July 2010 edtion - and it's on time!

"Are we there yet?"

"I can see a mountain! Oh, maybe that's just a hill."

I'm writing as we head to New Mexico for a few days to cool off and regroup. I'm pretty sure Allison is the only daughter who has been to the mountains and she was too little to remember it. Everyone is very excited.

Let me tell you getting ready to be gone for even a few days is probably more work on the farm than staying home. Kurt's been working from sun-up to sun-down to finish projects and get everything lined up for our absence.

From the backseat in two part harmony: "Grandma got run over by a reindeer . . ."
Gotta love the MP3 player and my daughters' ability to entertain themselves. In addition to singing, they also played tag (one was in the middle seat and one was in the back) and had a Cheeto sword fight.

Anyway, the laundry is done, the house is clean (sort of), the yard is mowed (again, sort of), everything is well watered and my in-laws and our neighbor are ready to chore for us - a huge blessing. We had planned on traveling earlier in the summer before all the livestock started showing up. Plans fell through though and we're very thankful for the help.

Random thought. Again from the backseat: "When we get to the cabin, can we do shadow puppets?" It's hard to write AND be mom in the car.

We've got all ages of chickens on the farm right now. We'll process our first group this Friday and they are all spoken for. Our next group will be processed on August 12th-ish and there are still some available if you'd like to reserve yours. You're welcome to come out and help or watch. If you're interested in participating, give me a holler.

We have a few miracle chickens this summer. A week ago Wednesday, Kurt moved 100 chicks from the brooder to the pasture. On Saturday, he went to get something out of the empty brooder and found 3 chicks! He has no idea where they could have hid or how on earth they survived 3 days without feed or water. They don't seem any worse for wear though.

Our pigs are growing and have been interesting to watch. They love the weeds and mow them down pretty efficiently. They also enjoy the decimated corn from the garden and pineapple tops I take out.

After 24 hours in the mountains . . . we have enjoyed temperatures in the 60's and 70's, a few small showers, hours of just hanging out and only a few fights over who sat in what chair first.

Turkeys should be coming the first of the week. They're coming a few months too late to help control the grasshoppers though. We have decided next year we will order a few turkeys early in the summer and use them for pest control.

We have hamburger again! We appreciate your patience as we waited to restock our freezers.

It has turned very dry in our part of the state. I'm sure the 100+ degree days and wind hasn't helped at all. We were fortunate to get a half inch of rain about a week ago but have missed several of the other rains that have come through the county.

Hard to believe that school will be starting in just a few weeks. Natalie and Allison will be going this year and the house will be quiet during the days with just Anna and I here. Oh wait, what am I thinking, it won't be quiet - or calm or boring - with Anna around.

I will be in Wichita on Tuesday, July 27th if there's something you'd like me to bring. Then, the Tillbergs are coming out to help with chickens on the 30th. If you're in the Lindsborg/McPherson area and need something, let me know. Jennifer said she'd be happy to haul something back. AND, we'll be in Olathe on August 13th and 14th for another Tips and Tastes party. If you'd like to place an order, we'll bring it with us. We're excited about doing another tasting party - it seems to be the best way to visit with new customers.

One of the reasons we're on vacation this week is because we survived the county fair last week. This is Allison's 3rd year in 4-H but her first year showing livestock. There is a much bigger time investment involved with taking livestock than with just showing a few photographs. She and Kurt spent the better part of 3 days at the fair grounds caring for the goats, Chicken and Fizzy. Mostly, I left goat care to Kurt and Allison. However, one afternoon I went to check on Allison. We'd intended to pick her up and head straight to the pool to cool off. Somehow though, I ended up holding a goat's lead rope (a first), scooping goat poop (another first although I've had lots of recent training while potty training Anna) and two little girls in swimsuits repeatedly asking me "Can we swim yet?" Later that same day, I ended up helping Allison wash a goat - another first. I assure you it wasn't part of my plan at all but she was tired, soaked and the goat would NOT cooperate. What's a momma to do? Fizzy and Chicken were well scrubbed and both ended up earning blue ribbons.

That night, Allison and 3 friends participated in the Barnyard Olympics - an event surely devised by rural people with a strange sense of humor. Allison's team (3 soon-to-be-fourth-graders and a 4-year-old) had to haul water in a leaky bucket over a hot wire, rope a fake steer, move bales, feed a bucket calf and eat 2 hot dogs. Allison's team wasn't the fastest but had a great time.

The next night, Natalie got to have her fun at the fair dance. A band from Satanta played (it was so nice to have live music) and Natalie danced and danced. Then all of a sudden, someone flipped a switch and she was too tired to move.

New Mexico update: I am Pat Benetar. As if there was any doubt. Our "cabin" has a Playstation 2 equipped with Guitar Hero. This is a novelty for us - we don't own any gaming systems. I think I know why now - I could get addicted pretty easily - in fact, I might already be. . . Allison's goal is to get through a song without getting booed off the stage. Mine is to play and not have Kurt laugh at me - Anna and Nat cheer for me. "Go momma!" My rockin' husband (who plays guitar) smokes us all.

Farmers market update: We will be in Greensburg a few more times this summer. I need to sit down with a calendar when we get home. This summer seems busier and it's just harder to make the trip up and back. There's starting to be a conversation about hosting a market in Comanche County next year and we would love to help make that happen. I've also been approached by a gentleman at Dolci and Joe's in Wichita about coming to the market they are hosting on Sunday afternoons. I need a little more information but we'll keep you posted.

Goal met: Allison just finished "School's Out" by Alice Cooper on Guitar Hero. By the end of our trip she had mastered the song. If only there was Piano Hero.

One more quick reminder about our "Friend of the Farm" loyalty program. If you purchase $500 in product in 2010, we'll give you a 5% discount on ONE order in 2011. Purchase $1000 in 2010 and we'll give you a 5% discount on 2 orders in 2011.

Take care!

Andi

P.S. One final NM story. On our second night in the cabin, we had some night visitors - 2 bears! We think a momma and her cub. They played with the cooler and knocked over the grill. The girls walked a fine line between curious and terrified.