New Greenhouse

My new greenhouse was delivered yesterday! 

So excited. 

Got it from FarmTek. The instruction manual is 51 pages long. It doesn't look too complicated though.

Hogs

Hogs are all doing very well. Abigail's skin is a little dry and her coat isn't as dense, but the younger ones are all looking great!

They got a treat the other day, cookie houses we made and decorated on 12/24. They were too stale for people.

Hambone (left) and Dickie (left)

Moving Day

Sunday was spent packing up my oldest son's stuff and moving him to Blacksburg, VA. 

He found a room in a house of four other men that's within walking distance of his new job. He's not starting for another week or so, but he's planning on looking for a second job and getting himself settled in. 

Got his stuff unloaded. 

And then we headed out for some lunch. Packing and driving and unloading had us eating our lunch around 3:30pm. 

After fortifying ourselves with burgers and fries (thank you, Red Robin), we went shopping for some basics: towels, a set of dishes, some cook wear, a trash can, some toiletries, and a nice TV (his was a handmedown of a handmedown and is pretty ancient). I kept asking him "do you need sheets?" The answer was no until I got home and realized that all the linens I washed were still in the same place they were when I folded them.  This morning I ordered him some sheet sets, extra pillowcases, and a small refrigerator. 

Next stop was the closest grocery store. We picked up some food and a $100 gift card so he won't have to worry about food for a little while. 

It's been weird not having him here and I miss him very much. I know this is going to be great for him. Plus, I'm not planning on letting him move back home because I don't think I could do all these emotions all over again. 

Happy New Year!

Have lots of plans again for this year. 

Plan on putting up a greenhouse. I think I'll call the landscaper that did the raised beds and see if they can level and clear out where I want the greenhouse. 

Plan on putting up two bee hives to start. Need to order the parts and get in touch with some of the bee keepers from the Buckingham County Beekeeping group for some advice. 

Plan on trying to get into a farmers market or two this year. Corny Goat Farm is set up as an LLC. Just need to get the tax situation set up and open a business account for banking. 

Lots of plans and ideas. Going to be a great year! 

Butchering 101

Helped butcher my first hog yesterday. He was a big one too; at least 800/900 pounds! 

One ham/leg was about 125lbs!

I'm pretty proud of myself. Not only did I not barf, but I didn't cut myself either. 

Christmas wreathes

Walked around the farm today and scrounged up some things to make a few wreathes. 

I clipped some cypress and pine branches, and picked up some pine cones and monkey balls. At least that's what I call them. I'm not sure what the actual name is. 

I used some metallic silver paint on the decorations. This still needs a bow. 

This one needs a bow too.

Pumpkins!

Picked up a truck full of pumpkins yesterday. 

The farmer charged only $25 per truckload. I got a lot of pumpkins. 

The hogs love them!