A quick but wet snow blanketed the farm today. First time the guinea’s had to deal with it.

Spent the last half of the day starting the demolition of the gray house interior. Never done a project like this but I’m very interested to give it a try. The plan is to remove all of the wallboard (walls and ceiling) and see what shape the structure is in and how/if we can remove the various walls and open the inside. Ultimately we want to make it a guest house with all of the modern conveniences. Below is a before and a few afters. The structure so far appears to be in good shape. Lots of wasp and hornet nests in the walls, so good time to do it since they are dormant.

There is no insulation in the walls nor ceiling, the place had to be incredibly cold in the winter.

Invigorating to be out in the crisp weather after being cooped up inside due to the foot surgery. Nothing like enjoying a cigar and watching a winter sunset with the lovely wife.

Myself and lovely wife Patty decorated the gate this afternoon for Christmas, first time we actually put lights up on the wall.

The hard working folks over at Brooke Farms planted the winter wheat this weekend, took a few shots with the drone, take a look.

Went out to sit in the tree stand on the back property thinking I probably wouldn’t see much since I just hadn’t had time to plant the green fields this year. As the light faded I saw one large doe moving quickly into the field from my front right. I looked closer and sure enough I could see lots of white antlers following close behind. It happened so fast I didn’t have time to get nervous, quickly took aim and made the shot. At first I thought I had missed him, when I looked up I saw nothing, no doe, no buck.

I climbed down from the stand and started walking the field, went back and forth several times before I found him. Got him right through the lower neck and it looks like he dropped right where I shot him. He was a big one, 10 point, and weighed in at 195 pounds!

Mark and Patrick helped me get him into the back of the UTV. The three of us along with neighbor JJ spent the next few hours dressing and skinning him. The next day I moved him to the barn and will be hanging him for five days which should really tenderize the meat.

We have a bear family hanging around down by Mine Run. Looks like they are having fun!

Helped Patty harvest the sweet potatoes. She grew them in felt bags, two bags for each type: white, purple and red. I think they came out pretty well.

A few pictures from my walk this morning. Fall has definitely (finally) come, it was cool and I actually wore a long sleeve shirt. Quite a difference from the 90f days from a week ago.