We’ve stumbled into a theme. It wasn’t planned. It just sort of…evolved. One thing led to another. But we are now farm addicts.

Our addiction began when I found the BBC show Edwardian Farm online. We were hooked from the moment the brilliant hosts began wrangling sheep in their brogans, making clotted cream, and having a pint in the pub. We binge watched the show, then found there were more! Victorian Farm, Tudor Farm, Manor Farm…we are still making our way through the bunch. But the show started off a steamroll effect.

One fine Sunday morning, we found ourselves restless, but without plans. There we were, driving about, looking for a destination, when we remembered Calder’s Dairy farm! A quick drive into the country for us, and there we were. Surrounded by cows and goats and chickens and ducks, even a pair of peacocks! We mucked about, exclaiming over the cuteness of the ducks (ok, that was just me) and being slightly afraid of the giant cows. (ok, just me again.) Wyatt adored it, and was so excited. Our speech delayed boy even very quietly whispered “moo” into his dad’s shoulder.

Of course we couldn’t leave without visiting the store, and checking out it’s available wares. Faced with freezers of ice cream, we had to eat some. It was delicious, of course. And it was pretty cool thinking the milk for the ice cream came from the cows just a few feet away! I had cookies and cream ice cream, and Wyatt and Billy enjoyed birthday cake flavored ice cream.

We didn’t escape with just the ice cream in our bellies. I also purchased a gallon of milk, in a glass bottle, a giant slab of butter, and a t-shirt for Wyatt. That milk was pure delight, and I am going today to buy more at their local store. One of my goals for the year was to try to purchase food from more local, small farmers, to see our food chain. This is one step closer to that goal. It takes more effort, but it is worth it – for the food, the farmer, and our local economy and community. (For more about this, read Wendell Berry. He’s a genius.)

Billy and I are now dreaming of farms – or at least somewhere I could have a few ducks, whom I would name Francis and Duckie, and a cute little pony, or mule. And a bearded collie. Billy wants to try his hand at brewing ginger beer, an enterprise I fully support. I love a good Moscow Mule and Dark and Stormies. I wouldn’t want to kill any of my animals though. That is a drawback to farming, but one I understand. I’m a vegetarian but the rest of my crew eats meat. Our obsession seems to be continuing, and I am even going to attempt to craft – everyone stand back! I am not the slightest bit successful generally, but I really want this one to work. I plan on making a set of barnyard buddies for Wyatt, some felt farm animals to play with. I can’t wait to make one of the adorable Tamworth pigs!

I end my evening these days, porch sitting, looking at my very full apple tree, drinking a chilled glass of La Vielle Ferme Blanc, dreaming of a farm to call our own. Maybe one day. Until then, it’s always nice to daydream. And eat ice cream and drink wine.