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!
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!
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..
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.
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… 
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
The last four weeks of my life has centered around ducks. I really didn’t mean to go from 7 ducks to 28 in less than a month but “hey, things happen right?”. We were on nest watch 2018, (as our Call Ducks hens were sitting on their eggs) when the brilliant idea to take home 6 ducklings from our local Tractor Supply popped into my head. We were actually at the store to purchase an incubator for some of our fertile Pekin eggs but 28 days was just too long for me to wait for ducklings to hatch. To be honest we weren’t even sure if the Call Ducks would be successful. So, little peeping box in hand I arrived home with my first batch of ducklings and set them up in our bathtub.
Buttercup has to hurry up wherever she goes; 
The Smith Farmhouse 