the two stinky diapers, and think about what's for snack.
Okay, okay… I'm kind of joking. Also kind of not. But that's life right now. Throw in a zillion farm animals and BOY HOWDY that makes for some wild days.
The kids are magically getting older and it's been fun to shepherd them alongside us this spring on the farm. And by “fun”, I mean super challenging but also super rewarding. Have you ever planted leeks with a three year old? Don't.
Every year I find myself in the same position. Drowning in crates of tomato starts, baby basil, and pots of herbs. The front porch is littered with rakes, shovels, gloves, bricks, bins of lettuce, and muddy boots. It seems as if the entire farm has catapulted forward to the lively days of spring whilst I was sleeping.
The irony in that, of course, is that I wasn’t sleeping. Rather, I’ve been waking up with the sun to get my first cup of espresso down (with a glug of raw cream, thank you) before the little ones run out of their bedrooms to join me. Georgia’s now in charge of breakfast, so she begins the day by warming the bread, dishing up the yogurt, and frying up no less than 14 eggs for the family.
Yes, 14. We’re egg eaters, baby.
Feeding chores take up a wee bit of time in the morning, now that the chores involve moving the sheep around in their electric netting to fresh grass each day. Cecelia, the dairy heifer, is also moving back and forth between the barn and the pasture, where she is spending her days munching grass and clover, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her new little calf.
If my math is correct, she’s due in only 8 days. Assuming, of course, that she “took” on the first cycle that Hiro was here. I’ve been staring at her all day, every day, analyzing teat size, mucous output, milk veins, pin ligaments, belly positioning, and temperament. The girl is obviously pregnant – ain’t no question about that. But when? When, Cecelia, WHEN?
We’ve been out of milk since our dear Sally girl died almost 2 years ago. Her death happened to coincide with my surprise pregnancy and then a farm move. We’re desperately eager to be in milk again. This is going to sound really creepy, but as we’ve been milk training Cece, I’ve been amazed at how much my hands have missed the texture, feel, and motion of milking. We’ve been “faux” milking Cecelia to prepare her once the calf arrives and I’m giddy each time.
Some people like fancy cars. Some like elaborate travels. Me? I like hand milking a dairy cow.
I find myself wandering the farm more and more these days. Juliette is now big enough to sit in a wagon while I putz around and she's quite keen on it as well. Everyone seems happy enough to just spent our days outside, cleaning out coops, moving piles of firewood, herding animals, collecting eggs, weeding the potager, and breaking backs in the vegetable patch.
When words fail me, which is rare, I grab my camera and go to work capturing the moments without words. Sometimes, let's admit, that's better. Here are a few of my favorites from spring thus far.
Alyssa
I love living my own homestead life vicariously through you! Your photography is beautiful and your words about motherhood are all too true. We’re stuck in super expensive San Diego right now but someday I hope to roam around my own farm and I would be happy if it looked just like yours.
Anna
Thank you for your words this morning. We are in our first spring on our new farm and life is messy and overwhelming to say the least. Usually one to have much more control over things, I need to daily remind myself to thank God for the beauty in the chaos and fatigue. Your words hit home.
Jo Murphey
Sometimes pictures speak volumes. Yours do. I love my homesteaeding life. There is always something new to appreciate.
Maegan
Your farm life is dreamy…messy pig and all. ?
Thank you for sharing it with the world. I can’t wait for my own farm.
Brooke
I love how busy spring is on the homestead, after months stuck inside with small children who’d much rather be playing in the mud. Congratulations on that impending calf! Milking is my favorite farm chore, and every day I thank our sweet Lily out loud. Can I totally stray from the post and it’s topics though? I also happen to love red lipstick! There’s something so classic about it. I find that I have to touch it up an bit more than I’d like, and no one else I know wears it, soo before I go through all kinds of trial and error with it. What’s your favorite brand?
Shaye Elliott
Hi Brooke…YES, SPRING WAS VERY MUCH WELCOMED AT OUR HOME :)!!!! In answer to your question I just recently started using LipSense and I strongly recommend it. I put it on in the morning and I am good to go for the rest of the day. You can put a gloss over the top of it if you like a glossy look or you just use the color for a more matte look…which is what I prefer. 🙂 If you don’t know someone who sells it let me know and I can put you in touch with my person!
Peacock Orchard
You are lucky. My daughter is 4 now and she still hates the outdoors. Won’t walk. I have to carry her in the backpack most of the time and my children are NOT little people. The only good news is that being 4 she can be left to her own devices more. My kids were never the kind to get up to mischief. So now I’ll be outside working and she’ll have to tromp out to retrieve me before she can complain about things. I never seem to achieve anything. At least it doesn’t feel like it.
Ellie
Love that Georgia is taking on a primary role in part of your family’s daily life as well! Children are so capable when you let them grow that way.
julie
Beautiful photographs! Thank you for sharing.
Damaris
Your blog is so inspiring. I’m a fresh out of college aspiring baker and homesteader and even though life is hard right now reading these posts keep me encouraged. Thank you so much for being honest about all of the stuff you post; it makes the homesteading dream seem so much more attainable.
Amanda
Shay, I have followed your blog for many years now. You are somewhat ahead of us in the homestead journey, but we are trudging along. Ha! I have recently been lamenting to my husband that same thought. I just don’t have a lot of words right now. But let me tell you, your photographs in this post brought big, hot tears to my eyes. I smiled so big as they rolled down my cheeks…your photos speak volumes to my heart. I can’t seem to put into words what they speak to me, but your precious family reminds me of my own in many ways and the beauty you captured is breathtaking. I find comfort in knowing the Lord knows all my thoughts and feelings that I can’t put into words.
Praying you find comfort in that, too.
Monica Mansfield
I love your photos. I’ve been trying to catch as many moments as I can too. I want to remember the first year on our homestead….the baby chicks, seedlings popping up out of the ground, building the chicken coop, the blossoms on the apple trees. Such a beautiful time of year, even if there is a massive amount of work to be done. Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Sarah
Soooooo true, and so well written.
I love how you write – and your photos are STUNNING!!!
We are a year in to our adventure of moving to a simpler way of living, and are detailing our turning of a 7x9m shed into our home over at http://www.strigidaefarm.com and I am detailing my person journey of moving back out of the work-force and back into being a housewife over at http://www.simplelifehousespouse.com
Its never easy, as you say – but yes….ohhhh so very very worth it!
Look forward to reading more form you,
Sarah
Erica
Your blog is always SO inspiring and those pictures…motivating. I’m a super beginner homesteader over here. We live in town, not a very big yard, AND in an HOA. So it’s really hard to start anything. We DO have backyard chickens which have been my pride and joy. As inspiring and motivational your blog is…it’s also hard to think that I’ll ever be there someday. You guys seem so grounded and have so much wisdom in the homesteading world I stand on the verge of jealousy almost over here. haha. I know everyone starts from somewhere though and I know you did not always have this bit of land. Your book has been such a blessing to me and I have learned so much from it! Keep doing what you’re doing! You’re an inspiration to many!!
natasha
Beautiful photos! We are counting down the days until we get to go spend time on the old family ‘farm’ (it hasn’t been an active farm in decades, but we’re hoping to start changing that next spring!) in a month. Also, love your sink!
Nikki Lynn
You inspire me Shaye! We are not a farm or homested by any means but i am trying hard to get back to the basics as Good intended! I love that you grab your camera! I do as well and love to capture life on our tiny farm when all words fail. The pics I grab often overwhelm me of the peace and love of this amazing world we live. Keep sharing because many of us love it! God bless!
Phoebe B
“Some people like fancy cars. Some like elaborate travels. Me? I like hand milking a dairy cow.”
A statement that reads of my heart cries. Only mine is a goat. For a season of working and caring for my mom. Things are on hold. But I’m thankful I can read your blog and dream. It’s joy nonetheless.