FARMING ~ need I say more

If you need me - I'll be in my office.

Apple Crisp Please !

After eating a bowl of apple crisp flavored oatmeal this morning Trevor turns to me and says.....

You should get a good apple crisp recipe.

Hello! I have a good recipe and I've made it several times before. Maybe not for quite awhile - like..... maybe two..... or three.... years ago. But I have a good recipe. At least I thought it was good.

My thought about baking sweets is that it than has to be eaten. And, being I'm the one who is at home guess whose butt it attaches itself to. So, I very rarely make desserts that are going to be sitting around calling my name all day.

I suppose after taking a couple years off, a pan of apple crisp might actually be okay. Now, if I can just find that recipe. Hmmmm.



Oh, wouldn't you know it - I'm out of apples!!!

I KID YOU NOT !!!!!

I went into Shopko today and guess what I saw. You're never going to believe it or guess it. I saw Christmas bulbs and ornaments adorning the shelves. AAHHHHH!!! Didn't Fall just get here????

We have a wonderful family that has taken some of our kitties off our hands this summer. Due to a few mishaps they were requesting a few more. You can see how helpful this has been, as there is no more room at the milk dish. And it just so happens I refuse to get a bigger dish. :)

So, a few days back when I noticed that our mama calico cat's belly was beginning to get large and lumpy, I talked to our friend about the opportunity of taking a cat that was pregnant. She thought this would be a good idea. I talked to Trevor about it and of course he said "get rid of it". So, yesterday I gave our friend a jingle to see if I could bring Patches over and she said that I could any time today. Imagine my excitement of getting rid of a whole batch of kitties, although, not as thrilled about getting rid of Patches. She's been a really good cat - just a little too fertile.

Yesterday afternoon I realized I hadn't seen Patches much and this made me very nervous. Last night when we got home from church I see Patches and I immediately start to inspect her because she does NOT look nearly as poochy as she had. I even asked Kale for a second opinion - in case my eyes were playing tricks on me. He agreed and thought she looked pretty skinny. We proceeded to carry all the groceries in the house and put them away, making me forget about investigating it further.

This morning before the kids headed down the driveway to wait for the bus I asked Kale to make a quick run-through of the barn to look for a litter of kitties. To the pain of my ears, he came running out shouting "she had them, there's five baby kitties".

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me??? Could her timing be any worse! Ridiculously, I knew I believed Kale but for some reason I had to see it for myself. Yep, there was Patches, the good mama that she is nursing not five but SIX kitties. 3 black, 1 calico, 1 orange, and 1 white.

Look at her - she's looking at me like "WHAT? What did I do wrong?"

Knowing that there's no way I'm going to move brand new kitties to a brand new home I grudgingly made the call to our friend. I told her the news and told her the number in the litter - of course I had my fingers crossed hoping she'd still want all of them. It sounds like she will still take them all, which is so nice since they have other kitties already. We decided that in about 5 weeks we'd try to make the transfer again.


So, for the time being, Patches and her new family still call this place home sweet home.

Lord, watch over and protect them. Keep them safe. Help them to be good friends. Help them to listen carefully to their teachers. Lord, give them wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Help their teachers to teach in a manner that is easy for the kids to understand. And Lord, I ask that they have fun today. Help them to put a smile on someone elses face today. ~Thank you!

Silage 101

Thought I'd give you the low-down, the scoop, the 411 on the art of Silage. Since I just happen to have by camera with me yesterday I took some pictures to help capture the whole process. Now, I realize some of you already know how this works, but I'm sure there are a few of you that don't. Also, I'm posting on this subject because I have nothing else to write about and so this is all you're going to get out of me today. So, turn back now or hang with me for a couple of minutes.



Where do I begin...




First of all we start with corn stalks that have matured fully and are just beginning to dry down.

Second, we have the tractor which is pulling the cutter which is pulling the wagon.

The cutter feeds in two rows of corn at a time and basically slices and dices the whole corn plant into tiny pieces about the size of a kernal. You can see in the picture above just how clean of a cut it makes. There's only about six inches of the stalk left on the ground.

The cutter than blows the choppings into the wagon.

Once the wagon is full, the truck pulls up right next to the wagon. Literally, it is within inches of the wagon. The wagon lifts up and dumps the load onto the truck.

The truck then races through the field and heads to the pile where it unloads. It is necessary to go quickly so that the cutter doesn't have to wait to dump its next load. There is no sluffing off when you're driving the truck. (except when you're taking pictures for blogging purposes, despite the cross looks you may get from the boss)

When the truck reaches the pile the box is raised up and the silage pours out the back.

After the box is empty and lowered back down, the truck heads back through the field for the next load.

At the pile, the silage is pushed up on the pile and then drove over back and forth several, SEVERAL times with a loader tractor to pack it all down. It must be packed hard otherwise it will spoil and rot.

We cut 85 loads this year and finished in two days. With the bountifull hay crop we're hoping it'll be enough to keep the cows full all winter. My Dad drives the tractor pulling the cutter and wagon and my brother drives the tractor packing at the pile. I'm the truck driver that's rushing back and forth constantly from the field to the pile. It definately makes for a LONG couple of days.

So, now you know the whole process as it happens on our farm. Yes, for tens of thousands of dollars we could upgrade and get newer cutters and wagons - but for the two days out of the year that we use them, our 35 year old cutter and 20 year old wagon will do. Some day, some year, they'll probably get too old and tired for the job, but for now it all seems to work just fine.

Before she headed off for college, Jade gave Kale and Nikia t-shirts from the college she will be attending. How cool is that?!! I told you she was a great person didn't I. It was a few weeks ago that she actually gave them the shirts, but I finally caught them wearing them the same day.





I know Kale thinks about her often. This is how I know.... For Jade's high school graduation Kale burned a cd of some songs that he picked out and gave it to her. Jade wrote a really sweet Thank You note just to Kale. Of course he was in la la land when he received that. Well, anyways..... I find it right next to his bed every night. That's right, he reads it before he goes to sleep every night. Cute huh!

FRIDAY? Already!

Where did this week go? Trevor gets home tomorrow from fishing in Canada. I suppose I better get busy and get this house cleaned or he'll wonder what I did all week. Which, really wasn't a heck of a lot. I did manage to get the lawn mowed before it down poured yesterday. Wow, it came hard for awhile. Trevor, my Dad and Kale re-shingled the garage last weekend. Guess they did it right because after yesterdays rain - NO PUDDLES in the garage. YAY!!

I've got my LimeWire fired up and the 80's a blasting. Let the cleaning begin.


Have a great weekend ladies!

It's official, SUMMER is over.

The kids are in school, football has started, leaves are beginning to turn, Tracy Ferber has put out her Fall decorations, Mums are the only flower in the greenhouses, it's time to cut silage, crops are beginning to lose their healthy green appearance, deer license application deadlines have passed, the swimming pools are closed, and I've taken the highlights out of my hair and colored it dark again.

Yes, AUTUMN is here.

I'm a happy girl again, I got a new coffee maker! Yes, I know, it doesn't take much to get on my good side. However, I will say this. If you are ever in the need for a new appliance or whatever it may be, and it's something that your husband uses or likes, make sure he's along when you make the new purchase. Men like to get the better quality and are willing to pay more for things that are of "necessity" to them. Ever tag along when he decides it's time for a new gun or a new lawn mower, chair recliner, chain saw or whatever? They look at things like quality, horsepower, range, accuracy and what it's all made up of first and don't even think twice about the price. You see, the first coffee maker I bought I had reservations about how much to spend and what it looked like, so I was a little hesitant on my choice. I went with a little cheaper selection because I basically talked myself into believing that I didn't need such a nice coffee maker and they all basically do the same thing. Right??? WRONG!!!! And I knew that, but I still hesitated on spending so much money. So, when I made the return of the first coffee maker, because of it's look and the dumb filter type, and began my search for a different one I made the call. "Honey, want to come help me pick out a new coffee maker?" That's right, we stood in that aisle for about 20 minutes looking over the various kinds and discussed the programmable option, cleaner option, number of cups, stainless steel carafe or glass pot, brew strength and yes indeed, the filter type. Guess what? I walked up to that check-out and payed twice as much as I did when I made the first choice myself. Yessiree, if you want to make an expensive purchase without feeling guilty, just make sure he's along and let him do the investigating. You can't go wrong.

This is the one that we got. No it's not a BUNN - we did look at those, but even I know we don't need to spend THAT much money. It's a Kitchenaide and it makes the most delicious coffee.

Good Morning!

I hope you have a great day today! That's really all I have to say today.

Actually, I was tired of seeing that little photography guy below everytime I opened my site. So, I had to put something on here to move him down a bit. Sorry, this is all I came up with today.


Oops, my mistake. I do have a little more. My coffee maker went on the "kaputz" yesterday. So, last night I bought a new one - different kind. I get it out of the box this morning to use and I'm all excited to have a nice, freshly brewed, soothing, wake-me-up cup of coffee and I find out it takes the CONE filters. AGHHHHH!!!! Of course that's not the kind of filters I have on hand. Why didn't it say that on the outside of the box??? Well, it bugged me enough that I'm packing it back up and going to look for another coffee maker today. Not just because of the cone filters, but also because I didn't really like the platinum look and because Trevor said I should look for a different one. Good enough reasons for me.

Say Cheese !!

Well, today are school pictures and for some reason this day always makes me worried. I'm not sure I can pin point exactly what makes it so nerve racking. Lets see.......

It could be all the options that you get to make up your photo "package". You know, like how many pictures and what sizes of each. "Package B1" sounds real nice for $27.00, but for $22.00 I can get the same sizes for just a few less of the 2X3's. And, oh, do I want to add $3.00 for a few more of the wallets or another selected size for a bigger fee yet?

It could be the background color options that twist my stomach. Hmmmm, do I want emerald, blue, red, or steel? What could possibly look the best with the paint on the wall where I intend to hang these glorious pictures? Should I get the same background for each kid or let them be their own individual self and have a different color?

It could be the new option this year. The choice of pose!! Would I like my kids standing, a close-up head shot, the leaning-in head-in-hands, or the traditional pose?

It could be the decision of adding another $3.oo to my "package" to have their names printed right on the front of the photo.

It could be the choice of the perfect outfit to wear. What color will look the best with the above chosen background? But then, really, all you ever see is the top half of the shirt. Well, unless I was to go with that standing pose. That just might include a little more portion of the shirt - you never know. Oh, how about the mere fact that they better not spill anything on that shirt. You know, like chocolate milk, spaghetti sauce, paint, marker, ink, mud.....

Or could it be the hair styles. Do I fix an up do or leave it down. Should we apply gel and go for the controlled bed head look - but what if it rains at recess and it turns to a sticky mess? Should we put cute little curls in, but then it's sure to be humid and they'll be gone in no time. What if we straighten it - yep, there's that humidity problem again and any natural curl is sure to arise.

And last but not least, maybe it's at that final moment when it's their turn to say cheese and put on the perfect smile and it's the simple reason that I'm not there to say "Ummm, better take another one, he/she can smile nicer than that".

Yep, I'm not sure which one it is. I just hope that they turn out okay the first time and we won't have to go through this again on re-take day.

Now, how many weeks till we get them back????????????????? It's never soon enough, is it? The class picture takes twice as long to get back, and I totally rely on that one when I haven't a clue about who in the world "Johnny or Susie" might be.

Of course I really don't get THAT worked up about the pictures. Really, I don't. I mean isn't it down the road when I'm getting all their pictures lined up for the high school graduation open house that I'll look back and find the humor about Kale's teeth missing or Nikia's fake smile or that one hair that just wouldn't lay flat.

I guess there's really no need to get too worried about these silly little pictures. After all, the kids are on the bus and headed for the school already and it's out of my hands.

Music to my ears....

After Kale arrived home from the first day of school there was just nothing better to hear than,

"I love my new teacher, she is so cool and really funny!"

Oh, thank goodness for that.

Nikia on the other hand, is still in awe that she gets to go to school every day - all day and that she has a real locker.

I think we're off to a good start!!

1st Day of School

As members of the class of 2017 and 2019 boarded the bus this morning I had tears in my eyes. For some reason it seems like when the first day of school comes around its the day that the kids actually get older. Never mind when their birthday is, it's this day that makes them seem more grown up than any other. The day they're expected to be more independent and more responsible. Yeah, I'm okay with it - I guess I have to be. It's just the reality of it all hits me on this day. Like the years before, I will pray over them both everyday before they leave. I will ask God to watch over and protect them on the bus and at the school. I will ask God to help Kale to be a good friend, a nice gentlemen, and a great student. I will ask God to help Nikia to be a good friend, a nice young lady, and a great student. They may not be under my roof where I can watch over them, but God will be there with them and for them.

It's this time of year when.... I'm looking forward to seeing the big yellow bus roll into the driveway and seeing the kids run up the driveway at the end of the day. I'm not looking forward to sending the kids to bed early on school nights, or the time spent sitting at the table doing homework. I am looking forward to decorating my fridge with the drawings, artwork, and paintings. I'm not looking forward to my little helpers being gone all day. I am looking forward to the trips to town by myself. I'm not looking forward to the money I'll need to fork out for lunches, activity tickets, pictures, and milk tickets. I am looking forward to seeing the progress the kids make throughout the year. I'm not looking forward to seeing some of the influences of other kids that rub off on mine. I am looking forward to being the one that sends them off in the morning and welcomes them home every day.

Family Vacation

Family Vacation

Off to the Black Hills - again. This time, we were tourists. We took the kids to some of the major sites like Mount Rushmore, drove past Crazy Horse, drove through Bear Country, walked through Jewel Cave, saw the Wild Horses Sanctuary, walked around Keystone and purchased souveniers, drove through the needles and wound around on the Pigtails, visited the Mammoth Site (very interesting) and hung out at our campground's pool and slide. It was so much fun and the weather was great. We stayed at Beaver Lake Campground. We've stayed here before and just love this place. (I highly recommend it) Of course the best part is the heated pool and the super fast slide. It rained twice in the evening but during the days it was perfect temps. Miniature golf was a blast. We went towards evening and while we were playing some deer came down in the meadow next to the course. They stayed about 30 yards from us. Very cool! It was such a great time. We're looking forward to next year's trip already.


Sorry about the slide show. It's my first time setting one up - obviously I have a lot to learn yet. It took me three tries to get it to look like this - good grief!! Any advice is soooo welcomed. Why can't I get the slide show to copy into my other post? How do I get the "Family Vacation 2007" off of every photo? So much to learn and not enough time to sit and experiment with this. Anyway - hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Apparently, this is the hair style you get when you take a dip in the hot tub and then go for a 4-wheeler ride.

Or, maybe it's just a sign that his Mother should get his hair trimmed. Hmmmm.

Yesterday was Kale's 9th birthday. We really didn't do too much to celebrate since we're going to have a party at the pool another day. Nevertheless, I just have to say......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

KALE

I LOVE YOU BUNCHES!

Step Inside My Office....

Welcome! I know I've been MIA lately but I've been a little busy at the office. Let me give you a little tour around the place......

This is the outside view of my office.....

Just another view with a little different background. Pretty huh!!!

This is the inside view of my office.......
(obviously a man decorated it, I would have chosen a different color scheme)

This is my employers office......

(once in awhile he lets me sit at his desk and run the thing)

This is the view from my office.....

Nothing like an office with a view...........

This is a co-worker of mine.....

(sorry, bad picture, it's a semi)

Sometimes I get "ride alongs".....

Sometimes I sit and think about how big my butt is getting from sitting in my office all day.....

Oh, got to go, the boss man needs me. Tour has to come to an end.

I'd love to come see your office someday.....

Rockhound Champs!!!

Kale with his team's trophy and his individual trophy.














Sunday was the big PeeWee and Midget tournament to end the baseball season. The boys look forward to this big day all season long. All the teams are from local towns and so the players pretty much know all the other players because they all go to school together. You can imagine the competitiveness this day brings to the boys.



Both teams played very well and provided some great games to watch. The other highlight of this tournament is that there is a swimming pool about 250 yards from the baseball field. Between games the boys head over to swim and play around to cool off while their sisters pretty much stay in the pool the whole day. It really couldn't be any better of a situation!


Both our teams came out the Champs and took home two HUGE trophies and also individual trophies as well. Very Cool!! I was so proud of the boys and their coach for all their hard work all summer.







PeeWee's
(Kale is standing in the back, the third player from the right)


















Midget's
(Trevor helped coach, he has on the white shirt)









Tonight the boys and the girls teams head to the pool to celebrate the end of yet another good year of ball games.


The kids are all done but my ladies team is in the second week of our tournament and Trevor's team will be starting their tournament this week. So, just a few more days of ball diamonds and then in a short while it will be football fields and volleyball courts.

My Personal Sanctuary

Girls...you have to get yourself one of these!! I absolutely love my little gazebo. It's not the biggest one they sell but not the smallest one either. It is so nice to go and just sit and look at a magazine, read a book, take a nap, or just sit and do nothing but have a cold beverage or a hot coffee. There's something so quaint about it that makes it very relaxing. The screen keeps the bugs out and it stays nice and shady (which is a huge necessity with the 90+ weather temps we've been having).


This is my second one. Last year I had one too but a nasty wind storm pretty much destroyed it. I was working in the field driving the tractor and it was heavy on my mind that my gazebo may be in jeopardy with such strong gusts of wind, but farmers just don't understand that harvest should be shut down for awhile to run home and tie down the gazebo. When I did get home that night I found my gazebo toppled over in a pile. I sat and cried because I knew it was ruined. I know - what a baby! But I loved my quiet times in my sanctuary. I had it tied down and staked down but the wind was just too much. This year it's tied even better and that baby isn't going anywhere.

I didn't know if Trevor was going to "let" me have another one or not but when I found this one on clearance I gave him my best "puppy dog eyes" and begged. Last year I set it up all on my own - how? I still have no idea how I managed to do it by myself. I guess I was just determined. This year Trevor helped me, which was good, I don't think I could have done this one on my own.

A little outdoor furniture and some plants to make it comfy cozy and your set. Awwwh....RELAXATION. I have a grape vine and a new perrenial flowerbed that I started last year behind it that makes for a pretty view. I admit though, I definitely haven't spent enough time in it yet this year. After this week both kids will be done with ball games and hopefully I'll have more evenings to spend at home. Of course then there's wheat harvest which we started yesterday......... Oh, sooner or later I'll find some quality time to hang out in my sanctuary.