Things are Growing on the Farm!

Wow, what a wet year we've had so far. It seems to have stunted the garden's progression... until now. After a few days of hot sunny days, the back of my place seems to be BURSTING forth! The garden is coming along nicely... spaghetti squash, yellow squash (we've already had two), zucchini, cucumbers (still a little sluggish to do their own bursting), melons, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans and peas, and soon to come... corn! They're all doing quite well. Some are small but we had a bit of a late start putting in most of the plants this year. Trenches 1 & 2 are complete. Trench 3 is in the the works... and now, surprise! We have a trench 4! A new little nook that will be enclosed in the fenced-in garden will allow for a plot of corn... yeah! All this trench digging and dirt filling requires that we have piles and mounds of manure and sand on hand to "make soil" to fill in the trenches once they're dug. It's quite a process (and a little stinky) but only required on the initial setup of the "Square Foot Gardening" garden. I've posted on this type of garden before, and I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive at first... but now I can see with my own eyes that this will be one of the easiest, most efficient gardens to maintain! I've been made a believer!! (Of course, it doesn't hurt having your father-in-law do much of the initial setup!!)

We've also been grooming and babying the wild blackberries a bit this year (left pic). They're doing quite nicely over in their little sunny side of the yard. Of course, we also have our b-e-a-utimus thornless blackberry bush (right pic)... that beauty has the biggest, blackest berries I've seen! Can't wait to make a cobbler!!


Speaking of things growing, I now have a flock of big beautiful birds! My chickens are becoming quite the little images of fluffy plumpness. They truly are "ladies". I'm learning to appreciate their different noises, and can almost carry on a conversation with them now... that's right, we talk... I figure they're happier when I acknowledge them and give them the love and adoration that they believe they deserve - he he!

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Dale's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Dale!!

Courtney's granddad, Dale, had a BIG birthday bash at one of the country clubs in Springfield just a few days after the 4th celebrations. There was tons of food (thanks Debbe), a lot of swimming, and just a lot of good conversation and catching up.
But WHAT A SIGHT!
From his 5 sons came many children, and from those children came many, many, many grandchildren! And here are the pictures to prove it!! I think everyone had a great time. It was good to get to see everyone. We hadn't had Grace around that gang since she was born... a long time coming I'd say.

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The Sparks Did Fly!

Happy late Independence Day all!

It's been somewhat hectic around here with VBS going on at church, so I'm just now getting our 4th of July pics up. We all had a great time. The family came out to our place, and we grilled and blew up lots of stuff... always a good time. Last year, Grace was still pretty little and ended up going to bed before the fireworks show... but not this year. She was up and out there with us. She had to warm up to the lights and sounds a bit. Her initial reaction was to look shocked and to cover her mouth... but no crying! I think she decided the fireworks were pretty cool once she got used to them.

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