Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Our first snow

We're so sorry for the delay and lack of monthly updates...we've been extremely busy with day to day farm life. Here are two pictures of what we woke up to.




Welcome Tess!

Al hamdulillah, our dairy cow, Tess has arrived. Here are a few pictures of her and the future milking shed.












September 2015 Happenings

The first half of September was so filled with busy days, that we cannot remember what happened maashaa Allah!  Shariyf was busy getting settled into his online ESL teaching and we were getting to know the animals.

15 September: 23 acres is completely fenced in

16 September: The first egg is laid - a lovely light bluey-green color!

5 eggs by day four...another hen started laying

Our first dozen!
17 September: Started planting for autumn, reciting ayaat from Surah Abasa that Allah is the One who grows the seeds and making du'a to Ar-Razaaq (the Sustainer) to bless our sowing and make it a beneficial source of food,

18 September: The rains came, with consistently wet weather for about 2 weeks, so no watering had to be done for our newly sown seeds alhamdul'Illah. In addition, although we don't have rain catchment set up yet, just watching where the rain water was running off the trailers and placing containers underneath, we harvested a few hundred gallons of water - subhaan Allah!

At least 40 gallons of water in this tub alone...
after just one hour of rain

21 September: Visited Joy and Robert in Questa to see the dairy cows and meet Tess, the cow we plan to purchase, Came home with gifts of a barrel stove, a utility sink, beautiful thermal pane windows and door, and plenty of raw milk, yogurt, cream, and butter!

22 September: Shipping container was delivered for use as a barn in the corral


Bought small camouflage painted travel trailer ($400)
Too cute, maashaa Allah!

24 September: Eid Al Adha - prayed at Masjid Ar-Rahma in Santa Fe.

25 September: Jumuah at Masjid Ar-Rahma, where the Imam and several brothers followed up from the day before with enthusiastic interest in our future business (bi idhn Illah, taala) of hand slaughtered, certified naturally raised dhabiha meat and sheep for slaughtering, alhamdul'Illah!.

Returned home to find this:
Homemade Eid gift from our daughters, this shelf came with a one minute warranty!

Only from Allah!
26 September: Went to pick up an Alpine doe and an Alpine/Nubian/Boer doe ($240 for the pair), and 3 Sussex ewes ($450 for the three), our first livestock.
TinTin and TisTis
Whitie, Blackie, and Dotty


27 September: Walked the goats, who really love crispy dried sunflowers.

30 September: Bought two more Alpine/Boer does ($240 for the pair),