The Year(s) in Photos 2011

Closing the Door

I have said Good-bye to childhood homes and memories, haphazardly - today may have been the last.  My Grandma's House, and my Uncle's, and Cousin's - one of our family gathering places - sold.  One of the last of our childhood homes.  Oh, how I have such vivid dreams of them still.

And each time you close the door on warm and loving memories, time spent - formative years -  get to gethers -  bittersweet journeys back in time - a trip closer to those you loved, those dearest in your lifetime, many no longer with us.  This journey begins and ends with a hug, a blown kiss of love and remembrance.

Such was my time today, hosted by my loving cousin - who is always there for family.  Thank you Tommy.

I will always remember with Love, our Childhood homes and loving Memories...

Blood Brothers

Her Music Evokes Strong Emotion

Culture Learning and Adaptation

Giving Care

Pearl is a new addition to Ambrosia Farms - along with her buddy Clover - they were purchased from our friend and neighbor  - so she did not have to divide her time between cheesemaking and caretaking.

We are always told in life not to be a "jack of all trades, master of none".

I'm afraid I did not heed that warning since I am truly involved in so many things - and no - nothing I've ever mastered Except perhaps animal caregiving.  Although as an accountant, people referred to me as an expert in financial transactions - I specialized in those transactions for many years.  As a youth I was very involved in athletics and played and coached softball on the college and recreational level.   Now I work part time in a heath care field and learning new things with every patient.  I am thinking of earning a Masters in the near future.  I like the study nutrition and how diet plays a part wellness from which it is possible to fend off disease, but only a part, many people with good diets get ill - and stress and it's part in disease.

I have been an animal caregiver since I was very young.  It comes most naturally to me, and it is the thing which gives me the most pleasure.  However, I caution that some people over care for their animals by dressing them, for example, and perhaps leaving them fortunes - Leona Hemsley comes to mind.  First are basic needs - food, water, and shelter - and quality of life through freedom of movement  - running the dogs, walking the goats to, giving horses a large pasture in which to run at will, chickens pecking at grasses all the way up the hills.  TLC, petting, touch is an added benefit.  Many animals have lived a long and healthy life in our care.

I listened to a very interesting discussion by an Evolutionist whose book just published discusses the differences but more so the commonality of every species.

"every species survives and reproduces and each have superhuman abilities, for example... the birds that fly south memorize the night sky...he is impressed by the  intelligence of all species...but humans have evolved with a more flexible ability to adapt to changing environments..."
Evolution for Everyone: How Darwin’s Theory Can Change the Way We Think About Our Lives
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-986043.mp3

Warming us Up on a Winter's Day

Gene is busy getting us ready for another winter in this siberian town - Lots of cold here - makes you want to stay right in front of the fire...its coldddd.

The Amish have moved in - and heat only with wood, as far as we know - they each seem to have a sawmill and immediately set to work cutting down trees.  Do they clear cut?

How we are different - we use the trees that have fallen down except for the select few that Gene needs to restore the house or barn.

We take our natural resources very seriously and try NOT to remove anything from nature.

including weeds!!!!  This is the best way to preserve our natural ecosystems!

Saving Children from Addiction

It benefits children to look at some of the results of smoking tobacco. alcohol, heroin, meth, crack cocaine, mushrooms, pharmaceutical drugs, and food addictions.

We are all influenced by stresses in our life which do harm to our physical and mental status.

overdoses are often accidental...books and movies may be a deterrent to young people to adopt this behavior in the first place.  "Go Ask Alice", the Linda Lovelace film - to name a few - are examples of the impact of poor choices on a young life.  Accidents, etc.  And being less able to protect oneself from the abuse of others is more prevalent under the influence of drugs and too much booze.

certain items are addictive and cause self destruction!

especially heroin, psychedelic substances such as shrooms, too much alcohol, or pain killers.

Do not be overly influenced by your peers

choose Wisely

Caregivers are Farm Savers...

If the farmers and caregivers do not get relief they can't stay healthy
Paul has given us many years of caregiving to our animals and therefore ourselves
We would like to say Thank you
Paul is a very soft spoken reliable caring gentleman - we are lucky to have him working with us!

Natural Training

Barb and I started training together back in 2003 - I as student - she is a natural with horses and most animals - so I encouraged her to help me with the wild mustangs, Jim Dandy, and L.S.  She continues to work with youth and horses to create a good environment for everyone!

enjoy our local color,,,

and the pretty horses

Fun on a Farm

Camping and Youth

Ambrosia Farms gives Pony Rides to Children who love animals - especially horses and ponies!

The River

For Diana

Diana was someone everyone remembers with love- from her big brown eyes, great smile, to her fun personality - Diana was truly a friend to everyone.  She never needed to search a phone book for friends to call - everyone called her - vyng for her attention and social calendar.  Diana had a social life that would tire the most hardy of us.  Okay, I am her sister, and yes -  I am telling you the truth!

I've never written about my loved ones that have passed before me - except in journals - but I would like to begin to tell the stories that have passed between these people and myself - in Memorium.  I have only just begun.  I can only tell these stories from my perspective - so, forgive me for not remembering all the details so well.

Animal Memories: GERONIMO 1990-2011

GERONIMO
1990-2011
I am priviledged to have lived with a cat having been graced with so many super powers - he lived 21 years - beyond feline normal lifespan, lived inside and out - being master of the woods and the house.  Geronimo tops the age of my dog Spunky that lived to be 20.  Having cared for animals to this lifespan - I feel good about what I do.  But not all of my animals have lived long lives - so it depends on the genetics of the animal, as well, and fate or fortune.  He had an appetite for mouse, bird, and rabbit - which he hunted with an instant kill technique.  Each new dog understood immediately that his space and this cat was not to be reckoned with.  He charmed most family and friends, who asked after him frequently.  Geronimo would keep me warm on many a cold night by myself in the country after a long ride to see after him.  He would stay here during the week, when I was only a weekender at the time - and I would call out his name. An easy name to bellow.  G E R O N I M O . . . And all cats would receive a Native American name for the symbolism of what they represent - the spirit of nature.  Over the 21 years at Ambrosia Farms, he gave us many many moments of astonishment and love - and I cry simply that he will be missed, but I am thankful for his long and healthy life!  I think Geronimo will say thank you for the time we spent together.  I think he was a very happy and contented cat.

 " I was born on the prairies where the wind blew free and there was nothing to break the light of the sun.  I was born where there were no enclosures."


Note on Cat Health
All our cats at the farm enjoy the outdoors and that is mostly where they are roaming with the exception of some frosty winter nights, when not tucked into some hay in the barn or on the furnace in the basement, they are snuggled up near and under the warmth of the wood stove.  For food, I have used the "Dads" brand, the cheapest in the supermarket, which I put out in mornings and at night.  They have free access to water from our stream.  They receive milk regularly as a treat.  I also buy the canned food from Friskies as a treat - Geronimo ate this frequently the last year of his life.  Up until the last day, he ate half a can every other day.  His last day he could not stand, and this was the day of his death.  I do not euthanize my animals anymore - if they are dying from old age.  I allow them a natural death, which generally lasts no more than 24 hours, from the time they stop eating.  This is merciful, to me, for they don't seem to suffer as a numbness develops until they take their last breath.  When animals stop eating and they are aged, they will take their last breath naturally, and this seems okay to me - I try and hold them in the last hours.  They are comforted by my touch, I think.  I try not to interfere with the process of
natural death by interceding and thereby extending suffering beyond 24 hours to months and years.

Cats have access to wildlife which they harvest at will.  They sleep alot on our porch and in the hills. They call out and follow me as I walk and do chores for petting and hugs or food.  We have always had a dozen cats here - it's part of the life on a farm.  There is space.  I think that is the thing that keeps them so healthy.  I have only used Fus-Sol drops on occasion as Geronimo got on in years and periodically developed crystals in his urine.  And this was quickly resolved with the drops.  Also, I used antibiotic drops for severe congestion or colds very rarely.  Cats are the picture of optimal health on our farm.  We have all been lucky that way.

History of Names

I name all my cats after native American Indian tribes and all my goats after Greek gods and goddess.

Ambrosia Farms is about preserving history and tradition.  Learning the history of names brings knowledge of  peoples and cultures.

Baby Goats - Kids born on June 2nd 2011

2011 Births

March 30th - Born to Doe Sorrelina/ Buck Butler
Aither - god of shining light of blue sky.
Khaos - goddess of the gap between heaven and earth, mist , mother of darkness, night, and the birds.

June 2nd - Born to Doe Further/ Buck Butler
Notus - god of wet and stormy - heralded summer
Oreithyia - goddess of cold, gusty winds

We have 2 more kids to add to our herd.  Please come see them - one doe and one buckling.

Very cute at this stage and always!  Goats are fun!

Springtime!

the bridal paths are mowed and the dogs and I enjoy walking, running, and "smelling the roses" every day - even if Mother Nature keeps sending us rain, rain and more rain.  Somehow we remain outdoors!

Your featherdown farm stay!

 guests that we now call our friends

                                          families become agritourists  - saving our farms
sharing our newborns with your children! this year we welcome goat kids from our Saneen does and  Arapawa buck!  

 Getting back to nature is the most rewarding time of all!  

 you' ll enjoy mouthwatering treats, fresh fruits, & veggies  - from our farmhouse feasts to our farm store. "A truly unique experience.  Gene and Nina are great hosts. We enjoyed our stay and would come again" 

We look forward to serving you!

Caring for Horses

Caring for horses has been a life long dream - it required getting land first - to provide pasture for these beautiful animals - and it required an available schedule - horses need access to food on a regular basis - so I needed a flexible workload.   We have six horses - 4 registered quarter horses and 2 wild mustangs. Their names, places and year of birth are as follows:
Smokey Boots 1978, Oklahoma  U  June Royal 1983, New Mexico U Lads Jim Dandy 1993, Texas
U L.S. Quinarius 1998, New York U Blackfoot 2003, Nevada U Blossom 2002,

Wild Horse & Burro

Adoption http://www.blm.gov/es/st/en/fo/milwaukeefo_html.html

April 15 -16, 2011  Springfield, OH

Good music Nurtures the Soul!

Memorable Moments: winter 2011 Gene paves...plows the Way!

Our lives are made of of Memorable Moments... problem is we get older and forget.   I use a blog for this reason - plus it's a great publishing source - you share our memories - plus it's free!  This is Gene in the tractor with our snow blower attachment.  The greatest storm of 2011, in March, forced me to stop in our little town - I pleaded for Gene to rescue me with his snow blower.  He did it!  This is him on the road to our farm just in front of my car - a very memorable moment!

Stable Safety: Winter Tips!

Ice is slick - splash water on ice and broom fine hay waste ontop to freeze into it - this eliminates the slip to avoid accidents for you and animals.

Water buckets freeze - use h e a t e d water buckets - what a savings of time and energy and buckets in the long run- they are expensive but last a lifetime - don't let hay pile up near it and hang on hooks in stalls for safety like the one shown here.

C i r c l e CSA -Join Now!

                                      http://circlecsa.blogspot.com/

Nurturing a Healthy Community

Nurturing Our Bodies

"Naturally Nurtured, is a blog about life as stewards of the land, the animals in our care, and life on a farm...and caring for each other. Nurturing our bodies is a great responsibility and sometimes is not always as easy as it seems.

Since I am a "foodie" as well as a farmer, I write a blog dedicated to nutrients and food.

http://natlnutrients.blogspot.com/

I grew up Italian, so alot of emphasis was placed on great meals. Family holidays, and every day were special when it came to mealtime. My mother, grandparents, and Aunts were all great cooks - and many of my cousins and siblings now carry the tradition. Eating wholesome good food is in resurgence - Thank goodness!! There is no better way to nurture someone, in my opinion, than to provide the best ingredients toward eating nutritiously, providing a foundation for staying healthy, and nurturing our lovely bodies.

My grandmothers made homemade pasta and pizza. My Aunt put on a spectacular seven course meal for each Christmas Eve. My mother found numerous meal combinations each night of our young lives at 5 o'clock dinnertime - all very gourmet. One of my favorites was eggplant parmiggiana. A lunch snack was a simple frittata. My father had his specialties, like pineapple parfait, and filet mignon on the grill. My Aunt treated us to her home made banana cream pies, cream puffs, madelines, and apple butter cookies. My sister became a chef, and had many successful restaurants, we received many great meals. One sister took over the tradition of struffula, a Christmas honey desert, and made a great seafood salad. And another sister, a fan of minimalist techniques, uses herbs and spices - artfully tantalizing the palate! My cousin is especially good at cooking a guys buffet of hot peppers, onions, sausage, and meatballs.

Everything we grow on this farm begins with nurturing in mind. We nurture the soil, so it in turn, nurtures us, and the people that support our farm. And through a great variety of heirloom vegetables, I 've become my own humble cook. And we are fortunate to get our brick oven, I have finally learned to make a good dough, and I can feel Grandma gleaming with pride!

Healthy Living

The following is entirely quoted from a blog about longevity and I agree with this advice - thought to pass wisdom along...
"We really can "play" at designing our lives and I feel that is the most important thing we "should" focus on.   I think the most important thing is attitude and then living a healthy life. 
-What you eat is very important...eat REAL FOOD....as little processed food as possible... because it feeds the body, the cells, the brain as well as the spirit. 
-I drink in moderation (and only wine) and didn't drink at all when I was young. 
-As I have always, luckily, been healthy I don't take any pharmacutical drugs. I use food and alternative means (acupuncture,reflexology, massage, homeopathy etc) to maintain health.
-I think having a creative outlet is VERY important whatever that is for you. I make art and I also use personal style as a means of SELF expression. I love to cook so I do public cooking demos to excit people about eating beautiful, fresh food. I want to show how easy and delicious it can be!
-I try to keep stress to a minimum working at things I love and not about money. My life is quite simple so I don't acquire a lot of possesions that stress my economics...I don't need the newest toys or trendy fashions to build up debt.  

-I believe that "the best things in life are free" like friendship, sharing a beautiful meal with a friend or loved ones, good health, a beautiful sunset, sitting under a tree on a sunny day.
-I have chosen for over 40 years to make my art from recycled and ordinary materials finding the challenge and joy in TRANSFORMATION!
-I also have no children by choice and that works for me. I have a wonderful partner but we are not married so the relationship is built on affection, respect, friendship and JOY! Not economic aquisitions, need, habit or stress."..... http://www.advancedstyle.blogspot.com/

Our Work - Sustainble Agriculture

WE ARE ALL NATURAL!

We do not use black plastic to prevent weeds .  We use the following techniques

• mulch with grass clippings that we get from our tracvac from mowing our bridal paths.  Combine this with straw from our goosen which breaks it down faster.  Plus recycled newspaper or cardboard that will extend the time before we have to do it all over again.
• planting cover crops for the purpose of rolling them down upon the soil to keep it warm and deter weeds, and planting in spaces made amidst the flattened out natural cover.

WE GROW HEIRLOOM SEEDS ONLY!

 This requires us to start many plants custom from our local greenhouse because using this technique of mulching is much more efficient when you start from plants.  We are also working on building a hoop house and green house here to increase the amount of plants we can start with.

Tomatoes

I learned how to plant tomatoes when I was really young.  My father taught me.  When he was young, his family grew lots of tomatoes for Campbell Soup - when that company was small and just starting out.  One of the things with tomatoes is of course the full sun - but most important is how to prepare the soil.  They need a loose soil with hummus, sand, and richness that only comes with giving back to the Earth each year.  We use well rotted manure, a tiny bit of limestone, peat moss, and sand - mixed in to our own native muck style soil.  This lifts it enough so that tomato roots dont have "we teet" a term for when they are planted in wet soil that stays that way.  Regular watering is important.  Since we generally receive dew drops overnight, and the tomatoes have mulch - we have much less watering to do on our own.  Which is great because our crop ranges from 1500-2000 plants each year.


Peppers
“Peppers do not tolerate cold soils.  It’s best to wait until even a couple of weeks past the last frost to transplant your starts outdoors. You want nighttime temperatures not below fifty degrees.  Give compost right when you plant,” he adds, “and don’t fertilize again until after they start blooming.”