tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4174720798206384562011-12-30T23:32:13.777-05:00My Farm Kitchen TableKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.comBlogger1341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-4790151270609498712010-12-31T20:47:00.000-05:002010-12-31T20:47:00.720-05:00December 31 Leaves in Frozen PondKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-36619137699486234552010-12-30T23:17:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:18:40.610-05:00December 30 Evening WalkKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-11100833330166014382010-12-30T23:16:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:16:32.789-05:00December 29 EmptiesKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-61819991646649402010-12-30T23:14:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:14:47.672-05:00December 28 Snake painting!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-65409435984085615312010-12-30T23:11:00.002-05:002010-12-30T23:15:00.829-05:00December 27No photo for December 27. You'll just have to conjure up your own images of our 12-hour drive.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-82505265191953759002010-12-30T23:10:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:11:33.227-05:00December 26 Legos!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-45374399938145213822010-12-30T23:09:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:11:13.142-05:00December 25 WaitingKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-58120951501464972362010-12-30T23:08:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:08:38.114-05:00December 24 Matching PJsKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-55482758985307871022010-12-30T23:05:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:06:09.587-05:00December 23 JoyKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-90911996558253316062010-12-30T23:03:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:04:28.678-05:00December 22 Cousin DuetKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-63656355537357738222010-12-30T23:01:00.001-05:002010-12-30T23:01:47.757-05:00December 21 Backpacks ready!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-47161509363964027892010-12-30T22:57:00.002-05:002010-12-30T22:59:06.204-05:00Playing Catch UpAs I anticipated, daily photo posting didn't happen while we traveled- nor while we recovered from traveling... But I am still going to post a photo for each day- just late!Dec 21st coming up...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-611880420721237132010-12-21T00:05:00.002-05:002010-12-21T00:08:28.076-05:00December 20 Packing!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-35265974118677962112010-12-20T10:45:00.002-05:002010-12-20T10:52:59.132-05:00December 19 Eli in a Cousin Trap (one of only two photos I took yesterday... gotta get with it...)Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-92226009668242934972010-12-18T20:44:00.001-05:002010-12-18T20:45:11.767-05:00December 18 What came down the chimney...(from yesterday, somehow no pictures today!)Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-30246751287577742862010-12-17T20:09:00.002-05:002010-12-17T20:12:34.949-05:00December 17 Early morning view from the front porchKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-14365098122014867502010-12-16T22:07:00.001-05:002010-12-16T22:10:38.545-05:00December 16 Rag curls!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-39362145745579453552010-12-15T20:36:00.001-05:002010-12-15T20:37:38.864-05:00December 15Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-13582680471137165972010-12-14T20:12:00.001-05:002010-12-14T20:13:40.226-05:00December 14 Apparently, it's Christmastime in Legoland, too!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-63081556839961316762010-12-13T22:28:00.002-05:002010-12-13T22:30:14.194-05:00December 13 Bringing home the tree!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-59987747582542644772010-12-12T21:07:00.002-05:002010-12-12T21:09:47.717-05:00December 12 Morning Muffins (yes, those are chocolate chips!)Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-41191849900767525602010-12-11T22:14:00.001-05:002010-12-11T22:16:23.340-05:00December 11 Pillow fort for Eli and HankKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-53439262640883140832010-12-11T10:16:00.001-05:002010-12-11T10:16:43.066-05:00December 10 SecretsKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-41912315813206931732010-12-09T21:39:00.002-05:002010-12-09T21:45:57.884-05:00December 9 Sleepover flashlight fun!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-52283501363650780052010-12-09T05:24:00.002-05:002010-12-09T05:26:06.309-05:00December 8Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-28728110671531258012010-12-07T21:26:00.002-05:002010-12-07T21:28:13.442-05:00December 7 HankKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-68021195348998567132010-12-07T21:22:00.003-05:002010-12-07T21:30:26.051-05:00December 6 I am really not good at the posting everyday gig. Still trying to have something posted for each day, though belatedly!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-10092913138537025672010-12-05T13:27:00.002-05:002010-12-05T13:29:22.840-05:00December 5 Creek ReflectionKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-21780662028724733292010-12-04T23:35:00.001-05:002010-12-04T23:35:00.185-05:00First Snow of the Season Just getting started Hot chocolate and popcorn... ...with marshmallows... by the campfire!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-69963051492787334172010-12-04T19:12:00.003-05:002010-12-04T22:22:33.510-05:00December 4 Echinacea in snowKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-88727018279135782732010-12-04T19:06:00.003-05:002010-12-04T19:14:37.205-05:00December 3, sort of Why, yes, I did forget to take any photos yesterday, just 1 day into my commitment to the December Photo Project. So this is one of the first ones from today, starring Odin.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-19931729663956586812010-12-02T23:08:00.003-05:002010-12-03T00:07:00.905-05:00December 2 Spontaneous paper chain making happened at our house last night and this morning. And yes, that is dirt on the windows, not on the camera lens.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-32181445673930666522010-12-02T23:02:00.003-05:002010-12-03T00:12:29.783-05:00DPP: December 1 OK- so not exactly an award winning photo, but I didn't know I was going to need one for this photo challenge and I only had a couple to choose from that I just happened to take on Dec 1...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-73725378628246165972010-12-02T22:52:00.007-05:002010-12-09T05:33:43.358-05:00December BloggingSo, I'm a day late, but I just discovered this and want to join in! To catch up, I'll post a photo for yesterday and one for today and then try to stay on track for the rest of the month. We'll see how I do when it comes to holiday travel time...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-80687956485730552732010-11-27T14:17:00.005-05:002010-12-09T05:35:09.859-05:00Farm DecisionsWell, we finally made some decisions about how to balance the arrival of a new baby in May and what we have going on with the farm. After much deliberation, we are selling our Jersey heifer. I knew early on that we didn't need to have a lactating bovine along with a lactating me. It took a little longer to decide to not keep our unbred heifer at all.We have had some responses to an ad we posted Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-38985063347726867102010-11-20T08:20:00.003-05:002010-12-09T05:36:33.160-05:00Our New NeighborsWe're all excited about the new abode on the farm! It started out looking like this: But with a lot of this: It turned into this: There's more finishing work to be done, but Ben (my brother) and Stacey moved in yesterday. And so the adventure begins- Ben & Stacey embark on their tent-living adventure and we all embark on our pseudo-communal-living adventure. Fun and challenges to come for all. Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-8119288633107069182010-09-28T13:59:00.002-04:002010-12-09T05:32:57.210-05:00New PlanSo, what if I just write a new blog post every four months or so? Hmmm... might be too much to expect.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-13580195432018537852010-05-07T07:25:00.001-04:002010-05-07T07:27:53.106-04:00Just One Bite... But boy are we looking forward to more now!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-75397625194117325682010-05-01T07:50:00.004-04:002010-05-01T07:50:00.269-04:00Family Adventures Week 2For the second week of our Sunday afternoon outdoor family adventures, we headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and made our way to the Indian Gap parking area. Just a short walk down a wooded path and we arrived at Indian Rocks. And the kids didn't stop climbing and exclaiming for at least the next 30 minutes. (You can click on the photo collage for a bigger image.) A flat-topped rock served as a Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-77038109336864521862010-04-30T08:28:00.002-04:002010-04-30T08:28:00.419-04:00Strawberry CountdownMy coastal North Carolina friends and family are already enjoying red, ripe strawberries. It's true, I saw it on Facebook. And I salivated.We're still waiting for the first hints of rosiness to appear here in our little patch. We have strawberries in all stages-- except ripe.Just leaves Dainty flower Fruiting flower Greenies! I can hardly wait... Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-71242490077263922552010-04-29T09:44:00.001-04:002010-04-29T09:44:00.894-04:00First IrisKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-82218643113612711742010-04-26T18:16:00.003-04:002010-04-28T23:17:50.555-04:00Sunday HikesWe've been living here in this beautiful area for almost two years now. There's always something to do around the house and certainly on the farm, but we're also surrounded by wonderful outdoor opportunities beyond our little hilltop that we want to take advantage of more often. I have been inspired by Renee at FIMBY (Fun In My Backyard) (and also at AdventureinProgress) and her family's plan to Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-25189866386603845092010-04-25T07:20:00.001-04:002010-12-09T05:37:17.649-05:00Ch-ch-ch-ch-changesJust so you know it isn't just my mind that gets lost around here...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-11995716270761159462010-04-23T07:58:00.002-04:002010-12-09T05:37:50.564-05:00Time for TeaSpring is uber-busy here on the farm, but never too busy for tea! And it helps when the friends who come for tea (or coffee!) happen to love planting trees and weeding the garden... especially when they bring rhubarb pie... Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-59219723496383624912010-04-22T10:07:00.001-04:002010-12-09T05:31:21.980-05:00Ssssspring VisitorIt's that time of year! And we're now adding variety to our snake sightings. Meet our friendly neighborhood Eastern Garter snake. Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-423259936518010712010-04-21T09:13:00.002-04:002010-12-09T05:38:32.886-05:00Play ball!Among other things going on here this spring: Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-89781478526156937082010-03-08T07:52:00.003-05:002010-12-09T05:38:54.576-05:00Piling UpLots has been going on around here and I have have all sorts of photos to show and stories to tell, I just haven't been willing to give up sleep to pull it all together in a coherent form.Soon to come- seed starting, trash & treasures, crazy chickens and lots of outdoor fun... yay for the coming of spring!Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-63236595174121146912010-03-01T20:36:00.003-05:002010-12-09T05:39:49.669-05:00Sorry, HouseplantsPlease note that the title is not "Sorry Houseplants" but "Sorry, Houseplants"-- I don't need them to get any more of a complex. You see, they're getting booted from the lovely, sunny front window. It's time for seed starting, folks. So here, a quick visual ode to the houseplants, before they get moved to random corners of the house to make room for their food-producing cousins. I think I'll makeKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-90903854998195498772010-02-26T06:33:00.001-05:002010-02-26T06:33:00.155-05:00Flashback Friday: March 2006I thought this video was appropriate given the sibling rivalry theme of yesterday. This is in our kitchen when we lived in Memphis.In case you can't make out the audio, Emma is shouting, "No Evans" and, surprise, Evan is shouting, "No Emmas".Ironically, the inspiration was a peace march we had attended a couple days before.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-76814282544606262142010-02-25T07:00:00.001-05:002010-02-25T07:00:03.424-05:00Lest You IdealizeWe may be surrounded by the peace of nature up here on our hilltop, but sibling rivalry (sibling reality?) often shakes things up.Those of you who keep up with us on Facebook will have to forgive my redundancy. There, the caption for this photo read, "I suppose if I were a different kind of mother I would be intervening instead of taking pictures..." I could blame it on being distracted by my newKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-76591017891817745102010-02-24T13:00:00.001-05:002010-02-24T13:01:20.782-05:00Wordless WednesdayKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-64692330035921205702010-02-24T06:58:00.005-05:002010-02-24T06:58:01.081-05:00It isn't just socks that go missing around here...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-23234174688329997652010-02-23T06:55:00.002-05:002010-02-23T09:13:15.342-05:00Loft BedCurt was off work Monday, so he and Emma tackled a project that has been waiting in the wings- a loft bed! Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-44110215775885476302010-02-22T12:56:00.004-05:002010-02-23T09:13:57.949-05:00I'll be rich... ...when they're old enough to have money in their pockets. Because if it goes in their pockets, I'm sure to find it in the wash.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-17863676981877133512010-01-24T10:15:00.004-05:002010-12-09T05:40:47.043-05:00Sick DaysGreetings from the land of the puny children! We seem to have had one little thing or another taxing our immune systems here this week. And to qualify myself for the Bad Mother of the Year Award, let me just say, if they're going to be sick, can't they just feel bad enough to be still and quiet and sleep? Instead we've had just enough symptoms to keep us home and away from social contact. And Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-65415378870482035602010-01-02T10:12:00.005-05:002010-01-02T10:19:00.460-05:00The Great EscapeThe title might lead you to think that this post would be about the latest escapade with our goat, Wally. Or it could just as easily be about our hound dogs who take off through the woods (and usually straight toward the interstate) whenever they get the chance. While both of these have occurred since my last post, I am actually writing about the 1963 World War II adventure film.The film that Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-34328505728177948772009-12-18T17:19:00.002-05:002010-12-09T05:41:08.549-05:00We're just getting started...The pictures are from when we had 2 inches, now we're up to 6 inches. We will likely have more than a foot before all is said and done. The kids are out enjoying it before it gets completely dark! More pictures to come as it builds... Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-51298885506464939772009-12-11T08:28:00.008-05:002010-12-09T05:42:05.411-05:00Maybe It's Time to Finish that Halloween Post...Ah, my patient readers. Thank you for returning in mid-December to finally see my pictures from Halloween...Remember the guessing challenge? Had enough time to figure it out? Here's the big reveal, all suspense gone now that it has been over a month and most of you have seen the photos on Facebook anyway :)Good guessing on Evan and Emma- DRACO MALFOYOk, so this facial expression doesn't quite Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-8334191938668562442009-10-31T14:48:00.002-04:002010-12-09T05:42:44.174-05:00Halloween Part II-- Can You Guess??And here's a little Halloween Part II sneak preview... Evan's Costume Prep Emma's Costume Prep Eli's Costume Prep Keely's Costume PrepAny guesses??Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-41399065233128794802009-10-31T14:41:00.003-04:002010-12-09T05:43:16.757-05:00Halloween Part I These are the costumes the kiddos donned for Trick-or-Treating at the downtown businesses on Friday afternoon. The stores participating posted black bats in the windows and the door-to-door candy grab was followed by a "Pumpkin Parade" down the main street. What it lacked in size and organization it made up for in hometown charm! Tonight we'll do Halloween Part II which involves a free movie Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-53033507121632290702009-10-27T06:40:00.001-04:002010-12-09T05:43:36.587-05:00After the Frost: ZinniaKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-16144581289675632392009-10-26T17:37:00.002-04:002009-10-26T17:38:59.520-04:00What Would You Give... ...for eyelashes like these?Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-9026420802025334412009-10-20T09:04:00.004-04:002009-10-21T14:03:52.221-04:00Easing Back In to BloggingStarting back to blogging poses some of the same challenges for me that starting in the first place did. OK, so I don't have to worry about the naming part, but I am fighting the pressure to come back to it with a bang instead of just jumping in and getting going with a little spark.The changing leaves are amazing right now. I could show you a picture, but we currently have two non-functioning Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-50082194806618660202009-10-05T22:10:00.001-04:002009-10-05T22:11:56.343-04:00Almost...It just might be coming soon... a real, live actual blog update. I have a few things brewing to write about- this after a spell of no inspiration whatsoever.Wait for it...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-13812425111303281752009-09-16T11:26:00.003-04:002009-09-16T11:28:35.858-04:00Anyone, anyone?Does anyone miss me when I don't blog? Not sure who all is following. Have various posts percolating, but haven't been motivated to crank them out. What is it you, dear readers, want to read about?Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-71327170153023392472009-08-28T07:54:00.000-04:002009-08-28T07:55:02.600-04:00The Tomato KitchenKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-28814625408189504292009-08-10T23:52:00.000-04:002009-08-10T23:52:53.119-04:00Guess What I've Been Up To...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-64282260688848847272009-07-29T06:27:00.003-04:002009-07-29T06:32:19.587-04:00Back in a Few DaysI'm heading off on a getaway with just my girl! Emma & I are leaving the boys behind and headed to the beach. Grandparents are here to have adventures with Evan and Eli while Curt is at work.The big question is whether or not our first big tomato will ripen while I'm gone. Murphy's Law says yes, but I'm holding out a little hope that it will be waiting for me to eat when I get back...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-41298443903016600652009-07-27T10:59:00.005-04:002009-07-27T11:09:20.511-04:00Becoming a Market Farm?I created a listing for our farm on LocalHarvest.org! We have eggs coming on strong now and the tomatoes are about to burst forth in all their red, ripe glory (as predicted, this will happen during the only 4-day stretch I am out of town this summer), so I am going to need an outlet for all this abundance. We'll see what comes of it.And thanks to a little encouragement from my sis, I am also Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-49246496349680638492009-07-27T08:00:00.002-04:002009-07-27T08:04:21.022-04:00What's up, Doc? The carrots are getting away from me! Both varieties I planted have done well. The 'Danver's Half-Long' germinated really well and I had more of those to begin with, but the 'Scarlet Nantes' variety is my favorite of the two for taste. It is the longer, slender one in the center of the basket, above.The carrots are yet another reminder of all the things I am learning the hard way this year- Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-27708234753270698622009-07-24T07:24:00.000-04:002009-07-24T07:24:00.386-04:00First Cabbage Behold the first cabbage I've ever grown! It looks a little nibbled here, but inside a couple of leaves it was perfectly unblemished. It was turned into a rather tasty salad thanks to my friend S.S.'s recipe for "Ensalada de las Promotores." It is very close to what Curt and I ate with almost every meal during our travels in Central America. Went very well with the enchiladas I made last night. Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-8177680977757048522009-07-23T08:03:00.001-04:002009-07-23T08:04:52.210-04:00Anticipation I can hardly wait. Our garden is filled with oodles of beautiful, green tomatoes! We had a few of the cherry-type tomatoes ripen this week (all were 'Mexico Midget')- just enough to eat while standing in the garden. Yum.It won't be long now until I am writing with tales of being overrun by tomatoes, but for now, it's all about eager anticipation. Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-68336132211174618672009-07-02T11:59:00.005-04:002009-07-02T12:13:34.755-04:00Our Growing GardenI snuck away from gardening and mommy tasks to update the blog header with a more seasonal photo. We are keeping busy with all the gardening and lots of friends and family visiting, but I still can't believe I haven't posted in almost a month!I had a pretty good handle on gardening basics to start with, but boy have we learned a lot this year! This is our first full season of gardening here sinceKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-19269747433322234422009-06-03T06:37:00.000-04:002009-06-03T06:37:00.424-04:00PaintingKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-84972897607391999082009-05-26T07:30:00.000-04:002009-05-26T07:30:01.045-04:00You mean you didn't read those?Really? You didn't get to read all those brilliant blog entries I crafted? Those ones that were really witty, informative and charming? What?! Oh, yeah- they never made it out of my head... One was written while mowing the grass. Another while weeding the tomatoes. Then there was that really nice poem while hilling up the potatoes. And I am particularly inspired while in the shower- the sound of Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-35159310724155835142009-05-25T08:51:00.006-04:002009-05-27T09:33:53.220-04:00Cook. Feed People. Wash Dishes. Do Laundry. Weed Garden. Repeat.That pretty much sums up what my life entails right now. Throw in 2 or 3 days a week of child care for a 4 month old, a bit of homeschooling and chauffering kids to activities and it isn't hard to see that when things are quiet around here, instead of blogging, I'm sleeping. This weekend we added in a homeschoolers conference in Richmond, a visit to friends near Charlottesville, and a lovely 12 Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-87782232640882415622009-05-15T07:39:00.006-04:002009-05-16T14:24:03.685-04:00UpdateAll is well here. We are trying to get back to normal and catch up on the little things that got away from us the first few days this week. The visit to the doctor was very helpful- he listened and asked questions, considered all the information from the hospital, and then he told me why he was not overly concerned and, most importantly, why. So for now, we think that this was a one-time event Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-75175098186370641402009-05-12T11:53:00.007-04:002009-05-13T08:11:37.929-04:00Firehouse Tour Turned Hospital Visit...We had a little more excitement in the past couple days than we bargained for. We were touring the fire station down the street so Evan could finish his requirements for a Cub Scout badge. Without warning, Evan passed out and fell on the floor. We at first thought he had tripped, but then realized he was unconscious. He came to pretty quickly and the firefighter that was giving the tour slipped Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-78938183097617955172009-05-11T08:18:00.004-04:002009-05-11T08:36:52.191-04:00The Rainy SeasonI cannot believe how much it has been raining. We have had a couple weekends with all day sunshine and warmth, but it has rained almost every day for about a month now. Granted, some days it was just a sprinkle or a short-lived shower, but we have also had many with all-day rain. I do my best to appreciate the water and utter no words of ingratitude- I know how good it is for the garden and Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-24189196305933406112009-04-28T22:07:00.004-04:002009-04-28T22:28:46.895-04:00A Laundry Success StoryI'm no Laundry Queen. Unless having a "fortress" of laundry piled up around me secures that title. I'm thinking not.Anyway, I mostly keep everyone in the household outfitted with clean clothes. Socks usually have to be sought out in the waiting-to-be-matched-and-folded basket, but they're there and clean. And if not, yes, Emma, you can borrow some of mine. So, I cover the basics, but I am not Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-10816840331746887842009-04-27T21:06:00.004-04:002009-04-27T21:39:01.728-04:00Quick UpdateAm really wanting to get back into the blogging habit, but I think I have the bar set too high for myself once again. I hope to log more entries by reminding myself that each entry need not be a masterpiece.Anyway, just back today from visiting my sister, her husband and their baby (well, technically I guess he's a toddler, but I'll not push the nomenclature; they grow up too fast already) and Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-90534383633067066142009-04-21T18:53:00.008-04:002009-04-21T19:19:45.232-04:00We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting ForI have lots of things floating around in my mind to write about, but in lieu of getting my own thoughts into words right now, I have another fabulous piece to share by others who have far more wisdom than I.“You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.And there are things to be considered:Where are you living? Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-35407266284255285252009-04-12T20:24:00.003-04:002009-04-12T20:28:07.379-04:00ResurrectionThis is a new favorite poem of mine by Wendell Berry. And very appropriate for Easter.Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation FrontLove the quick profit, the annual raise,vacation with pay. Want moreof everything ready-made. Be afraidto know your neighbors and to die.And you will have a window in your head.Not even your future will be a mysteryany more. Your mind will be punched in a cardand shut Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-519462833349198862009-03-22T21:13:00.000-04:002009-03-22T21:14:20.236-04:00Live Each Day to the FullestLive each day to the fullestGet the most from each hour, each day and each age of your lifeThen you can look forward with confidence and back without regretBe yourself, but be your best selfDare to be different and to follow your own starAnd don't be afraid to be happyEnjoy what is beautifulLove with all your heart and soulBelieve that those you love, love youForget what you have done for your Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-14198389315158118812009-03-20T06:12:00.000-04:002009-03-20T06:12:00.267-04:00Meet Ellie Spring is bringing all sorts of newness to our farm! This is our new Jersey heifer, Ellie. She will be 1 year old in April. She will be our family milk cow eventually, but it will be a couple years. So with adding 27 chicks, a goat and a cow in the past month, things are pretty busy around here. Not to mention the problems with our dogs roaming too far and bothering neighbors. I keep Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-85030995200316850292009-03-16T08:02:00.003-04:002009-03-16T11:18:26.212-04:00Spring Countdown"In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." -Margaret Atwood "Time is Nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once." -Old Farmer's Almanac "Most gardens are beautiful, whatever their state of repair." -Anne SwithinbankKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-50567095627937112762009-03-14T05:32:00.002-04:002009-03-16T11:20:27.391-04:00Meet Wally Our new people-loving, fence-escaping, heart-stealing, 9-month-old wethered Alpine goat. The kids, that is, the children, are having a great time with him. This little guy has been making life particularly interesting this week. We brought him home on Wednesday and have spent the past two days trying to keep him in the electric fence. One of his redeeming qualities is that he loves being aroundKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-17293998182426623322009-03-13T19:53:00.002-04:002009-03-13T19:57:01.133-04:00Carving Out TimeI have so much to blog about! Unfortunately, having so much to tell about means, well, that we have a lot going on- so, I'm having a hard time finding computer time to document it all.The weather is cold and rainy here this weekend, though, so I hope to make some time to write a couple of entries...I haven't forgotten my loyal readers and I'm working on setting aside time to keep up...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-24090468986716494482009-02-23T06:49:00.007-05:002009-02-23T07:16:28.388-05:0027 Babies We have added 27 new little creatures to our growing farm family! Our chicks arrived a day earlier than we expected, and involved a drive to pick them up at a post office that has people working there on Sundays, but now we're settling into a nice little routine of thermometer checking and water refilling- not to mention lots of cuddling adorable little fluffballs! Here they are getting warmed Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-65677906801877379142009-02-13T06:36:00.002-05:002009-02-23T07:18:09.027-05:00The Last of the PotatoesAs you may have guessed from my last post, tomatoes are my favorite thing to eat that I grow in my garden. Well, they are pretty much my favorite thing to eat period. But last year, my favorite thing to grow was potatoes. Sure, I knew how they grew underground. I also knew how you went about harvesting them. But I had never done it myself, never seen it close up. The first time I went out and Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-59169469536237865822009-02-11T08:47:00.003-05:002009-02-11T08:56:43.922-05:00Yes, it is an obsession. Tomatoes, how do I love thee? Oh, let me count the ways. 14 new ways this year, apparently. I still have a few more basic varieties left from previous years' seeds, but I couldn't resist these luscious offerings from the Seed Savers Exchange catalog.No, I'm not quite sure how I am going to fit all the seedlings in my sunny window until May. But I'll find a way.Because I know this is true.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-57833562577871794692009-02-05T10:26:00.003-05:002009-02-09T10:04:25.850-05:00Snow DayAfter a long, cold wait we finally got some snow on Tuesday. It was only a couple of inches, but it was enough for a bit a sledding and a lot of fun. I love the way everything looks covered in a blanket of snow.Mr. M has been working hard to keep the wood stove supplied. He also started stacking the split wood on the porch- oh so nice for me on days like today when it is 8 degrees outside. Wood Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-66404132385292154362009-01-27T23:23:00.005-05:002009-01-27T23:45:30.723-05:00Notes on the ColdToday marked yet another day in which we didn't get any of the snow that was predicted. Wah!We have certainly had our share of cold, though. I'm sure I was in colder temps when I was a wee tot living in North Dakota, but I can't specifically remember any temperature colder than the 7 below zero we had here a couple weeks ago. I do have a vague memory of a -13 reading, but I can't place if it was Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-42066075828761568172009-01-15T23:11:00.001-05:002009-01-15T23:18:06.779-05:00Imperfect Cold FrameI am trying to keep my perfectionist tendencies in check these days. You know, those ones that keep me from doing anything I can't do "just right". (I'm pretty sure that period is supposed to go inside the quotes, but it has always seemed to me that it should be on the outside. Plus, remember those tendencies I'm fighting?) Wait, am I supposed to put any punctuation after a sentence completely Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-57726882848257080152008-12-19T22:11:00.003-05:002008-12-19T22:16:04.492-05:00So Many Blog Topics, So Little TimeThere are so many things that have been going on the past couple weeks that I really want to blog about. -There has been much cooking and baking. -The kids have been particularly creative in their imaginary play. -We had fun walking around near our house and finding our Christmas tree. -The house is adorned with beautiful kid-made decorations.Most of these topics have lovely photos to go along Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-25768421105815221262008-12-05T06:15:00.001-05:002008-12-05T08:14:05.190-05:00The Mother of InventionThree-year-old Mr. Handful is working on an invention. He came up with it when helping his brother and sister carry in wood for the stove. I don't think the blueprints are very far along, but the idea is there. And it is just what (he thinks) we need: a "remote-controlled wood puller."Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-2241387326443871542008-12-03T06:58:00.001-05:002008-12-03T06:58:00.599-05:00Mr. ThoughtfulA couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about Ms. Headstrong (of course, that was before the now-assigned pseudonyms). Since then, I have been slowly going through six years of pictures of Mr. Thoughtful to put together a post about him. And since then, I have also gained in knowledge and wisdom of ways of embedding photos so that I can present these selected photos from his first 6 years of life inKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-80579100374367679322008-12-02T06:01:00.001-05:002008-12-02T06:01:00.924-05:00NicknamesWell, I guess it is time to just make up some pseudonyms. So far, most people who read this blog know us in real life, but I do want to maintain some level of anonymity in our web presence, especially in terms of our names. Now, all of you who have been reading along since the first post know that these are subject to change, but here is the "cast of characters" as I have come up with for now:Mr.Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-92208363233113866162008-11-29T06:19:00.000-05:002008-11-29T06:19:00.795-05:00Before & AfterKeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417472079820638456.post-91909773541894988272008-11-28T00:02:00.000-05:002008-11-28T00:03:03.450-05:00I'm Thankful For...Keelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17143125978895415458noreply@blogger.com1