Novellas First Birthday Party

pretty table

About a week ago I had a lady call me.
She had heard about the farm and thought it might be a fun place to host her daughters 8th birthday
party.

At one time I posted birthday parties on the web site, but I never had any interest so I quietly removed it from the listings.

Scarecrows

When this mom called I told her I had not had any parties yet. She would be the guinea pig, so to speak.

I gave her a few choices of activities, and they chose to milk the cows, make ice cream and make scarecrows.

a small fire to take the chill away

On the day of the party the weather was chilly so we built a fire.

As kids started to arrive, I showed them around the farm. They loved the chickens and turkeys.

We milked the cows,  not all the kids wanted to, but that was OK.
They all enjoyed making the ice cream, which we saved to go with the birthday treat.

Then each child made a scarecrow.
At first the Mom's  just watched, but after a bit we were all helping, which was really nice. I think it is more fun for the kids when the parents are involved and not just watching.

Next there was  a scavenger hunt arranged by the birthday girl's parents. 

Long story short the day was a success! Of course everyone stayed late ( no one ever leaves here on time, just too much fun).

In fact one woman asked if I rented out rooms to  stay the weekend. As a sort of retreat!

I think one thing people enjoy when they come out here is simply being out of the city. Austin is a great place.
I love visiting, but there is just so much going on, all that energy, so many people, so many rules, traffic...
 Novellas is a place for adults and kids to just let down their guard for a bit.

Very nice.

If you would like to have an event here at Novellas, please contact me, I would love to work something out
for you.
512-761-1852

November Happenings at Novellas Farm

Heres whats on the Horizon for November

Please contact me if you have any questions,

Thanks

Amy

 

Saturday Farm Day
November 10,17  9am-1pm
This is a day for families who are busy during the week.
We will do all the same things we do in the usual farm days; milk the cow, make a dairy product, learn about
the worms, chickens and eggs, observe the bees, see inside the hive and much more.
This is also just a great way to get out of town to enjoy the day.
Sack lunch is encouraged 




Farm Days

November 7,9, 13,15, 27




October 30 a special Halloween/Fall Day

We will milk the cow, make scarecrows, and honey/cream dipped apples
on sticks.  A very laid back way to enjoy the Fall weather.




9:00 AM til 1:30 PM (sack lunch is encouraged)

Farm Days are offered for those folks who would prefer to not make a commitment to repeat trips out to the farm, but would still like to learn about everything we have to offer.
(well almost everything)

We will

• milk a cow
• make butter or ice cream
• learn all about chickens and eggs
• find out all about earthworms, how to use their castings and how to set up a worm farm,  and take home a small  worm jar to take home and get your child started,
• learn about composting, how to get your pile hot!
• spend time in the garden and learn how to get your own garden going

 Farm Mornings Fall of 2012
each morning focuses on a different animal or element of the farm 
Fridays in September
Wednesdays in October
Mondays in November


2 1/2 hours
9 to 11:30am

Bees:  We will learn about the social structure of the honey bee colony, look at the parts of the hive, observe the bees working in their hive and finish up with an activity to reinforce the lesson

Cows: We will begin this morning with meeting the cows, learn about their anatomy inside and out.  We will milk the cow, learn about many products we get from cows, and finish the day with making a delicious food from the milking.

Chickens, worms and eggs:  We will learn their anatomy, about flock behavior, discover the structure of the egg and many other interesting facts about these animals.
We will also learn about the role the earth worm plays here on the farm. Each child will take home a worm farm.

 


The Garden/Soil/Compost: On this day we will learn how to put in a garden, how to start our seeds, site selection, how to make compost, and casting tea. We will learn where seeds come from the importance of pollinators and much more.
Each child will take home seedlings and seed boxes to watch the process of seeds sprouting.

The Fall Garden

Beans and squash

Here in Texas we have 2 gardening seasons.
Fall and Summer.

The only thing is that summers have been so very hot. Africa hot. for the last few years.

If I remember correctly the summer before last we had something like 60 days over a hundred degrees?
With like, no rain at all?  Does that sound right?
(I try to forget)  And this last summer, although it wasn't quite as bad it was pretty rough.


I am beginning to think it is the new normal.
 So one must make the most of the Fall garden here in Texas.

This year  I was so eager to plant the fall garden I

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put it in too early( although I was within the recommended planting dates.) Many of my seedlings just burned
up!  The dates that we used to follow are just not accurate any more.

Right now I am harvesting yellow squash, zucchini,
green beans, tomatoes, lettuce and spinach.

Soon the squash and beans will be coming out and in their place will go the broccoli , brussel sprouts,
beets, swiss chard and of course more carrots, spinach and lettuce of all types.

So... my point is this, it is not too late for you to put in a garden for this fall! Sure you are too late for some things but if you put in lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, chard or any other things I mentioned you could have fresh veggies for your family all through the winter.

This is the best time for the Texas garden don't miss it.!

me with 2 of my sisters ( bee stung my hand)

This last Saturday I went to my little nephews
wedding.

I guess he isn't so little anymore, it seems like just
yesterday, (well not yesterday, but pretty recently) that he was just a little guy.

He has grown into a man, and he is lucky enough to have found a woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Is there any better reason to have a party?

my sons and their cousin

In fact the whole evening was full of love.

a couple of gorgeous nieces

I was filled with a deep gratitude to have been blessed with my family.

My kids are amazing people. I can honestly say
they are all good people who make the world a better place.

My siblings ( most of them, well the ones at the wedding) are all wonderful. We would all do what ever we

my daughter, mom and sister in law

could to help each other out. They are all smart, honest, hardworking people.

And my Mom, well, you already know about her.
She's a doll, 82 and always  positive and happy.

All of these people, my family, I am honored to
be connected to them. I know it's corny but
it's true, family is the most important thing there is.

After the wedding I found myself thinking about my father. He died when my oldest son was 6 months old. He was only 65, which is only 9 years
older than my husband is now.

I miss him, we all do. Especially my Mom. They were one of those lovey dovey couples. She tries
hard to stay positive, to enjoy life. But I know she misses him always.

So... I am going to try to be a better wife, to  really enjoy having my mate with me. The father of my children. The man who worked hard to allow
me to stay home with my kids. To not "miss it".

That's what the whole party was really about
the love between a man and a woman.
I hope for the best for the bride and groom,
they have no idea what they're in for,
I hope they enjoy the ride!

another nephew with girlfriend