Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Rainy Skies~Sunny Skies and the Farm


   Today is one of those days were the skies are busy.  I love to watch the clouds move across the wide expanse of sky. It has transitioned several times from rainy to sunny- very unsettled weather today.  The sky is a brilliant blue when the clouds go away.  I love to look at the sky when those gray clouds move out.  Spring brings these kinds of days frequently.  I took these pictures from my driveway this morning.  I just turned and snapped a picture. 



  
   On Sunday evening, Jeremiah and I were going to pick the kids up from a church activity and the sky was phenomenal!  We live on a mountain and as we were heading down the hill we could see a huge amount of the sky.  The colors were vibrant.  Yellows, blues, purples and pinks filled the sky.  We were able to see a storm front coming in and the sunset where the storm had yet to arrive.

   All this rain has been great for our yard and the fields.  We are anticipating the return of the cows from a local farmer.  He keeps them here on pasture for summer while they are growing up and getting old enough to milk. It is peaceful to watch them grazing across the fields.  We use an intensive grazing system.  They are moved through the fields instead of just turning them loose to roam the entire paddock.  This year we also plan on having some chickens follow to help with bug and fly control. Here are two photos of the cows we had last year.  I may have posted them before...



   Speaking of chickens...our little ones are growing healthy and strong.  They are getting bigger and feathering out.  They are adorable!  They are also messy!  Madilynne just cleaned their temporary home yesterday morning!  I will be so happy when they are old enough to be able to be outside in the movable kennel.




 
   This fellow has still been coming around the house.  His colorings are beautiful.  He has been staying off the porch though and that is a good thing.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Lilacs

  
 
   Lilacs are probably my number one favorite spring flower.
 



 I love their colors and scent.  We have a white lilac and a light purple lilac bush. The light purple is my favorite.



 
Yesterday, Jeremiah and I were in the yard and I decided to pick a bouquet of them. I brought them into the house and placed them in a pint mason jar. 
 


   The kitchen is filled with the light scent of lilacs.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mother's Day 2015

   I am a very fortunate lady.  I am blessed to live close to both my mom and my mother-in-law. Today we celebrated the day together with a late lunch after church.  Jeremiah grilled some steak and kabobs, while I made some baked potatoes, a salad, cut up some fresh pineapple and made some rolls. My mom made a Strawberry Torte and the in-laws brought two pies, one strawberry and one apple.  After we ate, we played a card game, Skip Bo, and then decided to go for a walk. The temperatures have been soaring into the 80's and for us, that is hot!  We enjoyed visiting in front of the fan when we returned. 
   I am also blessed to be mom to two awesome kids and wife to an amazing man. I thank God that I have them. 
  

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Maple Syrup

   Last Spring Jeremiah and his dad, Pappy J, built a small sugar camp.  Ryder has had an interest in making maple syrup for several years.  Several days ago, Ryder and two of his friends made syrup over an open campfire.  They ended up with about a quart of syrup. 
   All the talk of boiling got Jeremiah fired up to make some syrup as well.  He contacted a friend of his who has a local sugar camp.  He was able to get sap from him. Jeremiah and Ryder got the sugar camp set up and went to pick up the sap. The next morning, Jeremiah and Pappy J got to work boiling.  I took Ryder back after he was done with his classes at our local homeschool group. When it is complete, we will have about 4 gallons of syrup.
   Growing up I only ever had real maple syrup.  When Jeremiah and I married we switched to buying the store stuff because it was cheaper.  I thought it was so good...nothing better than the gooey, liquid that came out of a lady-shaped, plastic bottle! Jeremiah got hooked on the real thing several years ago and we haven't gone back to the imitation. It took a bit for me to transition back to natural sweetness but it has been good. I had some of the imitation syrup over Christmas and I could hardly believe I used to enjoy that flavor!
  How about you, which is your favorite? Real or imitation?
  

~ SunnyKaye