Good Sunday morning from the mountain.. Yes we are all still kicking here.. I know it has been along time since I have posted here. Computer issues,, life issues and farming in general has kept me busy.

We are already in to the first mos of fall. our leaves have changed and many have fallen to the ground. hay season went well. We will find ourselves still buying hay again this year
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Many changes have taken place this year. We sold all the cows and bulls this year and bought  a herd of goats, all does. Many dairy breeds. The pygmies will help with the babies for the petting farm next year.

I have been working on another farm stand this past summer and acquired some awesome information on milking and making cheeses and yogurt from goats milk. Amazed at the number of people wanting goat cheese. never knew there was a calling for it. The goats also will be easier keepers than the cows. I was devastated in march when I lost my milking cow and her calves she was carrying. That was a hard blow to the farm,, loss of meat , milk and babies.

So turning my attention to chickens, eggs, and goats and their products. should be a big learning experience.

Rob has been out of work now for over a month due to a medical issue and by the looks from talking to the doctors last week, he wont be allowed back to work until the new year and thats a maybe. This was a surprise and not one we counted on. But I have faith my God is bigger than any problem that will fall our way. We are learning just what can be done when we set our minds to it. It has been nice having him home to get things done we wouldnt have time for normally. But I know he wants to get back to work as I want  him to also.. Happy husband means the rest are happy.

Once everyone is up and about we need to talk about going to the top pasture and hauling down the trees that have been cut now for awhile.  By him not working the wood situation is getting slim. But there is plenty cut down as we were clearing the pasture now for a few years. It will burn nicely in the kitchen cook stove. If the baby isnt in the basement this winter we wont need to burn the furnace all the time and that will save on alot of wood. Have told Samantha she does need to find a place for her and Lilianna before winter, It will be better for the baby to have a bigger place to run around and safer. Now she is up walking around,, terribly afraid of her getting hurt, falling down the stairs and such.

I suppose I should start making breakfast ,, the smell of food cooking might get Rob and Nick up and get things moving for the day. I know Rob is tired,, he doesnt sleep well but hopefully with a cpap machine soon that will all change.

I am praying you all have a wonderfully Blessed day

May 11,2012--- such a chilly day

Its amazing to me how  one month can be so chilly but the months of winter we had were actually warm. In March this yr we had beautiful 70-90 degrees some day and today is down right chilly at 43. It has rained here it seems most of this month already. Its going to take a good solid week of warm sun shine to dry everything out so I can continue planting. I have several gardens to start but dont dare to get into them until it starts to stay warm. Been working on getting the farm stand going ad repaired and going for this year. But rain has stopped us from being open a few days.. Since our stand is your basic no frills stand. Someday would like a  more solid building,, but that will also add to the property taxes, which are already high enough. With all the rain all the green leaves have budded out and started to unfold. All trees and plants are starting to look alive, which is a nice sight.

Two days ago we were blessed with a new liter of bunnies. All the baby chicks are growing awesome. The first batch are almost 2 mos old. Looking awesome. Next 4 are a week old they are sweet. New batch is  in the incubator going to be hatching in about  2 week.  We go pick up the new big incubator next weekend,, right now 40 more baby chicks have hatched.
Still waiting for  Lucy the cow and all the goats to kid,, I really dont think Mack did his job with the goats. I might have to borrow a little buck and have them bred.

Today the wind is blowing and the sun is out but it is not warm.  Cant  wait for everything to dry out.

Have a pile of manure  to move this weekend.. Always fun fun fun stuff  on the farm.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend.

                                       www.ledgehillfarm-alexandria-nh.com

April 24,2012

Maybe,, just maybe we can get one posted this month. I am not very smart on this computer,,and i thinkit knows it. Been having a dicken of a time getting logged and be able to post. Lots has happen since February some good some not so good.
No new babies as of yet, well not born here anyways, we do have baby  chicks. My big ole milk cow died on me on March 22,2012.... One of the hardest weeks ever. Dot would of been 7 in June and  she was due to calves shortly. My heart broke so deep. She was my very first calf born on my farm and the last animal thats was here from my old farm. Sometimes I can be so attached to my animals more than  real people. They are always here to listen and not that they talk back so we understand them per say,, but  they listen ,, they dont judge. and are always happy to see you each day. Broke my heart to bury her, considering I lost her from meat and the calf she was carrying. Thats a big lose to a small family farm.
I do have to thank a very special man for coming to my rescue and helping me bury her,, he is a sweet man. Thank you forever, Robbie. You stepped in when no one else would. I will also remember that.

The weather here has been strange, we barley had any snow all winter, and hardly no rain. Hoping for a nice summer and great haying weather.
Its almost garden time here. I had made several gardens over the weekend,, mostly flower ones to help bring in the bees and butterflies possibly a humming bird or two. Having no tractor with a bucket it sure does make garden making a task. Everything by hand really just wanted to pop in and say hello and let you know we are all still hanging in there. I hope your weather is spring like not winter like as mine is,
God Bless

February 28,2012---- Winter has returned

Good Morning from the mountain. I do believe winter either has finally decided to come to NH or its making its return from last Oct when we had a Nor Easter. Looking out my window this morning we are being Blessed with more white stuff. I do believe mother nature is confused in her winter/spring time calendar. Last week we received 8 plus inches and now we are looking at more today and Thursday.. Hello Momma Nature its almost spring time,, the roads are already thawing and mud is already formed on alot of dirt roads, so plowing isnt going to happen unless we received  a hard freeze again.
Most of us are already having babies born and chicks hatching. Thoughts of garden plots dance in our heads. Last week I had bare ground and split wood in a t-shirt..
 I personally cant wait  to have bare feet and garden dirt under my nails. The smells of fresh cut hay will be welcome. I cant wait to turn everyone out to the pasture and watch them kick up their heels and prance around. The smells of lilac trees,,, awh a deep breath,,, can ya smell them.
Lots to do today, its February vacation here and I have 5 grandchildren. They all want to go out side today, but the wind needs to die down just a little bit. Yesterday they worked on a sledding hill and want to finish it today.
I the some baking will also be in order as snack went fast yesterday. So maybe some brownies or even a cake  will have to be made today. Anthony has already put his request in for raviolis this morning,, thinking more for lunch instead,, cereal, and toast will keep them busy for a minute.
Noticing the sun is trying so hard to shine and warm things up,, but the wind sure does take the heat away from the sun.

I have been working on alot of crocheting this past months, while the weather is cooler. I have a hard time working with yarn when my hands sweat. Trying to make afghans and earn enough money to pay off a years worth of property taxes by May. Winter time is a slower time of year so it gives me a chance to do some hand work and quilting. Making new clothes for the spring and summer. Would love to create my petticoats and little britches collections.. I have it all in my head,, now to put in on paper and fabric. Someday in my free time. Its a dream i have had, to make children wearable clothes that will last and hold up  to children playing outside. Little girls in prairie dress and boy in  pants and shirt, vest,, kind of ole fashion I know  but do able. Well I suppose I need to get back to reality and get these child fed and happy.
You all have an awesome day and be Blessed in what ever you do