Friday Farm Favorites: Sheep in the Pasture
These photographs were taken in the spring a few years ago. I especially love that Clover, one of my favorite sheep, seemed to enjoy watching the chickens scratch in the grass and chase bugs.
Friday Farm Favorites: A Visit With Carla Dirlikov
A number of years ago my husband and I had the great pleasure of meeting Carla Dirlikov, a mezzo-soprano and world class opera singer, at a dinner event for our local opera, Opera Roanoke. A performance of Bizet’s Carmen was planned with Ms. Dirlikov in the lead. Not only is Carla Dirlikov an amazing talent, she is also a humanitarian, animal lover, […]
Eggs, Eggs Everywhere!
Growing up on a farm as a child afforded many wonderful experiences. Meaningful experiences that shaped my values and inspired me. I remember when I was about 6 or 7 years old, my dad decided that it would be nice to have fresh milk and eggs. So, he bought a Holstein cow named Bessie and ordered chicks. I remember sitting in our living room early in the morning before school with an old towel on my lap, carefully cradling a warm, fuzzy chick in my hands–marveling at its tiny body and feet as well as the soft, little sounds it made. Every morning over the next 2-3 weeks, I would hurriedly get dressed and eat breakfast so that I could hold one for a few minutes before the school bus came. I loved those little chicks! As the chicks grew into hens, they would free range all through the pastures and even around the house; but, for some reason, though, they didn’t like to lay their eggs in the coop. Much to my surprise and joy, I would walk along outdoors, and just FIND an egg laying out in the yard or under a bush. It was like an Easter egg hunt! After making the discovery that the hens were laying eggs ALL OVER the place, I remember enthusiastically running into the house and searching for my Easter basket. “This is going to be fun!,” I thought. And it was. […]
A Lesson
As a child growing up on Green Hill Farm there were two things that I looked forward to the most: visiting with Grandma and Granddaddy Rieley and summer time. One thing that I liked best was neither required dressy outfits or shoes. I also relished the freedom of an undetermined day, one without rules or routines. I’d run around on the farm sometimes barefoot and still in my pajamas, or a mismatched outfit chosen by me; one which usually included an article of clothing made of terry-cloth, a Mork and Mindy tee-shirt and maybe even knee socks. I probably resembled something akin to a cross between Little Orphan Annie and a peasant. Nevertheless, I didn’t care. I had Grandma to visit, stuff to get into, and I was comfortable–a formula that equalled happiness in my world. Of course, those days are long gone, because I’d never go outside today without at least a pair of flip flops on my feet. I also don’t wear terry cloth shorts or knee-socks anymore, either–at least, not together. However, I still prefer jeans and tee-shirts to dressy outfits, and I’m known to wear my pajamas outside the house on occasion (but never off the farm). As for those undetermined days, well, I still love them, because you just never know who you may meet or what you might learn. It was a glorious summer day like the ones depicted in those old Country Time […]
Snowed In On Green Hill Farm
Acrostic poetry by Tonya R. Hengerer “Snow” Softly falling– Not a sound, Only Whirling, whirling to the ground. “Winter” When Icy, cold weather Naturally interrupts The warmth Enjoyed upon Earth Radiated by the sun. “Shovel” Something with which one Heaves snow Out of the way; a Very useful, Everyday tool–mostly Languishing in a shed until winter.
The Weekly Bleat: Hamish
Hamish is one of our two sheep that was a bottle-fed lamb. He has tons of personality and a little bit of attitude as well. Whenever we are outside, he always baaahs at us to say hello. And, when it’s time for grain, well, I do believe he would walk up to the house and ask for it if he […]
“The Weekly Bleat: BRRRRR”
Farmguy spontaneously took this photograph last winter as we headed out the door to feed our sheep and chickens. He was amused by my “winter outfit” and wanted to capture the moment. I don’t normally dress like this, but it was during one of the polar vortexes. You see, during the winter, Green Hill Farm is our version of a tundra. So, […]
Merry Christmas and Many Thanks!!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! With love from all of us at Green Hill Farm, Scott, Tonya, Maud, Dash, Clementine, Finn, Olive, Honey and all the sheep ********* Thanks so much for following Fourth Generation Farmgirl!
A Lesson
As a child growing up on Green Hill Farm there were two things that I looked forward to the most: visiting with Grandma and Granddaddy Rieley and summer time. One thing that I liked best was neither required dressy outfits or shoes. I also relished the freedom of an undetermined day, one without rules or routines. I’d run around on […]
“The Weekly Bleat: Autumn Days on Green Hill Farm”
“No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.” –John Donne “The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.” –Henry Beston
fourth generation farmgirl 