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Saturday, September 22, 2018

Equinox Farm

Today is our 15th anniversary.  It doesn't seem like it's been that long.  And it seems like we've been here forever.  Now that I think about it, I haven't heard our farm referred to as the "Douglas place" or the "Singer place" in several years.  Usually now it's "the place with the sheep."  I guess we've become part of the history now.  Or the sheep have.

I found some old pictures Tim took from the early days, the day we first saw the farm and some of the early work we did.  I thought I'd share them here because they are fun to look at and try to put then and now together...and if the house ever burns down, they'll live on forever on the internet.  Worst Case Scenario reason #168 for blogging... 


From the road.


This is looking at the back of the barn.  Tim took this picture from what is now the back of the Del Boca Vista paddock.  I am standing near the gate to the arena.  The corgi is sweet Sophie and the collie is my beloved Sam.


Standing at the back corner of the barn, looking out to the road.  Tim is standing pretty close to where the Grahaminator2000 is now.


This is the barn lot.  The weeds on the left are now where the front corner of the Del Boca Vista fence is, the two gates that make the corner.  The sliding doors are the barn aisle.  Those doors now roll all the way to the right along with two more doors that cover the end openings for the inside and added on outside shed.   


Looking out towards the back.  I think that's basically where the curved alleyway goes down the hill to the left, heading to the middle paddocks.


The gate at the front corner of the horse side of the barn.  Now the fence curves down to the left, following the driveway.


Looking up from the road.


The old stripping room, now where the Wool House stands.  


The corn crib on the left is now the garage.


Looking at those two buildings from the yard.


View from the back corner.


Closer view of the big pond, now known as the skating pond :-).  Where Tim is standing is now all full of trees and undergrowth.  


The old cistern.  Now the home of the greenhouse.


I find this picture one of the most amazing.  I'd forgotten how you could see the neighbors across the sheep field.  The raised bed garden is the asparagus bed.  Punkin is buried underneath; Abby on the right side.


There were two round rock gardens, one on each end of this.  There were quite a few little gardens or landscapings scattered throughout the yard.  I wanted to consolidate and clean them up so we connected the two gardens here and it made a nice natural division from the yard to the orchard.  

I fought weeds in here for years though and finally this summer I'd had enough and we took it all out.  I'd hoped to transplant the bleeding heart, but I couldn't find it.  I should have dug it just after it bloomed this spring.  I'm hoping a piece will poke through the grass next spring.  I did get my favorite rose bush moved and so far it seems okay.


This must have been the next spring when they started fixing some eroded areas and sink holes we and had the riding arena enlarged.


I'm not exactly sure what this is.  I know the wet weather creek runs through there, but there isn't water anywhere else so maybe this is leftover from the spring fed pond that used to be out front.  


It had been filled in years before, but I believe it needed some work and they also put in a bridge to drive from one side of the creek to the other.  Cecil Aguilar later added the stone work to all the bridges and culverts.


This is looking out back towards the Frog Pond.  The guys doing the grading work wanted to just tear out the little pond.  I'm glad I fought to save it.  Not only is it pretty, it's also good habitat for birds , rabbits and frogs, monarch butterflies, sometimes muskrats and even a skunk family has lived in there.


The barn.  Tim tore out almost everything on the right hand side and put it the big sheep stall.  


And the rock.  Oh the rock.  


This is something else I barely remember.  We walked up and down the grass hill to get onto the porch.  There is a concrete sidewalk to the front door and I think the couple we bought the farm from were front door folks.  I primarily use the back door and it didn't take long for this to get messy.  The rock sidewalk was a huge improvement.

I think pretty much everything was a huge improvement.  We've let some shrubs overgrow that I wish I'd stayed on top of better.  The beautiful tidy porch...will never be the same, but it's a porch that is well used and well loved and I think it's happy even though I'm sure it would appreciate an overhaul.  I think the rest of the farm is happy, too.  

Happy Anniversary!  We're glad to be here.

*     *     *

And if you are still here, leave a comment telling us your favorite part of the farm and Sunday night I'll draw for a winner and send out a 2019 Equinox Farm calendar.  They are almost done and ready to print :-D.


34 comments:

Marcy said...

I love the whole farm! I’m amazed at all the work you have done in 15years. It is so very beautiful.

Lisa W said...

Wow - this is amazing to see! It makes the farm all the more special. As for my favorite part, well, it's you and St. Tim, of course. But the quilt on the side of the barn and how it ties in with the farm is up there, too. As are ALL the dogs! And sheep. OK, I'm stopping now :-)

Karen Battersby said...

I don't have a favorite part of the farm. I love it all. It is one of the most comfortable places I have ever been. Thenwork you have done in such a relatively short time is amazing.

Susan said...

haha, OF COURSE 'we' are still here taking in every picture. What a transformation and what an incredible load of work! You and St. Tim truly rose to the occasion with your visions. A favourite part? Geeze, how does one choose? Love it all.

I need orange said...

15 years ago I had a red&white Pembroke named Sophie............ :-)

You have done so much work to make your place homey for everyone. Not just the horses and sheeps and dogs and cats and chickens and people, but the frogs and birds and muskrats and butterflies.................

My favorite thing is the gestalt: Peaceable Kingdom. :-)

Thank you for sharing it with us.

JaneJMtl said...

Happy anniversary to you and Tim, Sara! I loved looking at all the pictures, and although it’s difficult to pick a favourite, I choose the porch, because to me it’s the friendly heart of your home (I’m a big fan of the porch picture du jour). I’m so grateful that you share your farm and your animals with all of us. Here’s wishing many more happy years for everyone!

Juliana said...

Thank you for sharing these early photos of your farm. I am amazed at all the work y'all have accomplished, but even more amazed that y'all had such vision to begin with! My favorite discovery is that y'all installed all the wooden fences that are so beautiful in your current photos with your sheep. It is hard to believe that these fences weren't always there. Happy anniversary!

DianeOart said...

The entire farm is amazing, I always loved your porch and I think your wooden fences are really making it awesome. Happy anniversary! and thank you for sharing.

ElaineChicago said...

Such a beautiful place. I recognize some of the scenery from when I visited a few years ago. The wool room has to be my favorite with all the sheepy smells and bags of fleece! I hope you and St. Tim continue to enjoy Equinox for many, many years to come.
I so enjoy reading about the goings-on there!!

katherine littrell said...

I love everything, but your barn at night is my favorite. barns are very spiritual to me. The animals are the perfect complement.

Denny144 said...

Hmmm, let’s see, sheep in the field, dogs, sheep in the barn, gardens, sheep shearing, barns, lambs . . . nope, can’t pick just one.

Michelle said...

I never realized how much you guys did to the place or just when you moved there, so thank-you for this story in pictures! My favorite place would have to be the Wool House. I could move in there. :-)

Jean said...

So hard to pick a favorite thing! I think as someone earlier said, your care and concern for all the creatures in your corner of the world, and your sense of humor! (I am still laughing at one of your sheep taking off with your clipboard the other day!)

Leslie said...

Gotta be the barn. I'd just hang out with animals all time. Would love a drawing of your place so I can get my head around how one spot relates to another. Best farm ever!

Helen said...

It is good to take pictures because it often becomes hard to really remember what it looked like. :)

sophy0075 said...

My favorite part of Equinox Farm? Why, the animals, of course. But if I have to choose “a spot”, it would be on the porch, where the wicker table that doubles as a lamb/cat bed is.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Happy Anniversary! Those are some great early photos! Well this summer I love your porch the best:) You have made some wonderful changes over the years:)

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary. I love your porch, cats, dogs, sheep. I love everything.

Rhumpelthreadz said...

Happy Anniversary! Wow, what a transformation. You guys did so much work. It looks like a different place now!

Nburrill said...

Happy Anniversary! So many things to love. I especially love any pictures of the sheep and Hank in the field - so peaceful!

knitski said...

Happy Anniversary! As I looked through the photos I think the thing I like the most about the present farm after the sheep and your creative approach to it all would be all the healthy green lush trees that have really grown up over your 15 years!

Cheryl West said...

Happy Anniversary! You and St.Tim have invested so much time, work and love to make your farm such a special place and dear to us all.

My favorite place would have to be the barn where most of all your occupants live and thrive.

Terry and Linda said...

Happy Anniversary! I'm very glad you are there!

Glenda said...

I love everything about this farm - the sheep, the dogs, the cats, the chickens, the butterflies, the birds, and the "farmers" - but most especially I like that you take the time from your busy schedule to share it with us each day. It starts my day off right!

karen said...

happy anniversary! you have a beautiful home and property!!

Tyche's Minder said...

The fences! To my mind, those fences make the property. Like the stone walls in Ireland and the hedgerows in England, there's just something about those black fences and the way they follow the land. Now, when I look at pictures of other American farms, I compare them to yours in my mind. :)

Karen at longwell said...

I love everything about your farm from the people to all of the animals! Your place is what I envision when I need peace in my corner of the world! Best wishes on your 15th Anniversary and three cheers for many more years!
With thanks,
Karen

Laura L. said...

I know I'm late, but I'm telling you anyway. I like everything about your farm, but especially the ponds and your porch. As someone who had to put in a sidewalk to the door she uses all the time, I can understand that. Thank you for sharing the photos, it's fun to see how things have evolved.

Susan said...

What a long way you've come! Such a lovely place, then and now, although everything is better with sheep!

MarmePurl said...

Happy Farmiversary!
My very favorite part of your farm are the inhabitants. Human and otherwise.

Laurie in Maine said...

I love the story of how you became a crazy sheep lady... and bottle babies on the porch. Most curious about the greenhouse and how you came to know how to hatch butterflies... but that could be because I've been building a greenhouse all summer. Almost done!
Laurie in Maine (in case this not a robot thing goes bad :)

LannieK said...

Amazing transformation into one of the most peaceful and beautiful places ever. Favorites, probably the barn, the porch and the field you can look out on and see the sheep each morning... Thank you for sharing it ~ Happy Anniversary to you both! And wishes for many more wonderful years!

Goatldi said...

I just found you. I may have found you earlier but forgotten. Anyway I took the long way around the block from Nor Cal south to Meridian Jacobs to you. And Robin was correct it was worth the trip!

I am late to the party as I am often times. And you have picked your winner but I would love to know when the calendars will be out. I will most certainly come back again. Lovely farm and critters.

baileyk said...

A beautiful picture showed up on my facebook feed of a sheep and a cat I shared it and someone responded that it was your picture! She shared your farm information and I have been looking at it all for hours, so beautiful. I especially like the story of Punkin, thanks for sharing.
baileyk

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