Today we transplanted all our starts into the greenhouse. It went pretty smoothly and took less time than expected. If I didn’t know better I might think we were starting to figure this out. The kids worked hard and were a big help.
Last weekend we planted seeds and they’re already starting to come up. We’re starting to get ready for the outdoor garden too. That will get planted the first part of June.
My brother Steve, his wife Alice, and thier girls drove out from Ohio to stay with us for two weeks. Joy and Alice promptly flew off to Alaska to see my Mom and do some fly-fishing while Steve and I stayed on the farm with the kids for a week.
We tried to keep them busy with camping, caving, the splash park, exploring and chores. I think we were marginally successful. It was great watching our kids with their cousins, they had a lot of fun and are missing them since they left.
Steve and I were able to get the old wood-shed torn down that will be reused for a new, larger chicken coop. Thanks Steve!
Joy and Alice, despite their fears didn’t freeze to death in Alaska, and more remarkably have become fly-fishing enthusiasts! Catching a lot of fish can have that affect, or so I’m told. 😉
It was great having them here, I enjoyed catching up with my brother and getting to know his kids better.
This day came at least a month after we had hoped but, at least it came. Today we were finally able to get plants in the ground. The kids were a big help and didn’t complain TOO much. We planted 4 varieties of tomatoes and peppers, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, peas, melons, and basil. We used the flower beds around the house for lettuce, spinach, and squash.
As usual I totally underestimated the amount of time it would take to construct the hoop house and get plants in. At least we’ll get some benefit from it at the end of the season. I still have some odds and ends to finish up but it’s functional, Yeah!!!
It’s been a struggle. Work, wind, rain, snow, and mechanical breakdowns have all conspired to frustrate our attempts to erect the hoop house. But today, the Lord was with us. With the help of my trusted assistant (that’s my wife) we were able to get poly attached to the ends of the house and so far at least it’s still attached.
We hope to get the main sheets of poly on this weekend and finish hauling manure so we can plant. I still have to address the mechanical breakdowns I mentioned. The tractor’s fan belt broke and the flat tire I’ve been airing up each time I used it finally gave up on holding any air at all. A new belt is on order and the tire is off and ready to be dropped off at the tire shop.
The cows are all quite happy now that they have green grass to eat. They’re not much interested in hay any more. I’ve been moving them every couple of days to a new strip of pasture and they’re doing their job as grass harvesting machines. They watch intently as I setup a new grazing area for them and then all I have to do is call them and clap my hands a few time and they come running. That’s the fun part 🙂
The kids are nearly done with school for the year. They’ve been counting the days. Joy has already planned summer camps, swimming lessons, vbs, and historical tours around the state. Cousins will also be coming in July. I think they’re going to have a great summer.
Tonight we grilled some salmon and and asparagus and played catch in the yard, it was sweet!
Spring is an awesome time on the farm. I’m thankful daily that I’ve been trusted with caring for this place and everyone on it.
Craig
A dozen 2 day old black australorp chicks arrived today. The kids could hardly contain themselves, they were so excited. I’m not sure who was cuter the kids or the chicks.
Finally getting around to posting some pictures of our not so little girls b-day party. The quality is not great, had to use the cell phone because we lost our camera. Her friends came for the party and spent the night. She had a great time, I’ve never seen her so exited for a birthday before.
Sunday was seed starting day. The kids helped mix soil, fill trays, and plant some of the seeds for the garden.They really liked the different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. They liked complaining about the veggies they’re going to have to eat too 🙂
We took the kids to the Headwaters of the Missouri state park to do some sightseeing and fishing with their Grandpa last week. Unfortunately we didn’t catch any fish but it was a beautiful day and a good time was had by all.
Our kids have begun a new year in new schools, and today was their first experience riding the bus. We were all nervous this morning, especially Dad and Mom.
We had pretty decent weather for a change this weekend. Friday evening we attended a cookout for the kids VBS program, which they really enjoyed. When we arrived home we noticed that our dog Jack was missing, his collar was still attached to his tie-out. We drove around looking but never found him and went to bed with him still missing. I woke up around 12:30 hearing him barking out back. We were all grateful he made it home.
Saturday we cleaned out the chicken coop and moved the birds from the shed. We also cleaned out the shed and moved our gardening stuff in, it’s nice to have our shed back. The kids are both learning to drive the lawn tractor and mow. It’s a little unnerving but we’re keeping a close eye on them.
Sunday, Dale Brown the former basketball coach at LSU, spoke at church and there was a cookout afterward.
We came home and went for a walk, then I decided an afternoon nap sounded like the perfect father’s day activity 🙂 A big t-storm blew in last evening, we had just put the goats back in the barn when it hit. We hung out in the barn for a bit but as it got worse decided to head for the house, getting soaked and pelted by hail as we ran. After changing out of our wet clothes we sat on the back porch and watched the wind and lightening, quite a show. One of our cottonwood’s blew down too so I’ll have to get that cleaned up.
In the end it was a nice weekend and I came away reminded of how blessed I am.
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