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.

 

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!!

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.

   

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!

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!

 

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.

                                         

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!

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.