Happy "ish" Hens

I finally talked Jason into getting out his tool belt and making an addition to the hens' nesting boxes, thinking they would be happier with more private spaces to lay eggs. There were only 5 boxes and now they have 10--10 boxes for 19 chickens. Well it worked for a few days....one day we got 5 eggs. Now we're back to 1 or 2 per day. First it was too cold, then they wanted more grass, then different feed, now it's too hot. I tell ya, these birds are so darn hard to please! Hopefully in the fall when the Rhode Island Reds are a full year old, we'll be getting about 6 per day.....

Growing, Growing....

Another few weeks and everything just took off. Of course, I wanted to photograph my garden with the least weeds possible......Impossible! I had to give up that OCD dream. I cannot keep up with the weeding no matter how hard I try. Jason tries to help, he gets a jump at it with a rotortiller, we encourage the kids to help.......Oh well. There's better things to do than weed, right?

But when I get to heaven, I'm having a serious talk with Eve.

Marissa's 3rd Birthday

Thank you everyone for making my baby feel so loved and special!

A girl's dream cake....pink, sparkly, with tractors....

Chocolate crayons from Auntie....

and a new bike from Papa & Grandma!

Marissa's birthday was so fun. Just the family over for home-made cake, presents for the birthday princess, and lots of love for her. PERFECT!

The Garden's Beginning to Show!

One trellis of peas growing nicely

My favorite garden helper

We have 4 rows of corn, coming up!


A glimpse of the beets and romaine lettuce rows
(potatoes in the background)

Natalie (ok her hand) picking strawberries

It's time to garden again! YES! A favorite thing of mine is growing food for my family. I know a lot of people do it, but producing food from seed provides so much enjoyment and fulfillment. I remember one dinner last year we had steak, potatoes, veggies, and salad. Jason said "Is this all from our garden?" Yes it was, including the beef. We raise cows for beef and this year we have chickens too!

When is it officially a farm? Do I have to wear overalls?

It always seems like to much work to get started, mulch, compost, tilling the ground which my hubby faithfully does several times before planting time comes around. This year we added sturdy trellises made from leftover posts and fencing wire. I love to recycle junk.... I'm working on making a bed from a metal antique bed frame, and we're finding the right spot for an old bathtub Jason found in the cow pasture last year. He knew I'd love it....




The kids and I planted most of the seeds on Memorial Day, a late start but I think it was a good thing to wait because we ended up with a few late frosts just up until the week before. These photos are from the end of June. I promise to take some new photos tomorrow to show you how our garden is progressing....

God's Gift to Me

Boy am I blessed! Hubby hates it when I brag about my children but I just can't help it. They're such beautiful creatures from my great and loving God!

1st Camping Trip of the Season

Our first camping trip of the season was to Rife Lake. We were joined by some friends this time! Yahoo! The kids had so much stinkin' fun (literally---that's their favorite thing about camping and my least). Cooked meals outside on the camp stove, stayed up late around the fire, went for a jaunt out on the boat and a few brave souls jumped in the icy water, played lots of silly games, and practice softball of course!


We just relaxed and enjoyed doing nothing.


When's the next trip?