Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017

2016 was a different kind of year.  While there were many things we wanted to accomplish, it seemed to move slowly, with much waiting and re-prioritizing. 
Early in the spring, we realized the woods had been attacked by the Emerald Ash bore, a nasty bug that was killing the ash trees, and we have a lot of ash trees.  The decision  was made to hire a logging company to remove several sections of trees and do some land clearing.  We hoped to gain a small income from the sale of the trees to finally build a barn.  Several companies were interveiwed and toured through the woods, and finally one was selected, and a contract signed.  Work was supposed to be completed in July.  Meanwhile, all the things i wanted to do were on hold.  July became August, and August September.  Finally, the logger called to say he would not be able to do the job.  It was September, and the contract expired at the end of October.  All the time and effort of marking boundaries, selecting trees to take and trees to keep, and the waiting, delaying progress added up to a big frustration.  After a few days of gnashing of teeth over a complete change in the direction of the farm, we regrouped and made a new plan.  Meanwhile, the summer was ending, and winter right around the corner leaving not much time to get things done. 

One of the biggest events and change of direction was saying goodbye to the sheep.  I still miss them, but I think it was the right thing for us.  They were awesome, but I have to admit, life has been a little less stressful without them.

My baby girl graduated from Marshall University with her undergraduate degree in Communication Disorders.  I am a proud Mama, and she is off the the next chapter in her life, learning to be a grown up and doing great.

We had some babies

Ember gave us two little goat kids, and Mama kitty had four kittens in John's closet. 
We raised and released some quail, raised some chicks, and even hatched a few of our own.

And, we raised a garden.

The garlic crop was moderately successful.  As with anything, there's a learning curve, and even steeper when you try to go organic.  We learned this year about the onion worm.  Nasty things they are.  A new and larger crop was planted in the fall with preventataive measures put into place.  

Luffa, on the other hand, is quite easy and was a big hit.

And, we did manage to build a few things

A new chicken coop to make room for more chickens and goats, a deck on the back of the house, and a lean to shed added onto the pole barn. 

And, a lot of soap was created.  I can't wait to show you what's coming for 2017

I guess we accomplished a few things after all. 

Happy New Year!  See you on the other side.