Day with Aunt Lisa

Thanks Aunt Lisa for sending the following pictures my way!

The Young Farmers had a day filled of farm tours and baseball today, so Aunt Lisa took Dallas and Reba out for a fun-filled afternoon.  They met up with the group at Kelsay's Dairy.

I think they loved visiting the baby calves!

After their tour of the dairy, they headed to Indy to watch the Indians!

Thanks Aunt Lisa for the special day!  Hopefully, everyone can get up in time for the sheep show tomorrow...

Until next time...

Happy 33rd Birthday (to me)!

What a day!  I got up early in hopes of getting a hair cut before my baby doctor appointment.  Only, as I was getting ready to leave, I found out I had left my wallet in the van last night.  Doug took the van today, so I could take the truck to have the tires rotated.  Thankfully, I had enough time to run up to Doug's work to get my wallet and get to the salon when it opened (one of those walk-in only places).  I ended up getting about 2 inches cut off the overall length, and I had the gal add layers - which has really brought out the waves/curls in my hair!

As far as the baby check-up, yesterday marked week 30 for baby number 4!  Everything continues to be on track, and baby is as active as ever!  I'm sure I am going to be exhausted next week after these sheep shows and garden work I've been up to this week.

After the baby check-up, I headed over to Sears to get the truck tires rotated.  Unfortunately, they were not able to complete the task because the stock racks were in the bed.  I had specifically asked when I made the appointment if it would be a problem.  The gentleman told me as long as they fit through the 10 ft door, they could do it.  Apparently that wasn't true.  The racks did fit through the door, but they did not allow the truck to be lifted high enough.  Oh, well...

After leaving Sears, I made 4 different stops to gather all the back-to-school supplies.  I ended my errands by stopping to get the sheep feed.  Doug then took me out for supper.  All in all, it was another great birthday!

Until next time...

Jackson County Fair 2015

After the sheep show at Evansville, Pa-paw and Ma-maw took the sheep to their house so they could take them to Brownstown a few days later.  Julianne had missed them a little!

Doug and I got to the fairgrounds around noon, and let me tell you it was hot!  About an hour before the show was to start, a small storm cell moved through.  It dumped quite a bit of rain in a small amount of time, but it also cooled the temps dramatically!

Dallas was in charge of holding onto one side of the tent (we were set up on blacktop so there was no way to anchor the tents)

Julianne thought it was fun to play in the rain

Pa-paw and the drowned rat

It got crowded under the tent during the rain, so the kiddos set their chairs on the trim table to save some room

Once the rain stopped, and we were done trimming, we found some of that delicious church booth food for supper.  Julianne then really enjoyed her cookie for dessert.  I think she was even trying to save some for later!

Little Miss dressed and ready

Reba helped Pa-paw and Aunt Lisa in the yearling ram class

Dallas and Ice Cube won the ram lamb class!

Sugar enjoying the show from sidelines

Crackerjack was the only one in his class

We had our two ewe lambs and Pa-paw/Aunt Lisa had their two ewe lambs.  The judge really shook up the placings tonight!  The lamb Dallas shows (Elizabeth) won the class, and Doc (the lamb we all really like, placed 3rd!

Dallas and Elizabeth also won champion Dorset, so they were in the grand drive!

It was a tough line up, and unfortunately, we didn't win.  It was still a fun night, and we actually were loaded and off the fairgrounds the earliest we have ever been.

Until next time...

Freezer Corn 2015

Since the kiddos are away for the week, and the large patch of sweet corn is at its prime, I thought I would put some in the freezer!  Doug was kind enough to pick about 13 dozen ears for me.  We worked last night to get it all shucked, and I started on it first thing this morning.

I had quite the assembly line...the ears on the dish drain are waiting their turn to be blanched, two pots on the stove to blanch, and two sinks to cool them off!

After everything was blanched and cooled, I set to cutting it off the ears.  Unfortunately, I didn't remember that my electric knife died last year (or maybe the year before), until I was looking for it to start this step.

After taking a lunch break, I bagged up all the goodness.  When it was all said and done, I ended up with 22 bags!

Until next time...

Pickin' Beans

This morning, I picked (what I hope is) my last batch of green beans (with the help of Gram).

I had two rows of beans this year: one row of Contender variety and one row of Blue Lake variety.  One of those buckets was the "third picking" off the Contender row, and the other two buckets are from the Blue Lake.  I have already picked 2.5 buckets off the Contender row.  It was my first time planting the Blue Lake, but I'm happy to report they did well.  I found that all the beans on the Blue Lake were ready at one time (as in I am only going to pick once off that row), unlike the Contender where there were small beans on the plants letting me know there was more to come.  If that makes any sense...

Looks like I have a date breaking beans and running the pressure cooker tomorrow :)

Until next time...

Farmers Pull

After the sheep show, we headed to the grandstands to watch the truck and tractor pulls.  They run 3 tracks at this pull!  By the time the night is over they have ran various classes of garden tractors, Hot Farm, Pick-up Trucks, and Semis!

If you know Dallas, you will know that this was his favorite tractor of the night!  He is in love with the 1206...

Somehow, Sugar was even able to catch a catnap at one point!

Until next time...

Vanderburgh Fair - Show Day

This afternoon was the sheep show at the Evansville fair.  Luckily, the heat broke yesterday and it was a pleasant day to show.  Pa, Gram and Aunt Josie arrived around lunch time, and Pa-paw and Ma-maw arrived right as we were done showing the rams.  Thanks once again to Ma-maw for bringing her camera...enjoy the pictures!

I took "Doc" for a walk before it was our turn to go in the ring. (also enjoy the week 29 baby bump photo!)

Pa-paw holding "Elizabeth" for Dallas before heading into the ring

Elizabeth was being a little on the naughty side, so Daddy ended up showing her while Dallas set feet.

Reba and Doc won the class, and Dallas and Elizabeth earned second.

Reba and Doc also ended up winning Champion Dorset ewe!

Sugar enjoying the show (and a snack) from the fence

You can always count on a smile from this girl!

Reba showing off her Champion ribbon

Dallas proud of the Reserve Grand Champion we received for Crackerjack (the Natural Colored Ram)

Sugar...well, she just loves to be cheesy in front of the camera!

Until next time...

Vanderburgh County Fair - Day 1

With the way the month of July falls this year, the Vanderburgh Fair and the Jackson County Fair fall on different weeks.  We have been wanting to take the sheep to Vanderburgh for a few years now, but the animals must move in on Tuesday to show on Thursday.  This typically overlaps with Jackson, where we move in on Sunday to show on Wednesday - following me?

Anywho, today was the day to load the sheep and take them to the fair.  We needed to be there by 5 o'clock, so Doug planned on leaving work early to be home to load the sheep.  I had quite a "to do" list ready for when Sugar went down for her nap.  She had other plans for me...

Yep, she actually fell asleep in my arms!  I'm not sure when the last time that happened!  I decided the list could wait, and rocked her for about a half an hour.  The main reason I put her down - my zucchini bread was done baking.  I didn't think it would be wise to ask Dallas or Reba to pull it out of the oven.

I was able to get my list completed as Doug pulled in the drive.  We made it to the fair in plenty of time, and the sheep got settled in quickly.

I did a little bit of clipping work on one before we decided to go check out the rodeo!  Doug had taken the kiddos over while I was working, and they were able to watch some of the bronc riding.  When we arrived later, they were finishing the steer wrestling portion.

We also watched the barrel races

and the team roping.

We did stay long enough to see the bull riding portion, but it was too dark for my phone to get a decent picture.  Unfortunately, not a single cowboy got an 8 second ride.

Until next time...

New Little Helper

We have a full line up of sheep shows in the next week and half; therefore, we have spent the last two nights washing and clipping sheep.  Dallas and Reba were busy riding their bike/trike, so Sugar decided to give me a lending hand each night...

When Julianne isn't helping, she's tagging along on the back of Reba's ride

Dallas even helped wash a couple lambs

and Daddy sheared a couple bellies!

Until next time...