Snow

Got the biggest snow in 6 years this winter, around 10 inches. The kids loved it and did plently of sledding here at the farm. The animals on the other hand didn't really care for it!

The Year in Pictures - Kids of all sorts

I seam to have fallen off the blogger bandwagon for a while. It has been over a year, and, boy, what a year. Here are just some of the goings-on around the homestead.

The boys are growing as fast as the thistles.


Nate turned 3

Then Brandon turned 7


Andean hats from Peru


Mulch for the garden

Putting Rock Veneer on Hearth

This was loads of work involving about 1500lbs of rock and 500lbs of mortar. Not to mention that finding a rock for each space required lifting many rocks to find the right fit. We're thrilled with the result... just hope the foundation is up for it.

Spring 2009

Spring is here on Silver Creek!

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, and I'm no author...

Columbine

Slabbing some fallen pines

The new wood shed

Beef Steak is shy

First Ruby Throated Hummer of the Year (female)

We've got a pair of Pileated also but they are incredibly camera shy.

Anyone know what this is? It's all over the pasture.

Camping trip to Curtis Creek

Whippoorville Farms carries Silver Creek Family Farm Eggs!

You can now order

Silver Creek Family Farm Eggs through Whipporville Farms.

Place your order at: http://www.whippoorvillefarms.com/

While you are there check out Whippoorville's outstanding organic seasonal produce selections!

Pick up your order between 10am-12pm or 2pm-5pm in the Union Plaza building (Lower Level - Suite 101) in downtown Hickory.

Orders received by Tuesday (2:00 pm) will be available on Wednesday
Orders received after Tuesday (2:00 pm) will be available on Friday

Whippoorville Farms is a small organic produce farm located in Hickory, North Carolina. Whippoorville encompasses 22 acres in the Mountain View area. Whippoorville utilizes two small garden plots that, combined, total approximately one half acre. They have also started a small fruit orchard which has Thompson and Concord grapes that were rooted from the family's 50 year old vines. Whippoorville has been growing produce since 2000 and have been selling at local Farmer's Markets and on the web since 2007."

Woodstove Install- efficient cozy inexpensive heat.

"Wood warms you twice. Once when you cut it and once when you burn it."

The wood stove is in - just in time for the cold weather.

The hearth begins

The pipe install (inside)

The pipe install (outside)

Ready for fire

The pipe kits came from lowes. The stove is a Fisher Baby Bear. It's air tight and circa 1975 (craig's list is an amazing thing). The entire project cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $400. That is roughly equivalent to a quarter of a tank of propane.

Pig Pickin for Heifer

The First Annual Pig Pickin' for Heifer!

Thanks to everyone who came and for the donations to Heifer International!

The cook

The Guest of Honor

So much food!

Some Pickers

Katie and Nate

Brandon and Nate

I just wish I had taken more pictures. If you attended and have any pictures to share, please send.

A Taste of Costa Rica

We spent 10 days in Costa Rica. These are just a few highlights.

Coffee Plantation

I guess that's why they call it a rainforest.

La Paz Waterfall

Golfito

Zancudo Town (Spanish for Mosquito... no kidding)

Beans and rice with breakfast in Zancudo

Beautiful beach in Zancudo

Into the Jungle

Howler Monkey (Eat your heart out Sam)

Morpho on Cocoa tree

Out of the jungle and back onto the beach

A dry place to sit

Flight back to San Jose

Canopy zipline tour

New Friends

Brandon (5) and Nate (2) are staying with us for a while.

We are having a great time learning from each other on the farm.

Brandon was up at 5:00 am for his first day of Kindergarten.

Nate and Brandon both love to be outdoors.

Nate is very fond of spaghetti.

Brandon's favorite is cereal.