The Peterson Farm Brothers...

We took the kiddos to see the The Peterson Farm Brothers live over the weekend.  It was encouraging to see the trio of brothers spreading the word about agriculture and family farming.  We did get to visit briefly after the show.  These All American young men were humble and courteous and their passion rang through.  I asked them about the faith they portray it in their videos and they stated that their parents were very instrumental in grounding them so as not get lost in their fame.  It was apparent they are deeply committed to family, farming, and faith.  We give The Peterson Farm Brothers two thumbs up!

Our New Project...

Introducing.....Molasses, our new Jersey calf.  You may remember that the Farmer wanted to sell the sheep so he could use the pasture for a new project....raising calves.   We came upon this little Jersey bull and I just couldn't resist!

We've had Molasses for a couple of weeks and boy is he finicky!  We are learning you can't feed Jersey calves just any old milk replacer.  We had to purchase specially formulated milk replacer for Jerseys.  Unfortunately, he's currently recovering from scours as it's difficult to figure the proper ration.  A couple years ago, I told you about Clarabelle, Riley's Jersey heifer calf that died.  We are just hoping and praying Molasses fares better.

The kids LOVE Molasses, especially Levi....

Do you have experience raising Jersey calves?  I'd love to hear about it!  Feel free to leave a comment below.

Saying Good Bye to the Flock...

It's been two weeks since that foggy morn when we loaded our small flock of nine into the back of a black Chevy pick-up truck.  After ten years, it was hard to say good-bye.  Riley struggled the most since they were her babies since she was a baby.  I remember her escaping the house in footie pajamas only to wander down by the pen.  We'd watch her climb the board fence.  First looking over, then slowly climbing down into the sheep pen.  There, she would talk and sing.  The sheep, in a trance like state, would gather round her.  She has always had a great love for the living. 

Now, the Farmer wants to use the pasture for a new project.  So with bittersweet tears, we waved good-bye to Wobbles, Sugar, Posy, Pansy, Pearl, Popcorn, Peanut, Uno, and Dos, but not before Riley captured an SD card full of memories...

Introducing Annabelle...

We recently acquired a new calf through a local friendly farmer.  RileyAnn claimed her and has been caring for her.  She named her Annabelle. 

Levi loves Annabelle!...as does the rest of the family :)

Annabelle was drinking from a pail when we got her so Riley has been giving her milk replacer from a pail.   However, she and The Farmer thought it would be better to get her sucking from a cow. 

So last night they headed out to the pasture and brought Nelly (cow) and Pumpkin (her calf) home. They put Pumpkin in the pick-up and Nelly followed.

They locked them in the sheep pen.  Annabelle was able to suck from Nelly.  All was well and everyone headed in for supper.  A while later, we looked out the window and Nelly had jumped the fence.  After several attempts to get her back in, the decision was made to let it go.  Nelly spent the night in the field.  As long as Pumpkin was penned up, she stayed close by. 

Today, is a new day and hopefully, they can figure out a better system :)

...how does your garden grow?

The gardens are finally planted and everything seems to be growing.  We are about 2 weeks behind here in the Midwest due to a cold wet spring.

RileyAnn was a huge help to me this year.  She's been planting, hoeing, and weeding. She picked some radishes over the weekend.  After the long winter, fresh garden produce is such a treat!! 

Though it's hard to tell from the photos, we have about 30 tomato plants this year.  We have caged them since the photos were taken.  There are six varieties.  I'd like to try my hand at making ketchup this year, along with our usual juice, sauce, and salsa. 

Our hosta bed is absolutely lush this spring!  I did have trouble with slugs last year, not to mention the drought.  I am intending to get some pine needle mulch.  I read this deters slugs and other pests that plague hostas. 

The flowering crab tree we planted two years ago made it through winter.  The first year we planted it, a young whitetail buck came up and ate all the buds and leaves.  And then with the drought last year, I can't believe it's still alive.....God is good!!

The hay fields look good.  Though with the heavy rains this past week, some were laid down.  The weatherman has rain in the forecast everyday throughout this week too.  The harvest is slow this year.

Sheep Shearing 2013

Saturday was sheep shearing day.  Angel and Riley corralled the sheep.  Then The Farmer assisted them in shearing.  It went smoothly other than the mud from the inch of rain that fell during the night before. 

 Even Levi got in on the action :)

Posey and Pearl snuggled in the grass waiting for their momma....

Here are the girls freshly shorn waiting for the gate to open.... 

Ahhh....free at last!!

I just love how they walk in a line....

Spring Lambs

The lambs are all here!!  Sugar produced 2 ewes (Posey and Pearl) and Wobbles 1 ewe (Pansy).  We are thankful they didn't have any trouble.  This will more than likely be Wobbles last time lambing.  She's getting quite old.  She was part of the original flock we bought when RileyAnn was just 2 years old....oh my!...where does time go!  

Raised Beds

I've always wanted raised garden beds, but we never got around to it.  Alas, this year The Farmer found time.  He and Angel built four of them.

Since I'm expecting a baby next week, we decided to let the kids plant and maintain the gardens this year.   We're starting smaller to keep it manageable for them.  After putting the beds in place, The Farmer poured black dirt.  Riley and Angel worked on spreading it. 

So far, it's been a great project.    They were able to choose what they wanted to plant, within reason ;-)  They sowed and weed (without being told).  The produce is growing and they're very excited about it. 

I love looking out the kitchen window and seeing the fruit of their labor.  It's also been a wonderful botany lesson. They came to me a few days ago wondering why the carrot seeds have not yet erupted from the ground.  After re-reading the package, they learned that when sowing carrots and radishes together, the carrots will sprout when the radishes are ready to harvest.  

Yesterday, the zucchini flowered after a very hot muggy weekend and rain showers.  Every day there is some new discovery.  It's great!!  God is good....