Our lives are very different from what they were in March. Aaron and I are no strangers to things changing dramatically and quickly. Still, this dramatic and quick shift wasn’t quite in our control. Given the option, I’m reasonably certain we wouldn’t have chosen it. Tonight, we strapped Isai’s car seat into the side-by-side and went on a drive to …
Our First Hay Harvest
The hay was cut on Wednesday. By this morning, it was ready for raking and baling. To be entirely honest, I was not entirely prepared for exactly what kind of undertaking this would be. After years and years of growing up on a farm – I’ve seen harvests happen in a number of ways. Never, though, have I been quite this …
Bringing in the Equipment
The time has come to cut and bale hay. Suddenly, we’re looking like a shockingly legit operation. My dad Dave and his friend Duane have all the right equipment after decades of family farming. Not to say that we would have never tried this flying solo with the Allis-Chalmers. We certainly would have given it our best shot – but all …
We Needed Groceries and Gas
Do you ever have those nights where the house needs things but the less-responsible voice in your head is like “nah, let’s not?” It happens right? That was us. We needed groceries for dinner. The cats needed more cat food. We needed fuel for the lawn mower. Generally, the to-do list was about as long as it could get and …
Evening Rides in the Side by Side
The newest favorite family pastime involves cruising in the side-by-side. The Honda Pioneer is still new to the farm, but it’s getting a workout while proving to be the best investment we’ve made so far. It’s no shocker that Aaron still has to run into Kansas City for home showings now and then. Instead of wandering around the house with …
Chicken Sandwiches
…sound pretty delicious. I’m not going to lie. The chickens have officially been here for about two and a half months. Since it feels like years have passed (a day in quarantine time must count for about 3 months), we’re feeling the itch for our egger babies to start laying. We’re guesstimating the bulk of the flock is about 12 …
All Work and Some Play
A week ago, Aaron, my brother Chris and my cousin Bryce drove to Freeburg, Missouri, to visit my aunt and uncle – the Hilkemeyers. We’d spent a few weeks online shopping for side-by-side utility vehicles for the farm. Turns out, having family in the Honda business makes for a pretty sweet deal. They made the four-hour drive to the center …
We Are a Three-Cat Crew
Much in the way we ended up with three dogs and three cows (quick and random) – we now have three cats. On Wednesday, Mac welcomed Benning and Bragg to the farm. The three are named for various bases and training centers Aaron was on when he was in the Special Forces. Following Memorial Day, it seemed to be a fitting …
Much Needed Rainy Days
This week is packed with some much-needed rain. While we would love it if the yard was mowed, we’re not complaining. Everything – the garden, the orchard, the flowers – all of it is thriving with the fresh drink. We’ve been leaving the basement door and many of the windows open for fresh air to pass through the house too. The …
Meet Mackall – Our First Barn Cat
As I watched the mouse sprint across the back of the barn, I shouted at Aaron. “Guess who’s getting cats this weekend?!” And, that’s exactly how it went down. Within a day of posting on Facebook, our Veteran farmer friend Josh and his family brought us Mac. This little fluff has grown up with kids and farm animals all around. …