Farm Life

Old buckboard wagon wheel found in the old barn,
now sitting in front of the new homestead.

Much has happened in such a short time!

• We took the opportunity of a lifetime, to move to Montana and revive the family farm.
• With the opportunity, came obligations and responsibilities that we are working hard to fulfill.
• Two new four legged creatures joined our household family, as well as a brood of rapidly growing chickens.
• Family members not seen for a long time have been embraced again and enjoyed over happy get togethers.
• Adjustments are still being made and having to be settled with (less income, new worries, etc).
• New lessons learned, though hard, yet they come with blessings to lessen the pain.

The Old Homestead:

My two older boys looking towards the old homestead.

I haven't had a real good exploration of the farmhouse, barn, and garage, but my dad has told me I need to because there are treasures to be found. Already, my husband found an awesome little trove of antique farm equipment, and the washbasin that we found a picture of my mother and her siblings as babies, bathing in. So much history and my eldest is delighted. He told my dad how much he likes history and old things. He was always more mature than his years when it came to interests.

Animals!...

We now have a kitten named Chloe and a chocolate lab named Cocoa. They were added about a week apart and were born around the same time. They are friends and play, even sleep together! Chloe is already showing she will be a good mouser and Cocoa is good at tracking down stray tomcats and running them off.

Chloe Bell

Cocoa Bell

The Garden:

Chad, planting away last evening.

Our garden is a 40X45' and was put in by Chad's considerable effort and the use of a Kabota tractor. He did such a good job and I am always so proud of how he figures out how to do things better. We are planting all kinds of veggies and herbs. I will post pictures as they sprout up. Our plan is to can and pickle in stages and use as we go as well as sharing with family. We will be more self sufficient as well as providing low cost nutrition to other family members.

My curly redhead, overseeing his daddy's planting.

We need a fence to protect from the many deer on the property, and we're hoping that won't be too expensive. To date we have seen herds of deer (we think there is one of about 15-20 living on the property regularly), a lone reddish fox, and two elk as well as one tom and two hen turkey strutting about as early as last night and this morning. So much wildlife to enjoy!

New Car:

Okay, not so new year wise, but a gas economic Prius.

My grandmother offered me this car in exchange for cleaning and organizing regularly, as well as visiting and cooking a meal or two each visit for her. It's a big deal, because we cannot afford a vehicle right now and since everything is a decent drive away, the fact that it gets 60 mi/gal is impressive. I am grateful and eager to do my best for her and the family. It is a blessing to be in service to another in the name of God and I feel like God called me here for just this purpose.

So blessings abound! There is so much more, but it smells like the herb bread is possibly done baking, and I still need to sweep and mop, and Lachlan is acting suspicious in the corner, like there might be an impending delivery, then I need to water the garden and get to the post office.... OH! So much to be done!

Things We'll Miss

If you missed any part of this ongoing story, go back to "Another Door Opens" to start from the beginning.

So, we are just a short four days from our move to Montana. The computer will get packed up this evening or early tomorrow. So, I might not be able to post any updates until our household arrives in our new place. We are getting a Uhaul and then putting it on the barge to Seattle. It takes up to fourteen days to get there and then my husband will have to go get it and drive it back. I might get a chance for a few mini updates via the library or my mom's computer. However, you can , as that is an easy way to send short updates.

My last post is dedicated to some of the things we'll miss when we move. So let's get started...

1. FRIENDS! Oh we have made many wonderful friends and all of them will be missed so much!! Thankfully we have Facebook, email, blogs and letter writing at our disposal. I will do my best on this side to stay in touch. Promise!
2. Soldotna Bible Chapel. I have never met a more loving and accepting church family that has a heart for it's community and follow God's calling to be in service to the people within that community. We were led to that church by God and were blessed over and over with each person/family we met. We will miss everyone dearly!
3. The community of Soldotna, AK. What a great place to raise a family! We felt like we were home the moment we reached city limits. The city and people have done such a good job making sure that it was a family friendly town and it shows. So many activities all year 'round that you could wear yourself out trying to take part in it all. Our kids saw so many parades and fairs every single year. The schools (specifically Redoubt Elementary) are so great, and even if public school isn't your thing, this area is welcoming and supportive of homeschoolers. If we ever moved again, this would be the place, if God wills it!
4. The Moose Is Loose Bakery. Such wonderful baked goods that are heaven on the tongue! Not just sweet fresh donuts, cakes and cookies, but also amazing breads, and rolls. If ever you get the chance, just passing through or visiting, you HAVE TO go there and have something sweet from this spot. The ladies that work here are lovely and smiley too!
5. The Kenai River. A beautiful treasure. The entire Kenai area protects this valuable resource and works hard to keep it healthy and clean.
6. Alaska. Oh, this great wild state that has been consistently under appreciated and dismissed by uppity up city dwellers and politicians. It's vastness is under estimated and played down by so many. It is both wild and magical in it's people, history and beauty. If you haven't visited yet, put it down on your bucket list (the top ten!) and get here!!
7. The Annual PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend). I can't lie. Having that little boost of cash near the end of the year was a blessing. When times were tough, it got us through. It helped pay bills and pay down debt. It enabled us to give our kids the kind of Christmases they deserved when we didn't think we would be able to afford it. It will be missed!

There is more, but if I went into detail, this post would go on and on and I still have some packing and cleaning to do. I hope, you will subscribe so you can see all the great updates on our adventures in Montana. I'll be posting pictures as we develop the farm and get animals. Our kids are giddy with excitement and can hardly stand the wait. My parents are itchy to hold grandkids in their arms. Farewell to all our friends and family here in the great north. Farewell to the freedom and fierce fighting spirit of independence that this state holds. We travel south to Alaska's cousin, Montana. Similarly beautiful and strong, just a little more tame and settled. Ready or not.... Here we come!