Wheat Field Farmers

We just finished silage and will get a good start on wet corn and beans soon, very soon. 

 I thought it fitting to share a few photos of...WHEAT harvest.

 

Only a month behind.

 

These are a few of my favorite things (Sound of Music voice, please)...

 

{The colors}

 

 {My husband and his big, green tractor (sing-song voice again, please)}

{My son and the confidence he gains when he gets to run the grain cart (the machine in the next pic)}

 

 

{Don't know why I love this pic...just do}

{Dirty faces}

{Kids running for a ride in the combine...and the conversations shared that won't be forgotten}

 

 

{The beautiful, blue sky that shows us just how small we are in this world}

 

 

Gosh darn we're blessed.

-Becky

Timber.

 We had our ladies lunch last week at church.  I had the SIMPLE task of adding a little something to the tables.  I went to town, bought a bunch of crap ( in my mind it was going to be beautiful).  Put it on the tables.  Stepped back and thought to myself - YUK!

 

I then removed the failed vision from the tables.  Called Mike and asked if he had time to meet me at home with his chainsaw.  I think he said "sure!"...maybe not.

 

He cut down a tree {it needed to go anyway - two birds} and then cut twenty "disks" from the trunk.  We gathered all the Mason jars we could find.  Added a candle and ribbon to the small ones and flowers to the larger.

 

SO MUCH BETTER....and FREE!

 

 

The dining hall in our church doesn't have much ambience.  We do what we can.

 

For the flowers we used fern leaves, hosta leaves, coneflowers, daisies, purple salvia, sprigs of thyme, and some snow-on-the-mountain...all from our yard.  There was room for more greens in each jar but I was getting stingy with my flowers.  Last year was so dry that I didn't have many...this year I'm appreciating them as they should be appreciated.

...cards out of scrapbook paper with friendship/sister/girly quotes and a copy of

some old pictures we had.

 

We also used 3 yard lengths of 12inch wide burlap for table runners.  Add a funky green napkin, tableware, and the program and it looked complete...as opposed to the first mess-up.

 {I cannot show anyone my first attempt - it was much too sad - you'll have to trust me.} 

 

The kids said that they weren't surprised when I changed everything last minute. Hmmm.

 

Becky

Helmet Head

This is just a test to see how often Nana looks at our blog...this is just a test.

 

 

OR, maybe I was looking for a reason to share this ultimately precious photo.

 

Becky

Waiting

Can you sit like this?

 

Remember when you could?

 

Becky

Fashion Revue 2013

It's crunch time in the land of 4-H!

 

#2 had two "constructed outfits" (that means she made them) this year for 4-H Fashion Revue.

 

The first, an easy-peasy dress out of the pre-smocked fabric from Hancock's.  Love the length.

 

The second, a beautiful plum "square skirt".  This skirt went together in about and hour.  Check out the makeit-loveit blog for complete instructions (she makes EVERYTHING look easy).  This fabric is a knit that we bought at Wal-Mart for $1/yard.  It has a permanent wrinkle to it and you DON'T HAVE TO HEM IT!  #2 only used one square versus - we made one for #5 with 2 squares - both are fun and twirly.  She also decided to make it maxi-length.

She says she'll wear them again.  I can count on one hand how many of my 4-H outfits I wore after the fair...calico cotton wasn't real hip in the 80's.  How bout you?

 

Becky

The Answer is Fishing

This past weekend was a test. 

 #5 turned the big 0-4 on Sunday. 

It rained so we made a trip to the big city... Famous Dave's, THE MALL, Barnes & Noble, etc to celebrate.  Everyone had a good time seeing all the fun things to buy {they don't get out much}!!!

On Monday, Memorial Day, we took a fishing trip to a quiet little lake. 

 

Dad spent most of his time tending to poles.

The girls worked together...and they baited their OWN hooks.

 This guy caught a few fish {bullheads}.

  

This guy put the fishing plans into motion and was the only one who didn't catch a thing.

He kept a great attitude.

 

 

His sister was there for comfort.

 

So, the test for the children was-

 

"Which day was your favorite?"

 

Bet you already knew the answer.

 

Monday - the most perfect day.

 

Becky

Bling!

The girls needed new work coats.  Dark brown and light brown were their options.  #3 was less than thrilled about her choices.  Taking the "glass half full approach", she chose the light brown one so that she could BEDAZZLE IT!!!!

...and BEDAZZLE she did.

 

Hoping your last day of May is warmer than ours...

 

Becky and the Cattle-Working Crew

Best Friend Pillows

I had these ugly pillows that needed a new look.  I never enjoyed making pillow covers because I don't like to hand sew the opening together...LaZy!!

 

But NOW ... NOW  I've learned to make them envelope-style and every throw pillow in my house is being recovered.  Easy peasy.

 

 Using the custom paper size option with Microsoft Publisher, I came up with just the right size creature I wanted on each pillow.

 

When you print it looks like the "tiles" below.

Then tape the tiles together, transfer to Ultra Heat-n-Bond (I have an unhealthy loving relationship with this stuff), cut out of desired fabric, and iron that baby on to your pillow cover.  I used black duck cloth on blue and white ticking.  I also stitched around my dogs...just because.  Don't really need to stitch with the Ultra stuff.  As a matter of fact, every REAL seamstress out there is saying right now, "Can't believe she sewed through Ultra Heat-n-Bond.  That stuff will gunk up her needle somethin' terrible."  I know and the needle has been replaced.

 

 

 And here we have Tess, our Golden Retreiver, and Woody, our Newfoundland.

  

 

...a great accent to the boys' beds.

 

Becky

Boys Bathroom

This weekend we updated the boys' bathroom (in the basement = bad lighting) from spa like soothing colors to something a bit more masculine.  "Because, ya know Mom, we are guys."

 

 

The paint color is Valspar's Shark Fin.

 

I'm especially proud of the old flag we hung over the shower curtain.

 

Anyone know what this sign means?  I don't. 

Found it in an antique store for ten bucks...had to have it.  The gentleman that sold it to me offered that it was an old railroad sign.  Really?

The old medicine cabinet is home to those manly kinda things an eleven and six year old need...deodorant, Axe, face wash, a razor without a blade, bandaids, rubber snake, a Barbie head (don't ask), and of course, a stick.

 

Boys!

 

Becky

Sewing with #3

While the oldest two were away at 4-H camp this summer, #3 and I had a

"just me and you" sewing day.

First up ... a skirt.

 

Look, Mom!  I used pins! 

Mom said to me, on more than one occasion, that she didn't know how any of my sewing projects ever turned out because I NEVER use pins.  With kids...you HAVE to use pins...UGH!

 

The hem IS even.  She's just sticking her booty out for comic relief.

Then on to the pennant banner for the girls' bedroom.

 

She cut out the triangles.

 

 

I PINNED them onto the bias tape... right side down.

 

#3 stitched them together with a zig-zag stitch.

 

 

I finished the other one because attention deficit set in and she had TV to watch before the other two got home.

This is a super simple project even if you don't sew...use fabric glue or heat-n-bond.

 

Later-

B

Leech Lake

I know...who wants to go to a lake named "Leech" Lake?  We did.  It is beautiful.  It has the clearest water of any lake I've ever been in.  It's in northern Minnesota...and yes it has GINORMOUS leeches.  These suckers are huge.  To the landlubber they look like eels!  BUT...they don't attach to people!  Thank goodness because this mom can do a whole lotta things but taking leeches off of her kids is not one of them.

We stayed at "The Bayside Resort".  Mike's cousins have a lake cabin a few feet away from the cabin that we rented.  They were our very most hospitable hosts for the weekend!  They catered to our every need.  It was fabulous and TOTALLY relaxing.  I'm going back.  Beautiful country and friendly people.  If you're looking for a quiet vacation spot, then this may be the place for you. 

 

A few photos...ok a lot! 

 

 

 The kids went tubing...

We sat on the deck...

They fished for crawfish...and caught MANY....

look how they can hang on!

 

 A few of us kayaked...my arms still hurt.

We...um...well...I guess I don't really know what #4 is doing here...but he's sure having fun!

 

One of us modeled...continuously!

 

#2 sat on the dock in the bay.  Get it?

 

We fished...

#3 had a blast with an enormous beach ball...

#4 would have slept in his life jacket...

 

#1 enjoyed the boating....

 

It was a bit chilly and rainy for a few days.  However, after this HOT and DRY summer it felt marvelous.

 

Except for some occasional try-to-take-a-nap TV watching, there were no electronics included in this vacation package.  I love that!

 

Becky