We have lost our 2 oldest Pups to age. I know it happens, but it's still hard. Ace passed due to a heart attack: sudden and peaceful. He was happy as a lab is. He is missed. Our Buddy had a spinal tumor. He lost the use of his back legs, but we had a special harness so he could still go out and about on the farm, sniffing and doing what he wanted. It warmed our hearts.

And when he was ready to leave; he told us it was time. As much as I argued with him on this subject, he was firm. So we respected his choice. He left us as peacefully as I could have wished for this kind soul. I am grateful for loving and caring veterinarians who know that dogs are family. We are Blessed. 

We now have our newest addition, Max. A Bagel, which is a cross between a basset and a beagle. He walked up to us as dogs do on a farm and he became ours. He was starved, flea infested, and is heart worm positive. The vet said he would have died within the next 2 days if he had not found a home. We are grateful he has adopted us. He is such a wise soul. Grateful for every small thing. He reminds me constantly to also be grateful. He fits into our home like a glove. McKenzie loves him and they have bonded well. 

The rhythm has certainly changed, but that is the way life goes. I miss my guys fiercely, but I know they will send another when the time is right. It's not right now...my heart must heal. Meanwhile I bake for your family. It's my therapy. It reminds me of the times I would come home with the flavors each of them loved the most: Buddy loved Apple...Ace loved them all. Hey! Labs love to eat! They are the happiest dog on the planet! 

Love your pups each and every day...they are given to us as a gift. What a wonderful gift they are!

Our Farm celebrates it's 125th Birthday this year, and in recognition, the State of Tennessee has placed it on the State of Tennessee Historic list of Century Farms Registry. We are excited to be a part of the history of farm families that have continuously passed down the traditions of working the land from one generation to another. To us, it means we know what determination and having a goal means....and never giving up even against all odds.

Our generation is the 5th to Farm the current plot of land...our children and grandchildren will be the 6th and 7th. One of our grandsons is fascinated with everything John Deere. Yep, raise them right! GO GREEN!

My most favorite memory was sitting on my grandfather's pick up truck (we got to sit on the hood and watch the farm happenings), in the evening as the cows meandered around, preparing for the evening. Granddad raised purebred Herefords. The picture below is of one of his favorite Bulls, Victor. We have since transitioned to row crops, but I miss the sounds of the cows and my parents and grandparents. But times are ever changing and it's our responsibility to make memories for our grandbabies.

We are grateful to the State of Tennessee for this program that recognizes the Family Farm. In a day and age where things are disposable, it is an achievement to find something and stick with it. And 125 years is certainly an achievement!

Welcome to the history of how we came to call ourselves: FARM HOUSE BARKERY®!

It's hard to believe it's been a year since our last Blog entry, but times have been crazy busy with the Market season in full swing. We literally bake, bag, load, go, sell, and start the process over on Mondays. The folks and pups we meet are fantastic and we love what we do. To hear the stories of your pups sitting by their dog treat jars waiting for our treats to be handed out, is such a heart warming and happy "tail". But we know what that looks like, because it is played out at our house as well.

Peanut Butter continues to be our strongest leader, but our Sweet Potato is proving to be a strong contender. We truly believe it's because it's sourced locally from a farm in our area that produces a much sweeter potato. The slow roasting helps to keep the sugar inside the potato instead of over flowing onto the pan. And we are hearing such great feed back about our Blueberry treats! But our little Basset and I go round and round about our Blueberry bushes. She believes the bushes belong to her. Some days, I win, some days the win goes to her. Unfortunately, our Apples went to the squirrels this year. We were watching them to pick for the peak of ripeness...and 2 weeks before Labor Day, we woke to stripped trees. Only 6 apples remained. I won't be putting out any corn for the squirrels this winter because I know how many apples they have stored away...they are going to be fat and sassy!

The Farm House is currently  in a Hustle and Bustle with preparations for the Nov 1st Christmas Treat release. These treats were such a hit last year, we kept having to bake and ice, bake and ice...so this year, we are trying to get ahead before the season hits so we do not experience any shortage. As last year, they will be in both the Iced and Frosty Free for the Pups who are watching their waist lines. We maintain our All natural ingredients by using Beet Juice for Coloring, right down to the sprinkles. Dogs do not need anything artificial and if you are feeding your pup anything not of nature, please stop!

We will end this Blog entry with a Big Thank You for making this year a great one so far. We appreciate your kind words, the purchases you've made which have allowed us to make our donations to our charities, and to keep doing what we love to do for another day. Have a great Fall and enjoy the beautiful weather...winter is coming.​​​​

Happy Birthday to our first two Pie Pumpkins, off our Hydroponic Tower: Jack and Jacqueline. It's a success with many more to follow. And a wonderful by-product has been to watch the busy Honey bees as they have gathered the pollen from the Pumpkin Blooms. Since I shared a booth at the Farmers Market with the Honey Lady this past Saturday, she explained the Honey Bees have been starving due to the rainy, cool summer we have experienced and the lack of blooming flowers.

Now to show you our "baby" pictures:

The Tower is growing and thriving...though not with some lessons in the School of Hard Knocks.

Some of the lessons I've learned:

Check! Check! Check! The water level when you are growing water loving plants such as Watermelon and Pumpkin. (Note to self: it's probably not a great idea to plant this many heavy water seekers...at once). The reservoir has run dry on one occasion and I thought it was over. But quick hustle and gentle words of encouragement brought the Tower back. Lesson learned.

Another chapter: when Tomato Worms invade and you ask a Certified Organic Farmer what action to take to correct the problem, take his advice! Not the advice of the internet!! I used a combination of Dawn Dishwashing Soap and cooking oil then sprayed the leaves. Let's review what happens when you add oil in the hot sun...yep. Fried green tomato leaves. I thought the plants were goners; they turned brown and shriveled. And the worms thrived! I was sick! But time and patience resulted in new leaves sprouting. Blooms are coming back and baby tomatoes are on the vine. I now have the correct organic worm repellent should I have a need. Lesson Learned.

  And final Lesson: just enjoy the process. Each stage is exciting and enjoyable. I am thrilled about everything that is new and the fact the theTower is productive is exciting! And now, some pictures of my pride and joy:

I know some of you are following the Tower, and here is the latest news on the progress:

The lettuce has taken off like gang busters! In fact, we are currently enjoying Salads with most meals. It tastes so wonderful, especially knowing we grew it ourselves. I am about to start more from seed to keep a fresh supply going. According to the information, we will be able to pick the lettuce three times before discarding.

I had 3 tomato plants sprout successfully and have moved them to the tower. They are now approximately 6 inches tall. However, I have not been successful at getting the Basil nor the Pumpkin to emerge from the seed pods. Skill is skill and obviously I am still lacking.

So, off to the garden center I went. I purchased the following plants: additional tomato plants, a watermelon plant (hey, dream big!), basil, and lemon balm. All of the items were transplanted into the Tower and have taken root beautifully!

As for the Pumpkin plants, I left 8 spots opened, and planted the seeds in the starter soil of the plants from the garden center. Hopefully the earth and sun will help to germinate the little golden globes of goodness. Fingers are crossed and my hope remains endless!

Now, for the pictures I know you are waiting for:

UPDATE: 6/3/2014, Tuesday evening Chore Time:

LOOK WHAT POPPED UP! It's a PUMPKIN! You all don't know how thrilled and excited I am! Isn't she a BEAUTY!!??? I do believe she is ready for the tower, so she can have one last night in the soil, and tomorrow morning, she will be transplanted to her new home.

Now, the mystery of life: will she be an ONLY? or will more follow? Stay tuned....

We have the most lovable neighbors! They love to sit on our back stoop and wait for our crew to come out to play, and when they do, all heck breaks loose. It's a mad, joyful, fun time of chaos, barks, howls and dog tag; just an all around yappy fun time. You cannot be around this crew and not laugh at their antics. Let me introduce you to them:

Pop, on the left, is the old soul. He seems to be the one that is the level headed one of the two brothers. Skip, on the right, is the goofy kid brother that is always looking for a way to irritate Pop, and he is the lazier one of the two. On our afternoon walks, he usually peeks his head out of the shop to check us out, then turns around and hops back on the couch and takes a snooze with the farm equipment. Silly Pup.

They meet at the post first thing in the morning; business always comes first, then it's off to the races. It's tag, sniff, run, or chase: whatever the mood strikes.

Yes, Ace, we see you. He always makes sure that I am close by.

As the corn grows, they will continue their play in and out of the stalks. The height of the corn does not stop them from their games of chase...it just becomes much more fun!

And then we have Miss McKenzie who isn't impressed with the guys. She would rather sniff out the smells of the night. She tries to guess what animals passed by last evening...she will spend all morning in this position if we let her.

She and I are currently in a despute: she ate all my strawberries in my little strawberry patch last evening. When I caught her, she looked at me and licked her lips...what's a Basset Mom to do?

There is never a dull moment on the Farm! We count our blessings each and every day.

Just a quick update on the Tower Garden. Amazingly, the Lettuce was ready for transfer to its new home within 7 days! But, from reading the Blogs, that was the norm since 3 cuttings are what is expected, then they encourage us to replant to keep the crop going for fresh salad.

The Pump that feeds the nutrients, hums on a cycle of 15 minutes on then 15 minutes off. While on, it sounds like running water that reminds me of a water fall. It is such a wonderful sound that I had not expected!!

I have 2 tomato sprouts, so they have been moved to full sun. The remainder of the crops (Basil, 8 Tomato Plants, and the 10 Pumpkin seeds) continue to work their magic below what the eye can see (I hope).

Now, enough of the blah, blah, blah...I know you want pictures. Here they are:

As I have previously explained, I lack a green thumb. However, this year, the Pumpkin seeds that I purchased last Fall, are burning a hole in my gardening gloves since my husband challenged me to find a space for them.

Forget the fact we live on a multi acre Farm and our yard takes 3 hrs to mow on a riding mower, he believes there is no suitable location! (ie he doesn't want to till, plant, water, weed, or harvest...been married to him well over 30 years so I know his way of thinking!)

Little did he know his Pumpkin Location Challenge was accepted! This is what I came up with:

The Garden Tower is a vertical hydroponic gardening system. No soil needed, no watering, no back breaking planting! No fuss, no muss. Yea me!! But boy did his jaw drop! I don't think he saw this one coming (keep em guessing folks!).

  I started the pumpkin seeds this morning, along with some tomatoes, lettuce, and basil. Once it sprouts, the plants will be transferred to their pots on the tower and the water (mixed with a special food tonic) will begin to feed the root system the nourishment needed to grow the plants. According to the information, vegetables should be ready several weeks before traditional planting methods.

  This is so exciting! An adventure in a different type of farming: my Granddad and Dad would be SO on board with this! I plan to document the growing process (or the death and destruction of my Gardening Dream...but I am hopeful the plants will be lush and beautiful as the pictures promote).

  Stay tuned for further developments...

This first step to Becky's Dream Garden: planting the seeds, covering with the vermulite, keeping it moist, and placing outside in semi shade to germinate. Once the seedlings sprout and grow to about 3 inches, they will be transferred to the tower.

OH LITTLE SEEDS, COME OUT, COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE!!!...