Thankful Thursday

After the chores were finished, our family  gathered around the table for

our traditional  July 4th picnic supper in the cool of the air conditioner and

then made our journey to the pond for a fantastic fireworks display.

We all have a few mosquito and chigger bites but it was worth it

for the fun we had.

I am thankful for the many July 4th  memories we have

 made in this pastoral spot on the farm,

for the curious guests that joined in the fun until the first 

fire cracker was lit,

for the two inches of rain we received that 

allowed us to plant  part of our fall crop,

and

 for the freedoms we enjoy every day!

                                                            God bless America!
 

Thankful Thursday

                       

                                         

                                                             What excites a farmer?  

                                                         Hay season, of course!

                                      The farmers have been waiting impatiently to 

                                                     get started harvesting  the hay

                                                          and now, it is happening. 

                                     I'm thankful for the perfect hot and dry  weather

                                         this week  so the hay can be cut, raked

                                                  and baled in perfect condition,

                                                 for the opportunity to celebrate  Father's Day 

                                                            with  homemade ice cream,

for the memories made with our sons on all the 

days we  work together,

and for the memories 

of the fathers who raised us.

Thankful Thursday

Our hay cutting season is getting off to a really slow start due

to our soggy weather but we did get started  with the field next to the 

house that is less soggy than many others.

It was important to get the mixture of rye grass and weeds cut 

so the Bermuda grass would

have a better chance to grow for the second cutting.

Even though our work has been slowed down

by the weather, I am thankful for the opportunity 

it has provided for us to  enjoy the company of those 

around us,

 let our imaginations run wild in the 

fairy garden,

                                                         
                                                            and celebrate a birthday or two!

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!