Fun trips out don't always require something fancy, expensive, or well planned... often a last minute trip to Lowe's for the Kids build is occasion enough to celebrate! Plus, we came home with 3 new bird houses for our fine feathered backyard friends.
It is exciting to send the care packages to our soldiers each month, but to be honest - it is even more exciting to get emails from them after our packages arrive! Here is the wonderful letter we received today that left us all beaming ear to ear!
Hello Adams family how are you doing?
I hope you guys are doing good back in Ohio. Well first I just want to let you know the Adams family is very popular in my platoon and that is a good thing. We were gone from our mail patrol base for two weeks to do a mission and we got back today. On the way back everyone was happy, because there was mail waiting for us and my platoon was all hoping that the Adams family sent us another box. As you see I said us because I share it will all my Marines in my platoon. I just thought that was the cutest thing that everyone knows the Adams family so I had to let you know that you guys are popular in Afghanistan!
Once we got back I saw that there was package from the family and my entire platoon gathered around and I started to share what was in the box, but I had to keep the pepperoni, lol. We loved everything that was in the box especially the Uno card because its going to keep us occupied. Even the bubbles made us happy and we were just blowing them around having fun. Also, the squeezable applesauce was a good choice and thank you for the wipes.We really use a lot of wipes out here because there is no running water therefore we cannot take showers. In the letter it said Mike enclosed the magazines for us so please give Mike a big hug for us and two thumbs up. :)
Please tell the kids thank you for the drawings and tell Lexi I was able to find the face, cellphone, and the star in the drawing. Those pictures really made our day.
Once again thank you very much for the care packages and thank you for supporting our troops. If I ever get a chance to visit Ohio, I have to stop by. Whenever I get a chance I'll try and send some more pictures of us. THANK YOU ADAMS FAMILY.OORAH AND SEMPER FIDELIS
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!
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!
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| 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.]
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| 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! =)
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| 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!
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!
