Springing forward in sunny Maine ~

How quickly the seasons change here.....we went from a little snow and chilly temps to 85 degrees and full summer weather! An entire 7 days of awesome weather -  That lasted long enough for people to really embrace spring and start seedlings, yard work and garden prep.  I am guilty as well....I raked and raked and cleaned up debris and have the garden plots done and our house is full of vegetable seedlings!

Our normally muddy March driveway is dry and smooth as Scott has been running the york rake every few days.   We are now snowless and hope to start planting a few veggies in the front garden next weekend. The first garden has been cleaned up and ready for planting.  YES!!!

Our wooly girls are now wool - less.....they had incredible wool coats and we decided to shear them as the warm weather approached.  I now have four bags of gorgeous wool to skirt and send off to the processor.  Surprisingly, Miss Ghiradelli (2nd from the left) is really not a black sheep at all but a gray sheep.  Such a lovely, bluish-gray color to her fiber.  Those are the best surprises :)  as much as I miss the Finn sheep, it's a pleasure to know that the Coopworth girls only have to be shorn once this year.  This being their first shearing - they were all very well behaved and patient with us. 

We are preparing to open our Farm Shop in April.  Weekends only....I always look forward to this time of year.  I love that little shop and it will be such a pleasure to see returning customers and new folks as well.  We have fresh eggs, yarn and rovings, jewely, and gifts available as well as a few seedlings.  We hope to have fresh greens and other veggies beginning May 1st. We will have lamb and beef cuts in the near future again as well. 
We have a new product for the shop this year - maple syrup.  Scott tapped the few maples we have here and produced some great syrup.  Sold in half pint quantities while they last :) 

For the very first time we are offering  Vegetable CSA.   We have two spots left for anyone interested.  Feel free to send me an email and I'll be happy to go over the details.  Farm fresh, all natural vegetables for 20 weeks, May through October, Prepaid at a discounted rate.

We are also going to raise pigs for fall butchering again this year.  They will be available in late October by the half or the whole.  Cut, cryovac wrapped and picked up at the farm.  This does require a contract and a deposit.  Again, send a quick email if you have an interest. 

My full time job keeps me very busy during the week but I am learning to ration my time and enjoy all of the different things I love to do.  Spring brings a renewed energy and hope of a great season. 

I haven't done well keeping up with the blog....I miss reading and hearing from all of you.  If you still follow us, A huge thank you!!  Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.  I promise I will do better!! 

Hope to see many of you in the coming months! 

Happy farming!
Deb

email:  tylerfarm@roadrunner.com

Tis the season ~ Opening the "Shoppe"

The calendar tells me it's November 28th.  The thermometer tells me that it's Indian summer - the temp was 65 degrees today!  All of our snow is melting and we have mud........each year it seems Mother Nature cannot make up her mind when it comes to winter - is it or isn't it?  We are prepared....and I would really love a white Christmas :) 
The sheep and chickens are very happy to have bare ground again.  The chickens spend their days out pecking and scratching.  The sheep looking for a blade of grass that they may have missed the day before.  Keeps them busy and out of trouble. 

We had a busy post thanksgiving weekend.  We are preparing to open our "Shoppe" each weekend for the month of December.  Working full time leaves me little time for my sweet little shoppe.  I do love spending time there and am really looking forward to being open.

Yesterday we trekked through the woods tipping balsams, spruce and white pine.  We are making and selling wreaths this year.  It's been quite some time since I have made wreaths and it was so enjoyable to be in the woods.  The air was so fresh and it was so quiet.  We are offering 18" wreaths with a bow and pine cones.  The photo below is the wreath we are offering.  I'm hoping to make a few after work each night and have a nice selection for the weekend. 

Our new pullets are finally laying.....farm fresh eggs are available as well as beautiful, soft hand dyed yarns and roving from our sheep.  Jewelry, greeting cards, framed and matted photographs along with many other items are available in the "Shoppe".   Our hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 - 3.  Stop in and enjoy a cup of mulled cider with us.  We would love to see you! 

Wishing you all a happy, productive week. 

Cheers!

Deb

Happy Thanksgiving ~

A pre-thanksgiving snowstorm coated everything with 8 inches of wet, heavy snow.  A little shoveling and plowing and playing in the snow with the puppies filled our day.
  It is beautiful as the sun rises this morning.  Having an extra couple of days off is a bonus and I'm loving behing home.  Mom and I started preparing food yesterday and the wood cookstove is roaring and ready to be cook up a storm. 

These three were thrilled to play in the snow.  In this photo they are waiting for someone to throw the next snowball! 

All of us at Tylerfarm wish you and your families and very Happy Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter and great food!  In such troubled and difficult economic times, we are very greatful for all the blessings in our lives. 

Cheers,
Deb

Happenings..........

Happy Autumn......it's been a beautiful fall season here in Maine.  Sunny days, temps in the 50's and 60's.  Gentle breezes and a halloween snowstorm!  6" for our area but 18 inches a half hour north of us.  So many without power in southern New England for days.  A taste of what's to come before too long :) 

As changes continue here at Tylerfarm, we are slowly rebuilding our sheep flock.  I raised Shetland and Finn sheep for many, many years here but decided when change became necessary that I would change breeds as well.  We decided on Coopworth sheep.  They are a bigger breed than what we previously had.  The biggest perk for me is that they only have to be shorn once per year.  The finns were twice per year.  I'm fortunate to be able to shear my own but once per year is more than enough.  Their fleece is looking lovely and shearing time will be very exciting here. 

Our new ladies - they are all approximately 6 months old.  From left to right:  Godiva; Ghiradelli; Skittles and Maggie Mae.  All are registered Coopworth and all were born and raised here in Maine.  They are sweet, personable gals and we are very excited at the prospect of lambs from these gals.  Our plans are to add eight more ewes over time and have a small flock of 12 breeding ewes. 

Winter preperations are well underway.  We stripped the sheep barn and added fresh straw today.  The chicken house is buttoned up and the ladies will be nice and cozy as the cold, winter wind blows.  The woodshed is nearly full and the tractor ready to run the snowblower.  We try to be as prepared for whatever mother nature throws at us.  You just never know what the weather is going to be aroudn here! 

I hope all is well with you and yours.  I look forward to catching up with you all soon :) 

Deb

Catching up :)

Hello from sunny Maine!  It's hard for me to believe that my last post was in March and now it's August!!  I hope this finds you all well and having a wonderful summer.  We have had a couple of months with very little rain.....haying is in full swing but the hay crop isn't the greatest. Gardens are producing although struggling because of the lack of water.  Nonetheless, we are grateful for what the earth gives us :) 

Lots of changes on the farm in the last few months but we are still farming!  I am still working in the city during the day and still really like my job. I work for a fantastic company and look forward to going to work everyday.  Not having to worry about health insurance and a paycheck are blessings in themselves  :) 

I sold off my sheep herd a couple of months ago.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but it was necessary.  I'm down to three cows but that is about to change.  I have spent the last few months with a skeleton crew of animals trying to figure out what direction my life was going to go in.   I'm finding out what I can handle and work a full time job.  As much as I love the sheep and goats, raising beef seems to be less demanding of my time.  I have a new bull coming this month and hopefully will have two new calves next spring.  I am going to to have sheep again but am still deciding on which breed and what their main purpose is going to be.  Of course the chickens are still here and the guineas are doing a great job keeping the tick population down.  Danny and Otis are still moving around what animals we have and keeping the rodents/predators at bay.  We have added a new pup to the mix.  I'll have a photo or two soon :) 

As fall approaches, I feel the need to prepare for winter.  The woodshed is not full yet so that is a priority.  The oil barrel needs to be filled.  That's extremely painful on the wallet!  A few more repairs and the barn will be ready for the animals for another winter.  We have been making fence repairs the last few weekends and ran an underground water line from the barn to the garden.  No more bucketing water to the plants - such a treat! 

The harvest will be upon us soon and tomatoes are just starting to ripen!  With only one garden this year, we won't be storing as much in the pantry as usual but what we do have will taste great in the dead of winter.  We are going to plant for fall crops this weekend and that will extend the harvest a little longer :) 

I hope your gardens are thriving and that life is good where you are.  I hope to have time to check in here more often and I'll have pictures soon :)

Deb

A post with no pictures ~

Happy March ~  I could almost believe that spring is on it's way if it wasn't for the 15 foot snowbanks and the -15 degree temperatures we have had this past week.  Today started out rainy/snowy and by afternoon the sun was shining and it was almost 50 degrees.  I took great advantage of this weather to do barn work, haul hay and anything that I haven't had a chance to do lately.  I have a great 9 to 5 but it does shorten my time on the farm.  

This is the first year in more than 10 that I have not had spring lambs.  Certainly doesn't feel right :)  I am slowly rebuilding my sheep herd and will be having lambs here next year.  We will be having a litter of baby rabbits and I purchased a new calf today.  He's only 4 days old so he will stay with his Mama for awhile longer before I bring him home.  

I have been teaching Adult Ed classes and the Raising Chickens class we incredible.  I had 12 people...mostly men.  Everyone is really starting to embrace the concept of where their food comes from.  These folks were so into it.  They asked tons of questions and I was so inspired when the class was over.  The next class at the end of the month is an Edible Landscaping class.  Teaching is so different when the people in your class are there because they truly want to be, not because they have to be.  

I hope all is well where you are.......I do read your blogs when time permits.  I'm starting to figure out how to manage my time between the farm and work.  It's getting better all the time!  

Next post I'll show you my new toy and how it became mine.  

Until next time,

Deb

Tylerfarm

Mother nature is throwing her weight around lately ~

The only critters happy around here are the birds.  They never seem to mind when they have to brush the snow off their feeders before they can eat.  Some of us aren't so happy.  We received  another  sh*t load of snow yesterday and another storm heading our way for Saturday and then another on Tuesday.    It has been a true New England winter.  Now most of you know I really love the snow but I have spent more time in my tractor moving it than I have playing in it.  I have to snowblow paths for the sheep, it's deeper than they are!  I have yet to get to Mt Washington and enjoy a sleigh ride with my Dad.  I have got to change my ways :)

Danny seems to enjoy the snow more each year.  He's waiting for Otis to make his move so he can tackle him.  They are such fun to watch.  Like two little boys looking for mischief.

We retained a little ewe out of this group of quads last year.  Her name is Clary Berry and she is the tiniest little sheep.  She is slowly catching up with the other lambs born at the same time.  She was literally stuck in the snow.  Her legs are so tiny and she tried hopping through the snow.  One jump and she was sunk :)  She patiently stood there while I waded in to get her.  It was much easier for them to get out of the barn after plowing.

Other than a little whining going on, all is well here at the farm.  Today's brilliant sun shining on the clean snow went along way to improving my outlook for a day or two anyways :)

I start teaching my Adult Ed classes next week.  The first class is "Raising chickens in your backyard".  Who knew people would pay to take such a class? I am so excited.  I'm teaching four different classes this semester.  The people are there because they really want to be and we all have such a good time and the friendships that form are a blessing.

Wishing you all a happy weekend - see you next time.

Deb

A frosty January greeting ~

Mother nature has been doing her job lately and doing it well!  Snow, snow and more snow.  This photo was from a storm we had last week.  Not only did it snow inches per hour, the winds were furious. A true Nor'Easter enveloped the farm and hurled at us for a good 16 - 18 hours.  26 inches of new snow in one storm ~ yesterday another "small" storm dumped an additional 9 inches.

The red sky does not show up well in the photo along with the huge fireball in the center.  I took this photo as the sun was rising.  I knew before the day was over we were going to be hit with another snowstorm.  Everything was so serene.........the calm before the storm never lies :)

The animals all fared well as did those of us who were housebound.  Three of us spent hours cleaning up and moving snow around.  Thankfully the temps were not brutal.  That is all about to change so I hear.

The predicted low for us on Sunday evening :  -30!  Now that's  cold.  Mind you, I love winter and think all the snow is just beautiful.  I'm not appreciative of temperatures that cold.  The heat tapes are on in the barn and the tub heaters will work overtime.  One tub I cover with plywood, the other is in the sheep barn.  With everyone huddled in that barn,  that water will not get so cold.

A busy weekend preparing the barn to keep everyone comfortable; stacking extra fire wood on the porch and keeping the woodstoves cranking.

Tom and I are car shopping today.  He knows what he wants and we have a destination in mind.  He's done awesome and will be very happy to have his own wheels again!

That's about it from here......hope you are well and staying warm.

 A friend sent me a great quote and I wanted to share it - great words of wisdom :)




"There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting back up is LIVING....."

End of the week.........

A beautiful Sunday morning here in the North East.  Sunshine greeted us early and even the January sun gives a little warmth, especially on the south side of the barn.  I left the south end doors open this morning giving Daisy and the bunnies a little sunshine.

Sunday morning sunrise over the farm

Otis & Danny

We only have a few inches of snow.   Last weeks 50 degree days didn't help with that and the promised snow for this weekend never happened.  I'm not terrible disappointed but it would be nice to have a little more.  The dogs love the snow and plowing through the powder with their noses is one of their favorite pastime.  Otis, our little red dog, has grown into quite a fellow.  He and Danny are best buds and are ALWAYS rough housing :)  

"Harriett"

Our calf is growing quickly. They seem to gain so much better when you let them stay with the cow.  She eats whenever she wants and that's very often!     She's got quite a personality and is getting quite social. I have a small salt lick in the feed bucket for her Mother.  I had to put it up high so the sheep wouldn't get into it.  Harriett is a nosey little thing and would love to knock  it off if she could.  She had that look like "what, I wasn't doing anything".

Our guineas are not fond of getting their feet cold.  They run to the barn in the morning, eat the corn I throw out for them and then head right back for their roost poles in the guinea house.  The sun normally keeps the snow melted in front of their door which gives them a dry place to get a drink and pick and scratch around.  The love to come in the barn and scratch but they make a mess.  They spend a lot of time in their house or on the roof because the black shingles are warm on their feet.

That's about it for this week.  Today will be spent doing everything I didn't get done yesterday :)  The barn work has been done for the week - need to work in the house.  I'm glad that last week is behind me - it was full of ups and down and I really hate riding that roller coaster.  Hopefully, this week will be quieter with less bumps in the road.    One can always hope :)  

   

This little snowman greets you as you enter our front door.  I am reluctant to remove him - it makes me smile every time I walk up the steps.  Even though the holidays are over, I think he will keep his place for awhile.  If your smiling at the end of your day, all will be well!  

Have a wonderful week - I will be back next weekend if nothing unexpected gets in the way.  

Deb

Tylerfarm

Happy New Year ~

A perfect day to enjoy the first day of the New Year here in the Northeast.  50 degrees and sunny.  It smelled like spring when I headed to the barn this morning.  Now that I'm working a full time job, the only time I see my animals during the day is the weekend.  I spent a leisurely morning cleaning, moving a little snow, sharing pats and scratches with the sheep and simply enjoying being there.  

We actually saw the New Year's ball drop this year.  A first in a very long time. I arrived home to a lovely buffet all laid out by none other than my great kids.  They have had this planned for awhile.  Maine shrimp; cheese & crackers, etc.  To top it off, the blender was ready to make frozen margaritas - my favorite :)  Our awesome friends and neighbors, the Kimballs arrived shortly after and we all had a great evening together as we welcomed 2011.  I hope the way it started is an indicator that it's going to a fabulous year for all of us!

"Rellen"

"Tyler"

Christmas morning photos - we had a wonderful holiday season.  I'm a very lucky Mom! 

"Sarah"

Some of you remember Charlotte, our sow that we lost last year to a broken leg.  We were heartbroken.  She was as sweet as could be and gave us 13 little piglets.  I decided to keep one of her female piglets to raise.  Daisy is as sweet as her Mom was.  I let her out today to get some exercise and enjoy the sunshine.  She was a happy girl :)  

"Enjoying the sunshine"

"Daisy & Danny having a chat"

Mr. Pig should be arriving soon and hopefully we will have piglets in the spring.  It will be nice for them to be able to spend nice days outside in the "summer" pig area.


Our new calf, Harriet, changes so much in just a weeks time.  She is a beautiful chocolate brown color rather than coal black like her Mom, Hope.  She lives with her Mom and the small flock of sheep that we have.  It's apparent that she is quite comfortable with them.  One morning this past week it was very cold when I went to the barn and they were all inside.  I peaked in and there's Harriet, surround by her very own heating season.  Full fibered sheep! 
 

"Harriet and her furry friends enjoy the sunshine and breakfast"

That's the news from here.  Thanks for stopping in for a visit.  I'll try to get here again next saturday for an update and to check everyone's blogs.  I miss reading them like I used to :)  

Have a great week everyone~

Deb

Farm notes...........

Happy holidays everyone ~ I hope you are enjoying the festivities of the season as we are here at Tylerfarm.  The temp outside feels like winter but our ground is bare of snow.  We are hoping Sunday nights storm brings us a little white stuff to add to the feeling of Christmas :)  Below is a photo of our lovely tree.  We enjoyed a great family evening on this Wednesday past decorating it and reminiscing about our ornaments, especially those when the boys were back in kindergarten!  Such fond memories :)

No matter what time of year it is or what's going in any of our lives, new life springs forth here at the farm when the time is right.  On December 7, one of our first time heifers, Hope, gave birth to our sweet new addition, Harriett.  Harriett is a black angus/red angus and will spend her days on the farm, hopefully producing beautiful little replicas of herself.  Hope delivered her while I was at work and all was well when I arrived home.  I was thrilled and relieved to see all was well!

On another happy note, I have been fortunate to land a job at a local health care organization.  I have been there for a few weeks now.  I enjoy the commute, the people I work with are great, the organization treats their employees exceptionally well and the job security is fantastic.  I am enjoying being part of the public work force again.  The security is a great feeling but it also allows me to continue to plan for the farm and the farm shop which will both continue to grow and flourish.

That's my newsy update for now.  I wish you all the happiest of holiday seasons.  I hope to catch up more often now that life is settling into more of a routine.  I hope you are all well and happy!

Thanks for still checking in on us here at Tylerfarm.

Deb and the gang ~  

In honor of all our Veterans..........my sincere thanks ~

Heroes

By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken

Men and women giving their best to defend what they love

They defend their country

Their honor

Their people

Some call them soldiers

Others call them heroes

Our veterans have risked their lives for us

They have lived through hell and fought with honor

Many have killed

And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul

For every soul, there is a life

For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance

For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle

Some, memories of defeat

Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers

They were, and still are heroes

A new season, a new start..........

(

Fall has arrived here in the Northeast.  The leaves went from green to beautiful reds, oranges and yellows and have now turned brown and are covering our fields and forests.  The sky was very ominous today, Mother nature not being able to decide if it wanted to rain or just make us wonder.  The winds have been gusty and it smells like winter isn't far behind.  I love the changing of the seasons and this year it's especially poignant for me.
Personally, I'm at the beginning of a new season as well.  Suffice to say, my 19 year marriage did not survive a long distance work relationship and I find myself single again.  It's been a very strange, emotional few months but the healing has begun and I have so many new and wonderful things to look forward to as well as so many things to be thankful for and believe me, I am!

(We have a new farm sign!  My friend Luke, handcrafted the letters out of used work horse shoes for me.  Thank you Luke - it's awesome!!)

I have given my long range plans a lot of thought regarding the farm and though I have downsized and turned things around somewhat, Tylerfarm is still going strong and will continue as long as I stay healthy and enjoy it. Our sheep flock has gone from 60 to 10 with a new ram on his way here.  Sometimes businesses grow so fast that it spins out of control and becomes so much work, it's not a joy anymore.  That's where I was at.  Now I am back to where a few lambies in the spring will be as exciting as it used to be, not a worrisome burden as it can be  when you have 40 babies in a matter of a few days.  Our fiber, roving and yarns will be better because sometimes doing less and doing it better really makes a huge difference.

(My pumpkin eating sheep :)

In other farm news, the 9 piglets that we raised have all gone to the butcher and then to the customers who ordered them.  I like to raise them and having piglets for the first time was awesome but I'm always glad when they are gone.  When they weigh 250 lbs, they are a little unnerving!  I did keep one of the sow piglets, Daisy, and we will raise her and breed her to have a litter of piglets in the spring.  I won't raise 9 again at one time but will do a few for special customers that I have.

I have also been interviewing for a full time off the farm job.  I have worked with a vocational councilor on my resume and I have to say 30 years of working and life experience looks great on two sheets of paper!  I interviewed last Thursday and have another at our local hospital on Tuesday.  I am looking forward to going back to work, being in a social environment during the day and having the farm and my wonderful family to come home to everyday.
I have  been teaching classes for our local Adult Ed program and will do more during the winter semester.  I have been approached to teach at another school as well.  It's terrific that people are becoming so conscious regarding their food and wanting to learn to produce more of it for themselves and I love being able to help them do that.    I feel so blessed to be able to share what I have learned in my life with others.

(I never tire of driving down our driveway - I leave my troubles at the end of the road)

I'm going to keep my shop open on Saturdays.  We will continue to have beef and lamb as well as eggs and roving, yarns, sheep skins and hand crafted gifts for sale.  I'm adding new kits and other items as time permits.  A HUGE thank you to all of my customers who have continued to shop with us during the last few months of chaos.  I appreciate all of you!

(A festive gift from a friend - Thank you Anita! )

........and thanks to all of you who continue to read the blog, even though I have been in hiding lately.  I hope to find the time to be here more often and share what's going on around the farm.

~Happy Autumn to you all ~

It's been awhile ~

It's been so long since I've had a chance to post, we have gone from summer to autumn!  Our foliage season here in the Northeast has already passed it's peak and it's starting to look drab.  Certainly looks and feels like October.  I am enjoying the cooler temps and we are having our fall rains.  We really needed them.  
Life has been changing in leaps and bounds at the farm. Good changes are coming around, including this surprise litter of bunnies.  11 little hoppers showed up unexpectedly.  Even though I'm supposed to be cutting back on animals, I brought home two rabbits for Sarah.  One of them had five babies with her, about 5 weeks old.  I had no idea the doe was re-bred!! Oh well, it was a happy surprise and they are well loved.  We will find good homes for them when they are old enough to leave their Mom.  Anyone want a bunny?

I hope all is well where you are.  I do read all your blogs when time permits.  Hopefully I can get back here more often.   Have a nice day everyone!!

Where to start?

This blog post has been a long time coming...........just haven't known where to jump in and begin.  I really don't believe in endings - simply new beginnings.   My life and life on the farm is changing in some big ways.  Good ways....exciting things to come for our entire family.

I've spent the last 14 months with my husband working on  an island off the coast of Maine renovating an old stone mansion school.  He was home on weekends, sometimes not even that.   While this was an interesting, once in a lifetime opportunity, it was extremely difficult for our family.  With the help of our two sons and family, we survived it although not unscathed by any means.  Separation is difficult no matter how prepared you think you are.  I've worked more hours per week than I care to count and have been doing that for a very long time.  The sacrifice was worth it......for my family but.........I'm tired. Plain and simple.  I overwintered 60 sheep last year along with a dozen head of cattle and a multitude of other farm animals. While I loved all the animals  and cherished all the joy they gave me,  I certainly do not want to spend another Maine winter like that.   This farm and what we have created here is amazing but we have come to realize it is simply too much work for one person and not only that, it's simply not necessary any more.

Our boys are busy - growing up and moving on.  The demand for fresh meats, milk & produce has diminished greatly here at home and certainly the demand is not there to warrant milking even one cow or having three gardens.  I had just one garden this year and while the harvest has been good, without rain for over a month now, it hasn't been fabulous and we STILL have more produce that we can eat, can, feed to the pigs, etc.  

So.........I am now down to just 12 sheep.  All of our pygora goats have gone to loving, new homes.  We are down to three head of cattle and a manageable amount of poultry.  Of course, the donkey is here :)  I plan to keep a half dozen finn ewes and one ram and allow them to cycle, breed and lamb on a natural schedule.  I plan to continue selling lovely finn roving and hand dyed yarns through an on-line Etsy shop along with my weaving, jewelry, etc.  We still have fresh meats in the shop as well as the above mentioned items but the shop will be closed by the end of September.  Unfortunately money is always a deciding factor in every situation.  Insurance prices keep rising and just to run the shop and liability on the farm, not animals or equipment, pricing is astronomical.  We are afraid to run the farm without it so....it's a catch 22 situation.

The changes will make the farm  manageable for me  and also give me time to pursue a different part time career off the farm.  I've been on the farm for 20 years now and feel like I'd like a little "social" time doing something interesting and making a steady pay check other than my adult ed teaching.    Not sure what direction that will take me in but it's fun and exciting just thinking about it :)  It will also give me more time to  truly enjoy the animals that do live here and enjoy the things I love to do ie., gardening, spinning, knitting, reading., etc.

School is about to start, Hubby is home and starting a new project close to home and hopefully our life will settle into a comfortable routine.  I hope the blog will resume with new and interesting topics, farming and gardening included.  Tomorrow - the tomato harvest has begins.

For those of you that still come to visit, Thank You..........I look forward to catching up with all of you  :)

It's a date!

............for this evening to go to the movies with a very special 15 year old.  He's taking time out of his busy schedule to hang with his Mom!  He's been really looking forward to seeing this movie and it's showing at the new Cinemagic theatre.  I know I'll enjoy it, just because I'm going with one of my boys.  I'll post a review tomorrow :)

A glorious summer day~

Mornings just can't get any better than this one in my book.  A beautiful sunrise, 50 degrees and no humidity!  My kind of weather.
 I started the day with an early cup of coffee, listening to the sounds of peace on the farm.  No one stirring - everyone still nestled in their places of comfort, waiting for dawn to break.  Once the sun does rise, look out.  Things change quickly!!

Most of our little goaties have gone to their new homes. As you can see, they are very friendly and love attention!   Two little wethers remain for now until their new family is ready to take them home.  It's very rewarding when our babies go to loving homes, especially with children.  These children are adorable and these goat kids are extremely lucky!  

Time to get busy......hope you all have a great day!  

Maine's Open Farm Day

Join us on Sunday, July 25 from 10 - 3 for Maine Open Farm Day!

Maine's Agricultural Community welcomes visitors on Open Farm Day ~ 

Every summer on the third Sunday in July, farms all over the state of Maine open their barn doors to the public to give them a chance to see where their food and fiber comes from.  Stop in for a visit.  We would love to chat with you about what we do here.  Visit with the sheep, draft horses, cows, donkey, pigs, goats, guines, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs & cats that make up the animal kindgdom here at Tylerfarm.  

Browse our Farm Mercantile.  We have a new supply of natural and dyed spun yarns  and roving from the sheep and goats that live on the farm and a couple of alpacas that spent a little time here as well.  Everything in the shop other than food products will be offered at 20% off!  

We will have spinning demonstrations throughout the day; farm tours at your own pace; a petting area and  folks around to answer your questions and chat with.  

The newest hatch on the farm ~

To read a nicely written  article about he farm and Open Farm Day, pick up a copy of the Tourist News.  A free guide to southern Maine and what's going on.  We were very proud to be approached by these folks and are so pleased with the article.  Thank you Anita for a job well done!

Hope to see you all on Sunday!  

God Bless America ~

Wishing you all a safe, happy, healthy Fourth of July ! God Bless our troops, past and present~

The school of hard knocks..........

I'm no stranger to this school. I've been here more than once. It's always a very memorable education. Today was no exception. This was Charlotte, our super friendly sow last wednesday, enjoying her first mud bath of the season. She spent all winter in huge 10x20 box stall cushioned with deep straw, gaining weight, awaiting the birth of her piglets. All twelve of them!!

We moved Charlotte and her little sow, Daisy, out into the "piggy" paddock and noticed she had a limp and her hind right hock was swollen. I thought now that we had taken the rest of her babies off her and moved them to their own space, her leg would have a chance to heal. She favored it but seemed to getting around ok, eating and drinking. After checking her for three days, I called our friend the pig expert and he confirmed my suspicions. She had a broken leg and there was nothing anyone can do for her. She left this morning. No one can figure out how she did it, but that doesn't stop us from trying.

She wasn't just ANY pig.....she was really a special animal. She taught me so much about pigs and their behavior and we all loved her. She will be missed.