It has been a while since I’ve posted, mostly since I’ve been busy catching up on chores that went on hold while I was working on open studio stuff. It’s always a juggling act to fit everything in. Farm life has been in full swing. We’ve added a few new critters, subtracted one rooster, and been busy with planting and other improvements. Just keeping up with leaf removal is a big one here.

"Johnny Cash" one of our new steers

Johnny's brother Hank Williams

Lucy & Ethel

Millie

Along with the steers, we’ve added some ‘hair’ sheep – no shearing required. They are slowly becoming accustomed to people. They love blackberries as much as the goats and are pretty cute 🙂 I’ve been reseeding the pastures, cleaning the barn more often, and enjoying tending a few more animals. The goats are a bit jealous of all the new additions, but are a real help in teaching the newbies that we are to be trusted. Them, and the grain bucket doesn’t hurt either, heh!

I’ve also been spending lots of my time trying to reconfigure my website. It was overdue for a new look, and I’m hoping to be able to reveal it before the holidays 🙂

My blogging hiatus has also allowed me some time for renewing my reading passion. Here are some of the great reads that have been keeping me busy, offline and on!

First off: I highly recommend this recent read: The Fall by Simon Mawer.  Look it up on Amazon & check out the reader reviews. I loved it!

I’d also like to mention some of the fabulous blogs that have been keeping me busy at the computer:

Pomegranates and Paper – a real-world artist/attorney with a fabulous sense of humor and richly visual life

Works by Tracy Helgeson – wife, mother, small farmer and fabulous artist from upstate New York

Unlikely Diplomat – copywriter & foodie living in Paris and learning French. Can I say HYSTERICAL French vocab lessons?

My Month of Hundreds – Portlander Jill Ginsberg’s inspiring project to honor her mother’s memory and connect to her world.

Check them out for some fabulous writing & art! What have you been reading? I’m always on the lookout for a good read 🙂