Fall Festival

Last weekend we hosted our CSA's fall festival here at our farm. While it took a ton of preparation on our part to get the place ready, it was well worth it because it was great fun. Besides, without the motivation to clean up we wouldn't be enjoying how neat and tidy everything is now.

In addition to providing the space for the festival, we also provided entertainment in several forms. Chris' dad Scott fired up his restored steam tractor and used the steam from the boiler to power his vertical engine, which was then used to grind the CSA's blue corn. Watching the engines run was a huge highlight for many of the attendees. We also gave hay rides and had some sheep feeding and chicken petting for the kids.

There were three live bands (solar powered!) and the CSA held a silent auction and bake sale. At the end of the day they had raised around a thousand dollars. We were so glad to be able to help.

Here is the section of field we prepared with people beginning to arrive.


Chris and the steam tractor.


Scott ran steam from the big tractor over to this little engine through pipes. The little engine is connected to the corn grinder with a belt.






The kids loved it.


Festival goers enjoying the music and sunshine.


I snapped this photo because I had never seen a tuba on the farm before and wasn't sure if I ever would again!


Scott had double duty that day because after he was done with the steam engines his band Holy Water and Whiskey played a set.


Scotty and Eliza shared their chickens with the other kids.




Hay rides.


Sheep feeding.

Goings on about the farm

Harvest time has been interesting around here. We have had some new additions to the animal family! We acquired three new sheep from the zoo last week and this morning a calf was born! We have been preparing the fields and gardens for fall planting of cover crops. We will be seeding in a cool weather blend of hairy vetch and winter rye in the corn field and the vegetable plots. We've also been preparing the cold frame for spinach and lettuce. I have ordered some garlic for planting around the young pears we transplanted from the old house and I couldn't resist some dutch iris bulbs although I don't know where I'll put them yet. Our hens are starting to lay too so we have been enjoying some delicious fresh eggs. We've had another rainy spell with a couple of inches over the last two days. It's muddy and soggy! We are now preparing for our CSA's harvest festival which will be held here in a couple of weeks.

We don't get much orange and red fall color here but the yellow is glorious



The new sheep



Chris tilling the corn field at twilight while the kids and I have a fire


This morning's calf, just hours old.

More canning

Crystal and her family came over one day a few weeks ago to help can tomatoes. Well she helped with the tomatoes and the guys and the kids went frolicking on the river (see photos at Crystal's blog HERE).

Trying to get a shot of the two of us and the tomatoes


Crystal learning to can!


We made a total of 8 quarts of tomatoes


Later I made some more apricot jam and some apple pie filling.



I just love the way the pantry is looking lately!

Some randomly assorted photos of our day at the lake

Grandma Grace

Today we had a wonderful day with friends out on a lake. We all laughed and played and enjoyed life. On the way home I got the call from my mom that my Grandma Grace died this afternoon. She passed away in her sleep at home--something for which we are very grateful. Grandma enjoyed life too and she brought so much joy to everyone who loved her. On a recent visit there was a moment when my brother was being silly and had worked both Grandma and Scotty into hysterics to the point of tears. The two of them were feeding off each other--it was really hilarious. Grandma knew how to laugh that's for sure.

Grandma had four children, twelve grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. (This is a picture of her with her 4 kids--my mom is first on her left.) She was very involved in all of our lives. She knew and loved every last one of her great grandchildren, even the youngest of all, my little 12 month old nephew. She loved and was loved by many children and grandchildren-in-law as well. We will all miss her so much.

She was witty and opinionated to the very end of her life of 95 years. Now none of us can play a game of "May I" and even dream of cheating because we know she's watching us!

If there is a heaven I hope there's a casino there. Have a good time, Grandma. We love you.

So long summer.......

Tonight is the last night of summer but consistent with the bizarre weather pattern this year we have actually already had frost! About 5 days ago the pumpkins took a hit and tonight it's downright COLD as we go to bed. We are a good 15 to 20 degrees below average during the day and overnight. Chris' dad says he has never seen it freeze this early in the 25 years he's lived here.



Tonight on Mom M's recommendation I went out and harvested all but two of the basil plants. Looks like there is some pesto in our future!

The last of the corn

The kids and I went out into what remained of the corn field to gather whatever seed we could find. Then we turned the animals onto it. The cows were so funny--they looked so guilty out there! Every time they saw us they gave us that guilty cow look.