Family: Dodge

It's a boy named Dodge. He is our first born.  Dodge is named after some dear friends of ours, well really just one of them, but they come as a set.  Dodge and Lisa Pool.  It is rather a long story to be told another time.  This is about my Dodge.  He is twenty years old.  I can't wait until he is twenty-five, then I will know something again.  Dodge has been called by God to be a minister, specifically a youth minister at this time.  Which is good, because Dodge likes to play games and do athletic kinds of things. He likes to do stuff like play dodgeball.  You would think he would win.  I mean with a name like "Dodge" how can you not win dodgeball.  But he doesn't always win. 
When he was younger, a teenager, his dad could not walk by him without being tugged into a wrestling match.  It was constant wrestling at our house.  He is studying at The College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He loves studying Greek. 
He is a lifeguard and swim instructor, has a First Aid card.  Feels obligated to offer first aid to anyone he sees who is injured.  When I broke my toe, he stood there, looked at it, said, "It's not broken."  Guess what, Dodge was "playing" Tae Kwon Do the other day and kicked, missed, and Broke His Toe!  It was all I could do not to say something incredibly witty.  Dodge runs full speed ahead all the time.  The boy could run across the room at 7 months old.  He likes to talk, he talked in complete sentences by the time he was a year old.
At 6'2", he towers over most.  By the time he was 13, he was taller than I was.  I know that is not saying a whole lot.  He looks a lot like "Shaggy" from "Scooby Doo" at the moment.  Tall, slender, shaggy hair and beard.
He is a very serious, tenderhearted, thoughtful person. I know that doesn't really go with the playful side, but it is true.  He knows a lot about the Bible. Still has a lot to learn.
He helps out around the farm when he is home, which isn't very often anymore. Mostly, he runs errands for me when he is home.  He feeds the animals some, and occasionally likes to play "cowboy." 
He is famous for getting lost, even with a GPS and having a wreck on his first date.  His sister ran into the back of him.  His favorite meal is Fajitas.
Dodge is a special gift from God to a man and woman who thought they would never have children, after trying for seven years.   Love you Dodge!

Cowgirl and Snowflake

A new baby calf was born the night of the snowstorm.  Go figure.  You would have thought the mother would have planned a little better than that.  The calf is cute, really little, so it seems to me.  Me, the experienced cowgirl of all of not more than 6 months.  We named the calf , "Snowflake."  We don't know if it is a boy or girl calf yet.  Snowflake is really cute, has a white spot on his back and part of his tail is white and his belly is partially white.  The rest of him is black.  Snowflake wasn't getting around too good, and the mama didn't seem to be feeding him and keeping him warm like she should.  How do I know?  That is a good question.  Facebook has the answers.  So, today my husband calls me from work and says he is concerned.  Maybe we should catch the calf, put it in the barn, and bottle feed it.  He says, have Jack go catch it and carry it to the barn.  Jack, being out of school because of the inch of snow we received two days ago.  So, we put on our coats and head out to play cowboys and cowgirls, Molly was out of school too, same reason.
Now there are a couple of things you should know about me, one I was raised in big cities.  Houston, Athens, Greece, London, England, I all call home.  Two, I am a girl.  I like girl things, pink, lace, sewing, etc.  Three, I don't however like to change clothes.  This morning when I got up, knowing I wasn't going anywhere due to the inch of snow on the ground.  I put on a denim skirt, knee socks, and knit top and a cardigan.  I know, I dress like a dork.  I am okay with that, however, my fashion plate daughters wish differently.  But oh well.  I am dressed.
Now, I have to help catch a calf, and who knows what else.  Well, we head out to the cows, which are behind the house on the far side of the creek, quietly eating hay and minding their own business.  We go through the gate.  The cows back away.  I send Jack to go around and cut them off.  The boy moves sooo slow.  I think there is something wrong with him.  That, however is another story.  Well, the cows take off.  Snowflake can not keep up, but is too fast for us.  So, we go back to the house.  We absolutely fail at cattle catching, herding, whatever it is called.
A little while later, I notice out the window that the cows are back.  Snowflake is all by himself.  So, I send Jack, in his Father's coat and hat.  That way the cows will think it is Jerry and just stand there.  I tell Jack to catch that calf and carry it to the barn.  I watch from the window.  Obviously, the calf is a little heavier than Jack's father led us to believe.  I go out there with the calf bottle to help.  There is absolutely no way, Jack and I can carry this calf all the way to the barn.  We did get him out of the pasture.  I send Jack for the wheelbarrow.  We put the calf in the wheelbarrow.  I am leaning on the calf to keep him from standing, Jack is pulling the wheelbarrow towards the barn.  We finally get Snowflake in the stall in the barn.  After stepping over, while carrying Snowflake, three lawnmowers, two gas cans, and who knows what else.  You have to understand our barn is full of stuff.  It has two stalls.  One is full of chickens, don't ask.  The other is empty, more or less.  It is also dark.  Very bad lighting in this barn.   But we got it done.  Now, if we could just get him to take the bottle.  So, I have to traipse up to the barn every so often to check on Snowflake and try to get him to take a bottle.  And yes, I did all of this in my denim skirt and tennis shoes.

 I really think, I would be so much better at being a cowgirl with a hat and boots.  Don't you?

Cow Herding

We had to sort cows today.  We have two steers that are needing to prepare for Freezer Camp.  There were a couple of extra teenage boys here this weekend for Jack's birthday, so we made use of the extra help.  It was quite a challenge because they had never been around cattle before.  Cows are really big, especially when they are running towards you and a crazy man is hollering, "Don't let 'em through!"
So, me being the expert cow herder that I am had to give them a few lessons.  I tell them, "You must through your arms up in the air really fast and big.  Make yourself look bigger.  Then at the same time, holler, "HA!"  really loudly.  And take a step forward while doing that."  It was a lot for them to comprehend and coordinate at the same time.  However, it works so much better if you are wearing a cowboy hat and some cowboy boots.  It just really makes the cows think you know what you are doing.  And you can use your hat to wave at them and make yourself even larger.  Which is useful, when the whole herd is running toward you because they fear for their lives.  We really just wanted two of them to go through the gate. 
It is quite funny to watch.  My husband has a real bossy side.  I was unaware of.
I really think I need a cowgirl hat and some boots.  I would be so much better at cattle herding.

Family: Jack

I thought since this is a blog about our "family" farm, I should tell you a little about our family.  I'd like to start with Jack.  However, it has to be a secret.  You see Jack does not want his name floating around the internet, which is not necessarily a bad thing.  Just weird.  Sort of.  Jack is my younger son.  I love Jack.  He is probably one of the more interesting people I know.  Either I don't get out much or he is really interesting.  Jack also doesn't want to have his picture taken, ever, by anyone.  So we have days appointed as picture taking days.  He still resists.  I know some things about Jack.  He is really funny.  To make it easier and more Jack like I will give them to you in a list.
1. man of few words, actually Jack doesn't say a whole lot.  Maybe that is why he is so interesting, when he does say something, you have not heard it before.  Unless of course you have asked him a question, then you get one of two answers:  "I don't know." or "I guess."
2.  Black and white kind of guy, he deals in facts, no gray areas here.
3.  SMART.  (Yes, I know it is all caps.  No, I didn't have the caps lock on.  No, I am not yelling.)  He is super smart.
4.  Jack looks like Michael Phelps.
5.  He has a British accent.  Why we don't know.  But we had to read in front of the church as a family around Christmas time, and one of the comments was:  "Wow!  He talks!  And he has a British accent."
6.  Witty.  Really he is super funny.  If you can get him to talk.
7.  He strives to live godly and be an example for others.
8.  He is almost always respectful of others.  There have been a few slip ups, and I can't make him sound like a saint for the sake of my other children.
9.  He is servant hearted.  He will do anything someone asks him to do at church, to be helpful.
10.  He has a math brain. Which he so totally did not get from his mother.  But that is okay.
11.  He will only play smartacle kind of games, like Chess, Wise and Otherwise, Trivia Pursuit.  No games of chance like Farkel.
12.  He is strong.
13.  Godly, or always working towards that.
14.  He does have a temper.
15.  He doesn't like potatoes, of any kind.
16.  He turns sixteen on the 18th of this month.
I love to be around Jack, he is so solid.  Like his dad.  This is how Jack has described himself, quiet, respectful, cunning, determined, and intelligent.
An example of Jack humor:  His older brother was going to take him Christmas shopping one night and told him to get ready.  Jack said, "But I went Christmas shopping last year."  He was totally serious. It was so funny.  He knew it was funny.  On the "farm"  Jack is the all around helper for Dad.  He helps build barns, mows, feeds the animals, and will soon learn how to break the ice on the pond.  He is so excited.  He helped build the hen house, learned to roof there.  He is also practice driving.  That is kind of scary sometimes.  He says I am tense.  He feels oppressed in the area of driving.  However, he does things like this, when caught straying to the wrong side of the road (fortunately we live in the country)  he says, "Sorry, I lost focus."  He lost focus and almost got me killed!  Well not really, because there weren't any other cars. He likes fettuccine alfredo.  He loves bacon.  He can help Molly with her homework.  I am thankful for Jack, and the way he makes me smile.  God has great and mighty plans for him.  Can't wait.

In honor of his 16th birthday... shhhhhh!

Garden Planning -- Time to Dream

From "Fine Gardening" magazine

It is time to plan the garden for spring.  To begin, I want this really fun gate, pictured here:
Not that we have an enclosed garden, but it is just too fun.  Maybe Jerry will build it for me for my birthday.  (that is a hint) And an appropriate bench would be nice.
Now that the important part is out of the way... to the plants.  I say, since this is just dreaming stage, dream BIG! 

Available from cooksgarden.com

I want to try the sugar snap peas again.  Those were delicious.  Tomatoes, of course.  Jalapenos, Tomatillos, Habeneros, and some mild flavored Bells.  Sweet corn and sweet potatoes.  I think I will try carrots again, but I want to get some of those cool colored ones like this:  purple and yellow and orange, who knew.  I want some of those.  Green beans, broccoli, cucumbers, lettuces, okra, potatoes, zucchini ( I like the term "courgettes" much better, Molly and I are into all things French.)  yellow squash. Maybe some other French type vegetables. Like a Potager.   Where did I put that French Vegetable Garden book.  Maybe some pintos, and other beans.  Onions, lots of onions.  The garlic is already planted.  Who knows what else I might stick in there.  Hmmm.  Then there are the herbs and flowers.  Some nasturtiums, violets, marigolds, zinnias.  I wonder what other flowers are edible or good in a garden.  Basil, lots of basil different kinds, like Globe Basil, Cinnamon Basil, and Rosemary, Parsley, Cilantro, lots of cilantro, Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano, Chives, Garlic Chives, Lemon Grass, Apple Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint, Chocolate Mint, I am sure that is not all.  Now, I would also like to plant a Rose Garden.  Oh yes, I also want to do a container of "Pizza Herbs" with a miniature tomato plant, oregano, basil, and a Habenero pepper.  And maybe one similar only with cilantro, and some chives for salsa.  Where are those seed catalogs?  I must look through them again.  I am sure I am leaving out something.  I can't wait.  I am so excited.  I just love the planning of a garden.  Now to draw out the plan, to make sure I have room for all this stuff.  My eyes are usually bigger than my budget and my time and energy.  But, what's life without a dream...Where are those seed catalogs?  Pumpkins, totally forgot pumpkins.

 Happy Dream Gardening!

Too Many Chickens!

Too many chickens!  Too many eggs!  I think we have totally lost it.  I am tired of making chicken broth and canning it.  Making chicken soup and canning it.  All that chopping!  And bagging boiled chicken meat.  When you have 122 eggs in the frig and no end in sight, that is too many!  What on earth does one do with 122 eggs!?  We have so much chicken in the freezer, we won't need any for the rest of the year.  Or longer.  Never mind the turkeys.  Then one of my children says to their father, "Dad, are you getting more chickens?"  I wanted to throw something at them!  What were they thinking?  Seriously?  More chickens?  Although some cute little exotic Bantams would be fun.
The soup is yummy.  I have used a lot of the chicken broth.  And...
New Year's Eve we gave 18 eggs to some good friends.  Saturday morning, my husband always makes pancakes for the kids.  He got ready to make the pancakes, which requires eggs.  We had 1 egg!  Only one?  You have got to be kidding me.  Only one egg?!  What happened to them all?  Maybe we do need a few more chickens, just for fun.

The very small egg on top is a "No Cholesterol" 

egg, no yolk.

Oh, and if you need fresh eggs... you know who to call.

The Gate

The new gate.  My husband built this new gate.  Those that know him may not realize how creative he is.  It is hard to see in this picture but, are pretty little scallops in the wire at the top of the gate.  He does those things for me.  He says, "There is value in the 'cute' factor."
I think it is sweet that he takes the time to do those things.  He could have just built an ugly, ordinary gate.  The gate is down by the creek on the far side.  It is a really beautiful part of our place.  The gate fits right in.  Thank you, dear.