Waypoint Farm

Been hard at work planning, coordinating and executing plans for the farm! We had a longer term plan for all these projects (minus the ring) but the stars aligned and we made the best lemonade with the lemons we were given. The riding ring is in, and prepped for the winter, but we can do some light work in it this yr prior to finishing touches in the spring. Getting quotes on the barn with the goal to have the horses have an indoor space by the time heavy snow falls (or ice storms). We used some excess materials to redo the bathroom and laundry room, and finally got the basement back together after the April flood.

It's a bit frightening to go full steam ahead, but we have the ability to do it now, and better to get it done before that ability turns into vet bills, or a broken car, or some other must pay bill.

Watching your dreams come true is pretty remarkable 🤩 so happy to be doing it together.

Hay is finally moved to where it is supposed to live 🤩 this makes me happy for two reasons. #1 it signifies the start of the barn build and #2 we can easily fit double the hay for future ponies 😉🙈 thanks .aviator !

Some of this weekends canning by the tomatoes I still need to process 🙄😭🤣

Even after countless pasta sauces made to eat and freeze, almost a dozen jars of salsa, and so many salad and sandwiches toppings, we still have an abundance of tomatoes. Growing this garden and then turning every thing we receive from it into something for the future has been far more rewarding (and hard work!) Then I ever anticipated. We are planning bigger and better gardens for the 2024 season, and spending the winter learning how to do it right, not just get lucky 🤞😄😉

It's the start of something wonderful ❤️

I'm pleased with the results of my second garden ever. We tried it once before, but we couldn't manage it with work. It's certainly a work in progress and I am learning so much for the future, but I will admit when I went to the farmers market today, I was both in awe and a little bit discouraged by their vegetables compared to ours! Our tomatoes got ravaged by hornworms (I hate them!) And my beets didn't really come in at all. Holding out hope for a couple more peppers, but cucumbers and eggplant is coming in strong! And our herb garden was too successful 🤣I really wanted potatoes tonight, and I love new small potatoes, so sorry Ian, I scavenged some without you 😉

Let's start building a riding ring 🤩

It does not get much more peaceful then this farm on a Sunday morning ❤️

Put together a harvest basket with early things from the garden, and a dried herb blend I made today. Zucchini, broccoli, kale, a shallot, tomatos and lettuce. Plus a fresh loaf of bread in the oven.

The farm is not as far along as I could have wished, but we are playing it safe (and being smart adults) by making improvements as we can, while being aware of rising costs and interest rates. Its a slower rate of progress, but a smarter one! I've prioritized the doors of the barn being redone, and two stalls being built for the winter over a tack and feed room in the barn. So I finally reorganized and "moved" into the feed room in the garage, and honestly, it makes me so happy! I forgot how much joy walking into a clean and organized room can bring.

First harvest box! This is definitely a learning year. Horse manure needs to age more, my peppers didn't love my soil, and stagger my lettuce more. Next year I think I will dedicate the ground box we built to potatoes and something else, and build raised beds for everything else (except the random spot I planted my cauliflower and broccoli which is soooo happy)

I love this photo because it reminds me how far we've come and continue to go while balancing 2 exceptionally busy jobs, learning as we go in all aspects of our lives, a 2 hour commute daily and finances. Still out there making it happen. Well this weekend Ian is atleast. I'm in the house, trying not to cough to death