Tag: life

Love Your Neighbor

Katz N Smith

I have found that a good neighbor is one of the most valuable gifts you can be given in life. It has been especially appreciated when living out in a very rural area trying to manage a farm. We have great neighbors up and down the road but my neighbor across the road has truly taught me what loving your neighbor looks like. For the past seven years when he wasn’t out working as a captain of a tugboat, Rodger would cross the road at some point in the day with a dog biscuit for Farmdog. I would stop whatever farm chore I was involved with and we would chat. Conversations varied from topics of: traffic on our road , the animals, Covid, sickness, mowing, life, and dogs… We talked quite a bit about dogs.

When we first moved onto the farm I think he must have known right away I needed some help. When I began mowing our overgrown acres down with our old push mower, he would ride his over and mow circles around me. He eventually bought a newer John Deere and drove his old one across the road, into my driveway and handed me the keys. With amusement He must have also watched me push my tiny red wheelbarrow (that had no business as a farm implement) all around the property, mucking up after animals and moving this an that from here to there. One day I came home from running some errands in town and there was a brand new, very large , beautiful yellow wheelbarrow in my driveway. He didn’t ask if I needed one, he just knew I did.

Not just a generous man but thoughtful and kind. In May of 2021 my favorite goat Daisy had to be put down after our vet tried for over an hour to deliver her kids. It was a difficult morning, after Brandon and I buried her we left to get away for awhile and clear our heads. When we got home there was the sweetest array of flowers in our driveway, some that he had purchased and others he had picked from his yard. It was a kind and caring gesture that instantly brought me to tears, the good ones. Those are the moments you know you are truly rich with what really matters in life.

Three months ago when we had to put our beloved Farmdog down due to cancer, there were tears in Rodger’s eyes as well. He had taken the time to gain this dog’s trust and was deeply loved by our boy. Even as he could barely breathe Farmdog jumped to his feet to greet Rodger at the gate one more time. I’m pretty sure dogs can see past all our exteriors to the character of the heart and that scene of pure love will forever be etched on my heart. I have grown up hearing that God calls us to love our neighbor, I know that this isn’t always an easy thing to do. People don’t always make the effort but Rodger so simply demonstrated what it looks like. I am forever grateful, I share this with you, with tears running down my face, because we lost our beloved friend and neighbor this week. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to tell him how much he meant to us and that he was truly loved in return. I know he would not like being fussed over, he would rather be under the radar so to speak. Even so, I can’t ignore the opportunity to encourage us all to love our neighbors. Take the time to notice other’s needs or stop by for a kind word of encouragement. It makes a huge impact, I know it did for me.

So if you drive by our farm you may see a little yellow rose bush planted on the street side of our gate in honor of my friend, and a loving reminder of our neighbor Rodger.

Farm Math

farmily, Katz N Smith

“Farm math” is a way of saying “I just might have a few more animals than I intended” or an explanation of how you started off with a few chickens and now have , fifty plus hens. I promise if you dip your toe into the shallow end of the farmlife pool, you too may find yourself treading water in the deep end and wondering how you got there.

In 2016 I headed off to buy two baby goats and came back with a herd of six, the two babies and four adult goats. Since then we have added chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, donkeys, pigs and sheep. Oh and, I can’t forget to mention our two livestock guardian dogs and three barn cats. It has been an adventure and I have truly enjoyed raising each species , however we have chosen to downsize a bit and have rehomed the geese and are looking to do the same with the pigs. There are times when you just have to ask yourself, “Am I in a little over my head”?

Just because I can do something, doesn’t always mean that I should. Asking yourself some hard questions is a good idea from time to time. Do I still enjoy what I am doing? Is it sustainable ? Is it taking up more time and resources than I have to spend? It is a great idea to stop once in awhile and evaluate if changes should be made. In the past I have had a hard time with making those decisions. I do not enjoy feeling as if I can not accomplish something or acknowledging anything that resembles failure. I tend to keep pushing forward, I don’t like giving up. However, I am beginning to understand that admitting something might need to change or be eliminated to make room for healthy growth in a different or new direction.

So, after much thought I am subtracting a bit in some areas so I can enjoy the rewards of new additions in other areas . This week our joy was multiplied with the birth of these two adorable lambs: Mercy and Samuel. It looks as if the power of “Farm Math” can still be counted on to bring forth the moments we enjoy sharing with all of you.

Finding Rest

Katz N Smith

After my last post in April, I had every intention of  becoming a more diligent blogger. Through sharing the lessons gained from the farm, I had hoped to encourage others and lift their spirits. There are gems and nuggets of insightful wisdom and joy gained through our daily experiences and I was looking forward to sharing them with anyone who wanted to follow the journey. The plan was to be disciplined and consistent but four months later, nothing. Not one blog post. It was NOT because the stream of inspiration dried up, so why then?

Well, to be real with you all, I started feeling more and more overwhelmed by the tsunami of fear and negativity on every forum. I thankfully made the decision to excuse myself from the conversations for awhile. During this silent season I took a retreat from attempting to make sense of things that, well to me, just don’t. Choosing not to formulate and express an opinion on pretty much everything, I went quiet , I listened, I watched and I rested. Of course the physical work didn’t stop… It actually CAN’T stop.. because you know, things would die!

On the contrary, my days have been filled with new life: baby goats, ducklings, goslings, chicks, baby bunnies, garden sprouts and fresh ideas. I’ve stayed busy chasing after my granddaughter, a vibrant toddler who helps me to see things in a renewed way. Watching her experience dandelion seeds blown into the wind and picking fresh peas from the garden for the first time is a delight. It has been a peaceful rest, both wonderful and at times painfully lonely. The friends who dropped by for a chat and some fresh eggs or the phone calls from loved ones with an encouraging word have been invaluable to me during this season. But, the release from the normal social demands has been especially refreshing and an unexpected gift in the midst of the uncertainty that surrounds our world today.

With a renewed mind I have had the time to evaluate my priorities and beliefs, to examine the basis of their foundations and assess their roles in the future. This opportunity to press pause, step back and take a deep breath has brought a more focused perspective for my life, purpose and the responsibilities I have to myself and to others. I so greatly desire that what I have gained in this season will be clearly reflected in the words and the stories in the pages of this humble website. I have many things on my heart and mind to share here, and I hope I can bring a little rest and perspective to your days going forward. Most importantly, whatever I write about, I will focus on the things that are pure and lovely, to deliver a good report that is uplifting to the heart.

For now, I leave you with this thought… What gives YOU more strength a rested body or a restful mind?

DSCN4754

 

 

 

Arise and Shine

Katz N Smith

IMG_2282

Well, “Hello Everyone!” For the past few months I haven’t written a blog post, I wasn’t very active on social media and I pretty much isolated myself. I didn’t know it then but turns out I was just practicing to survive the current situation of sheltering at home and it’s annoying partner social distancing.

Last fall a couple of different circumstances in my life caused me to pull away from most social interactions. I hunkered down at home and focused on our farm and caring for my granddaughter during the week. Since she had just started to walk, I kept pretty busy just chasing a toddler around. On the weekends I had so much to do to care for all our animals, get caught up on the housework and enjoy time with my husband. I found it easy to make excuses for not attending many social gatherings.

As an extroverted introvert I like being with people but I also enjoy uninterrupted time to to recharge, read a book, write, and watch a movie among other things. I get it, alone time can be nice but make it a mandatory isolation from others and boy does that change my perspective quickly. When you add the stress of a global pandemic to the mix, feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness can flood in overwhelm. I know, It’s difficult to be disconnected from others for any reason. In the past few months there were many days I felt lonely and down right forgotten. Wether we think it or not, we ALWAYS need authentic and healthy relationships in our life. I was just coming to the realization that I needed to open myself and my home to other people and WHAM!… Covid 19 stepped uninvited into all of our lives.

So here are some choices I found helpful for maintaining  mental, physical and spiritual health in isolation.

First thing everyday, talk to God.

Some people call it prayer or meditation. I would say it’s a conversation, one that starts your day by focusing in on where your heart and mind are at. It starts there but never really ends, it is a conversation that keeps going throughout the day. (If you don’t believe in God it’s alright because He believes in you.)

Get Dressed.

Get out of those PJ’S, take a shower, do your hair etc.. Seriously, you know you have the time for it! Oh and…Put on your button up jeans at least twice a week. (Sweat pants, yoga pants or stretchy bottoms of any kind are not your best friend)

Eat Healthy.

Your body needs you to fuel it with healthy nutrition so you can make good decisions and persevere through the onslaught of negative emotions that isolation can bring. Treat yourself occasionally to the things that you enjoy but maybe once a week, not everyday. ( I struggle with this daily so I Know, I really do.)

Feed Your Mind Well.

Don’t stuff your mind with excessive TV, social media, Youtube, Netflix or any other easy entertainment. These outlets can put you on a quick road to feeling depressed, anxious, and discouraged, need I say more? Try reading a good book, paint, draw, be creative. Do the things that bring you feelings of accomplishment and don’t leave you drained. ( It’s our chance to do things we talked about doing if we had the time, now we do!)

Go Outside Everyday.

Take a walk, at least step out on the balcony or front porch. Rain, snow, sun… do it, it’s a good way to reset your mood and gain a renewed perspective. (On my walk today I found the flower pictured above, it had bloomed in spite of its thorny prison. It inspires me to do likewise……)

Reach Out to Others.

I’ve incorporated reaching out to those I love in my daily life. Making phone calls, writing letters and finding better ways to communicate, “I’m here”, “I care about you”, “I need You”. ( Choose to do and say what you want and need from others)

In all seriousness, being isolated is no joke, but together, we can to get past our current situation. When that day comes we can “Arise and Shine” stronger, wiser, and more connected than before.

 

 

Summertime Blues and Greens

The Smith Farmhouse Experiment

DSCN3538

Well, hello again. I know, I know, it has been awhile. I have repeatedly reminded myself that I am supposed to be writing on a regular basis and staying on top of this blogging thing. The problem is this: I have a farm and it gets a little crazy around here. At present there are 35 ducks, 33 chickens, 12 goats, 3 geese, 3 rabbits, 2 cats and 1 dog who reside on our farm with us. These characters require a great deal of our time and attention. It’s a full time job year round, however summer is downright exhausting.

In the Pacific Northwest we have to make up for the short hours of daylight through the winter.  We look forward to summer when the days are drier and the sunlight lasts much longer to get a large portion of farm work done. At the season’s peak the sun doesn’t set until almost 10pm and we make the most of our time planting, building, repairing and protecting it all from bugs, predators and the sometimes bi-polar weather conditions.

This year July was drizzly and cool with the occasional day or two of blaring heat scattered here and there. This inconsistency made gardening a little challenging to say the least. Each summer day offered a new opportunity of problems to solve, we were constantly battling slugs, aphids and birds to protect our herbs and veggies. While the pumpkin patch was hit hard and the cauliflower was a complete loss we still managed to end up with a thriving garden.

There was a point in the middle of this hectic season that I found myself getting discouraged and a little bummed out. The summertime blues as you will. The drizzly and  cool days spoiled more than a few plans and put a damper on my mood. Then one day I pulled into our driveway after a trip to town and discovered a peacock in my front yard and my outlook began to change. This ostentatious bird was strutting around as if he owned the place. He spent a couple months flirting with the goats and chickens while displaying his glorious tail feathers as if he was doing us all a great favor. He honked and made loud, distressing calls that drove Farmdog crazy.  I am also pretty sure he snipped off most of my sunflower shoots and bean sprouts but despite it all, I liked having him around. He seemed to be a living piece of art and we enjoyed his presence on our farm.

I don’t know where the peacock came from, it was a mystery we never solved. He graced our summer with his beauty and gave us a bouquet of his tail feathers to keep. He left just as abruptly as he arrived. It would be easy for me to be downhearted about his departure, the same way it was almost impossible to fight the discouragement from the lack of sunny days, my garden disappointments and the exhausting work load. “Almost impossible” and yet somewhere in the middle of it all I made a decision to fully embrace and enjoy each day for what it was. I challenged myself to notice and be grateful for all the good things around me.

It isn’t a simple feat to look past bug infested Brussels Sprouts to appreciate the thriving  cucumbers and the abundant flower garden or embrace a difficult lesson from a hard loss as a valuable gift but it is a worthy endeavor. Applying a sunny outlook to the blueish hues of disappointment enables the ability to see the green of new life and growth happening within and all around us. This summer hasn’t been what I expected it to be, but I’m glad. I have gained so much more by choosing to see the difficulties and problems as an opportunity to grow stronger, deeper and more grateful each day.

The adventure isn’t reaching the end destination but in the journey to get there.

 

 

 

Project Runway

The Smith Farmhouse Projects

There has been a lot happening on the farm the last couple of months even though I was remiss to share the progress we have been making on this blog. I apologize for seemingly falling off the planet, but I assure you all is well and thriving here at the busy Smith Farmhouse.

It was sometime in March that we attended a one day extension course from WSU on growing your small hobby farm to a small business. There were great ideas presented on using the resources on your land, including making maple syrup from our broadleaf Maple trees that we have growing here in the PNW. We were actually successful at our first attempt at making syrup but I will have to share that story with you in a later post. The most important point I took home that day was the location of our well head in relation to our animal pens.

100 feet is the distance that your livestock should be kept from your well, mine were well, much closer. Can I just be honest and say that they were pretty much on top of it? We actually built our initial pens connected to our well house. This is what happens when you get keys to your new house the same weekend you get a small herd of goats and convenience completely clouds out your common sense. Sitting there in a small classroom setting all I could think of was how we were going to get everyone moved as quickly as possible. This was an especially difficult task with baby animals being born, hatched and brought home at a rate even I was getting overwhelmed by.

We hatched a plan, which I have dubbed “Project Runway“. We may not have used scissors and thread but there was an abundance of material needed to “Make it Work“. We gathered all of our pallets, not the color palettes mind you but wood pallets that every good farmyard has hidden somewhere and started constructing ducks houses and chicken coops.DSCN2455

DSCN2457

We decided to build at the base of the hill next to our goat pasture so we could create a  “runway” strip of free range pasture for our flocks, hence the title of our project. Along with the whole actual farming thing you have to manage the social media aspect and find creative ways to attract attention, so there it is…. my attempt at it anyways. So, we decided on erecting three 12′ x 36′ pens with an access gate between the 2nd and 3rd pen. In each pen we included  a 6′ x 3′ house and an an additional 3’x 4′ house in the middle pen.

DSCN3330

DSCN2891

For fencing, the decision was made to use 2″ x 4″ welded wire instead of poultry wire. The cost was almost the same and it gives us more flexibility to use the pens for other livestock in the future and a greater strength for protection. It was not an easy task to roll out wire on a slope, thats all I am going to say about that because there were enough words shared during the process. We did our best to keep the lines straight and level but all in all it has character, that is the nicest way I can say we did our best and we are happy with the outcome. I would apologize to all the perfectionists and professionals but hey, they don’t have to live in it so I won’t. I am more than happy with how it turned out and it gets the job done so if you are one of those who get a little dizzy with lines that aren’t level just squint or look away and you will be just fine.IMG_2025The project was a success because we stayed in budget and nobody got hurt, and most importantly the ducks and the chickens seem to really enjoy their new enclosures. They now have trees and bushes to hide under for protection from predatory birds and relief from the summer heat. One of the bonuses of the completion of this project is that Farmdog now has access all the way to the goat barn and can enlarge his area of patrol. He especially enjoys chasing away the birds who try to steal feed and the occasional egg laying on the ground.

DSCN3438

We may have intended to attempt this project at a later date but I am glad we were forced to do it this spring. It is going to make such a huge difference to our farm and help move us closer to becoming the self-sufficient farm business we want to be. This will mean many more projects ahead, maybe not quite as big as this one but who knows… they might even be bigger! We may face difficulties from the mistakes we make along the way, but if we learn from them and move forward, we are stronger and wiser for the experience. So, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because not even trying is the biggest failure of all.

(At some later point I will write about another big project we completed… Chicken Tractors! You can get a little glimpse of them behind our very happy ducks enjoying their new home.)

IMG_1992

 

The Best of 2018

The Smith Farmhouse Experiment

This past year on the farm was filled with so many highs. Of course there were a few lows as well but I don’t really think you can fully appreciate all the best things in life without the contrast of those low points. I suppose it’s the storm before the rainbow that allows us to fully appreciate it’s wonder.  2018 was truly wonderful and full of wonder!IMG_1231

We started the year deep in mud as is usual for us in the Pacific Northwest, it may not always be fun dealing with the muck but it does provide some great photos.

February gave us a little break with some snow!

I am pretty sure Farmdog napped most of the month of March!

but we did enjoy a few sunny days…. its not all rain and snow here.

April was all about the ducklings… and watching them grow!

and Farmdog was still finding lots of time for those naps.

In May we planted a garden, collected eggs, raised meat chickens and milked goats.

We actually milk goats year round …. but the days are getting longer now, so I have more day time and that allows me more time to take pictures.

In June we hatched a tiny Call Duck and some Serama Chicks

and our garden was doing great, we even added a pumpkin patch.

but most exciting for me was finishing my first book!img_1216

In July Buttercup delivered triplets…

We started having our farm to table dinners…

and Farmdog was still getting those naps in.

and Orange Cat has this napping habit as well…

In August Gilly delivered twin doelings

It was our most difficult birth we have had on the farm. Our first doeling was breach but was a strong girl. Her sister had a cleft palette and was unable to survive. It was a hard experience but we learned a lot. We decided to keep Gilly’s surviving doeling “Millie” in our herd..img_4411

We also added two new barn kittens “Jake and Abby” to the farm.

In September the pumpkins were really growing

and so were the kittens and their relationship with Farmdog

and I had my very first book signing.booksigning

In October we welcomed our very first grandchild “Harper Mae”

I turned the big 5-0…and it’s ok… really Fifty is just a number.

We harvested A LOT… and made CHEESE and gathered so many eggs I still don’t know what to do with them all!

November was filled with family visiting from out of state. Meanwhile the kittens and Millie were getting bigger, and our little Harper Mae as well.

With the cooler weather comes the bread baking… which causes the waistline to grow bigger as well. But, I have to say it’s definitely worth it.

November was a time to slow down a bit , enjoy family and be Thankful. For the first time I think in forever I decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving… and then it was DECEMBER:

It’s been a great year and we are incredibly grateful and looking forward to the amazing opportunities we will encounter in 2019. I’m pretty sure Farmdog will still be taking those naps… img_1546

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Dream Big

Katz N Smith

HarlequinSwanIf you have read some of my posts or followed me on Instagram you will already know that I have quite a few ducks on our farm. I believe the count is currently at twenty-two.  With this sizable flock, my summer was largely spent keeping plastic baby pools filled, dumped and filled again with clean water. If you don’t know, ducks are messy, really messy. Our resident chef, aka my loving husband calls them “cement makers”. They make mud, lots of mud and then stamp it down with their little webbed feet. Despite this fact, I love them…. I love the sounds they make, I love seeing the bonds they make with other ducks, but I mostly love watching them play in the water.

It only took a couple summer months of constant water refills before I knew we needed something big, something much larger than what we working with. So, we hopped in our small pick-up and headed to the feed store. (On a side note, for those of my friends who live in the city and don’t know where to get themselves a pitchfork or a cool pair of overalls, the feed store is the farmer’s Target or Walmart .) Shortly thereafter, we found ourselves with a three hundred gallon stock tank strapped in the back of our truck. The volume of the stock tank is greater than that of our truck bed so, I will let you imagine what we looked like driving home.

Our stock tank is awesome, it allows for more than one or two ducks to swim at the same time, which is a great plus if you enjoy watching ducks as much as I do. If for some strange reason we decide not to have ducks, (but why would we?) we can make ourselves one of those cool cowboy hot tubs you see all over Pinterest. That of course, would be after a major cleaning, because as I have stated before, ducks are messy! I was reminded of this fact the other day while I was performing my monthly draining of the duck tank. The faucet valve didn’t work and I had to use the shop vac to suck out the murky green water. After too many fill and dumps to count, I reached the bottom, a thick layer of muck and bloated eggs. What most people don’t know is that ducks, especially young ducks will often lay their eggs while walking about or even swimming. Filling and dumping the shop vac is unpleasant enough, but I seriously began to reconsider my decision to have ducks while sucking up their stinky sludge.

It is easy to forget in the difficult times why we do the work, why we push through the muck and mire, wear the bumps, bruises and blisters, just to go to bed at night exhausted, wake up in the morning and do it all over again. When I fill the tank with fresh clean, although somewhat sulphur smelling well water and the ducks begin to dive in and splash around with excitement, I remember why. It is in these moments I am filled with joy and inspiration. I watch my flock raising their wings as if they are majestic swans and recognize the wondrous beauty of this simple moment. With one captured second of complete bliss, I can creatively share my dream with others. When I do this, it grows and becomes even more than I could have ever imagined.

Dream big my friends, work hard and push through the difficulties to achieve it but, when you do, don’t forget to enjoy it. For in doing so, you will surely inspire others to do the same.

Balancing Act

Katz N Smith

balancedKatz

I’ve always tried to do my very best at what I set out to do, the problem is, I often struggle finding the correct balance. My tendency is to go a 100 mph, deplete myself and then come to a complete screeching halt. I am able to get quite a bit done in a short period of time but then lose momentum trying to recover from exhaustion. It’s all about balance, I need to live with a 100% all in attitude without trying to give everything and everyone 100% of me a 100% of the time. Learning to choose who and what to invest our time and effort in is an important part of life. It all comes down to balancing priorities if I truly want to be at my best, doing my best work and living a joyful and fruitful life.

This past summer I worked really hard to complete my first children’s book, my last post We Wrote a Book has more about that. While completing the book, there were still farm chores to do: feeding, cleaning, birthing, milking, etc. I also spent quite a bit of energy finding new ways to develop our farm and trying to discover how to be self -sufficient in the future: farm to table dinners, growing a pumpkin patch, and creating new products to sell. In addition to these responsibilities, I have a part-time graphic design job and a multitude of family and friend relationships to care for as well. It is physically and mentally exhausting, honestly there are times I am completely overwhelmed. Sometimes, I feel like one of those circus performers who spins plates on sticks with a tremendous pressure to keep them all from crashing to the floor.

Staying focused is especially challenging when I allow myself to compare my life, priorities or achievements with someone else’s. Social media can inspire but it can also derail us by offering an edited snippet of another’s life or accomplishment. We don’t see the whole picture, all the hard work, struggles, frustrations or loss behind a pretty photo or a well-worded comment, just say’n. I know that I am not alone in this struggle, I hear and see so many others burdened by an abundance of “things to do”. Constant busyness seems to be a rampant social disease that is robbing so many from living a fulfilling life.

For me, farm life helps to bring my important priorities back into focus. It requires me to slow down and be more thoughtful, which allows me time to appreciate what is truly important. Knowing what is of real value and eliminating the extraneous labor that sneaks into my daily life is the key. I do realize that as I continue to seek the right working balance I will be cleaning up some broken plates that fall to the ground. Going forward I think I am ok with that. Who knows, I might even piece together the broken shards to create a mosaic of sorts.

 

 

 

We Wrote A Book

Smith Farmhouse Characters

IMG_1220Our book is now available to purchase on Amazon! Farm Dog is trying to take all the credit but it has been a true group effort from all the sweet and silly farm animals that live here on the farm. There was even a little help from me, the Artsy Farmsy Girl and of course the Chef who keeps us all fed!

We are so happy to share a little bit of the fullness we experience from living on our farm, with you and the special children in your life. We hope you will enjoy getting to know and love all The Smith Farmhouse Characters . We will be keeping you posted on what they are all up to and also the new characters that have joined us.

If you click on on the Farmhouse Characters tab at the top menu of his webpage you will find more information and pictures about all of us that live here. We will also be adding new stories in the days to come. We look forward to hearing from you, we love answering questions about what we do and why. We also love to encourage others to know where there food comes from, to find a local farm to visit and to support those that work hard growing and raising quality food for our tables.

We appreciate all your encouragement, your comments and book purchases. It allows us to keep plowing forward, doing what we love: gathering the fullness from our farm and sharing it with others!

If you are interested in purchasing The Smith Farmhouse Characters you can click here