Yesterday we did "birthday celebrations".... Both Naomi and Becky have their birthdays in June, so we decided to have a get together in celebration of both. But, before the day begins, it's chore time... and Abbie loves to do "the birds"....
cracked corn is spread for the guinea hens...
which they much appreciate......
And then the family arrives. We talked all winter about doing a pizza party (Ed - Becky's hubby) really wanted to try my double oven... but the winter came and went without the pizza party, so today was the day to do that..... He makes the best pizza, and with all those fresh toppings, they pretty much on the healthy side to boot.....
The Master at work........
Pizza number one - and let me assure you.. this did not last very long!!!!!! and if you think it looks good, I'll tell you-- it tasted even better....
Hungry people couldn't wait to cut into them...
And enjoy................
Kelsey and Reagan... we're not going to be able to call him "baby Reagan" much longer, he's turning into a real little boy right before our eyes!!!!!
I see him a few times a week, and each time he changes so much. Won't be long before he'll be sitting at the table all by himself.....
My Dad.... he never can sit still for very long, so after a nice lunch of home made pizza, he went out, pulled out our lawn tractor and got the grass mowed for us..... (thanks Daddy!!!!)
The day had started out kind of grey, and just as we were eating the sun poked out and it got hot -- quick. So, we decided to finish the birthday party at the lake. We packed up the kids, dogs and cake.. and moved ....
Ice cream cake!!!!!
Family.... home made pizza, swim in the lake, cake..... if this is a taste of summer, I'm all for that!!!!!!
Reagan was getting a bit sleepy from all this fun, so he and his Mama.. and little Amy, took a break inside. It was a grand afternoon.... but off in the distance began the rumbles of thunder... and the party began to break up....
Dark afternoon sky... make me really appreciate having that hay inside.....I feel badly for those still waiting on their hay and anything that is left in the field...
and I'm not sure why this photo looks so "blue", because I assure you this sky was as black as black could be..... and we had a very "lively" storm blow threw.. all I can say, is I'm glad I wasn't home alone!!!!
I feel like I say this every year... that haying season is a tricky thing. We had some really good weather the end of May, and some of the local farmers were able to pull off a hay crop a bit early. But then came rain... lots of rain, and so many of the hay fields had to wait... including the one that we get ours from. But, once there is a few days of sun, the farmers are out there and the call comes in.
We are actually in a good place.. I still have half the loft full of hay. I like to buy extra if I can, because come winter, it can always be sold off... and if we do have a late cut in the spring, I'm not worrying about "how to get threw until the crop comes in"..... I won't buy as much this year, but we will certainly bring in a couple of loads....
It's so wonderful how everyone just pitches in and helps. Haying is a big job and those extra hands make all the difference....
Working between thunderstorms...they're off to get another load....
Abbie loved being in the hay field. Goodness if this little girl doesn't turn out to be a farming kid, then I can't do any more!!!!!
She loved running up and down the hills with the other kids......it's a real social hour out there on the hay fields... something that not too many kids get the experience of these days....
She was pretty sure she could pick up a bale... and at least gave it a good try.....
Off to the barn, the elevator doesn't get used but only this time of year, but let me tell you.... it's worth it's weight in gold. I don't know how you have a loft without one of these!!!!
Back for the second load, and this time everyone is hustling to help.....
Because a thunderstorm is on it's way in. Once the hay is baled... getting wet is a very bad thing and it's a race against the weather....
We pulled out the field just in time........
I gave the boys a taste of the new hay... after a nice big meal of that, Duke washes it down with a big long drink.....
Abbie shoos the turkeys in for the night, and our first two loads of hay are safely tucked inside, a nice feeling for a day's work. One thing about farm life, is I always feel like we are "planning for the next season"....here it is just the start of summer, and we're thinking "winter" with getting the hay inside. Then one or two more loads of hay.. and we have to begin to think "wood".....
So, today is the official first day of summer... and the longest day of the year... after this, the days begin to get shorter. But, we're not going to talk about that just now, it's time to get outside and enjoy the sun, the warmth and all the other things that we miss all summer long. Silver is all about taking advantage of the days and the nice green grass......
I have found another spinning teacher and today went to her house to have a lesson. Maureen is very talented and maybe (with her living so close by) I will actually learn how to do this. I have talked about learning to spin for some time and have "poked" around with it, but I really want to buckle down and lean it. Maureen lives in a beautiful old farm house and has a room just for spinning, and like any one who is serious about a hobby, she has several of the same things all about the house....
She had me try a couple of her wheels, but I really just wanted to work on the one I had. I may buy it, if I can get serious about this, so I need to practice with it. There was the most adorable little kitten who thought she could teach me to spin!!!! It would have been fun to bring this little kitty home, but I'll be getting a puppy soon, so I figure that will be enough for now.....
Any who... my spinning is actually "not that bad".. the few lessons that I have had over the years has taught me"how". And Maureen gave me good advise on how to pick some of the easier fibers to work with so that as a beginner, I won't get discouraged. Though I still have much to learn, basically all I need to do is sit and practice... easy enough.... just find the time!!!! (and weather where I want to be inside!!!)
I have also discovered that most serious spinners have their own sheep. Not that I have that in mind just yet, but they sure are neat creatures. I'd have to do some research long before deciding if I ever really want to 'get into sheep"... so many breeds who's fiber offers all sorts of different things...
Abbie was here later in the day for a sleep over and sometime with Baby, Papa and Rylie. It's official that Rylie will be turning into NEADS in (actually) a few days. So, I just wanted the two of them to have some time together.
They so enjoy their running game... it's something they have done since Rylie first arrived. I love seeing the relationship they have and I feel really sad that this will be coming to an end. I don't know if Rylie is naturally a "kid's" dog, or if Abbie "made her one"... but either way Rylie is definitely a dog who will and loves children....
A pretty full moon welcomes the new summer season, and the evening is about as perfect as you would expect.....
"Ry-ry".... I can't believe how quickly our time with her has come and gone.....
But thinking about "summer things"... last year, I didn't feel like we hardly got the beetle out at all.... (can't you tell by the layer of dust it has on it).... so, I said to Papa and Abbie, we were going to get it out and go for an ice cream ride....
The beetle ran well, that little car always goes good...it sits all winter, and come summer, it always seems ready to roll...... our first ice cream of the season was very good...
And when you get chilly riding with the top down and a tummy full of ice cream.. it's the "beetle quilt" to the rescue. Nothing better than riding home, all bundled up and enjoying the night sky.... so all I can say for now..
"welcome summer, we're planning on having great fun with you".....
Happy Father's Dad... and per our usual "style" this family of mine found it a good reason to get together and celebrate. Actually it's so much fun, because when I think family... it includes everyone.... my Mom and Dad, sister, children... their children.. and then Nate's family, siblings, grandparents...... the list goes on and on... oh and then add friends....
Kass and Nate's house was filled to the brim with people and good food... and pets.... it was a great time for fun, and good talks....
Everyone brings a little food, and it makes for so many good things.....
Reagan made this a first "Father's Day" for Nate, and was properly passed around to all... here he is with his two Great grandmothers!!!!! (Amy wasn't about to be left out, so when my Mom had Reagan -- she hopped up on the next available lap)....
He seems to enjoy the craziness of this family... good thing....
It's alway fun to be able to give gifts!!!!
Diana popped in to see everyone... she was Kass's personal coaching nurse when little Reagan arrived into the world..... she keeps close tabs on "her" little baby....
I didn't get a ton of pictures, because I was "too busy" visiting everyone too.. but we had a very good day and I feel so blessed to have my Dad with me on Father's Day..... and to see this family at four generations --- on both sides, it a real gift....
as for Camille... well, the car seat was open.....
A few folks who are on staff at my vet's .. got puppies this past spring. When they asked me about puppy classes, I thought it would be fun to run a class just for them. Afterall, they take care of all my service puppies for FREE.... donating their time and all medical services... so I thought this might be a nice way for me to say thank you to them. We had a few classes right at the clinic and then for their graduation class... we all met at the local Tractor Supply store to test their skills.
I have to admit, I love the Tractor Supply stores, not only do they have everything that I need for the farm.. but they welcomed dogs... all dogs... and for my students, its a great place to go and practice their dog's obedience skills. Example... meeting up with other people, especially kids......
That's a hard lesson for a happy excitable pup... NOT to jump when approached....
And then there are all sorts of "weird" things... statues for example... every see a more than life large rooster.... or a miniature cowboy.... things like this can take a puppy by surprise.... or how about learning to walk beside a shopping cart....
down stays being practiced in the dog food isle... and Abbie (very happy to be a part of the group)... walking back and forth by the puppies.....
Course, she and Rylie had to do a bit of dog training of their own. She was quite the "big shot" walking "her" puppy threw the store....
And Rylie followed along, as nice as could be.... (leaving us is going to be very hard!!!!)
Just "out shoppin'" with her buddy.......
But, back to my class... we played going threw the doorways... sliding doors can be scary too... they move differently from regular doors, and they make a strange sound...
But everyone did well....
We went out to the garden section.. I thought that might be a nice spot to have our little graduation ceremony.. amongst the flowers and such...
And the puppies seemed pretty please with their caps....
As were the owners. So, first step of their life long training begun...
As for these two.........
trouble!!!!!
But noted... "Baby... Rylie follows me everywhere and does just what I want her to..." (oh my,,,,,,,)
