Our Turkey Experience

So beautiful

 Last   May some friends asked if we would like to get turkeys from them. Seems you have to order at least 15 turkey chicks and they had no desire to keep 15, so we said yes.

We were given 6 little turkey chicks, and one chicken chick. The chicken chick is to show the turkeys how to do simple things like, find the water and food.....

Now these were not the kind of turkeys that feed the masses on Thanksgiving. These were Heritage
Turkeys.  From what I understand they are a  cross of European and Native turkeys.

As I recall after the first night at least one died. Actually every morning for a few days it was touch and go.

With the rabbits. See the chick on their backs?

I had heard that turkeys are notoriously difficult to brood, but I felt confident we could do it!

 I realized they were getting cold and that they seemed, well ...sensitive in an emotional way. They just seemed shy,
kind of clueless. So I put them in with my rabbits and we had no more problems.

The rabbits are soft, warm and gentle. The chicks would lie between them or just sit on top of them
and snuggle up...they began to thrive.

Unfortunately they did not get much smarter. For example where as chickens will go into the coop when the sun sets, the turkeys just could not be trained to do so. The chickens could easily find their way back and forth between pens and fences, not the turkeys. They just aren't programed to think.
Now I could make all kinds of jokes about jive turkeys and such but I think you get the idea.

So every night for all these months we have been going out at night and rounding up turkeys and putting them in the coop to be safe.

Then one night we plain old got sick of it. We left them out. Sure enough the next morning one was
missing. I noticed vultures in the meadow and of course found the missing turkey.

 After that we decided to keep the turkeys cooped all the time. I mean we just couldn't go to all that work and then let a fox or some other animal get them!

I called my husband at work one day and told him the turkeys were depressed. They were too. They were, are... regal animals. Keeping them penned seemed just wrong. Now the alternative did not make us
happy.. but what could we do?

Yes, I came home on Halloween to find them all, well, ready for the freezer.

My husband said he didn't want to do it, but he felt it was the kindest thing to do.

We will not raise turkeys again.

I have heard that Ben Franklin wanted to make the turkey our national bird. I understand why, they truly
are beautiful animals. I for one think they should be wild.

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

Add caption

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

Upcoming October Events

learning about the smoker

Just a short post to let you know about the upcoming  October events here at Novellas Farm.

This month Farm Mornings will take place on Wednesdays. 

Each of the 4 mornings focuses on a different aspect of the farm.

Day 1 is all about the bees, we will learn the parts of the hive, look in the hive talk about bees and finish up the morning by making candles.

Day 2 is all about the cows, we will learn all about them, milk and make a dairy item from the mornings milking.

Day 3 is about the worms, chickens and eggs. Each child will take home a worm farm.

Day 4 is about the garden, seeds and compost. Each child will take home seedlings and a small seed observation necklace.
October 3,10,17,24
Time is from 9 to 11:30

Cost: 25 per day if single day,
or 85 for all 4.
135 for 2 kids,
(please contact me if more than 2 kids)

Farm Days October 8 and 16
Saturdays October 13 and 27

On these days we do it all! A wonderful day out of the city. Please  bring a sack lunch.
30 for one child, 45 for 2, 55 for 3.
Adults free, children under 3 if with paying child.
9-1:30

Halloween Farm Days
October 30 and 31
Choose a day
We will milk cows, talk about the chickens, make creepy worm farms, make scare crows to take home,
and make old fashioned honey/cream apples to take home.
9 -1:30
Cost is 30 per child.

You must reserve a spot for any of these programs in order for there to be enough supplies. Hey, just give me a call!

As always please contact me for any information or if
you need to discuss a day scholarship.

Living with House Construction

House with siding

If you have ever visited Novellas Farm you
probably noticed the condition of the house.
Let's just say it's a work in progress.

Here is is before

Well, last year we were notified by our insurance carrier that unless the house was sided by the end of this summer we would be dropped.

Although it is ridiculous
to think the siding is going to protect the dwelling from, say fire, it needed to be done.

Of course we waited til
a few weeks before the deadline to begin the project. But hey, we got it done...

We used corregated metal for a few reasons:
1. it doesn't need painting and I knew we would never, ever paint it.
2. the air space between the metal and the house acts
as extra insulation, the air there maintains the temperature better.
3. I like the look.

All my married life I have lived in a house under construction. Our last house was an old bungalow in Central Austin.  My husband renovated it and added a
second story.

I can't even begin to describe what it is like to live in a house under construction. Except for having a loved one diagnosed with an incurable disease, it has to be one of  the worst life experiences one can live through.

I have  wondered what I did in my past lives to carry such a Karmic debt. I must have been truly evil.

It all began so gently. One day my then new boyfriend said to me, "wait til you see what I did to the kitchen, youre going to be so excited!" I thought he had painted or something. No, he had ripped out my
cabinets... and it just grew from there. A friend of mine whose husband was also a carpenter were at a party once and she said "Kenny (her husband)would rip all this out" talking about our friends cabinets... I turned to her and knew I had found a sister.

Yet, I must say it has been a learning experience.
My kids and I know all the parts of a house, including the septic, thanks to this renovation! It  makes me really appreciate how far we have come.

Nothing feels better than drifting off to sleep in the house Jerry built.