The Red Machine that Made my Farmer's Valentines!

My farmer husband is a man of few words, few expressions, and a great deal of patience. If you have been following us for the past two years you probably know this already.  I, on the other hand am slightly different.  I'm a tad bit more outgoing, expressive, and have more patience than I used to. 

Gift giving is something I enjoy and I also enjoy receiving them, I will be honest my hubs, not so much.  He could go without any gifts ever, or so he likes to say that!

Today Valentine's day or some call it a "commercial holiday" came around this year and although I would LOVE flowers or a card from my husband he was more than thrilled with what was sitting in the farm yard come late this morning!  So my gift giving abilities were not needed!

His Valentine's day brought something red, something he's been waiting for since December, and although used ( 5 years) it's like brand new to us! 

Even the littlest farmer got right in to check out "her seat"!


Being a farmer's wife is always a learning process I think.  I went into this marriage having one mindset and as the years have gone by I've learned that was not the one needed to be married to my forever Valentine.  

I think this Valentine's gift will suffice for many many many years to come. I will be writing a farewell post this week on our 1688 Case IH that worked for 14 years quite well for our farm.  Be sure to check back to read it!

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Julie

Making Farm Beautiful - Barn Quilt Block

When you drive through the countryside you can see farmsteads along the road.  Some have been there for centuries and others not so long.  Perhaps there is an old dwelling and not far a new one reflecting the legacy being carried on.  This is the case of our farmsteads. 

My in laws live in the dwelling that my father-in-law and his twin brother were born in.  He has lived there his entire life except for a few short years.  It has held a couple families during that time where little boys rode their trikes around in a circle through the house, and neighbor kids and cousins hung out.  Additions to the dwelling were made and now it holds only two very special people.  They continued a legacy of farming and they shared it with their children.  My husband being one of them, now he is sharing it with his child to carry on the legacy.

The beauty of the farm may just be in the eye of the beholder, I'm not sure.  I find beauty in different areas of the farm when I'm out in it.  Pride of ownership is another legacy that was passed on in my husband's family.  When I walk through the farmstead, pasture, or take a gander from the road of a field I can see years of hard work, love, and care.  That's important.  That's good. 

This Christmas season I wanted to make sure we gave my husband's parents a gift they could enjoy for a long time.  We are blessed to still have them and they are simple folk. So when searching for a gift we went with homemade.  The best kind of course.  

I had planned for all three of us to help work on it, but it ended up I was unable to participate in the labor part. PV painted some, but mostly Milton made it for his parents.  I just gave him the idea and plans! :)  So I guess it was still a team effort.

A Barn Quilt Block is what we presented to them on Saturday. 

The following weekend Milton hung it on the barn. You can see it from the  roadside or as you come into their drive.  We went with red, white, and blue as they are as American as they come.  They are part of American heritage and I am proud to say I am a part of their family.

It is the first barn quilt block that Milton has done.  Perhaps we will do some more in the future.   I was inspired by my friend Nicole and others that have done them.  We hope they enjoy it and that those that drive by do as well.

This holiday season giving to others is important but as always the true reason for the season is Jesus Christ.  We pray that your family had a happy healthy holiday season.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie and Milton and PV

Christmas in the Country Exchange

This post is to share what I received from this year's Christmas in the Country Exchange 2014!  If you recall from last year I joined a group of bloggers that did a gift exchange.

I love the gift I received!  It is a unique homemade gift, which is  the best I do believe! :)  It came from Suzi over at Chores and Chandeliers.  I can tell from the gift I received that she is one talented lady and after checking out her blog one fun loving momma, wife, and teacher!  Be sure to show her some love and visit her blog!

Suzi is from Nebraska and guess what?!  The blogger I got to send gifts to was from the same great State!  Amanda @ The Barstow's: Our Little House on The Prairie received a gift from us Kansas folk!  Be sure to check out her blog too!

I will probably continue to do this gift exchange as long as they have it.  It's nice to meet other bloggers and hear what they have to say about agriculture and rural life!  Thanks for stopping by!

Julie