Tag Archives: Itsnotta farm

Finding Comfort: Shelters for Goats, Chicks, and Us

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It’s another rainy, spring day — and exceptionally cool for this time of year, which means there is little outdoor work to be done — again. I am so behind in the garden. It may not happen this year. The few seedlings that survived may go in pots and be done with it. On the bright side, there was an opening in the builders schedule and our goat barn/shed is complete! She needs a coat of paint, but I am super exited! It looks great and I didn’t have to wait the weeks I thought it was going to take! I spoke with the breeder and I’m going to check out a few babies likely next week…it is happening people!

The chicks are indoor still but growing well… except for “Onion” a little peep who still seems to be fluffy and downy soft. In fact, she looks like a turkey chick if I didn’t know better. I didn’t order turkeys, so that is very unlikely, but it makes me laugh just the same. As I type this they are all quiet and snuggled up together under the heat lamp. It’s a perfectly peaceful afternoon in the house right at this very moment in the rain. It’s silent and still. And feels safe and warm and serene right now. Which has me musing…

All safe and warm under the glow of the heat lamp!

I’ve been looking at all kinds of shelters… goat, chicken, rabbit. I’m constantly on Pinterest or FB Marketplace looking for ideas and habitats. Before moving to Itsnotta farm, I spent hours (and yes, I mean hours!) scrolling for the perfect century home with all the things on my checklist. Yes, the property is full of maintenance that is draining our time and certainly our budget, but I am so thankful for all the blessings we have. Last night, God granted us a spectacular sunset. The sky was a blaze of oranges and pinks and purples. It was stretching far across the farm fields and I am sure it looked absolutely gorgeous reflecting off the lake. Yes, we are blessed to live in a free country surrounded by the beauty of the southern Ontario countryside.

After such a harsh and long winter, and what is turning out to be a very wet spring, I take comfort in our warm home. I take comfort knowing these little chickies are spoiled in my house under the heat lamp. I feel bad for the bunnies on rainy days and try and snuggle and dry them up before bed — knowing all living creatures appreciate a warm, soft and safe place to sleep at night. A shelter. My A.I. overview gives me this description of the word “shelter”:

“Shelter refers to a structure, covering, or place that provides protection from danger, bad weather, or exposure. It can also mean the state of being protected (refuge) or a place providing food and lodging, such as a homeless shelter. As a verb, it means to provide protection or to take cover.”

Those words describe a lot. Protection. Safety. Comfort. Warmth. I think shelter is one of those basic human needs… like food and water. Essential to life. Did you know the word shelter is used 36 times in the old testament, and almost always, the Lord is our source of that protection? He hides us under a cleft of rock, or draws us near, or under His wing. As I hang out with my new baby chicks, they do not like to be picked up as a rule. They squawk and yell and flap about, until I cover their fluffy little heads in the palm of my hand. This, like hiding under a momma’s wing, seems to give them comfort and a sense of calm protection. Shelter, if you will.

The completed Goat Shed! She still needs some paint…

My goat barn is a simple wooden shed. The goats are new to me, but I am told they will “dog pile” to stay warm. And that they hate rain. I’m looking forward to baby goat snuggles. Still, I know they belong outside and can’t stay in the house forever. My family will surely disown me. So, I will do my best to provide shelter. As our Heavenly Father does for us.

What about you, my friend? Are you seeking shelter right now? Do you need to feel the warmth and comfort of a “safe place”? I can’t imagine being homeless and wet and cold. I am lucky. Many in our world are not. My tiny chicks have it better that they… warm, fed, relatively clean, but most of all safe and protected to the best of my ability. Everyone deserves that, am I right? We must do our part.

So, as you’ve come along with me on another weekly muse, I hope you have taken notice of how you are blessed. Are you warm and safe in a cozy spot as you read this? Be thankful. Can you go to God with all your needs and know that He’ll “take you under His wing” and “protect you in the cleft of the rock”? Absolutely! Take a moment to thank Him for it, as will I, and we’ll see you back again real soon as we walk along this journey together, my friend!

The Significance of Cedar Trees in the Bible

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Welcome back to another episode of what on earth is happening and why does it cost so much? Just kidding. I just signed off on our goat shed. And got groceries this week. Yup, feeling the pinch over here. I suspect many of you are in that stage as well, so I’m in good company, eh? Thanks for being here to follow along in the journey! It’s been a whirlwind here and time has not been on our side. Spring finally arrived with a vengeance and left us with no time to catch up. Story of our lives. For recap: firewood pile is on the lawn and not stacked, baby chicks are in the house and growing fast, goat fence is up and shelter ordered but not in yet, baby goats due soon! garden has already sprouted and not cleaned up, maple syrup is a bust this year and we didn’t get to the sap…it will likely be spoiled… but hey! my house is fairly tidy at the moment, so there’s that! Life, as I have said many times, is like that, and I take comfort in knowing that God’s Got This and He sees it all.

The beginnings of the cedar arbor

So let’s dive in to this week’s muse. I think we’ll continue on the theme we’ve been following on plants and their significance in the Bible. For this week, I came upon the mighty cedar tree. You’ll see it mentioned 103 times in the Bible. “The mighty cedars of Lebanon” built the temples, and refer to strength and royalty. It also refers to a pretty hunk of a good mate ( “He stands tall, like a cedar, strong and deep-rooted, A rugged mountain of a man, aromatic with wood and stone.” Song of Solomon 5:15). Huba Huba… Could be an Old Spice commercial. They probably have a “cedar scent” for their products. Not sure if it was biblically inspired, but they likely have one.

Speaking of great odour, cedar is a favourite of mine as well. Have you ever been to one of those antique shops with an old cedar chest ? I have slight regret for not buying one when I was a teenager… it was all lined with quilting and smelled fabulous. I now own several old crates. Not sure too many of those have that great cedar smell, though. That mix of ruggedness and freshness. Outdoorsy, but still “clean”. Yes, would definitely make a good deodorant.

Cedar trees. Itsnotta farm has several cedars surrounding the property. Some are very, very tall and the owls and crows hide in them way up at the top. I can only pick out their bird calls. The evergreen needles hide them well. We also have a cedar “hedge” near the house. I say “hedge” as I think it once was much shorter than it is now. I’ve hacked away at it to build my arbor. Which is still up… but leans to the side slightly. So much for strength and royalty. I guess the good wood was just in the wrong hands. It smelled good though, when I was hacking away at the branches.

The “Cedars of God” nature preserve, one of the last vestiges of the forests of Lebanon Cedar.

Anyway, another week, another focus. Mighty cedars. What does it mean to you? A sweet aroma, reminding you that God’s in control and will be your source of strength? A symbol of power and royalty, used to build the mighty temples and palaces that held the likes of Solomon the wise? A tall evergreen to hide and protect us in its branches?

It’s good to take a look around once and awhile and notice things and wonder why they are there. It’s why I do this little thing every week. Lately, I feel like my writing hasn’t been as focused, but if someone somewhere gets something out of it, then I suppose my little musings are worth it. In this world of AI and auto generated everything, it’s nice to have a little unprofessional blip about nothing in particular every now and then, yes?

And so, as I go out to do my farm chores every morning, or hear the owl call from somewhere in the branches at night, I’ll think (and smell?) about our little cedar hedges, and be reminded of the mighty cedars of Lebanon and the strength they brought to the ancient world. And now, I hope you’ll be reminded of them, too, and trust that the mighty Creator of the cedars thinks about you as well! Be blessed, my friends!

Our leaning cedar arbor…surrounded by the “hedge”

Why Easter Lilies Symbolize New Beginnings

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Hello again my beloveds! It’s been a minute, but here we are. I don’t know where the time is going! I just can’t seem to wrap my brain around blogging lately. There has been plenty of opportunity, but very little motivation. Maybe it’s the weather. It’s raining — again. This spring has been very, very wet. The ground is wet, the firewood is wet, my bunnies are damp, and no one is happy. Although a few things have been slowly moving forward… we have fence posts in for the new baby goats! And spring day old chicks come tomorrow! So, despite not being able to do much around because everything is soaking… time continues to move on. I suppose it is one thing we simply cannot stop: Time. Even in the rain.

I wanna go back in time for a minute. A few weeks ago, we celebrated one of, if not the most significant events in history. Easter. It was an unusual Easter weekend for us… kinda busy with a lot of travelling to see family (which are further away now), but nonetheless wonderful. Easter, of course, is when we commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus. A poignant celebration in Christian faith. We’re still getting used to our bigger church and a larger church family, so it wasn’t as “intimate” as I’m used to, but worthy of mentioning. Chocolate treats and fancy meals with family notwithstanding.

Easter and Lilies

Yet, we must circle back to our little plant theme we’re currently following, and chat about Easter lilies. Our sanctuary was decorated with them, and we used to have many in the city. So, how did the lily get associated with Easter? I didn’t know. So, like all good bloggers, I googled it. Google tells me the trumpet shaped, white flower has been traditionally associated with purity, rebirth and new beginnings. The shape reminds us of a trumpet… announcing the resurrection of Christ and His return. Obviously, new beginnings are what spring is all about… so it makes sense. A pure white flower. Okay, I get it.

Honestly though, I am not a fan of Easter lilies. I do not like their very pungent fragrance, they are extremely toxic to pets, and are messy…dropping pollen everywhere. Plus, they remind me of death. I don’t know why, but they seem to be in every funeral bouquet. I suppose it has something to do with that hope reborn association. Sorry to those of you who love ’em — just not for me. Any lily, in fact. Crazy tiger lilies in my garden… you can’t kill those invasive things! Please do not bring me any for mother’s day!

I suppose I shouldn’t be so harsh to a flower that the Bible mentions as beautiful (Luke 12) and is a symbol for purity. Solomon, in all his finest, never looked as good as the humble, white flower, they say. I suppose it is pretty enough. More partial to the rose, myself. I knew a lady who loved the lilies and all the mismatching and hybrids and colour varieties. She ordered bulbs on a regular basis for her garden. I have a few daylilies that are okay hanging out in mine, but the lily is not one I’d pick to plant.

However, I did find one tidbit of info interesting. The life cycle of an Easter lily begins with the bulb growing underground for several years before sprouting its long stalk and white flower. A perfect example of death and resurrection… buried under ground and rebirth. That is worth celebrating. That can bring meaning to spring. Especially right now for us, after a brutally long winter and a very rainy spring. I am ready for some new life again. I am ready for a new awakening in the soil and the garden sprouting. I’m excited for the new babies coming and the joy new life brings. That, my friends, is even worth a stinky flower. I hope you feel a rebirth in your souls this week, my beloveds! Until we “meet” again.