Thankful Thursday

One of the added benefits to mowing the yard next to the pasture is 

getting to watch the heifers enjoying  those grass clippings

that were blown under the fence.  They looked a little like excited

kids in a candy store!

Even though farm life is extremely busy in the month of May,

I am thankful for the moments that bring smiles,

for the family celebrations of  Mother's Day ,birthdays

 and graduations,

and for the beauty of the garden  that 

remind us that all these gifts 

are freely given by our heavenly Father.

A Mother's Love

What's not to love about this day of celebrating mothers?

Down on the farm, we celebrate all mothers!

A Mother's Love

A mother's love is special

It's present every day,

A gift that came from heaven

That God has sent our way.

Her job is never ending

She's there all day and night,

To be there for her children

And be their guiding light.

Her thoughts are with them always

Even if they are apart,

Her children have a special place

Deep down inside her heart.

Mother's are a special gift-

A gift from up above,

This world would seem so empty

Without a Mother's love.

                             --T. Entzminger

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Thankful Thursday

It may be too cold or  wet for pasture grasses or crops to grow,

but you can always count on the weeds to take advantage of the 

worst conditions!

We were grateful for the two days without rain that allowed 

Cody to begin weed control spraying in the pasture next to the house.

This pasture has a variety of Bermuda and other mixed grasses that

will grow much better with less competition from the weeds and make

a more nutritious  hay bale for our cows to enjoy.

If you look closely, you can see a couple of extra heads in the 

tractor cab.  

Hattie and Breck didn't waste the opportunity 

to ride in the tractor with their Daddy.

I am thankful that we can share life on the farm with 

our family and celebrate the milestones of 

each year  with those we love the most!

 

Thankful Thursday

Last year we were looking up information about our farm to see if we

could qualify to be recognized as an Arkansas Century Farm. 

Sure enough, the land where our house and the dairy sit was purchased in

1919 by Ryan's Grandad Grover Bagby. 

Although we had the abstract for the land purchase,

I also went to the County Circuit Clerk's office and looked up

the county deed records. It was quite a fascinating process to hold

those records from so long ago filled with beautiful handwritten documentation

of the history of land in Benton County.  

Dairy farming has been a part of the farming on this land for 90 years. 

On April 16, Ryan completed 50 years of milking dairy cows on the family farm.

I'm so thankful for the 37 years that I have been a part

of the dairy farming life.  Taking a city girl  and training

her was no easy job for the farmer!

Although we won't be milking cows,

I can still look out the kitchen window watching the

dairy heifers and beef cows enjoy these  early  spring

pastures  and give thanks for the blessings of farm living!

 

Thankful Thursday

April brings more than showers!

We welcomed this new calf just after the showers

and a cool down in the temperature.  

As you can see, the calf found a cozy spot on the 

hay as her Mother continued to eat before going to

the milk barn.

I am thankful for all the blessings of spring--

new life on the farm,

celebrating our precious Hattie's 6th birthday,

                                                                              and 

                                                 to live in a country that gives us the opportunity

                                                     to seek election  to serve our community.

Thankful Thursday

Conversations in the last few weeks, no matter what the subject, often ended

with "I'm just 91,you know!"

It is hard to believe that my Mother is now 91.

Our party was a sweet celebration with family and friends.

Our expert candle blowers were ready for the task even though

the total of only  10 candles represented the big 91.

I celebrate not only the fact that my Mother has made this 

91 year milestone, but that she has lived her life to the 

fullest.  Her life has been full of working and serving 

others in the community through church and civic involvement,

 caring for her family, and cherishing her many friendships.

I also find it a fitting time during Women's History Month

to celebrate a few of the  achievements of  my Mother, Mary Baggett.

Mother has always loved her home town, Bentonville.

That love led her to become involved in the local politics.

She was the glass ceiling breaker for Bentonville becoming 

 the first woman elected to the Bentonville City Council in 1972.

and the first woman elected to the Benton County Quorum Court in 1982.

I am proud of the investment she made of her time to 

make Bentonville an even better place to live for all of us.

Most of all, I am thankful 

for all  the love Mother  gives so freely to me ,

my family and  all those who know her.

Winter's Last Hurrah

With the end of February and the turning of the calendar, we all have that 

hope and realization that spring is just around the corner.

However, March seldom gives up those last winter weather days.

As I faced the north wind and blowing snow this morning, I

was pretty sure that Winter was shouting its last hurrah and 

probably having a good laugh!

Fluctuating temperatures like we have experienced this month

are very stressful for the calves and often bring illness

such as pneumonia and scours. 

Providing  blankets to keep them warm, providing

warm milk twice daily, bedding the hutches with straw 

 or shavings and monitoring each calf  closely is 

 our everyday farmer job.

These jonquil blooms earlier this week

were just a little bit early for real spring

                               

                                  but they did confirm the hope and promise of  spring is real!