Men and their tractors

A couple of Saturdays ago, on a beautiful fall afternoon, Josiah and my dad had some fun running a few old tractors around their farm.

Jack, my other puppy (my parent's dog), likes to bark at the tractors.

Thanksgiving

Holidays can be difficult on a farm.  The cows need fed and milked every day, so someone has to do the work.  I know that I don't really feel like doing the work on these days.  On a day that is supposed to be special, a day for families and reflection on what God has done in our lives, a day that most people have off work.  But it's not about what I want or don't want; we don't always get what we want, it just doesn't work that way.  Instead of focusing on what I think is negative, having to work on a holiday, I need to focus on what I am thankful for, because I have so much to be grateful for.

I am thankful for the cows, without them here I wouldn't be working and living on a farm.  I wouldn't be able to get to know their individual personalities or see the goofy things that they do sometimes.  I would miss out on how delicious their milk is to drink!

I'm thankful for the calves, I love to take pictures of them and pet them.  They are so peaceful one minute and the next they're jumping all over the place, it's just so cute!

I'm thankful for everyone who works here on the farm; for Grandpa, Dave, Dad, Ed, Josiah, Collin, Logan, Kristen, and the occasional Charise and Kendall (when they're home from college).  Every one has a valuable part in this team, and if just a few of these people were missing, the responsibilities would be almost impossible to accomplish.

I'm thankful for 2 wonderful families.  My parents, who raised me and put up with all of my stubbornness and selfishness, I think I'm turning out alright so you must have done a good job.  And Josiah's parents, who have accepted me as one of their own children, and for raising Josiah up to be such a great young man!  And for all of my siblings.  I may be the youngest in my family, but in Josiah's family I am now an oldest child, which is such a difficult transition to make, so thanks for putting up with me Charise and Kristen.  And my siblings, Melissa, Joe, and Michelle, thanks for being older than me, it was so much easier to learn how to drive and do other things because all of you went before me and I could learn from what you did or didn't do.

I'm thankful for Josiah.  He is such a wonderful encouragement to me.  He is positive when I think negative thoughts.  He is strong where I am not, and I am strong in areas where he is not.  We compliment each other very well, and I am thankful that God gave him so much patience with me while we were dating and even now.

All these things I should be thankful for each day.  But sometimes, do I take them for granted?  Probably, another lesson that I need to learn.

"Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."  Colossians 3: 14-17

Leaky sink and breakfast puffs

This past weekend Josiah tore the sink faucet apart trying to fix a leak that has been around for quite a few years.  It was a mess.  But we finally got the parts that we thought should fix it and got it put back together.  The good news: the water comes out a lot faster than it had.  The bad news: it still leaks.  So I think we'll just let it keep leaking and try to remember to empty the container that is catching the drips more often.

Saturday morning, the day that Josiah tore the sink apart, I also made these yummy French breakfast puffs.  They are so good and so easy to make!

French Breakfast Puffs:

1/3 c. shortening
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/2 c. milk

1.  Cream together shortening, 1/2 c. sugar, and egg.  Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg, alternating with the milk.
2.  Fill greased medium muffin cups 2/3 full.
3.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

1/2 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. butter, melted

4.  Mix 1/2 c. sugar and cinnamon.
5. Immediately after baking, dip the top of hot muffin into the melted butter and then into the sugar and cinnamon mixture.  Serve while warm.

Thanks for sharing the recipe Aunt Joyce!  These are so good!!

11/21

Today is November 21 or 11/21.  I would like to introduce you to cow 1121.  She is a real sweetheart, she likes to have her snout and ears scratched, and of course she likes to lick and sniff at people, but she can be shy around new people.  Some days she is more interested in people than others, but of course she likes me all the time.

Happy 4th anniversary

Yesterday was the fourth anniversary of the day that we started milking in our new robotic milking facility!

We are so thankful to be here on this land and to be able to care for the land and the animals!  I haven't been here all 4 years, but the 2+ years that I have, have been a great learning and growing experience.