It's About Time!

Harvest was unusual this year and although the equipment has been washed, repaired and tucked in for winter, it's taken awhile to post pictures.

The Mr. started early--so early it was still a little green--just to make sure all systems were "go."

Getting ready to run as a team

All systems, "Go!"

Getting full--why's the wagon driver taking pictures?!

It was good we started early because of hitches in the get along. After making repairs and waiting for the grain to dry, we moved from one field to another.

We had worked together for a few days when The Mr. made a phone call and hired a new driver, creating some angst for the Mrs. "What did I do wrong?"

"If you're out here, who's taking care of everything else?" The Mr. asked. Matthew drove home from school twice a week to help. Larry, the new driver--both retired and expert--came faithfully through the end. And our new friend, Whit, came out on evenings and weekends. It was a long, productive harvest--all tucked in and making its way to nearby elevators.

Meanwhile, at home, the new scaredy chickens roosted in the trees on the porch.

 (Tree Before--thank you, chickens!)

(Tree After--thank you, Matthew, forestry-student!)

And we enjoyed another marching band  season, "Go, Rachael!"

Actually, in looking back, so many things happened this Fall, it's no wonder we're late!
Below are just a few of those things. Thanks for stopping by.

Back to School Church Picnic

Can you say, "Trouble?!"

Squirrel Hunters

Goodbye, Friends; Hello, Freezer

Budding Actress and Dad after "And Then There Were None"

Dropping off the Ram

Late Summer: You Win Some, You Lose Some

It's the end of summer, and things are changing at Pine Ridge Farm--coming, going--yep, changing.

Laura added three calves to the Millage Menagerie.

The Welcoming Committee

 

Hello

 

Getting to Know You

Not only did we add to the pasture and barn, we added a new driver and car as well (to the insurance roster as well as the garage).

 

 

 We lost another child to college somewhere along the way...

 



But the wonderful thing about children is they're much like boomerangs...and they come back every so often (and bring friends).

 

When they do, it's PARTY time!

And learning time...

 

 

Some of our new additions are quite cute and cuddly....

Our friend, Fredrick, with a new bunny capture

Mary, Fredrick's wife, Laura and Kirby after a rousing game of tag in the barn.

Then there are the not-so-cuddly creatures. The ones that, as The Farmer says, are "follicle-challenged."

Life on the farm. You win some. You lose some. You learn some. You learn that you didn't know what you thought you did. And you try again.
Coming soon to an Iowa farm near you: Harvest!

The Farmer's pre-harvest to-do list



Summertime...and the Livin is Easy

Summer arrived--a bit late, a bit cold, but it's here!
For Mother's Day, Grace put together a couple of pieces of hardware she found trolling the riverbed behind Mrs. Hawley's:

The Mommy and Baby Bike Duo Planter

The week after school was out, this Iowa farm family took a trip to California. We visited the ocean and glass beach:

the Redwoods:

and Golden Gate Bridge:

 

 

The following week, the older girls, a friend and I traveled to Florida to compete in the National Talents for Christ competition. This is what happens when Iowa farm girls see geckos:

 

And pose for a trip to the beach:

Since arriving back in Iowa, the Farmer has cleaned, repaired and stored equipment. Now it's on to outdoor maintenance and keeping up appearances.

We've also added a few kittens (9 as of this writing--the highway has a way of changing things) and a puppy:

 

 

Our puppy remains unnamed--although Mr. Farmer is pulling for Kirby. Scrap-eaters and vacuum cleaners have a lot in common....so they say.
 

Spring--We Thought it Would Never Come

It's here! It came. Some of us thought we were going to live in perpetual winter, but here's proof it didn't pass us by:

It's coming....

Touches of Spring

 

 

 

Babies--did you say babies? Bunnies, and chickens and lambs, oh my!

 

True love

 

On the crop-front, our farmer has been hard at work--days, nights, days, weekends... no, we do not get a kick back for promoting Mountain Dew, although we should.

    

 



 

 



Easter made itself at home somewhere in middle of our comings and goings. We celebrated our risen Savior with worship, fellowship, relaxation and family fun.

 

Making ice cream with Janine, our Austrian friend

 

Really, Easter Bunny? In the grill?

 

Throw in a spring play, mother-daughter activities, birthdays, high school graduation and prom. Spring has arrived... or gone. We're not sure which.