You Know Cows Are Spoiled When....

All of our animals seem to be spoiled.  One of the funniest examples is our cows.  If they are grazing in front of the house and want to go to the barn at the time we are close by, they would not dare walk around the back of the house to get back to the barn.  They simply wait at the gate along the lane to the house and let us open the gates so they can just cross the driveway lane to go from one pasture to another.  Think maybe the cows have "outsmarted" the farmer and farm girl?

(These videos were taken with my phone.)

Early Morning

Too many times life is so busy we don't stop to look at the simple things of life that demonstrate God's handiworks, greatness and love.  I can't imagine anyone thinking that God does not exist. 
While Mel was away I was the early morning farm girl out and about around the farm.  I was so blessed with this time as I observed these things:
The sun peeks and rises above the horizon as the moon makes its way below the opposite horizon, the birds singing their songs, animals and how smart they are.  The calves after nursing their protective mothers turn to look at me with milk on their little black mouths, the cats playfully chasing one another, the rooster crows as if to announce to the world "a new day is dawning - enjoy it"! 
One morning a rainbow with its vivid colors was in the western sky - one of God's promises displayed.  I could see each end at the horizons, but the center part was not visible.  I could imagine God holding the center part and looking down on the earth hoping everyone will recognize  and honor Him for the everything He is and can be to us. 
How wonderful to take time to just "enjoy the simple things".

"They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works."      Psalm 145:5

Another Lesson Learned

Lately, it seems as though I have learned several new things that are very helpful.  The first was how to put the hay in the hay bunks.  The second was how to use the air compressor.
Mel was out of town and our Onstar report stated that 3 of the 4 tires needed air.  I was going to Norman and was concerned about the tires pressure.
Mel gave me directions on the phone on how to use the compressor.  I wrote them down and he left his phone on for me to call so if I encountered any problems or had any questions (and maybe he was concerned about an explosion in his barn) and to let him know I had accomplished the task.  I followed the directions given by my sweet hubby from South Carolina.  Believe it or not, I accomplished the task without any difficulty!!! How proud I was of myself (and my hubby was probably relieved) when I informed him!!

My Farm Hand

Jett came to the farm while Mel was gone on a golfing trip.  Jett decided I was the farmer (I moved up to Grandpop's position) and he was the farm hand (he moved up to my former position).  Works for me!!
He was a lot of help for me with the farm chores.  He learned the meaning of many words relating to farm life - for example:  heifer, bull, cow and explained them to a few people.
Our chores included:

Taking care of the horses

Gathering eggs

Jett is holding 4 eggs that he gathered - the most we have gotten in one day!   We were excited!

A funny story about our red chicken who "habitually gets out of the pen" - she was out of the pen AGAIN.  Jett opened the back of the coop to check for eggs when here came the red hen and just proceeded to go in "the back door".  Jett and I had a good laugh at her antics! 

Jett is looking at the red hen that had just gone in the back door.

Opening and closing gates

It's so much more fun to close the gate and then climb over the fence!!  (A good excuse to climb)

 Watering cows

 This is a good time to observe the cows and calves and to count them to make sure all are accounted for especially since it is calving time.

Taking care of barn cats

Our black and white mama kitty had her kittens in a nail box under the counter.  She finally moved the 2 out of the nail box and onto the shelf.

Jett with Midnight

Jett has so much fun playing with the garage cats, Bandit and Smudge.  They chase him and run after some of his toys, then they run when he chases them.

Of course along the way the farmer and farm hand had to enjoy fun times.  We could not have all work and no play!!

What kid can resist hay bales?  Jett figured out a way to get on the bales by himself while I was busy with chores.  He used the stepstool and then climbed!  

What fun to run, jump and use your imagination while on the bales!

Riding the horse

Jett was ready to ride Freckles for the first time.  This farm wife has never saddled a horse, just observed.  Well, I did have a little difficulty with the cinch part.  After I had gotten the saddle lifted up and on, I didn't notice the saddle blanket a little out of line.  Just ignore the position of the saddle blanket - Jett did.  He just enjoyed riding Freckles. 

Playing ball

 Doing crafts

 Skateboarding "tummy style" down the driveway

 Our "rock star" performs

Our "rock star" is ready to go to the barn (note his guitar shirt, bandana and cowboy hat)
This star has his own "style"!

Bakugan - Grandmom is always learning something new!  This is a creature in ball form that will pop open when ... (see the next picture)

placed on a special card.   Creative, don't you think?

One of the mornings was cloudy, wet and cool.  It was decided by the farm hand that hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies would be good. 

Yum! Yum!!  Homemade hot chocolate 

My helper pouring in the chocolate chips for the cookie.

We decided to make a large chocolate chip cookie pizza.

You just can't have warm cookies right out of the oven without a glass of milk!

We ate tacos.

Popcorn was enjoyed for our movie night.

My creative farm hand made this cute fall decoration just for me!  How sweet and thoughtful!!

 

My farm helper had to go home after 6 days.  He asked me how I was going to make it own my own.  I told him it would be difficult, but maybe I could manage. 

 

Fall Decorating

Fall is my favorite season and I enjoy decorating for the season.

 My 2 helpers in decorating - Jett and the cat.  They are what add to the
decoration!

 I changed to this one after the pumpkin broke because of the wind.  Time to go with a real pumpkin!

Painting the Back Door

After a few years and the fact our back door faces west (the sun and direction from which many storms approach), it was time for a paint job.  I gathered all my supplies, scrapped the old paint off and then painted.  Our 2 garage cats, being the curious creatures they are, had to get in on the job. 

Checking out my supplies

Notice the paint on Smudge's nose