Welcome back, fellow DIY enthusiasts! If you missed the exciting start of my journey to visit Kit (DIYDiva.net) at her enchanting Black Feather Farm, be sure to catch up on Part 1 here. My arrival was certainly memorable, especially with the enthusiastic welcome from the resident chickens and donkeys! Now, let’s dive deeper into the heart of my extraordinary farm experience, uncovering the unspoken rules and delightful surprises that come with visiting a fellow blogger immersed in the rural lifestyle.
Stepping onto Black Feather Farm, I quickly realized that visiting a fellow blogger who embraces the farm-to-table, DIY lifestyle establishes a fascinating set of expectations and delightful realities. It’s a world where creativity and nature intertwine, offering a unique blend of home comfort and rustic charm.
The Unwritten Rules of a Farm Blogger’s Getaway
1. Embracing the Beauty of Unfinished Projects
It’s a universal truth among DIY enthusiasts: a home is a canvas, perpetually mid-project. When you step into another blogger’s space, particularly one as vibrant and lived-in as Kit’s Black Feather Farm, this reality is not only understood but genuinely celebrated. The immediate expectation is that every room might hold a story of ongoing creation, a testament to passionate endeavors that are still in progress. As a guest, your implicit duty is to embrace this charming chaos wholeheartedly – an unspoken agreement we all seem to instinctively understand without needing a formal discussion.
And honestly, you won’t care at all. In fact, you’ll likely find it endearing. Take, for instance, a mantelpiece still adorned with festive holiday decor long past Christmas. I briefly wondered if Kit would mind me sharing a glimpse of this, but I utterly adored its untouched charm. It resonated deeply with my own creative life – I still have my Christmas tree packed away in a living room storage box, currently serving as a temporary perch for a basket of clean laundry I’ve been meaning to sort for Goodwill. So, my immediate thought upon seeing Kit’s mantel wasn’t criticism, but a heartfelt, “So. Awesome.” It speaks volumes about prioritizing life, creativity, and comfort over strict adherence to seasonal timelines. To me, it still looked perfectly pinnable, exuding a unique character that only a truly lived-in, loved home can offer.
2. Experiencing Genuine Hospitality Amidst Creative Chaos
Beyond merely accepting the presence of unfinished projects, a remarkable thing happens: you won’t truly even *notice* them after a short while. Not only will you not care (especially because you can relate *so much* as a fellow creative), but the overall impression will be one of a deeply lived-in, authentic home. What truly shines through is the incredible effort your host has put into making you feel utterly comfortable and welcome, often going to “Pinterest-y” level lengths to ensure you have everything you could possibly need, regardless of whether a particular upstairs bathroom is fully functional yet (more on that exciting development later!).
On a personal note, Kit’s meticulous guest preparations have genuinely inspired me to step up my own game. Her guest bedroom was a masterclass in thoughtful hospitality. It was freshly painted, immediately creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. A delightful basket overflowing with snacks and bottled water greeted me, ensuring I had everything I needed for a comfortable stay. And the view from the window? Absolutely killer. Each morning, as the sunlight gently started poking me in the eyeballs, I was treated to a breathtaking panorama of the farm, a serene and inspiring start to each day. This level of attention to detail made me feel truly cherished and demonstrated the deep care Kit puts into her home and her friendships.
Speaking of the guest room and Kit’s delightful hints, she couldn’t resist dropping a few tantalizing clues on Facebook about what was to come (check out her post here). My response, naturally, had to be in my own signature style of playful snark:
3. The Unpredictable Entertainment of Farm Animals
One of the most captivating aspects of visiting Black Feather Farm was the constant, delightful entertainment provided by the chickens. Kit often blogs about her “chickens-get-into-everything” adventures (you can read some here), and I witnessed these antics firsthand during my visit. It wasn’t just a casual observation; it was an immersive experience. One particularly bold hen strutted right into the kitchen as if she owned the place, a scene that had us both laughing. These curious creatures also followed me around the yard constantly, clucking and pecking, their inquisitive nature adding an unexpected layer of charm to every outdoor moment. Their quirky personalities and unrestrained freedom truly made the entire trip all the more memorable and authentically “farm.”
To share a piece of this charming farm life with my audience, I even decided to Periscope one of my coffee breaks. For those unfamiliar, Periscope was a fantastic live video social media app that allowed me to share real-time video and interact with viewers’ comments as they came in – it was incredibly fun and engaging! You can follow along with my (then) live adventures at @uglyducklingDIY. In fact, my enthusiasm for it was so contagious that I even managed to get Kit on board with the idea, and we ended up sharing many live moments together, capturing the raw, authentic vibe of our farm stay.
4. Savoring the Freshness of Farm-to-Table Cuisine
One of the true, undeniable delights of a farm visit is the food, especially when it comes straight from the source. I’ll admit, I was initially a bit hesitant about Kit’s famous “creamy” scrambled egg recipe (you can find it here) that she prepared for us on the first morning. The idea of “creamy” eggs sounded intriguing, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, with the first bite, any skepticism vanished. I can honestly say that it was an absolute revelation, a dish so exquisitely simple yet bursting with flavor that I’ll undoubtedly be attempting to recreate something similar for myself in the very near future. It was a testament to the unparalleled freshness of farm-raised ingredients.
And let’s not forget the cherry tomatoes. Oh, those sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes! I’m an absolute sucker for them, and these, freshly picked, were simply divine. (Apologies if I just drooled a little on my keyboard thinking about them!) Every meal on the farm felt like a special occasion, a celebration of natural abundance and wholesome goodness. It was a stark reminder of how much flavor fresh, local produce brings to the table, transforming even the simplest breakfast into an unforgettable culinary experience.
5. The Deep, Restorative Sleep of the Countryside
There’s something uniquely profound and restorative about sleep on a farm that simply transcends regular sleep. It could have been the crisp, clean country air filling the lungs, the satisfying fatigue from honest hard work (which I’ll delve into shortly), or the wonderful dinners paired with great company (and perhaps a perfectly chosen local beer or two). Whatever the precise combination, I slept incredibly soundly during my entire stay at Black Feather Farm. Each morning, I woke up feeling genuinely refreshed, perfectly in sync with the rising sun, often catching some truly spectacular sunrise skies.
This deep rest provided an abundance of energy, which, as it turned out, was absolutely essential for the exciting DIY project that lay ahead! The quietude of the countryside, broken only by the gentle sounds of nature, contributed to an unparalleled sense of peace. There’s also an undeniable charm in the small details, like the sound of rain gently pattering against an old farm window, adding an almost cinematic quality to the experience and enhancing the feeling of cozy comfort. It truly felt like a retreat, rejuvenating both mind and body in a way that city life rarely allows.
6. Embracing Spontaneous DIY: A Shower Renovation Project
Perhaps the most unexpected yet incredibly rewarding aspect of my farm visit was the spontaneous decision to volunteer for a major DIY project: tackling the tile work in Kit’s upstairs shower. When I arrived, we didn’t really have a rigid game plan for what we’d do during my three-day visit. However, a thought quickly solidified in my mind (or perhaps I just declared it): I wasn’t going to leave without helping Kit finish *something* significant.
Kit had made a few casual, off-the-cuff remarks about how much she enjoys taking long, hot baths in the winter, and how much she genuinely loathed the fact that her upstairs bathroom wasn’t fully functional. She lamented that this essential project was so far down on her giant to-do list that she probably wouldn’t get around to finishing it until the freezing winter months arrived, leaving her without that much-desired hot bath sanctuary. These subtle hints sparked an idea. As a fellow DIY enthusiast, the thought of helping a friend achieve such a critical comfort was incredibly appealing.
Then, the pivotal moment arrived: I realized she literally had *all* the necessary supplies for us to make this happen within a mere 48 hours. Tools, tiles, grout – everything was there. At that point, it became a complete no-brainer. “Why the heck not?” I thought. This wasn’t just a visit; it was an opportunity for a true blogger collaboration, a chance to turn conversation into tangible progress.
We kicked off the project on my second day in town. I continued working on the tiling solo the following day until Kit returned home from work, fully immersing myself in the task. This intense tiling session may or may not have also included a little alcohol-inspired ingenuity on Kit’s part to solve a tricky measurement or cut, adding a layer of playful resourcefulness to our endeavor. It was a true testament to our shared passion for problem-solving and getting things done, even if it meant a bit of creative thinking after hours!
We finally wrapped things up together the following evening. Just as we were about to celebrate, we realized (with a collective groan of exhaustion and a touch of disbelief) that we were missing one LAST tile. Ugh! The frustration was real, but it was quickly overshadowed by the immense feeling of accomplishment. Despite the minor hiccup, the progress we had made was staggering. The transformation was nearly complete! (The dramatic before & after reveal will be coming in the next post, as this one is getting delightfully long already!)
7. The Joy of Going with the Flow: An Unplanned Adventure
In the end, what truly made this vacation so perfectly designed was our willingness to “wing it.” Since we didn’t arrive with a meticulously planned itinerary, we simply went with the flow, allowing serendipity to guide our days. This approach resulted in an absolutely awesome and deeply memorable trip. It allowed for unexpected detours, spontaneous collaborations, and genuine moments of connection that a rigid schedule might have stifled. The freedom to adapt and respond to the moment was incredibly liberating, making every experience feel authentic and organic.
And for those of you who appreciate dynamic content, I have plenty of video footage to share from our adventure! Each day, Kit and I used Periscope to host live Q&A sessions, interacting directly with those who were following my account on the app. These impromptu broadcasts allowed us to share our daily experiences, answer questions, and connect with our communities in a truly interactive way. While you can no longer directly interact with these archived videos below, you can still watch and enjoy these candid glimpses into our Black Feather Farm escapade, capturing the laughter, the hard work, and the incredible bond of friendship.
Driving to the Farm:
First Night Q&A: Feelin’ Goofy
Second Night Q&A (and my personal favorite video):
Wherein Kit tells me about #beardporn, I tell a terrible dick joke, and we talk about things not yet revealed on our blogs. Get ready for some laughs and candid conversations!
The Last Night: #exhausted
The Verdict: A Farm Life Conversion
So, the final verdict is unequivocally in: I had an absolute blast, and I’m already eagerly anticipating my next visit to Black Feather Farm. This trip was more than just a vacation; it was a profound experience that reinforced my immense gratitude for the blogging world. It has consistently brought so many wonderful people and forged such amazing friendships into my life, and my connection with Kit is a shining example of that.
Kit, consider me a total convert. My time at Black Feather Farm, with its charming chaos, heartwarming hospitality, delightful animals, fresh food, restorative sleep, and spontaneous DIY projects, has convinced me entirely: life on the farm sure doesn’t suck. It’s an enriching, inspiring, and deeply satisfying way of life that I was privileged to experience firsthand.
