It's True...We Have a Mini Farm!

It all started back in college, about a year and a half before we got married. Dustin got the itch to get a sweet puppy dog. So we traveled seven hours one way to Montgomery, Alabama to a kill shelter and saved a little 5 month old boxer mix...our Daphne.

Young Daphne in Dustin's College Apartment

Then we got married and we're busy paying attention to one another and we felt like Daphne was needing a pal. So, after a day on the hiking trails of the Santee Canal in Charleston, six months after we married we got a little Weiner Dog cause we loved my mom's hotdog so much. Welcome Ike!

 

So, there we were...just the four of us for quite a few years. But, shortly after our 5th anniversary while working at Converting Hearts, Dustin walked into the men's house one Monday morning to be greeted by a stray cat who the boys let in over the cold weekend! So...after a phone call to his wifey asking to bring the little guy home, we welcomed Baxter into our family.

The most cuddly, sweetest kitty who ever lived! He sits like this on Dustin every morning!

Fat Bax, we call him! He's about 3 years old now.

Then, this past spring after watching our friends kiddos out in the country, their daddy told us to stop by a feed store right down the road. We stopped there and lo and behold, there was a box of free kittens only 7 weeks old. The store manager made us take one home with us!! How demanding! So, we chose our baby girl, Libby, who is the most beautiful and precious kitty I've ever seen!

(I post these pictures of Dustin kissing our kitties to prove to his family (Dad and Grandaddy!!), who raised him not to love cats, can see that it is in fact their beloved son who is wrapped around these kitties paws...it was not me who forced cats into our house. Though I do love all furry creatures! And so does my honey buns!!)

Well, you'd think we would stop there. But, nope...again, it was Dustin. This time he really wanted some chickens. So, we have the four furry creatures, a tank full of fish, and now introducing...OUR SEVEN CHICKENS!

Dot and Rudy are Roosters...and then there's Brie, Bonnie, and Martha...

Alice and Tammy

Bonnie's my favorite...so sweet she lets you pick her up!

 We tried to go with all old country names! (Minus the Roosters' names who were originally Dorothy and Ruth, until we found out the ladies were dudes!) My incredible talented carpenter hubby built the coop...my desired adorable Williams and Sonoma Design!

So, here are a few pictures of our mini farm...enjoy a sneak peek into our life!

Libby loves her doggies and tries to snuggle every day!

Bigger than her dad's shoe now

Her favorite! Her big brother Baxter...they are best friends!

My study buddy! ('Scuse the robe...)

Neighborhood girls come to our petting zoo!!! haha

Our backyard (and my mowing job!)

Our chickies enjoying free time!

 Our little house we've made such a cozy home. We sure love it here...ready for full time ministry, but wish we could take our house and friends with us!!!

Well, that's OUR FARM!

Tell all 'dem Deers....Watch Out!!!

Well, it's that time...the season of killing innocent little animals for dinner! And and as much as I hate thinking of that tearjerker, Bambi (terrible movie), I do love me some deer steaks, deer giblets, and deer jerky! So, I thank the Lord I have a hunter man for a husband (beard and all). I think it's quite manly(!!!!) to see my man all...

BA BAM! Ready for the Kill!

I don't mind the dirt smears and scary face paint. Just look how those baby blues shine! haha So, we have 40 pounds of deer meat already in our freezer from some friends of a friend who killed four deer and gave us two! My hubby spent about five hours processing the meat, grounding most of it, and neatly wrapping it ready for the freezer and my belly. We've already had deer chili (da bomb!) and meaty spaghetti...all without a hint of that icky gamy taste. (Don't think I'll ever enjoy that musky flavor). The goal is to get enough deer meat this season to live off (mainly) deer and fish for the upcoming year. Hey, these are tight times and we'll save a lot of money!! But, the coolest thing about this hunting season is this girl who is ready to hang with her hubby in the woods...silently...for hours...without making a peep...in the cold...who is just there for company...who has no gun....

I know, you're thinking, "who could this huntress warrior be...all decked out in camo?"

That's right...ME! Little bit 'a pink is good for them deers! 

(Don't worry, I'll close my eyes when the shot is fired. Need to show Bambi some respect!)