And a Comet is born...

Yesterday morning, after feeding all of the animals, Ryan and I were concerned because our pregnant llama, Michele, looked MUCH skinnier than she had been previously. Yet, there was no cria in sight...? We went into the llama pasture and looked around, mentally preparing ourselves to find a dead baby. After much fruitless searching, we finally went back to the cluster of llamas eating their breakfast. Lo and behold, there was little Comet, laying next to his mom, perfectly camouflaged amongst the shrubbery! He was so tiny, and so perfect!! We immediately named him Comet for the white star on his nose. Welcome to the farm, Comet!

TOTAL Destruction!

We were finally able to tear down our old barn after getting the "run around" at the county office for a new building permit. The barn was torn down last Monday, and it was a beautiful thing to behold! I opened up a bottle of blanc de blanc in celebration. Building for the new 40'x40' barn begins immediately...

An Apple A Day...

But what about 1,000?

We have been hard at work this weekend picking apples off of one of our apple trees. We have filled two huge burlap sacks with apples, which I think amounts to about roughly 100 lbs. of apples! When you think about how many we had to throw away due to bugs (the tree has not been pruned/sprayed/etc for YEARS, and has a bit of a pest problem - but we are going to remedy that soon, so that NEXT harvest will be amazing!!), the number becomes even more impressive. That, coupled with the fact that all that we managed to pick yesterday was probably only equal to about 1/4 of the apples on the tree, is mind-boggling to me! We have been hard at work drying, cooking, and canning apples. I tell you: we are going to be pretty damn tired of applesauce come next year! *laughing* But I am SO proud of the fact that we are able to harvest and preserve food from our OWN property! We are taking our first big step toward the goal of self-sufficiency. We have also been canning pickled eggs this weekend, using a recipe I concocted with mustard, cloves, and cinnamon (it's REALLY good!). And in the next week or two, the plums are going to be ready to pick, so we will once again be hard at work canning that...ah, the life of a farmer...I LOVE IT!

Unintentional Herb Farm

So, I have discovered this past week that my property is host to all kinds of wonderful (wild) herbs! My husband and I noticed that all of our animal pastures are filled with German Chamomile! I was so excited to learn this! German Chamomile is easy to identify based on the hollow center of the yellow cone part of the flower, and by the way the white petals droop down as the flower matures. I have been harvesting the flowers all week and drying them for use in my botanical products (yes, it's very fitting that the small business owner of an herbal botanical goods store should have loads of wild herbs growing in her backyard). We also have wild spearmint growing around the property, as well as Lemon Balm and bushes and bushes of Rosemary! My husband and I are so happy!

Two Years Ago Today...
My wedding vows to Ryan:

My Dearest Ryan –

They say that they built train tracks through the Alps long before there was ever a train that could make the journey. In that same manner, I fashioned the tracks of my life, long before there was ever a man who could make the trip with me.

In truth, I never thought that I would find you. I searched for you for SO long – looking in all of the wrong places – desperately trying to ease that aching loneliness that always existed in the dark recesses of my heart. I yearned for you from the moment I realized that my life was missing something; yet deep down, I also knew that I was not ready. I had so much growing and learning to do. I had to lay down my tracks.

I believe that everything happens for a reason, and all things work out in the end. Instead of fighting life for what I felt I SHOULD be doing, I threw my arms up, and let the wind push me along my path. My path led to Utah – to YOU. I have lived here going on four years, my darling, and in that time I have seen and done so much. Throughout my life I have been laying down my train tracks, but only in these past four years, have I truly been able to discover myself; been truly able to say, “I am nearing completion.”

As you know, I spent the last two years past in almost virtual seclusion from the outside (social & dating) world. I focused my energies inward, and finally, about two months before I met you, I began to feel a change. This change was in part influenced my mentors around me, but mainly by my own self. Finally, I prayed that I might find you, and for the first time, I knew that I was indeed ready – my track line was ready for a train. For two months nothing happened, and I worried that no one had heard me. Then, lo and behold, on the world’s best blind date, *SMACK* there you were. We literally did run right into each other, at least as far as that attempted first kiss is concerned! J From the moment I laid eyes upon you, I knew that you were different. There was a level of comfort and knowing that, having just met you, I had no right to feel. I knew your thoughts before you voiced them, and knew YOU better than you knew yourself. And the even more amazing part was that the same held true for you. You understood me on levels that even I did not comprehend. It was as though I had spent my whole life fumbling around in the dark, and finally you came along and turned on the lights. You lit up my world, and I truly knew what it meant to be ALIVE. How can I ever repay this great gift that you have given me? You took my poor, broken heart – stomped on and abused by so many – and you not only patched it up, YOU MADE IT WHOLE. Oh Ryan, my heart and soul, words cannot describe how I feel about you. I now understand why the Jews and Muslims have 900 names for God; one small word just isn’t enough for love.

I stand before you today to keep a promise that was made before time began. I love you now, as I have loved you always. And I love you now, as I will love you forever. I will stand by you, in the good times and the bad, as I understand that everything in life runs in cycles. I will never desert you; I will be that shoulder that you lean on; I will be that other half that, until now, you could never find but always knew existed. I will be so close, that our hearts will beat as one. So close, that when you close your eyes, I fall asleep. I love you, Ryan.

Two years ago today...And we are still going strong!

And Life Continues in Its Spiral Dance...

So hard to believe how quickly time flies...I am always shocked. They say that time goes by more quickly the older that you get - if that is true, I am going to be in trouble! It's flying by much too fast already! I guess it's simply because there is always so much to do, and never enough time to accomplish it in.
Today is my two-year wedding anniversary with my husband. It seems surprising simply because it feels as though it should be LONGER. Has it only been two years?? I feel as though I have known him lifetimes...
As spring progresses into summer, we are enjoying the fruits of our labors. The fruits are ripening on the trees in the orchard, my garden is growing splendidly, and my roses are in full bloom. The days are long and the nights warm - this is my FAVORITE time of year!
The remodeling on the house has temporarily halted. We will resume renovations this fall/winter, but for now we need to focus on the animals and the harvests. Cappuchino and Chicklet (two of our miniature donkey jennets) have been successfully bred, and Frieda (the other jennet) is off at the Benson Ranch for one final attempt (failing this, she will be officially deemed sterile). The nigerian goats are thriving, and Cheerio and Breeze will be bred to Piddlin Acres BZ Suede Boots this fall (for a March 2009 kidding). I am so excited! Speaking of goats, we heard back from the autopsy on Chanel: she tested positive for Listeriosis. How horrible!! I feel so bad for the breeder. I pray for her sake that it was an isolated case, as she is such a wonderful woman and does NOT deserve to have this sort of thing happen to her!
Well, I could write more, but I think I will leave you with some pictures from around the farm instead...Adieu!

(Photo Courtesy of Pholia Farm)

Chanel's Memorial
A sweet, quiet, gentle soul...though I only knew her briefly, I fell in love with her and recognized Chanel as the kindred spirit she was. A few days before we were due to bring her home, she became very ill, and the day that we were supposed to pick her up, she had to be euthanized. We are still waiting to hear back as to what exactly the culprit of this sweet being's demise was. Chanel was three months pregnant (bred to Goliath), and was due to kid in August 2008. Oh darling Chanel, we wish you and your children better luck in your next life. You will be sorely missed...our broken hearts weep at your departure.

Spring Madness on the Farm…

Spring time has arrived here at Apothecary Farm, and with it a further multitude of tasks to accomplish as soon as possible!

We are very pleased to announce the addition of a gorgeous herd sire into our group: “Goliath.” Goliath comes to us from Pholia Farm in Rogue River, and we are eager to see how his genetics can improve our nigerian dwarf goat herd!

We will continue to increase our ND numbers by adding a second herd sire, Piddlin Acres BZ Suede Boots, and two more does (Pholia Farm RA Chanel & a doe kid from Piddlin Acres), in May & June. Our second phase of the kidding season will kick off with Chanel’s freshening in early August. Chanel has beautiful conformation and fabulous genetics. We are very excited to see how her udder improves with this second freshening! Two of our other does, Cheerio & Breeze, are scheduled to be bred this fall for spring 2009 kiddings. Please see our website for more details and the full kidding schedule.

Spring is the time for trimming hooves, shearing, and administering wormers and vaccinations. We will soon have more mohair and llama fiber available!! The female llamas are being moved into their larger pasture next weekend, and we know that they will be much happier with all of the extra running space. Punkin is going to be moved into the nigerian dwarf doe pasture to act as our new guard llama.

The chickens are laying eggs, and we can now offer farm fresh eggs for sale! We have more chicks due to arrive next week, as well as some goslings and turkeys. We will have (frozen) farm fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving this year, as well as a (frozen) goose or two! Inquire for availability.

The house remodeling continues (slowly). We are almost finished painting the downstairs, and are now focusing our attention on the upstairs: painting, replacing old light fixtures and toilets, etc. We have finished a great deal of landscaping to the grounds surrounding the house. We now have a small native plant and antique rose garden in place. As soon as we have some of the large (dead) pine trees removed from the front of the house later this month, we will begin landscaping that area. We have plans to put a picnic area out there so that people can watch the donkeys at play.

We have our heirloom seeds, and are very excited to begin planting our garden in the coming weeks. It will be a small garden this year, but we hope to expand in the years to come as time and money allows. The orchard trees are in bloom, and soon we will have fresh fruit. We have also planted some wild grapes around the property, and look forward to harvesting their fruit in the future. Each step we take is a step toward being self-reliant!

Attack of the Poit-r-saur!!


'Poit' was born on Sunday, February 24th at 6:30 pm. She is beautifully colored, and has moon spots just like her dam (Zilla). We are so happy to welcome this newest little addition into the Apothecary Farm family!

Hey, Everyone! Thought it was time for another note from the Farm.

Things are going really well here! We are beginning to gear up for spring and another great year at Apothecary Farm! Kidding season has arrived, and we are up to our eyeballs in goats! Sweet Pea (one of our angora goats) and her two babies have been moved back into the pasture now that the kids are old enough. They are adorable to watch as they frolic and jump all over the place! Their horns are finally beginning to come in, so Sprout looks more like "Puck!" And I have to laugh because Quanta's horns are black just like her. :)

Zilla (one of our Nigerian Dwarf does) is next in line to kid. She is due any time between now and mid-March. She is actually slightly dilated tonight, and Ryan and I are wondering if we may have newborn kids by tomorrow night...? Princess, the other angora goat, is due March 5th. I am hoping that Zilla kids soon, otherwise Ryan will be building another kidding box in a hurry! This is Zilla's (and Princess's, for that matter) first kidding, so we are really nervous. First kiddings can be the most difficult on everyone – especially the mom, who has no idea what in the world is going on. I feel really uncomfortable leaving every day for work, but I don't think my job will give me a month off to goat sit. *sigh* Ah well. We are keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best. Some days it looks as though Zilla will POP, and others I would swear she won't kid for another month - so who knows! I am praying she kids tomorrow!

We are getting ready to rototill and begin planting our garden next month. We have an enormous heirloom garden planned, and I am very excited! We are also expanding our current orchard to include some more heirloom apple and pear trees. As far as landscaping the area around the house, we have several native plant gardens in the works, and my connections at work are coming in very handy. We will probably begin landscaping in April.

Today we visited friend and fellow goat breeder, Gianaclis, from Pholia Farm. We watched as she and her daughter disbudded and tattooed several new kids. It was pretty traumatic, but we needed to be there so that we won't have any trouble when it comes time to do it for Zilla's babies. We are also going to be purchasing another doeling and possibly a buck from Gianaclis. This afternoon, we attended Troon's Inner Circle wine party. It was nice to wash away the trauma of the morning with some good booze!! Speaking of which, we went to the Troon's Applegate Zinfandel wine release yesterday. It was fun to get away and hang out with Team Troon (many of whom we consider friends). We ended up buying a couple of cases of wine to help stock up our ever-growing wine cellar. We also got to talk with the owner and hear about his plans for eco-expansion and his possible venture into large-scale event hosting.

Our milking stand arrived last week, and we have already trained Zilla to hop up onto it in preparation for milking/grain time!

Next Saturday, Don the Farrier is coming over to trim donkey hooves. Next Sunday, we are taking the only intact male at the Farm, Sprout, over to Carol Ronan (the woman we bought Sweet Pea and Princess from), where he will have his - ummm...parts... - removed. Poor Sprout! It's not going to be a good day for him!!!

Ryan and I are VERY excited for fresh goats milk (when Zilla kids). Ryan can't wait to make cheese and butter! The chickens are getting ready to start laying. One of them keeps making a nest in the llama barn - much to the llamas' immense displeasure. Farm fresh eggs are one of the great joys in life! We already have so many people wanting to buy eggs from us that I am wondering if the chickens will be able to keep up with demand! I guess the good news is that we have 25 more on the way in April, as well as geese and turkeys. Yup, that's right: we are venturing even further into the poultry business! We will be raising geese and turkeys for slaughter this year, as well as trading geese for weeding (and fresh chickens eggs!) to Longsword Vineyard in exchange for wine. Geese are apparently excellent for weeding vineyards, and as Longsword is organic, they were game to try it out!

Still haven't been able to bring my two darling llama babies home yet (Curious George and Judge). The weather was too bad to bring them back when we went up to Portland for Ryan's operation. Unfortunately, our schedule is much too hectic right now to plan another trip. Ah well...I will miss my llamas, but I guess I will get them when I get them.

Speaking of Ryan's surgery: he is all healed up and back and bouncing around like his normal self. I am so happy! I was worried sick about him while he was recovering.

We still have no idea on whether or not my darling donkey, Frieda, is pregnant. She is definitely the 'Mystery Donkey.' I love her to pieces, however, and as much as I want a 'baby Frieda,' it wouldn't even matter to me if she never had a single foal. I would still love her as completely and whole-heartedly as I do now. She is definitely another one of my animal soulmates!!

Speaking of donkeys, we had some bad news last week: turns out that the breeder we were purchasing Midway (our star jack) from has discovered new-found reservations about selling him. She basically wants to buy him back and not sell him to us for a couple of years. Ryan and I were pretty upset by the entire ordeal, but in order to keep up good relations we felt we had no choice - that, and we are so busy, that getting Midway in two years rather than right now might actually be better. Still, the whole thing was a nightmare, and Ryan was pretty broken up over it. I am torn between broken-hearted and pissed off. I don't know what to do, and I feel like we had no choice in the deal. *sigh* Alas, that is how it goes sometimes. We will still (hopefully!) be able to buy him in a few years. In the meantime, Cappuchino and Chicklet are scheduled to be bred this March. I am excited for their babies!!!

As far as work: Ryan and I are still working full time during the week, and spending weekends getting our property ready for the bed and breakfast/tourist season. Can you tell we are BUSY???!!! I am enjoying my job, though things are still pretty slow. Ryan HATES collections, but is trying to hold out for two years or so (at which point we are hoping he can quit and work on the B&B/Ranch full time). Who knows what Fate has in store for us in the future, but our plan is to open our Bed and Breakfast full time in two years or less. Speaking of which, we definitely HAVE to open up (even if just on weekends!) this year, as the only other competition in Applegate Valley has closed its doors!! Thus, we have the monopoly on the region at this point!! How AWESOME is that??? Thus my pushing to open up our business in May, even if things aren't 100% finished, just to get our NAMES out there!

Well, I think that about does it. My hands are tired of typing. I hope that everyone is doing well! We miss you all! Please, if you are ever in the area, feel free to visit and play with the animals. I promise I won't make you do farm chores!! And keep us in mind the next time you are in the market for fiber, soap, fresh goat cheese, and farm fresh eggs!!

Love to all,

Jillian

Snow Day at Apothecary Inn!
I have to say that I was more than a little shocked by the amount of snowfall we received yesterday. There was about a foot of snow at our house (I know because I measured the level of the snow with my muck boots during morning chores! *grin*), and the road conditions were less than ideal. It took us an extra two hours to get to work this morning. The animals' reactions to the snow ranged from sheer terror (Frieda, Zilla, Cheerio, Breeze, and the chickens) to open excitement (Gruff and Bartholomew). The snow was so high that the goats had to practically burrow out of their shelters in order to reach their outdoor hay feeders. Ryan and I had a blast playing in the freshly fallen snow! We are used to such snow in Utah, but I NEVER expected this from Oregon!!!

The snow is coming up about mid-calf in this picture. Gruff and Bartholomew (our two pet wethers behind me) are practically being buried by the deep snow!

Jeriko is our Snow Donkey

Bartholomew trying to un-bury himself from the snow!

Sprout and Quanta's Introduction Into the World!

Meet the two newest (and cutest) members of the Apothecary herd!

Ryan says hello to the newborns.
Sprout is the spitting image of his mom, Sweet Pea. Quanta, a darling black-with-red-highlights girl, is our miracle baby! We almost lost her, but thankfully, all things worked out, and Quanta is healthy and growing more vigorous with each passing day!

Here's our sweet, ADD goat baby! Sprout has more energy than a million hummingbirds!!!

Quanta on Day #2, looking happier and healthier

Quanta trying to walk - still unsteady on her feet, but MUCH stronger!

I love this picture!: "Yin and Yang"