Indeed it is on the farm & at the Bed & Breakfast!!
First of all we have a new team working with me and Ed. Melvin & Jennifer Lawrence of Polymeadow Farm, Shaftsbury, Vermont sold their large goat farm and agreed to come and work with us on our small goat farm. One might ask how I came upon this good fortune...well they are the folks I bought my very first goats from 8 years ago. Melvin & Jennifer were my go to mentors in the sickness and health of my goats. They've been there for me every inch of the way and I love them dearly for all they have given to me. Who would've thunk!! And as an added bonus, Melvin is a genius when it comes to fixing things. I watched him take my garbage disposal apart when it stopped working, put it back together and then asked me how to turn it on. He had never worked a garbage disposal before...but he fixed mine. Jennifer makes wonderful cheeses and soaps and is not afraid of the pigs or bees (she's very brave), spins and weaves and if we have any aches or pains she knows just the right spots to press and massage to make you feel better (she's a certified occupational therapist) and a superb goat midwife.
As if all of this isn't enough, they recommended that we hire Sarah Jahn, a young woman who had been working with them. I took their advice and Sarah finished this team tapestry. Sarah is a vivacious, sweet and loving person. She brings a happiness and vitality that has been missing for the past few years. She is knowledgeable in working with all the animals. She has learned my recipes and has brought some of her own to the "table". Ed & I have come to rely upon her for her kitchen skills. She has a love of gardening and has jumped in with both feet into growing veggies and flowers in our greenhouse over this winter. Her excitement is contagious when she learns something new or her seedlings sprout and nod their seed heads at her.
Andrew LeValley came to us last spring, before we even knew that Melvin, Jennifer and Sarah would be joining us. He's hails originally from the midwest and then far west...Kansas and Berkeley. He came looking for a better life and I hope he has found it here on the farm and in Vermont. This past summer and fall he gave me a precious gift of his time when I needed it the most. He worked long hours filling in for those who left us drowning without their much needed help. Thank you Andrew!
But the most special of all...my husband, friend and partner of 52 years decided to stop working on the mountain and totally immerse himself into this business. I no longer feel alone in this crazy endeavor and know that he is at my side to bolster me when I begin to fall down. He has been my strength this past year when our previous team fell apart and a storm of stress fell upon me. I talked about throwing in the towel, but he would have none of that. He wanted my dream to continue and he pushed me along inch by inch. My love for him is total!!!!
So this special team is up and spinning smoothly like Jennifer's wheel. I know that the farm is in good hands and the herds thrive with the love and great care they get from all of us. This past week four goats were born into this new year and a new buck has been introduced to the herd.
The Bed & Breakfast is doing splendidly. We were named by @Bed & Breakfast.com one of their top Bed & Breakfast Farmstays in the country. We already have bookings for the summer with families coming from Denmark and England.
So as you can see life is indeed wonderful down on the farm!!! Ed says keep dreamin....Irene
First of all we have a new team working with me and Ed. Melvin & Jennifer Lawrence of Polymeadow Farm, Shaftsbury, Vermont sold their large goat farm and agreed to come and work with us on our small goat farm. One might ask how I came upon this good fortune...well they are the folks I bought my very first goats from 8 years ago. Melvin & Jennifer were my go to mentors in the sickness and health of my goats. They've been there for me every inch of the way and I love them dearly for all they have given to me. Who would've thunk!! And as an added bonus, Melvin is a genius when it comes to fixing things. I watched him take my garbage disposal apart when it stopped working, put it back together and then asked me how to turn it on. He had never worked a garbage disposal before...but he fixed mine. Jennifer makes wonderful cheeses and soaps and is not afraid of the pigs or bees (she's very brave), spins and weaves and if we have any aches or pains she knows just the right spots to press and massage to make you feel better (she's a certified occupational therapist) and a superb goat midwife.
As if all of this isn't enough, they recommended that we hire Sarah Jahn, a young woman who had been working with them. I took their advice and Sarah finished this team tapestry. Sarah is a vivacious, sweet and loving person. She brings a happiness and vitality that has been missing for the past few years. She is knowledgeable in working with all the animals. She has learned my recipes and has brought some of her own to the "table". Ed & I have come to rely upon her for her kitchen skills. She has a love of gardening and has jumped in with both feet into growing veggies and flowers in our greenhouse over this winter. Her excitement is contagious when she learns something new or her seedlings sprout and nod their seed heads at her.
Andrew LeValley came to us last spring, before we even knew that Melvin, Jennifer and Sarah would be joining us. He's hails originally from the midwest and then far west...Kansas and Berkeley. He came looking for a better life and I hope he has found it here on the farm and in Vermont. This past summer and fall he gave me a precious gift of his time when I needed it the most. He worked long hours filling in for those who left us drowning without their much needed help. Thank you Andrew!
But the most special of all...my husband, friend and partner of 52 years decided to stop working on the mountain and totally immerse himself into this business. I no longer feel alone in this crazy endeavor and know that he is at my side to bolster me when I begin to fall down. He has been my strength this past year when our previous team fell apart and a storm of stress fell upon me. I talked about throwing in the towel, but he would have none of that. He wanted my dream to continue and he pushed me along inch by inch. My love for him is total!!!!
So this special team is up and spinning smoothly like Jennifer's wheel. I know that the farm is in good hands and the herds thrive with the love and great care they get from all of us. This past week four goats were born into this new year and a new buck has been introduced to the herd.
The Bed & Breakfast is doing splendidly. We were named by @Bed & Breakfast.com one of their top Bed & Breakfast Farmstays in the country. We already have bookings for the summer with families coming from Denmark and England.
So as you can see life is indeed wonderful down on the farm!!! Ed says keep dreamin....Irene
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