Avila Valley Barn

Jill's Journal: I can’t even guess how many orchards/farms/pick-your-own fruit and vegetables/fresh produce-type places I’ve taken our girls to over the years, first in Kentucky (we had three favorites around Lexington) and now stretching from Maine to California. It’s been a lot. And they never seem to tire of them. When the farms include a petting zoo, such as the one at Avila Valley Barn near San Luis Obispo, well, it’s double the fun.

We started with a wagon ride around the farm, which has been here since the 1980s.

The girls absolutely loved the live music, best enjoyed with an ice cream cone, of course.

We came home with strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and honey, but naturally the animals were the biggest hit. For $0.25 apiece, each kid got a large bag of lettuce, watermelon rinds, etc. to feed to the animals. Can’t beat that.

God bless places like Avila Valley Barn. Not only are they wonderful places for a family to spend an afternoon and pick up delicious fresh produce, but they also help satiate little want-to-be farm girls’ hearts. :)

Guest Post by Beppy: Tangleweed Farm and Family

Jill's Journal: After my parents went on an Alaskan cruise this summer, I’d asked my Mom to write a guest blog post for us. She didn’t do it, but (even better) surprised me with one today! I’m so thrilled to have her speaking in her own words on here about our day together. I love the thought of the girls reading them someday. Thanks so much, Beppy! :)

Today was the day to explore Tangleweed Farm, a family-owned farm in Tehachapi with lots of fresh produce. The produce is grown organically, harvested, and sold right at the farm. John and Laurie Thorpe started the farm as a homeschooling project in 1999. Jill talked about homeschooling and travelling with Laurie while the men talked about crops and farming with John. I tried kale right from the plant and it had a wonderful, sweet flavor. The girls found a pond to explore and rocks and sticks to pick up. The weather was perfect.

It will soon be time to say goodbye to the last of our family after Thanksgiving. We will miss the grandkids ringing the doorbell and spending the afternoons with us. As each of our family members left this weekend, I felt like they were leaving home for the first time. But, we treasure the time we get to spend as a family and look forward to the next time.

Miniature Horse Heaven

Jill's Journal: Grandpa and Beppy know people. And when those people happen to have 10 or so very woolly miniature horses…well, really, could three little girls be any happier?