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 …
Egyptian Walking Onions
We finally figured it out! With massive ‘thanks’ to our Veteran farmer friend Josh, we finally know what kind of onions we have growing next to the asparagus. Let’s be real, they’re delicious. Even though we didn’t know entirely what we were working with, that didn’t stop us from putting them in just about everything lately. I’ve made a bajillion …
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 …
Peonies in Bloom
The farm has been exploding with blooms left behind by the previous owners. Lois’ Irises are everywhere. We saw their hearty green leaves pop out of the ground early on and eagerly awaited their beautiful colors. The peonies, on the other hand, were completely unexpected. When they listed the farm in the Fall, Lois and David did a spectacular job …
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. …
This Week on the Farm: May 18-24, 2020
This week felt like the longest one yet. We made it past Day 70 of Coronavirus stay-at-home and work-from-home plans. Some places have started reopening, but there appears to be a greater impact on kids than originally known. So, we’re playing it mostly safe and continuing to steer clear of people. In fact, my office announced that not only will …
The Sunday Sunrise
One of the many great things to come out of quarantine is our morning routine. Every day, Isai wakes us up early and demands that Papa Bear open the window blinds. Now that Aaron has removed all of the bushes from the front of the house, the windows in our basement bedroom flood with the Eastern light. Isai makes sure …
The Irises
I often find myself thanking Lois for the small bits of magic all around the farm. Often, I run into something cute or quirky and immediately imagine that it must have been her idea instead of David’s. I have no idea if any of it is true – but I hope she’d be tickled to know she’s getting all the credit. …
A Snowball Story
Years ago, I owned a small Ranch house in Roeland Park, Kansas. It was the first house I’d every purchased and, while tiny, it packed a punch for insane stories. Next door, my 96-year-old neighbor Annebelle would swing on her front porch stoop. She’d wait for me to take Ogi on a walk or come bounding into the front yard …