Raking and Raining

It rained .15 this morning early.  It wasn't much, but better than NOTHING.   We will take every drop that God provides and not complain---I promise not to complain.  Please just send us some more--you know us humans -   never satisfied!  Seriously there is another 30% chance for tonight--bring it on, Lord!!    It's 91 F this afternoon and the guys are finishing up combining our Spring Wheat.

DH and I have been making some hay too.  I'm the raker.  (Please excuse the dirty tractor windows--yes, that is bird  poo.)

The rake takes two rows of hay and throws them together in one big row for the baler to pick up.   I was kind of nervous, because this was the "new to us" rake and we hadn't tried it yet.  It worked very well! 

Actually I'm ahead of DH and I'll eventually lap him.

 See I'm catching up to him.

He has to stop when the baler is full of hay, wait for it to wrap it with twine and pop it out.  I just keep going around and around--no stops.  I just have to watch for rocks and badger holes and not put the row of hay over them--especially rocks.  Rocks do very bad things to the inner workings of a baler.  It's very comfortable in the tractor--AC of course.  I use the time to pray for rain and people on my prayer list.  So it is time well spent!

I've told you before that sometimes when I haven't gotten to sew for a while I have a hard time not buying quilt supplies.  It's like a "fix" I need.  I've been really good this year and haven't been buying anything.  I lost control recently!  Today's Quilting sent me an email and tempted me with their sale.
I highly recommend this quilt shop.  They ship very, very quickly too.

I have such a weakness for Me & My Sister designs.  The Good Morning charm packs were calling my name.

There were some books on sale too.  This one is by Gathering Friends.  I love their books.  This book has 11 table runners and 2 table toppers.  They are all very quick and easy to make.  They are also easy to make smaller or larger..  I like making table toppers for gifts and I like making different ones.

I'm a Nancy Halverson fan.  I have almost all of her books.  I like this book, because parts of the quilt can be used for table runners or wall hangings too.  And I'm just a sucker for Nancy Halverson designs--what can I say? 

My last splurge was some Froggin by Sue Zipkin for Clothworks.  This is just the cutest fabric.  It will make a nice baby or child's quilt. 

Can you resist a frog face like that?

The green print has such cute fish, snails and turtles on it too.

It's true I didn't need this fabric, but it filled a need inside of me.  My creative need is hungry.  I really need to find time to feed it---SOON!   lol  Thank you for letting me share my new stuff with you!!

Fun Times Ahead

We are so happy for DD 2.  She is engaged! 

They are planning a small wedding in September on Pensacola Beach for immediate family.   

Share Your Caption

I love this picture.

Puss plays with the kittens through the glass patio window.  I think this little kitten is wondering how he can get an "inside job" like Puss has.


Do you have a caption to share?

I've been everywhere

I've been everywhere, man!  Just kidding, but I've been on the road every day.  DH and I traveled to Edgely, ND on Friday to buy used double mowers for more hay making.   Our old mowers are shot, so we bought better used mowers.  Of course these mowers will take some fixing too.

DD1 moved from her one bedroom apartment to a small two bedroom house.  It was only 108 F on Saturday and 113 F on Sunday.  We helped her with some home improvement projects--shower curtain rod, closet rods, sink fixture and some other fix-its.  So hot and humid!    (DD 1 has had two more lesions removed.  One of these has come back as needing additional surgery.  Thank you for your prayers for her as she continues to visit the dermatologist.)

Monday was rake shopping day.  We own half interest in a rake with one of the neighbors, but that isn't working out so well anymore.  We both need it at the same time.  After chores we headed to Onida to buy a used rake DH found on the internet.   He told the salesman we were coming.  After we had driven all the way there--the rake had been sold to another buyer.  Poor communication between the implement business owner and his salesman--made for an unhappy DH.   No sense wasting another day!  Off we went to Huron to another implement dealer.  We ended up buying a newer (more expensive)  rake than we planned, but maybe this one won't need as much "fixin".

Tuesday I had an appointment to pick up my new glasses and have my eyes dilated and examined.  I was diagnosed with ocular histoplasmosis in 1979 and had laser surgery, so I am faithful with my eye check ups.  A scan of my macula looks different this year and now I am scheduled to see a retina specialist in August. 

Wednesday I had my regular yearly check-up scheduled at the clinic.  It's nice to know I'm healthy!

I was looking forward to staying home today.  I've been to town once already for mower parts.  Our "new" mower has taken more fixing than DH anticipated.  It should be in fine condition once all the repairs are made.

No matter where we go, this little gal brings us home.

This is Lambie Pie.  She was born June 2nd.  She is a twin.  Her mom chose the little bull calf and deserted the heifer.   She sounded just like a little lamb when she cried.  We tried and tried to get her mom to take both babies.  No such luck.  At birth Pie only weighed about 40 pounds.  We have nursed her along and she is doing well now.  We feed her morning and night and she drinks a gallon of milk replacer a day.   In another week or so she will be put on pellet feed.  She is in a pasture with her mom and brother and another cow, who likes both her twin bulls.   She keeps us tied down, so no camping or fishing yet this summer.  She is so cute and funny.   Who can resist a little baby who comes running to be fed?

As you can see, no sewing so far this week---only traveling!  It has been so hot and we pray for rain daily.  The corn is starting to burn up--hard to watch.  Some dark clouds passed over this morning as we were fixing on the mower and we each felt a few drops--such a teaser!!  DH says he will never complain about a blizzard again.  July has been a long series of hot, hot, dry days.

Long Time No See or Sew

I'm not sure where June went, but it was a blur.   

 There was a beautiful outdoor wedding.  My nephew married a lovely young woman.  Of course weddings mean family times.

It isn't often that all of my siblings (baby brother, little sis and big sis)  get together in the same place.  We had a really fun night celebrating with the bride and groom.

The next party was DH's Aunt Mary Jane's 80th birthday.  What an amazing woman!  She still works at the local nursing home 3 days a week as a restorative aide.  Many of the residents are younger than she is.  DH's sisters and some of his nieces put on a program as Red Hatters.

The calves have all been worked.  The cattle are all out to summer pasture, including "the boys".  It has been hot here and we need rain.  The corn is starting to curl.  The wheat will be ready to combine soon.  DH has started making hay for the winter feeding. 

I decided today that no matter what I was going to sew something.  DD 1 mentioned that she could use some new potholders, so that is what I made.  I have so many UFO's and things I want to make and finish.  It was just nice to make something simple and finish it.   I hope to get more organized so I can get back to working on some things again.  It is usually too hot in the afternoon to do much outside. 

I'm determined to get back to blogging too!

Thank you, Mama!

I won a give away that really made me smile.  Carol has been making pincushions.  She reached 1000 followers so she gave some of her gems away.   Isn't this the cutest pincushion? 

It is stuffed with walnuts shells and the most wonderful pincushion I own.  My very favorite!!  Thank you so much, Carol.  Stop over and check out her blog if you haven't.  She is a fabric artist.  I wish I had  half of her creativity.  I love seeing what she has come up with--so different than I would be able to do.   She uses all the bright colors I love.

It was a very warm day today--94 degrees!!

Some of us spread flat out for a nap in the sun.

This little guy found some shade to lay in.

It was too hot for doing much outside this afternoon.  I got caught up on some cleaning and laundry. 

I'm Back

Why is it so hard to get back to blogging once you've gotten busy and haven't been doing it?  I've missed you guys!.  It has been a hectic calving season.   I think we are both getting too old for this stuff, but DH will never admit it.  Any spare time I had was spent sleeping.  lol

We didn't have any snow this year to work in, but cold, rainy days made for extra work.  I'm glad I got new mud boots!  I just kept thinking of you, Karin whenever I wanted to complain.  The April showers have really made the grass grow quickly and for that we are very thankful.

DD2 and friend were home for a few days to visit from the South.   We didn't do many fun things, but sure enjoyed having them and their help.  DH hadn't been feeling well for weeks.  He was complaining of being short of breath.  His doctor insisted on a stress test and we are thankful to find out his heart is fine.  He must have inhaled too much dust and mold from the straw that we bedded the calving barn with.  He needs to remember to wear a mask when we do that.  He is on nebulizer treatments and that is helping.

We have had a lot of ups and downs in the last 6 weeks.   There have been funerals, doctor's appointments, a wedding and lots of praying along with all the work.  As I look around today--the wheat and corn are planted, most of the cows have calved and I know my husband's heart is normal. 

 I would like to ask you to keep DD1 in your prayers.  Michelle had two lesions removed (one on her cheek and one on her back) that came back as melanoma.  After additional surgery, we are praying that nothing else will show up.  She starts a new job at a hospital next week.  After three years of caring for older people, she decided it was time for a change. 

I hope to be back visiting here regularly again.  I really have missed sewing and blogging!!