To the Farm We Go

Last week we paid a visit to Annie at Kiparoo Farm. I always enjoy my social calls there.


I've always loved old barns and Annie has numerous aged relics making for a bucolic setting.


Kim, Forrest and I strolled up to the top barn to take a peek at the 200 lambs.


But first a stop at the 'hay barn' with dappled light filling the spaces between the boards. The beams are hand hewn, notched and have stood the test of time, thanks to a new roof.


This farm has so many outbuildings, all built for various purposes, but now some more dilapidated than others.


This structure was probably at one time living quarters as it's made of logs, has windows and doors like a house would have.




Up at the sheep motel, hundreds of mamas and babies were lounging in the 'lobby'.


All were content and enjoying the coolness of the shade.


Annie had not told me this, but she had broken her wrist 2 weeks prior and was still not able to do most of the farm chores. I can tell you this, that woman does not slow down for much but this was a bad break (when a heavy gate came off the hinge and a sheep ran through, with Annie's wrist caught between the rungs and it just snapped). Of course it was her dominant hand too.


The tenant house sits at the entrance to the farm and I loved seeing the colorful laundry blowing in the breeze in the fresh air.


A smiling pig greets us as we enter the side yard.


This little cutie is Annie's bottle lamb. He lives close to the house in a little pen made out of a white picket fence. Annie puts ribbons on the lambs who need a bit of attention so she can spot them easily. I think it's for good luck. He was sound asleep after sucking his bottle, with a bit of milk still on his mouth. I love how lambs always seem like they're smiling!


And this is Wendy, the cat mascot of the farm. She comes shopping with the customers, leading them to the yarn. Wendy has gone through 6 of her 9 lives. A tractor blade fell on her, injuring her back and leaving a white slash of fur, she got caught up in a bush hog and lost one leg and tail. Annie nursed her back to health and Wendy gets around the farm just fine. She loves attention and if you're not paying her enough of it, she rolls on her back until you have to laugh and rub her belly.




The Kiparoo chickens scratch and peck around wherever Annie is. The girls follow her into the dye shed, into the milking barn, and occasionally into the yarn shop.


Annie keeps a milking herd of a dozen beautiful cows, Jerseys, Guernseys and this lovely girl that I cannot remember which breed she is. Help me out here, Annie!




Annie with another of her beauties.


Entrance to the shop.


All the wool from the hundreds of the sheep is spun into various weights of yarn which Annie dyes and makes into wearables.


I went to Annie's again a few days later, bringing what any good midwestern girl would bring another midwestern girl....tuna casserole. But not your Aunt Edith's tuna casserole...this one had sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and feta cheese with a big squirt of what we call Mr. Rooster (sriracha hot chili sauce). I helped her plant tomato and pepper plants and dozens of perennials. I begged for more work but instead we took a tour of the farm and animals then sat on the porch in the early evening, watching the light slant across the fields.


A parting gift for me....the Aracauna eggs that are light blue. I can see an omelet in my future.