Fresh from the pasture, hereās the latest Moosletter from Iona, Skye, and Murren!
Holly Jolly Hijinks from the Highlands ššDecember 2024
Hello, friends of the farm! Iona here, checking in to share the latest happenings at Flavour First as we wrap up the year. December has been a whirlwind of highs, lows, and plenty of antics (thanks to two mischievous little goats). Grab a warm drink, settle in, and let me tell you all about it.
Calf Update: Growing Up Strong š
First, some happy news! Our darling calves, Luna and our handsome Blue, are thriving. Luna has inherited my spunky nature and keeps us all on our hooves with her playful ways. Blue, on the other hand, has already mastered the art of looking majestic ā a natural, just like me! Weāre so lucky to have the talented Liane Radcliffe capturing their early adventures. Her photos truly show how special they are, and weāre so proud to have these snapshots of their journey.
Speaking of Lianeās talent, weāre excited to announce the opening of our very own Mootique! This is your chance to take a piece of the farm home with you. Weāre now offering a collection of Lianeās most cherished prints, including breathtaking landscapes and, of course, heartwarming snapshots of our Highland herd. Mounted and unmounted options are available, making them perfect for gifting (or treating yourself) this holiday season.
Inga and Thora: Naughty Little Elves šš
If youāve been following along, youāll know that our pygmy goats, Inga and Thora, have been getting into the Christmas spirit ā or at least their version of it. From raiding the hay stores to turning the barn into their personal playground, theyāve been living up to their title of āNaughty Elves.ā Every day brings a new surprise from these two, and letās just say theyāve kept everyone on the farm very busy!
Follow their antics on our Facebook Page.
Storm Darraghās Devastation šŖļø
While weāve had plenty of festive cheer, December has also reminded us of the challenges that come with life on the farm. Storm Darragh hit us hard, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. We lost three polytunnel covers, which were vital for growing, and our beloved family camper suffered severe damage from falling trees. To top it off, a loose roof tile narrowly missed the car. Despite the damage, the most important thing is that our family and animals are safe ā and for that, weāre incredibly grateful.
Farming has its highs and lows, and while this storm has been a tough blow, itās also a reminder of the resilience and strength we build every day. Over the coming months, weāll roll up our sleeves and begin repairs, getting things back in order.
Looking Ahead to 2025 š
As we clean up and reflect, weāre also looking forward to a bright new year. 2025 promises to be an exciting chapter for Flavour First, and we canāt wait to share our plans with you. Weāve got big ideas, fresh goals, and, of course, lots of moo-meries to make.
Thank you all for being part of our journey this year ā through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, health, and plenty of Highland cow cuddles.
Enjoy some of our best December moo-ments below!
Until next time,
Iona š®
June Moosletter ā Berry Sweet Beginnings š
Hello, lovely adopters and friends! Skye here, taking a break from grazing to share the latest news from the farm. Murren is happily munching away (as usual), and Iona is offering her wise nods of approval from under the shade of our favorite oak tree. June was a moo-mentous month here at Flavour First because it marked the start of strawberry seasonāand oh, what a season it was!
From the crack of dawn, families and friends arrived with excitement practically spilling out of their baskets. Our strawberry patches were a hive of activity, with people of all ages wandering the rows, carefully picking the juiciest berries. There were plenty of happy squeals as little ones darted between the rows, some discovering the joy of eating a strawberry still warm from the sun (donāt worry, they saved most of them for their baskets!).
Even Louis and Ruben joined in the fun, showing visitors the best berries to pick with the enthusiasm only farm kids can muster. These two are definitely future farm managers in the makingāthey know every inch of the fields and love sharing their tips with guests. They even stopped by to give us a scratch behind the ears, which, letās be honest, is the highlight of our day.
We Highland ladies spent most of our time observing the hustle and bustle. It was thoroughly entertaining watching the humans (and the occasional dog) navigate the rows, dodging the odd strawberry stain and debating who found the biggest berry. Iona swears she saw a little one sneak a strawberry when no one was lookingāit was a stealthy operation, but weāll let it slide because it was adorable.
As the sun dipped low, the patch would start to quiet down, with families heading home carrying baskets full of summer sweetness and smiles as bright as the day itself. Even the farm seemed to hum with happiness. If you ask me, thereās nothing better than seeing so many people enjoying the fruits of our hard work (pun intended).
June was a sweet success, and we canāt wait to see what next yearās strawberry season brings. Until then, keep an eye out for more updates from us Highland galsāweāve got plenty of adventures to share with you!
With love and moo-ch happiness,
Skye š®
Summer Moosletter ā A Season of Sunflowers and Squash šš»
Hello there, dear friends! Iona here, with Murren munching on her favorite greens and Skye taking time to enjoy the admiration of passing onlookersāshe loves when I take the lead on these updates. Summer has been a golden blur of sunshine, visitors, and unforgettable moments here at Flavour First. From July’s sunflower magic to September’s back-to-school quiet, itās been a season to remember!
š» Summer Sunflowers š»
The fields burst into waves of golden sunshine as our annual sunflower spectacular began! Everywhere we looked, there were happy families wandering among the blooms, cameras in hand, capturing the magic. It felt like the sun itself had kissed the fields, and the joy was infectious. Visitors made a beeline for the most dazzling flowers, crafting bouquets or simply soaking in the beauty of natureās masterpiece.
Louis and Ruben were busy little helpers, directing traffic like pros and making sure everyone got the most out of their visit. (Honestly, we think they secretly love bossing the adults around!) Meanwhile, Leanne and William were the ever-gracious hosts, guiding guests to their perfect sunflower and ensuring the event ran as smoothly as one of my graceful trots.
As for us Highland ladies? We spent our days grazing in the warm summer sun, occasionally lifting our heads to moo a friendly hello. (Donāt tell anyone, but weāre pretty sure we photobombed more than a few sunflower selfiesāmajestic as always, of course.) Even the goats got in on the fun, sneaking through the field and turning up uninvited in some truly hilarious snapshots.
As the sunflowers started to fade, Autumn rolled in with its own charmāpumpkins and squashes galore! Visitors flocked to the farm for a chance to pick their own from our vibrant autumn patch. From perfectly round pumpkins to quirky, gnarled squashes in every colour imaginable, there was something for everyone.
This yearās big hit? Our “drive-thru” pumpkin picking experience! Families loved the convenience (and the novelty!) of driving through the patch to pick their seasonal treasures. Itās a good thing Louis and Ruben were there to help load pumpkins into carsātheyāve got quite the knack for the heavy lifting. š
Summer was truly a season to rememberāfilled with sunflowers, pumpkins, and the laughter of friends old and new. We loved being part of so many family memories, and weāre already dreaming about what the next season will bring.
Until next time, keep smiling, keep adventuring, and donāt forget to visit us soon!
With love and moo-ch gratitude,
Iona š®
November Moosletter ā New Arrivals & Mischief Makers š®š
Hello, dear friends and adopters! Skye here, reporting straight from the heart of Flavour First, where the crisp November air has brought exciting changes and plenty of antics. Itās been a whirlwind of a month, and Iām bursting with news to share!
š A Growing Highland Family š
Letās start with the most exciting updateāour little Highland family has grown! I couldnāt be prouder to introduce my darling calf, Luna. Sheās a lively little bundle of energy, with a knack for finding the sunniest spots to nap in and the tastiest grass to nibble. Lunaās curiosity knows no bounds, and sheās already making herself quite at home, trying her best to keep up with the herd. (Sheās got my adventurous spirit, after all!)
But wait, thereās more! Just when we thought things couldnāt get any better, Iona joined the baby boom by welcoming a strong and handsome bull to our herd. Heās still waiting for a name, but let me tell youāheās already showing off his impressive charm. With his sturdy little frame and determined attitude, heās bound to be a shining star among us Highlands.
The sight of our calves exploring the farm, wobbling on their little legs, and making their first discoveries has filled us all with joy. Watching Luna and her new buddy play is like seeing the future of Flavour First right before our eyes.
š The Mischievous Duo Strikes Again š
Now, letās talk about our resident troublemakersāthe pygmy goats. If thereās one thing theyāve mastered, itās the art of creating chaos (and making us laugh while doing it). These two mischief makers have been on a roll this month!
Whether itās sneaking into the pumpkin patch to investigate leftover squashes or attempting to āhelpā William with his tools (read: knocking things over and looking innocent), theyāve been keeping everyone on their toes. Just the other day, they managed to wriggle their way into the storage shed, causing quite the commotion. Luckily, Louis and Ruben were quick to swoop in and save the dayāfuture goat wranglers in the making, perhaps?
Despite their antics, we canāt help but love those playful little troublemakers. Theyāre part of what makes life at Flavour First so wonderfully unpredictable.
š Seasonal Snuggles š
As the days grow shorter and the nights chillier, weāve been embracing the slower pace of farm life. The fields are quieter now, with the harvest behind us, and thereās a sense of cozy contentment settling in. The humans seem to enjoy it too, bundling up in warm coats as they visit to say hello. For us Highland ladies, November is all about snuggling up with our little ones and enjoying the peaceful rhythm of the season. Weāre treasuring these moments before the busyness of the holidays begins.
Thatās all for this month, my dear adopters and friends! Thank you for being part of our journey here at Flavour First. Your love and support mean the world to us, and we canāt wait to share more updates as the seasons turn. Until next time, give yourself a big āmooā from me and the herd!
With love and lots of fluffy hugs,
Skye š®