Well it wasn't a lot , but it did rain yesterday afternoon. Things look greener and the weeds in the garden are bigger. I will need to get after those weeds, after it dries out a bit. Hopefully, the garden will really begin to get its roots in the ground and start growing. Getting it in later than I had hoped has definitely affected its growth. Starting out when it has been so hot is tough.
Not much else going on on our hill.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Summertime
No doubt about it....it is summertime. The temperature and humidity say so. We went to the horse trainers yesterday. The promise to the three kids was that they could get the pony out to mess with before we left. That all went out the window though with the heat. It was just too hot to mess with an animal. They all stand in their stalls, waiting for a cool breeze. Thomas told the trainer he'd be back in December to ride the pony. I hope it will be cool enough to ride sooner than that!!
Last night we got the last of first cutting out of the field. With those 164 bales, our first cutting totaled a little over 1200 bales. If we don't start getting some rain in the area, that will be about all the hay we have for the year. It is VERY dry in our area. There is rain in the forecast, but it is only scattered thunderstorms. What we could use are a couple days where it just settles in and rains. The corn and beans are showing their displeasure at the lack of water. More leaves are rolling each day. The wheat is golden and I suspect not far from harvest. That means we will be baling straw before many more days. It would be nice to get it out of the way before we head to MSU for a week at Dairy Days. Usually the timing is about that week, but it looks like it may be early this year.
Off to the sewing room today. With the hot weather, it is nice to stay inside and get projects done in there.
Last night we got the last of first cutting out of the field. With those 164 bales, our first cutting totaled a little over 1200 bales. If we don't start getting some rain in the area, that will be about all the hay we have for the year. It is VERY dry in our area. There is rain in the forecast, but it is only scattered thunderstorms. What we could use are a couple days where it just settles in and rains. The corn and beans are showing their displeasure at the lack of water. More leaves are rolling each day. The wheat is golden and I suspect not far from harvest. That means we will be baling straw before many more days. It would be nice to get it out of the way before we head to MSU for a week at Dairy Days. Usually the timing is about that week, but it looks like it may be early this year.
Off to the sewing room today. With the hot weather, it is nice to stay inside and get projects done in there.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Got Cheese????
We are a wanna be dairy farm. Wanna be, because I don't want to milk cows, but Suzanna does have a couple dairy heifers for 4-H projects. I grew up on a dairy farm and did dairy in 4-H. Hubby grew up on a dairy farm as well, so we have an appreciation for what it takes to be a dairy farmer.
Our family also loves to consume dairy products. We go through multiple gallons of milk each week, plus a couple tubs of ice cream every two weeks. Cheese is also an important food item around here. Thomas attempted to use cheese in a way not common to most this past week though.
He has ear tubes. We are on the third set. Hopefully he will soon outgrow the need for them, as it is very inconvenient in the summer to have them. We have one of those cheapo blow-up pools in the back yard. When you have ear tubes, you have to have ear plugs to keep the water out of your ears. Well, last Thursday, Thomas was heading for the pool, but couldn't find his ear plugs. He was running around like the proverbially chicken, wondering where they were. I didn't pay much attention, since he spends a lot of time in that state. That is until it got too quiet. With Thomas, that is the time to get worried. That is when I noticed he had the package of shredded cheese out. And was rolling a wad of cheese into a small ball. You know where this is going, don't you?? I asked him what he was doing. Instantly got a blank look of innocence. I said to him "Thomas, you can't use cheese for ear plugs". Those shoulders slumped, the cheese ball went in the trash and the cheese package went back into the refrigerator and he wandered away muttering "where did I leave my ear plugs". He later did find the correct ear plugs and spent a great time in the pool.
We are more than happy to support the dairy industry, but that might going a bit too far.
By the way, it wasn't very easy keeping a straight face through that one!!
Our family also loves to consume dairy products. We go through multiple gallons of milk each week, plus a couple tubs of ice cream every two weeks. Cheese is also an important food item around here. Thomas attempted to use cheese in a way not common to most this past week though.
He has ear tubes. We are on the third set. Hopefully he will soon outgrow the need for them, as it is very inconvenient in the summer to have them. We have one of those cheapo blow-up pools in the back yard. When you have ear tubes, you have to have ear plugs to keep the water out of your ears. Well, last Thursday, Thomas was heading for the pool, but couldn't find his ear plugs. He was running around like the proverbially chicken, wondering where they were. I didn't pay much attention, since he spends a lot of time in that state. That is until it got too quiet. With Thomas, that is the time to get worried. That is when I noticed he had the package of shredded cheese out. And was rolling a wad of cheese into a small ball. You know where this is going, don't you?? I asked him what he was doing. Instantly got a blank look of innocence. I said to him "Thomas, you can't use cheese for ear plugs". Those shoulders slumped, the cheese ball went in the trash and the cheese package went back into the refrigerator and he wandered away muttering "where did I leave my ear plugs". He later did find the correct ear plugs and spent a great time in the pool.
We are more than happy to support the dairy industry, but that might going a bit too far.
By the way, it wasn't very easy keeping a straight face through that one!!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
My evening in Amish country
Breezy went to Middlebury, Indiana to be bred. The call came yesterday morning that she was bred and ready to come home. I headed south to get her, all by myself. It was nice to be able to drive and think. As I got close to LaGrange, Indiana, I saw my first Amish horse and buggy. They sure do move right along. And the horses never even move an ear toward the traffic flying by them. At one intersection, I thought for sure it was an accident about to happen. The young Amish man and his wife were making a left turn. The horse started to canter through the intersection and looked like it was about to get away from him. But never fear, he got control and with a grin at his wife and a quick glance back at their two young children in the back, they trotted on toward their destination.
I stopped at the local McDonalds and grabbed a quick bite to eat. There were two Amish families in there, enjoying supper and family time. Not so very different from us English.
I arrived at Windmill Acres and found no one home. I had the chance to sit in the truck, listening to the Detroit Tigers game and the sounds of Amish going up and down the road with their horses. You hear them a long time before you see them. As dark came, the buggies all had blinking lights and turn signals. They even have license plates on their buggies.
Once the Lehman family arrived home from their evening with family around a campfire, I was able to get Breezy and Henry loaded. I visited for a few minutes with them. Their daughters seemed as curious about me as I am about their way of life. Such cute little girls, with their blond hair tucked under their prayer bonnets, walking through the barnyard with their long dresses and bare feet.
Off I went down the road thinking how much less rushed their world is from mine. It wouldn't hurt for any of us to slow down a little from the frantic way we attack life. Don't worry, I am not ready to start driving my horses to church and town just yet.
I stopped at the local McDonalds and grabbed a quick bite to eat. There were two Amish families in there, enjoying supper and family time. Not so very different from us English.
I arrived at Windmill Acres and found no one home. I had the chance to sit in the truck, listening to the Detroit Tigers game and the sounds of Amish going up and down the road with their horses. You hear them a long time before you see them. As dark came, the buggies all had blinking lights and turn signals. They even have license plates on their buggies.
Once the Lehman family arrived home from their evening with family around a campfire, I was able to get Breezy and Henry loaded. I visited for a few minutes with them. Their daughters seemed as curious about me as I am about their way of life. Such cute little girls, with their blond hair tucked under their prayer bonnets, walking through the barnyard with their long dresses and bare feet.
Off I went down the road thinking how much less rushed their world is from mine. It wouldn't hurt for any of us to slow down a little from the frantic way we attack life. Don't worry, I am not ready to start driving my horses to church and town just yet.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Kids Fest Survival
Yesterday the kids and I took the two 4-H rabbits, plus a banty with chicks and the surrogate banty with guineas to the local fairgrounds for KidsFest. This is sponsored by a bunch of businesses and organizations around the county and brings in TONS of kids for free food and free stuff. We were working with a combo Michigan Milk Producers/Hillsdale County Farm Bureau promotion to bring animals to kids. We also offered free 1/2 pints of chocolate or white milk. Our group went through 528 chocolate milks and 240 white milks in a matter of 2 and a half hours. The plan is to have more to give away next year.
It was also neat to see the children interact with the animals. They were able to pet our rabbits, touch the chickens as well as get up close and pet a calf or a lamb. It amazed me how scared some kids were of things we relate to every day at home. I don't think about how intimidating a little calf might seem to a child who has never even seen one in person before.
All in all, it was a neat event and plans were in the works by the end of the day as to what we will do next year to make it even better.
I'll post pictures later, but right now I have to deal with a workmans compensation audit. It is a yearly thing and not nearly as scary as it might sound. I just can't make it balance! Hopefully they will accept it with a difference of $29.40 that I just can't find.
It was also neat to see the children interact with the animals. They were able to pet our rabbits, touch the chickens as well as get up close and pet a calf or a lamb. It amazed me how scared some kids were of things we relate to every day at home. I don't think about how intimidating a little calf might seem to a child who has never even seen one in person before.
All in all, it was a neat event and plans were in the works by the end of the day as to what we will do next year to make it even better.
I'll post pictures later, but right now I have to deal with a workmans compensation audit. It is a yearly thing and not nearly as scary as it might sound. I just can't make it balance! Hopefully they will accept it with a difference of $29.40 that I just can't find.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
How Not To Chase Heifers
Suzanna was attempting to work with one of her 4-H heifers last night when the other one got loose. Somehow the heifer she was working with also got loose and a party ensued. Thomas came racing into the house to say that the heifers were loose. Since my hubby was already down by the barn, I figured he could handle this one and sent Thomas back out to tell dad. Thomas came flying back into the house 5 minutes later to say the heifers were running through the garden and now were heading for the wheat field. First I thought to myself, "where is my husband", then looked out the back window to see to happy heifers romping their way to the wheat field with Suzanna and Kathryn running behind.
Hubby and I joined the project, with a lesson in not chasing, but rather circling around the heifers and driving them rather than giving them more reason to run. Once the heifers had the chance to calm down, Rhoda, the older heifer realized that Suzanna was walking toward her and basically let herself be caught. She had a halter on, so once Suzanna started leading her, Fancy followed right along and back to the barn.
As we were heading back to the barn, we began hearing Kathryn hollering for us. She hadn't noticed that we all turned north toward the heifers and had kept heading west, got over the hill and couldn't see any of us. Thomas headed back up the hill and found her. She was not a very happy kid!!!!!
All of life is a lesson, and the kids learned that you don't bother chasing the heifers, cause they can ALWAYS outrun you.
PS: One more guinea hatched last night and I added it to the collection with the surrogate mother. She was happy to have it.
Hubby and I joined the project, with a lesson in not chasing, but rather circling around the heifers and driving them rather than giving them more reason to run. Once the heifers had the chance to calm down, Rhoda, the older heifer realized that Suzanna was walking toward her and basically let herself be caught. She had a halter on, so once Suzanna started leading her, Fancy followed right along and back to the barn.
As we were heading back to the barn, we began hearing Kathryn hollering for us. She hadn't noticed that we all turned north toward the heifers and had kept heading west, got over the hill and couldn't see any of us. Thomas headed back up the hill and found her. She was not a very happy kid!!!!!
All of life is a lesson, and the kids learned that you don't bother chasing the heifers, cause they can ALWAYS outrun you.
PS: One more guinea hatched last night and I added it to the collection with the surrogate mother. She was happy to have it.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Never Ask A Guinea Hen To Be Your Mommy
Guinea hens make lousy mothers. I had posted the picture of the huge nest of eggs that we discovered. We found they were starting to hatch as of Sunday night. I was anxious to see how many more would be there Monday morning. I was heartbroken to discover that two had hatched and were dead. The mother had left the nest with one baby half out of its egg, two in the nest calling for her, another on the ground beside the nesting area calling her and the whole flock out wandering around the horse pasture. The one on the ground joined the flock, but the other two that had hatched were too weak to follow. I decided to collect up all the remaining eggs, plus the weak ones and put them in my incubator in the house. I candled what were left and found at least 20 had "something" inside, and another 15 that looked to be duds. I heated up the unit and stuck the possiblities and the three already hatched ones. The two from the nest quickly perked up, the one that had been stuck in the egg didn't look too good and to our amazement, within a couple hours, one more hatched.
Of course, my next problem was what to do with them. I decided this afternoon to see if one of my banties, who are still setting, would accept them and decide that her eggs had hatched. To our surprize, one quickly accepted them and fluffed her feathers and began clucking to them. As of this evening, the banty and her three adoptees are snuggled together in a box in the garage. I wonder if they will be any smarter since they are going to be raised by a chicken.
Oh, and the one lone baby that followed the flock is gone. I suspect the flock wandered into tall grass and it got lost.
Of course, my next problem was what to do with them. I decided this afternoon to see if one of my banties, who are still setting, would accept them and decide that her eggs had hatched. To our surprize, one quickly accepted them and fluffed her feathers and began clucking to them. As of this evening, the banty and her three adoptees are snuggled together in a box in the garage. I wonder if they will be any smarter since they are going to be raised by a chicken.
Oh, and the one lone baby that followed the flock is gone. I suspect the flock wandered into tall grass and it got lost.
Catching Up
I have been so busy with haying, that other things have definitely slipped down the list of priorities. Namely housekeeping. Yesterday was spent doing laundry and cleaning. The kids stepped up and mopped their bathroom and the kitchen floor. I actually spent part of the afternoon sewing a dress that I cut out a month ago. Suzanna has been impatiently waiting for it and I will get the hem in it this afternoon.
The kids played ball last night and despite the heat and humidity, they had a great time. Kathryn could have done dog 4-H, but it was pretty hot out to walk a dog in a circle, doing sits and downs. Emma is black, and conducts heat well. When outside with us, she finds the shade as quick as she can.
The kids played ball last night and despite the heat and humidity, they had a great time. Kathryn could have done dog 4-H, but it was pretty hot out to walk a dog in a circle, doing sits and downs. Emma is black, and conducts heat well. When outside with us, she finds the shade as quick as she can.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Whirlwind Weekend...
Friday night I was at the District 2 Holstein Sale. Served free root beer floats or ice cream sundaes to those in attendance. Interesting observation. A larger percentage wanted the floats, rather than sundaes. I think it is because you can always grab a bowl of ice cream, but it is extra special to have the supplies for a float handy.
Got home from the sale and discovered the nephews were stacking hay in the mow. Father in law and I had been baling hay on the ground all week. My hubby was finally able to get some picked up and it was great to have four sets of arms to get it put away. I stepped in and ran the unloader and all was going well until the chain came off the elevator. It was nearly dark, and of course it came off the high end which was in the mow, which has no lights. That shut down the system for the night.
My husband had a couple wiring jobs to take care of Saturday morning, so I was in charge for the morning. We got the elevator taken care of and finished unloading one load, then I headed out to the field to get another load. Unfortunately, I stalled the tractor. Of course it wasn't on a hill, which is necessary right now to start that tractor. It needs new batteries and there hasn't been time to get them, so you just roll it and put it in gear to start it or have someone tow you. That shut the system down again, until hubby got home. He got the tractor restarted, called the nephews back, and I raked up a few more windrows and baled that up.
The vet showed up to check where Breezy was in her cycle at 6pm. She needed to be at the stallions farm, so Kathryn and I loaded Breezy and Henry, and took off for Middlebury, Indiana at about 7pm. I had never been there, but made it in one piece, only needed directions once. Thankfully the neighbor was available and helped me out. Thanks Bobby!! Praise the Lord, when I got there, they had a circular driveway. (I don't back up the truck and trailer real well yet). Unloaded the mare and foal. Took a quick peek at the stallion, (What a nice boy!!!!) and headed back home. We got in about 11:15.
Today was church, lunch with Hubby's family and off to the world of Wal-Mart. We were running out of everything at home. A quick unload and put cold stuff away before evening church. Ran to my dads after church to wish him a happy Father's Day and catch up with my side of the family. Mom and dad were at my brother's for the weekend.
Home felt good tonight. Oh and we discovered that the guineas are starting to hatch. It looks like there were 5 in the nest so far. Will be curious to see how many we have in the morning what the survival rate will be. I sure hope we get a bunch, as my flock is getting kind of small.
Got home from the sale and discovered the nephews were stacking hay in the mow. Father in law and I had been baling hay on the ground all week. My hubby was finally able to get some picked up and it was great to have four sets of arms to get it put away. I stepped in and ran the unloader and all was going well until the chain came off the elevator. It was nearly dark, and of course it came off the high end which was in the mow, which has no lights. That shut down the system for the night.
My husband had a couple wiring jobs to take care of Saturday morning, so I was in charge for the morning. We got the elevator taken care of and finished unloading one load, then I headed out to the field to get another load. Unfortunately, I stalled the tractor. Of course it wasn't on a hill, which is necessary right now to start that tractor. It needs new batteries and there hasn't been time to get them, so you just roll it and put it in gear to start it or have someone tow you. That shut the system down again, until hubby got home. He got the tractor restarted, called the nephews back, and I raked up a few more windrows and baled that up.
The vet showed up to check where Breezy was in her cycle at 6pm. She needed to be at the stallions farm, so Kathryn and I loaded Breezy and Henry, and took off for Middlebury, Indiana at about 7pm. I had never been there, but made it in one piece, only needed directions once. Thankfully the neighbor was available and helped me out. Thanks Bobby!! Praise the Lord, when I got there, they had a circular driveway. (I don't back up the truck and trailer real well yet). Unloaded the mare and foal. Took a quick peek at the stallion, (What a nice boy!!!!) and headed back home. We got in about 11:15.
Today was church, lunch with Hubby's family and off to the world of Wal-Mart. We were running out of everything at home. A quick unload and put cold stuff away before evening church. Ran to my dads after church to wish him a happy Father's Day and catch up with my side of the family. Mom and dad were at my brother's for the weekend.
Home felt good tonight. Oh and we discovered that the guineas are starting to hatch. It looks like there were 5 in the nest so far. Will be curious to see how many we have in the morning what the survival rate will be. I sure hope we get a bunch, as my flock is getting kind of small.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Wow is it hot....
It sure is summer already. We have had over a week now of plus 80 degrees. According to the weather forecast, we are headed for 90 today and tomorrow. Not much rain heading our way either. Makes for great hay weather. We should have the last of our first cutting up this weekend. I hope we do get some rain after that. I have been watering the garden every day since I put it in. I would think the crops around here could use a drink too.
Time at the trainers was spent on the computer. Our gelding is recovering. He isn't limping anymore and only has a little swelling in his leg. He should be back to light work by next Monday.
Tonight is a cattle sale sponsored by the District 2 Holstein Association. We are serving ice cream sundaes and root beer floats before the sale. The kids and I will be doing the serving and watching the sale.
Time at the trainers was spent on the computer. Our gelding is recovering. He isn't limping anymore and only has a little swelling in his leg. He should be back to light work by next Monday.
Tonight is a cattle sale sponsored by the District 2 Holstein Association. We are serving ice cream sundaes and root beer floats before the sale. The kids and I will be doing the serving and watching the sale.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
To the trainers.....
Today I am headed for the horse trainers. Our trainer is terrific with our horses, but doesn't enjoy the office side of his world at all. I enjoy such things so it is a way to help him out. I try to get there once a week to do office work and check up on my horse that is in training with him. Snoopy, aka Knolltop's Fact Finder is a 3 year old Morgan gelding being shown Western Pleasure. Our next big show is Michigan All Morgan, which will take place the second week in July. So our aim is to have him tuned in for that show. Unfortunately, he came up lame last Sunday morning. He was no better, no worse, after a few days rest and basic treatment, as of last night. A visit from the vet may be the next step today. I will know more when I get there this morning. He is a bit of a baby, so it just may be that he doesn't want to use it because it does hurt, or there could be a more serious problem. It takes him away from training until we know for sure.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Strawberries in my sleep....
Today was strawberry jam day. I went to a local strawberry farm and picked up 16 quarts of huge, sweet berries. The kids and I spent all afternoon making jam. I make cooked jam, but put it in the freezer for storage rather than run it through the canner. They helped get jars around, measured out the sugar and crushed the berries. The final tally is 7 batches of jam, which I think will last for a year, plus dessert of strawberry shortcake tonight. Suzanna loves to cook, so she took care of making the shortcake. She even baked one for Grandpa and Grandma. I think I will be seeing strawberries in my sleep.
They spent part of the afternoon in the blow-up swimming pool. Despite the fact that they put brand new water into, it was hot enough outside that they still had a great time. I think their lips were blue by the time they got out.
Suzanna added a new bunny to the barn today. She purchased a California bunny, which will be a roaster for the fair this September. I suspect it won't make it to a market class though. I can see already that they are all getting attached to her. Oh well, what's one more animal at "the zoo" as I like to call our place.
The vet was out this afternoon and confirmed that Christy, one of our Morgan mares is in foal. The kids were able to see, via ultrasound, the developing fetus. We will have him back out one more time to confirm a heartbeat. He will be back out on Saturday to check Breezy to see if she is ready to visit the stallion. We have chosen a stallion down in Indiana, about an hours drive from us. The mare and foal will go there for about a week since, she can't be bred by shipped semen due to an allergy to it. Oh the wonders of modern day breeding.
They spent part of the afternoon in the blow-up swimming pool. Despite the fact that they put brand new water into, it was hot enough outside that they still had a great time. I think their lips were blue by the time they got out.
Suzanna added a new bunny to the barn today. She purchased a California bunny, which will be a roaster for the fair this September. I suspect it won't make it to a market class though. I can see already that they are all getting attached to her. Oh well, what's one more animal at "the zoo" as I like to call our place.
The vet was out this afternoon and confirmed that Christy, one of our Morgan mares is in foal. The kids were able to see, via ultrasound, the developing fetus. We will have him back out one more time to confirm a heartbeat. He will be back out on Saturday to check Breezy to see if she is ready to visit the stallion. We have chosen a stallion down in Indiana, about an hours drive from us. The mare and foal will go there for about a week since, she can't be bred by shipped semen due to an allergy to it. Oh the wonders of modern day breeding.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
To Nashville and back in one day.....
Nashville Michigan that is. The kids and I, along with the neighbor and two of her own, went to Mooville. This a working dairy farm with a unique business set up by the family, a dairy store featuring products made from their milk in their own plant. The event was an effort to educate kids about the dairy industry. They had a large group of kids from age 6 on up. They had a great time. Stuff like this is great because it opens kids eyes to how their favorite dairy products get to their table. But even kids like mine, who have seen the dairy farm and the neighbors kids, who live on dairy farm, they learned a few new things too.
Much of the population doesn't follow how that food gets into the store and onto their table. A great example is a story one of the moms at our church told. They hadn't put out a garden in a couple years, so one of their younger children had never seen one. As they were planting the garden he wondered where the seeds for Chicken potpie and lasegna were. She said they knew it was time to get that boy in the garden to appreciate where his food came from. When the first corn stalks poked through the soil he again question the whole thing, he said "that doesn't look like corn". They had to explain to him that it had to grow some more before the corn would arrive.
Speaking of gardens, I had to get the sprinkler around for mine tonight. There has been little rain in over a week and none in the forecast for anytime soon. My poor tomato and pepper plants were looking pretty sad. They will perk up soon with a nice drink.
Much of the population doesn't follow how that food gets into the store and onto their table. A great example is a story one of the moms at our church told. They hadn't put out a garden in a couple years, so one of their younger children had never seen one. As they were planting the garden he wondered where the seeds for Chicken potpie and lasegna were. She said they knew it was time to get that boy in the garden to appreciate where his food came from. When the first corn stalks poked through the soil he again question the whole thing, he said "that doesn't look like corn". They had to explain to him that it had to grow some more before the corn would arrive.
Speaking of gardens, I had to get the sprinkler around for mine tonight. There has been little rain in over a week and none in the forecast for anytime soon. My poor tomato and pepper plants were looking pretty sad. They will perk up soon with a nice drink.
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Garden Is In!!!!
Yes, I know. Most people have had their gardens in for several weeks. We got a great start with mine, as it got a fresh coating of manure back in April and was plowed in May, but never got worked down. Then a cold snap hit, and it sent a lot of people scrambling to get their newly planted gardens covered to protect them from the threat of frost. I was feeling pretty good about not being in a hurry at that point. But Friday night I ran up the road to see my hubby while he was doing a wiring job for a neighbor and saw his wife's garden. I was struck with severe garden envy. Her tomatoes have got to be blooming, considering how big they looked as I drove by. Of course, she does work at the local nursery, so she has a "special" touch I am sure. Anyway, I told my husband it was this weekend or never. So he and Thomas worked it down for me and even marked the rows Saturday evening. What an easy job it was to put it in the morning. All three kids were more than willing to help and within an hour I had my seeds planted and my 40, yes 40, tomato plants in the ground. I enjoy canning, and I keep my parents in tomatoes all summer as well. If we can keep up with the weeds, we should be enjoying those tomatoes in just a few short weeks.
Haying Continues
The hay season continues at our place. Yesterday, after church, I started baling while my husband raked two other small fields. Thomas figured out how to flip any bales that didn't do the quarter turn by using the bucket of the Steiner tractor. It was fun to watch him work the system out, and the smile on his face when he mastered it was adorable. I was done baling the first field when his dad showed up and took over so I could help with the Stackliner. The first field had 199 bales of alfalfa in it. Thomas and the youngest neighbor boy did most of the unloading while my husband moved bales around in the mow. There will be some serious mowing up done tonight, as he can't fit anymore in there without getting a lot of it stacked up correctly. Help has been in short supply, as the neighbor boys are knee deep in projects for their own farm first.
We are hearing horror stories about the high prices hay is already bringing at the local auctions. I know there are expenses for us to make it ourselves, plus our time, but it can't be as high as the prices we are hearing about. Makes me very thankful for the bounty we have seen from our fields so far this year. I suspect I would have several less horses here if I were buying all my feed at those prices.
There is another 5 acres on the ground right now, and there are close to 9 acres of straight grass hay still to be cut. Father in law was discussing getting after that last 9 acres today. That will finish first cutting, with a small break before either second cutting or straw.
We are hearing horror stories about the high prices hay is already bringing at the local auctions. I know there are expenses for us to make it ourselves, plus our time, but it can't be as high as the prices we are hearing about. Makes me very thankful for the bounty we have seen from our fields so far this year. I suspect I would have several less horses here if I were buying all my feed at those prices.
There is another 5 acres on the ground right now, and there are close to 9 acres of straight grass hay still to be cut. Father in law was discussing getting after that last 9 acres today. That will finish first cutting, with a small break before either second cutting or straw.
Friday, June 8, 2007
I did it!!!!
Well, the hay was ready. Grandpa wasn't here yet. Hubby happened to be home picking up some parts, so he took the tractor and baler to the field, swung the pick-up, set the bale tension and off we went. He stayed with me long enough to see I wasn't making any glaring mistakes and left me to the job.
The kids got into the act as well, rolling bales out of the way. Why, you may ask?? Since last year we use a New Holland Stackliner to pick the bales up from the field. This serves a number of purposes. Very often, the hay has been ready to bale, but my hubby is still on a job. He was the wagon stacker. I had back surgery six years ago and shouldn't be moving haybales. With the Stackliner, we can drop it on the ground when baled and pick it up later, eliminating the need for hubby to knock off early, or have a field get past ready while waiting for him. Why not get a thrower, I am sure some are asking. Well, you still have to handle the bales to get them off the wagon. Stackliners like the one we have are designed to unload the hay right onto the elevator. That means I can unload and then we need a couple people in the mow to take care of it.
So if he isn't right there picking up the bales, there are some in the way for the last round. So the kids have the job of rolling them out of the way. The bales have to land on their edge rather than strings up in order to be picked up. The bales come out of the baler strings up and as they fall, a bar turns them. It does fail on occasion, so the other job is to make sure they get turned a quarter turn. It was hot yesterday, but a strong breeze blew, so you didn't suffer too much. Thomas used the Steiner lawn tractor to get around the field, and took turns with his sister Suzanna, who was riding her bike across the field. The dog, Emma, decided the sun was too hot on her black coat and ended up riding in the Steiner which has a partial cab and therefore provided some shade.
In the end, there are 109 bales of first cutting alfalfa in the barn and it looks like a little rain heading our way this morning. Hubby's dad is heading back out this morning to cut some more hay. The forecast looks terrific for the week ahead.
The kids got into the act as well, rolling bales out of the way. Why, you may ask?? Since last year we use a New Holland Stackliner to pick the bales up from the field. This serves a number of purposes. Very often, the hay has been ready to bale, but my hubby is still on a job. He was the wagon stacker. I had back surgery six years ago and shouldn't be moving haybales. With the Stackliner, we can drop it on the ground when baled and pick it up later, eliminating the need for hubby to knock off early, or have a field get past ready while waiting for him. Why not get a thrower, I am sure some are asking. Well, you still have to handle the bales to get them off the wagon. Stackliners like the one we have are designed to unload the hay right onto the elevator. That means I can unload and then we need a couple people in the mow to take care of it.
So if he isn't right there picking up the bales, there are some in the way for the last round. So the kids have the job of rolling them out of the way. The bales have to land on their edge rather than strings up in order to be picked up. The bales come out of the baler strings up and as they fall, a bar turns them. It does fail on occasion, so the other job is to make sure they get turned a quarter turn. It was hot yesterday, but a strong breeze blew, so you didn't suffer too much. Thomas used the Steiner lawn tractor to get around the field, and took turns with his sister Suzanna, who was riding her bike across the field. The dog, Emma, decided the sun was too hot on her black coat and ended up riding in the Steiner which has a partial cab and therefore provided some shade.
In the end, there are 109 bales of first cutting alfalfa in the barn and it looks like a little rain heading our way this morning. Hubby's dad is heading back out this morning to cut some more hay. The forecast looks terrific for the week ahead.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Wake Up and Catch The Horses
This morning my hubby got up and quickly came back to our room to say there were two horses grazing in the oat field. This is not where they belong!! By the time I looked out the window, a third horse had joined them. They were the three young ones, who are simple to catch. They have the personality of pests, thinking whatever you are doing they are sure to be helpful. This is one of the fun traits I find in my Morgans. I can remember a time when my husband was fixing a latch in the barn. While he worked, a yearling filly stood right beside him like a surgical assistant. She pulled at least three tools out of his toolbag and dropped them on the ground. Hubby wasn't nearly as entertained by it as the kids and I were. Anyway, back to my story.
So I had three on the wrong side, but fortunately the mare who doesn't like to be caught was still on the right side of the fence. But as luck would have it, as I got out to the pasture to start putting everyone back where they belonged, she crossed the open spot in the fence too. I should add that she had managed to loose her halter sometime last week, and I hadn't located it yet to get it back on her.
A quick shake of the grain bucket had three young, eager noses poking at me within seconds. A leadrope on two and my hubby leading one of the caught ones, got them back on the right side of the fence. Unfortunately, Gypsy, the hard to catch mare, was not nearly as interested in my grain. But her insecurity at the idea of being on the wrong side of the fence from her fellow pasturemates brought her to the gate, and into the right spot without much trouble.
I decided she HAD to have a halter back on. I know most people don't like to leave halters on horses, but with one who is impossible to catch, I just can't trust that if I have to get ahold of her, will be able to. With my bucket of grain, three very pesty pasturemates, and patience, I succeeded. She got tired of being followed everywhere she went and eventually gave up and stood still as I slipped the halter back on. I felt like Pat Parrelli, or one of those other experts that you can watch on RFD-TV.
Morning chores got done early since I was already "up and at 'em". The hay has been raked already. With temperatures near 90 and a 20 plus MPH wind, it will bale early this afternoon for sure. I suspect my father-in-law will show up in time to do it, but one of these times, I will get my chance to run the baler for the first time.
So I had three on the wrong side, but fortunately the mare who doesn't like to be caught was still on the right side of the fence. But as luck would have it, as I got out to the pasture to start putting everyone back where they belonged, she crossed the open spot in the fence too. I should add that she had managed to loose her halter sometime last week, and I hadn't located it yet to get it back on her.
A quick shake of the grain bucket had three young, eager noses poking at me within seconds. A leadrope on two and my hubby leading one of the caught ones, got them back on the right side of the fence. Unfortunately, Gypsy, the hard to catch mare, was not nearly as interested in my grain. But her insecurity at the idea of being on the wrong side of the fence from her fellow pasturemates brought her to the gate, and into the right spot without much trouble.
I decided she HAD to have a halter back on. I know most people don't like to leave halters on horses, but with one who is impossible to catch, I just can't trust that if I have to get ahold of her, will be able to. With my bucket of grain, three very pesty pasturemates, and patience, I succeeded. She got tired of being followed everywhere she went and eventually gave up and stood still as I slipped the halter back on. I felt like Pat Parrelli, or one of those other experts that you can watch on RFD-TV.
Morning chores got done early since I was already "up and at 'em". The hay has been raked already. With temperatures near 90 and a 20 plus MPH wind, it will bale early this afternoon for sure. I suspect my father-in-law will show up in time to do it, but one of these times, I will get my chance to run the baler for the first time.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Another hay day
Well, hubby cut hay last Saturday night, and it has been raining ever since. Yesterday afternoon, we finally got a break, which should last for a couple more days. So today I will be raking hay. Late today I will get to go back over it with the tedder, which spreads it out and therefore it gets more sun. Tomorrow the forecast is upper 80s and windy, so it should make then. I am certainly learning my way around the farm.
The foals are growing fast. Henry has a very sweet attitude, until his halter lesson. He wants nothing to do with it, but is slowing learning that I am not hurting him. Lilly is a sweetie about it. She doesn't think she has time to be bothered, but doesn't mind it once I get started. My goal is always to get them very comfortable with being handled, touched, and messed with anywhere on their bodies. Later this summer, after weaning, they will start some more serious training. That will be when they learn to pose and "show-off". We have a couple shows they can go to this fall and hopefully earn a few dollars to pay their way in the world.
Found two more chicks last night from a fourth hen. The guinea hen is still setting. She moved off the nest when I was being nosey and I think she has even more eggs on the nest than the night I took the picture. I am not sure guineas are the brighest birds God created, but we do enjoy their "bug control". It is prime fly time now and there aren't an overabundance in the barn. That tells me the flock of 10 that we have are getting the job done.
The foals are growing fast. Henry has a very sweet attitude, until his halter lesson. He wants nothing to do with it, but is slowing learning that I am not hurting him. Lilly is a sweetie about it. She doesn't think she has time to be bothered, but doesn't mind it once I get started. My goal is always to get them very comfortable with being handled, touched, and messed with anywhere on their bodies. Later this summer, after weaning, they will start some more serious training. That will be when they learn to pose and "show-off". We have a couple shows they can go to this fall and hopefully earn a few dollars to pay their way in the world.
Found two more chicks last night from a fourth hen. The guinea hen is still setting. She moved off the nest when I was being nosey and I think she has even more eggs on the nest than the night I took the picture. I am not sure guineas are the brighest birds God created, but we do enjoy their "bug control". It is prime fly time now and there aren't an overabundance in the barn. That tells me the flock of 10 that we have are getting the job done.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Where did summer go??
Here in Michigan, we have been unseasonably warm. High 80s and low 90s. Temps like that in late May don't impress me much. I am not one who enjoys hot weather, so this was waaaaay too early for me. Never fear, as the old joke goes, if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes. And it is true today. It is only 54 this morning and a damp breeze is blowing. Never fear, the weatherman says 80s by the weekend.
This morning, my youngest is attempting to do laundry. She had a crisis last night. She still finds comfort in a flannel quilt my mom made for her years ago, and it had gotten messy. She expected that I could wash and dry it in time for bed. Of course, she didn't decide this until bedtime, so that is where the crisis began. I told her I would wash it in the morning. Daddy told her she could get it started by emptying the clean clothes out of the dryer, put wet clothes from the washer into the dryer and then start a new load with her quilt in it. And so she did. This morning she is completing the cycle. She spent a good amount of time folding clothes from the dryer and just put her wet quilt along with the rest of the load into the dryer. She and her twin brother just came to me because the dryer wouldn't go. A quick lesson in setting the timer and the quilt will soon be out.
This morning, my youngest is attempting to do laundry. She had a crisis last night. She still finds comfort in a flannel quilt my mom made for her years ago, and it had gotten messy. She expected that I could wash and dry it in time for bed. Of course, she didn't decide this until bedtime, so that is where the crisis began. I told her I would wash it in the morning. Daddy told her she could get it started by emptying the clean clothes out of the dryer, put wet clothes from the washer into the dryer and then start a new load with her quilt in it. And so she did. This morning she is completing the cycle. She spent a good amount of time folding clothes from the dryer and just put her wet quilt along with the rest of the load into the dryer. She and her twin brother just came to me because the dryer wouldn't go. A quick lesson in setting the timer and the quilt will soon be out.
Monday, June 4, 2007
First Time Up
Trying something new....I was faithful at keeping a diary during my college years, but sadly got out of the habit. Isn't it fun to go back and read what seemed so important to us at different stages in life.
Today was a rainy day at the farm, which means inside work for me. I am still catching up laundry after spending most of last week dealing with our first hay of the season. My hubby's father has always carried the hay work during the day while my husband is working. This year, with the kids getting older, more of the farming seems to be falling to me. As a born and raised farm girl, this should come natural, but it doesn't. My childhood farmlife was tractor free, to the utter shock of my husband's family. Growing up on a dairy farm and never being called on to do field work does seem a bit odd, but my grandfather and father took care of such things themselves. Then my older brother stepped in and that got me off the hook.
So now, thirty years later, I am a farmer. I worked up a new pasture this spring and then moved on to teddering hay and raking it as well. I have mastered the basics of this and feel pretty proud of myself.
Today was a rainy day at the farm, which means inside work for me. I am still catching up laundry after spending most of last week dealing with our first hay of the season. My hubby's father has always carried the hay work during the day while my husband is working. This year, with the kids getting older, more of the farming seems to be falling to me. As a born and raised farm girl, this should come natural, but it doesn't. My childhood farmlife was tractor free, to the utter shock of my husband's family. Growing up on a dairy farm and never being called on to do field work does seem a bit odd, but my grandfather and father took care of such things themselves. Then my older brother stepped in and that got me off the hook.
So now, thirty years later, I am a farmer. I worked up a new pasture this spring and then moved on to teddering hay and raking it as well. I have mastered the basics of this and feel pretty proud of myself.
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