Friday, December 8, 2023

Baby Days

                                           

                                  It's been a perfect fall for welcoming  new babies to our beef herd.

                                There's nothing cuter than new calves running around the pasture

                           in search of new adventures while under the watchful eye of their mother.

                                    


                                              For the last few weeks, Ryan has been checking

                                          two groups of heifers several times a day that are due

                                          to give birth for the first time.  Fortunately, all but one

                                          have calved on their own and with assistance, that calf

                                          was born alive and healthy.  Needless to say, we feel very

                                          fortunate for a healthy calf crop.

                                          



Aren't they cute?





Cutest in the herd, of course, is the
youngest grandson!
As my mother-in-law said 
"best crop I ever raised" when speaking of her family.


                                               I'm thankful for life down on the farm and 

                                the opportunity we have of sharing our love of the farm

                                                     with the next generation.

 

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Happy October !

Change is the constant factor in life down on the farm.
I was shocked when I looked at the date of the last time I posted on the blog.
Summer has come and gone and now we welcome fall
and all the beauty October will bring.

Here's a sampling of what went on this summer on the farm 
and in the family. 

We don't milk cows anymore but we are still raising dairy heifers
and beef cows,
 

we opened a coffee trailer on a corner of the farm,


we shipped a group of bred heifers to a farm in Florida,


we celebrated Casey's 33rd birthday,


and 
we welcomed Truitt Anglin to our family.


                                           Now you know why there was so little blogging time!

                                                               Happy October!!

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Thankful Thursday

There's a rhythm and routine to days on the farm.
Daily chores that include caring for our beef cattle are the
routine events. The rhythm is changed by the added 
jobs that are necessary to the farming operation 
and often change the routine day.  


The rhythm to life on the farm changes daily.

These past few weeks the crops have been planted,


fence has been built,


decisions have been made about the soon to be 
new adventure in our  neighborhood community,


                                           
and
the next generation is learning the basics of
gardening.

                           

                                    I'm thankful for the routine of every day that   includes caring

                                        for our land and cattle and for the  daily opportunity to

                                             share this love  of  farm life with the next generation.

   

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Barns and Babies



The days of spring down on the farm are 
always busy with cattle working to improve the health of our beef cattle
and fertilizing the fields that will bring on the growth of hay but
this year we added barn building onto the schedule.


This barn will be used to store hay.  When complete it will 
also have areas on the side that cattle can rest under for shade or 
for protection from inclement winter weather.
Truly a picture of modern day barn raising with all family members
involved as the crane was lifting the trusses in place.


We still manage to enjoy the beauty of spring 
as we check cattle and watch the new babies
stay  close to their mama or run around like crazy,


                                          to celebrate the spring birthdays with the family,

                        

                                                and appreciate the beauty in the garden.
 

                           

                                          I hope you are enjoying and celebrating spring

                                    as much as we are down on the Arkansas farm!

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Spring's Celebrations



Spring has sprung down on the farm!
Just the day before the calendar claims that spring has begun
we were blessed to celebrate my Mother's 92nd birthday.
As you can see, it's a family tradition to help in the 
candle blowing ceremony!


Even the beef cows are celebrating the warmer days
of spring  and didn't seem to mind posing for 
a picture while hanging around the hay manger.


Spring finds us celebrating the birth of new calves.
Although most beef cows have plenty of milk for their 
babies, we do have an occasional calf that may need a 
little help when Momma doesn't have any milk or the baby 
is not trying to nurse for whatever reason.
That's when the farmer instinct takes over  and he  feeds the baby.


Celebrating spring with a farmer always brings
a smile on my face as you see the passion 
he feels for his farm and family!


Happy Spring!


 

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Thankful Thursday


Where would we be without the women in our lives?
Women's History Month and International Women's Day
gives me  the opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments
of women across the world and  the women
that have made an impact on my life.



Here's to
Strong Women



May we 
Know them


                                                                 

                                                                             May we

                                                                     be them



May we
raise them.


                                       I'm thankful for the women that have blessed my life.


                                         

Monday, February 27, 2023

February's Farming and Fun


                                               Can you believe that February is almost gone? 

                             We did manage to have a little fun mixed in with the  daily work

                                             down on the farm  of feeding cows and calves.  


                                                It was a little challenging walking around on

                                     the layers of sleet and ice that took a week to melt but  we 

                                               took our week without any bad falls as a win!


Here is just a sampling of a little fun in February:

Farm dogs are always loyal and would
never stay too far from the action.


Papa Ryan made a trip to the local hardware
store to purchase a sled  so that Hattie and Breck could enjoy the 
sledding experience from the hill at the barn.
Memories for a lifetime made down on the farm.



Valentine Pie was the perfect treat for my farmer Valentine!


With spring just around the corner,
Breck finally managed to get his tractor charged
up for a chilly ride.   



February is still holding on 
but  we are seeing the signs that spring is not too far away.


                                         I'm not really wishing February to hurry and be done
                                                but I do look forward to the promise of spring!

Friday, January 13, 2023

January Reflections


January is in full swing...
freezing weather and high winds,
 a little fog,
lightning but no rain,
a little sleet,
 single digit  temperatures followed
by 
70  degree days...

 
but what can you say?
It's crazy January!
The calves are handling crazy weather better than the 
farmers.

I will say, January also gives time to reflect on some
of the fun times of the holiday season...


and a special Christmas gift of a visit from 
my friend Nancy.


Life on the farm just can't get any better when you 
have the love of family and friends.
It's that love that keeps us going on the 
toughest days.