WE'RE HERE!
We are back in Bugtussle! We're still very much in the midst of the crazy stressful unpacking process, but we wanted to let you know that we did it. A few times in the last few days we have had moments of realization - that's it. No more moving. We did it!......aaaand then the moment passes because Wendell is chasing ducks through the woods and the squawking boxes in the back of the truck need to be unloaded. As we settle in, besides being incredibly busy as we get to work clearing land and starting on the cabin, we will be without internet and electricity for a bit - so these posts might not be as regular as they usually are. Here is a picture of Wendell eating a stale baguette to help you get through our absence.
If you *DO* need to get a hold of us, you can call or write to us at Bugtussle's address. No cell phone service, but we will check when we can! Also, have you seen the cabin campaign lately? We are so close! Also also, the move has delayed us sending out all of the perks for those of you who donated - but don't worry! We are working on them!Thank you to everyone who has contributed, in whatever way, to this crazy year of ours. After lots of confusion and sadness and loss and leaving, it truly feels as though everything has fallen into place. We are home.- Hannah.
GOODBYE GLADDIE.
You guys. Moving is the worst. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....we are so close! Wednesday is the big day! Besides the stress and frustration that comes with packing boxes and realizing you have way too much stuff - there are also the goodbyes. We are starting to have to say our goodbyes - to this little town we have grown to love, to dear friends who enriched our lives, to our bountiful garden still full of food, and also to some of our animals. The rabbits have found a home with Jacob and Carolyn, and yesterday, Gladdie went to another farm family who required her mousing services. We let her spend the day outside, stalking chickens and having adventures. It was hard to say goodbye (I am an unapologetic crazy cat lady) but I know she will be loved. Thank you, Gladdie - for ridding our house of mice, for being an excellent alarm clock each morning, and warming my lap every day. We'll miss you!- Hannah. 
THE CLEAN UP.
Packing and cleaning don't make the best blog posts, but if you're wondering what we've been up to it's been a whole lot of that! In fact, we've spent much of the last few days deconstructing the garden, and cursing ourselves for being so thorough when we put it up!
We've also received two really sweet articles about our fundraising endeavor. The first was from Need More Acres in Bowling Green, Ky, which, if you're in the area tomorrow, please stop by Community Farmers Market and thank this family for us. And give them big hugs! They are donating all of their sales from this weekend to our campaign and we are deeply, tearfully thankful.Then the wonderful Savoring Kentucky posted a more-than-generous article about us and our campaign. We're speechless, or moved beyond words to be more accurate. This outpouring of support has been incredible and we can't wait to pay it back however we can, whenever we can, as often as we can.In moments like these––with this amount of tremendous support––we not only feel we can accomplish our goal, but that Kentucky can accomplish just about anything. The more we can chip in to help one injured set of farmers, the more others in the farming community can be less afraid of being crippled by disastrous circumstances. In a community, people live with less fear because, as we mentioned in an earlier post, when they fall, they fall into the arms of others. We're so thankful, but we're also equally excited to one day be able to return the favor, to help our community remain strong.We're over half-way to our goal! iIf you'd like to donate please follow this link. Every little bit helps!- Jesse.
A BUSY BEE WEEKEND.
This past Sunday, Jesse and I suddenly realized that if we were going to move our beehives to Bugtussle - we had to do it NOW. As in....on Monday. The weather seemed right, and I wanted to make sure they had some forage available in their new home before the winter set in. We scrambled to prepare, buying some ratchet ties and duct tape and other such securing devices, and we went to work. I spent all day Sunday working in the hives, removing the top super, harvesting the honey, and closing off the top entrance of the hivewith some fine wire mesh.I wasn't planning on harvesting any honey this year. I wanted to make sure these ladies had plenty of food stored away for their first winter. But. They hadn't been all that productive in the latest supers that I added. One extra, kind of empty box on the hives = just more space for them to have to heat throughout the winter. PLUS - one extra level on the hives just made them that much more difficult to move. So, a honey harvest we had! It was a small amount, all in all, probably a half gallon all together. BUT IT IS SO MAGICAL! Cutting into the comb and watching the delicious golden honey pour out into the jar below, I fell in love with bees all over again.
After the harvest, on Sunday night, I closed up the hives (by plugging the entrance with a t-shirt - very fancy) and Jesse helped me load them into the truck. We secured them as best we could, and we headed out on the 3 hour journey to Bugtussle at 5 AM the next morning.To make a long story short, it didn't go great. The bees escaped during the drive. It was pouring down rain at the moment we decided to unload the hives. I got stung in the butt. STILL - it could have been so much worse. After we placed the hives in their new home, the sun came out and we watched them take some orientation flights, getting their bearings and seeing Bugtussle for the first time. It makes me excited for our move very soon - when we can know, after a very stressful year, that we are DONE - we are in our FOREVER HOME and that our new life is just beginning.- Hannah.