The Atlanta Farm Store

This week I was able to venture out with some fellow lady farmer friends to Atlanta (with my baby in tow, of course.)

What is there to see in Atlanta? Well, lots of things, but we specifically wanted to visit Trader Joe's, the Dekalb Farmers Market and IKEA. 

We started the morning with a good breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then made our way south about an hour.

Trader Joe's is a store I really wish we had up here, of course I bought nothing but sweet foods so maybe I should rethink that desire. 

By far my favorite item there is the large container of ginger snap cookies. A friend this summer introduced me to the delicious cookies and I have craved them since! I bought 2.

The Dekalb Market was a new experience for all three of us ladies. It was very large and very crowded. It is a hot spot for any ingredient needed for any international dish. It was a treat to shop there, and I came home with some blue cheese, goat cheese and dark chocolate covered cashews. These are the main 3 food groups, by the way. 

Of course there is no store that can quite compare to IKEA. 

What happens when you send farm girls into IKEA? Well, we find uses for several items.

For example, this kitchen model would be great for processing chickens outside. Granted a lady or two looked at us like we were crazy while we discussed how useful this would be, but it would be nice.

If you are looking for a simple set up to process birds for your own freezer, check out IKEA. I think this set was $112.

The absolute best purchase of the day, however, was the milking stool. Who knew IKEA sold milking stools?

It was such a fabulous buy that we both, Laura and I, bought one. It came in several colors, but we both loved the pink.

It really spruces up the barn, right?

So if you are in the market for some farming essentials, don't forget to check out the nearest IKEA.

We had so much fun, and Ace was a fantastic passenger, that we are already planning another trip in a couple months.

Speaking of Ace, the boy is 4 months old today. He weighs in at 17.2 ! 

It's a nice day here and will be spring like all week. I am hoping we can get some outside chores done!

Happy Sunday Ya'll!

8 Weeks of.....nothing

My absence was not planned, but it was rather a necessity.

My year started out as normal, a million projects and plans brewing, but then that all changed when a pregnancy test showed that baby number 8 was on the way and morning sickness hit me hard.

Life came to a near screeching halt. I was sick with all of my pregnancies, but this one has been the most intense by far. Now that I am finally getting out of the first trimester, it has eased up a bit and is mostly intense  just throughout the afternoons and evenings.

If you have seen me or spoken with me anytime over the last 8 weeks, I apologize. I was not myself. I was either 1. Very nauseated or 2. Just up from a nap and very nauseated or 3. Very nauseated and drugged up on phenergan. Either way, we were keeping this pregnancy secret until I passed a certain week and trying to act normal has been difficult.

I am blessed to have teens who can drive, grocery shop and cook. I am also blessed to have teens who can do all of my farm chores. I have an immense aversion to milk at the moment. Can you imagine? The sight and smell of milk totally turns my stomach. This makes milking cows rather difficult and the irony almost laughable.

Although most of our friends are very happy for us and our new addition, I have heard some skepticism from a few. At this stage in my life I think it is quite humorous. You don't get to where we are in life, lots of kids and a farm and homeschool, without the ability to ignore sceptics.  That is a take away lesson for those of you struggling to farm or have more kids or homeschool. You will never get EVERYONE on board with your plans. Do it anyway.
We have never regretted any of our children and this one is no different.

Anyway, lots and lots has happened here during my brief respite...too  much for one post. I will spend this week catching everyone up on all of the farm and family news. Although I was down and in bed most of the last 8 weeks, that doesn't mean the farm activities stopped.

Thanks for hanging around!!!!!!

A Snap Shot

I think this picture speaks for itself. Hope the weekend is treating ya'll well.

Joy and Sorrow

It has been a long 2 1/2 weeks since I was here last. Many things have changed for better and worse. That is just the thing...
Better and worse. Joy and sorrow.
I have learned that both these emotions go hand in hand. They are always tangled up together. To have one, you must also have the other.

The joy was plentiful when it came to being with my dad. He was awesome and always took time to help out. He was a bee keeper along side me and we loved talking about the bees. He was a great grandfather to 18 grand kids and 3 great-grand kids! He always made everyone feel special. This is only a glimpse into the joy he brought.
Sadly, he passed away 2 weeks ago, almost 9 months to the date of his cancer diagnosis. Sorrow.
Sorrow is felt by those who felt his joy. They are tangled up together and all I can do is try and hang on to the joy where I can. It is difficult to let the sorrow go and keep only the joy, but that is exactly what I must do.

Now, in the midst of dealing with the sorrow more joy happened upon this family when I gave birth to this little man, Fletcher.
He was born 5 days after my father's death and 1 week ago yesterday.
He was a healthy 9lbs 8oz and 23 inches long. The birth was at home with family, friends, and a loving midwife. JOY!
Joy that I will hang on to for the rest of my life.
It seems that there is plenty of joy around if you can find the strength to try and look past the sorrow. Oh, I know that deep down the sorrow will always be there, lurking.
Joy and sorrow are always intertwined and to have one, we must also have the other.
For now I will take it one day at a time, for the sorrow is great- which in my mind explains that the joy was great as well.
It has been a long 2 1/2 weeks, and a blurry 2 1/2 weeks as well. I am back.
Here's hoping that you too can untangle the two and hang on to the joy as much as possible.
Blessings,
Sam