{a much needed hiatus}

In fear of sounding melodramatic or leading anyone to think that things are worse then they are, I am going to say plainly that I am in need of taking a hiatus from my blog {and most definitely a ‘less aggressive’ daily viewing/participation of social media in general}  No need to jump to conclusions that High Heels in the Barnyard is going to the grave- I will return; I promise you that.  Like a flower laying dormant in the winter, it comes back with more life & beauty when the weather is just right in the spring and it has taken the much needed rest season.

Thank you to all you faithful of this community here.  I look forward to returning and anticipate the sweet season I am entering now.

All my love,

Alicia

All I’ve wanted to do recently, is to sit and read and create and forget the to-do lists reeling through my mind. So I’ve taken the chances, as they present themselves, to sit and enjoy my families and friend’s company; for I know that all too soon the seasons will change and the business of the daily farm life will be the master of my time.

I so long to be content in the here and now. Isn’t it so challenging to not be completely overwhelmed by the to-do’s of the here and now? Or the unknown of what tomorrow holds? In order to have this farm be successful, we are adding a few new things {which I will share about later} and adding some new directions to our current business repertoire. This requires lots of thought, lots of energy, lots of planning, lots of doing. And I tend to get snatched in an eddy of all the details like a leaf in a river.

This season will pass, I know that for sure. But in the mean time, I’ll continue to share here and hopefully it will be an encouragement that you are not alone if you are experiencing a similar season ;)

{mid-week}

This week has flown by!  I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already!  I haven’t taken much time this week to capture the winter scenes around the farm, but that is totally fine.  I’m just glad I have the desire to take photos again ;)

I have continued to do a great deal of thinking about this blog in general.  This morning, I had the pleasure of speaking in an English class at OSU.  It was so encouraging for me to take the time to think through why I blog, what I choose to blog about, and what our farm is and how it is benefited from the blog and then share with Kristin Griffin’s Creative Food Writing Class.   I was honored and thankful to be asked.  Kristin, I hope our paths cross often ;)

After this morning, I rode the wave of energy and excitement right on into doing our personal financials…. needless to say, my afternoon was not as thrilling or encouraging as my morning.  But you can’t live everyday like a superstar- well you can; but you just might not get much done {or make much money ;) }

 

{happy monday}

Happy Monday!

As usual on Mondays, we are running around doing a million things at once, trying to get everything in order so that the rest of the week won’t be too crazy.  The boys are moving sheep to a new paddock, bedding & feeding the cattle in the barn, feeding pigs, and preparing to catch our oldest layer flock tonight {they are at the end of their production and now will be sold or butchered  to become stewing hens}  I’ve been grocery shopping and working on a presentation for a class at OSU I’m speaking at on Wednesday.  All and all, it’s been a relatively good day.  Hope yours was good too!

{quotable sunday}

 

Today you are You,

that is truer than true.

There is no one alive

who is Youer than You.

Dr. Seuss

 

{rainbow}

Loss is never easy.  But you know that once the rain stops pouring, that the dark clouds will roll back, and a new season will come; hopefully with some sunshine and a rainbow or two to make things better.  Tyler’s Grandma, on his Mom’s side, went to sleep in the Lord this past Saturday morning.  The memorial is today.  May her memory be eternal.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who were close with her, and especially to her six children and many many grandchildren & her few great grandchildren.  I was honored to know her and to be apart of her family & legacy.

{winter farmers’ market- a video}

The time between the two season of Farmers’ Markets here in Corvallis, is always so challenging.  Here at Afton Field Farm, we don’t grow very much of our own veggies, so when there is no market, there are limited veggies.  And my body just aches for something to add to our pork and beans.

Here is my first attempt at a video, sharing with you my basket full of goodies from the Saturday Farmers’ Market.  The video wasn’t nominated for a Golden Globe Award.  And I didn’t win best supporting female actress.  But I learned a lot about crafting a creative video- which was the main point of me filming the exciting experience of what I picked up at the market…

Happy Thursday!

{a warm thank you}

I cannot say enough about how much all of your kind words & comments meant to me after my post earlier this week.  Beating around the bush wasn’t working for me any more; I needed to be honest.  I took a risk and so many of you welcomed me with open arms and spurred me on to keep sharing the real life of a city girl turned farmer.

Thank you.  All of you.  Truly.

My love languages are words of affirmation & gifts.  Y’all did both :)  I love the community that has formed here.  Here’s to the community’s health!

{scenes around the farm}

Here are some images {some newer than others} from around the farm that make me smile.  Happy Tuesday!

{gravel in the potholes}

If you’ve been to the farm in the past 2 to 36 months, you’ve probably noticed the potholes running up our romantic gravel lane.  Some of you {probably our CSA members or those few faithful winter customers} have possibly even lost a tire a two, or at least had your fillings knocked around in your mouth as you bucked up the driveway and where tossed & thrown about as though you were riding an enraged bull.

Well, as much fun as you’ve had riding a bucking bronco, you’re cowboy {or girl} glory days are now behind you.  And so are those potholes! And the mud!  And the slop that have plagued our enchanting farm entrance for far too long.

{the pre-gravel driveway.  the potholes in this one area have been filled in}

Of course, Mr. Tobias was there to instruct and supervise.

{one load of gravel}

There are some people that completely shock you with a gift.  Well, that is what happened with this gravel.  A dear friend gave us the money to gravel our driveway, and whatever else we needed graveled.  This literally made me weep tears of joy.  It’s hard to justify the money for gravel when your animals are higher up on the “to spend money on” list.  But the lane needed gravel desperately, and giving such an obstacle course of challenge to the only entry to our farm, was no way to treat our guests or customers.

We are very thankful.

The boys did what they could this weekend and they’ll do more as this week unfolds.

We are all giddy with joy and looking forward to a smoother ride to and from the farm.