Time for The Ada Opry Again

Once a month several businesses in Ada sponsor The Ada Opry, a show with local talent being showcased.  Last Saturday night Jerry, Judy, Mel and I enjoyed the performers and The Country Standard Time Band.

Our Scared Black Kitten

Mama Kitty moved the 2 white kittens to the blue barn.  The black kitten was still at the old hay barn.  I commented to Mel, "I couldn't understand why Mama Kitty did not move the black one".  He informed me that Mama Kitty and the black kitten were headed to the blue barn from the hay barn when he started hammering on the corral.  It scared the kitten and it ran back to the hay barn.  I think this happened a couple of times.  That explains why it was by itself in the hay barn.  I took it to the blue barn to be with the others. 

One of our 2 white kittens that has now moved to Grammy's

Grammy decided she wanted a cat in the house so she took our 2 white kittens to have.  She thought the two would be better satisfied together.  Being in the house lasted 2 days with her.  She now has them in the brown barn.

The black kitten eating out of the big cats feeder - he thinks he is "big stuff now"

Being A Cowgirl for 2 Days

After selling some of our cows, Mel decided to move the cows from the Annex to the farm.  By doing that it would give the grass at the Annex a chance to "come back".  Also, these cows 

will start calving in October and it will be easier to monitor them.
Here  are the cows we moved.  They are ready to eat hay and check out things at this location.

The next day we loaded 3 yearling heifers that were at the house, took them to the vet for their vaccinations, and then moved them to the Annex to join 4 young heifers we had there.  By being at the Annex they can get plenty to eat without the older cows crowding them away from the feed troughs and hay bunk.

Mel has his bucket of cubes for the heifers.

The 3 we moved are inside the pen waiting to eat cubes Mel put in the trough and the 4 that were already at the Annex are "on the outside looking in". 

A Sad Day on the Farm

Due to the excessive drought, lack of grass, increase in cost of feed and necessity of early feeding, Mel decided we needed to sell 13 cows. He had worked very hard and put a lot of thought and planning into the kind of bull to use, feed, and calving dates.  He commented, "I had just gotten the herd like I  planned and wanted." 
Depending on the winter we just couldn't risk running out of hay early and then the $100 increase per ton of feed used.  Business decisions had to outweigh the sentimental desire to keep them. We still have 20 cows and 7 young heifers so we will start building back our herd again. 
I think of the scripture, Jeremiah 29:11 which says,  "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord,  "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".  Our task is to pray, listen and seek God's plan.

Some of the cows still on the farm

The trailers heading out.  Joe and Jerry came to help and provided another trailer so less trips to the sale barn would be made.

At the sale barn

 

 A last look at our "good-looking" cows

Our Chickens Are Laying!

When putting the chickens up last Tuesday evening  we had quite a surprise!!  We had 2 eggs in the nest.  Our chickens are beginning to lay!!  After "babying and pampering" them for several months,  we are reaping the benefits of farm fresh eggs!

 One egg in the nest with the golf ball that was there to encourage the chickens to lay in the nest.

Labor Day Week-end with the Woods Family

What a fun week-end we had with Bryan, Melodi and the kids!  At least the weather was very nice the latter  part of the week-end.  It seems as though in the times past Mother Nature decided to have "extreme weather" while they were here.
After arriving Friday evening, we enjoyed fruit pizza before bedtime.  I think it must have been good since there were no left-overs.
Saturday morning we had apple turnovers and bacon for breakfast, a lighter breakfast, since  we were going to Grammy's for hot dogs and "the works".
Jacob helped me do the turnovers.  I sure have good helpers when the kids are here!

Melodi made a delicious Cucumber and Dill Dip!  Mathew placed the crackers and pretzels around the dip bowl in a very artistic and strategic pattern. 

Time to load up so the consensus was the back of the pick-up for the ride to Grammy's.  Grandpop drove down what was the old country road that is now part of the right-of-way of the turnpike.

  Everyone had a good time visiting and definitely had plenty to eat.

We loaded up to go home.  Everyone was ready to rest after getting full and the afternoon was hot.

The girls embroidered and then the boys decided they would like to try it.  I ironed off a couple of barn patterns for Jake and Mat.  They really enjoyed it and did a great job!

Jake finished his barn so he will decide what to do with it - a pillow or frame it???

The kids found a turtle and that provided entertainment for them.

Later in the evening it was time to go to the barn! The statement the kids love to hear!  One of the kids' favorite thing to do.

This picture of Melodi getting help to get on the hay for the picture is a little blurry.  Could it be because I (the picture taker) was laughing????

As the previous picture shows she made it safe and sound on the bale!

Sunday was  the day for the barn with the much cooler weather.  It was rather windy but that was better than the heat.   The activities included swinging, checking out the cats and kittens, climbing on hay bales and building.

Think Jake was asking for something or suggesting something by the expressions on their faces ?????

Watching the kids and visiting is always nice!    

Mathew was showing his creation to his parents.  Bryan and Melodi were on guard as he moved it around to avoid being "bonked" in the head.

Our solid black kitten in the old hay barn

After playing on the hay again, McKaylea came in to "empty her boots".  She had plenty of hay in them.

McKaylea lost a tooth so the Tooth Fairy made a visit to the farm.  Right now McKaylea has lost 3 front teeth on the top - quite a gap but so cute.

The lost teeth definitely did not interfere with her licking the icing spoon.

How we enjoy when the kids and grandkids come to visit!

Fresh Water for the Chickens

Well, I have to brag that my creative hubby has been at it again.  From Grammy's old pressure tank, he came up with a "drip waterer" for the chickens so they can have fresher (if there is such a word, but on the farm it does describe better) water during the hot days.  Fantastic idea!!

He fills the top of the old tank with fresh water then at the bottom he devised a way that the water will slowly drip into the pan underneath it.  Lucky chickens - they don't have to drink water that has been sitting out.

Stay tuned because we came home with  a washing machine agitator a couple of days ago.  He is already thinking about what to do with it.  I inquired about his idea.  Maybe it will become a sectional feeder for the chicks - one section for corn, another for chicken feed and another for crushed oyster shells.
So we shall see.