Big love in a little house

Thank you, Lauren for this most appropriate gift

I've arrived

I have many favorite parts of life. Like my little house. Since it's larger than a "tiny" house, I do tend to call it my little house - and honestly, it's just the right size for me and my crew. By 'crew', I mean the dogs and I - and Pixie, of course.

I think my very favorite part of it is the 'less cleaning' aspect. I would rather be outside loving on my farm animals than inside cleaning. In fact, given the choice, I would happily clean the barn instead of cleaning my house. And yes, some of that lends to the fact that I just love being outside in general. Ideally, in the barn. 

Recently, Lauren and Ryan graciously gifted me a vacuum/mop Roomba - without even knowing my disdain for floor cleaning. Her name is Honey Bee. I love her.

My girl

She lives up to her name. I love how diligently she cleans and mops, going about her business quietly, like the busy bee she is. When I watch her, I feel as though she is actually thinking as she maneuvers around as if she's being considerate. She's never rude. She doesn't complain. She moves around the room in harmony with us. Almost like she's sentient. Sometimes, I watch her busy bee self just working away and I'm convinced she's breathing and I think, Honey Bee is real.

I mean, she can read the room. Frankly, some people can't do that.

Pixie Pie is still trying to figure out who this new friend is. She's not opposed to her. Just needs more time with her. 

I'm in love with my little house as it fits my life purrfectly, and I do think my housemates would agree. I do have the self-awareness to notice those who visit may not relate to it in the same way as I do. And I'm okay with that. Little spaces are not for everyone. I'm very grateful to have found my way in life to it. I've craved a life of less is more - and the combination of coziness, the feeling of safety, and the growing of big love in a little house feels absolutely luxurious. 

Love you to the barn and back

Another wonderful and favorite part of my life is The Barn. Of course. 

This is where many of those I love the most, live and reside. 

Poppy and Pippa in the mix - always

Poppy and Pippa have renewed their vows since Emmie went to live down the street with Kevin and Crystal. BTW - Emmie is doing remarkably well! Her new farm is just a mile or two away, and when I pass it, I see her lil self living her best donkey life. 

Together Forever 

Poppy and Pippa are both older donkeys, with Poppy being around 30 years old. I love that they get to live their senior lives here at the aka Sunshine Senior Resort with an abundance of safety, love, food  - and no shortage of opinions. Although there are no spa robes nor cucumber water, they do get to poop wherever they want.

Hope is looking good and is the young one of the group. She allows (code for tolerates) me the pleasure of cutting her mane and styling it to stay fresh and clean. Well, she tries to try. I can be a lot for her. 

Don’t worry, Hope, karma 
will find those people who hurt you long ago. 

And my girl, Dora ❤️

With age, Dora (also around 30 now) has developed a slow and meticulous walking style. 

No hurry to go anywhere 

How are you this cute?!🥰 

Dora does not rush. She has places to go, but apparently none of them require urgency. The last time my farrier was here trimming hooves, he gently mentioned that I might want to research burial options for my older girls. Rude, but fair. So I did, as it is in everyone’s best interest to be prepared in a time of need. After all, part of farm ownership is cemetery logistics. And, I do have a cemetery onsite and absolutely plan for all my girls to stay with me here on the land they called home. And as morbid as this sounds, I'm officially saying that after I step off the curb, please turn me into dust and spread me back to the earth - right here in/on my very own cemetery. There's no where else I'd rather be.

Visiting recently

Brooks and I went to visit Kitty-pillar recently. She was a stray cat who passed away, and I had buried her under the trees to rest easy there. I do have to be diligent to keep the gravesites covered so predators do not dig them up. Just part of country life. 

Her smile

I can’t even with her cute smile 

Food? Did someone say food?

And my sweet sweet curious goats are my secret loves who I don't always speak of readily. But they are always there. Always watching. And, almost always, eating. Coco and Pearl are such fun lil girls that they do indeed make me want more goats which is how this whole farm animal situation gets out of control. You love one animal. Then you think, Well, surely one more won't hurt. And then you have 100 chickens. I digress.

Where was I......oh yeah, I do love them so much. Coco nuzzles me, licks my hand tasting the saltiness of it, while I rub her little face - all while Pearl prefers to enjoy the view from just out-of-reach. Pearl and Hope have a similar holla hoop - just out of reach - but close enough to enjoy. Not touching please. Look only. 

Sisters not sisters

They love to play house, jump on anything,
and coexist with the chickens extremely well

Since Coco and Pearl are such BFFs, I won't throw a wrench in things at the moment. Yes, I want more goats but I also know that all is right-sized in the barn. So walk away, Cyndi, walk away from the Craigslist Goats For Sale page. 

Me, making my list of fun goat names
for 'when it's time'

Chicken Mama

And as you know - my chickens were my first farm-animal-wish-come-true. They were my gateway animal. I got chickens and apparently my brain said, Well, now that we've done that, let's collect the entire barnyard. And here we are.

I am such a chicken mama and proud of it. Who else can sleep and poop all at the same time. I’m talking about the chickens. 

My boy and my girlz 

My favorite thing about chickens?

I love the way they have community within their flock. They have best friends, and are fiercely loyal to those said friends til the end of their days. They will lay beside one another for days, as emotional support for their elderly friend(s) as they move across the rainbow bridge. Utterly inspiring. 

Not often thought about by humans, yet each chicken has their own little personality. They have their social hierarchies just as humans do, and likely, their own neighborhood gossip. They create community amongst themselves and invite other hens into their flock with love and (mostly) respect. Everyone has a place. The pecking order is real.

Summer will end soon, I promise

For me, I know each cluck and what it means. I know who is happy, who is distressed - and who is complaining. They are able to make announcements to the group - whether it's a happy egg song or a warning call to the others. They are truly fascinating creatures - like little dinosaurs. 

Yes, I am The Treat Lady

I appreciate them all - and they work hard every day making eggs inside their little bodies, only to wake up and do it again the next day. A daily miracle, right here at Peace and Love Acres. 

And we can't ever forget Paul The Turkey. 

Oh, my handsome Paul. He's so dedicated, loyal - and a bit of a bragger. He does look good, and checks hisself in the mirror every day. 

As he ages, he is slower in his strut. 
Me too, Paul. Me, too.

But wow, how did I get so lucky to get a kind, sweet male turkey - because they are all not that way - search it up. 

A rare find when his feathers are down
But he is in molt

I know it’s hot sweet pea
It’ll get better soon

And to add to the heat, Paul is in molt, and that takes a toll on chickens and turkeys. Once he sheds his feathers and grows them back - he'll be lookin fly again. Keep doing you, Paul. Keep showin' up and showin' out. It's you and me, bud, still walking around like we own the place, looking a little rough. 

Snow Day 

It's been a long road for this young stray, yet Snowy is showing us how to walk it out. 

Let's review. It all started when a stray Great Pyrenees was hanging around Lauren and Ryan's house a few weeks before they were to move to Wolfe City. And they had become attached enough to this sweet stray that they asked if we could have him here in Wolfe City. The pup was caught by a helpful neighbor, who then transported him to me (half way, thank you kind neighbor!) and I took possession of him. The kids named him Snowy because of his beautiful white coat. 

He’s definitely learned to relax

Little did we know what would come of all this, but after a vet visit, a neuter, and also addt medications, his ailments resolved. The only thing the vet was not able to resolve was Snowy's obsession with chewing things. Anything. Everything. 

This stuffie happens to be an approved chew toy
A rare occurrence 

I'm hoping with time and age, Snowy will stop the incessant chewing of anything in his reach. Granted, I have 1001 bones around this place for him to chew. But no, a shoe or boot is much better. At least it's not chickens he's after! Let's focus on the victories. 

In a turn of events, Mia and Snowy have become great friends who enjoy a rough game of play. Both prior strays.  Both full of love and light. 

The Dog Pack 

Ya know, I love a dog. All dogs. Any dogs. Big dogs. Little dogs. Young dogs. Old dogs. Dogs with issues. Dogs with opinions. Dogs who think they're people. Dogs who have absolutely no idea how big they are. I just love 'em. 

Mia, Bestest Girl

Crazy Charlotte. Not just a name. 

Theo never disappoints

Ole Faithful Maybe

Sugar, My Heartbeat 

The Crew

Penny and Dutch enjoying their 
chew bones and raised beds.
They deserve only the best. 🏆

A favorite daily activity - when Char and Pixie hop in the ring to battle one another. Yep, it's usually Charlotte who winds up running out of the ring first. Luckily, there is always a puperee around to investigate when needed. Thank you, Theo. And even Maybe got in on the puperee action. Somebody has got to keep order around here. 

Somehow, I've ended up with a dog pack that feels less like a collections of pets, and more like a small, furry governing body. There are rules. There are personalities. There are alliances. There are probably meetings I'm not invited to. And somehow, I love every single one of them. 

With my indoor littles and my outdoor bigs - along with Queen Mia who is allowed to pick her place of choice - we all coexist. 

Most days , I feel like I've got it all 💟

And I've saved the best for last......

As much as I love my little house, my barn, my donkeys, horses, chickens, turkey, goats, doggos, cats, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with this life....

The greatest loves of my life are truly Lauren, Brooks and Olive. 

This trifecta of love keeps my soul tank full. A cup that now gets filled daily. What a gift. 

Let's take a look, shall we? 

Apparently, clothing is optional out here. 

We fish
in our underwear

We travel
in style

We work
in the barn

We play
everywhere

We eat
everything

We craft
as much as possible

We live life to the fullest 
in community with one another

And we rest
.....hard

They are my heart, my joy, my grounding place, and the reason behind so much of the life I have built here. We are together. And together we are love. 

Along with the animals that fill my days. 

And the farm that fills my hands. 

But these three...... fill my soul. 

Until next time....please take care of you,

Cyndi

* Did you notice this blogpost turned into a version of 

Where’s waldo Theo?

Me. Every day.