*milking stand
*goat doors to convert the horse barn to a goat barn
*separate housing for bucks (male goats)
*pick up and set up the greenhouse
*start prepping the area for our washing and packing shed
*build chicken tractors and housing to get get our chickens in the field
*basketball hoop

In our big long list of set up projects this year we can cross goats off the list. Yes Ginger and her babies came home this weekend. The kids (human) are super excited about the kids (goats), can you tell?

As I mentioned we have a long long list of set up projects. But now the snow is gone and things are getting crossed of the list quickly. May not actually be on the list but we can cross, “first barbeque” off the list relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
 

We moved to the farm for the good life, and I guess in some ways to protect our children. But I knew all along that both life and death are intimate partners of farm life. My children will have the privilege of cuddling and holding day old chicks, of seeing goats born and caring for them. But on the flip said death is all around us. I knew this from the beginning and also knew in time it would get easier in some ways, in many ways not. But I also fervently believed that knowledge of death, without fear of it is something that is important for a healthy mental state. 

Yes this was Tiger. Named by the children on the first day here on the farm while they were exploring the place. Just yesterday morning I saw Tiger and the 3 other cats stalking off into the woods looking like a minature pride of lions on the hunt. Now this morning he was no more. We have 2 indoor cats. Honestly we keep them indoors mostly to protect them and ourselves of the suddenly loss. But Tiger lived and died free coming and going as he would. 

I had to decided whether to dispose of him myself or tell the children what had happened. Knowing that death was now a part of our life like never before I chose to tell them. It was also important for me to get Tiger off the road. So I ran back to the house, told the children to get ready, grabbed a plastic bag and began mentally preparing myself. 

I explained that death is part of life. That it was not meant to be that way but it is. “See the sparrows [read wild cats] see how little they’re valued, and yet not one of them dies without God noticing it.” (Matthew 10:29 ClearWord). I explained that like when “Good Dog Jack” died in On the Shores of Silver Lake By Laura Ingalls Wilder Pa explained that all good dogs have the reward and that Tiger though a cat was no different. I explained that it was OK to cry and be sad but that we must remember that Tiger will never be hungry, cold and scared anymore. So the tears are for us and that we will miss Tiger but not for him. 

That isn’t snow but a very fine spring shower. Rumor has it that we can expect temps in the high 50s this week and maybe as high as 70?! in March?! While it was great that the snow held off until our New Year move I fully expected a normal winter once we moved. Now it seems like we have bypassed that and are headed into spring.

The weekend was great. My parents came up and had a sleepover. We introduced them to some of our Rush City Favorites including the fabric store/quilt shop (lots of dreaming going on there) and Firefly Bistro. We did a little outdoor work, it was great for the help, I got to cook with my mom again, and we took them over to our favorite St. Croix spot.

Alas they had their own projects at home, but after they left there was still plenty of work and fun. We got the chicks (now pullets complete with a fine layer of feathers) moved to what will be the winter coop. We completed the frame for our early winter greenhouse and made good progress converting the horse barn for Ginger. But none of the projects are complete, except the chickens, so no pictures yet.

We are lucky to have plenty of stores in our area to meet our needs, like a grocery store, print shop, library, thrift shop, etc all within 2-3 miles of us. But for the most part I still try to bundle my activities. This week I am feeling the effects of peace at home and it is wonderful. There is plenty to do, cuddling sick children, schooling the well ones, looking after the animals, keeping home, crafting, and reading (currently I am reading about soil improvement, bees, dairy goats, beef cattle and dog training). And this weekend I am looking forward to another weekend at home, yes I am reminded of other quotes about the importance of the home atmosphere to everyone’s mental state.

My father is a brilliant man, who loves history and passed that love on to me. Our favorite time period is (you know you are a history buff if you know what I am talking about) World War II and it appears Two has caught the bug.

Another love of my father’s is model trains. He remembers his stepfather working on them, but never built any with him. So when my parents were building theirs and Two was totally enthralled Dad decided to take the time and some extras to help Two with his sans train.

So we took the computer table that the sellers had left for us and cut a piece of ply wood, also left for us, to fit the top. Then dad took the 2 inch pink foam and cut it to fit that as well. Here dad sculpts a river out of the middle and glues the pieces down. He used additional pieces to build and sculpt hills. 

Next put tape down for the river and use tan paint to do the ground. Don’t forget to layout the road and where the buildings are going to go. 

There are all sorts of cool tools for models like sand and tree kits. 

Once the first coat of paint and plaster (for sculpting the rocks) is dry you can remove the tape and paint the river–we used left over blue from my bedroom and black. Then at wonderful model farm, or battle ground or both.