Swipe right for the pretty photo!! When @porshamfarm says you are leaving the farm, just across the river, for a farmer meeting it would silly not to insist you use the opportunity as an excuse to sample local foodie delights. We can really recommend @crocadon.cafe rhubarb pastries. They look very pretty, beautiful lamination!! He’d almost scoffed the lot before I could get a plated photo. They were as tasty as they looked - and you can’t always say that about sweet treats. I did decide, on the way back, it would have been quicker to go by boat!! #devontraffic Cheers guys. #pastries #sweettreats #croissantdough #laminationlayers #lamination #rhubarb #cremepat #patisserie #pastrychef #crocadonfarm #crocadoncafe #porshamcakes #cake #weleftthefarm #delish #local #buylocal
Can't wait to have all my girls under the same roof, but this will have to do for now. Swipe to the end to see sweet baby Avery who turned THREE months old last week!! 🖤🖤 #weleftthefarm #momofgirls #momofomphalocele #pride #pridearoundtown #nicubaby #qualitytime #fyp #takemebacktothefarm #homesteadlife
Friday in Hawaii… We went to a magical place called the Na Pali Coast. There are no roads. You can only see this side of the island by boat or by helicopter. The cliff walls can soar 4,000 feet up in places. It’s breathtaking. It’s unbelievable. It’s otherworldly. We passed through a large pod of spinner dolphins, known as the Gate Keepers to Na Pali. We snorkeled with tropical fish and saw two green sea turtles, including the big honu Gigi found sleeping between ledges of reef. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #kauai #napali #napalicoast #makanacharters #spinnerdolphins #greenseaturtle #honu #seacliffs #pacificocean #summer #seacave #waterfall
Thursday in Hawaii… Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. Kilauea Point is the northernmost point in all of the Hawaiian islands. It’s a seabird refuge. Red-footed boobies were dotting the cliffside including their fledgling babies. We could see them flapping around in the tree practicing using their wings. Many adults were roosting in nests high in the trees. The Hawaiians call them ‘A. We also saw the Great Frigatebird (‘Iwa) and the Red-tailed Tropicbird (Koa’e’ula). The lighthouse was built in the early 1900s. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #kauai #kilauea #kilaueapoint #kilaueapointnationalwildliferefuge #seabirds #redfootedbooby #redtailedtropicbird #greatfrigatebird
Wednesday night in Hawaii we went to a Luau… A family run event with 100% all live music, homemade food, run by the Smith son and his children and their cousins. This family began doing business here in the 1940s. It was such a special event. We all loved every minute of it. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #kauai #smithfamily #smithfamilygardenluau #luau #hawaiiluau #imucetemony #kaluapork #shelllei #poi
Also Tuesday in Hawaii… We walked down the street from our air b&b and down a treacherous path to a small beach with amazing snorkeling. As soon as we got in the water, fish EVERYWHERE! #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #kauai #summer #hideawaybeach #snorkeling #snorkel #sisters #daughters #familyfun #sunshine #pacificocean
Tuesday in Hawaii… We went to Limahuli Garden & Preserve. A native Hawaiian landscape experience high in the North Shore mountains. Taro fields, native Hawaiian plants, trees, and flowers, natural irrigation, and archeological sites. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #kauai #limahuli #limahuligardens #nativehawaiianplants #summer #makana #balihai #limahulivalley
Monday in Kauai… Mountain tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventures. We traversed the old irrigation channels of sugar plantations including three tunnels that were hand dug in the 1870s. We needed head lamps as we went through the tunnels, seeing bioluminescent algae on the ceiling. We had lunch deep in the mountains of Kauai. Even stopping to view Mt. Wai’ale’ale on the way to the tubes. Mt. Wai’ale’ale is reputed as being one of the wettest places on earth. Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #kauai #summer #mountaintubing #kauaibackcountryadventures #sugarcanplantation #mtwaialeale #sisters #daughters #family
Sunday in Kauai… Today we drove around to different towns to shop. Our favorite was Hanapepe. Hanapepe is the inspiration for the Disney film Lilo & Stitch, a favorite of ours. They have a swinging bridge you can cross, originally built for locals to cross the river in the early 1900s. It was windy, so it was extra swingy as we crossed. We also had an amazing Japanese lunch that included a spicy poke bowl @japanesegrandmascafe At the end of our shopping day we drove to The Grand Canyon of Hawaii…Waimea Canyon. Breathtakingly beautiful. Red clay from when Kauai was created from a volcano. OH, and we found a Target! Kauai is overflowing with wild hens and roosters. They are both bold and beautiful. #weleftthefarm #vacation #kauai #summer #hawaii #hanapepe #hanapepeswingingbridge #liloandstitch #poke #rawtuna #waimea #waimeacanyon #grandcanyonofhawaii #kauairooster #kauaichickens #hawaiitarget
Thursday in Hawaii… We drove to the North Shore. Surf Town. We drove through Oahu’s countryside where they grow pineapples, coffee, and corn. Stopping to get a coconut drink and fresh fruit. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #oahu #summer #northshore #northshoreoahu #shrimptruck #sharkscove #garlicshrimp
Wednesday in Hawaii… We went to Iolani Palace and to Waikiki Beach. Iolani Palace is the only palace located in the U.S. Waikiki Beach is small and crowded. #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #oahu #iolanipalace #waikiki #waikikibeach #dukekahanamoku #summer #sisters #daughters #beach #pier38 #pier38hawaii
This morning from Hawaii… We hiked a dormant volcano then ate malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts). #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #oahu #summer #diamondhead #diamondheadstatemonument #hiking #steephike #winded #sisters #daughters #family #malasadas #leonardsbakery
Tuesday in Hawaii… Byodo-In Japanese Temple, a beautiful Japanese temple in the mountains of Oahu. Kualoa Ranch where many movie and TV shows are filmed. We did an UTV tour, where we drove around for two hours and saw all kinds of amazing things, including the island Mokoli’i. #weleftthefarm #vacation #summer #hawaii #oahu #kualoaranch #byodointemple #japanese #jurassicpark #filmsets #sisters #daughters #utvtour #mokolii #tourguide #dinosaur
Hawaii on Monday- Scenic Lookouts, Mickey Mouse, and Pearl Harbor. #weleftthefarm #hawaii #vacation #disneyaulani #mickeymouse #scenicview #scenic #oahu #kokocrater #pearlharbor #pearlharbormemorial #ussarizona #summer #family #daughters
Disney Aulani Resort in Ko Olina-Oahu, Hawaii. #weleftthefarm #vacation #summer #hawaii #oahu #disneyaulani #aulani #sisters #daughters #family #stitch #koi #koifish #sunset #hawaiisunset
Today we went to Hawaii! #weleftthefarm #vacation #hawaii #oahu #locomoco #pacificocean #disneyresort #disneyaulani #summer #summervacation #sisters #family
Our two week vacation has begun ☀️ We are starting it off by being in Southern California. San Diego and Temecula. Gigi and her best friend Charlotte have been reunited. It’s nice having friends in sunny places! What a great way to begin July! #weleftthefarm #vacation #california #airplaneviews #airport #friends #sandiego #temecula #sandiegoport
#Jamacia #30yearstogether #whatalife #travelling #bestfriend i go nowhere without him!!! #weleftthefarm
10.5 hrs later, two detours, construction traffic, running from the storm and then it finally catching up to us…. Just in time to miss all the cool views of Montreal, the big bridges and the F1 track! Yep I said F1! Easton is over the moon to have weekend passes for his first Formula 1 race🏎 The do pizza differently here🤣 Giant, uncut and with grease pouring into my lap… during the detour 🤣 stay tuned for a ridiculous amount of pics this weekend! #montreal #f1 #formula1 #comospizza #nomorerain #weleftthefarm
A few highlights from our trip to St. Louis 💕 we went to the aquarium, and the zoo, and meet their great grandma, and so much more! We unfortunately had to cut the trip short because we got a bug and both girls had a fever. But the beginning of the trip was so fun! Can wait until next time! #twinlife #weleftthefarm #travelingwithtwins #stlouisaquarium #stlouiszoo #adventure
We left the farm this past week! While everyone is posting about the snow storm (which did hit the farm) we were enjoying 83° and sunny in Cabo! We really only travel for a family vacation, and a few times a year to the family cabin in KY, so this was a much needed get away. Nick and I celebrated 10 years of marriage this past summer so when his company announced their company holiday part would be in Cabo this year we made the best of it for our anniversary! I will post more but we got to see the iconic arches, taste tequila, snorkel, eat authentic tacos (and churros!!!). Also shopping at a few markets. It was an amazing trip but I am ready to get back to homeschooling by babies and taking care of the farms needs. #cabo #cabosanlucas #cabosanlucasmexico #whathappensincabo #vacation #imonaboat #weleftthefarm #10yearanniversary #mexico #caboarch
Nick and I got to go to a @grangersmith show last night!! It was soooo much fun! Granger put on am awesome show. And it was nice to get a much needed dinner date with my hubby! #yeeyee #yeeyeenation #merica #countrymusic #datenight #weleftthefarm
THE BALLARDS HAVE LEFT THE FARM!! 😂😅 Enjoying some time at the lake this weekend! #bluegrassbeef #farmersatthelake #kylake #weleftthefarm
Quick little family getaway to Red River is always good for the soul! We enjoyed every second of the cool weather and afternoon rain showers. Camper life in the mountains is easily some of our favorite memories with these kiddos 🤍 . . . #weleftthefarm #mountainlife #campingweekend #rvlife #familyvacation #missingmyanimals #thebestweather
+Vacation-Drank too much, ate way too often, but loved hard, had so much fun and spent it with the most important people in our lives ❤️ it was a great mini getaway that rarely happens for us. Thank god for the rain delays! + I had several moments when I wanted to feel bad for myself and for how I looked in my swimsuit or outfit + But I quickly made up my mind that life is just too damn short to worry about your looks when life is flashing so quickly before our eyes... why not spend it grateful, happy and most of all healthy + Yeah I have 15 pounds I’d like gone.... BUT i have eyes that see, ears that hear, legs that can move me, lungs that breathe easily and a heart that pumps and loves hard + Sometimes we get too caught up in what we don’t have or what we want instead of realizing what we already have right in front of us. I don’t need for anything.. only have wants. And I’m perfectly ok with that. 🤘🏽🙏🏻 squishy and blessed is where I am living right now ❤️ {{and you should too, wherever you’re currently at in life!!}} #lovingmeforme #workinprogress #mom #wife #friend #mombod #blessed #squishy #happy #health #farmerswife #mindset #motherhoodunplugged #weleftthefarm #farmersonvacation #weloveraindelays #plant21 #farmkids #instagood #picoftheday
Day 2. Zion National Park is the 2nd most beautiful place I have seen. The horseback/mule riding made us feel like we were living as cowboys a hundred year ago, with Brian's Louis L'Amour narrating. You know, with a port-a-potty, a guide, and the tram! Hiking to the emerald pools was not like the pinterest pictures but it was so beautiful in an unedited photo kinda way. #donttrustpinterestphotos Meal of the day award goes to @pigsearbistro Holy BLT Yumminess! : : : :: #vacation #day2 #familyvacation #cousins #utah #zionnationalpark #sisters #weleftthefarm #countrymeetscity #vacationlife #hikingadventures #horsebackriding #muleriding
Day 1. We left our hotel at 3:45 am, got to the airport 2 hours early for a 4 1/2 hour flight and by some time zone miracle, arrived at our Las Vegas destination at 7:30 am! If there ever was a place to make you feel small, it's Hoover Dam. Being able to stand in two different time zones was super cool! We went to @littlecitygrillebc for breakfast/lunch because we have no idea what time it is! They make the most amazing sweet cornflake breaded french toast! This definitely gets meal of the day award. Las Vegas. You are weird, amazing, and literally never lacking for sights. The showgirls trying to tell us that the picture we took with them was worth a $50 tip was entertainment that will last a lifetime! : : : : : #vacation #day1 #familyvacation #cousins #hooverdam #lasvegas #nevada #hooverdambridge #sisters #weleftthefarm #countrymeetscity #vacationlife
Ermagherd, we’re in Gariwerd! #weleftthefarm #ermagherd #campinglove #bushwalkinglove #skylove #wildflowerlove #lovelove #chimneypots (thx for the tip @kali.see!) 😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😍😍😍
Vacation Day 5 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore #weleftthefarm #vacation #michigan #picturedrocksnationallakeshore #lakesuperior #nofilter #clearbluewater #minersfalls #waterfall #sandstone #minerscastle #naturalformations #swimming #lakelife #tween #nationalpark #hikedtoawaterfall #puremichigan #summer
Vacation Day 4 Cliff jumping at Black Rocks in Presque Isle #weleftthefarm #vacation #cliffjumping #blackrocks #volcanicrock #lakesuperior #greatlake #summer #sisters #teen #tween #michigan #crystalclearwater #puremichigan
Vacation Day 3 Lake Superior swimming Lakenenland Sculpture Park #weleftthefarm #vacation #michigan #lakesuperior #family #friends #sisters #swimming #lakelife #lakenland #sculpture #ironworkerart #art #junkyardart #puremichigan
Vacation Day 2 Presque Isle Park Black Volcanic Rock #weleftthefarm #vacation #presqueisle #lakesuperior #greatlake #sisters #summer #blackrock #trees #erosion #puremichigan
Vacation Day 1 Marquette, Michigan Lake Superior #weleftthefarm #vacation #michigan #marquette #lakesuperior #greatlake #up #upperpeninsula #upperpenninsulamichigan #sisters #summer #lakelife #makingmemories #puremichigan
Two of my daughters and I took a quick trip up to the Valley of Enchantment , in Crestline Cal. 🌄🌲🌲🌳🌾 My good friend's mother-in-law smoked some chilies on the grill and made fresh chili salsa. For my huevos y papas in the morning🌶🌶🌶 Thanks Kenny😎🔥🔥🔥🔥 #fieldsfarm #1greenthumbsmurf #crestline #valleyofenchantment #hwy18 #oldwatermanroad #heartrock #roadtrip #upthemountain #oldfriends #mountainair #nicevisit #toptown #casacontreras #chipsandsalsa #agoodday #Saturday #kickedit #4500ftup #oaktrees #cedar #inthewoods #weleftthefarm #itfeltgood #oldneighbors #kamiwami #layton #kennyanddarren #lisaandamelia #toriyahn
These are my people! 😍 #mypeople #myheart #myboys #family #vacation #vacationmode #beingtouristy #hittingallthethriftstores #thriftshopping #exploring #mississippi #weleftthefarm
Jumping into summer! My kids this morning both broke down crying saying they haven’t left the farm in 3 months.... I thought about it and besides an odd local bike ride they were right. I said okay let’s go! Jump in the car and let’s have a “socially distanced” adventure. We picked up their cousin and away we went. #beautifulBC #brothersandcousins #weleftthefarm #adayout
Our first visit somewhere since the lockdown was lifted. We went to the zoo in St Louis. We needed a timed ticket. We had to wear masks. We saw some of our favorite animals and some of our favs (Tasmanian devils, okapi, grizzly and polar bears, giraffes) were nowhere to be seen! But we did see the gorillas, big cats, sea lions, elephants, penguins, many types of birds, zebras. And we ate some food where we could sit and remove our masks. 98% of the guests kept their masks on, 100% of the staff had their masks on. Not too crowded. Lots of giant bottles of hand sanitizer placed throughout the park for everyone to use. #weleftthefarm #stlouiszoo #zoo #missouri #elephant #penguin #eagle #summer #lockdownover #wearamask
On the lake... #cheshirefarm #weleftthefarm #lake #kayak #summer #strawhat #widow #mom #sunscreen
Ninja warriors #weleftthefarm #ninjawarriorcourse #highropes #climbing #falling #exercise #teenager #tween #sisters #freefall
Woah mama! Jetlag has NOT been kind to us this time. I think it's the biggest "Neener,neener, you're getting older!" slap in the face I've had in a long time! Ok, so maybe the 24 hours of flying, waiting and driving didn't help either, but still! We've been exhausted, crabby and restless since Friday morning when we woke up at the crack of dawn and somehow it got worse through Saturday and Sunday..BUT it's getting better now! :)I'm crawling out of my funk (and so is this kid, thank goodness!). We're taking it easy and cozying it up with a fire, some Christmas music and some light Christmassy bath bomb making. If all goes well, we might even break out a few decorations!😍🎄 What's everyone up to today? #jetlag #countryliving #homesteading #homesteadmama #toddlermom #weleftthefarm #farmher #bathbomb #skincaremaker #homebusiness #smallbusiness #homesweethome #tiredmama #smallfarmlife #christmasseason
A little stroll in the rain this afternoon. Found this dreamy little shed (the Mr. Says it was a house), fields of leek, cauliflower and brussel sprouts for days! We also befriended a big horse, a couple of goats and a few sheep who were thouroughly insulted that it was raining on them😁 #belgiancountryside #belgium #belgianfarms #europeancountryside #europeanfarms #farmlife #europe #leek #brusselsproutsfordays #homesteading #abroad #weleftthefarm #Canadianhomestead
Hello from Belgium! I don't know if I've ever mentionned this, but we have a lot of close family here in Belgium, so every now and then we put farm life on hold and hop on a plane. This was our first time leaving a barn full of animals and it was stressful, but they are in good hands. We have been busy-busy with quality family time, a weekend at a holiday village in a cutesie little cottage, an amusement park, visiting extended family, Ieper- flanders fields, and finally, introducing the kiddo to a dash of her Flemish culture with a Sint Maarten parade❤ Of course, I woukdn't be me if I didn't have my nose to the window every time we passed a farm or a crop field😂 so much to see and many "new" ideas to apply to our own farmstead in the coming year 😉 Ps: I totally saw a few bunkers refurbished into animal shelters! #travellingabroad #belgianfarms #Belgium #travellingfarmer #flanders #homesteadersofinstagram #homesteader #homesteadmama #offthefarm #weleftthefarm #ieper #sintmaarten #farmher #idontknowhatdayitis
Sometimes... we leave the homestead... and sneak off to the beach 🏝! We missed our fur and feather babies but it was nice to get away for the weekend! . . . . #minivacation #beachtime #ncbeach #weleftthefarm #getaway #homesteadingbreak #wemissedourbabies #furbabies #featherbabies
Excuse the crappy concert phone pic, but I am sooooo happy everything came together and we made it. Last night I got to see one of my favorite bands ever - that I never expected to get to see - Bush (X) 🤩 Gavin Rossdale is/was amazing!!! Live was also crazy high on my list too and they absolutely killed it!!! Definitely better than Summersault 2001 (for me) partly because I didn't get heat stroke this time! #yay #weleftthefarm #Summersault2019 #Bush #BushX #Live #Livetheband #lovemyhusband #90smusic
@aumilkman 12th Anniversary Dinner ❤️ ❤️ #weleftthefarm #12years #Anniversay #AnniversaryDinner #cheesecake #alfredosauce #milk #cheese #butter #farmersofinstagram #dairy #dairylife #milklife #gotmilk #macandcheese #yummy #nomnom
Brookfield Zoo...ISU Alumni Day #weleftthefarm #brookfieldzoo #illinoisstateuniversityalumni #illinoisstateuniversity #reggieredbird #dolphins #lion #snowleopard #wombatbirthdayparty #babygorilla #gorilla #summer #zoo #August
Chicago weekend... #weleftthefarm #museumofscienceandindustry #chicago #msi #weather #mirrormaze #dissectedacoweye #garythepigbrain #summer #sisters #dinnerwithfriends #andersonville #august
Paddle Boating in Forest Park today. #weleftthefarm #forestpark #stlouis #theboathouse #family #sisters #daughters #paddleboat #summer #july #wildlife #sanctuary #ducks #greategret #egret #turtle #lunch
Hamilton - The Exhibition #weleftthefarm #hamilton #hamiltontheexhibition #chicago #history #alexanderhamilton #foundingfathers #americanrevolution #kinggeorge #americanhistory #summer #july
Hamilton #weleftthefarm #hamilton #musicaltheater #sisters #chicago #summer #cibctheater
Scenes from the city... #weleftthefarm #chicago #summer #summerinthecity #milleniumpark #sisters #thebean #cloudgate #july #downtown #maggiedaleypark #crownfountain
Lake Michigan #weleftthefarm #chicago #lakemichigan #sisters #summer #july #loyolabeach #eastrogerspark
XO Marshmallow delights! #weleftthefarm #chicago #marshmallow #desserts #smallbusiness #eastrogerspark #sisters
Forest Park-Saint Louis #weleftthefarm #saintlouis #stlouis #missouri #forestpark #worldsfair1904 #sisters #family #summer
Beautiful and cozy whiskey bar in Copenhagen. #celebration #whiskey #birthday #weleftthefarm #lidkoebwhiskybar
Streeeetch... #cheshirefarm #weleftthefarm #giraffe #zoo #stlouis
Me and my zoo crew... #cheshirefarm #weleftthefarm #zoo #stlouis #family #kids #wildasses #sisters #daughters #january #warmday #roadtrip
The zoo in St Louis has cheetah cubs who just turned one in November. 8 cheetah cubs frolicked and squealed today in the warm winter air. What a treat it was to see them...we were mesmerized. #cheshirefarm #weleftthefarm #zoo #stlouiszoo #cheetah #cheetahcubs #cats
Scenes from a zoo...part 2. #cheshirefarm #weleftthefarm #zoo #stlouiszoo #cougar #mountainlion #grizzlybear #bird #hornedguan
Scenes from the zoo...part 1. #cheshirefarm #weleftthefarm #zoo #stlouiszoo #hippo #elephant #tasmaniandevil #okapi #penguin #gazelle
We found the best little cafe today! The clucking hen cafe in #capebreton on the beautiful #cabottrail. It cheered me up after a rough start to the trail..aka toddler barf and a smashed phone. #chickensmakemehappy #chickensofinstagram #thecluckinghencafe #weleftthefarm #homesteaders #minivacation
We had a great time last night at the Ed Sheeran concert! He’s doing a stadium tour and we saw him at #buschstadium. What a powerhouse musician he is!! #weleftthefarm #edsheeran #dividetour #stlouis #buschstadium #concert #livemusic #dividetour➗@teddysphotos
One last hurrah for the summer was spent up in the Adirondacks! A gorgeous weekend at Rollins Pond!! Now time to quick whip this family into shape for school tomorrow!! . . . . #adirondacks #camping #vacation #helloseptember #weleftthefarm #backtoschooltomorrow #momlife
Two date nights in one week. This deserves a selfie because I for real did my make-up to make up for my dirty hair! 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ #frillyfarmwife #frillyfarmhusband #datenight #weleftthefarm 😂😂 #whoarewe
Illinois State Fair #weleftthefarm #illinois #illinoisstatefair #skylift #ferriswheel #bighat #bumpercars
Girls day today included some back to school shopping, rock candy, and three special turtles... From the Little Choclatier.... Because as Grace said "Treat yoself!" Graces face in that second pic though 🤣🤣🤣 #weleftthefarm #countrygals #wedontgetoutmuch #mommydaughterday #backtoschoolshopping #theyregrowinguptoofast #funnyfaces #sisters #daughterlove
Our teenager. #weleftthefarm #chicago #chinatown #teen #thirteen #8thgrade #summer #bigsister
The fourth grader hits the city. #weleftthefarm #fourthgrade #gymnast #chicago #summer #chinatown #littlesister #michiganave
Rolled ice cream in Chinatown. #weleftthefarm #chinatown #chicago #rolledicecream #legendtastyhouse #rolledthaiicecream
Day trip to Chicago #weleftthefarm #chicago #chinatown #chicagoriver #watertaxi #michiganave #riverwalk #summer #august #confuscious #bridges #boats #willistower #architecture