The Holler (picture heavy)

With the warm weather around here, I decided to take the dogs down into the holler. I don't have good hiking boots yet, so I just pulled on the old Muck Boots and took the four wheeler out for a little ride.

The dogs loved it! I took many pictures of them, but I figured I would leave those pictures for another post.  There were a lot of pictures of the dogs. lol

I hate that there was an old tires down in the holler.  I'm not sure where it came from, but I'm sure it's been there for a REALLY long time. 

This is our house from the back side and the beginning of the holler.

The holler is pretty deep in some places.  I couldn't walk down the hill, let alone ride the four wheeler down there.  In some places, it's straight up and down.  When the kids were smaller, we use to get plastic garbage bags and "sled" down the hill in the leaves.

Here is where a spring comes out of the ground right under this tree.  It always has water here.  Plus, it never has frozen. (yet)

It's deeper than it looks in this picture.

This is our fire ring that we used only a few times.  I LOVE it here in the summer.  It's cooler than on top of the hill.  I would sleep down here, but it's very rocky and I'm very wimpy. lol

The squirrels love it down here too. There's a bunch of nuts.

I noticed a bunch of different types of mushrooms down here too.  I'm gonna have to get a mushroom identification book for the Appalachian Mountains.  I could have a holler full of gourmet food. 

There are many different types of moss too.  The rocks are soooooo beautiful.

I'm just happy to see some signs of green.

The walk/ride did me some good.  I'm the type of person that can recharge in the woods.  I always have been. I just have to remind myself that every once in a while.  I have to reconnect to nature, especially in the winter when the world is dark and gray.  Today was sunny, warm, and wonderful.

So until next time,

Small Farm Girl, get out to your holler.

Spring?

It's 66 degrees right now. 66!!!! And, it's the end of January. WOW!  I walked out this morning to feed animals and I smelled Spring.  All we need now is to hear the peeps a peeping.  I don't know if I should be happy or scared of what's coming this Summer.  Well, for right now, I'll just enjoy.

I'm starting out this time of year just like all the other years that I've been homesteading.  I'm looking at the seed porn magazines and wanting a big garden.  The problem with that is I promised myself that I would downsize the garden this year.  I want something that won't overwhelm us.  I'm just going to have a few different things and not the gigantic garden we normally have.  I plan on having my normal tomatoes and beans and corn.  I'm just not going to plant as much.  I also want to try different types of veggies.  We need to mix up the things we eat. Do you have anything that you just HAVE to have in your garden?

As I type this though, I begin to think of the possibility of Hubby losing his job.  The "War on Coal" has really put a hurtin to the Appalachia region.  Not just with the coal mines themselves, but with the steel mills and the rail roads also.  So many people I know are going to, or have already lost their jobs.  Many have had to move away from this beautiful area just because of jobs.

I would be lying if I say we won't be hurting if Hubby loses his job.  We will.  But, we don't owe anything on our house.  At least they can't come for that.  Our vehicles and hay roller may be another story.  Yes, Hubby will get unemployment, but the railroad has it's own unemployment and it's a VERY small amount.  It's getting real around here folks.  The garden may be more of a life saver than just something for fun.

Right now, I'm trying not to worry to much about it.  It hasn't happened just yet.  Only thing we can do is plan for the worst and hope for the best.

So until next time,

Small Farm Girl, 66 degrees!!!!!  Woooo  Hoooo!

Technology Auuuuuuggggghhhhh!!!!!

I have a love/hate relationship with technology.  IF it works, it can be very useful.  But, for some odd reason, when it comes to ME and technology, it NEVER wants to work.  Our Internet has been almost non-existent now for at least 3 weeks.  I haven't forgotten you all, I've just not been able to post on here.

In those three (or so) weeks, Hubby's boy had a baby.  She is over 2 weeks old now.  Soon, she will be going to collage. lol.

We also had a pretty significant amount of snow.  I'm thinking they said it was around 11 inches.  Not as dramatic as the 50 inches they had in Washington DC, but enough that it was hard to do the feeding for a few days.  Luckily, it's almost all melted off now.  I'm not a huge fan of snow.  Sure, I like at least one snow in the winter time.  Hopefully around Christmas.  Now, we've had the snow and I'm done with it.  I'm ready for 50 degree weather! I'm not picky or anything. hehehe

So until next time, (or whenever the Internet decides I can get on)

Small Farm Girl, techno hater.

500 Million Dollars

It's 9:00 pm Wednesday evening.  We've just got back from the gas station to get fuel and a dream ticket.  You know, a lottery ticket.  The jackpot is suppose to be over 500 million.  That's a half a BILLION dollars. Do I expect to win? No.  It's just fun to dream.  I DO know a few people who have won the lottery.  One of them won a big one of a few million dollars. The others I know, have won on scratch-offs and other types of lotteries and they won a few thousand dollars.  So, I know that the lotto can be won.

For me, I just want a chance to dream.  I know I probably won't win, but why not give it a try?  The money does go to a lot of different schools plus, I REALLY like to dream about winning it.  On the way back, Hubby and I were spending the 300 million dollar pay-off that we were "going to win." Of course we would have the house finished. We would have a garage built. I would have a barn built. We would have fencing done. We would buy a new tractor. Oh, and give 10% to our church before all of that. And then, I'm not really sure WHAT we would do.  Would we travel, or would we stay put? I do know that I would still live a self sustaining lifestyle.  Grow our own food and such.  I think the money would just make it a little easier. lol.

Oh well, I guess, when I win, I'll be able to figure it out then.  hehehe

Until next time,

Small Farm Girl, the next millionaire.

Running The Dogs

If you've ever had Australian Shepherds, you know how much energy they have. If you've never had them, well, just trust me.  They have A LOT!  So, ever since Jack went to his new home, I've been running the dogs with the four wheeler.  I'll run around the yard and they'll run in front of me.  Well, more like Holly trying to take Chassis' legs out from under her. (Holly's a little trouble maker sometimes.)  We do this until the dogs' tongues are hanging out and they aren't trying to "attack" each other any more. I usually do this twice a day.  Mostly after I do the morning and evening chores.

Since we've had a few days of rain and the ground has gotten a little soft, I've noticed I was making some pretty noticeable tracks in the yard.  So, I decided to run the dogs around the parameters of our fields.  I could kill two birds with one stone.  Check fencing, while the dogs played. The thing is, I think I've enjoyed these runs/rides as much, if not more, than the dogs have.  I forgotten how much I love nature.

Our farm had a lot of open pasture and hay fields.  But, tucked down in the holler and in a couple corners, there are a few acres of woods. These acres are new to me and I haven't explored them.  I didn't realize how much acres of woods we actually had.  That was, until I started doing the runs with the dogs.  I'm thinking about getting some really good hiking boots and see if I can walk a little down in the holler for some exercises.  I haven't tried it yet so I'm not sure how well my legs and back will be able to handle it.  But, I figured it would be better to explore now while the leaves are off the trees, than when it starts to get hotter and the ticks and snakes start coming out. A good walking stick will be useful for me also.  I'm sure there are many things to explore out there. While I was riding, I saw old outcrops of rocks and small waterfalls.  I also saw mushrooms on logs.  Sure, I saw these things from a distance, but that makes me want to get a closer look.  I'll make sure I bring the camera with me so I can post some pictures on here.

 I'll also make sure I bring the dogs, my cell phone, and yes, my pistol.  You never know what I could come across back there. I mean, they HAVE spotted a bear just a mile from here.  The coyotes are horrible around here too.  But, the many times that I've went hunting with my dad and the times I've went by myself, have gotten me prepared for stuff like that. It'll be like finding and exploring a whole new world right in my back yard.  I can't wait!

So until next time,

Small Farm Girl, explorer.

Why I Love The New Year

I know it's been a while since I last posted. I've been in some kind of funk. I plan to remedy that.  This year is the year of doing things I want to do! I truly LOVE the new year.  It's one of my favorite times.  For one thing, the craziness of the holidays is over.  And when I say holidays, I mean Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  I feel they all mix together now anyway.   I have my mind on all of them and not on other things that I want to do.  Once again, that's going to change.

Another thing I like about the New Year, is feeling that I get a clean slate to start anew.  I know, I know, I can do that ANY day, but there's just something about January 1st.  I also LOVE to give each year a theme. This year it's the year of fun and stepping out of the box. Doesn't always mean I'm going to do what I say, but that's okay too.  I do it just for fun anyway.  This year I've already made a small "bucket list" of the things I'm going to do. Some are deep and thoughtful, others are just goofy.  Once again, that's okay.

Here's my list, so far....

1. I'm going to write on here MORE!!!
        I love the interaction with you guys! It keeps me grounded.  I have a tendency of thinking of all           kinds of things to do, but this blog keeps me more focused.  So, you can just imagine how                   scatter brained I've been since I've not been posting for a while.

2. I'm going to try different types of teas.
         See, I told you some of these are going to be goofy. lol

3. I'm going to finally buckle down and get my back and knees back to better health.                                       I've been putting off going to specialists about my back and knees, hoping that I would lose                   weight and all  would be well in the world.  Well, when you can barely move, the quality of                 life just isn't as good as it could be.  Time to get something done.  I haven't really put anything              about my health on here because I feel that you guys don't really want to hear about the                        " Whoa is me" type of stuff. I know I don't. lol

4.The all familiar "Lose Weight" resolution.
          I have to put it on here.  It's almost like a friend.

5. I'm going to paint more.
          Plain and simple.

6. Practice my fiddle more.
         Just do it.

7. I'm going to finish the Sherri Shack.
        Since the holidays are over, I'll have time to focus on it more.  Hopefully I'll have more money           to put into it.  Since one of the dogs ended up having Parvo, that took a chunk of change                       from the Shack's pocket.  Priorities though. These little ones come first.

8.I want to cook and eat different types of food.
       As good as southern food is, I'm looking for new and exciting foods. (Ironic that this resolution          came after "lose weight".  lol)

9. Take more risks.
       I'm not a risk taker by nature.  I tend to think and rethink about ANY decision that I have to                make.  ANY decision.  Believe it or not, this is going to be the hardest resolution for me. We will        see how it goes.  I'll keep you all updated.

10. I'm going to learn to make a good pie crust.
          I've had this one on my list before.  Might as well put it back.  If I don't, I'll never learn!!

11. Read more.
          I really like to read.  I use to read all the time.  Now I feel like I don't have time.  I also feel                 guilty when I do read because of all the things that I have to do.  That's going to stop.  Reading           is important too.

12. And last but not least, don't watch tv as much.
           I think I'm addicted to it.  Right now, I have it turned off.  I usually have it on just for the                    noise.  But then, I'll catch myself glancing at it. Then the next thing I know, I'm watching a                  whole episode of something that I don't even care about.  Yep, TV is like a black hole.  It                    sucks you in.  Facebook is the same way.

So these are a few of the things I want to accomplish this year.  That, and a LOT of other things for the farm.  We won't even get into THAT list just yet.  That can be for another post.  I know this list is long, but I can already think of other things that I want to put on here, and I will!  I want to keep doing things and not get stagnate.  That's what had happened to me last year.  Although, health issues can do that to people.

Here's to a more healthier and happier New Year!!!!

So until next time,

Small Farm Girl, Back.

So, So, Much

So many things going on this time of year.  With the usual farm stuff and then Christmas on top of that, it's been busy.  Then, this past week and a half, we have been hammered.  There have been two deaths in our extended families.  One on Hubby's side, and one on mine.  Funerals are hard around the holidays.  Funerals are hard ANY time of year.

Then as all of that was going on, Chassis came down with Parvo.  It was horrible.  That poor dog was miserable.  She had to stay 3 days at the vet's.  So much for money for Christmas presents.  Well actually, I took some of the money I had back to finish the Sherri Shack to pay for her vet bills.  I'm glad we had it held back, but now I have to come up with money to fix the Shack. It's just been hard.  We are keeping an eye on Holley hoping she won't come down with it too.

I haven't had much time to write on here, as you can probably see.  We have been going one day at a time.  Still soooooo much to do.  I haven't even began decorating for the Christmas, but I will.  I really want to this year.  So instead of getting ready to decorate, I'm here. hehehehe.

Oh well, I thought I'd catch you all up on a few things.  I haven't disappeared off the face of the Earth, yet.  I was going to say the posts may be farther apart, but that's pretty much how they've been anyways.  Hopefully we will get everything back on track.

So until next time,

Small Farm Girl