Brunty Farms

As we continue to strive to consciously know where our food is coming from, and seek ways to break free from commercial feed lots we have been researching local farmers.  In fact, while at a local winter farmer's market the morning of our trip to PA, we picked up literature on a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) farm - Brunty Farms.  This farm located in Bath, OH offers poultry shares, among numerous other items! How perfect of us - we have our freezers stocked with beef, a side of pork, and so we were simply missing the chicken!  We have found some pasture raised chicken, but not cost effective.  So... I sent emails and we made contact!  We are now official poultry share owners!  So exciting!

So, here is what that means.  We pay a one time fee.  Then on June 8th, we will start our 1st pick up of 2 fresh chickens (approx. 4 lbs. each) and a dozen fresh eggs.  Every two week, through Oct. 12th, we will pick up the 2 additional chickens and another dozen eggs like clockwork.  They will be fresh upon pick up, so we can grill/roast them whole or break them down for future winter meals and stock up the freezer.  Then the week of Thanksgiving, we will also pick up a fresh 16-20 lbs. turkey.   This package share is ideal for our family!  Can't wait to give it a whirl!


Before we ventured into the share, we made sure to ask to take a tour and met the owners, Jeff and Mel.  We met a friendly young couple with big dreams, high expectations, and hearts of gold!  It appears they run a well planned system and as you listen to them talk of their endeavors, it is easy to see that they have discovered their life calling and are working to take care of the Earth and treat our food with the respect it deserves.  


The kids got to see the 600+ chickens on their acreage, as well as the hogs and piglets.  We were fascinated to see that the pigs were more like LARGE dogs - eager for company and waiting for a scratch on the belly or behind the ear!  So fun!    

Speaking of dogs, there were two farm dogs that Lexi entertained our entire visit.  She met her match in a non stop game of frisbee fetch!  Her new found canine friend found a playmate and was not going to let her stop tossing the frisbee if her life depended on it!  Those two would still be playing if we let them!  The older dog (not pictured) was so calm and slow that even Linc warmed up to him by the end and was witnessed sneaking a pet or two!  

Our time with the Rose's

Okay, so you see, life has this funny way of getting way from you.  We have been keeping busy - very busy, but you won't hear a single complaint!  Mike has a friend who proudly declares he will sleep when he is dead... lately, we have been living that motto,albeit to a much softer sense.   So, it is time to update on some of our whereabouts when this blog seemed to slow this soggy April in Ohio!  

Farmer Lincoln in heaven

Early April we were given the opportunity to visit with the Rose's.  This is our surrogate farming family, for those of you have not heard us go on and on about Farmers Bob and Saundra, in person. Mike and I believe this may be the most warm and welcoming couple we have come across in our lives so far.  I would even venture to say, that we hope that as our home continues to establish itself, it is our hope that some day others will speak so highly of us.  Any time spent in PA at Golden Hill Farms, with these friends, is always something the kids talk about for days on end! We all come home with new knowledge, fascinating stories, and simple, yet awe inspiring experiences. 


[Making mental note to learn how to post our video of Linc baling hay with Farmer Bob this past year.]

Ella combing the calf

 This recent visit we got see a newly born calf - that I believe will be named Yogi, in the days to come.  (There was some brainstorming of Yahtzee and YMCA(thanks to Ella.))  The name needed to begin with a Y, so our ideas were slightly lacking!  It was magnificent to see this young calf be released to pasture for the 1st time!  


The kids were also given the opportunity to brush and feed a calf, that was several months old.  (I will post pics tomorrow.)  Lexi and Ella were fascinated by this and Ella will still randomly bring up this experience on occasion.  Truly, these trips are memory makers and keepers!  =)

Lexi feeding the calf

We came home with 50 #'s of grass fed ground beef, that will take us through grilling season, taco nights, and numerous sloppy Joe meals and crocks of chili.  If you are looking for grass fed beef, we highly recommend Golden Hill Farms.  http://www.goldenhillfarms.com  You will struggle to buy grocery store meat again, after tasting the difference!


The kids learned how to play Chinese Checkers with Saundra, and are itching to play here at home as well.  Only, one little problem - I can't find our game set.  I know I own one, but since the flock moved into the basement, I can't access all the shelving like I used to be able to.  The rain won't stop long enough to allow us time to complete construction of the run for them, so the shelves and Chinese Checkers will have to wait a tad bit longer.  After all, patience is a virtue, right?


Bob and Saundra if you are reading this - thank you!  Thank you for letting us take your time on a lovely Saturday.  Thanks you for the delicious warm meal, the time spent with the us, the great conversation, and the memories we created!  We look forward to future visits and we look forward to attempting Maple tapping like we spoke about! The Adams5 will try anything once - how else will we be able to say to the kids "Oh, remember when we ....?"    Mike and I have so many good laughs thanks to this motto that leads our life! We have gotten into our fair share of mishaps, yet have experienced no regrets, and almost always make life altering discoveries when it comes to finding our lives' passions!

We'll be back on air soon!

So sorry for the lack of updates lately.  I will sign on this weekend and update.  I somehow lost time and midnight energy this week.... lots of evening meetings, school Open House, Zumba, and just simply enjoyed some much needed family time.

Stay tuned... we have lots to share!

2 weeks old

The gals are two weeks old... wow!  I am not sure we would ever truly appreciate and understand how quickly chicks grow and develop if it weren't for us pursuing this interest and living in the moment!  The 10 chicks continue to do well and most of all, they continue to grow... and grow... and grow!

We continue to talk to and handle the birds each day.  Some welcome the interaction more than others.   Some quietly nuzzle into your lap, while others make much noise in hopes that you will return them to the warmth of the brooder box. 

Lexi is a natural with holding the birds - our Jr. Chicken Whisperer

There are 2 chicks that are the curious ones of the flock - our White Rock and our Barred Rock (or as Linc likes to refer to her, "our Hard Rock" - lol).  These two will almost immediately approach your hands and hope that you have some food to share.  Today, Lexi was interacting with the birds, and the White Rock approached her, and then as she went to pet it, the chick leaned in towards her for a nice back rub!  Lexi was tickled!  She had pet a chicken that didn't try to run away!  At that very moment, she declared - "This is my bird - I am going to name her Vanilla!"  So, we have our first bird named!  And to think, Vanilla wasn't even one of our brainstormed ideas.  Just goes to show, the best ideas are those that present themselves in the moment. 

Presenting Vanilla (White Rock)

Our other outgoing bird is pictured below.  She has not been named yet.  Although I think she will be a magnificent Sparkle Glitter, Mike has grown particularly attached to her and is refusing to refer to her as Sparkle Glitter.  So, we will wait on her name... either Mike will give in, or just like with Lexi, the perfect name will present itself when the time is just right!

Very friendly Barred Rock

We trimmed wings again today.  The girls are enjoying running after one another and taking flight (not more than 1-2 inches off the ground.  It is not so much the sight that is nerve wracking but the sounds of the wings that cause me to close my eyes for very brief moments and pray that this is not the time they have some strange streak of luck and lift off out of the brooder.  I do believe for piece of mind, we will be fitting the top of the box with a screen next weekend.  I took a video of this new playful behavior this evening - hoping tomorrow I can post the footage.

We also raised the water dish, in hopes of alleviating the problem of them scratching it full of wood chips throughout the day.  So far, so good.  We also discovered if we bury things in their wood chips, they love uncovering their finds.  We have placed a pink plastic bowl upside down that we then cover.  Anytime we return to check on them, it is fully uncovered and they are taking turns perching themselves on it.  If no one is on top of it, then they are likely all standing around it taking turns pecking at it - to hear the noise it makes.  (Another simple treasure.)

Spring Break

Time certainly does fly when you are having fun!  In fact, this whole week we were on Spring Break and I am shocked by how quickly the week has come to an end.  Backpacks are packed and ready to start a fresh week of school.  Dinners are mapped out for the week, and both Mike and I are sad to see our time off come to an end.


We had a great week.  Nothing fancy - just a simple week together as a family to recenter ourselves and enjoy each other's company. Sure, warmer temps would be have been ideal, but we made the most of our week and trust that soon enough Spring will indeed arrive. 


When I asked them their favorite memory of the week, it was unanimous  - our trip to Schwebel's Bread in Solon, OH.  While there, we toured the factory (hairnets and all!) and watched the entire process - from dough to packaging!  

Thursday they were making hamburger buns.  The kids' eyes were so large as they watch the fine oiled machines and conveyors work effortlessly to make bread for consumers. (I must admit that Mike and I were fascinated by the process ourselves!) The tour even ended with the excitement of walking into the back of an actual semi truck being loaded for delivery.  Now, anytime we pass a truck on the highway, Linc quickly announces, "Hey, I was in the back of one those at Schwebels!"  We each left with a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread that morning! 

 So, dinner that night was easy - we celebrated our day with PBJ on the special bread... something Mike and I have learned over the years: simple treasures are often the sweetest!