Spring 2011

Spring 2011 is in full swing! Even more so, when the rain slows... Well its been quite a while; I seem to update our facebook page more often, since its so easy. So please check us out there, I eill attempt to update more. Jay is growing fast, 3 /12 now. Another one on the way, a boy. Barn is up, roof in place, yet to be sided. Building more permanent fence. Built portable "chicken tractor" for our flock. Have a broody hen with 10 chicks in a small broody coop we built. Corn fields 1/2 ready to plant. Still need to fix: hay maul floor, hay wagon top, haybine for hay season.

Spring is here!

Spring is here and the weather is warming. Hogs were processed and sold, thank you. We have 2 new calves on the farm with one cow yet to calve. Plans are brewing fast for the new barn, I hope to order lumber this week. We recently bought a hay rake. And were planning the spring garden. We dont get to blog as much as we wish, with work changes (Stations and shift). But we'll try to keep this updated as much as possible.

Jays First Hair Cut

Yesterday was hair cut day. After a pretty warm friday of outdoor activity we decided that Jay's hair needed a trim. Little boys that play outside and get dirty hands (sand box and such..) then wipe their forehead, that combinations all bad. So we cut his hair, same buzz cut I get and he loved it. He didnt seem to bother his forehead as much yesterday. And hes loves to fell his hair, its so funny. Sad to see it go, it makes him look older. Tear, Tear...Photos follow.

Happy Mothers Day

Happy Belated Mothers Day to all! sorry its late. Above are my 2 most favorite people, helping out, putting up temporary cow fence. Yes, on Mothers Day, LOL. What a great day it was for Mom: Breakfast in bed, Opening gifts from Jay, church, Home for lunch, then outside for the afternoon. We worked in the garden and moved cow fence.The cows are now a fresh piece of ground. If you know our farm its the field by the pine trees, which has never been grazed since we have had the farm. The cows are loving the cool shade of the pines. Sally, the cow that is due to calve anytime is getting closer. Her teets are beginning to swell with milk.

Grass fed beef. This type of beef is said to be superior to grain fed beef. The following is a quote from Consumer Reports: "Grass-fed steak can also have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce heart-disease risk. Grass-fed ground beef usually has more conjugated linoleic acid, which might improve the immune system and help fight cancer, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes, lab and animal studies show." here is a link to the article:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/news/2008/03/grass-fed-beef-3-08/overview/grass-fed-beef-ov.htm?EXTKEY=SP72FD0&CMP=KNC-CROYPIFOOD&HBX_OU=51&HBX_PK=pi.

These are pictures of our cattle grazing one of the lush green pastures on our farm.

Sunny days

Jay is absolutely loving this weather! Easter was a big hit also with the egg decorating and throwing ( hahaha- lol- Jay). He also loves to feed his Chi-Chi s (Chickens). He got a sand box for Easter and plays in it alot. Below is his Easter picture, sorry its late.

We have planted our seeds, they are growing fast and will be put into the ground soon.

The haybine project is coming right along a little at a time. I bought some parts a week ago and will replace them soon, hopefully. Yesterday I painted it, pictures below. We sold the heifer calf tat we bought in January so that we can re-roof the barn (the roof leaks- alot!). We also hauled in 2 beef steers to the butcher on Wedsnesday- All beef (1/2's & 1/4's) are sold. To purchase pigs to raise for pork this week?? I havent decided yet.

We hope that everyone is enjoying spring as much as we are!

April Snows Brings May Flowers?

It is a little hard to tell but a good look at the above picture shows snow on the ground, this very morning! Crazy I know, LOL! Wow 2009 is moving along quick. We have gotten alot done so far this spring. Below are photos for the following tasks completed. Cayla, Jay and I finished the fence up through the woods, and tore down the old, expanding our pasture a little. Yes, it was done in reverse, because I wasn't sure that I would complete the new fence in time for grazing, I left the old fence so at the top pastures were usable.

We have also been painting on the dismantled hay mower, progress is slow, working as weather allows, for painting metal- conditions must be right. Jay even handled a paint brush and helped paint the red panels pictured and added his person touch to our garage (it hard to stay within the lines, lol).

Thanks to our neighbors we were able to barrow their tractor and plow the garden, in exchange for getting the plow in usable condition- that it was not. Our other neighbor Joe was passing by on his tractor a few days ago with a tiller on the back, after talking to him for a few, Joe said he would till our garden in exchange for help at a later date(freshly tilled garden- 4th picture). The country is great, we all help each other out! At least our garden is large and ready to plant- and the chickens are absolutely chowing down on worms. Last night we planted all of our seed starter cups. Enjoy- feel free to Comment.

Big shoes to fill! Jay in Dads boots.

Spring Tease

This week I was lucky to have great weather on both of my days off. We got alot accomplished in the past week. We layed the new floating wood floor in our sun room, Goal # for 2009, this happened out of necissity not indulgence as the dogs ruined our carpet in one night, its a long story. We also got some storm clean up done, nothing like cleaning up after winters fury. We also had a very commical time loading cows (that he sold) at the Sanders Farm, it took us approx 2 hours to load 4 cows, LOL. Jay got to enjoy time outside, he accompanied me during chores both days, and other misc play time, he loves the outdoors. Summer with Jay with be so much fun. Not to rush the seasons, but the above picture of last spring get me excited warmer weather.