A lot of work goes into photography!

Find out why we practiced making mud puddles!

What are we doing? Read below to find out!

I love getting family photos taken. I don’t have a stellar memory, and I want some of our life documented. (Especially when I am having a good hair day!)

We have had some great family photos.

Emily helps us get it together for photos.

But I love to look at some of the outtakes from the photos – kids getting in trouble, Michael looking - well - over it, me just wanting that one special picture.

I thought we were jumping... apparently not. 

I can only imagine it is hard work being a photographer, not to mention a lot of pressure.

But local photographer Emily Bartley always has it under control.

“I try to stay positive and set no expectations prior to a session,” she said. “I love how kids are so real. They say the funniest things. Even if they cry, it’s still so sweet. They are still learning about the world and themselves, so it’s a tough go sometimes. But I just hope I can make them smile as much as they make me smile.”

Emily has taken our photos for years. And with the farm setting, she’s been able to use it for other clients as a great background.

“The Farm at Holly Hill has phenomenal lighting when the sun goes down,” she said.

One of my favorites.

After our kids played in the mud together, the idea for mud pie minis was born.

It was cold, but they were happy.

We're not regular moms. We're cool moms. 

Snoop checking it out. 

Epic pig shot

“I just think back to when I was a little, and I loved playing in mud,” Emily said. “I thought it would be a great idea to capture kids playing and create great memories for their parents.”

This is the first summer Emily will be offering minis, including themes such as watermelon eating, fishing in a pond and superheroes saving the city.

But we couldn’t offer mud pie minis without practicing!

She brought her kids over last week, and we dressed everyone in white so the mud would really pop whether the photo was edited in black and white or color.

White outfits for mud of course!

Even though it had rained, the mud wasn’t puddly enough.

From the barn to the side pasture, we lugged several gallons of water. Our arms were burning. I imagined I was in some sort of Spartan race, minus the cool finisher t-shirt.

Making it muddy

Pouring the water

But we just let the kids go at it. Mud was flying, they were cackling. So. Much. Fun.

They had a ball!

Still looking white. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!

Sweet girl and her muddy face

I even tried to jump, but let me tell you. That mud is slippery. And I’ll leave it at that.

Emily is one of the kids.

So go like Emily Bartley photography on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye out for her announcement for summer minis.  And if you’re a photographer, let me know if you’d ever like to tour the farm.

Patience vs. ambition: Can you have both and find success?

Patience is a virtue, yet we’re also told the early bird gets the worm. Which is more important?

I don’t know - but working on the farm is teaching me both.

There is always something to do around the farm. 

Our town is booming with farmer’s markets and agrotourism, and I am dying to be a part of it. But I’m learning you can’t force it. Sometimes slow and steady is the way to go (And it’s driving me crazy).

But on the flip side, I’m trying to be ambitious and learn how to do more work on the farm.

First up, power washing. Who knew this would be the most fun chore ever! I feel like a dental hygienist. It’s so satisfying. I now call permanent dibs on the power washer.

Getting all the grime off. 

More power!

Shoutout to my husband. He was really patient teaching me how to use it. He wasn’t a pill at all. You know what I’m talking about married couples. Working with your spouse can be veeeerrrryyyy challenging. A lot of face grimaces and weird pet names usually ensue, but seriously he did a great job.

My first job was to clean off the chicken coop.

Inside the coop. We're making nesting ledges.

Michael showing me how it's done.

Then, I wanted to paint it with the girls. Big mistake, but I’m hoping those memories last a lifetime. We used an oil based paint. (My first time working with this kind.) It really sticks to the skin. And as Abby found out, the walls inside the house too.

The wood really soaked up the paint. I used a gallon and a half. I also use rollers. A spray of some sort might have been easier. 

My helpers. When we painted the coop it was really hard to tell what we had painted. 

Before and after

We thought we did a great job painting all the panels, but once it dried it showed a few… a lot… of mistakes. A second coat is needed. 

But finishing the coop is cruising right along. After a few hundred dollars and several man hours, I hope those eggs are delicious. 

Now let’s talk about the weather. We’re all thinking it. Go home Mother Nature, you’re drunk. Snow, rain, ice frost. Are we in dog wood winter or locust winter? Only our sweet grandmas know all of them, but they are crazy. Not your grandma – but these little winters that keep popping up.

Hoping the apples are ok so we can make applesauce and pie. 

We get buds, lose buds. Who knows what will happen with our apple trees. Will we get apples or will they be mush? Only time will tell.

The one project that is completed is a farm logo. Why do we need a logo? I don’t know. I envision t-shirts. A big thank you to Scott Cureton for designing our vintage logo.

Who would order a t-shirt? I'm thinking really soft material. Maybe a ringer collar or baseball style.

After Mother’s Day we plan to plant the vegetable garden and the sunflower/lavender garden. I know the vegetable garden will be successful and yield some crops. My imagination says the flower garden will be beautiful, but I’m not sure. They are both hardy plants, but it might take a few grow seasons to find the best spot. Stay tuned.

Growing some sunflowers

My husband has an obsession with seeds.

These are for my flower garden.

Grow baby!

We planted a willow tree. Not sure if it did ok through the frost. 

No matter the weather, these always survive!

It's ok birdies. Spring is coming!

So back to the question can patience and ambition go hand-in-hand?

A quote said, “We often want it so badly that we ruin it before it begins. Over-thinking. Fantasizing. Imagining. Expecting. Worrying. Doubting. Just let it naturally evolve.”

I believe each trait is important for different reasons and can be balanced to complement each other and hope we can put into practice both to find success. 

In the meantime here are some cute animal pictures!

Pig belly rub

If Snoop eats an apple...

Bailey gets an apple

Barn cat gang

Best friends

Turkeys!

Love this view!