Boys in the Blizzard

Every year we walk around the cemetery, leave some flowers, see Husband's father and sister's graves and other relatives' gravestones. We also always visit this tall, old stone and remember the two boys buried there. Husband's great-grandparents John A. and Mary had bought the home farm in 1886, but did not live there until 1888. He was headed to the home farm from the south when he found these two boys, aged 13 and 16, in a haystack, frozen, after the famous 1888 blizzard. For an interesting account of this historical blizzard, read The Children's Blizzard, by David Laskin.

Memorial Day

Top to Bottom: Vets are growing older. Alley of flags. Uncle Ron (84!), Husband and girls. History in the cemetery: Brother Glenn, Daughter W., Uncle Ron, Daughter M, Husband, Daughter L. Cousin Rodney. Flowers of remembrance.

Celebrity

The O cousins were out today. Miss O is too cool.

Dance Flowers

Today was the last day for dance classes this year, except for the recital in another week. We took some peony and lilac tea cup arrangements for the teachers. I often pick up tea cups at thrifts and rummages to use for arrangements. They make fun gifts. L and M made them up and added a little hanging "Thank You" tag to each one.

We used a florist's trick to help with the arranging. (I used to be a florist.) Use clear tape to make a grid across the top of your container. The flowers and greens will stay upright and in place so much better. Florists have special tape for this, but good old cellophane works fine. Leave the ends kind of long, be sure the cup (container) is dry before taping, and rub ends down tightly to the edge to the cup.

Lilac Snowballs

Our minature lilacs are so delicately colored, and they match this ceramic container I snagged for a dollar at a rummage last week. The snowball bush is snowballing! So lovely together.

Orange Poppies

Our gorgeous orange poppies are out.

Needlework

We have been doing a lot of needlework. When Friend Nicole is here she always wants to do crafts. She and M. made some cute felt purses when she visited last week. (They also did their nails-see picture.) Then we moved on to cross stitch. Now they have both learned several embroidery stitches. Daughter M. likes to sew and create with fabric. W. is learning to do cross stitch on some little pillow cases now too. (See the cat at top.) We had these little bear quilt blocks from when the boys were little that M. and L. learned the basic stitches on. My siblings will recognize them-we often worked on similar cross stitch embroidery blocks at our house when we were growing up! Last week I even did an embroidered verse with free style flowers for a wedding quilt block. There is stitching going on everywhere around here!

Graduations

We spent the last two days attending dear ones's graduations. We had three from our home school group graduating, and one very dear friend from church. It's been hot, so we cooled off in the ice tank after the H. graduation. (Heather and A., Me and Brenda) More grads next weekend!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 29th anniversary. I am glad every day that I married him. It is also his brother and sister-in-law's 35 anniversary. They are the ones we farm in partnership with. I think it is an interesting story that 5 out of 6 of Husband's siblings married their high school sweethearts, and those five have now been married a total of 160 years, this year. (If I figured right.) Karen and Dave-28, Us-29, Brian and Dena-30, Glenn and Gaylin-35 and Alan and Pat-39. That means we have all known each other for over 30 years, since we all 10 went to the same high school. Some of us have known each other since grade school. My husband's family is one of the great blessings of our life, and we love and value them all. It only seems to be more so as we grow older (and wiser?) What do you think, do these people look like they could be grandparents?

Planting and Testifying

Yesterday Husband finished planting. He got to bed about 2:30. (There were rain predictions.) Night planting in straight rows with GPS and self steering technology is a good thing. Earlier in the week he testified at the House Ag Committee hearings for the 2012 farm bill. It was a very interesting process, and we were proud of him as he represented local farmers and our state Soybean Association.

Crocus

An early spring series by L.

New Bike!

A deal-$5 at a rummage. Good tires, hand brakes. We were both thrilled.

Lilacs

Mother has this special type of lilacs.

They are amazing with their white border. But then, I love all lilacs.

Pristine

We are fortunate to farm some beautiful land by the river, abundant with wildlife and natural beauty. We often see animals when farming and are grateful to have this privilege. Today L. and I took dinner (lunch) to Husband and she stayed and roamed the river for a couple of hours while he farmed and I ran some errands. She got some eagle (there were a pair) and other great nature pictures. I got to ride a round with Husband, too.

Walking the Rails

We have been touring the fields as we take meals to Husband while he finishes planting. This gives us a chance to talk family history. This week we were at my home place, which featured a creek and RR tracks to explore. M and L thought it was great fun to walk the tracks and pick up spikes, just as their older sibling and my siblings and myself did.