Countrified: THE FARM

My Grandma's farm has loads of great memories.  My Mom used to wake us up early in the morning on Saturdays and drag us out of bed still in our pajamas to go have breakfast with Grandma.  We usually slept in the car the whole way there, then slept for a little while longer once we arrived.  The air was always clear and sharp, a mixed aroma of livestock and land.

I could always faintly hear Mom, Grandma, and random visitors popping in for coffee and doughnuts.  The sound of the coffee percolating was like a soft tickle in my ear that would slowly awaken me.  I would saunter into the kitchen and ask Grandma for the "Fruity Pebbles," they were my special treat because I wasn't allowed to have sugar cereal at my house.  Once we finished up with breakfast, Grandma would load the dishwasher, she did it her way and didn't need help.  Then we would brush our teeth and get dressed in our 'grubbies' ready to get dirty.  Tromping around in the mud with the horses, cows, chickens, bunnies, and piglets, was the usual.  

Lately I've gotten to spend a lot more time at the farm.  It's been really neat to hear Grandma talk about farm life and how it has changed over the years.  To hear her speak so passionately about it and why she loves it so much was really amazing.  They have been busy calving so it's been especially wonderful to see new life emerge.  As the season changes and we get ready to sew seed in the fields, it's such a cool parallel to how the seasons of our lives change.  With every planting there is a reaping.  I'm looking forward to this new season and anticipate the harvest that will follow.  I'm much more conscious of making good deposits into my life so the fruit is good and there is a plentiful harvest worth sharing.  It's rewarding when there is abundance left over to give to those you love and care for.  

Below are a few shots on the farm and the road to the farm.  I get inspired every time I am out there.  Hope you enjoy :)

Gramps (Jerry, Dean)

In the last year I have been fortunate to be closer to my family and have been able to spend a lot more time with them.  I wasn't particularly excited about this at the beginning, however I quickly realized the role our families play in our lives and how important it is to nurture these relationships.  Over the years many of these relationships had suffered neglect, mostly on my part.  Like a worn out bicycle left in the elements for years, these relationships needed some tender-loving care.  

I'm very thankful to have these relationships restored.  It is by the grace and love of the Heavenly Father, that began to reshape and change my heart so He could heal hurts and put these relationships back together with His everlasting love.  

I'm also thankful that I was home because during the last year my Gramps learned he had stomach cancer.  He had been struggling to eat for quite a while and he finally had a test done and was given the news last fall.  This came quite suddenly before the holidays and had us all facing the possibility that our time with Gramps could be short.  

Gramps, the firecracker that he is, was very certain that he would beat this.  The odds were slim, but there was hope.  The only treatment option they gave was chemo, and to do nothing would be to die.  Gramps said all along, "If God doesn't heal me, he's gonna have to re-write his word."  It was quite an experience to see someone I loved go through this, but Gramps would always say, "It's just a rough patch, I'll get through it."  

About a month ago we received word that there was no more cancer.  Since then Gramps has been slowly gaining weight and getting back to his feisty self.  His testimony of God's healing power, and trust in God to face all obstacles with courageous tenacity have been super encouraging.  I'm so glad I was able to be here and witness the amazing victory that happened in Gramps and know God used to teach me a valuable lesson.  

Following are a few pictures of Gramps and his work shed that used to be his greenhouse when he had a plant business.  He now collects antiques and uses it to display these things, we all affectionately call it 'The Museum."  He has always been very handy with his hands and likes to restore Coke machines, make stained glass lamps and pictures, frame prints, and his current project is the wagon (shown).  

The last picture is an article that was cut from a newspaper about Gramps' service in the United States Army.  He fought in the Korean war and has an amazing account of the things he did and saw while there.  Listening to him talk about it is really special because it is evidence of how God had his hand on him through those experiences to bring him here to this present day.  

This just gets my goat :)

Had a great time with these animals today.  They were so much fun to hang around with!  I got my goat for raw goat milk and to begin making raw goat kefir, and raw goat cheese.  If you are interested in learning more about the awesome benefits of raw milk checkout www.rawmilk.com.  You will also find how to locate your own local raw milk providers.  

Really? You don't say?

Gerty

They see fresh meat!

Tailgatin'

new kids on the block

Dot

Kiddin' around :)

Delilah

Kiddos

The Lounge

Are you kiddin' me?

Delilah and Dot

Roman the Rooster

Rrrrrrrrrrr u looking at me?

LLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAMMMMMMAAAAA

BIG LOVEY guard dog

Horsin' around

Grettle

WHAT?

Gretsch

Romano Cheese

Kissin' kids

Roman

He spotted me 

Roman is posing it up

playing it cool