A Change of Seasons

First snow!

        My, time has sure gone by quickly these last couple of weeks!  It seems like just yesterday that the leaves were starting to turn colors and now most have fallen.  Why, we've even had our first snow!

        On the farm I have been staying very busy getting things ready for winter.  Here are some of the highlights.  All the laying hens have been put into hoop houses to protect them from the cold and the rabbits have joined the chickens (in their own cages of course.) We have begun to consolidate the herds of cattle from various locations and move them to their winter pasture.  A 5th hoop house is in the process of being constructed and will be used to house pigs this winter. Due to freezing water lines the pigs can't be kept on the mountain and are brought down to the barns till spring.
     
        One of the new fall activities for me since coming to Virgina has been deer hunting!  Last year was my first time trying the age-old sport of matching your cleverness with that of a wild animal. Unfortunately, I didn't get anything but a coyote last season. No, I didn't eat it, but it was fun to keep the pelt. This year I'm hoping to secure my first deer.  I'll let you know when I do.


        Most of all, the fall season wouldn't be complete without a time to pause and give thanks for all the blessings God has given us. There are so many things that run through my mind when I consider how I have been blessed this year ...  healthy food and good friends to share it with, my family, safety on the farm this summer, a loving church family of which I am now a new member, fresh air, beautiful land, and the privelege to learn some of life's most important skills alongside an amazing family........the list could go on. But most importantly I am thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ, who calls me His son and has made me a member of His family!  

May you all have a very thankful Thanksgiving weekend!

Bringing pigs down from the mountain.

Another sunrise.

Going once, Going twice,......Sold!

Earlier in the fall I had the chance to go along with others from the farm to see the local cattle stockyard. We have been buying some of our feeder calves from the stockyard this fall so it was neat to actually see Daniel do the bidding/buying stuff

I was amazed at how the stockyard is able to keep track of the different groups of cattle throughout the sale process.  A farmer might bring in a group of 20 calves that could be graded into 20 separate categories and be bought by 20 different people and the farmer is able to get the money each calve brought. It is pretty wild if you ask me.

Buying cattle from an auction is quite an art. It was fun to watch Daniel and the other guys "go at it". Each one had their own unique way of letting the auctioneer know they would take the bid. I was able to sit with Daniel for awhile and learn about some of the things he was looking for in the animals.

beautiful sunrise on the mountain, Just thought I would throw this photo in the post