A Farm is Born

I just read an interesting article in the Des Moines Register about a young Iowa farm family starting from scratch. Oh, how I remember feeling like a fish out of water and not knowing where or how to start. Thankfully, this family didn't give up and is eaking out a living through perserverance, hard work, and lots of faith. And, of course, they blog (yay!).

Unfortunately, Mike Kilen (DM Register writer) didn't list all of the other wonderful small farm blogs (on my "Favorite Links" list to the right). There are so many great things happening with farming in Iowa with diversity in the types of crops and livestock and the fact that faith and family values play a big role in these small farms.

The cat who wanted to be a knick knack

Most people who know me understand that I'm not a "knicky-knacky" kind of person. More things to collect dust and pack when we move (six times in the last eight years). So, when we got this house, there are all sort of built-in shelves in the living room flanking the fireplace. We had some books and a few other things. I felt compelled to get a couple extra things to "fill in." Obviously, Sam the cat felt I didn't have enough and enjoys being a mobile knick knack.

And then there's Tucker the dog who likes that corner, too. Sam will lay on the shelf and bat at Tucker just to torment him. Evil kitty!

A Little R&R

Here. Away from all the tasks inherant when you move into a new house or build. This was a wonderful little vacation. Great food, homegrown wine, nice trails and pond, beautiful accommodations, and friendly and helpful innkeepers.

DD brought a friend along and they had a blast.

Feeding buffalo at Hawkeye Buffalo Ranch:
Lots of play in the yard. DH is the biggest kid of all.
The tire swing was a BIG hit.

Fishing at the farm pond where DH caught some bluegill, a bass, and a bull frog (twice).

The girls bottle fed the calves every morning and night.

The trail around the farm wound beside the pasture and creek, up around the old school house, through the vineyard, by the pond and cabin, and around farm fields.

The screen porch was a great place to hang out and play "magic" tricks, read, and relax.

After all that excitement, the girls actually slept in on the last day. We even had an opportunity to go on record about our experience. The Waterloo Courier came out and did an interview with the B&B owners and took photos for the article in last Sunday's paper. Needless to say, we're receiving a lot of unsolicited comments about the "paparazzi" following us everywhere we go.

I would highly recommend Farmhouse B&B for a nice retreat.