Livin' The Dream

True to my word, as stated in my last post, I said it'd be a while before y'all heard from me again.  And I did not lie.  But here I am today, finally posting again.... Truthfully, I don't know how often I'll be checking in, but for our families who have been anxiously awaiting an update.... here it is!

I haven't even uploaded pictures to my computer, that's how far behind I've been, but if any of y'all are on instagram, I can be founds as thegoerzengirls, which will give you more pictures of our new life on the farm.

This summer has truly felt like we've been livin' the dream - although I'm not gonna life, a few times, it's felt like a bad dream....

The reno's are 90% done.... but isn't it always that last 10% that almost kill us?  Our kitchen is in, boxes are mostly unpacked, and we've been working at making this home feel like, well, home!  And it's coming.  I don't have any pictures on the walls yet, but that's a coming.... hopefully soon.  I'll try and get my photo's uploaded, so I can have some good "before and after" pictures.  'cuz let me tell you, friends, the differences are astounding!

While we have been slaving on the house, we also made some progress on the land.  We had someone come and hay our pastures this summer, which was great, because now we have hay for the winter for the 6 horses which we have acquired over the last few months.  "6?!" you may be saying... yes, 6.  But to be fair, one of them is a miniature.... so it's really only 5 1/2.  And there are 6 of us, so we can all ride together.  Which has been so, so great.  The girls are loving having some good ranch horses to ride out in the pasture, and they are hoping to work on their "cow chasing" skills this year too. 

We also have replenished our laying hens, so we are anxiously awaiting these girls to start their egg production.  We went with a couple of different varieties of chickens this time, and are looking forward to having white, brown and green eggs...

Lastly, we are also working on (another) big project....acquiring some livestock.  We've been renting out our pasture to a local farmer who has put a good number of cows on it for the fall, and this year, the Girls are starting with a new 4H club, and are super excited about doing a beef project.  So we are in the process of finding some steers to buy for them to feed through the winter, and then sell in the spring.  We're hoping, come spring, to also buy a few bred cows to start our own herd, but for now, this is a great start. 

It's been nice, now that fall is here, to get into some sort of routine.  We are well into the throngs of school, which has been great, and finding our way into as to how to best structure our lives around our commitments.  With the Girls being in two 4H clubs (long story...for another time....), as well as church and school commitments, it makes for a bit of driving, but it's all good.  We try to plan one (very) full day in town, and then usually have to jot in on another evening or two, but it's working.  We've had an Indian summer around these parts (after 2 days of snow in early September, which scared the pants off all of us!), and it's been glorious to see our farm in the throes of autumn.  Such a beautiful season, which different trees changing color at different times. 

I don't think there have been many days that have gone by, since we've moved, that I am not  extremely thankful for this new farm.  Even when we were working every night until midnight, Art and I would look at each other and say, "Living the Dream!".... It has been many years in the making, and we are excited for this new chapter in our lives. 

And now, I must go.... it's 15 C outside today, and the Girls are I are heading out to get a ride in.  We have to take advantage of this beautiful weather, because knowing Alberta, it could snow tomorrow! (actually, the weatherman is calling for a gorgeous weekend....but you get my point!)

I will leave you with a few of my Instagram photos, copied on here, so you get to see a tiny piece of my world...

 

Out of the (many) outbuildings on our farm, this one may be my favorite.  Note the birdhouse above the very cool old door.... Not sure I'd want birds flying above my head like this, but whatevs...

 

On of our pastures close to the house.  There are currently about 30 cows in this pasture, and from our bedroom window, we look out to this beautiful sight.  I wonder if it'll ever get old?!

 

The Girls.  With a few of the horses.  Since this picture, we've acquired 2 more horses....

 

My kitchen.  This is most definitely the "after" picture.  I promise you, the "before" picture will make you want to cringe....

 

That's all for now, folks.  Hopefully I'll be back soon!