Roller Coaster of 2013

Well it has been a while since I have posted last.  Life for the Woodford's has been much like a roller coaster.  When we first got married both of us were nervous as we stepped into this commitment.  Yet, from the moment we took off a newly weds it has been a fast, wild awesome ride.  We have stayed so busy learning how to be married, both working full-time, moving, fixing up the house and property and now trying to start a little farm on our property.

I first apologize to all those who have been interested in our lives and we haven't shared.  Here are some highlights of 2013:

Probably one of the biggest things that happened in 2013 was that Jeff and I bought our first house.  A log home on 8.5 acres of property.

We have LOVED our new house.  And although it came needing lots of love and work, Jeff and I have enjoyed the challenge.  We are excited to see how this place and the property continue to change and morph as the years go on.

With the 8.5 acres of land that we now have, Jeff and I decided to start a little farm.  Mostly to help us have a sustainable lifestyle, but also to be able to give to those in need or in community with us.  In 2013 we started out having 2 dogs and 3 horses.  By the middle of the year we had added, nine hens, a rooster, three turkeys, two cows and now a third dog (more on him later).

We actually started with 30 chickens… but after nature took a few and we harvested all but one of the roosters we are down to 10 chickens outside in the chicken pen and 7 roosters in our freezer.

Plucking chicken feathers.

Chickens ready to be bagged up and put in the freezer.





I (Kelsie) started a garden this year and we were able to get a lots of potatoes and a few other yummy veggies.  We are already working on this coming years garden!

 We also had the blessing of canning a few things from our garden and a lot from framers market.

Jeff and I both celebrated a birthday, turning 27 years old.  We also celebrated our FIRST anniversary, and we still like each other!  Jeff took us on an awesome surprise road trip around eastern oregon.

We also went fishing a lot and our freezer is stuffed full of salmon, beef, pork, chicken and lamb.

We have had multiple roommates this year.  Julia (previous staff member of the CPYR) lived with us for a few weeks.  Karmel (an volunteer for CPYR from New Zealand) came and lived with us from April to October.  We LOVED being able to enjoy her accent each day. :)  We had a few gals from England come and stay for a week and some gals from California as well.   And we have also had the wonderful Kaysie Patka (my sister) living with us that this fall and winter.  It has been a blessing to have her here at our house.  To actually get to know her now that we are both adults and also for Jeff to be able to get to know his new sister-in-law.

Karmel our Kiwi from New Zealand!

To wrap up the year we bought a new car and are selling Jeff's truck soon.  Our little Camry needs a lot of work, but we are up for the challenge.  Jeff was hired to build two chicken coops for a friend of ours… and he did a fabulous job. Such a good job, that he is going to try to sell more them on craiglist and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewoodworksbend.  Does anyone need a chicken coop?

We had our second Christmas together and the first Christmas at our new house.  Jeff's family came over from Springfield and my family came over… and we all celebrated together… it was perfect!  Even through there was no snow.

Oh yeah, as for our new dog.  We officially have a new member of the dog family… at least right now. He is still on trial for us.  What is his story?  Well, that will have to be another day and another time. :)

What a great year for the Woodfords.  We are both thankful for 2013 and excited for the new year, new seasons and new adventures that 2014 brings!