Pictures to come (lots)

I rarely post a lot of words, because pictures say so much more than my words can express. But today, one picture and a few words to describe 2009 at the farm. The picture is Claire and the farm house in the background.

This picture sums up 2009 at "The Farm". It has been a summer of mostly about people. The people we love, some came to visit, others will come in future years. For us, JayandPam, it's all about the people we love, our family including "auntie" Kris P. So for 2009 and the farm, Claire and the farmhouse background stand until 2010 as the symbol of "At the Farm" 2009.

So many great pictures to come, when I can unpack and catch my breath.

Today

Fun at "fall" break at the farm.

Gord Central

Threshing oats at Jim and Paula's

The Oak forest near North pasture

Free Range Chickens

Today's gord and pumpkin harvest

The Last Hunt

Worth Watching

First video is Thursday and second video is Friday morning

Freddie's dinner Thursday

(El, he just happens to be the one who crows)

Quiet mornings again.

Happy boy, dignity intact

Good Morning Thursday 9 17 09

Sunrise

Humor Me.....

The IPG, Kris P and Chairs

The International Peace Gardens are located on the North Dakota and Canadian border and are a must see this time of year especially, so of course we took Kris P.

Jay and Pam

The gardens and peace towers in the background

Sunflowers in bloom by the farm

Me and Kris P

Our new "his and hers" chairs

(there's a story)

A beautiful Day...

Flowers arranged in salvaged mason jar, (from the burn pile), and we're off to the branch get together. Happy weekend to all...(see pictures below, kinda out of order)
Branch pot luck today! I'm taking these beautiful fresh cut flowers, (after I put them in a mason jar). They are food for the soul, oh yah, and I'm taking potato salad.

Fresh flower arrangement on the dining room table, that is currently in the living room. We are still working on the dining room floor. I found this glorious container in town. It is american pottery copley, used in the 40's and 50's. I love it.

The kitchen window view today from the inside out.....

It's out there somewhere

Blue Sky

It's out there, somewhere?

Not easy to see sometimes, but it is out there

Some days it's so commonly visible you don't even notice how much blue sky there is,

Other days, no matter how much blue sky is there, you just can't see it that day

I love blue skies but without clouds once in a while or rainy days, they become common and invisible.

When I can't see the blue sky because of the clouds and gray in my day or life I'm learning to look at the beauty in front of me and around me and yes, count my blessings one by one. It does eventually lift clouds even on a rainy day

And then what helps as well is to "sing a sad song", acknowledge the bad day, and then move up and on

Age is teaching me to appreciate the duality of "a bad day", and the ability to see the Blue Sky

Thanks for the song.

Something New

Today this appeared, it is an official street sign at the corner of the main road to the farm. We feel a little special and the directions we give to the farm will be new, as we refer to the street sign post. Progress....mmmm?

Halloween in Arizona

One of the greatest joys of my week, here at the farm:

Max, our grandson brings Halloween early to Jonny, Krista and everyone else who sees this

(watch this, it is worth it)!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9vi0xgYTEg&eurl=http://jonnyandkrista.blogspot.com/&feature=player_embedded

Growing

Zinnias, big ones coming soon, hopefully, if the temperature can get above 70 degrees.

This is what a canola fields looks like when it turns from bright yellow to gray green

Yarrow and more yarrow, this bucket is for a local florist.

A beginning of more to come.....white lace flowers, (astilbe and hydrangea)

For Elliott

This seems like yesterday, your wedding day....but then it seems like yesterday you were born. August 1, 1985. My day, your day, your whole families day (present and to come) to celebrate your arrival. Enjoy your day and family celebration. You're in our thoughts, we love you! yo mama

Papa and "boison"

Happy boy and happy girl, the day your new family started.

Happy first anniversary May 17, 2008

Brennan a fine videographer

We probably have at least 2 families of these cute creatures, they've taken residence under the shed and the barn. They're driving Fred crazy, that is until he catches 1, I mean 2, he got 1.

Thanks for the JOY, thanks for the Help...

The garden today...

Bella look how great the yarrow looks! thanks for help weeding it. We will have blossoms on zinnias and marigolds in days. Can't wait.Thanks also to Brennan for help weeding the beets....the deer have found the beet greens on the lower south garden, (loosely translated, there are not greens left in lower garden)

Bella's self portrait, after taking pictures of the tree house painting job.

Brennan and papa, giving it the camo look....

Bella and Brennan instructing MOM on how to ride the "fun" swing.....

For all my Girls.....boys too,

Oh, the beauty of Perennials....

delphinium, peony, white hydrangea, lambs ear, coral bells, fox glove, blue salvia...all from my first perennial harvest.

These flowers remind me of my mom, many of her favorites and the old fashioned flowers from my youth.

Then and Now.

Vegetable garden planted (June)

Flower seeds planted and yarrow transplanted

Front flower bed after an initial clean up....

Today looks like this....

new growth receiving lots of TLC

Helpful and willing weeders

Front Flowers-most perennials survived winter

woo hoo! The white hydrangea is new.

Assorted Fun and Flying high

First time with the Kayaks, at "Long Lake", near the farm.

The Wildflower Crown Project compete

The field of flowers, (pink and white queen annes lace), near the farm drive, we collected arm fulls for flower crowns. The perfect flowers for crowns.

Ready, set....

Test... Brennan first to try out the new swing, seems to be nice and strong. Thanks Papa, Trevor and wiki how to.