I think I got a dairy promotion this past week. lol Before now I just pasteurized, bottled and labeled. I did the "white milk" and chocolate milk. (The only reason I did the chocolate milk is because I was the one pasteurizing the first time we did it after that it was my thing to do).
So this past week I was walked through making the Vanilla Bean Yogurt. Before now making yogurt was something that only mom and dad did together. No one else had been shown and I honestly didn't expect anyone to be shown for a while. But dad asked me if I would make it, gave me instructions and left. :D Mom and I worked on it together, since mom had helped dad with it before and knew what somewhat what we were suppossed to do, so I wasn't left completely alone the first time.
I did the milk part while mom did the vanilla bean part. (She doesn't know how to run the pasteurizer yet. :D ) After I worked on that all day Thursday (it takes 6-8 hours for the culture to make milk into yogurt). I then made a plain batch of yogurt Friday morning. So two batches in less then 24 hours. Wow!!
Then Thursday night dad asked me if I wanted to do his Kefir while I was wating for the yogurt to finish. Having given me step-by-step direction he left me to do it (he had some business that HAD to be dealt with in the house.) I did that very carefully, knowing that kefir is "alive" and could be "killed", I was very careful with every step I went trough and came back to dad to double check that I was doing it all the correct way, I hadn't forgotten anything and I would not kill it! I got it done without killing it and had over a gallon to sell at market on Saturday.
In the end, we sold over half of both yogurts and some of the kefir we brought (we only brought SIX gallons worth!!) And I felt proud that I had made them and people liked it enough to buy them! :D
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Title Change?
When I graduated from high school I got the question "What are you going to do with you life now?" (As I am sure everyone gets at that time in their life). When I told people, that I was going to wait and see what God gave me to do and no I was not going to collage I got a fair number of stares and even more lectures. lol
After about a month God showed us what he wanted me to do. Among other things, I got a job......I became Farm Manager for Swede Farm. Now, truthfully that didn't stop all the lectures on why I should go to collage, but it slowed them down and I could stand them a little better. :D
Now, being Farm Manager for Swede Farm has changed over the years, from when we were a farm with only 5 goats for family milk to a dairy with 50+ goats for selling at markets. It used to be an easy laid back job, now it takes a little more time and energy.
We have noticed (mom and I) That over the past few months the jobs that would fall under my job as farm manager have either been handed off to or taken up by, the ever capable and but sometimes not always willing Grace. (Though when she knows she has to do it, she does it without quibbling.)
Grace is the one is studying to be a vet tech and has said if she knew that God did not want her to get married and have kids should be a vet. But without knowing that she is going the route she know she can do right now and that she know will help her no matter what she will do when she is grown and possible married--A Vet tech.
That leaves me without a job (well, sort of). So when people ask me what I am going to do with my life now (Which I still get a lot! And more so then my 19 year old sister!!), I am stuck without the Farm Manager line. Though I have realized the line "Well, I own and run my own business as well as help with the family dairy." works REAL well! lol
But now we are trying to think of a new title since now that Grace has taken over most of the farm manager jobs and I have been doing a lot of pasteurizing, labeling, keeping track of what labels we have and what product we have or need to make. Dad did jokingly say I was the vice president of milk processing. I didn't like and it was a little longer then I would like to throw out there. I mean farm manager is so easy and quick to say can you imagine saying that title my dad came up with? That would kill any conversation on the spot. lol
After about a month God showed us what he wanted me to do. Among other things, I got a job......I became Farm Manager for Swede Farm. Now, truthfully that didn't stop all the lectures on why I should go to collage, but it slowed them down and I could stand them a little better. :D
Now, being Farm Manager for Swede Farm has changed over the years, from when we were a farm with only 5 goats for family milk to a dairy with 50+ goats for selling at markets. It used to be an easy laid back job, now it takes a little more time and energy.
We have noticed (mom and I) That over the past few months the jobs that would fall under my job as farm manager have either been handed off to or taken up by, the ever capable and but sometimes not always willing Grace. (Though when she knows she has to do it, she does it without quibbling.)
Grace is the one is studying to be a vet tech and has said if she knew that God did not want her to get married and have kids should be a vet. But without knowing that she is going the route she know she can do right now and that she know will help her no matter what she will do when she is grown and possible married--A Vet tech.
That leaves me without a job (well, sort of). So when people ask me what I am going to do with my life now (Which I still get a lot! And more so then my 19 year old sister!!), I am stuck without the Farm Manager line. Though I have realized the line "Well, I own and run my own business as well as help with the family dairy." works REAL well! lol
But now we are trying to think of a new title since now that Grace has taken over most of the farm manager jobs and I have been doing a lot of pasteurizing, labeling, keeping track of what labels we have and what product we have or need to make. Dad did jokingly say I was the vice president of milk processing. I didn't like and it was a little longer then I would like to throw out there. I mean farm manager is so easy and quick to say can you imagine saying that title my dad came up with? That would kill any conversation on the spot. lol
Thursday, March 26, 2009
You Know It's Wet on Swede Farm.....
When at least one of the following things happens in a day....
1) You slip and slide your entire way to the dairy from the house or visa verse.
2) You spend the entire time of your trip from the house to the dairy and back again praying that you can get to the sidewalk safely on both feet without having ended up on your back!
3) You have to go the long way to the dairy
4) The toddlers are always coming in wet and covered in mud
Well, all four have happened here, today alone! lol I slipped and sled my way to the dairy and back again, the long way, praying the entire time I wouldn't fall, not to mention I had to go back a few times to get my shoe that had fallen off as I ran. When I got to the house on more then one occasion, I was met by some some very wet boys.
When we lived in the city I LOVED it when it rained, I loved the sound of rain hitting the roof, the sound and smell of it hitting the hot cement. The look of lightening in the sky and the sound of the thunder right afterwards. The look of everything wet, and those days when we had wind with the rain were some of my favorites!
I am also the nutcase that always wanted a category #1 or #2 hurricane to hit us so I could have a combination of both in a big way. All I got was Tropical storm Allison to come and ruin my birthday party. lol
Since moving out to the country, I still love it. When Ike hit us, I was out at three am watching the wind and rain for an hour and enjoying it ever so much. (I knew all the animals were as safe as they could be.)
There have been a few drawbacks to rain and wind in the country. 1)When those surprise storms come up it's a little hard to enjoy them when you are worrying about the animal,s (Be they the small rabbits or the huge horses). 2) Its also a little hard to enjoy the rain when you know afterwards it's going to mean tons of mopping in the end.
I have no idea how much rain we have gotten in the past two weeks, when it comes to inches. All I know is it's been a lot. We have had a lake more then once in our front yard and have been battling trying to keep the goats dry and clean.
Now, I shouldn't be complaining since Texas is going through one of it's worst droughts in a while. Not to mention with all this rain the burn bans are bound to be lees, so we can burn more (to bad I don't have some fireworks that sounds fun right about now. :-s But I need to wait for the 4th of July and ray we aren't under a burn ban then.) Oh and it helps my garden, so I don't have to water it with a hose or tote water from the pond (that is the BEST water for the garden!)
Just to let you know--I love rain! But only when I am in the city and don't have to worry about animals. :D
1) You slip and slide your entire way to the dairy from the house or visa verse.
2) You spend the entire time of your trip from the house to the dairy and back again praying that you can get to the sidewalk safely on both feet without having ended up on your back!
3) You have to go the long way to the dairy
4) The toddlers are always coming in wet and covered in mud
Well, all four have happened here, today alone! lol I slipped and sled my way to the dairy and back again, the long way, praying the entire time I wouldn't fall, not to mention I had to go back a few times to get my shoe that had fallen off as I ran. When I got to the house on more then one occasion, I was met by some some very wet boys.
When we lived in the city I LOVED it when it rained, I loved the sound of rain hitting the roof, the sound and smell of it hitting the hot cement. The look of lightening in the sky and the sound of the thunder right afterwards. The look of everything wet, and those days when we had wind with the rain were some of my favorites!
I am also the nutcase that always wanted a category #1 or #2 hurricane to hit us so I could have a combination of both in a big way. All I got was Tropical storm Allison to come and ruin my birthday party. lol
Since moving out to the country, I still love it. When Ike hit us, I was out at three am watching the wind and rain for an hour and enjoying it ever so much. (I knew all the animals were as safe as they could be.)
There have been a few drawbacks to rain and wind in the country. 1)When those surprise storms come up it's a little hard to enjoy them when you are worrying about the animal,s (Be they the small rabbits or the huge horses). 2) Its also a little hard to enjoy the rain when you know afterwards it's going to mean tons of mopping in the end.
I have no idea how much rain we have gotten in the past two weeks, when it comes to inches. All I know is it's been a lot. We have had a lake more then once in our front yard and have been battling trying to keep the goats dry and clean.
Now, I shouldn't be complaining since Texas is going through one of it's worst droughts in a while. Not to mention with all this rain the burn bans are bound to be lees, so we can burn more (to bad I don't have some fireworks that sounds fun right about now. :-s But I need to wait for the 4th of July and ray we aren't under a burn ban then.) Oh and it helps my garden, so I don't have to water it with a hose or tote water from the pond (that is the BEST water for the garden!)
Just to let you know--I love rain! But only when I am in the city and don't have to worry about animals. :D
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It's Tuesday! :D
Meaning, it's another market day. There two markets a week that we go to. One Tuesday night's and the other Saturday morning.
This morning I had to pasteurize, but I could only do that after the girls had finished milking (I needed this morning's milk since someone had order it). As I was pasteurizing the milk, I was making sure that all the milk, kefir, yogurt, and chocolate milk had been labeled. I knew that the 20 gallons I pasteurized yesterday wasn't labeled, but other then that I wasn't to sure what had and hadn't been labeled since dad is making kefir and I am the labeling person, I doubted dad had labeled the kefir. And I was correct. :D But, I also had a pretty good idea that all the yogurt and chocolate milk was labeled, again I was correct.
I headed into the house to print up some Kefir labels (ran out with two bottles left to label. grrr) I noticed that Judah and Noah were kind of dirty. Ahh, the pleasures of living in the country--There always seems to be a bit of mud to play in or a tractor/lawn mower to wash! (Noah, has taken it upon himself to wash dad's lawn mower ever morning. lol).
I now sit here trying to find a simple picture of an armadillo for dad's kefir label and if I can't find that it's time to look for a simple horseshoe. :D While searching for these pictures and typing this, I am listening to some of my favorite music (I work a LOT better with music on). Today it happens to be The Irish Tenors (right now it is "Song For Ireland").
Now, I am off to bottle and label the milk I pasteurized today. :D
This morning I had to pasteurize, but I could only do that after the girls had finished milking (I needed this morning's milk since someone had order it). As I was pasteurizing the milk, I was making sure that all the milk, kefir, yogurt, and chocolate milk had been labeled. I knew that the 20 gallons I pasteurized yesterday wasn't labeled, but other then that I wasn't to sure what had and hadn't been labeled since dad is making kefir and I am the labeling person, I doubted dad had labeled the kefir. And I was correct. :D But, I also had a pretty good idea that all the yogurt and chocolate milk was labeled, again I was correct.
I headed into the house to print up some Kefir labels (ran out with two bottles left to label. grrr) I noticed that Judah and Noah were kind of dirty. Ahh, the pleasures of living in the country--There always seems to be a bit of mud to play in or a tractor/lawn mower to wash! (Noah, has taken it upon himself to wash dad's lawn mower ever morning. lol).
I now sit here trying to find a simple picture of an armadillo for dad's kefir label and if I can't find that it's time to look for a simple horseshoe. :D While searching for these pictures and typing this, I am listening to some of my favorite music (I work a LOT better with music on). Today it happens to be The Irish Tenors (right now it is "Song For Ireland").
Now, I am off to bottle and label the milk I pasteurized today. :D
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pictures from Saturday
A normal view of our booth at market. "Educating Houston one cup at a time".
Sara, Lightning, and her ribbons.
C
I'm Sore!!
"Don't count you chicks before they hatch."
Ever heard that before? I have, many times! But in this case it was--don't count your tools before you use them! I am working on my raised beds (before anyone says anything, yes I do know I am very late with my garden this year!). First I need to pound some spikes in the ground, then cut the 4x4s, then the wood planks, screw the side rails into the 4x4s, fill the beds with dirt and then put plants in the ground and I am good to go. Sound like the normal way to do things right?
Well, it wasn't that way and hasn't been that way for me, this year. First I can't find the sledge hammer, I am guessing since it weighs more then the toddlers (or so it seems) that they didn't run off with it. Rather I am guessing we either loaned it to someone, never owned one or I didn't look hard enough for it. Knowing that we have owned one, since I have used it for this very same job, I am guessing that we loaned it to someone or I didn't look very hard. My honest opinion on this matter? I didn't look very hard and I was being lazy (or going the hard route). So I pounded the 4x4 spikes using a 2x4, which I have to tell you the first two days was lots of fun and not to hard. The third day? Well, let's just say I think I might take a little more time and look harder the next time I need the sledge hammer for this job. lol
After that I need the sawzall to cut the 4x4s in half. I go and the battery in it is dead. So I put the back up in, and it is almost dead. I use what's left of the battery juice and cut a 4x4 about 1/2 way through, before it died. I then started cutting it with a hack saw. Which I got done pretty quick. I then moved on to cutting more (I need six cut). When dad saw me cutting it he told me it couldn't be done. I'm glad he told me after I had done a couple. lol
Then instead of screwing the planks to the 2x4s I had to use a hammer, since the same battery goes to both the sawzall and the drill. Which I have no problem doing, but by now I am beyond tired.
Now, I have half a bed built. I need two, not going to get done today! :-S Oh, well at least it's getting done. lol
I am now off to do some evening chores. We are trying to get them done early tonight so that we can have a movie night (with snacks!) While we fold some laundry. :D What fun!!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A Saturday on Swede Farm
Saturdays are very busy days for our family and have been every week for the past four or five months.
Ever Saturday morning we get up around five. We being Dad, Mom, Seth, and any other child that is going to market with them, (who that is changes from market trip to market trip), and myself. While mom is inside getting the kids ready to go, dad and I are packing product.
When we started going to market we had one MAYBE two ice chest for all our product. Since we have had all those goats kid back in February, we now have a ton more milk. So we are bringing one ice chest PER product. One for the Kefir, one for the plain yogurt, one for the vanilla yogurt, one for 1/2 gallon jugs of milk, one for 1/4 gallon jugs and one for the chocolate milk.
Once we have product in the ice chest we work together to load it into the van with all the other stuff we need for market as well as leaving space for all those who are going to safely sit in a seat. You would think we could do it in a 15 passenger van, but sometimes it is a tight fit!
Well, yesterday was a little different in more then one way. First, this was our first Saturday to have the girls back from Germany, so we had a few more options on who should go stay, who should go and of those who stayed what work they were to do, etc. Second Sara was showing three of her rabbits (rather one was hers, the other two were dad's). Sara had to be signed in and in place by 10. We are supposed to be at market from 8-12, set up and ready to sell that is. So we had a little juggling to do.
So, what did we do? We need someone to go with and stay with Sara, some one to stay at market and someone to stay at home to watch the children and get chores done. So, we decide to send Grace with Sara, me with dad and mom to drive Sara there and then come back to help us at market, and Chris to stay home with the youngers and get shores done. (Plus I think she was trying to get me out of the house for the day).
Sounds like a great plan right? Adults in all three places, everything should go fine right? Well, first we got a late start, because my alarm clock has not been working lately. :-S So, instead of going off at 4:30, it decided not to go off at all. (there, went my shower!) So, I head out to load up product, the most every and at the fastest rate as well!
I come in get ready to go, with the call going out "Leaving in 5 minutes!". I quickly get dressed, grab my purse and bible study bag and head out the door. Only to find that the cage they have for the rabbits is three times the size I thought it would be. I suggest one idea, and it didn't work. So at dad's suggestion he and Grace take out the back row while I go and hunt for a travel mug, which I never found. I had to wait until we got to market to get some coffee at Katz. (Well, dad didn't suggest I look for the mug).
So, we get to Market, loaded down with 6 ice chest, market gear, two rabbit cages, and five people to help setup, one toddler and a ton of energy. :D We get set up, mom, Sara, Grace, and I (change in plans) head over to the Reliant hall to help get Sara's rabbits singed in and set up. After she is all done, mom and I head back leaving Sara to watch her rabbits and get them set up for showing and leaving Grace with her to help her stay calm, make sure Sara eats and to have fun, this is after all the livestock show, the one thing Grace asks for each year for her birthday. lol
After we get back to market I make my rounds, I get some coffee at Katz, a cheese sample from Lisa, Say hi to the Hattermanns, Bring my knife to be sharpened, talk with Julia--the Market Manager--about kid's day next week (and tease her about being a Brewers fan in Houston). After I have said hi to everyone, I head back to our booth to help with the milk. By this time it's 9:30-10:00 which is when it really starts to get busy, not just for us but for all of market and there is no real time to chit-chat.
At this time mom, dad, and I are all helping costumers. Giving out samples. answer questions on goats milk and goats, and filling out orders. Hectic? Yes!! But a TON of fun! I love doing it. Oh and we are also watching Seth who is trying to pull up on anything he can and pull out anything he can.
After market shuts down, we slowly start to close down, I don't think we have ever taken this long to close down. I do think the fact that all three of us were very tired and had nothing really to motivate us to get home didn't help any. (Hey, Chris was watching the kids, she can handle them!) Plus it was hot, you can tell that we are starting to get to the Houston Summers! lol
I napped on the way home, about an hour's worth of nap was great! When we got home we had someone here who was helping us to put up goat shelters. :D So, dad went out to help them with that, while mom started planning dinner, the youngers ran around and played until evening chore time and I worked on my garden.
After about an hour or two of that work Chris, Linnea, and Emma headed out to milk, while I cleaned up my stuff from the garden work, our friends left, with mom and dad soon followed them down the road to get the girls from the livestock show.
After chores were down we eat and I settled the little kids down, while I thought the older kids were doing their after meal jobs and a little house cleaning. They weren't they were talking about Narnia and listening to it on tape. Grrrrrr!!! The rest of the family got home and we all pretty much crashed after that.
Well, there you have it--a close to normal Saturday on Swede Farm.
Ever Saturday morning we get up around five. We being Dad, Mom, Seth, and any other child that is going to market with them, (who that is changes from market trip to market trip), and myself. While mom is inside getting the kids ready to go, dad and I are packing product.
When we started going to market we had one MAYBE two ice chest for all our product. Since we have had all those goats kid back in February, we now have a ton more milk. So we are bringing one ice chest PER product. One for the Kefir, one for the plain yogurt, one for the vanilla yogurt, one for 1/2 gallon jugs of milk, one for 1/4 gallon jugs and one for the chocolate milk.
Once we have product in the ice chest we work together to load it into the van with all the other stuff we need for market as well as leaving space for all those who are going to safely sit in a seat. You would think we could do it in a 15 passenger van, but sometimes it is a tight fit!
Well, yesterday was a little different in more then one way. First, this was our first Saturday to have the girls back from Germany, so we had a few more options on who should go stay, who should go and of those who stayed what work they were to do, etc. Second Sara was showing three of her rabbits (rather one was hers, the other two were dad's). Sara had to be signed in and in place by 10. We are supposed to be at market from 8-12, set up and ready to sell that is. So we had a little juggling to do.
So, what did we do? We need someone to go with and stay with Sara, some one to stay at market and someone to stay at home to watch the children and get chores done. So, we decide to send Grace with Sara, me with dad and mom to drive Sara there and then come back to help us at market, and Chris to stay home with the youngers and get shores done. (Plus I think she was trying to get me out of the house for the day).
Sounds like a great plan right? Adults in all three places, everything should go fine right? Well, first we got a late start, because my alarm clock has not been working lately. :-S So, instead of going off at 4:30, it decided not to go off at all. (there, went my shower!) So, I head out to load up product, the most every and at the fastest rate as well!
I come in get ready to go, with the call going out "Leaving in 5 minutes!". I quickly get dressed, grab my purse and bible study bag and head out the door. Only to find that the cage they have for the rabbits is three times the size I thought it would be. I suggest one idea, and it didn't work. So at dad's suggestion he and Grace take out the back row while I go and hunt for a travel mug, which I never found. I had to wait until we got to market to get some coffee at Katz. (Well, dad didn't suggest I look for the mug).
So, we get to Market, loaded down with 6 ice chest, market gear, two rabbit cages, and five people to help setup, one toddler and a ton of energy. :D We get set up, mom, Sara, Grace, and I (change in plans) head over to the Reliant hall to help get Sara's rabbits singed in and set up. After she is all done, mom and I head back leaving Sara to watch her rabbits and get them set up for showing and leaving Grace with her to help her stay calm, make sure Sara eats and to have fun, this is after all the livestock show, the one thing Grace asks for each year for her birthday. lol
After we get back to market I make my rounds, I get some coffee at Katz, a cheese sample from Lisa, Say hi to the Hattermanns, Bring my knife to be sharpened, talk with Julia--the Market Manager--about kid's day next week (and tease her about being a Brewers fan in Houston). After I have said hi to everyone, I head back to our booth to help with the milk. By this time it's 9:30-10:00 which is when it really starts to get busy, not just for us but for all of market and there is no real time to chit-chat.
At this time mom, dad, and I are all helping costumers. Giving out samples. answer questions on goats milk and goats, and filling out orders. Hectic? Yes!! But a TON of fun! I love doing it. Oh and we are also watching Seth who is trying to pull up on anything he can and pull out anything he can.
After market shuts down, we slowly start to close down, I don't think we have ever taken this long to close down. I do think the fact that all three of us were very tired and had nothing really to motivate us to get home didn't help any. (Hey, Chris was watching the kids, she can handle them!) Plus it was hot, you can tell that we are starting to get to the Houston Summers! lol
I napped on the way home, about an hour's worth of nap was great! When we got home we had someone here who was helping us to put up goat shelters. :D So, dad went out to help them with that, while mom started planning dinner, the youngers ran around and played until evening chore time and I worked on my garden.
After about an hour or two of that work Chris, Linnea, and Emma headed out to milk, while I cleaned up my stuff from the garden work, our friends left, with mom and dad soon followed them down the road to get the girls from the livestock show.
After chores were down we eat and I settled the little kids down, while I thought the older kids were doing their after meal jobs and a little house cleaning. They weren't they were talking about Narnia and listening to it on tape. Grrrrrr!!! The rest of the family got home and we all pretty much crashed after that.
Well, there you have it--a close to normal Saturday on Swede Farm.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Well, I sit here printing labels.....
And thought I would post some pictures I took yesterday.
While I was taking pictures of my garden (or lack of one) for the blog, I noticed some goats on the FDA required cement slab and decided to take a picture.
<--Here are our lovely milkers.
I then went inside the dairy (milking room)
to snap some pictures of the girls while they
were milking and found Judah (2 year old)
'helping' them milk.-->
<--Sara, showing Judah how to milk.
The milkers eating their dinner-->
<--Chris kissing a goat!
Seth enjoying the goat's snack (animals crackers).-->
There you go, another day on Swede Farm!
While I was taking pictures of my garden (or lack of one) for the blog, I noticed some goats on the FDA required cement slab and decided to take a picture.
<--Here are our lovely milkers.
I then went inside the dairy (milking room)
to snap some pictures of the girls while they
were milking and found Judah (2 year old)
'helping' them milk.-->
<--Sara, showing Judah how to milk.
The milkers eating their dinner-->
<--Chris kissing a goat!
Seth enjoying the goat's snack (animals crackers).-->
There you go, another day on Swede Farm!
Life On the Farm....
"Well life on the farm is kinda laid back
Aint much an old country boy like me cant hack
Its early to rise, early in the sack
Thank God Im a country boy"
This song happens to be a favorite in our family, esp. among the boys, though you will hear the girls singing it a lot. But there are parts of the song that the older people kind of always joke about.
As far as I can remember life on the farm has not ever really been "kinda laid back", there is always something that can be done, that has to be done, and that is being done.
There is also that part about early to rise and early in the sack. I totally agree with the early to rise part. Sometimes 6 comes WAY to early (and those are the lucky days when we don't have to get up at five!). And there are the times when I want to argue the "early in the sack" part unless he means early in the MORNING! During kidding season and when we have young kids that is when we normally get in bed sometime in the early morning hours.
Case in point, (both on the late nights and the laid back part.)--Last night I went to bed early (well, early for the past few weeks), I was in bed by a quarter to 11! Then I was up at 6:00. Now, unlike my sisters who were out milking I was inside watching the toddlers (mainly cuddling with Seth.) while three girls were milking, mom was helping, and dad was getting ready to be gone for the day. After they were done milking mom came to watch the kids, get breakfast on the table, get the children doing the days chores, and work on paper work. (No, not all at the same time, though it did seem that way!)
While mom was inside working on things, I was out in the dairy pasteurizing milk. While the milk pasteurizes I use the time when I am not cleaning up (had to clean up after the yogurt processing), I do my bible study, I am working my way through Acts and Proverbs. Proverbs is easy to work my way through, though Acts has slowed me down more then once. Along Bible reading, I read R. C. Sproul's Table Talk, and am working my way through four different books. That takes up the entire 30+ minutes that I have to stay out there.
After the milk pasteurizes, I set it to cool. While it cools I go out to work on the garden, I am woefully behind. As in I have NOTHING in place, no beds, no dirt, nothing! :-S After about an hour of garden working I go back and bottle the milk. (It just happens to be chocolate milk today. Yum-o!) After I finish bottling the milk I get called in for lunch.
Once lunch is done, I go and make sure that the processing room is cleaned from pasteurizing and bottling.
I then come inside to make some labels for the Vanilla yogurt. Being the artwork and label person can sometimes take more work and time then one would think! First, I need to come up with an idea for labels, then get them out on the computer, run them by mom and dad, fix anything they don't like, print them, put the correct dates on them, and then put the labels on the bottles. Sounds easy right? Well, that is before you think about the numbers of labels I need to make and keep track of. Milk, chocolate milk, yogurt, flavored yogurt, and kefir. And with each one there is at least three sizes to keep tack of!
Now, I am sitting here at a quarter to two watching/listening to the Astros on MLB.TV, with the chocolate milk made and bottled, with some work on the garden completed (though not that much), flavored yogurt labels made and waiting to be run by mom (since dad won't be home until late tonight). And am about to head outside to work on the garden yet some more.
So, tell me, does that sound "laid back" to you?
Thank God I'm a Country Boy-By John Denver
Well life on the farm is kinda laid back
Aint much an old country boy like me cant hack
Its early to rise, early in the sack
Thank God Im a country boy
Well a simple kinda life never did me no harm
A raisin me a family and workin on a farm
My days are all filled with an easy country charm
Thank God Im a country boy
Well I got me a fine wife I got me a fiddle
When the suns comin up I got cakes on the griddle
Life aint nothin but a funy funny riddle
Thank God Im a country boy
When the works all done and the suns settlin low
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow
The kids are asleep so I keep it kinda low
Thank God Im a country boy
Id play sally goodin all day if I could
But the lord and my wife wouldnt take it very good
So I fiddle when I could, work when I should
Thank God Im a country boy
Well I got me a fine wife I got me a fiddle
When the suns comin up I got cakes on the griddle
Life aint nothin but a funy funny riddle
Thank God Im a country boy
Well I wouldnt trade my life for diamonds and jewels
I never was one of them money hungry fools
Iid rather have my fiddle and my farmin tools
Thank God Im a country boy
Yeah, city folk drivin in a black limousine
A lotta sad people thinkin thats mighty keen
Son, let me tell ya now exactly what I mean
Thank God Im a country boy
Well I got me a fine wife I got me a fiddle
When the suns comin up I got cakes on the griddle
Life aint nothin but a funy funny riddle
Thank God Im a country boy
Well, my fiddle was my daddys till the day he died
And he took me by the hand and held me close to his side
Said, live a good life and play my fiddle with pride
And thank God youre a country boy
My daddy taught me young how to hunt and how to whittle
Taught me how to work and play a tune on the fiddle
Taught me how to love and how to give just a little
Thank God Im a country boy
Well I got me a fine wife I got me a fiddle
When the suns comin up I got cakes on the griddle
Life aint nothin but a funy funny riddle
Thank God Im a country boy
Thank God Im a country boy
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Behind the Name
I thought I would explain why the blog is called Naturally Texan. But to explain that, I would need to explain why Swede Farm Naturals has that name, and then to explain that I would need to explain why Swede Farm is what Swede Farm. Then I was trying to figure out how to explain. Do I explain it all one post or three separate posts? Do, I do the blog name first or Swede Farm's name first. It was very confusing!
After much thinking I have decided to explain it in the order that they came--The Farm, the business, and then the blog, all in one post. So, here goes....
Dad and mom moved us out to the farm in '04 so that the kids would have a place to run around and play and so that our Grandfather could live with us. We named our farm Swede Farm after our uncle, who's nick name was Swede. He was dearly loved by us all, and this was our way of remembering him. Here is a quote form our website about him.
The Business:
Since then any new project or business having to do with the farm has had Swede in it's name, one way or another. When I started Swede Farm Naturals, I was having the hardest time coming up with a name. One of the reasons was I had to have a name that I liked as well as both of my parents. At first we came up with Swede's Stitches and Scents. (Because Grace and I were going to start a sewing business as well.) Since I was the only person who kind of liked that name, it didn't stay around for long. Truth be told, I don't really know how we got Swede Farm Naturals, but to say I think mom said "How about Swede Farm Naturals?". Everyone LOVED it and it has stayed. :D
There you have it, the reason behind the farm name, the business name, and the blog name! I hope it made sense to you! :D
After much thinking I have decided to explain it in the order that they came--The Farm, the business, and then the blog, all in one post. So, here goes....
The Farm:
Dad and mom moved us out to the farm in '04 so that the kids would have a place to run around and play and so that our Grandfather could live with us. We named our farm Swede Farm after our uncle, who's nick name was Swede. He was dearly loved by us all, and this was our way of remembering him. Here is a quote form our website about him.
"It was through Swede's hard work and diligence that we were able to follow our dream and purchase our farm. Our lives were better for having loved him in life and forever changed by the provision he made for his family at his death."
The Business:
Since then any new project or business having to do with the farm has had Swede in it's name, one way or another. When I started Swede Farm Naturals, I was having the hardest time coming up with a name. One of the reasons was I had to have a name that I liked as well as both of my parents. At first we came up with Swede's Stitches and Scents. (Because Grace and I were going to start a sewing business as well.) Since I was the only person who kind of liked that name, it didn't stay around for long. Truth be told, I don't really know how we got Swede Farm Naturals, but to say I think mom said "How about Swede Farm Naturals?". Everyone LOVED it and it has stayed. :D
The Blog:
For the blog we went through a number of names, but I WANT my parents input when I do new things such as this. Esp. when I will be talking about their family, farm, them, and their lives. It took a lot to find a name that both I and my parents would liked. About three months of them thinking, and about a year of me thinking. (I am still not certain if dad really likes the name or if he just said is was O.K. because it was the one he preferred over the other suggestions.) Again, mom came up with the name (She is a LOT better at that sort of thing then I am.) We went with Naturally to kind of stay with my business (which is what they did with their blog, because we do have a part of the farm business called Dairy Berries.) And Texan because I am a 100% Texan and proud of it!! (Also Native Texan was already taken).There you have it, the reason behind the farm name, the business name, and the blog name! I hope it made sense to you! :D
Birthday Pictures
I would say this would be another post where Grace might kill me (She HATES having the attention on her!) But, I think lately she is more interested in being home, enjoying farm life, playing with toddlers, and catching up on some shores, that these posts don't really bother he any more (or for right now at least.)
This is a picture of Grace's pride and joy Cowboy. I took a picture of him to HEB and they made it into a frosting like sheet to lay on the cake. I am still not sure how Grace felt about 'eating' him. But it was fun working on it! (Even if the cake did 'flop')
This is a perfect picture of Grace! Her smile and doing something she loves to do and is almost always doing....Hold a kid. (Our next door neighbor).
Gracie being mobbed by young children! (All but one are her siblings), and she loved it!
Grace and myself
This is a picture of Grace's pride and joy Cowboy. I took a picture of him to HEB and they made it into a frosting like sheet to lay on the cake. I am still not sure how Grace felt about 'eating' him. But it was fun working on it! (Even if the cake did 'flop')
Grace blowing out her candles. She got sick of blowing them out when they relight for a third time, so she had someone else do it. At least we got this one picture of her doing it. lol
This is a perfect picture of Grace! Her smile and doing something she loves to do and is almost always doing....Hold a kid. (Our next door neighbor).
Gracie being mobbed by young children! (All but one are her siblings), and she loved it!
Grace and myself
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Today is Grace's birthday and even though I know she will try and kill me for doing this I am going to do it anyways! lol
Today we celebrate Grace's birthday (the second in birthday season). Grace and I are the best of friends. We have shared rooms together, work very well together, we both work together with the horse, goats, and sometimes our siblings. lol
I just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I am glad she and Christin are back home!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
St. Patrick's Day and Tradition
No one is going to believe what I am about to say and everyone will laugh..........But I am going to say it anyways.......We are more Irish then we are Swedish!! Now, why we are named Swede Farm is coming later in another post, because that is not the reason for this post.
Apparently, the fact that we kids have more Irish blood (from both sides of the family) then Swedish blood (from dad's side of the family) has long been some sort of talking point. As long as I can remember we have had both sets of tradition--St. Lucia Day for the Swedish in us and St. Patrick's day for the Irish in us. So, for us kids it has never been a big deal--We are Irish, Swedish, a mix of other things, but in the end we are 100% Americans, 110% Texans.
Mom was really happy when one of my sisters thought it might be a good idea to be born on St. Patrick's Day. But she missed by a day, so does that make us more Swedish?
Ever year at least one of us has been known to say. "I have green eyes, so don't pinch me!!" And for the rest of us who are stuck with blue or gray eyes, we have been known to say, "I'm Irish. that means I don't have to wear green, NO pinching!" (if we are lacking in green clothing) Which then causes the argument, of is that a valid reasoning behind not being pinched. (As I typing, I am praying that it is, since I don't have any green farm cloths to wear).
Along with the rush to get green on before we are spotted by the ever eager younger children, (They think it's payback time!). It is also the day for corned beef and cabbage, yum-o! Most years we have it for dinner, but with half the family going to market right after lunch, we decided to do it for lunch.
We also remember to discuss why we celebrate St. Patrick's day. It's not all about shamrocks as decorations and trying to find leprechauns with pots of gold. It's about the man and what he did. We normally read a book sometime the week before St. Patrick's day, since the book isn't one of those you read in one sitting. And watch a little movie about St. Patrick. Now, the funny part is what the movie is. (Yes, you can laugh all you want! lol ) It's been Veggie Tales for the past few years. Because in "Sumo of the Opera" there is a 5-10 minute clip about St. Patrick and what he did for Ireland. (For a movie aimed at younger children and about history they do a very good job covering his life)
All these things we do are traditions, some are family traditions and some is traditions that everyone does, even if they don't know why.
Tradition, is something that our family has been raised on. From the traditions from the country's that our ancestor came from--St. Patrick's Day, to traditions from our area of the US--Black eye peas on New Year's day, to family traditions--Special coffee for everyone on Christmas day or starbucks for birthday fraps.It kind of reminds me of the song from Fiddler on the Roof. Where it starts out with singing tradition. In fact when ever someone in our family asks why we do what we do and another family member says "Tradition". At least one person is bound to start singing "tradition".
The truth is tradition is what makes our family, our family and special to each of us. The tradition that our parent's, parent's passed to them and they in turn passed to us. But it's not only the traditions that have been handed down to us, but also the ones we make (like watching veggie tales for St. Patrick's day). Tradition is one thing that makes each family different and special in their own way and days like today with their traditions remind us of who we are.
Monday, March 16, 2009
On of My Favorite Breakfast.
my top three favorite breakfast are.......
Now, it is not in this order that they are my favorites, what I want for breakfast depends on my mood or how much I want to cook or both. :D
What we eat all depends on many different things--on the family's mood, what we have on hand, what I feel like cooking, what mom feels like cooking, etc. Many different things. And no, I/we don't eat that all the time, in fact we eat a lot of cereals, muffins and coffee cake.
- A good 'ole Southern breakfast.......eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, coffee, juice, and fruit if we have it on had.
- Cottage cheese with some sort of fruit in it. Fresh blueberries, pineapple, strawberries, etc. again, depending on what we have on hand. (Thought the pineapple is in small portions, because it is one of the rare things I am allergic to.)
- And left over pizza. Either cold or hot depending on the weather. lol (Which is what I had for breakfast.)
Now, it is not in this order that they are my favorites, what I want for breakfast depends on my mood or how much I want to cook or both. :D
What we eat all depends on many different things--on the family's mood, what we have on hand, what I feel like cooking, what mom feels like cooking, etc. Many different things. And no, I/we don't eat that all the time, in fact we eat a lot of cereals, muffins and coffee cake.
YES!!
They're home! They're home! Doing the happy dance here!! lol Some of the kids are acting like they have been gone for months!! oh, wait it has been months! But they have been so jammed pack full of things to do on and off the farm, that it seemed to fly by---For me at least! lol
Well, it was non-stop talking in the car, each wanting to tell the other what happened where they were. Not to mention a number of people all wanting to tell the same thing in a different way! There is no way we could catch up in our two hour car drive. So, there will be a lot of that going on in the next few days.
As it is right now, Chris and Grace have already visited the old animals, the new animals, and just walked around a little bit.
Right now Christin is helping dad put a gate in one of the doe pens, making it easier to get in and out, to move does around, feed animals, etc. and Grace is helping to milk (since the milking machine broke yesterday morning. grrrrr!!!!)
Now, they are teasing us telling us we will have to wait for our birthday's or Christmas to see what they got. And those skittles I asked them to get me? Well, they forgot. And chocolate? I need to wait until the unpack. (As their suite cases sit in my room taking up about 1/3 of my free floor space.)
Grace has already said she is sleeping with me tonight and taken Seth and won't seem to let him go, (She did her farm check while holding him!) where as Christin has taken all control of Judah. They have also told us when and what chores they are taking over starting either tomorrow or Wednesday. lol
Now, I am off to cook so it will be warm when they come in from chores and MAYBE we will get to see what they brought home. And then again, maybe, maybe not. When I went to D.C. I gave everyone one or two gifts, then saved the rest for Christmas. (The again it was only 3 & 1/2 months until Christmas).
I am so glad they are home!!
They are coming home!!
Well, Chris and Grace are probably sleeping (I know would be!). While we are frantically running around trying to get shores done, kids dressed and the floors picked up. (You would never believe that I had them all picked up last night. :- S )
I can't wait! I've been counting down the days! I can't wait to see them, hear their stories, see their pictures, and finally all the postcards they have bought us. lol
Though I can wait for the fight that will ensue when we get to the car, who sits next to who, where will the suite cases go, etc. But it will be worth having them back home. :D
It always amazes me, that with the amount of people in our house, you would think that one or two being gone, wouldn't be noticed. But it is! Not just in numbers, but in noise, laundry, work, pretty much everything. When two are gone there is less noise at meal times, and bed times. Less laundry by about four loads a day and more work for us all!
I am so glad that they got to go! At least someone in my family went on my dream trip and got a ton of pictures! : D Though if they didn't bring me chocolate there might be trouble!
Well, off to get everyone ready to go to the airport. Something I don't think the toddler boys have ever done, this will be fun!
I can't wait! I've been counting down the days! I can't wait to see them, hear their stories, see their pictures, and finally all the postcards they have bought us. lol
Though I can wait for the fight that will ensue when we get to the car, who sits next to who, where will the suite cases go, etc. But it will be worth having them back home. :D
It always amazes me, that with the amount of people in our house, you would think that one or two being gone, wouldn't be noticed. But it is! Not just in numbers, but in noise, laundry, work, pretty much everything. When two are gone there is less noise at meal times, and bed times. Less laundry by about four loads a day and more work for us all!
I am so glad that they got to go! At least someone in my family went on my dream trip and got a ton of pictures! : D Though if they didn't bring me chocolate there might be trouble!
Well, off to get everyone ready to go to the airport. Something I don't think the toddler boys have ever done, this will be fun!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Rodeo Pictures
Well, the Segers were kind enough to take some pictures for me while they were at the Livestock show a week ago. Now, I am not in any of these, they are just to give you an idea of what I did while there and what a goat show looks like.
To start with, here is a picture of a goat before it is trimmed, I don't know if you can tell a difference, here from the pictures. Now, I didn't get a picture of the LaManchas that I trimmed the first night. But the hair on those goats was the longest I think I had ever seen on a milker! That was a job. Back to the nubians I trimmed.
I trimmed six of these on Wednesday. It was a big job that I didn't think I would be able to do all myself. But I got them done and was very happy with the end results.
Before:
The next pictures are of showing. It is kind of like a dog show, only lacking in the dog treats and fancy clothing. lol
I hope you enjoyed the pictures!
To start with, here is a picture of a goat before it is trimmed, I don't know if you can tell a difference, here from the pictures. Now, I didn't get a picture of the LaManchas that I trimmed the first night. But the hair on those goats was the longest I think I had ever seen on a milker! That was a job. Back to the nubians I trimmed.
I trimmed six of these on Wednesday. It was a big job that I didn't think I would be able to do all myself. But I got them done and was very happy with the end results.
Before:
The next pictures are of showing. It is kind of like a dog show, only lacking in the dog treats and fancy clothing. lol
I hope you enjoyed the pictures!
Is it Spring or Winter?
Either I can't except the fact that it is still Winter OR the weather can't decide if it should be Winter or Spring right now. With it being 45 degrees out right now I would think it's winter, but the 80 degrees we had a couple of days ago has me a bit on the frustrated side of things. At this point I just think it's the weather that is confused, since I have seen and heard a number of things to show me that it's spring. Here are a few pictures to help y'all see why I was thinking it might be Spring.....
Oh, and besides these pictures, I heard a nest of some sort of baby birds fighting over something, a couple days ago. I have yet to hear that sound in the winter!!
Our Apple Tree (or is it a pear tree?)
A rose from our bushes by the deck.
The Gardenia bush right outside the dairy
Some pictures of our new goats.--Our future milkers.
My Garden.......
Oh, and besides these pictures, I heard a nest of some sort of baby birds fighting over something, a couple days ago. I have yet to hear that sound in the winter!!
Our Apple Tree (or is it a pear tree?)
The fruit blossoms.
A rose from our bushes by the deck.
The Gardenia bush right outside the dairy
Some pictures of our new goats.--Our future milkers.
Chow time!!
"I want MY picture to be taken!" (They are almost worse then the two legged kids when it comes to a camera!)
"GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
My Garden.......
Yes, that is my garden and yes it is taking my entire desk. Why is that? Well for two reason 1) Spring, sprang up on me. 2) The freezing weather that we have been dealing with here at Swede Farm, caused any and all of my plants (including the lemon drop tree that I bought two months ago).
In my garden I have, three different tomato plants, three different peppers, two different squash, cucumbers, herbs, and a lemon drop tree. I am hoping that I will be able to get some work done on the beds, in the early part of this up coming week. And by this time next week to have the garden all in. But with the girls coming back I don't know much work I am really going to get done. Hey! Maybe I can put them to work in my garden! Hmmmm.....I wonder how that will work and if they will do it.....Hmmmmm.....Somthing to think on! lol
In my garden I have, three different tomato plants, three different peppers, two different squash, cucumbers, herbs, and a lemon drop tree. I am hoping that I will be able to get some work done on the beds, in the early part of this up coming week. And by this time next week to have the garden all in. But with the girls coming back I don't know much work I am really going to get done. Hey! Maybe I can put them to work in my garden! Hmmmm.....I wonder how that will work and if they will do it.....Hmmmmm.....Somthing to think on! lol
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Just For Grace
As I was talking with Grace a few minutes ago, she was asking about her favorite sibling......Seth. I figured I should be as mean as I can right now since she can't hit me or throw something at me! lol
So, here is my favorite 11 month old.
So, here is my favorite 11 month old.
Only From A Toddler!
I had a conversation with this little mister a couple days ago.
Me: "What are you doing?" (As I walk to the computer that Noah is messing with.)
Noah: "I'm messing with the computer."
Me: "You messed it up! Why did you do that?!?"
Noah: "Because I wanted to. It's my job!" As he runs off with a huge grin.
We knew we were in for trouble when we saw those blues eyes like mom and blonde hair like dad's, but we were not prepared for the tornado that he has turned out to be!! Some days he causing me to go into fits of laughter, while other days he cause me to go crazy!! But, through it all I love him and would NEVER wish that I didn't have him!! :- D
Me: "What are you doing?" (As I walk to the computer that Noah is messing with.)
Noah: "I'm messing with the computer."
Me: "You messed it up! Why did you do that?!?"
Noah: "Because I wanted to. It's my job!" As he runs off with a huge grin.
We knew we were in for trouble when we saw those blues eyes like mom and blonde hair like dad's, but we were not prepared for the tornado that he has turned out to be!! Some days he causing me to go into fits of laughter, while other days he cause me to go crazy!! But, through it all I love him and would NEVER wish that I didn't have him!! :- D
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Skittles, Gum, and Other Candy
This is going to sound weird, but I am going to talk about it anyways, because I am weird. At least that is what people have told me. (I am still trying to figure out how I am weird, but years of trying to figure it out, has yet to give me an answer. :-S)
The week before Christmas, I got my braces off. When I got them off, it had been 3 years and 10 months to the day! With braces I had to give up a lot of stuff, because (unlike when my mom had braces) the list they gave me of couldn't eats was ever so LOOONG!! As in a half page with three columns. :-S I gave up gum, corn on the cob, certain types of candy, my favorite cookies and many other foods that were crunchy, nutty, or hard to to the teeth. I did draw the line at tortillas, as I will never give up tortillas, but that is a whole 'nother post. :D
The hardest thing for me to give up were certain types of sweets. Which is one reason that I believe, my love for chocolate has grown so much in the past few years. When the rest of the family got candy or cookies that I couldn't have they always bought me chocolate. (So, my heart is very healthy!)
In the past 2+ months I have been eating more candy then normal and having a blast!! Last week at the Livestock show I got a 10 oz bag of licorice jelly beans, something that I ate once or twice a year, rather I ummmmm.....well.....let the sugar coating dissolve off and then well.....never mind. But I got a whole 10 oz bag all for myself. O.K. so I shared it with friends and family when they were around while I had it out, but I eat over half of the bag myself since not that many people like licorice, in any form. lol
The main thing that started this post was while at H-E-B yesterday I did something that I don't think I have ever done. I knew I wanted some gum (plus I had promised a sister a pack). So I started looking at all the candy and grabbing candy that I saw and liked or wanted. I ended up getting three packs of gum (I gave two packs to two sisters.) A packet of mint three Musketeers (I shared it with mom and friend who was with us), Truffles (Again, I shared with the people in the car with me.), and a kit kat bar for my coffee today. I don't think I have ever bought that much different types of candy for myself all at one time, before. Let me tell you, it was fun!! (Plus it was all on sale! You can't beat that!)
I bought two candies that hadn't been able to buy while I had my braces on. One of which was gum, before I had my braces we had a rule--no gum until you were 18. Due to the fact that there are a lot of younger children in our family who don't really know what to do with gum. When I turned 18, I still had my braces on, so there was no gum for me. By the time I got gum, it had been about 6 years since I last had gum. (And I can tell you were I was and who I got the gum from!)
Since the braces have come off I have bought a package of gun about once every three weeks or so. Meaning I eat a piece every two days or so. Probably more then I should, but let me tell you, there are worse things to eat on a regular base!
The other was skittles, the last time I had them was when I was on the plane
to D.C. two years ago and I had left my bag of mints sitting on my bed. That one small bag lasted me, my entire week in D.C.. I eat the candy slowly enough, but often enough, that my uncle thought I lived on skittles. Before that? I think hadn't had them in years! I forgot how much I enjoyed them. :- ) I liked all the flavors, except for the grape (I have never liked grape flavor, the only grape I like is the grape it's self). Now, I am told that I should have my sisters get me some skittles from the UK since the purple is a black current and that I would then enjoy the entire bag. :D And yes I am going to ask them to pick me up some the next time I talk to them. lol
I will say that it is hard to find a candy I do not like. I think of all the kids in our family I have the worst sweet tooth of us all. (The only person worse in our family is my father). The sourer or darker the better, but there are times when I do want one of those candies that are sweet and not so sour.
(FYI: The pictures were added, since I had some sisters tell me that I didn't have enough pictures on my blog. lol)
The week before Christmas, I got my braces off. When I got them off, it had been 3 years and 10 months to the day! With braces I had to give up a lot of stuff, because (unlike when my mom had braces) the list they gave me of couldn't eats was ever so LOOONG!! As in a half page with three columns. :-S I gave up gum, corn on the cob, certain types of candy, my favorite cookies and many other foods that were crunchy, nutty, or hard to to the teeth. I did draw the line at tortillas, as I will never give up tortillas, but that is a whole 'nother post. :D
The hardest thing for me to give up were certain types of sweets. Which is one reason that I believe, my love for chocolate has grown so much in the past few years. When the rest of the family got candy or cookies that I couldn't have they always bought me chocolate. (So, my heart is very healthy!)
In the past 2+ months I have been eating more candy then normal and having a blast!! Last week at the Livestock show I got a 10 oz bag of licorice jelly beans, something that I ate once or twice a year, rather I ummmmm.....well.....let the sugar coating dissolve off and then well.....never mind. But I got a whole 10 oz bag all for myself. O.K. so I shared it with friends and family when they were around while I had it out, but I eat over half of the bag myself since not that many people like licorice, in any form. lol
The main thing that started this post was while at H-E-B yesterday I did something that I don't think I have ever done. I knew I wanted some gum (plus I had promised a sister a pack). So I started looking at all the candy and grabbing candy that I saw and liked or wanted. I ended up getting three packs of gum (I gave two packs to two sisters.) A packet of mint three Musketeers (I shared it with mom and friend who was with us), Truffles (Again, I shared with the people in the car with me.), and a kit kat bar for my coffee today. I don't think I have ever bought that much different types of candy for myself all at one time, before. Let me tell you, it was fun!! (Plus it was all on sale! You can't beat that!)
I bought two candies that hadn't been able to buy while I had my braces on. One of which was gum, before I had my braces we had a rule--no gum until you were 18. Due to the fact that there are a lot of younger children in our family who don't really know what to do with gum. When I turned 18, I still had my braces on, so there was no gum for me. By the time I got gum, it had been about 6 years since I last had gum. (And I can tell you were I was and who I got the gum from!)Since the braces have come off I have bought a package of gun about once every three weeks or so. Meaning I eat a piece every two days or so. Probably more then I should, but let me tell you, there are worse things to eat on a regular base!
The other was skittles, the last time I had them was when I was on the plane
to D.C. two years ago and I had left my bag of mints sitting on my bed. That one small bag lasted me, my entire week in D.C.. I eat the candy slowly enough, but often enough, that my uncle thought I lived on skittles. Before that? I think hadn't had them in years! I forgot how much I enjoyed them. :- ) I liked all the flavors, except for the grape (I have never liked grape flavor, the only grape I like is the grape it's self). Now, I am told that I should have my sisters get me some skittles from the UK since the purple is a black current and that I would then enjoy the entire bag. :D And yes I am going to ask them to pick me up some the next time I talk to them. lolI will say that it is hard to find a candy I do not like. I think of all the kids in our family I have the worst sweet tooth of us all. (The only person worse in our family is my father). The sourer or darker the better, but there are times when I do want one of those candies that are sweet and not so sour.
(FYI: The pictures were added, since I had some sisters tell me that I didn't have enough pictures on my blog. lol)
So Much For My Spring Post,
Yesterday it was a little warm. It would have been really bad if it were not for the breeze that we had. But inside I thought we were going to have to turn on the AC for a little bit.
Today? Well, today we have a fan in two or three windows and that is keeping the entire house cool! And here I thought we were heading into spring and summer. But no! The weather has to tease me with a hint of winter. Saying "And you thought it was spring, almost summer? Packed your winter clothes away and pulled out your shorts? What were you thinking?!" (Doesn't matter that my winter clothes are only two jackets and a couple long sleeve shirts.)
So, here I sit with it in the low 70's a nice breeze and a bit of rain making it feel as if we were headed into fall instead of spring. :-S Truth be told, I don't mind this weather, in fact I love it. But when I get nice and hot and then a few days of cool, it can sometimes be classified as mean. lol
Today? Well, today we have a fan in two or three windows and that is keeping the entire house cool! And here I thought we were heading into spring and summer. But no! The weather has to tease me with a hint of winter. Saying "And you thought it was spring, almost summer? Packed your winter clothes away and pulled out your shorts? What were you thinking?!" (Doesn't matter that my winter clothes are only two jackets and a couple long sleeve shirts.)
So, here I sit with it in the low 70's a nice breeze and a bit of rain making it feel as if we were headed into fall instead of spring. :-S Truth be told, I don't mind this weather, in fact I love it. But when I get nice and hot and then a few days of cool, it can sometimes be classified as mean. lol
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Since The Last Post
I have had a call from my two sisters in Germany, wanting to know where the pictures are and why I haven't posted more pictures. Now, as you can see they have not been reading it. In fact they just found out that I have a blog (after talking about it for over a year. lol )
To please them (Since I do want the chocolate and gifts they are bringing me from Europe) I am now posting pictures of my purse, just for them. lol
So, there you are girls, are you happy now?
And yes, it's leather, it smells and looks like leather. Now, to keep it away from the kids, goats, and dogs!
To please them (Since I do want the chocolate and gifts they are bringing me from Europe) I am now posting pictures of my purse, just for them. lol
So, there you are girls, are you happy now?
And yes, it's leather, it smells and looks like leather. Now, to keep it away from the kids, goats, and dogs!
I Should Have Known!
Living on a farm for the past four and half years, and living in Houston the 16 years before that, being the oldest of now 11 children, owning a business, and homeschooling has taught me many things. Some of them I learned while living in Houston and some of it I learned out in the country. Some of the things has taught me I need to change, in some ways I have changed, yet in others I am still working on the changing part. The following is a story of where I am still working on changing.
Have you ever heard the saying goats eat everything? Well, truth be told, they don't. Yeah, yeah, I know there is probably going to be one or two people out there who believe me. But it's true! They may get things in their mouth, but they rarely eat it. If you have them nibble on your clothing, take a good look at how much is truly missing. If you were to try and patch it, you would find that not that much was gone, but you would still have holes from their teeth.
Before I get any farther let me say, I LOVE my goats! And am not to keen on purses, but since I learned I like to always have my MP3 player and a 300 page book with me, I might as well get used to carrying it now, instead of later when I HAVE to.
Last week I learned that goats not only like to eat Alfalfa, Hay, grain, and Sunflower seeds, nor do they like to just nibble on books, trees, and school papers. (It's a good thing I don't need to tell my teacher, "My goat eat my homework"!)
But they also like to nibble and I mean just nibble on leather (or was it imitation leather? I don't really know.). But, that is what I found out at the Houston livestock show. I had my purse sitting under the table where we were 'camping' out for the three days there, and someone was worried that a passerby might see it and like it a little to much, so they pushed it back where passerbys couldn't see it. The only problem was that the goats could see it.
So, when I got paid for trimming some goats, I pick up my purse to put my money in it, nothing new and out of the ordinary, right?
Well, when I grabbed one of the handles my hand did not feel the nice smooth leather feeling that it was used to. Rather it feels strings that are starting to fray and wetness. I look from my purse, to my hand, and back to my purse again trying to figure out what was going on. (I will have to add that it was close to the end of a LONG day of trimming, 8 goats in about 20 hours!) So, there I was standing there like an idiot trying to figure out what is going on when a goat next to me gives one of those, "I'm bored, what do you have for me to eat?" cries. And all of a sudden I understand what happened, it was as if I had been hit in the face with the information! lol I look down and the goat is looking at me like, "Hey that's mine! What are you doing with it? roflol
About the only thing I can do (and want to do) at this point is laugh, it was quite comical. Esp if you had been able to see my face. I walk over to the lady who had brought me with her to the show and who's goat had nibbled at my purse. She looks at me and then at my purse, while I say "Your goat likes my purse!". She was horrified, I felt so bad for her! Here I am laughing about it and she wants to go out and buy me a purse right then and there at the rodeo!
Which in turn causes me to be horrified! Here I am with a purse that was given to me by my six year old sister for Christmas. A purse that she had pulled out of a bag full of clothes that someone had given us. She got the purse for free! And if she hadn't found it before I did then mom would have given it to me. (I have a BAAD track record with purses!) Much as I love the fact that Liberty thought about me and got me a purse that would suite me, that was my style, and my favorite size I can part with it easy enough. And I thought is was funny the way that it had to go.
And here the lady is wanting to go and by me a purse at the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo! Have you ever been there and seen those purses?!? They are very, very nice, handcrafted, made with 100% leather, with a high price tag to go along with all of that. And I just couldn't see spending that kind of money to replace a free purse! Not to mention, I had a back up purse sitting in my closet for when something like this happened. I told her very kindly that, it was O.K., I should have kept it away from goats and passerbys and it was just as much my fault as her goats. :D
Well, yesterday morning as I am on my way out to the Dairy to pasteurize I see a car pulling up. Out steps the breeder with a purse. All black leather just the right size to hold my MP3 player and 300 page book, and a few other things! She gives it to me with a word of advice "Don't let the goats nibble on it!".
Just to let you know, if there is anything you like don't let a goat close or they will nibble at it, mind you not eat it, for they will leave enough there for you to see it and miss it. lol
Have you ever heard the saying goats eat everything? Well, truth be told, they don't. Yeah, yeah, I know there is probably going to be one or two people out there who believe me. But it's true! They may get things in their mouth, but they rarely eat it. If you have them nibble on your clothing, take a good look at how much is truly missing. If you were to try and patch it, you would find that not that much was gone, but you would still have holes from their teeth.
Before I get any farther let me say, I LOVE my goats! And am not to keen on purses, but since I learned I like to always have my MP3 player and a 300 page book with me, I might as well get used to carrying it now, instead of later when I HAVE to.
Last week I learned that goats not only like to eat Alfalfa, Hay, grain, and Sunflower seeds, nor do they like to just nibble on books, trees, and school papers. (It's a good thing I don't need to tell my teacher, "My goat eat my homework"!)
But they also like to nibble and I mean just nibble on leather (or was it imitation leather? I don't really know.). But, that is what I found out at the Houston livestock show. I had my purse sitting under the table where we were 'camping' out for the three days there, and someone was worried that a passerby might see it and like it a little to much, so they pushed it back where passerbys couldn't see it. The only problem was that the goats could see it.
So, when I got paid for trimming some goats, I pick up my purse to put my money in it, nothing new and out of the ordinary, right?
Well, when I grabbed one of the handles my hand did not feel the nice smooth leather feeling that it was used to. Rather it feels strings that are starting to fray and wetness. I look from my purse, to my hand, and back to my purse again trying to figure out what was going on. (I will have to add that it was close to the end of a LONG day of trimming, 8 goats in about 20 hours!) So, there I was standing there like an idiot trying to figure out what is going on when a goat next to me gives one of those, "I'm bored, what do you have for me to eat?" cries. And all of a sudden I understand what happened, it was as if I had been hit in the face with the information! lol I look down and the goat is looking at me like, "Hey that's mine! What are you doing with it? roflol
About the only thing I can do (and want to do) at this point is laugh, it was quite comical. Esp if you had been able to see my face. I walk over to the lady who had brought me with her to the show and who's goat had nibbled at my purse. She looks at me and then at my purse, while I say "Your goat likes my purse!". She was horrified, I felt so bad for her! Here I am laughing about it and she wants to go out and buy me a purse right then and there at the rodeo!
Which in turn causes me to be horrified! Here I am with a purse that was given to me by my six year old sister for Christmas. A purse that she had pulled out of a bag full of clothes that someone had given us. She got the purse for free! And if she hadn't found it before I did then mom would have given it to me. (I have a BAAD track record with purses!) Much as I love the fact that Liberty thought about me and got me a purse that would suite me, that was my style, and my favorite size I can part with it easy enough. And I thought is was funny the way that it had to go.
And here the lady is wanting to go and by me a purse at the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo! Have you ever been there and seen those purses?!? They are very, very nice, handcrafted, made with 100% leather, with a high price tag to go along with all of that. And I just couldn't see spending that kind of money to replace a free purse! Not to mention, I had a back up purse sitting in my closet for when something like this happened. I told her very kindly that, it was O.K., I should have kept it away from goats and passerbys and it was just as much my fault as her goats. :D
Well, yesterday morning as I am on my way out to the Dairy to pasteurize I see a car pulling up. Out steps the breeder with a purse. All black leather just the right size to hold my MP3 player and 300 page book, and a few other things! She gives it to me with a word of advice "Don't let the goats nibble on it!".
Just to let you know, if there is anything you like don't let a goat close or they will nibble at it, mind you not eat it, for they will leave enough there for you to see it and miss it. lol
Monday, March 9, 2009
Livestock Show Video...
While I wait to get to Wal-mart so that I can develop my film (I can't believe I just said that!!) and while I wait for some friends to send me the pictures they took of me, since a sibling ran off with my camera half way through the show. I thought I would show you this video.
Though, some of the facts may not be true concerning goats, (Such as the reason our goat numbers were down). It may be true about the rest of the animal numbers for the Livestock Show, I can not say. The reason I am putting this here is because I am in it. lol Not for long, but I still made it on the news. :D
What we are doing in this video is trimming our goats for the show. This way the judge can see the goat and nothing else, thus giving you a true view of the goat. And the judge can then tell weather the goat really has a good body and capacity.
It's a very messy job and time consuming. And most times you want it done a week or two before the show, depending on the color of the animal. Sometimes the show sneaks up on you and you don't get the animal completely done or as nicely as you would want it to be and sometimes you just don't get it done at all. :- S
I was not showing any of our animals, due to the fact that the deadline sneaked up on us, what with the dairy and all that has happened more then once in the past 6 months. But as you probably have already seen, I am trimming goats in this video. :D Who can pass up the chance of money? Even if you have to work hard for it and you do get dirty doing it? Well, I couldn't, I needed the money (rather wanted it). Plus, it was great to know that a goat breeder who has been in goats for years trusted me to do a good job trimming her animals for her. And I was glad to know I could help instead of just sitting there reading books. :)
Enjoy the thirty second video!
Though, some of the facts may not be true concerning goats, (Such as the reason our goat numbers were down). It may be true about the rest of the animal numbers for the Livestock Show, I can not say. The reason I am putting this here is because I am in it. lol Not for long, but I still made it on the news. :D
What we are doing in this video is trimming our goats for the show. This way the judge can see the goat and nothing else, thus giving you a true view of the goat. And the judge can then tell weather the goat really has a good body and capacity.
It's a very messy job and time consuming. And most times you want it done a week or two before the show, depending on the color of the animal. Sometimes the show sneaks up on you and you don't get the animal completely done or as nicely as you would want it to be and sometimes you just don't get it done at all. :- S
I was not showing any of our animals, due to the fact that the deadline sneaked up on us, what with the dairy and all that has happened more then once in the past 6 months. But as you probably have already seen, I am trimming goats in this video. :D Who can pass up the chance of money? Even if you have to work hard for it and you do get dirty doing it? Well, I couldn't, I needed the money (rather wanted it). Plus, it was great to know that a goat breeder who has been in goats for years trusted me to do a good job trimming her animals for her. And I was glad to know I could help instead of just sitting there reading books. :)
Enjoy the thirty second video!
I'm Thankful for....
My dad has repeatedly told my mom and my self while we are working on our blogs, "At least one or two post a day to keep people coming back.". He even has a little board right behind the computer monitor with ideas on what to post on mom's blog, though he has yet to do that for me. lol
As you have noticed, I have not posted anything since Friday, meaning I am about 5 posts behind right now. Since I hate mindless posting, I will not be doing that, I only want to post things that make sense and that have something to do with the farm or our family, that mean something to me, or are of importance to me and/or my family.
A lot has gone on in the past week, my dad left Monday night with a friend and did not get back until late Friday night. I left early Tuesday morning and did not get back until late Thursday night. Leaving mom at home with 8 children, six of which where under the age of ten. I pasteurized twice since I got home and before we left for market early Saturday morning. The all but two girls went to market Saturday morning, were we all but sold out, bring the most milk we have ever brought to any market!
At the Livestock show I got the normal questions. "So, what are you doing with your life right now?", "What are you doing for collage?", "Why don't you want to go to collage? It's the best time of you life and you will need it later on in life!", "Are you dating?", "Are you staying at home still?". I got these questions from people who have known me for almost five years now, but who I only see three or four times a year at goat shows. Truth be told, I get these questions all the time, from church members, family, friends, and sometimes people who I have just met in the waiting room of a dentist office!
It's times like this when I am thankful for my family! And for what they allow me to do, not do or backing me up when I need it. Those times when I think something might be nice (such as go out in jeans instead of a skirt, or wear a pair of shoes that might have more then a 1/2 inch heel,) they let me hear about it. My parents walk me through things to help me make the right choices and my siblings tell me what they think is right and what isn't. (Most of that is taken with a grain of salt). Through it all I know that they love and care for me and want what is best for me. :D
I am thankful for my parents who allow me to stay home with them and help them with the dairy and my younger siblings. Even if we do sometimes have a hard time, because we are all headstrong. Not, only do they allow me to stay home, but in our very small house they allow me to have my own room, go to the library, or out with friends when they know I need a break or want to get out. Give me the time to take a few days 'off' to go to the Livestock show or help our friends, visit family in D.C. or work 10 hours a day 5 days a week, if I wanted to. They are a blessing to me and without them there is no way I would be who I am right now.
I am also thankful that they homeschooled me. If they hadn't my love for learning, reading, and teaching would not be what it is. I have a hard time doing many different academical things, they saw that and helped me through it in what ever way they could. I would not be wanting to teach Sunday school or my younger siblings if I had not been homeschooled, I would have never progressed in loving all the things about my country, my world, history, or science that I have learned and would have had the hardest of times learning, even the basic 1+1=2 and simple English, if I had been to a private or public school, due to not being able to read, having horrible hand writing, and difficulties with your basic English, spelling, and writing until I was much older then normal. But now, I enjoy learning!
I know that their homeschooling me and my siblings was never easy. Mom had to stay home with us and not get out as much as she might have wanted to. Dad had to set money aside to buy the books we needed, but I never once felt like it was a burden. Something which I wish I could say about how I treated taking time from my schooling to help my siblings, but I am ashamed to say that I can't. My parents were always there and ready to help with problems, even if it wasn't a good time for them (Such as 10 o'clock at night when I should have been in bed for at least an hour!) and are still always there if I need help with a ''school'' related problem.
I am thankful for my sisters, who love me and are glad that I am still living at home. If I doubted that, the times where I am gone for more then a day and they come storming out to see me when I return, proves that they do love me and do want me to stay at home. And yes we do have our fights and we do not always get along, but once we have made up we are the best of friends. I count my sisters as my best friends (after my parents).
I wouldn't trade my little 12x12 foot bedroom where I have all my things on bookshelves or in my closet, with the chance of a toddler running off with it or have waking up to see one of my sisters wearing one of MY shirts for my own apartment or house with all my stuff safely on it's proper shelf or in it's proper closet and no chance of a sibling of any age taking off with it.
I am thankful that I have little brothers! 9 years ago, I thought I never would have one. There are times when having one gets a little bothersome, considering they think that all the baseball stuff in the house is there's and 75% of was in the house before they were born! Or when they want a 'sword' fixed or when I am off showing the woods to some visitors and I get brought back to the house at 'gun point' under the sheriff's and his deputies careful watch (Namely Timothy and Noah). But, those are the times when I have to watch myself, I need to remember that they are great blessings and that my playing along with my siblings might be what our visitors need or want to see. Yes, it's hard but I think it would be hard at this point to live without them.
As you have noticed, I have not posted anything since Friday, meaning I am about 5 posts behind right now. Since I hate mindless posting, I will not be doing that, I only want to post things that make sense and that have something to do with the farm or our family, that mean something to me, or are of importance to me and/or my family.
A lot has gone on in the past week, my dad left Monday night with a friend and did not get back until late Friday night. I left early Tuesday morning and did not get back until late Thursday night. Leaving mom at home with 8 children, six of which where under the age of ten. I pasteurized twice since I got home and before we left for market early Saturday morning. The all but two girls went to market Saturday morning, were we all but sold out, bring the most milk we have ever brought to any market!
At the Livestock show I got the normal questions. "So, what are you doing with your life right now?", "What are you doing for collage?", "Why don't you want to go to collage? It's the best time of you life and you will need it later on in life!", "Are you dating?", "Are you staying at home still?". I got these questions from people who have known me for almost five years now, but who I only see three or four times a year at goat shows. Truth be told, I get these questions all the time, from church members, family, friends, and sometimes people who I have just met in the waiting room of a dentist office!
It's times like this when I am thankful for my family! And for what they allow me to do, not do or backing me up when I need it. Those times when I think something might be nice (such as go out in jeans instead of a skirt, or wear a pair of shoes that might have more then a 1/2 inch heel,) they let me hear about it. My parents walk me through things to help me make the right choices and my siblings tell me what they think is right and what isn't. (Most of that is taken with a grain of salt). Through it all I know that they love and care for me and want what is best for me. :D
I am thankful for my parents who allow me to stay home with them and help them with the dairy and my younger siblings. Even if we do sometimes have a hard time, because we are all headstrong. Not, only do they allow me to stay home, but in our very small house they allow me to have my own room, go to the library, or out with friends when they know I need a break or want to get out. Give me the time to take a few days 'off' to go to the Livestock show or help our friends, visit family in D.C. or work 10 hours a day 5 days a week, if I wanted to. They are a blessing to me and without them there is no way I would be who I am right now.
I am also thankful that they homeschooled me. If they hadn't my love for learning, reading, and teaching would not be what it is. I have a hard time doing many different academical things, they saw that and helped me through it in what ever way they could. I would not be wanting to teach Sunday school or my younger siblings if I had not been homeschooled, I would have never progressed in loving all the things about my country, my world, history, or science that I have learned and would have had the hardest of times learning, even the basic 1+1=2 and simple English, if I had been to a private or public school, due to not being able to read, having horrible hand writing, and difficulties with your basic English, spelling, and writing until I was much older then normal. But now, I enjoy learning!
I know that their homeschooling me and my siblings was never easy. Mom had to stay home with us and not get out as much as she might have wanted to. Dad had to set money aside to buy the books we needed, but I never once felt like it was a burden. Something which I wish I could say about how I treated taking time from my schooling to help my siblings, but I am ashamed to say that I can't. My parents were always there and ready to help with problems, even if it wasn't a good time for them (Such as 10 o'clock at night when I should have been in bed for at least an hour!) and are still always there if I need help with a ''school'' related problem.
I am thankful for my sisters, who love me and are glad that I am still living at home. If I doubted that, the times where I am gone for more then a day and they come storming out to see me when I return, proves that they do love me and do want me to stay at home. And yes we do have our fights and we do not always get along, but once we have made up we are the best of friends. I count my sisters as my best friends (after my parents).
I wouldn't trade my little 12x12 foot bedroom where I have all my things on bookshelves or in my closet, with the chance of a toddler running off with it or have waking up to see one of my sisters wearing one of MY shirts for my own apartment or house with all my stuff safely on it's proper shelf or in it's proper closet and no chance of a sibling of any age taking off with it.
I am thankful that I have little brothers! 9 years ago, I thought I never would have one. There are times when having one gets a little bothersome, considering they think that all the baseball stuff in the house is there's and 75% of was in the house before they were born! Or when they want a 'sword' fixed or when I am off showing the woods to some visitors and I get brought back to the house at 'gun point' under the sheriff's and his deputies careful watch (Namely Timothy and Noah). But, those are the times when I have to watch myself, I need to remember that they are great blessings and that my playing along with my siblings might be what our visitors need or want to see. Yes, it's hard but I think it would be hard at this point to live without them.
All of this I realized as I spent 8+ hours trimming goats for a friend to show in the Livestock show. When you stay in one place for over eight hours doing nothing but the same thing over and over, again music can kind of boring, and you start thinking about anything and everything. :D And in that time this is the main thing I was thinking about. Don't ask me why, because I really wouldn't be able to give you a good reason, if I was able to give you one at all, but that is how I felt and the only thing I could think to post of right now. :D So, there is at least one post for the day, now off to clean my room. :D
Friday, March 6, 2009
Spring, Spring, Spring!!
Have you ever seen the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? Well, in our family it's a favorite movie, everyone likes it, we all like to sit down together and watch it and when it's put on for the youngers we have a hard time keeping the olders from watching it instead of doing their chores. lol And very often you will hear at least one person singing a song from the movie. One of our favorite songs espceally since we moved out to the county is "Spring, Spring, Spring".
Today was one of those days that reminds me of the song "Spring, Spring, Spring". It is 75-80 degrees with a nice breeze, sun is out, butterflies everywhere, bright green spring grass is starting to grow, and at six this morning I heard some baby birds crying for their food, not to mention all the baby goats that have been showing up around here lately.
These are the days that I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember, I would bring my books be they school or pleasure out side and spend hours outside. Once we moved out to the country and had our huge deck it was all the more enjoyable. It's days like today where I hardly--if at all use the dryer. I find any and all reasons to be outside. I love our summer days, (yes, humidty and heat, I do like them!) But, I would not complain if I had to live where it was like this all the time!
Today was one of those days that reminds me of the song "Spring, Spring, Spring". It is 75-80 degrees with a nice breeze, sun is out, butterflies everywhere, bright green spring grass is starting to grow, and at six this morning I heard some baby birds crying for their food, not to mention all the baby goats that have been showing up around here lately.
These are the days that I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember, I would bring my books be they school or pleasure out side and spend hours outside. Once we moved out to the country and had our huge deck it was all the more enjoyable. It's days like today where I hardly--if at all use the dryer. I find any and all reasons to be outside. I love our summer days, (yes, humidty and heat, I do like them!) But, I would not complain if I had to live where it was like this all the time!
CALEB:
Oh, the barnyard is busy in a regular tizzy,
And the obvious reason is because of the season
Ma Nature's lyrical, with her yearly miracle
Spring, Spring, Spring.
BENJAMIN:
All the hen-folk are hatchin'
While their men-folk are scrathin'
To ensure the survival of each brand new arrival.
DORCAS:
Each nest is twitterin',
They're all baby-sitterin',
Spring, Spring, Spring.
FRANK:
It's a beehive of buddin' son and daughter life,
Every family has plans in view.
Even down in the brook the underwater life
Is forever blowin' bubbles too.
LIZA:
Every field wears a bonnet
With some spring daisies on it,
Even birds of a feather show their clothes off together.
EPHRAIM:
Sun's gettin' shinery, to spotlight the finery,
LIZA:
Spring, Spring, Spring.
GIDEON:
From his eyrie, the eagle with his eagle eye
Gazes down across his eagle beak
And a'fixin' his lady with the legal eye
Screams "suppose we fix the date this week!"
CALEB & RUTH with DANIEL & MARTHA:
Yes, siree, spring disposes
That it's all one supposes
It's a real bed of roses
Waggin' tails, rubbin' noses.
All BROTHERS (except Ephraim) & All BRIDES:
Each day is Mother's Day
The next is some other's day
When all is King ....
EPHRAIM: (arrivin' at the rondevue area, and yellin'):
FRANK, DAN, BEN, CALEB, EVERYBODY
Milly's havin' her baby!
Squeals of excitement from the
other brothers and the brides
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