Deer Season Is Upon Us

It's getting to be that time of year again -- when early morning runs are accompanied by a soundtrack of leaves crunching underfoot and rifles firing in the distance. 

 

The new farm is home to a good-sized group of deer.  I've seen two separate bucks and several does.  I happen upon them nearly every time we drive the road, but I love to come up on them when I'm on foot, running the road.  That's when I'm able to hear them talking to each other, warning one another of the approaching danger.  Things about them remind me of my goats.  They're beautiful and strong. 

 

And, yet . . . I know that when we establish our orchard and gardens, they will become my enemy.  They'll become my new squash bugs.  So, I'm not completely against inviting hunters to the farm this fall.  If the menacing deer can be removed AND provide food for a table, I'll get on board.  But, I do still feel a twinge of sadness for the strength and beauty that is so easily and quickly snuffed out -- for all the Swirlers I've shared a moment with on our farm.

 

Thinking of Swirler: a poem by Mary Oliver

 

One day I went out

into a wonderful

ongoing afternoon,

it was fall,

 

the pine trees were brushing themselves

against the sky

as though they were painting it,

and Swirler,

 

who was alive then,

walking slowly

through the green bog,

his neck

 

as thick as an ox,

his antlers

brushing against the trees

his three good feet tapping

 

the softness beneath him

and the fourth, from an old wound,

swirling.

I know he saw me

 

for he gave me a long look

which was as precious as a few

good words,

since his eyes

 

were without terror.

What do the creatures know?

What in this world can we be certain about?

How did he know I was nothing

 

but a harmless mumbler of words,

some of which would be about him

and this wind-whipped day?

In a week he would be dead,

 

arrowed down by a young man I like,

though with some difficulty.

In my house there are a hundred half-done poems.

Each of us leaves an unfinished life.

 

 

 

 

 

Brood Farm is Growing . . . to Include YOU!

Yep, we're growing . . . big time!  While we've been producing eggs in our backyard for about 2 years now, we're about to REALLY expand that operation so that we can make these amazing eggs available to you, too!

In about 2 weeks, our new farm will be home to over 100 pastured egg-laying chickens, and we couldn't be more excited about it! 

We've done our homework to find out what we have to do to legally sell our products and are pleased that we now have a marketing plan. 

Basically, eggs have to be refrigerated up until the point of sale.  Luckily, we're in a pretty handy location for people to stop by and pick up a dozen.  We plan to make it even easier for customers by having eggs available in a mini-fridge on the front porch.  You won't even have to feel like you're interrupting us -- just drop your $3 in the jar and grab a dozen farm-fresh eggs! 

We are also toying around with a small-scale CSA so that local folks could sign up for once-a-week delivery.  (I'm open to suggestions about how this ought to work.)  So long as the homes we're delivering to are close enough to our home/refrigerator, we're cleared to do this.

Additionally, I can arrange to bring eggs to the many folks I see throughout the normal course of my day (school, dance, sports practices, etc.).

For now, we plan to reuse as many store-bought cartons as possible.  So long as we make a clear attempt to black out the previous markings on the cartons, this is acceptable practice.  Additionally, we plan to affix our own sticker, claiming the eggs as ours. 

That said . . . ALL DONATIONS OF USED EGG CARTONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!  Drop them off on my doorstep, gather them for me in your classroom, bring them in big bags to me at church!  Seriously, we need them all! 

So, to recap:
1.  We need egg cartons ASAP.
2.  We'll have eggs available in a couple weeks.
3.  Do you have any thoughts on the weekly delivery idea?

Brood Farm Soap now for sale in Ashdown, Arkansas

If you can't get in close enough to read the sign, it says . . .

Hi, my name is Razz!!!

My owner's name is Ashley Beller.  She is the granddaughter of Alma Carroll, one of the favorite friends and customers of the Flower Shoppe.

We live in Cave City, Arkansas, and Ashley milks me everyday to make this wonderful goat milk soap and lotion.  These products are not harsh or cause any drying of the skin.

Please give it a try and let us know what you think!

Thank you, Mamaw, for networking for me and getting my soaps into the Flower Shoppe.  I love you!

And, thank you to Becky at the Flower Shoppe in Ashdown for giving my soaps a chance and for putting together such a fun sign and nice soap display!

Also, in soap-related news:    I've ordered some new scents and am looking forward to trying them out on some new soap that should be ready in time for Christmas sales!  

And, remember, for those who are local and won't be making any trips to Ashdown in the near future, Brood Farm's soaps are now available at Olde Towne Mall in downtown Batesville, as well.  :)

After the Frost

Remember my post about how I'd been too lazy to get my cold frame up before the first frost hit?  Well, I still don't have it up. Here's my two-fold explanation/excuse:

1.  I'm sick.  It's about all I can do to get out of bed and shuffle around a few loads of laundry during the course of the day.  Seriously.  This thing is awful.  So, the thought of getting outside to construct my cold frame is simply laughable right now.

2.  We've now had two hard frosts, but most things in the garden are still going strong, despite being unprotected.

Sugar snap peas are blooming and about to fruit.

Purple turnip tops are peeking through the soil.

Kale is growing like crazy.

And, there's more arugula and parsley than I could ever even think of using.

The basil did succumb to the frost, though.

I should really make us a big salad for dinner . . . and go harvest some of that parsley to put on the dehydrator . . . and make the last batch of pepper jelly with the peppers in the fridge . . . and feed the chickens the lettuce that has gone to seed . . . and make Girl 2 some of her favorite kale chips . . . and get that cold frame up . . . and so on . . . 

But, I imagine I'll do the same thing I did yesterday which is pour myself another cup of coffee, shuffle to the living room, flop down on the sofa, and, if things get really bad, maybe moan a little.

Tomorrow.  Yes, tomorrow.  That's when I'll get it all done.

Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness month.  As an adoptive mother, I was asked to write a blog post for fellow blogger Bethany (remember when she was featured here on this blog?). She'll be featuring blog posts throughout the month by people whose lives have been affected by adoption.  So, be sure to bookmark her blog address and check back in for the other bloggers who will contribute this month.  (I'll try to share them on FaceBook to help you out.)

To read my contribution, click here:  http://ericandbeth.us/orphan-awareness-month-2013-ashley/


Thanks again, Bethany, for the opportunity to share my heart.  :)

Purchase Your Brood Farm Soap Now!!

My all-natural goat milk soap is now available for sale in the Patti's Place booth of Olde Towne Mall On Main Street Batesville.  Once you're inside, take a left at the register -- you won't be able to miss it.  They're selling for $4 a bar.  Pick up a bar of unscented for your favorite hunter so that he can go undetected in the deer woods and a pick a favorite scent for yourself.  :)

Going Into Business!

I've been prepping my display for soap sales.  I don't think I've had this thought since I was in school and passing notes across the aisles, but I'm envious of those girls with the super-cute handwriting.  

I guess this isn't too bad considering I was the 4th grader who would have to miss recess to stay in and re-do my handwriting pages.  

It is done in chalk, so if anyone of you girls with envy-inducing handwriting would like to come to my rescue, I'd welcome the help!