slowly bringing them home

Yesterday my friend Steve came over early in the morning to help transport the rabbits and the bee hives. Having a second pair of hands (and a second truck) allowed us to do it all in one trip. When all was set up with the rabbitry in the barn, we decided to tackle the coop. After cleaning out the garbage and analyzing the structure we figured out how to best predator-proof it. I spent the afternoon setting the coop up in the rain and when the sky broke and the sun came out: I went to buy and load hay.
It's been a hell of weekend. Since closing Friday afternoon I've been scrambling to get Cold Antler from Sandgate to Jackson. So far the movers have managed to transfer most of my stuff and haul off two F150's full of trash. I started some unpacking, but the house seems to be the least important thing. Right now I just want the old cabin empty, clean, and ready to hand back to the landlord and all my sheep and fences back in New York. I am hoping to move the shed there, but not sure it's possible. I can't pick it up and lack a trailer. I'm not sure what to do exactly, about that...
I did move all the poultry last night. I wrangled, loaded, and drove all the chickens, roosters, and geese (by the way, geese do not like riding shotgun...) and they are now safe inside their new digs. The rabbits are in the barn, cozy and out of harms way. Slowly, the place is turning into home again. I feel so lucky. It was great to wake up to roosters this morning.
I also placed a spring poultry order for a few ducks (magpies for training Gibson to herd), turkeys, and more meat birds. I got my package of seeds and potatoes from Seed Savers Exchnage in as well. It's a little overwhelming, but it will all get done. It has to.
It's going to be one hell of an October folks.
49 Comments:
Sounds productive, Jenna! Good for you! I know the first time you sit back on your new porch with a hard cider and survey your family penned, corraled and happily grazing will be a stunning moment for you. Congrats!
So fabulous Jenna. And - yes, that dump must be gone through carefully. My aunt had a creek on her property, which, of course, was the site an old dump for the family that had lived there (or families.) Lawsy mercy! The coolest old bottles that colored up in the sun. All good. And lots of other good stuff. Take your time and have FUN!
As to the shed which you want to move but can't figure out how ====>
ever thought about taking it apart and THEN moving it? This might actually be possible.
Yes, Ray. Working on that idea as we speak....
Sounds like nothing can stop you now! Looking forward to pics of the new place, filled with life.
Sounds like heaven!
Yeah! Can't wait to start seeing some more pics of the new farm! We're looking for our own now too (to be a new homestead and alpaca farm). Exciting times! Will Finn be coming home soon?
I would LOVE to have seen a pic of a goose riding shotgun! I would have paid good money for that in fact! Please remember along the way to eat good food and get some occasional rest. Welcome home, Jenna!
http://www.patacakebabies.com/wordpress
Hey Jenna - thanks for letting US ride shotgun on the way to the farm!
This is so totally cool. Might just have to compose a tune for you -
Excellent progress - so excited for you! I'm moving onto my farm property this weekend, I have (finally!) power and water and a nice camper trailer. Dogs are coming with me, my horses aren't far behind, and future critters will arrive as life permits :)
Regarding the shed - a tow truck (a wrecker with a tilting flat bed and a winch) can likely pull it right up onto the bed and slide it off again.
Not sure how big the shed is that you want to move, but you can buy a trailer hitch for your truck for not much money ($20 or so) and rent a flatbed trailer for the day (also not much). If it will fit on one, that is. I'd recommend putting a hitch on that truck even if you don't own a trailer - it's very inexpensive and gives you the option to rent or borrow trailers from time to time.
I'm so happy for you. I just wish you weren't so stingy with the photos though your words paint a pretty picture :)
Hard work will be rewarded. I am so jealous, but I'll have my place soon.
Sound like you are getting things settled in and making it a great place.
Just a bit of advice make certain your tetanus shot is current if you are going to digging into a lot of rusty metal in case you get cut or something.
Have fun making the place your own.
Pam
My dad would say any farm is not complete without a scrap pile. It took him a bit to convince my step mom that it was just a bunch of garbage but she came around when their neighbors started giving them useful stuff out of their own scrap piles.
As for the sheep shed, I don't suppose you can take it back apart? You might be able to move it in sections if you could.
Whoops, guess Ray beat me to that suggestion. :)
So exciting Jenna! I'm so happy for you! This will be the best work you ever do, remember to take lots of pictures. You think you'll always remember how it looked when you first got "home" but you'll change so much, so quickly it's important to document.
Oh, and DarcC has the right idea on moving that shed...if the tow truck driver won't do it, call your local tractor dealer. They have flat bed trucks with hydraulics, and are generally speaking, good problem solving types. (thats how my shed is getting home) Plus, if you tell them you just bought a farm in the area, they'll want you you to like them...
Oh, and remember to breathe, and rest :) You're truly an inspiration girl!
Wow...you waste no time!!!! I'm amazed at how much you can accomplish in a weekend. Do you ever sleep?! Wish I was still in N.Y. I'd be happy to help you get it done!
I love your view from the glass doors, very nice! Do you have neighbors close or do you have all of that beauty to yourself? Please post more pics when you get a chance.
Blessings,
Debi
I absolutly LOVE the new place. It's beautiful and charming, what a blessing for you! Enjoy! I'll be salivating over it's primitive charm.
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WOO HOO I can't wait for this harvest season!
2010 = EPIC year!
I've been bugging my hubby about letting me get ducks but no luck yet. I'm jealous of your new babies! Congratulations on the farm. It makes me want to get more done on our place so we can sell and buy our farm.
Watch out for snakes while treasure-trolling.
hey, i was IN jackson yesterday! we were watching the big deal bike race that went through cambridge etc. it's so different out there but very, very beautiful.
Jenna, YOU HAVE A FARM!
This is so exciting
It is a beautiful thing to see someone's dream come true. Welcome home and enjoy, you have worked hard for it.
It totally makes my heart sing to read about all the changes. Woo-Hoo! Where there's a will, there's a way!
一勤天下無難事。......................................................
I'm celebrating just for you! If you can do it, then I know I can! Have fun fixing up and getting everything squared away.
Jenna,
I am so excited for you (and even a little jealous). I love the chicken coop, and the fact that it is not new, looks like it belongs. Your animals should love their new space too.
I hope you have some time off work coming up to accomplish spring work, as well as, enjoy your new home.
-Brenda
you have first editions of edward gorey??? i mean...not that i'm INCREDIBLY jealous or anything.
Hey Jenna! Do you know anyone who runs a car repair shop? I moved a shed via a tow truck with a flat bed and winch. He was able to drag the shed onto the flat bed, moved it to my place, and then slid it off the tow truck right into position. It cost me $100, which wasn't bad for a nice shed that just needed to move from point A to point B. Congratulations on the big move!
Some day you'll have to find out where the old outhouse was and dig for bottles. Back in the day some folks use to go in there to drink their hooch or stomach tonic and then throw the empty bottles down the hole! Some of those old bottles in good shape now are worth hundreds of dollars!
Man what I wouldn't give to go rummaging around that place. I LOVE the stuff you find in and under things at old places. I'm one of natures rummagers that's for sure.
Sound like CAF is getting up and running.
how do u do?................................................................
I hope you can post before and after pics while you do all the hard work!!
If the shed is structurally sound, it shouldn't be a big deal to have a contractor move it. Moving it would probably be cheaper than buying a new one and the property owners probably wouldn't want it anyway.
We all want to see photos of the farm and a description of the location as in how far off the road etc.
Jenna,
What do Jazz and Annie think of their new house?
Awesome. Junk piles are some of the best places in the world. You're already putting down new roots, even if a single seed isn't even in the ground yet.
And I laughed out loud at the thought of seeing you driving down the road with a couple of geese peeking out the passenger side window.
I can just picture those geese riding shotgun! That would make a funny cartoon. I have major problems with geese, or, they have problems with me. I think they are beautiful but i've been too close to nests or something because I always get the hissing and flapping father goose in my face. I don't think i'd do well with a goose in my front seat. :)
Having the geese ride shotgun is better than letting them drive...
OMG- you have first editions of Edward Gorey? I LOVE Edward Gorey's stuff. When I was a kid I used to bring home the library's copy of Amphigorey periodically and entertain myself with that. My favorite were his limericks- really awful, but really funny.
I'll be glad too, when you have all your stuff moved and you're more settled into the new location. It always takes me awhile to feel settled in a new place- I've been in this one for over a year and a half, but because I still have outstanding indoor projects, I don't think I'll feel settled until they're done and I can finish unpacking. The last place I lived in, I didn't feel settled until a year after I'd been there and could finally clear out the garage and get my tools up on the wall and my work bench set up.
Yeah Jenna! You go girl!
I just showed my husband your pictures and I believe it gave him a case of the barnheart.
Congrats on the closing/move!
About the shed: have you measured it? What are its dimensions? How is it (or is it) hooked to the ground? If it'll fit on a car trailer, they're available from UHaul... I've rented them before for non-car purposes...
Hit me up on my blog or reply back to this--I might have some suggestions/tips.
JENNA,
I think about everthing I wanted to say has been covered so I
will just say CONGRATS, & looking
forward to continuing to read an
interesting read from CAF 11!!!
It has enough DRAMA for everybody to go around, & then some!!!
Jenna,
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful farm. And your chickens and such already look happy. Cheers to you.
Sherri.
YAAA - Trappers Cabin! Congrats - can't wait to see ya mold it into a Cold Anlter Farm
I'm writing to you about the image of your "trapper's cabin," to ask if it might be possible to acquire the image for a book cover. Thank you in advance, Cooper Gallegos
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