Good news... the day of the "big event" dawned bright and sunny!! a perfect early fall day........
Everyone is here!!! Even Rachel.. Kassy' best and long time school friend, who is visiting us from Florida....
The props are ready..... not sure which ones we will need......
Kiddos dressed (and practicing.....)
Making decisions as to "what shall we wear"....
Tonka wants to know what is all the excitement and activity about......
It's a professional photo shoot!!!! Kass has hired this nice gal to come and take photos of the kids and thought the farm would be just the place to do so. We set up some "ideas" that we thought would be good, and so Kass walked her around to see if we were on the right track and to see where else she might like to take the photos......
Pictures were taken all around, Abbie was more than happy to "drive" the gator around, transporting different props here and there...
And for the most part, both Reagan and Abbie cooperated with all that was asked of them. I was asked not to shoot photos.. (afterall, why hire a professional and then just steal all their photos).. but I did take some of them being taken. (and I can't wait to see what she will come up with)....
She used all sorts of different thing... the animals of course.. but different spots, and things... this one is Reagan on Papa's lawn tractor (sort of looks like we're making a movie or something!!!)
And as one can imagine not every photo will be picture perfect.... dogs - for example - running threw the photo opt.....
The shoot lasted a few hours... as I said, for the most part the kids were pretty agreeable, the nice thing is.. Kass just said "shoot away" and really didn't try for too many "posed" shots. But after everyone was done, one in little boy in particular was more than happy to run free and try out the slide on the swing set.....
He's pretty adventurous and really didn't want any "help"...
Even from his big cousin (you go)......
Such a pretty day, that after the photographer left... I did take a few shot of my own. I dearly love this farm and every day, I take the time to thank the Good Lord for it's blessings!!!!!
"Hey Baby... this isn't a real dog???"
Great day... one that certainly will be cherished......
With the little "L" being out on the front lawn... and Abbie around to help... I got into the fall decoration mode.....
We also made a check on the bees to see what the honey stores are looking like.
We won't be taking any from the new hive this year as they are still getting things in order to get threw the winter. And we were hoping to take some from the bigger hive... we found plenty of honey, but none of it was capped... which means... it's not quite ready. We'll make a check in a couple of weeks and see what's going on. Though with the hot dry weather, I fear that they may not have been able to make as much as they like, and I wonder if we'll even have a crop this year...
Darci was interested in the bee activity... and she's not afraid of them....
Even if we don't pull any honey this fall.. I certainly enjoying having them here on the farm. It's a fun hobby and maybe I don't keep a good garden, but I can help the ones who do!!!!
After the thunderstorms rolled threw, we finally got back to some nice weather!!! Much cooler, no humidity --- just what I like. Funny how "everyone" seems happier with this weather, I guess we're just not "hot weather folks". The sunflowers this year are as pretty as always... and as you can see, the bees are very happy to have them around.
But, I must confess... I didn't plant them!!!! I did put seeds in on another patch of "garden" (which by the way - did not grow) and these beauties came up where I had planted last year. So, thanks to the birds and other critters, who, took seeds from last years plants and left them along the way.
The "patch" is as big, if not bigger than last years.. so I have pretty much decided just to leave things alone and maybe I'll have the same luck next year. I have long admitted that I am no gardener, and for me... if I just let nature and the Good Lord do their work... I am far better off!!!!!
We have a big "event' happening later this week (more to say about that later).. so today seemed to be a good day to catch up on all the things that I didn't do during the heat snap. Course the barn is always tops on the list, but barn work isn't "work" in my book. Sure there are some mornings (when it's snowing and cold) where it seems a little like a bother, but 98% of the time... I love puttering in my barn....
Ed was out on the mower, getting the lawn and such looking nice.....
And, after their big move to the coop, I have begun letting the babies out in the pen. They are having the grandest time looking around for bugs and the like. They are so funny, and like to practice "flying". The big birds have begun to take an interest in them... here's hoping I can get this flock to mell together... however, that usually isn't the case....
After Ed finished the lawn, we did tackle one very big project... Duke's stall!!!! Between the size of him, and the way the horses goof on in there.. the mats in his stall have been shifted all around. Which means, the sawdust and manure has been pushed underneath, and it's getting to be a real pain to try and clean it. So.. we pulled all the mats out.. washed them (and the stall) down, and after it dries.. we'll put them back. Let me just say, these mats are super heavy, definitely a two man job!!! But, it will be worth it, when I have to muck again.....
Now, the "event' that is coming up is in need of a tractor... and not "just any" tractor... the little "L" is being pressed into service. Sadly, it hasn't seen daylight for a long time, so after the farm chores, we pulled it out.
It's been happily sitting in a corner in the garage, and wouldn't start up for us. But, we can push it about, and Ed got her all cleaned up. There really isn't any reason why she shouldn't run, just lack of use... so Ed is hoping to putter on her this winter and get her chugging again...
But for now, it was easy to roll it out on the front lawn....
So... Abbie's papercup pumpkin is coming along nicely.... she planted this pumpkin seed at school last spring in a paper cup... as they were studying plants and planting. She came home with a beautiful plant in the little cup and asked where she could put it. I told her anywhere she wanted to... and she chose the "flower" garden along the walkway... oh well....
Now, if it had been one I tried to plant, it would have been "gone" long ago, but this silly plant has taken off, and look at the nice little pumpkin she has coming!!!! She has decided that she will pick it on her birthday in October and it will be her Halloween pumpkin.....
I have promised not to touch it, and only look at it to make sure it doesn't need water!!!!!
The horses were out and about, enjoying the last of the grass and the cooler temps.....(this is Duke)....
and Tonka..... I really need to make some time and do some driving this fall. I'm not so sure "what" I have been so busy doing... but it would seem I just haven't had any driving time!!!!
And the big guinea birds had some plan in their heads... thought who knows what guinea hens think about!!!!
So, just a happy "normal" day on the farm... nothing too exciting to really write about.. but certainly a day that was most enjoyable....
