You Know Your A Farm Kid When......

You put on your boots with whatever you happen to be wearing for the day! 

 

You play in fields of corn!

Learn to drive when you are 5 1/2 years old.........

 

 

SHE DID A GREAT JOB!

I am so proud of her! 

And no I did not have her pose for the first photo, that is how she was!

I love this little gal!

Our Saturday morning was spent picking up irrigation pipe as a family.
After my weeks of being in front of a computer and clients a majority of the time,
being outside and with my family was the best gift of this Saturday morning!

I am so thankful I was able to capture some farm shots for you!

 

When we were done we headed home and chilled on the playhouse front porch!

The chickens now roam all over the place, and they decided they needed to

join the family fun as well!

 

 

This one she was cackling forever!

I don't know why but she kept coming back to tell me something.
I don't speak cackling so I still do not know what that was! :)

 

Milton thought Rosy Gladys would like swinging!
Silly Daddy!

 

 

But my favorite shot of the day was this one!

Blessed are these two, and I for being a witness of their relationship!

I hope your weekend is a lovely one!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

 



Update on Chickens & PV

I had a few minutes this Friday morning and thought I'd play alittle catchup on the blog! 

This week.....

 

 

This gal finally got a name.  It's PV's chicken that will allow us to pet and hold her and she lingers around PV when we are in her midst. Are you ready ..... drumroll please!  

ROSY GLADYS

 

PV chose Rosy out of all the names, she decided to give Gladys as a middle name.

I was impressed with her figuring this out on her own too!

 

 

We usually find one or two eggs each evening, they must go back in

and lay them after we let them loose for the day! The eggs are slowly getting

 larger. They love being free from the coop that is for sure!

 

This week PV began Kindergarten!  So far she likes the bus ride!

We might revisit that in about a week or two!

 Last year she loved the bus ride, but it was a lot shorter!

Positive of this, it means Mom & Dad don't have to pay a daycare bill anymore!

HAPPY DANCE! I'm sure some of you can relate!

She also gets to spend quality time with Dad doing farm work, so she will

know the farming life when she grows up. 

 

I'm almost completed with my training, but will be away from home again next week.

Life is somewhat of a blur right now, but I'm continually praying for the transition to

be one for the better for my family.  Thanks to all of you who have supported me and our family!

 

Until next time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

 

 

 

A Perfectionist's Mindset

We were created to exist in relationships together. When I read this from my bible study devotion this morning, it created in me thoughts to  aide me in daily life.  I’ve begun a new avenue in the industry I work.  When beginning new things, I tend to feel anxious and nervous, due to being outside my comfort zone.  I think I’m getting alittle ahead of myself here, let me back up.

The belief I have in myself is growing with each day, with each appointment, with each challenge, accomplishment, and mistake.  I like it, I fear it, I dislike it, I love it, all at once.  This is called an emotional roller coaster ride by the way! :)

Being the perfectionist that I am, yes I am actually admitting it here, I have high expectations of my own abilities.  Recently, I have learned and been told that a perfectionist mindset can be both a strength and weakness for oneself.  I am glad I was told this, the weakness section brings me to the reality that dwelling on something too long can do more harm, when moving on and learning from it can enhance my life,/my abilities.  I’m glad God brought that individual into my life to explain and point this out.  (mental note, work in progress, won’t be overnight success in this area)

I’d like to go back to the relationships area of this post.  I realized in reading the words from “The God of All Comfort” by Donna Pyle, I have been given the opportunity to create relationships, in addition to protecting what is most important to people in my occupation.

Since making the decision to pursue this opportunity, I knew there was more in it for me.  I knew taking care of people is one of my strengths.  I have always liked to take care of people. What better way than to protect the things that matter so much to them.  I will not be just be selling insurance or out to make a buck. The seed that was within to spark this new journey has just grown some more by the way!

Donna Pyle says,

“by definition, comfort is something we do, while compassion is something we feel. When they work together, they have the power to transform lives.”

I love that.  Take a moment and read it once again, you might try it out loud.  Don’t just read the words, feel them!

I want to transform lives. I want to be the person that when they leave my office they think "she seems so compassionate and authentic."  Whether they become clients or not, I want to be an extension of many things, but I know compassion is essential in building relationships.  The goal is to build relationships.

My inabilities may be showing currently in my starting appointments, but I know this.  God placed each of these people in front of me, for some reason.  Whether they are Christian or not, I feel blessed by getting to share the knowledge I have with them to help them. I know that they will enhance my life by just being present, whether for the long haul or a short period. 

My hope is to bring them information they need with value, and if a time comes that they need comfort, I pray I am compassionate.

Be sure to build relationships in your life, it not only enhances your life, but brings you closer to the One True God. 

Thank you for allowing me to grow, to share on our blog, and for the support you have brought to our lives.
Julie

Boxes of Kindness

I've mentioned it before, and I am going to do it again.  I have some pretty awesome friends!  God has blessed me in many areas of my life, but this area of my life, it's truly one of my prized possessions. 

I have a variety of friends.  Some pray for me, some lift me up with kind words or notes, some send text messages to check in on me, and some email me or call to check on me.  A few of them haven't known me for very long, but I feel as if we have been close forever.

During this new adventure of mine, that I mentioned here, I have received a "box of love" from one particular friend. 

It's funny because in reality, due to changes in both our lives, we don't see one another as much as we used to.  She showed up on my door step, with a beautiful box in hand, a warm hug, and positive expressions flowing from her mouth!  (the weekend before I left for training I might add!)

It was just what I needed! Oh sure there was laundry to be done, a house to clean, and homework to finish, but I think she had what I needed at the moment.  A friend to hug, words of encouragement, and a couple hours sitting on the couch doing nothing, and shutting my "thinking" mind off! 

Not only did she give me this beautiful box.  As I opened it, I couldn't resist a smile if I wanted to.  It warmed my heart to all get out folks! It was packed full of assorted envelopes, small trinkets, and such. 

It has 31 items in all.  One for each day of the month of August.  Something to open each day to encourage me, make me laugh, or to stop worrying about what lies ahead.  This is a prize that I will treasure forever. Handwritten notes are the best, and she has supplied me with many! :)

I couldn't let this act of kindness go by without publication because I think it's the perfect addition to any of these posts I have done. 


Kindness 1

Kindness 2

Kindness 3


It comes from the heart, a simple act.  That is, giving someone (me) the "lifting up" I need in this transition.  I hope to pay it forward in some manner soon.

How about you?  Has my friend inspired you?  Reach out to someone, open a door, drop a note in the mail, call a relative you might have had a riff with years ago, let things be happy in life.  Let things flow as they were meant to, have interactions, and show kindness.

Just on a side note, the new adventure is kicking in to gear.  Emotions have been up and down, and transitioning for our family is occurring.  But I am glad I made this choice. I am glad for this journey that I am upon, I want to help people take care of the things that are most important them in life.

Thank you for all allowing me share our life, and for supporting this new adventure!
Julie

Just a FEW of the motivational, silly, lovely items in my box!

What's in a Chirp's Name?

Yesterday I wrote a quick post about our 2nd day of egg finding.  As I published it, the 5 year old decided to bang on the front door, and yell "MOM"!  Of course I was to come running, she had SOMETHING to show me!  I could tell by her voice it was something of excitement, or at least I had better grab the camera as I was strolling to the door!

I come out and she's next to the UTV and says "TA DA"!

Her and her father had decided to take the tamest chicken we have for a ride!  

This lady allows PV to pet it and MV can hold it.  

I think her size intimidates PV at this point, 

so she only pets while the chicken is roaming free.  

I asked PV this morning about a name for this particular chicken.  She was listing names from movies. I said no, let's go with Gladys, she didn't agree.  (imagine that!)  Well I decided perhaps we could gather a few names and let PV choose from those!

So, are you all up for alittle fun?  List on here or the Facebook post any names you think should be considered for this little darling!  

I will leave it up to PV in the end, but options are good in life I do believe!

This week is quite busy for me, so it might be next weekend before we choose!  Thanks for participating and for stopping by!

Julie

PS: There was no eggs this morning!

Beautiful Quiet Mornings

The 5 year old in our home was the first one out of bed
this morning and actually dressed!
I can only hope she feels the same way about starting school this coming week!
Her anticipation for "egg finding" was quite high and
 that was the reason for the fully dressed by herself morning! 

We all headed over to the chicken coop to see if there was any to be found!  

First we "freed" the Ladies, they were anxiously waiting to be released into the farmyard!

Their "run" is quite muddy, I'd want to be free too!

PV found ONE egg this morning!
  I wish we knew which chicken was laying these little jewels!
The egg this morning was smaller than last nights, but same color.

PV decided she wanted cereal verse eggs this morning,
so they are both waiting patiently in our frig to be ate! :)

The chicken coop sits in the farmyard, so we took the road home verses tromping through mud once again!
We went to our water logged garden to inspect it!
We found two of these little guys!

In amongst our carrots! I don't know if I have
mentioned it, but I LOVE cooked carrots!
I can not wait to have some for supper this evening!

We have decided to put the dill worms into a jar.
We wanted to show PV about how they turn into butterflies!

This Saturday morning has been delightful in
 the fact that it was lovely weather with sunshine.
I was able to do my online learning for my new job on
the front porch, MV & PV ran to the lumber yard
to gather supplies for the church roof repair next week,
and now they are cleaning out the chicken coop.
(So sorry I am busy and had to miss that last job! NOT!)

I hope your Saturday morning has been one of delight as well!
I'm heading back to the online learning after lunch! I never thought I'd say
I'm sick of being in front of a computer, but that time has in fact came!
I'm excited about the upcoming week though! It will be busy but I get
to visit with LOTS of people, and start building relationships and help others!

May your weekend be blessed!
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie 

Chickens & the Excitement They Bring!

Waiting is sometimes difficult.... but our wait is over!  

If you have followed us on our Facebook page you have noticed that we have let our chickens/chirps roam the farmyard in the past couple weeks.  They are very good about heading back to "roost" each evening for us.  I am thinking they like it alot, and the farm dog does leave them alone!

Are you tired of waiting.... ok.... here goes!

PV and MV went over to shut the door on the chicken coop this evening

 and guess what our little gal found!

AN EGG!

Our First Egg!

Yep!  

I was relaxing on our front porch and she comes out 

all smiles with her hands behind her back!

"Mom! Guess what?!" 

 I am 100% serious when I tell you that she was bursting at the seams!

  I love that smile! It's awesome!

In fact, it was so cute I snagged a video of her to share her excitement with you!

We will keep you posted on the Chirp's Egg Production!

Exciting times at the Farm!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie & Milton

Wheat Harvest Items

We are here not only to share our story but to educate as well.  To give you an inside view of the farming life that we live.  Different farms and different families  have different ways of doing things, here's how our wheat harvest usually goes down!  Wheat harvest is normally in June for us.

Dad- RV
During harvest he primarily drives the semi truck and old Chevy truck. So he is the truck driver. He patiently waits for them to get filled, then he heads to the farm and unloads into the pit, where the grain is augered into the various grain bins we have.  Once the bins are full, he then heads to town and gets to sit in his truck in a LONG line to unload at the town elevator.  For you city folk, you might not care for harvest time, as the street next to the elevator is lined with an array of semi and grain trucks!  Sometimes it makes for a hard time to get through, but please remember, those grain trucks are holding food for our world!

Mom- LV
She usually assists when they are unloading trucks at the farm.  We have a scale that weighs the trucks, so we can later determine how many bushels we cut and figure our yield.  She takes the information down and fills out the scale tickets.  She also helps when trucks need moved or someone needs taken to the field, or her grandkid, fixes some meals, usually has a sheetcake in her house to snack on,  and is good support all around!

MV
He usually drives the combine. Although some may think this is the easiest job, it can be hard to sit for 7-12 days straight for 12 plus hours per day.  Especially when you have a back that isn't 100%.  He also has to listen for "odd " sounds and like I explained here, actually drive the combine.  Ours is a Case IH 1688 with no automatic systems!  About a week after harvest starts he also gets up early when it's too damp to cut wheat and plants soybeans in the wheat stubble.  So it's non-stop for him for several days for long hours. Oh! And if it breaks down, he is the mechanic too!

JV
I am moral support and food support.  My husband's family doesn't stop to eat.  I recall as a child going to the field and eating together for abit. Giving the guys a break and enjoying food on the tailgate.  I miss that, but instead I make sure he has one large meal a day.  The other meal is usually a sandwich and I pack lots of snacks for him.  Sometimes he will stop long enough to come out and sit with us in the pickup to eat, but normally not for long.

PV
She's combine riding little gal, and keeps her momma busy so mommy isn't missing Daddy too much! :)  She tags along and this year spent a great deal of time in the cab of that Case IH 1688 combine with Daddy!  It's a wonderful feeling for me to watch this all play out.  Someday I hope she looks back at the oodles of photos I take and realizes how lucky she was to grow up on a farm!

This year's wheat harvest included but not limited to the following.

900 acres to harvest.
14 days of harvesting.
1,000 Gallons of diesel fuel used approximately.
131 Number of hours the combine ran.
2 breakdowns

Things I hope to keep track of next year, just for fun!
# of semi truck loads
# of Grain truck loads
Menu
Combine rides of visitors

By the way, our wheat harvest was one full of blessings.  The outcome was definately one of the best years Milton and I have seen.  The best part is watching my husband live his life doing the one thing he loves the most.


BEING A FARMER!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Julie

Butter & Jam Thumbprint Cookies

I really enjoy cookies with filling like the recipe that I am sharing today.  I made these back in July, and am so glad I found the recipe! I normally just buy (on occasion) the filled ones at the store.  Now I can make them and it's actually a pretty simple recipe.  One of the best parts is, I can use my homemade jam too!

I found this recipe in the little cookbook that came with our Food Network mixer we bought. I made some with Strawberry jam and some with Peach jam.  I hope you enjoy the recipe!

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

Butter & Jam Thumbprint Cookies                               Source: Food Network

1 3/4 C. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 C. unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 C. sugar, plus more for rolling
1 Large egg
2/3 tsp. pure vanilla bean paste or 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup jam

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2.Whisk flour, baking powder, salt together in a bowl. In another bowl, whip butter and sugar with electric mixer until fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Beat in egg and vanilla bean past until just combined.  Slowly beat in dry ingredients, in 2 additions, mixing just until incorporated.

3. Scoop dough into 1 inch balls with a cookie or ice cream scoop; roll in sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press a 1/2 inch deep thumbprint into the center of each ball. Fill each print with about 3/4 tsp. jam.

4. Bank cookies until edges are golden, about 15 minutes.  Cool on baking sheets. Serve.

Makes about 30 cookies.

They aren't the most prettiest but they are DELISH! :)