Country Family

Quilt block

2010-03-16T12:23:00.000-04:00

Forum Quilt #4 2009

2010-01-28T12:01:00.000-05:00

January 2, 2010

2010-01-02T19:32:00.002-05:00

January has decided to come in like a polar bear. There is snow covering the ground and the air is so cold it takes your breath away. I am not a fan of cold weather, can't find much of anything good to say about it!

Yesterday I cooked a nice dinner for everyone- BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, rye bread and spinach dip. It was pretty good! Today the guys- Cale, Brady, Melvin, Scott, along with Roy, James and Jay from our church, went to Roy's place and cut four loads of wood for our preacher. The girls and I were all planning to go along and cook lunch on an open fire, but sadly it was just way too cold for that. Maybe next time we will get to have that happen. Cale and I went to our friend Bob's hunting cabin and made sure the heat was working, then we stopped at Charlie and Pat's to visit for a bit. Their house was nice and warm with the wood heat. Came home and made homemade pizza for supper. Church is cancelled tomorrow due to the cold. Our building is old and the furnace does not keep up so we have to cancel if it gets too bad. I saw that an arctic cold wave is in our future for the next week or so. I will be staying in mostly! Have a nice evening everyone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2009-12-24T11:47:00.001-05:00

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I plan to get back to blogging after the new year. Seems like this time of year not much is going on. Today I am getting ready for our Christmas Eve Open House. Lots of good food, family, and friends. Have a great day!!

2009-11-20T18:32:00.000-05:00

Forum Quilt #3 2009

2009-11-20T18:10:00.001-05:00

The photos are finally here, sorry but I don't have the names.

2009-11-05T11:08:00.002-05:00

Sorry to have not been posting much here. I do have loads of pictures to post. Not much going on around here lately, just cooking, cleaning, gone away from home too much, and trying to get better from being sick a few weeks ago. I still feel pretty tired and drained. Football is over, Brady's team ended up 6-4. Will post quilt pictures soon, maybe later today.

Issue 2 Ohio

2009-10-31T14:53:00.004-04:00

I am urging all Ohioans to Vote NO on Issue 2. This constitutional amendment gives great control- with very little oversight to an appointed board of only 13 members. The amendment is very broadly worded without much detail into the actual authority this board will have. Ohio farmers do not need more regulation!

The following is from:
http://www.ohioact.org/

Issue 2 is an inappropriate use of the Ohio constitution, and would set a dangerous precedent by creating a permanent place for special interests in the constitution.
On November 3rd, Vote NO:
NO to Corporate and Special interest takeover of our Ohio constitution
NO to Unchecked power and new layers of unaccountable bureaucracy over our livestock farmers
NO to A new board acting as judge, jury and executioner of all animal agriculture policies in Ohio
NO to Expanded state government
NO to An appointed board of political cronies who could radically shift livestock standards in any direction
NO to Giveaways for factory farms in the Ohio constitution.
Don’t allow special interests to hijack the state constitution: Vote NO on ISSUE 2

Homesteading Today

2009-10-26T21:48:00.002-04:00

If you are checking in and wondering about Homesteading Today- yes, it is broken, there is nothing wrong with your computer. I don't know the technical details, but I have heard that it could be the end of the week before it is fixed. Guess that will take care of all of those pesky Halloween debates.... LOL

back up board: http://melissanorris.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Creek Baptism 2009

2009-10-19T09:28:00.001-04:00

house pictures

2009-10-18T21:38:00.001-04:00

2009-10-18T21:20:00.002-04:00

The winning pumpkin was HUGE this year. I guess all the rain we had was good for pumpkin growing.

I said it was a really cool car~

Lindsey with Sam and Brady with his friend Kelsie- yes, they are 'just' friends.

With a group of their friends at a local park.

Brady and Lindsey, they look so grown up!!!

2009-10-18T20:50:00.003-04:00

Lindsey with Sam (she is not dating anyone right now and went with Brady's friend Sam) in his Mom's midlife crisis car- a cool Ford Mustang! She laughs and says it was cheaper than a divorce.

Brady and Lindsey all dressed up for homecoming. Do not even ask how many hours we spent looking for the perfect tie...

Kadia trying to tie the tie by looking at pictures on the internet. It is not a skill that any of us have!

At least there are pictures and step-by step directions!!!

2009-10-15T18:22:00.003-04:00

Good grief what a cold, rainy week- and there is snow in the forecast for the next few days. I have not been doing much, just hanging out here cooking, cleaning, reading, started working on a quilt, and watching Cale work on Kadia's house. He is putting windows in now. He needs to run some wiring so he can have some lights and outlets in there.

Today I took Roy some buttermilk and apple cake I had made using buttermilk. He milks the cow- every once in a while I do, and then I make stuff and give it to him! Spent a few hours visiting with him, we both talk a lot I guess and never run out of something to talk about. Our friend Bob is on his way over to visit. Survivor is on tonight. Tomorrow we have to run some errands and go pay some bills. Will be posting some pictures soon, I always have so many pictures on my camera!

Lindsey's Birthday

2009-10-09T11:13:00.002-04:00

Gracie- she is such a little doll.

Lindsey and Jessica

Megan, Brady, Lindsey and Kadia

The girls with Taylor

Roasting hot dogs

Setting Trusses

2009-10-09T08:49:00.001-04:00

2009-10-09T08:27:00.002-04:00

Standing up the front wall- with friends and neighbors helping.

Cale working

Melvin and Brady working on the ditch for the drains and waterlines.

2009-10-09T08:22:00.002-04:00

Lindsey had a nice 18th birthday celebration. Lots of family and friends showed up. It was a cool day so very nice for a fire. We had plenty of food and the gummi worm cake was a hit. This week I have not done a whole lot. I had to get new glasses and my eyes are not adjusting too well to those. Cale and Kadia put half the sheeting on the roof of the house. Now it is raining so the other half will have to wait.

I have been digging potatoes, need to pick my pumpkins and butternut squash. The garden is winding down-sadly... I do not feel like I had enough summer this year. Today I am making cheese, first I have to go out in the rain and take care of the animals. I have been waiting hoping that it would stop. Took Brady shopping for his homecoming outfit, that was a challenge. He is so picky about his clothes. Even the clerks were laughing at him analyzing every little detail of the shirts and the ties.

2009-10-03T21:26:00.003-04:00

Spent the day cleaning up around the yard and house and cooking for Lindsey's 18th birthday tomorrow. We are having a weiner roast and have invited a bunch of people. We are having hot dogs- of course, with coney sauce, dill relish, hot pepper sauce, homemade mustard and ketchup, cheese, and sauerkraut. They can fix their own however they like it. Along with that will be chili-simmering in the slow cooker right now, roasted buttered potatoes, salad, mixed fruit, rotini pasta with tomato sauce, and corn. I also made a really big cake in a roaster pan with chocolate mousse topping. It looks pretty awesome. I will try to get a picture of it.

What's for supper?

2009-10-02T11:54:00.000-04:00

It's a cool rainy day here in SE Ohio so I was thinking about making macaroni and cheese for supper. I have several odds and ends of homemade cheese that need to be used. I will make a nice creamy cheese sauce, add some chopped onions, fresh chives, crispy pieces of black pepper bacon and serve it with the last of the fresh tomatoes, pickled beets and homemade chunky applesauce.

What I am reading today~

2009-10-02T08:32:00.002-04:00

Faith Like Potatoes
http://www.amazon.com/Faith-Like-Potatoes-Frank-Rautenbach/dp/B001QB5SS6

Sleeping Naked is Green
http://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Naked-Green-Eco-Cynic-Unplugged/dp/0547073283

And the May issue of Acres Magazine
http://www.acresusa.com/magazines/magazine.htm

October 2nd

2009-10-02T08:22:00.002-04:00

I used to really love October. The month begins with the leaves still being mostly green and then a wonderful transition occurs as the leaves change to gorgeous oranges, reds, and yellows. I take my camera and walk the back roads looking for the perfect fall scenery. There are plenty of apples, cider, pumpkins, fall festivals, weiner roasts, piles of leaves, it is just a great time of year. BUT when it is over winter is here. Yes, winter lasts from November until about mid- April. The calendar may suggest a three month winter period, but whoever invented that concept did not live in my area. Oh well, we'll just have to enjoy this month and hope that winter holds off a little bit.

What's up around here? I worked in the yard yesterday afternoon. Roy stopped by early yesterday with milk so I made yougurt, today I will make cheese. I am making some great blocks of cheese lately. Cale is busy working on the house project. It is moving along pretty well, not as fast as we had thought, but that is OK for now. It is bigger than we had thought so that is why it is taking longer. Had eye doctor appointments on Wednesday and went out to Longhorn restaurant. I thought I would have gained five pounds, but it was only three!

Having a weiner roast here Sunday after church to celebrate Lindsey's 18th birthday. I am laying out lots of hot dogs and making a pot of chili and a pot of potato soup. Along with that I will most likely have some salad and fruit. I am making two cakes and homemade ice cream and a bit pot of hot chocolate. It is supposed to be about 60 degrees so I think warm food will be nice.

"Seasons" a great book series

2009-09-30T22:12:00.001-04:00

http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Under-Heaven-1/dp/0310235197/ref=pd_sim_b_2

Check out these four awesome Christian novels:

Seasons Under Heaven
Showers in Season
Times and Seasons
Seasons of Blessing

Follow the lives of four neighborhood women and their families. You will laugh and cry, and learn a lot about people from this wonderful series of books.

2009-09-28T20:42:00.001-04:00

The engine that powered the sawmill.

That big blade is scary. Cale and I actually cut the logs for our house on a sawmill similiar to this one.

I loved this turkey made completely with a chainsaw.

Chainsaw artist. He does a great job.

Let's try this photo right side up- the sideways view was making me dizzy!

Stumptown Festival 2009

2009-09-28T20:19:00.003-04:00

This man attends our church. He is 91 years old and rebuilt this tractor completely several years back. Actually his very first tractor was this model, but he sold it and then found this one years later and bought it to restore. Antique tractor people always have a story to tell!

Here is Roy getting his plaque. His grandfather bought this Sheppard tractor new back in the late 40's I think, or maybe 1950.

Roy's uncle and Roy

Fresh corn meal. I buy my year's supply here every year. It is so good. Makes the best corn bread I have ever had.

Just $1 for those brown paper bags of corn meal.

2009-09-28T09:52:00.001-04:00

John and Cale, it was John's 20th b-day

Megan and John

The football team, band, and cheerleaders

Brady is #16

Brady

2009-09-28T09:40:00.002-04:00

Lindsey with her 3rd place lamb. Elizabeth is beside her showing her other lamb which ended up with 5th place. As you can see he was not cooperating very well!

Bella is a nice looking lamb. Lindsey kept her to keep for breeding.

Cleaning the lambs up before the show.

Not sure why this photo is not rotated. One of these days I am going to get a nice picture of Roy's face and not just his wrangler's!

Shearing the market lambs.

2009-09-24T11:12:00.002-04:00

I have been promising photos and will still load some on here, but I just loaded an entire album on my facebook page. This is supposed to be a public link that anyone can look at, you don't have to be a member:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023732&id=1028397067&l=76e5181eea

2009-09-24T09:45:00.002-04:00

Went to the farm last night and milked the cow. I just love working with the animals, it is the biggest surprise of my life that I enjoy farm work so much! Didn't get home until well after dark. Roy called this morning and said he was bringing more milk. I already had two gallons, but I guess he had more that I was supposed to get. So now I am making cheese with four gallons of milk. I am also making vegetable soup, homemade bread, and an apple pie. I need to run a few errands later today. There is always a lot to do!

2009-09-23T16:57:00.001-04:00

Read a great book today called "Footprints on the Horizon." It is a Christian novel-without being too preachy, real characters, and a great story.

http://www.amazon.com/Footprints-Horizon-Pine-Ridge-Portraits/dp/0764227874

First day of Autumn

2009-09-22T08:25:00.002-04:00

I must start blogging regularly again. It is helpful to me to look back and see what was going on throughout the year although it may be somewhat boring to others.

We have finished putting the trusses on Kadia's house. That was a job! Now we are ready to order the metal for the roof. We are having standing seam steel custom-made in Americana red. I think it will look awesome. We are planning for a May move in date. Cale is not working so he has time to work on it.

Lindsey started a job at the local feed mill. I think she will enjoy working there. Brady is still in football, the varsity just lost their first game last Friday by a field goal which was sad for them.

I have lots of pictures to post!

Supper tonight- grilled chicken breast, salad, garlic bread, homemade ice cream with homemade hot fudge sauce.... must hit the treadmill-TODAY!

2009-09-11T10:08:00.003-04:00

This is fair week! Always hectic... Lindsey has a cold, the kids always get sick during the fair. Roy hauled her lambs in for her Monday. Tuesday we had to be there early for weigh in. Tuesday evening was the show- she placed 3rd and 6th which is great with Cheviot lambs.

Wednesday we went to Mt.Hope to the livestock sale. Roy hauled some lambs up there and we also took our first lambs to market. Got a really good price. Spent the day there watching the various auctions and bought some awesome apples. Came home the scenic route, it was a beautiful day.

Yesterday Lindsey sold one of her fair lambs at auction and got $2.25 a pound. She is keeping the ewe, building our flock slowly! Today I am not going to the fair, have to do some errands and then I am staying home. Tomorrow morning I am going to Brady's game, then we have a wedding to go to. Sunday morning we are hauling the remaining lamb home, then going to church, having a cake for Cale's b-day, then going to Stumptown Steam Threshers Festival. Monday I will crash!!!!!!!!

September 3rd

2009-09-03T21:15:00.002-04:00

I woke up Monday and really just felt normal. It has been an odd summer. The weather was bad, Kadia was so sick, Melvin was sick, then the miscarriage, no work and not much money. Just a lot of things piled up and, well, it was a lot to handle. But this week, the weather has been awesome and I felt like I had energy and enthusiasm once again. I have been pretty busy with lots of homesteading chores.

Monday I put tomatoes in the freezer and canned green beans. Did a lot of yard work, the rain had made it look rather jungle-like. Tuesday I worked in the yard for Roy's Mom. They had gone to Amish country for the day with friends so I worked weedeating and pulling weeds. It was such a pretty day, the weather was just perfect. Roy had brought Little Red back from the lower farm and she was not happy to leave her calf behind! So she bawled as loud as she could. Lindsey and Brady came along from school, she needed to get feed. Shortly after they left, I finished up and came home. Then we went to help unload about 300 bales of hay. I was pretty tired that evening! Today I made cheese and grape juice. We have all the walls up on Kadia's house, had some help standing them up last night. I am taking pictures, just too tired to post them.

2009-08-27T10:10:00.002-04:00

Lindsey and Brady are back in school. The first football game is this evening-although I probably won't go. Since it is varsity Brady probably won't play. I will go to the next home game though. Megan is also back in college classes, Kadia doesn't go back until the end of September.

Yesterday I ran some errands. Roy had brought me more elderberries. I think there is enough to make jam, will clean them this afternoon and see how many there are. They are so small! Stopped to drop off his container and he was cutting posts to build a shed over his sawmill. Talked with him a while and visited with his parents. Also stopped to visit our friend Charlie, he is not doing too well with the humid weather, his breathing suffers.

This morning I have deep-cleaned Brady's room. He keeps it fairly clean, but once in a while Mom has to scrub and organize. He usually doesn't like it when I do that though!

2009-08-25T08:15:00.001-04:00

We are doing better. Kadia went to the doctor yesterday and she said everything looked fine. She is taking some antibiotics to prevent infection.

Yesterday we put corn and broccoli in the freezer and canned green beans. I was suprised we got as much done as we did, I was feeling a little overwhelmed. You know you have to get the food put up for winter, but sometimes it all hits at once!

Today I am taking Brady shopping. He never did get any school clothes, hopefully we can find what he wants quickly. Went to Meet the Teams last night, have pictures to post.

2009-08-21T08:23:00.003-04:00

Such a sad week. Ever have pictures that stay in your mind? Last Sunday evening Cale, Roy and I were sitting in the front yard under the oak tree talking and trying to keep cool. The kids were getting ready for a weiner roast bustling around with some of their friends. Kadia walks across the porch, smiling and laughing, carrying a jar of homemade dill pickles. I laugh at her and tell her not to eat the whole jar. She says, "This is all I want to eat!"

Wednesday, I am laying on the couch taking a little rest, it has been a busy morning. Kadia comes in and tells me she is bleeding. She is 10 weeks along, I know this isn't good. She talks to her doctor and we go to the ER. After some tests they tell us that things don't look good. She is probably going to miscarry the baby. Kadia just cries her heart out. And even though she is so sad, she tells me she feels bad for the doctors and nurses because they have to deal with telling people bad news every day. She is such a kind and good person, always thinking of others.

I take her home to Melvin who has just gotten in from work. I left them sitting on their porch stoop arms wrapped around each other, crying. They really wanted this baby so much and I know it would have been loved and cared for so wonderfully. We were all looking forward to all of the joys, this baby had an entire village of people just waiting to welcome it into our lives.We would have wrapped the precious little child in love and family and happiness every day.

Thursday I called and checked on kadia several times. She called and said she was in a lot of pain. I have never dealt with miscarriage this far along- had one myself but just a few weeks along and it was not painful. I raced to her house and she was having bad cramps, then they would subside. I told her I would take her to the ER, but she did not want that. So I sat with her and rubbed her back and brought her ice water. The pain became worse. I knew her body was in a type of labor, but with no good result. She moved to her bed, she was dizzy and in a lot of pain. I was trying to stay calm and help her through and pray a lot. I called and had my sister come over, she arrived very quickly. Kadia was talking to us and I was trying to help her breathe through the pain, when she said she thought that it was over. She laid there for a while, getting her breath and then we got her to the bathroom. She just cried her heart out.

She was able to shower and I brought her home here with the family. Then I got busy and cooked an entire steak dinner- steak, mashed potatoes, homemade biscuits, sliced tomatoes, chocolate cake, homemade lemonade. She ate a big meal and felt better. Life goes on...

I thought about women and how strong they have to be. You play whatever role is required. Sometimes you help feed souls and minds, sometimes you have to feed the body... You just do what has to be done.

2009-08-16T21:56:00.002-04:00

Busy week last week and it got hot finally too. It looks like my tomato and cucumber crops are going to end as the plants are dying. I have read about a blight and my garden must have caught it- too bad. But I did get some and there will still be tomatoes yet.

I did some canning last week, helped Cale a lot, and did some major cleaning. Brady is driving himself to football which is great. This week I have a lot of canning to do. Roy just brought me some elderberries, I am going to make a batch of jam tomorrow. I have lots of pictures to post, should get to that tomorrow.

2009-08-10T11:10:00.004-04:00

Going to the chiropractor today, pulled my hip out and I can't bend! Which is not good...

Had a nice church service yesterday, cooked on the grill for dinner- burgers and hot dogs along with macaroni salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, and chocolate zucchini cake for dessert. Spent the afternoon just trying to keep cool, read the paper and a book called "A Nation of Farmers" by Sharon Astyk. Roy stopped over and visited with him a few hours. Today I am just moving slowly trying to straighten the house. Megan and Lindsey went to Virginia with a friend's family until Thursday, Brady is at football. Cale is hauling some lumber from his brother's.

2009-08-08T21:27:00.003-04:00

It has been a tiring week. We have the ditches dug for the water, electric and drain lines for the building project. Had to dig them all by hand, I am not a fan of digging ditches but did my share. Now we are putting up the floor joists, a more fun project and it looks like we are accomplishing something.

Finally got Brady's truck on the road and he is driving himself to football. That should save me a lot of time. Last night we helped a friend unload some hay and I managed to twist my back. I have been very sore all day. This morning I had to pick up feed, visited with Roy, then home to help with the building and made a batch of dill pickles. Had company several times, our friends Charlie and Pat stopped by and our friend Bob also. Kadia and Melving treated everyone to pizza and breadsticks from our friends local pizza shop this evening. I am headed to bed, I am beat!

2009-08-06T10:22:00.002-04:00

On July 26th, I was able to go to the Knox County Fair.

Lots of concession stands like most fairs. I ate lunch at a little church stand rather than these places. It was much cheaper and pretty good food.

Got to see my first horse race, which honestly did not excite me much. But the main reason to be in the stands was to listen to Roy's oldest niece sing The Star Spangled Banner. She was behind me so I did not get her picture. I loved the little lake. I asked one of Roy's sisters relatives about it and she said it was there originally and they build everything around it.

Roy's younger niece- She competed in a contest called Little Miss Knox County. Her mama made her dress. She is so cute and well-spoken. I took her picture in front of her brother's antique tractor.

Here she is being interviewed. I don't know the lady's name who interviewed the girls but she was wonderful. She was quite skilled at talking with the girls.

It was a fun day, saw lots of wonderful photographs, quilts and displays. I am not much of a fair person normally, but enjoyed myself a lot that day.

2009-08-06T10:03:00.002-04:00

Brady is playing football. Two-a-days started this week so he is pretty tired. He is a fast runner, he is a receiver so they have to run fast. I asked him how fast he really is? He says, "I never let anyone beat me."

I thought I would buy a t-shirt to wear to games. I have never had one, not being a sports fan. I never know what is going on. I usually take something light to read in the stands during the games and try to keep an eye on Brady and what he is doing. A few days ago he says to me, "Maybe you can not read this year and if everyone else starts clapping and cheering you can just do what they do." Hmm, maybe that will work... LOL

2009-08-05T22:38:00.002-04:00

Cale, James and Roy getting a seat for the last talk of the day.

Just part of the tents set up for talks and displays.

Guys looking over a building displayed on the grounds. And next door was this awesome homemade ice cream...

This is one of the biggest horses I have ever seen! They had a small petting zoo set up for the children.

A playground was also set up for the young ones to enjoy. It was an awesome day!

2009-08-05T13:04:00.001-04:00

Joel Salatin at the Family Farm Field Day in Mt.Hope, Ohio

2009-08-05T12:30:00.002-04:00

Joel Salatin giving the keynote address at the Small Family Farm field days in Mt.Hope, Ohio.

Earlier in the day speaking what can be produced on farms of less than 20 acres.

Not only were there plenty of cars in the parking lot, but plenty of horses and buggies also.

We had finally made it. It was a nice drive though.

Have to share the road with the horse and buggy crowd~

2009-08-02T22:51:00.003-04:00

Someone gave these logs to Roy and he said we could have some pine boards for Kadia's house, so they cut a few of them up last Saturday.

The backhoe makes loading the logs easy!

Have to think about the size and where to make the first cut.

Squared up and ready to make boards.

* I "helped" by bringing them homemade raspberry muffins and iced tea. Just to keep them fueled up~

2009-08-02T22:35:00.002-04:00

The object is to turn this pile of round posts into square posts using Roy's sawmill.

It is nice that he has a sawmill and is willing to help us out.

Turning the post.

sawing the post

Gotta measure at least twice!

Getting the post square.

2009-08-02T22:11:00.003-04:00

My kids love to stick their tongues out at me when they are working and I am taking pictures.
Lindsey is really saying "Don't put this picture on the internet or I am never working again..."- and she means it! Maybe she won't see it, don't tell her please!

Oh- that is Megan's new Chevy Trailblazer in the background. Actually it is used, but very new to us. The only thing we own that is in the 2000's.

Dragging brush, those trees were very brushy.

Brady cutting limbs. He is handy to have around.

Taking a little break.

Our cat Tigger thinks he is in the jungle.

Cutting trees by the house

2009-08-02T21:51:00.003-04:00

The tree is falling. I keep forgetting that blogger loads the pictures backwards. Anyways, we had to cut these two trees out of the way of our house. They were getting bad places in them and I was afraid they would fall on the place and smash us in our sleep!

Cale-revving up his saw.

Brady getting ready to pull with the truck. I am so thankful he is big enough to do this now, because I used to have to do it and I hated it!

Getting the line tight. Cale climbed up that tree and tied the rope. He is like a monkey. He keeps telling me that since he is almost 50 (on September 13th) he is not in as good of shape as he used to be. I try not to roll my eyes but I usually do.

Brady's truck- not bad for his first vehicle.

2009-07-30T13:47:00.001-04:00

2009-07-29T12:58:00.002-04:00

Back- bluebird, Patches Front-Maxine, Marsha

Back-stirfamily, Island of Blueb Front-House06, tallpines

Back- fellini123 and ai731 Front- Melissa and Jan in CO

2009-07-29T12:26:00.001-04:00

Back- Macareenie and Pafunnyfarm Front-AngieM and Patsy

Back- kidsnchix and Nan, Front Countrysunshine and Miz Mary

Top- not sure, there was no paper with it and I lost the envelope-let me know if it is yours!

Bottom- Kris in MI

2009-07-23T22:46:00.003-04:00

This tractor did not make it all the way. The John Deere's were having a tough night.

A truck pulling. See the kids on the dirt pile? They played there all night. They were having a great time and they were so dirty!

LOTS of black smoke! I was trying to hold my ears from the sound and my breath so I would not pass out from fumes. LOL

I liked this blue tractor. I don't know what kind it was or anything like that though.

I loved watching the people. Entire families were lined up in their pick-ups to watch the pull.

Tractor Pull

2009-07-23T22:35:00.002-04:00

Some of the tractors ready to hit the track.

This on caught my eye!

Cale and Roy watching the tractor pull.

One of Roy's friends pulls a tractor and this is the hat he had made up to give to his friends.

Before the tractor pull we watched a shearing contest. Those boys are FAST!

Lindsey shears her market lambs!

2009-07-21T15:24:00.003-04:00

Why do these pictures load backwards??? Doesn't she look happy to have her lamb sheared?

Lindsey working hard at shearing.

Roy watches as Lindsey makes the first few swipes.

Around the legs is hard to get.

Roy showing Lindsey how to get started.

Festival Events

2009-07-21T14:41:00.002-04:00

We listened to dulcimer playing group. They were really good.

This man was really great on the harmonica.

Nancy- Roy's Mom, and Kadia headed to the Art Show

This old-time hardware store was really neat. They had everything! Items were piled all over the place.

Quilt Show

2009-07-21T14:28:00.002-04:00

Quilt Show

2009-07-21T13:31:00.003-04:00

Above- My personal favorite

There were over 100 quilts in the quilt show. Some awesome entires!

2009-07-14T19:56:00.001-04:00

I'm still alive. I was so busy Friday, Saturday and Sunday it has taken me a few days to recuperate! Got lots and lots of pictures to post, will try to get to some of them later tonight. Gotta watch America's Got Talent first!

2009-07-09T11:59:00.002-04:00

I have been scrubbing and dusting this morning while I wait to go to the hay field. This house gets so dusty! I wish I could just hose it down.

Went to Roy's last night and cleaned up the flower beds around his and his Mom's house, ran the weedeater and did the evening chores for him. He was putting up hay and I figured I would do his chores so he wouldn't have to rush when he got in. I did get a lot of work done!

We have been having gorgeous weather here the last few days. Perfect temps and no humidity!

2009-07-07T12:09:00.002-04:00

Working in the garden these last few days. Cale puts in this huge potato patch telling me he is going to take care of it. For the record, I KNEW he wouldn't touch it after they were planted and I was RIGHT! Unless you count digging up all the horse manure around the barns and putting it in the middle of the rows because the rain will break it up in little pieces and then he will hill them. The rain didn't break it up and he did not hill them. Now the manure is in pieces the size of a shovel and hard as a rock and he says the ground is too hard to hill the potatoes. In reality he just doesn't like to garden- which is fine, but now I have this huge mess on my hands trying to hill all of those potatoes. I am doing them on my hands and knees with a little digger to chop through the mess. It is taking forever, I am trying to be patient, I pray a lot. Good position for it- I am already on my knees. I really should have known better and just took control of this situation a month ago...

2009-07-03T23:15:00.002-04:00

I pulled in at Roy's a few days ago and this scene met my eyes. You know how you see something and realize that it just isn't right? Those sheep are in a small hay field close to the house, there is no fence! This Jacob's ewe gets out all the time, she is quite an escape artist and no one has figured out how she gets out- the rest of the sheep stay put. This time she took her two lambs with her. I yelled into Roy's kitchen window and then kept an eye on them until he rounded up a bucket of feed. She was easily caught then!

Melvin turned 23 on Monday.

I think his wish was to get rid of those pesky kidney stones!

Make Hay while the sun shines

2009-07-03T22:55:00.002-04:00

Lindsey and Tyler stacking hay

Brett baling- his big Allis Chalmers tractor was not running. He came down the road with it tonight and it is back in service for next time.

Cale, carrying a bale to the wagon.

Brady- taking a little break

More break-taking!

Miriam's Journal

2009-07-03T22:31:00.002-04:00

Just recently finished this series- an enjoyable, relaxing, uplifting set of books.

http://www.carriebender.com/mj.html

Freedom & Liberty

2009-07-03T22:12:00.003-04:00

~Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. -Abraham Lincoln

~It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken away from you. -Dick Cheny

~We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their plows, but to secure liberty for their souls. - Robert J. McCracken

~In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed, it must be achieved. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

~Most people want security in this world, not liberty. -H.L. Mencken

~Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have. -Harry Emerson Fosdick

~They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

~Let Freedom never perish in your hands. -Joseph Addison

~A nation may lose its liberties in a day and not miss them in a century. -Baron

~Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it. -George Bernard Shaw

~Freedom is the last, best hope of the earth. -Abraham Lincoln

~History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. -Dwight D. Eisenhower

Pantene

2009-07-03T22:11:00.001-04:00

Pantene really is the best shampoo and conditioner for my hair. Trying to save money I have bought other brands recently. Last week I broke down and bought Pantene again and my hair is so much better! Some things are worth the money.

2009-07-02T20:19:00.002-04:00

Well we went to the hospital today but Melvin did not have the procedure done as the stone has moved somewhere. The doctor was not sure just where it went, but it is not in the tube it was stuck in before. So he was able to come home and wait for something to happen!

I was so sleepy today. The kids went to see fireworks last night and were rather late getting in. I just can't sleep if everyone is not home so I was awake late and even after they got back I could not fall asleep. Stopped at the community center to put up a new bulletin board, stopped at Roy's and brought back milk to make a batch of cheese tomorrow. He has hay down and it hasn't quit raining. I hope it dries up so he can at least wrap it. It won't be the best hay, but the cows will eat it. Horses are so much more picky! I think I am going to go to bed in just a few minutes. This was Brady's last night of Driver's Ed. Melvin is picking him up for me so I don't have to go back. I have a good book to read, so I think I will turn in now.

2009-07-01T09:07:00.002-04:00

It has been rather cool here in SE Ohio the last few days. Saturday we put up some hay, only about 260 bales so it was not too hard. I took a picnic supper to the hay field and set up a table under a tree and as everyone wanted to they stoppped and had a sandwich. We had a lot of fun. We have so much help that it is not much work for anyone. When we got home I cleaned up the kitchen and did dishes- always lots of dishes here!

Roy came along and brought some sheep feed. He had been wanting to see Lindsey's market lambs as he had not seen them for three weeks from being on his vacation. I had stopped at his place on Thursday and brought the memory card with their vacation photos home. I had the photos loaded and we went through them. It is more fun to look at pictures when someone is telling you what happened when they were being taken! He did not leave until midnight which was late for me and made me sleepy at church Sunday.

Sunday we went to church. I cooked on the grill when I got home- turkey Italian sausages, BBQ pork loin and t-bone steaks. We also had seven layer salad, corn on the cob and watermelon. After we ate I read three newspapers- I was a bit behind on that. Then I went shopping for a few things. Stopped at Roy's parents, it was his Dad's birthday and I had a book for him and a card.

This week I have been just working in the garden, cleaning house and running Brady to Driver's Ed, two more nights and that is finished. Monday evening we went to Kadia and Melvin's house for his B-day. Tomorrow Melvin has his procedure for the kidney stones. I hope it works out OK.

2009-06-27T00:13:00.001-04:00

This was one of my favorite pictures

Misc vacation photos

2009-06-27T00:04:00.000-04:00

2009-06-26T23:56:00.002-04:00

Taylor and Lindsey at the beach

With some of Taylor's family

On the beach at OC, Maryland

Lindsey said that was rain coming and they got very wet!

First time Lindsey has seen the ocean!

2009-06-26T23:47:00.000-04:00

The garter belt thing!

Dancing

The cake

Getting in the limo

The wedding party

2009-06-26T23:34:00.002-04:00

My Mom and Brandi's Mom

My brother Aaron and his wife Carla

Brandi and Wayne

My Dad and my Grandmother- she is 97

You all know these people

2009-06-26T23:24:00.002-04:00

Brandi and Wayne

The bridesmaids and flower girls

They are married!

I caught a few of the guys stealing cookies...

Ahhh, Brandi has to wipe away a few tears.

2009-06-26T23:13:00.002-04:00

The rehearal, Wayne and his groomsmen lined up

People just hanging out at the rehearsal

My brother surprised Brandi with a car as a wedding gift

Passing out gifts, notice the man to Wayne's right, he ends up stabbed with his gift! It was an accident.

Wayne and Brandi

2009-06-26T23:04:00.001-04:00

Jesica and Lindsey, supposed to be decorating!

Lunch break

The hall was huge.

We set up all the tables and chairs

Our niece Ava

2009-06-26T22:53:00.002-04:00

The party

Kids playing corn-hole toss

Cale with my cousin's husband Kevin and uncle Ben

Melvin, my SF Ron, my Mom, Brady, Lindsey and Megan

Bethany and Jesi

2009-06-26T22:44:00.002-04:00

Kadia, Megan, Lindsey and Brady at my Aunt and Uncle's 35th anniversary party

Cale talking with the boys, probably about hunting~

My Uncle Sam and Aunt Barb- married 35 years

Kadia and Melvin at Melvin's graduation

Melvin receiving his diploma

2009-06-26T22:31:00.002-04:00

The milk cow- Little Red in her stantion

The calf, it has no name yet, she is ornery!

The backhoe, Roy said if anything died while he was gone to bury it. I didn't have to do that!

The black cow leading the way to the barn.

The barn, hay is stored in the top and the bottom has stalls and the milking area.

2009-06-26T22:20:00.004-04:00

There have been so many events around here recently, it is hard to remember everything.

Lindsey went away for a week to the beach with one of her friends and her family. She had a great time, but I really missed her. She helps a lot with the animals and she talks a lot, so she was doubly missed. She had a really great time while she was gone.

My grandmother had to have emergency surgery and Melvin ended up in the ER with kidney stones. He is having a tough time with that.

My brother was married, we helped with setting up everything, went to the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. Roy made it home from vacation, I have pictures to post. Today Megan bought a new vehicle. She saved all the money herself! She is very excited about that. Brady started Driver's Ed and we have to take him four nights a week. I hate to even think of the amount I have spent in gas the last two weeks.

Tomorrow we are putting up hay, so I won't stay on here too long as I have to get my rest, but I do have a bunch of pictures to post. Will try to get some of them up, at least until I get tired!

2009-06-21T21:54:00.002-04:00

I'm still alive! Just been busy the last few days. Roy made it home OK and took back his farm. I am a little at loose ends not having to run out there several times a day, but I will find something to do to keep me occupied. My brother was married on Saturday. I have lots of pictures to post. Will get to that sometime this week.

2009-06-16T08:43:00.001-04:00

Megan has to get a filling today so I have to run her to the dentist. I wish I could just stay home, this leaving all the time is wearing me out. Need to do some garden work.

Not my vacation photos- I am too busy farming to vacation...(!)

2009-06-15T13:01:00.002-04:00

Looks like my name is in Yellowstone-even if I am not!

Mountains, somewhere in Wyoming I think.

Old Faithful

Mt Rushmore, isn't it awesome?

Dakota Badlands

2009-06-11T09:50:00.002-04:00

I am tired today. Did the work at Roy's yesterday, then came home and did some chores here. Took the kids to the dentist for cleanings, only Megan has a cavity and needs a filling. Came home and we started tearing out our old pool. We are using the deck as a platform by a new cooking pit close to our picnic shelter. Should be very useful. Went back to Roy's and worked all evening. Came home about 10 pm, got a shower and found that no one had shut our chickens in. I was beat last night and 5:30 came too soon this morning!

2009-06-10T08:53:00.000-04:00

Got there last night and the cows were way out in the field. Forgot my camera, but if I took a picture they would have looked like dots. I thought to myself- I am not going to go through all that again. So I did just what Roy said he does, just started working around the yard and waiting for them to come in closer. I pulled weeds and planted some flowers while talking with his Mom. I kept watching and when I noticed them moving closer and closer I headed across the road to the barn and started calling. The younger heifers started coming in. The milk cow and calf, the horse and a few other cows stayed out.

I went into the basement of the barn and thought to myself, I am going to try to catch the calf. Roy did this several times when I was with him, he would take halter rope out and get the calf in it and lead her back to the barn and the milk cow would follow. I took the rope and headed out across the field, it really is a long way out there. I think I am going to lose 10 pounds this week. I will call it the "Roy's on Vacation Diet," maybe I'll write a book and get rich!

I get close the milk cow, she doesn't really pay much attention to me. The calf is nursing and as soon as she stops to look at me, I put my arms around her neck and hold on! I slip the halter over her head and start leading her to the barn. This is a test of wills as she is not sure she really wants me leading her to the barn.

The one black heifer, (the result of a neighbors bull running amuck, Roy raises Hereford beef cows, the neighbor has Black Angus) has decided it really likes me. This heifer is the first one to come when I call and likes to rub up against me. She is following right at my elbow and I am trying to get the calf in. I am sure people driving by were amused.

We make it to the barn, I get the calf in the stall, the milk cow in the stanchion, and now I have to feed the mob. I used the halter rope in one hand and just kind of waved it around in front of me. The cows moved out of my way- of course they did, they probably thought I was a crazy woman- and then got the feed in the trough. Milked the cow and finally got her out. She is very slow to leave at night when her baby is locked in. Mission accomplished for night two!

The night before we did have a bit of a hard time getting the sheep in. Roy said to wait until dark, turn on the barn lights and call the sheep and they will come into the barn. Lindsey got a little impatient and wanted to start too soon. We had somewhat of a sheep rodeo! We also had a ewe down in the field that we had to carry in, she was heavy. She had hurt her leg somehow, we put her in, but when I went back out yesterday morning she was up and doing OK. Last night she walked in, but she laid down as soon as she got in the barn. The vet had already been to see her. This morning she was up and out just fine. I think by the end of the day it must hurt more.

This morning I got the cows in fine, got plenty of milk, I am getting much faster and I can hold the bucket between my legs and I am working on being able to just leave the bucket on the floor. She isn't moving around as much. It is quiet in the barn without Roy there. When he is there, he stays there in the barn and we talk the whole time. I told Little Red that I was going to have to start singing to her or get a radio, she is not a riveting conversationalist, she does give me some rather odd looks at times though.

So that is the story for today! I am sure I will have more tales to tell and I will remember my camera tonight for sure.

2009-06-09T09:10:00.001-04:00

I figure I will be really tough or dead... by the time Roy gets home. Last night was the first night I did the farm work on my own. When I got there the cows were way out in the field. I started calling them and noticed them ambling slowly towards the barn. Roy is really big on getting the cows to come to you, he doesn't believe in chasing them. He told me the first few nights might it might take a while, but to be patient and not get frustrated. Believe me before the end of the night I had repeated that in my head about a hundred times.

I stood in the basement barn and every once in a while I would call out to them and bang the feed scoop against the side of the wall. They kept ambling along. Eventually about five of the younger heifers and the horse came in, but the milk cow and calf , along with all the other cows, were still about half-way across this huge field. Honestly it seems like a mile across that field. So I thought maybe if I went out around and got behind them I could maybe get them walking a little faster. I wasn't really going to "chase" them, just encourage them a bit.

I walked out and the calf came within about six inches of me and then would run off. I figured as long as it ran towards the barn we were doing good. I petted the milk cow and she would take one step, then stop and eat. Roy says if you are in a hurry then farming is not for you so I sat down in the field for a while. The cow came a little closer. I petted her some more and told her about the great feed I had in the barn for her. She ate more grass. We repeated this for a good while, me petting and encouraging, her taking one step and eating, for a long time. I thought it might just take until midnight to accomplish this.

Then I looked down at the barn and the heifers and the horse all came out. They must have gotten tired of waiting for their feed, but I am supposed to wait until the milk cow goes past the feed trough and around the barn to her door before I put the feed out. Dilemma, do I keep petting and encouraging the milk cow- also known as Little Red, or do I go back and call in the cows that were already there and now leaving?

I head back to the barn at a rather quicker pace, the heifers see me and follow me back into the barn, I look up and the milk cow and calf are following quickly also, and here come the rest of the cows! Time to spring into action as this is where it gets a bit tricky. The cows are clustered around their feed bin and they are rather rowdy- pushing and nosing around and those horns scare me a bit.

But the milk cow has to go past them and around to the other door before I can put the feed in the bin or she will stop there and eat the feed and I won't get any milk. She comes across the barn and barrels through the other cows. She is not fast but she is determined!

After she goes through, I zip through the little door and squeeze through the cows with the feed. This is the part that Roy has told me time after time to be really careful, because they want that feed, and I have it. I want it in the feed trough because I don't want them to stampede me! I kind of dumped it over their heads and it landed mostly in the trough. Will have to work on that.

In the meantime the calf is making its way into the barn. I have to let it in through the little door and it is supposed to go into its own pen. But the horse has decided it likes me and keeps standing right by the door. The calf peers around the corner, sees the horse and won't come any closer. I shoo the horse away finally, the calf races around the corner and into its pen. I did it! The milking was easy after all of that...

After that was done, I bottle fed another calf, collected the eggs, and locked the Jacob sheep into their pen for the night. They come running to me as they are very tame. Then I pulled some weeds while I waited for dark to lock up the big flock of sheep. Lindsey came out and helped with that part.Went fairly well, a few problems, but we will iron them out tonight.

Got home about 10pm, got a shower and collapsed into bed. Went back at 6:00am and did it all in reverse this morning. I was actually sweating at 7am, not sure I have ever had that happen so early in the day. So what do you all think? Tougher or dead????

2009-06-08T13:42:00.001-04:00

Cale and Bruce

Nancy with her aunt, cousin and sister-in-law

Martha talking with Roy's best friend Ross and Eric-standing.

These kids all look familiar1

Roy with James, Chad and Mike.

2009-06-08T13:11:00.002-04:00

I spent Friday finishing up the shopping for the party I was decorating and cooking for on Sunday. Had a minor problem with flowers for the table. I had potted up marigolds for each table but they did not bloom! We had an entire week of clouds. I went to three greenhouses looking for something yellow that was in bloom, ended up buying some celosia which looked pretty good.

Friday evening Roy came over and gave the sheep some shots and cut off the new lambs tails, I have to get some pictures of them, maybe Lindsey has some on her camera, will have to check her files. Saturday morning I did some laundry as it was finally sunny and nice, then went to a few yard sales. In the afternoon Kadia and Lindsey both helped chop for the cooking. It was not a complicated meal, but a labor intense one as everything needed to be cut up and chopped! I made ham salad, chicken salad, baked beans, a lettuce salad, mixed fruit, and potato salad. We also had a cheese plate and a relish tray. Those who cook know how much chopping we had to do!

At 5:00pm, we had to leave and meet Roy at the community center to decorate, set up the tables and chairs, and he was bringing the cake. We got all that done about 7pm and then I had to go to Nancy's and pick strawberries. I was really far behind on the cooking so I raced down the rows and picked a big bowl in about twenty minutes! Came home and we had company, I was pretty tired, but we all jumped in and worked until about 11:30 pm and had everything pretty much done. When I got up early Sunday morning I only had to assemble the salad and mix the fruit together, plus put the baked beans on to cook.

Lindsey, Zane, and Taylor all helped load up the food and they followed me to the community center where we got everything unloaded. Roy's sister Martha brought her girls and one of their friends and they helped get everything organized. Ended up having close to 100 people, it was a nice party. Cleaned up, then came home and crashed for a few hours. Actually I sat in the living room and read the previous four days worth of newspapers, then I took down laundry. I packed up some chicken and ham salad and leftover buns and took them to Roy as he left on his trip today and I figured they could make sandwiches. Went over some last-minute details with him about the farm work. I think I can do it! It is easy when he is there watching me, tonight I am on my own for the first time.

2009-06-08T13:00:00.002-04:00

With the grandchildren

The cake

Cutting the cake

Marion and Nancy

The entire family- except Martha's husband could not there, they are farmers and not everyone could leave for the entire day

2009-06-04T22:48:00.002-04:00

Slow day today, I barely slept last night. Got up and straightened up the house. Didn't cook much as we had leftovers from last night that were barely eaten as we had stopped at DQ for a sandwich. I think I will make pizza tomorrow night. I wrapped silverware in the napkins and tied with yellow yarn, about 150 sets, that took a while. I planted a patch of green beans, have to keep planting something every week.

Cale and I went and visited our friend Charlie. He will be 86 this year, his mind is great, but his eyes are failing. I just love him, he is a very dear person to me. Left there and Cale went home as he was tired. Since he was sick last year he still gets run down easily. I just let him rest and encourage him to get a lot of sleep when he feels bad. I feel bad for him as he gets a bit depressed about it. Iwent to Roy's and went over all of the farm details, lots to remember. Came home a while ago and getting ready for bed. Have to go shopping for supplies for the party I am cooking for this weekend. Lots to do!

2009-06-04T09:25:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was a cool and rainy day. I think every year when we have to have lamb weigh in day, it rains. And there is nothing better to hold onto than a wet sheep! I worked outside a bit yesterday morning. Then I came in the house and cleaned out the fridge, someone spilled maple syrup which was not pleasant. I made sloppy joes and pasta salad for supper along with a spinach and onion salad and canned pears. I also made chocolate brownies and pineapple/peach bread.

Then Lindsey and I headed to Roy's to load market lambs as soon as he got home from work. We had penned them up seperately the night before. James was in the truck to keep them calmed down. Lindsey and Dorothy tried to catch them, Roy caught most of them and put them in the truck and I worked the barn gate and the tail gate on the truck. That took more coordination than I really have, but nothing got loose.

We got there a bit early, but there were still several people in line in front of us. If you are late it takes forever. I always feel bad for the goats getting their eartags because they squeal like crazy! The lambs Lindsey picked out were actually pretty calm. The ones she had last year were wild.

All four kids weighed in, Lindsey's lambs were 51 and 64 pounds. They have to be 80 pounds before the fair in September, which shouldn't be a problem. Since she chooses Cheviots, she actually wants to be in the lowest weight class which is 80-100 pounds. If you get in the higher weight classes, they don't do as well. It is always a challenge to pick a lamb that will get big enough but not too big.

We loaded the lambs back in the truck, meanwhile the kids were all conspiring and we heard pleas to go to Dairy Queen as they were all just starving. Of course we could not let them starve! After we ate Roy dropped off his kids lambs and then brought Lindsey's here. I had baked so we all had some iced tea and brownies. One of Lindsey's lambs had a bit of infection around the scrapie tag, so we put some ointment on it, must have just been irritated. Hopefully it will heal up quick.

Lindsey and I had to do some fence work as we were moving the other sheep to a different pasture and we had to put wire over the gates so the baby lambs wouldn't squeeze through. Then we had to move a bunch of hay we had stored in that barn. I was tired last night, but then I could not fall asleep. I hate it when that happens.

2009-06-04T09:15:00.002-04:00

Lambs are loaded in the truck.

Lindsey and Dorothy- sheep round up!

Brady working on the roof

Brady, Cale and Donnie, putting on some roofing

2009-06-03T09:22:00.002-04:00

The hair is cut! And it was really thick, the young lady who was cutting it kept telling me over and over how thick it was. Now I feel lighter- actually I was down a pound on the scale this morning, is it possible I had an extra pound of hair!?!?!

Yesterday I also went shopping to Sam's Club, Krogers, and Aldis. When you are poor you have to shop the sales. Shopping is exhausting to me, but sometimes you just have to do it.

Came home and unloaded groceries, cooked burgers on the grill along with oven fries, for supper. Just before dark went to Roy's, he was sorting out the market lambs we had tagged a few weeks back. They have grown a lot since then. Got them all penned up, today is weigh in day, so we will be hauling them to the fair grounds later this afternoon and then bringing Lindsey's back here.

2009-06-02T09:10:00.002-04:00

It rained very hard most of the night which is a good thing as I am still planting and transplanting. I try to plant something at least 3 times a week, not much, but just enough to stagger the harvest. It is a gorgeous morning here in SE Ohio. I am going to the grocery store today and to get my hair cut. I haven't had it professionally cut for two years. I can trim it myself, but after a while it gets thicker and thicker and I don't know how to thin it properly. Since we will start putting up hay soon and that is when I get annoyed with it, I figured I had better take care of it now. Everyone have a great day.

2009-06-01T11:52:00.003-04:00

Jacob's sheep and new lamb

Kadia with the blind calf. He gets around a little bit.

Tyler and Lindsey at the prom, looking cool!

Lindsey and Taylor rafting down the creek, having a lot of fun!

Tonya and Lindsey, I can't remember if I posted this picture before, but I think they look beautiful. I can remember when they were tiny little first graders who both loved horses~

Sunny Saturday!

2009-05-30T10:12:00.002-04:00

The sun is still out there, I have seen it today. LOL

I was starting to wonder if it was going to keep raining forever. This has been a spring of extremes, either no rain at all or rain for a week. I hope it moderates soon.

We have been trying to plant the garden between rains, still have a little bit to go. I milked the cow this morning and now I have to do some cooking. Have a wedding to go to later today. Have a good day everyone.

2009-05-27T22:41:00.002-04:00

Gus and Baby- Lindsey gave Gus a bath Sunday and he was so white. Hard to believe we held him on our laps for days this winter. Having a lamb in the house for three weeks was interesting!

Chickens- I like having all different kinds

I thought this hen looked nice walking through the yard.

More chickens

Delilah with her babies.

2009-05-27T22:26:00.003-04:00

My dining room, at least part of it. Don't look at the dust, with our dirt road everything is dusty this time of year. I don't spring-clean until they oil the road, needs to be soon!

rose

lettuce, something else is coming up there, but I can't remember what I planted. I am bad about that! I think it is broccoli

Onions

peas and radishes

Raised beds

2009-05-27T21:54:00.003-04:00

The gate that leads to the garden. Don't mind the high grass, it has been raining and no mowing has been done for a week! See how big the posts are? Cale likes big posts. Some of these are at least 14 inches in diameter.

We also have a slate-covered dog house. This is for mid-season when the corn is getting ready to eat. We put our blue-heeler inside the fence at night and she scares away the coons. Mostly she keeps us awake barking! But she does scare away coons, a necessity if we want to eat any corn.

You can see our rabbit pens in the background. I love having the rabbits right here inside the garden. I sit on that bench and pet them, and I sit on the bench to rest, and to watch the garden grow. If it rains and is warm enough you really can watch zucchini grow- honestly!
The rabbit pens are important for many reasons. When I pull weeds I put them in the rabbit pens. They would much rather eat the weeds I pull than the feed I buy. Rabbit manure is somewhat unique in that it can be put directly on the garden, I rarely do, but it is possible.

On either side of the pens, I have laid block to form a pie-shaped bin for composting. I fill one side for a year, then I quit adding to it and fill the other side for a year. As we clean out the rabbit pens we throw the used bedding and rabbit manure on the bins. If we want to go fishing we dig under the pens to find worms. I think rabbits are great in the garden. We often take them out and just let them run around. They enjoy that. And the pens exactly fit on the beds. In the winter we can move the pens onto the beds and they fertilize in place.

Here you can see the various fences I have in place. The tall ones on the ends are nice for green beans and various smaller squashes. In bed # 3, there is a fence right down the middle. I plant peas on both sides of this fence. I also have some very early peas on the end fence in the foreground. I planted green beans on the other side of it, once the peas die off, the green beans will be climbing. You do have to use every inch to the fullest. One bed is specifically for tomatoes and has a five foot high heavy fence down the middle. It holds them up nicely! I tie to it with old pantyhose or other stretchy scrap fabrics.

Here you can see some radishes, turnips, spinach, and onions. The bare spots are places I have already pulled some onions and radishes. I replanted tonight. I like planting little amounts often as the produce is usually at its best when it is young and tender.

A view from the end. This is one of my shorter beds, because of the rabbit pens, the other beds run all the way to the fence. The shubbery is behind the fence and helps keep down the dust from the dirt road.

2009-05-27T15:47:00.002-04:00

Second lamb is about to be born

There it is!

Marion- Roy's Dad checks out the new lambs.

Roy had told us to call him as soon as she went into labor. I called, but no answer, then I tried his Mom and Dad's and she said he had not come in from church yet, so I figured he had taken James out to lunch. I told Nancy to tell him what was going on as soon as he got home. By the time the second lamb was being born, Roy's parents had come out to make sure everything was going OK. I thought that was really nice of them.

Delilah cleans up both lambs, she is a great Momma!

Lindsey helps a little. She is so excited!

2009-05-27T15:18:00.002-04:00

Lindsey came running to the house yelling that Dalilah was in labor and to come quick!

The first lamb

Cleaning up the first lamb and she is going to have another one.

We can see something black inside the sack.

The first one was head first, the second we could see the feet.