luna acres

yellow squash zucchini plants gourds - the end of the garden in about the center of the photo our first melon!  The garden is going strong, despite being pretty weedy from all the rain and sunshine. We have had more yellow squash and zucchini than we can eat, plus some tomatoes and today I saw our first few melons hidden in the vines! The gourds have taken over and stretch out through the field past the garden's edge. This summer has been a great first year for our garden, we know lots of things to do differently next time, but had tons of good food to eat regardless. Life is in the adventure. Live simply, Angela

our (messy) greenhouse, with new misting system installed phoenix oyster mushrooms blue oyster mushrooms Zae the Protector We are producing mushrooms, slowly. We are thankful that the demand is behind us, we sell out very fast when we do have mushrooms at market, and there are always more people interested. Live simply, Angela and Jonathan

At the beginning of the week we lost one of our two bucks, the Doctor. He was 17 pounds, part Flemish Giant, handsome and friendly. He produced great litters that grew big and fast. I don't know how old he was, and I don't know why he died. This is a sad part of life on a farm. In an early morning haste, with town jobs to get to, there was no time for a proper burial. I put him in the compost pile, and planned to come bury him better that evening. When we walked out that night the body was gone, only a tuft of fur remained. It couldn't have been our dogs, because we would have seen them, they would have been right in the front yard. I hate this part of the farm, but I am glad that his body went to nourish some other woodland creature, maybe a fox or coyote. The true circle of life. But that doesn't make it any less sad, we will miss him. Until next time, Angela Kelly

Jonathan's dad has been in the hospital for over a week, with no exact description for his ailment- he has spent most all his life drinking, and his organs are tired. These are private times, but I felt the need to share at least this much. Life comes in waves, there is always bad, always sickness and death. Without these things we could not appreciate the light, the beauty, the best parts of life. Until next time, Angela Kelly

Zae - protector of the bunnies, part time car cleaning assistant amy guarding her new litter from me hopper - now our only buck We sold our first rabbit at the farmer's market last Thursday. We couldn't be more excited! We will have five more for sale at the Celebrate Catawba festival on August 10 at the Catawba Community Center from 10 to 3. There should be lots of cool things and nice people.  Live simply, Angela

Jonathan made the decision to cut his dreads off. We worked at it for about three months, and they are just so much work . Anyone who thinks they are a mess, or people neglecting their hair, are incredibly off. They need constant attention, hours every day. I think they were on their way to looking really sweet, but we just don't have enough hours in the day. Goodbye dreadlocks. Until next time, Angela Kelly

This week my sisters three kids came to stay on the farm with us, the first time we have ever had all three of them together. I love them all so much, but we don't get to see them often. They all live in Wytheville, which is about an hour and a half drive from home. Reading that statement, I realize how close  it actually is, it's just the convenient excuse we have for our infrequent visits. We need to see each other more often, much more often. Unfortunately I did have to work nearly every day they were here, but there is still time afterwards and between. They took the farm like naturals, helping all of us with the feeding and watering. Spoiling the rabbits with love and affection. We were inspired by my sister Amy's new homemade scarf, and made three of our own, personalized with some wooden beads. I love all three, but I have to admit Brittany's tye-dye one is the coolest.  Also, a few random shots of our rotten mutts. Until next time, ...

My amazing nieces and nephew helped me harvest some vegetables from the garden yesterday. They have been staying with us for a few days, and it is so nice to see them. We came back with a full laundry basket and a half of onions (red, white, and yellow) squash, zucchini, beets, carrots, and tomatoes. They were all quite tasty (the rabbits enjoyed the beet leaves) and Jonathan made me a great repurposed drying rack for the onions and beats (and soon enough, potatoes.)  Thank you, first garden, you have taught us much already. (BTW apologies for the crappy cell phone pictures, I lost my camera, temporarily.) Oh yeah, and this morning I woke up to our first eggs from our beautiful hens. Yay! Live simply, Angela and Jonathan

the smallest bun-buns bird baths always interested - our three pretty hens the first squash of summer climbing cucumbers and zucchini a small harvest from the week We have not been incredibly productive on the farm these past few weeks, not nearly as much as we should have been, but things are rolling along as they always do, regardless of our efforts (and lackthereof.) The garden has started to produce beautiful squash, zucchini, beets, and onions, which we have been enjoying on a nearly daily basis. The rabbits are growing fast and we should have 30 plus to eat or sell by the end of summer. The hens should begin to bless us with eggs within the month. The mushroom baskets are all pinning and we should have a nice and timely harvest for market next Thursday.  Yes, despite our efforts, mother nature keeps us moving forward. Live simply, Angela and Jonathan 

growing hippity hops bird bath and curious chickens Zae- Great Protector of the Garden and Greenhouse pumpkin patch a small harvest my new short hair This has been by far the wettest summer in history- and I am soaking it up. Partly because last summer was so hot and dry out in Richmond, and partly because working a job in town leaves me feeling lazy and incredibly unproductive when we are home. Granted, part of this is true laziness- the list of non-priority projects around here is giant, and as they are not huge priorities (things like cleaning out the barn, downing trees to clear the plot for our little house, mulching the garden, re-wiring the rabbit hutch, etc etc etc) many hours we waste relaxing in front of the television when we should be outside.  Despite all this, life is for living right?  And sometimes living just means being lazy. Until next time, Angela Kelly my sunflowers have been massacred by some unknown fore...