Spring Starts on the Farm

The spring behind the barn

"The spring has sprung, the grass has ris', I wonder where the flowers is.... " (Haydn)

The snow has gone, hopefully for good for this season!

There are no leaves on the trees, but the grass is just starting to green up.  

Th trees look so pretty reflecting off the pond.

This is a dead apple tree stump that still resides in the middle of the children's play field.  They worked on removing it and burning the stump today.

This spring we took some pallets and made a mulch pile where it is not visible from the house.

This is where the garden will go very soon.

Last year we had daffodils on the first day of spring.  This year the green tops are just bursting through and it is April 9th already.  They (whoever 'they' are) say that spring is 3 weeks behind this year.

I was excited to see my honey berry bushes budding out.  I had transplanted them from the old house and was concerned that they would survive the very cold winter.  They are looking healthy.  Yes!!!

Here is the view from the house towards the back. Green is my favorite color and I am really happy to see its return!

The Passing of Time

Time point Zero

We woke up this morning to rain.  Lots of it coming down hard.  As we watched we saw it change to sleet.  The ice piled up on the bottom's around trees  and on the grass.

15 minutes

15 minutes later the sleet turned to snow!

30 minutes

The snow piled up and started to cover the grass.

45 minutes

The tips of the grass are only slightly visible.

1 hour 

The grass is no longer visible.  

By the end of the day we had lovely white snow covering everything.  The roads were treacherous and there were several 50+ car pile ups locally.  We made the determination to stay in all day.  Fortunately, JoAn had the day off and Paul only goes to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All the schools were closed as they knew the storm was coming.  Don't know which number snow day this was, but we have had a lot this year!

We live on a state route.  It is normally well plowed an salted.  Tonight you could barely see any tracks from vehicles.  I did see a snowmobile zipping down the road followed by a car.  Winter will soon be over and it will be time for spring and getting the garden ready.  I can't wait!!!!

Favorite Spring FLowers

I love the smell of Lilies of the valley. When I was growing up we had a large spread of them beside our house and I loved their sweet smell. I am so glad they grow well in the shade. That means they thrive as a late spring flower in our yard.

These are bleeding hearts. I only met these flowers as an adult. They look so neat and tidy and they really do look like hearts. I had to have some for the side yard. I wouldn't mind having a couple more of these in other places in the yard. There is a way to start some new ones from an established plant. Can someone tell me how?

Lilacs always remind me of my Grandparents. It makes me miss them both, but I like remembering them. They had a number of large lilacs in their yard of many shades of violet to white. They smell so heavenly when they are in bloom. They also look nice in a vase.

Grape hyacinths are a late spring flower that grows most anywhere. I like their neat attire.

Isn't God's creativity amazing, as it is demonstrated in His creation?

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's!!

~Mom

Easter at the Farmhouse

Daffodils are my favorite flower. Unfortunately, Dallas loves them too - as an appetizer!

We had a wonderful day together. Easter is such a blessed holiday to come together to celebrate God's goodness to us. Because of His Resurrection we can have our salvation. Praise God that Christ did not stay dead, but arose. We serve a living God!

It was such a beautifully warm day that we didn't need sweaters. The sun was shining.

The birds were singing and the squirrels were chattering.

The children were semi-cooperative as I took their photos. Mr. Boots even put his tie back on after he had removed it to relax.

The little nieces had their Easter bonnets and pretty dresses on. They were not too excited about posing. Reagan is saying just about everything now. She just turned 2. Sadie is 9 months.

Michelle enjoyed having baby duty.

We served buffet style. We were blessed to have Our friends the Morrises join us for dinner. All told there were 25 people present. Mom made two lamb roasts and some corned beef. I think everything was gluten and dairy free except for the desserts. It was delicious and I never would have noticed unless I had specifically thought about it for some special guest's needs. I forgot to put out the devilled eggs for dinner. I guess we'll be eating a lot of egg salad this week. I did serve them with the dessert. A few disappeared then. I guess my brain is taking a spring break even if I am not.

We had to set up three tables for all the guests. We set up two in the dining room and one in the living room. We use the window seats for bench seating at the tables. It works well. There are some benefits to an old farmhouse.

After dinner the children went out to the back field and played more SPUD. I guess that is the game of choice right now. The computer games were used. Mostly Star Wars stuff. People left early to go home and get their naps. Some board games came out. A few naps were taken here and a few books read. It was a good day!

~Mom

PS We did miss Todd and Miriam as they are still in the Philippines for another week. Please keep them in your prayers. They are trying to finalize their housing decision.

Cousins and Friends

Happiness is a beautiful spring day with friends and cousins to play SPUD with. Do you remember that game from your childhood?

The temperature was about 76 which is significantly warmer than usual for this time of year. At our house the temp has to be above 70 degrees before bare feet are allowed.

Heidi and Brooke were enjoying themselves as everyone played together.

Elizabeth would find a spot behind a tree so that she was a more challenging target.

Adam, a friend, was the referee to make sure that everybody stopped running when 'Spud!' was called.

Katrina was having a good time and Ulysses was just swinging back and forth through the game. Nobody seemed to mind. What's to mind?!! It was a beautiful day!

Josh liked being the center of attention, although when the spotlight stayed on him after the ball was caught, he wasn't sure that was where he really wanted to be. Those letters started to mount up fast! He and I discussed what stealth meant. We spent some time watching a red tail hawk circle the house and the field, we played with the camera. It was some quality Aunt-Nephew time.

I like this picture of Brooke.

After a vigorous game of SPUD the older girls relaxed at the piano, Katrina and T-Bob played 'Battleship' and the rest played Legos and Bionicles.

This post is for my sister and her husband in the Philippines so she can see what her children are up to while they are away.

~Mom

Another Reaon Spring is Special to Us...

The mother of these children also has a birthday today!

JoAn

Mr. Boots

Michelle

Thomas

T-Bob

Elizabeth

Happy Birthday Mom!

We love you !

~Michelle

Spring is Springing

Today is the first day of Spring! Things are beginning to spring from the ground. I love it!

The crocuses are popping and the sun is shining and warm. It feels so good.

The boys (Ulysses here) are throwing Frisbees and running around like young colts.

The buds on the cherry trees are starting to swell.


I saw a honey bee on these crocuses just before I got the camera out. I was surprised that it was buzzing around so early in the year.

The daffodils are popping out of the ground.

T-Bob thought he would use the sun to try the old experiment of lighting a leaf on fire with a magnifying glass. We are really enjoying God's amazing creation as we watch it burst forth. We have such an Awesome God!

~Mom