Farmhouse-Sitting

I am house-sitting for a family from church, the Abbotts. Actually, I'm small farm-sitting. Mr. Abbott works a 9-5, and his wife and kids tend a huge garden, keep bees, raise 12 goats and 20-some chickens, and generate homemade products from all of their livestock and agriculture. Thankfully I don't have to milk the goats (I tried, I'm too slow) or have anything to do with the garden (I can't even keep a real houseplant), but this is quite a taste of farm life for me!

Reasons Why I am Grateful God Has Not Made Me a Farmer:
5:55a: Alarm goes off; I hit "snooze."


6:00a: Snooze alarm goes off, I hit "snooze" again, this time with guilt.

6:02a: I feel equal parts guilty and angry that I am up so early and get out of bed, then dressed in my chore clothes. I hear a rooster crowing.


Big ol' boots
6:10a: I strap on Mr. Abbott's boots and let the dogs out of the garage for the day.

Vanilla & Cocoa, jealous sisters

6:15a: The goats are screaming at me as soon as I turn the barn light on; I feed all 9 goats, empty the leftover water and refill the buckets, cover their "berries" (I know, I hate that term too) with hay, and give them fresh veggie treats.
A neighbor arrives to milk 4 of the goats.



Peg Leg & her twin

6:35a: I clean the barncat's litter, then refill her food & water. It's been 5 days and I've still never seen her, but she keeps leaving me her messes to clean up and eating the food I leave for her, so I'm holding out for a sighting.

6:40a: Get ready for work.

6:45a: Strain the goatmilk, put it in the freezer, and sanitize the milk pail and jugs.

It is illegal to sell goat milk in the state of Michigan.

7:05a: Leave for work.

6:30p: Return from work.

6:35p: Feed, water, clean & check the goats. Neighbor milks 4 goats.

7:00p: Strain the goatmilk, put it in the freezer, and sanitize the milk pail and jugs.


7:15p: Warily go out to the chicken yard, close up the hen house if all chickens are inside. Collect eggs.

The All-Seeing Eye

7:30p: Seperate eggs into cartons.

Fresh, free-range chicken eggs of every variety.

7:35p: Prepare dinner & eat it.

There are shelves and freezers full of homemade salsa from homegrown veggies.

10:00p: Call it a day! (Repeat the next day.)


As if the 12 goats, 20-some chickens, beehives, two dogs, and cat weren't enough to keep the Abbotts busy, they manage to homeschool the four children and have a complete line of organic honey/soaps/ lip balms/ lotions that they market & sell.