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It's been a good two months - a full two months, but good. Lots to share. I'd try to go chronologically (which my linear mild would prefer) but I won't promise anything.
We had piglets in June - ok, literalists,we didn't have them but our momma sows did. Everything went just like it was suppose to and they're growing nicely. Kurt weaned them a few weeks ago when they started showing up at the dog dish looking for food. I've had so many requests for bacon over the last few months and I have to remind customers we lost all of it on the highway in February. We are well stocked with hams, pork chops, sweet links, hot links and beer brats, zesty breakfast links, ground pork, spicy Italian sausage, zesty breakfast sausage and sweet Italian sausage. We have four feeder pigs that will go to the processor in mid-September. Let know ASAP if you want your name on a half or whole. Our next round of hogs will be ready around December and we are taking reservations on those, too.
In September, Kurt will be also taking beeves to the processor. We're taking reservations for those as well OR we have several precut quarters in storage at Krehbiels. They have a variety of standard cuts, are around 100# of beef and are running around $575 (spring beeves are usually bigger than fall beeves).
Weather is always on our mind. We're not out of the woods yet. It's still dry and the elms are starting to lose their leaves again. When it gets too dry, they begin to go dormant and shed leaves like in the fall. However, Kurt and I were sitting on the porch a few nights ago during a summer thunderstorm. Kurt was able to make the following observation (those of you who know him well will understand how huge this is). "You know, it's getting better. We're still hurting but it's better. 2011 was bad, real bad. But you know, we had some spring rains last year that helped. There were a lot of hot, dry, windy days but it was better. This year, we're not getting a lot of rain and it's usually coming as tenths or quarters (inches) but we're getting rain when they forecast it. And the summer has been cooler. There's been hot, windy days but we've had some nice breaks too. (80 degrees in late July is almost unheard of in Kansas unless you're checking the thermometer at 8 a.m.). There are parts of our yard (we use that term loosely) that have been green all summer. We just might make it through this."
Update: Four days later, we had the most amazing rain. 2.25 inches were in the gauge when we got up this morning. Kurt had to check 2-3 buckets to make sure that amount was right!
We had perfect weather last week for the county fair. Most of the week, the highs were in the 80's and by the end of the week we were still in the low 90's. The livestock, the parents and the kids were much happier! Allison and Natalie both had great fair weeks. We learned a lot and they came home with almost all blues ribbons (compare to an "A" on a report card) and several pinks and purples (which means they won their level or the whole project). I asked the girls what accomplishment they were most proud of this week. Natalie's response - my snickerdoodles! They won level I in foods and she got to auction them off on the last evening. I think Allison was pretty pleased with her sewing and the cinnamon rolls she got to auction (I haven't been able to ask - we keep heading in different directions!). Anna also got to show at the fair even though she's not in 4-H. On Saturday morning, there is a pet show for kids too young for 4-H; mostly siblings of 4-Her's. Anna took Plum-Plum, the kitten. She won a ribbon and a dollar (and so did every other participant).
Several of you may think, "Why on earth do you live in the middle of nowhere? Why do 4-H?" Let me share a goosebump moment from the fair. First, though, a little back story. About a month ago, our community lost a young expectant mother with a husband and two preschoolers. Heartbreaking. This young woman was very active in 4-H as a young person. A neighbor of ours donated 5 small bales to be auctioned off Saturday night to benefit the family of this woman. Bidding began and quickly climbed. They were sold for several hundred dollars. The winner of the bid quickly replied "sell them again." And they did. Not once or twice but 8 or 9 times and in 20 minutes, over $5000 was raised for this young family. This sentiment is not unique. Time and again this community has responded to needs in overwhelming ways. We may miss the boat in many ways (what community doesn't?) but we do know what to do in crisis. Just after the bales were sold for the final time, it began to rain in Coldwater. . . .
On to lighter things. . . .the Comanche County Farmers Market has been a growing success and we've been thrilled to be a part of it. We started with 2 vendors and this past Saturday, we had FIVE vendors and one with vegetables!!
Unfortunately, the vegetables are NOT from our garden. Dry weather, grasshoppers, and now blister bugs are giving Kurt grief.
Kurt's had some excitement in the hen house. One afternoon, he went out to gather eggs and was greeted by THREE bull snakes! Usually, bull snakes are our friends - they help keep rodents and rattlesnakes at bay. When they show up and start eating eggs though, they quickly become animalia non grata . Even though Kurt hates snakes, I'm glad he found them and not the girls!
Mark your calendars:
Customer Appreciation Dinner
Saturday, September 28th
5:00 on the farm
*Tours
*Live Music
*We'll provide the meat, drinks and dessert.
Please bring a side dish to share.
*Fresh chicken will be available
Chickens are going much better after that first disaster. This last bunch only had a 7% loss which is our best ever between predators and heat. And the birds were a nice size and uniform. We have about 30 left in the freezer right now. We'll do some Freedom Rangers in a few weeks (right around the first week of school, I believe. Someone doesn't know how to plan!). Then, in September, we'll have two more rounds of 200. Our plan is to make a delivery run to the Kansas City/Olathe area around September 13 and then process again around the party. As always, let me know if you'd like to be on the "chicken list."
Turkeys arrived a few days ago! They're so small compared to what they'll look like in November. Can't wait for them to get fat on grasshoppers!
Upcoming travel dates:
August 1st - Greensburg, Pratt
August 9th - Dodge City (and every 2 weeks)
September 13th - Kansas City/Olathe, Wichita, Pratt, Greensburg
If you live in SW Kansas, check out the summer edition of The Legend Magazine. We're famous! Or at least our pigs are. We are the cover article in this quarter's edition. Is it obnoxious to collect a dozen copies? When the digital copy is posted, I'll post the link on our facebook page.
Family updates:
The first one is that went on "vacation." I use that term loosely. Because of time, finances, finding help, etc. we can really only be gone once in the summer. We'd talked about camping at Kanopolis this year. Nothing to do but hang out and worry about cooking our next meal over the grill or campfire. Then. . . .Allison tried out and MADE a 12 and under All-Star softball team. Their tournament was 4 hours away and lasted 3 days - hello family together time. The ball players were awesome and qualified for the regional tournament. I about melted in the SE Kansas humidity. We enjoyed the time at the ball field and even found a time to break out of the grill and hang out a bit BUT Anna declared on the way home "THAT was NOT a vacation.: She was right. We got home on Sunday and fair week started on Monday. No rest for the weary!
Anna is still hoping for a real vacation and is gearing up for kindergarten. Another biggee - my baby lost her first tooth!
Natalie has been fairin' it up and is becoming more and more independent in the kitchen. With a little help reading a recipe, she can make those award winning snickerdoodles ALL. BY. HERSELF. This summer I've been working with the girls hoping that once school starts, they'll be able to help with meal prep more often.
Allison has been busy with the fair, softball and hanging out at my mom's. This past weekend, she got to visit Mom in Attica (she's moved) and helped with a garage sale. It turned out to be a profitable weekend for her.
Hoping you get just the rain you need this week,
Andi
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