Kindness Cookies

The past few months have seemed like I have spent more time juggling my calendar and not really providing much kindness to others.  This makes me look back with some regret that I have allowed my schedule to be so full I've lost track of what is a key ingredient in my life.  

Fortunately, I have a tradition that another friend and I began a few years ago that needed to be completed to continue it as an annual event.  I quickly realized this last weekend and contacted my friend that helped last year.  I decided that filling glass jars might be a larger task than I felt up to and she has two littles, so we opted for Kindness Cookies!  

We each made two types of cookies and came together this past Saturday hoping to bag the cookies, decorate the bags, and be on our way to share some kindness.  The November weather was quite cold and the wind was blowing as well, which is normal for Kansas.  This changed our plans but don't worry, the bags of cookies will still get dispensed!

We decided to take them to church and not only the ones that we normally deliver to will enjoy them but a few others as well!  Making the cookies with my family, coming together with friends to share the work, and watching others enjoy the surprise was well worth the time!  This is one item on my calendar that will be there annually for sure!

I hope this post has inspired you to show some kindness in some manner. It not only does wonders for the recipient but the one giving as well!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Farm Kid Fun in the Mud & Folding Laundry

I am hoping we are raising a well rounded young lady here on the farm.  In one day she can do any variety of things.  We want to raise a child that knows how to cook, clean, and work on the farm as well.  That way she can be a good wife, mother, and hard working human in the future!

Today included the following for the seven year old.

Checking irrigation with Dad.

Baking a cake with Mom.  

Reading, practicing piano, and folding laundry as well. Oh sure there was a little tv watching and playing in her bedroom too.

Life here on the farm we keep a pretty good routine, with some added life experiences thrown in on any given day!  

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Wheat Harvest 2015 - Recap

Milton drove the Case IH 6088 combine, RV took care of hauling wheat via the semi and grain truck, while LV weighed the trucks as they came home to store the grain. Julie helped some with weighing and scale tickets and cooked one meal for everyone each day.  PV, well we will call her the supervisor that played a lot!

Once the grain bins were full at home, the grain began being hauled to the elevator in Canton and the new Ag Producers LLC terminal on Hiway 56.  Hauling to the terminal was a new experience for all, but turned out to be a good choice in our eyes. Depending on the priced being offered in the future, we will see if it is more profitable to haul there verses ADM that is located 40 miles away.

While harvesting Milton did deal with mud in the fields from the rains that blessed our area days and weeks before harvest.  I do not believe ours were as bad as others or at least my farmer didn't complain much about that.

The yields varied anywhere from 43 to 86. Our average was 62.  We harvested 881 acres of wheat.  Being able to apply the fungicide was a critical component to having a good harvest we believe, along with the rainfall that came in May and June.

The harvest lasted 9 days.  Milton and RV worked the longest hours, normally cutting by 10:00 am and not stopping until 10 or 11 at night.  Milton’s brother VV helped us by planting soybeans and milo.  At one point, Milton did give him the opportunity to drive the combine.  My farmer was pretty protective of our investment. I can understand why as this investment was something that is essential in our farming operation and costs a great deal of money.  We are grateful for the help that his brother offered.

I did do some new things during this wheat harvest.  I drove an empty truck from one field to another, drove a loaded truck to practice, and went to get fertilizer with a trailer.  Baby steps is how I'm going about this farm wife journey and it works well for me. :)

Now the days are less stressful as the new crops are planted and beginning to show growth.  

This wraps it up for our wheat harvest and we are focusing on the new crops.  Time to get things caught up as in paperwork, housework, and spending time together as a family.

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

Wheat Harvest 2015 - Kansas Style - 2

Our day two of wheat harvest fell on Father's day and also Tashley's 27th birthday.  I always seem to recall the first June Milton and I were dating right around this time of year.  I was not accustomed to waiting for anyone, especially when my kids were involved and he had lived a long life of farming. Wheat harvest was going and I had Tashley's birthday party planned.  Needless to say he came late, and I wasn't real thrilled with him.  The party was over.  But, all these years later both of us have changed.  I've learned more about farming and he has became a man that sets priorities better.  This doesn't mean he is at every event of the kids but he really does put them before the farm more than 90% of the time.  I'm proud of him for that. 

Here is an example of why I make the statement I just did.  He took the time to hang PV's new tire swing prior to heading to the field on day two.  She has been wanting one since early May and we had one hid and wanted to surprise her. We thought this would be a good time, she might need more occupation later in the week with Dad gone so much!

I know, you came here to hear about our Kansas wheat harvest, so here goes our update for day two!  We finished the field that we started on day one around 3:30 pm.  Heading to another field we rent (32DO) to begin harvesting there.  The weather was hot, humid, and windy. We won't complain though because right now the rain needs to stay away. The field of 102 acres was finished between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. PV and I went for a combine ride after she had her softball practice.  It was an enjoyable ride and spending time with Dad is always a good thing!

  


















Dinner was dropped off at the field around 6:00 pm and we didn't eat together.  Kiddo had softball practice!  I served hot dogs, hamburgers, cucumber salad, watermelon, chips, and baked beans. Dessert was chocolate chip cookie bars. 

Our annual family photo from the cab of the combine!

Day two stats:

12:30 pm Started cutting at YH32
                Moved to new field DO32, finished.
                Moved to new field MV28, started.
80 acres harvested (approximately) today
9 truck loads delivered to our bins at home
4804.16 bushels approximately harvested 
9102.16 total bushels harvested to date
10:00 pm Stopped cutting for day

Harvest meal: hot dogs, hamburgers, cucumber salad, watermelon, chips, and baked beans. Dessert was chocolate chip cookie bars. 

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Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow!
Julie & Milton

Farm Photos - 2015

I just wanted to put some photos up of our day when we sold some cattle.  I snapped photos around the farm and of our little gal PV.  Memories in the making here folks!  

The generations to come will hopefully enjoy them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

Cycles of Farming & Seasons of Change

Well the time has come for us to say goodbye to the majority of the cattle we have been feeding since October.  We will keep a couple back so we can refill our own freezers with beef.   They will feed those until July.  I am wondering if anyone would be interested in a post about raising our own beef to eat?

Sometimes we keep them a little longer and sometimes we sell early.  The market on cattle was quite high when we bought them but has since fell.  Once they are sold we will sit down and review our expenses and see how it turns out.

Sorting cattle.

Life as a farming family is one that there are no guarantees, so we will take what has been provided and know that we will be sustained by the Lord.  We put our trust in HIM and not what is to be produced in the field or cattle pen first.

As the  days get longer and the flowers and trees begin to turn with colors, we too will awaken to a new start.  When April rolls around Milton will begin planting corn.  Which will be followed by soybeans and then grain sorghum (milo).  Before we know it our wheat that has been quiet and dormant all winter will be yellow and ready to harvest.  The cycle of farming is still as it has always been but with each new season comes different things.

We want to thank our readers for following our blog about farming, family, and our faith in God. We are placed here on earth to share HIS ways, we hope through this blog and our farm life we do that justice.

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

The Farmer I Live With

In twelve years I have seen the farmer I live with change and grow to become something more than he was.  Just as his farming operation has.

In this time span he has....

became a father

built a home where there was a soybean field before.

gotten acquainted with chickens

filled out more crop insurance and fsa office paperwork than one should have to

bought a couple new to him pieces of equipment

bought, tore down, put back together, and configured an elevator leg and underground storage pit for our farm storage grain complex

he has made repairs and more repairs on machinery

then he has planted and harvested crops.  Some were good producing and some not

he has done much more than I have listed here.  What I wanted to really get across is that farmers work hard, so do other occupations.  Just as all individuals have the opportunity to grow, so does the farmer.  I think the farming community is lucky because they get to do it in the wide open spaces, in the beautiful pastures and fields, the sun shining on their face, and the knowledge that they make a difference every day.  Whether their year is a super success or a "go to the bank and borrow" type of year, they can still stand proud.  They can still get up each day and continue to make a difference with what they have been given. They are needed in the world we live.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

Teachings of Mother In Law & a Simple Recipe

As I stood in my kitchen cutting up carrots for supper tonight my mind began to remember something my mother in law once mentioned. To be honest at the time when she said it, I thought to myself, no way.  But come to find out she was right and I never have bought another bag of mini carrots again.  

See she mentioned that the regular long carrots you must peel and cut the ends off of taste better.  That they have more flavor.  So after this moment in life I bought some and most certainly she was correct.  They do have more flavor and they are better!  To my sweet surprise, preparing the carrots actually bring me some time to ponder while looking out my kitchen window.  To stop and calm down, to take in all that is around me.  

Although we live pretty close to my husband's parents, I don't see them every day.  We live our life and they live theirs so to speak.  Near but not on top of one another! Just as it should be!  As I was writing this post I realized that I do not have a photo of my mother in law and me alone.  I need to rectify that in the near future I think! 

There are few things I have picked up in the twelve years of being around her.  To cook my roast in a cast iron skillet, not drenching in water makes it quite tasty.  A sheet cake on the kitchen counter should be a weekly occurrence (I haven't mastered this on a weekly basis yet!) How simple gifts can mean as much as a large one and that no one can make chicken and noodles like her. And last but not least, eating butter on your crackers is a necessity when eating soup.  

I can only hope when I am her age I have as much wisdom and calmness and love for my family as she does.  She has raised four really great men, and I am lucky to call her my mother in law.

Here is that recipe I promised.  I love that it's simple and it comes from our church cookbook to boot!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Cooked Carrots                                                                                                 Recipe by C. B.

2 lbs. fresh baby carrots (I cut & chop mine)     1 Tbls. sugar
1 tsp. salt                                                                   2 T. butter

Rinse carrots if buying mini in bag.  Be sure to peel and chop 2 lbs of carrots if you use the regular ones.  Pour enough water in pan to just cover the top of the carrots.  Cover carrots and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Turn heat to low and simmer about 30 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.  Pour 1/2 - 3/4 of the water off carrots and add salt, sugar, and butter.

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The Inner Child - Simple Joys

I received a great gift from my family for Christmas, 52 weeks of cards.  I open one every Friday and last week gave me a challenge.  My middle daughter channels her inner child a lot of days, so you can imagine what her card was about.

I am more on the serious side, but as I grow older I am getting a little less serious with life! I accepted the challenge!  Today was the day!  

I am not sure if I have mentioned my youngest daughter's passion for all things cardboard. She has gotten her Dad to help her build things she has designed and our family room is now a cardboard party room!  Campers, houses, and even jaguar's own swimming pools!  So I decided I would go for a cardboard addition! I know, call me nuts, but the kids has a great time in them.  When the grandkids come to visit they do too!

I have a friend Joey that I'd like to give a big shout out to!  She saw on my Facebook page that I was wanting ideas and she offered to get me a HUGE and THICK box from her work!  Let's just say, it is a VERY thick piece! 

This lovely piece of huge cardboard is like three panels thick!  No joke!  The drill and jigsaw were in town with my husband, so I resorted to using a kitchen knife.  A CUTCO kitchen knife!   It didn't break (thank goodness) and it ended up working well after a very long time!  

I knew I wanted to string some Christmas lights in it, so after the husband got home he drilled the holes while I inserted the lights!  

I decided after this that since I couldn't get it as fancy or as done as I wanted to by the time PV got off the bus we would decorate it together with Paint pens.  I threw a blanket and pillows inside and one on top.  This way when she wants to have more light, she can just throw her little roof blanket off & to da!  Sunroof!

When she got off the bus I told her I had a surprise and Dad led her in with her eyes closed , so I could video her reaction.  IT WAS AWESOME FUN!

 























She loves it and we both enjoyed decorating it together! I'm glad I waited to do it with her!

She made this drawing of her Dad and her and a house they built together!  :)

So I was a child today and it was good to play with my six year old.  It was a delight to see her authentic smile and her bright eyes from something so simple.  I am grateful to Joey for providing me with the supplies, Milton for helping me finish it, and Kassidy for encouraging me to live like a child. 

Me and my girl hanging out inside the Hideout! :) The best thing I heard all day was " This is the best thing ever!"  :)  

What's the simplest thing you've ever done as a child or with a child?  Do tell my friends!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Christmas Memories 2014

This Christmas season brought more time for me to cook and just be present in the blessed season.  We enjoyed time with several family members and lots of laughs were had.  We hope your holiday season was a good one.  As usual I took lots of pictures, I'm only sharing a view! :)

We made our trip to get our tree.  I set a budget and kept to it, but then for the first time in forever I bought a real wreath!  Our tree was alittle sparse but it was still fitting.  It set perfectly in a corner of our large window!  

There was, for the first time that we were able to listen to our daughter read each night from the bible for our Advent calendar.  It truly meant alot to us and it brought us closer together.

We had our Family Gingerbread house decorating and if any of you follow us on Facebook, you know who won.  The farmer won it by a landslide!  But we will de-throne him next year! :)  IT was one of the best times of the seasons with our kids and their families!

I was able to celebrate an evening with my LWML group and find out who my prayer partner had been during the 2014 year.  It's a feeling of goodness when you know someone is diligently praying for you and your family.  I also received a treasured gift. I was in shock!

No use of this photo is allowed.

We made goodies this year as well.  Not the best thing to have in the house when you are trying to get healthy!  We made almond bark pretzels and I like to call them haystacks. I have no idea the real name or maybe that is it.  I don't know.  Peanuts and chow mein noodles drenched in white almond bark.  YUM! Pecan brittle was made by Milton, and those rolo/pecan yummies too!

Last year I received some DELISH homemade caramels. from Christmas in the Country!  So I tried them this year and gave them out.  If you would like the recipe, check out my friend Jessy's blog. I plan to make them again for Valentine's day for my family members.  Homemade is better than store bought anytime right?

Our immediate family gathered on Christmas evening, and it was a fun time as always.  Watching the little ones open their gifts and munching on appetizers!  I received a wonderful gift I can enjoy all year long in 2015 from my entire family!  Each of them made a card, letter, or picture for me to open on a weekly basis.  It is awesome! :)

Another fabulous moment was when our daughter was proposed to at our family gathering! :)  It was a delight, and we so appreciate being a part of the big moment! So 2015 will be filled with planning a September wedding!

My side of the family enjoyed a meal together.  In our family the kids 18 and younger have a gift exchange with names chosen.  The adults join the ornament game.  It is so much fun! 

This year I threw in another game.  The Candy Bar game.  I found it on good ol' Pinterest.  I wasn't creative enough to come up with descriptions using my family members but it was still fun.  And let me tell you, it wasn't easy searching for candy bars at the stores.  In fact some of them I couldn't find.  But we had enough!

I wrote a special post about the gift that we made for Milton's parents.  If you missed it be sure to check out Making Farm Beautiful!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie