Whew, what a whirlwind it’s been. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Grandpa K’s service was beautiful. David’s mom played Amazing Grace on her flute and many, many awesome stories about Grandpa were shared. It was clear he brought sunshine into so many people’s lives. The silver lining to such occasions is that it brings people together and it’s always nice to get to spend time with family.
Yesterday we ventured back home and are settling back into things. I finally downloaded pictures from the weekend and decided that I had to tell you about why I now want to live in the middle of nowhere and be a farmer.
Saturday afternoon we went to visit a friend, Jeff, who basically has a farm. It’s not his full time profession, and who knows if he calls it a farm, but if you own animals besides dogs and are growing an orchard of apple, cherry and peach trees, you’re a farmer to me!
He just got 2 three month old goats (totally a farmer, right?!) and they were adorable. He plans to use them for goat milk, which according to his research is a better fit for human consumption than cow’s milk. He said that some people truly are lactose intolerant, but other people are simply not able to break down the proteins in cow’s milk. Goat milk proteins are more similar to human milk, making them easier for us to digest.
My verdict on goat milk? It’s good! It tastes really similar to cow’s milk actually. I found it a bit creamier and it reminded me of melted goat cheese… mmm… goat cheese. Now I want a goat.
Did I mention he also had baby chicks and ducks?! I wanted to swipe one of each and pretend I was Chandler and Joey. The ducks were adorable and I wanted a photo of them waddling around Hailey.
Too bad she found the fuzzy little things terrifying.
Out of the goats, chicks, ducks and rooster, she preferred… the cat.
Way to branch out, kid.
Speaking of roosters, the chicken coop was pretty cool. It did not smell (who knew?!).
Jeff owns about 20 hens, and only 1 rooster. Roosters are mean and pick on the hens, unless someone else tries to mess with them. Then Mr. Rooster gets very protective. Odd. Also, a hen lays about 1 egg a day, meaning that Jeff has a plethora of eggs! Luckily, he’s nice enough to share.
Aren’t they pretty? Like natural Easter eggs. I knew I wanted to incorporate an egg that was laid that morning into dinner, so on our way home we stopped by Josh’s farmers market for veggies to grill.
And used an over-medium egg as a fancy sauce for our asparagus.
Such a difference! The yolks of fresh eggs are much more brightly colored- almost orange instead of yellow. The yolk was creamier than store bought and it tasted amazing. Did you know that eggs you buy at the store are typically 2-3 months old? And that eggs don’t actually have to be refrigerated? I remember that from seeing them on shelves in Germany.
Yes, Saturday was a good day.
Sunday we celebrated Easter by going to church before heading south to Brunswick.
Now we’re home and settling in. On that note I should go put on a load of laundry, clean up and collect the eggs from our chickens.
See, it sounds natural, right? We totally need chickens. Think the HOA would mind?
Kristy @ Breath of Sunshine says
I am right there with you…except for the goats (although goat’s milk does sound good). Goats hate me! honestly!
What a beautiful way to spend the weekend with your family!
Brittany says
Haha, why do you think goats hate you?? Too funny!
Verna says
We are in the process of buying our first house. It’s in a rural place on 5 acres. We’d love to have chickens and eventually pigs and goats. We buy fresh eggs and goat’s milk already and would love to have our own! I think it will be great for our kids to grow up in that enviroment!
Brittany says
Oh my gosh, that sounds incredible!! I hope the purchase goes smoothly for you. It sounds like an awesome environment to grow up in 🙂
blackhuff says
I hear what you say – I too would love to own a farm.
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Nate has also said he wants to live on a farm, more so for the land. Me .. Not so much. Did you know my grandpa is a farmer? I remember growing up and see all the animals. Now it’s just a bunch of land since hes retired. I so which CK could experience what I did on that farm though, farms can be super educational for the kiddos. Anyways want to get together soon?
Brittany says
Yes, would love to get together soon. Next week? We’re traveling again this weekend… sigh.
Stefanie says
Farms are great! I grew up in a suburban/rural area in NJ and spent alot of time on and around farms and barnyard animals. We had friends who raised goats for their milk and while egg hunting one Easter I got head butted and knocked out by one of their goats! I was maybe 4 at the time but I still get a little nervous around full sized goats when they have their horns. 🙂
But wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to GROW most of your own food from veggies to eggs to cheese!? Dream life!
christina says
I must try Goat milk if it reminds you of goat cheese. Woah baby. The little duck is so cute. I’d love to go play on a farm! The last pic of your hubby and baby is ADORABLE!!!
Lindsay@Fuel My Family says
Close as I have to a farm is my veggie garden. I would live the eggs and fresh milk but it would be too much work!
Brittany says
I was SO surprised that eggs don’t seem like much work. (Of course it’s easy for me to say from just seeing the set up. Who knows how much really goes into it :))
Christina says
So funny, we spent part of Easter weekend visiting a small organic farm and “microwinery”, and we purchased a dozen organic free range eggs that were literally laid that morning! I also noticed the difference in yolk color, and they tasted great! It is a little weird though to have them sitting out on our counter instead of the refrigerator 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Looks awesome! Farm fresh eggs are the best!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes says
So fun! I want to own a farm too. It’s my not-so-secret dream. I am for sure going to own a goat one day.
Parita @ myinnershakti says
I’ve never tried goat’s milk but love the cheese so maybe I’ll give it a go. And I love the picture of Hailey and the ducky…she’s not having it!!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
OH MY. since I’m probably coming to Charlotte this weekend, can I go pet the chicks duckies? please? PLEASE?
Brittany says
Whhaaaaaaaat?? What are you doing in Charlotte this weekend?? I’ll be out of town 🙁 Any chance you’re coming in Thursday?!
Maria says
So glad that the funeral went well and you had safe travels.
I didn’t grow up on a farm, but my aunt had one a few miles away. I’d spend my summers there picking green beans, eating mulberries, and singing Skunk in the Barnyard with my brothers and cousins. It was amazing. Anyways, she always brought us farm fresh eggs and they are so much better than what you buy in the store. Where I live here in the Bay Area (not exactly farmland), many homes are adding chicken coops to their backyards. Apparently its allowed?
Brittany says
I know they have small coops (because I actually looked into it). I’m just not sure if our HOA will be cool with it. I’m going to try and find out!
Jen says
One of Jeff’s coworkers just started raising chickens in her backyard… in Dilworth. I guess it is possible!
Brittany says
Yes! They have mini-chicken coops and they totally look like they’d work great for a back yard! Do you know how many chickens she has?
KaraHadley says
My mom always used to want to get chickens (we live on an old dairy plantation in Georgia) and I used to be totally against the idea…until I started eating farm fresh eggs. The difference is ah-maze-ing! But now mom doesn’t want chickens. Gahh!
Also, maybe I’m crazy, but does the white seem so much less watery in farm fresh eggs? Like, the whites of store bought eggs spread out and fill the pan whereas farm fresh egg whites stay about where you crack the egg.
Brittany says
Yes, the white seems much less watery. Such a difference! Jealous of where you live. Sounds awesome!
Lisa says
I love all goats milk products! Its the best! My neighbour actually has a chicken, so I just get my eggs from there which is very nice! Omg Hailey is the cutest thing ever frightened of the chick! Have a great day!
ErikaMC says
Yes – having a farm is fun… and work! But it is kinda fun work 🙂 We have horses, chickens, turkeys, goats, pigs and dogs. Nothing beats farm-fresh eggs!
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness says
There is a family at our church that has chickens, i’m so excited to get some fresh eggs from them!!!
Heidi Bundles Of Hugs says
Super fun love all the animals so cute. I’d love to have a farm but I’m not sure I’d be up to all that extra work. I think a garden will do for now.
Sarah says
I want chickens, too! And now I want goats. + a cute little pig.
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
I would love to be able to get eggs straight from a farm. It’s so crazy the things that grocery stores sell us … I’m with you, let’s buy a farm! 😉
Brittany says
Heck yes- we can crop share! And egg-share 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
i would loooooooooooove to have a farm, especially with goats and chickens! That would be the best.
Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon says
Farm fresh eggs are SO good! They cost four times as much but are worth every penny!