Fall 2015, Part 2

With harvest done, we had time to do a few other things. Our friend, Mary, stopped by for a visit and found Laura playing baseball with fallen apples. Not one to pass up a good time, Mary picked up a handful and started pitching. Needless to say, Laura was a mess by the time they got done!

She's not the only one. Mr. Farmer thought he'd get some dirt work done before the ground froze, but 3/4" of rain was enough to slow him down.

Stuck.

Unstuck!

I drove the tractor home a few miles--and was thankful not to fight traffic. This farm wife is a little skittish about driving big equipment on busy roads.

We also picked up leaves and dumped them just inside the pasture gate. What was once a 10'-wide berm has grown into a monstrous leaf pile that builds up year after year!

A couple of weeks later a large wind storm tore through the area and collapsed a hollow tree.

Laura went to investigate and ran back to the house, excited about what was inside it. She grabbed a 5-gallon bucket, which earned us a parade of corn-chasers. We whooped, clapped, hollered, and swung the empty bucket, then turned it upside down and climbed up to take a peek.

This is what we found....

Raccoon remains, perhaps?

And, as I was cleaning out the refrigerator the other day I realized we haven't shared the bane of Pine Ridge Farm: the chicken pile. Since it's the most un-favorite house chore, and I'd never ask you, our guests, to help, I thought a digital introduction might be best. What is it? A simple 6x6' patch that's set aside for organic waste: egg shells, vegetable peelings, the remains of canning, gardening, etc.

It was here, just like this, when we moved in 18 years ago  (almost to the day) and hasn't changed--other than the animals that make their way in and out. Long live the chicken pile!

And, now, on to basketball, Thanksgiving dinner, slow, cold days and hauling grain--each one an opportunity to be thankful and live in gratitude as the good Lord purposes and provides.

Blessings to you and your families from Pine Ridge Farm, Iowa!

Fall I

Harvest was finished in good time this Fall, thanks to help from our friends Larry, Ross and Brad. This farmer's wife filled in a few hours here and there, kept our farmer fed and watered and the household running.

On the family front we enjoyed marching band and cross-country.

The cross-country team runs the football from the opposing school and presents it to the refs the night of the Homecoming Game.

Our Homecoming friends

Our Resident Pirate Co-Drum Major

With harvest cleaned up, we were ready to move into winter preparation.

Washing the combine

Mixing and loading fertilizer

But Fall was not without its challenges. Early on the grain bin that stores soybeans failed to empty properly. Apparently the center drain filled with pods. Our farmer began by running a 20-some-foot metal pole in from the top of the bin.

Because NO ONE should EVER go into a grain bin without proper help and preparation, I got to sit on the platform as the lookout. It was a hard, arduous job--for our farmer, not me. I simply sat on my mittens, watched, prayed, and encouraged.

Inside the top of the grain bin with harness, rope, ladder and equipment.

My view (smile)

After working with a vacuum, drain pig, and lots of prayer, it gave way 5 days later!

It's been an eventful Fall. See part II for a more recent update (coming soon to a farm in Iowa).

Summer's End

Our summer ended with a BANG! (Spoiler alert: our data entry person--this mom--couldn't figure out how to get pictures in the right order.)

School has started. That must mean summer's over. Here are a few updates and pictures of life here in Iowa.

The soybeans look amazing--chest-high on the girls, which is an incredible height, even by Midwest standards. Since money's in the pod (not the plant), size doesn't count. Our farmer drives from field to field pulling and counting both corn and soybeans.

August. When August came, there was no way to put off packing for college. Miss Grace had plenty of help.

Instead of adding to it, I stayed out of the way and and took pictures instead.

Our growing brood

A lazy day 

The gang's all here

By the middle of the month, we were on our way!

Almost.

We stopped in Wyoming for fun and games with Grandma and Grandpa--all of us!

Fishing with Grandpa

Climbing Heart Mountain

And ended with a BANG! Coming next, harvest....

A Slice of Summer

It's been awhile since the last update from Pine Ridge Farm, so I grabbed the camera and went out for a tour. Here's are pictures of life in Iowa today.

It must be summer because...

The apples are a comin'.

 I see reminders of summers past.

The kids' dream canvas...

 We have new baby chicks and appropriately-aggressive Mamas.

 Kirby is my constant companion.

My busy, busy buddy.

 The garden has knee-high weeds.

The hobby garden in rehab.

 Grandma Frieda's double-burgundy hollyhocks have made an appearance.

The cats found a lazy moment to relax.

Frisco and the three little kittens...who have no mittens.

 Laura is enjoying a new litter of kittens in an upstairs granary.

Laura and the three little kittens who's mama washes theirs.

 The fire pit is loaded and ready for the next party. The sprayer tank is on its way back to the shop.

The last of the summer spraying...and the fire pit--ready to go!

 Flowers bloom in last year's Mother's Day gift.

The Mama-Baby bike duo back for year two.

 The sheep are getting harder and harder to find. Did I mention chickens?

Finding sheep in the tall grass is like playing "Where's Waldo?"

 The shop is open and empty.

 The farmer's to-do list is short and diminishing.

 It's time to paint and repair this side of the house.

Time for summer upkeep on the house and paint job.

In the busy quiet of summer, we're excited to see our older kids grow, learn and serve away from home but boy, is it different when they come to visit instead of coming to stay! They say it's just me and... I'm getting older.
Finally, it must be summer because I rang the triangle on the back porch to call in the troop(s) for supper.

Whew! We Made It

Spring is finally here--and we made it! Instead of spouting off unnecessary words, here are a few pictures of spring for you to enjoy from Pine Ridge Farm.

Life's not so good when you get separated from mom.... on your way to supper!

Over spring and Easter breaks, some of us enjoyed time with friends.

Some had too much puppy!

One of us sold a motorcycle.

And others started prepping the garden...

Bring out the big guns!