Saturday Sewing

Here are a few recent projects. I can't actually sew today, too many other things on the list of to-do's, but thought I would drop by and share a couple of pictures. Lately the sewing I have been doing has been for others and I can't share those pictures till customer gives the gift. So I had to dig back a month or two to projects that were either for me, yes the top one actually is for me, surprising, yes I know. The other project was for a baby gift, gift has been given, baby has been born, so picture of project was fair game.

Not sure if I have shared a couple of great 'free places' to find patterns or learn techniques. The first one is Moda Bake Shop. When going to this website, it sort of looks like just another blog, which it kinda is. But each blogpost is a pattern, or sewing instructions for great quick and easy projects. Just looked on it and there's a 'charming scarf' The company behind the blog is Moda and they sell quilt fabric, BEAUTIFUL quilt fabric. One of their greatest retail products is their precuts. You can get 'samples' of an entire designer line cut into 2.5 inch strips, 10 inch squares, and 5 inch squares, there are others, but those are probably the three most popular ones. The what you can do with them are showcased on this blog. I totally love it, the projects are quick and easy and can a lot of times be done in an afternoon or over a weekend.

Now my other favorite place to learn about quilting projects is You Tube, yes, the place we go to watch funny video clips. You tube is much more than that! The Missouri Star Quilt Company has an entire channel devoted to it. Look here and pick anyone of the videos. They are a Godsend to 'visual learners' like me. If I am wanting to learn a specific technique, chances are I will find something on their channel that covers it, or I can get distracted with something else, us quilters are kinda like that.

Well that's all I have for now. Cody has 'two a day' football practice in order to prepare for Monday night's district championship game, Sam is hunting (youth gun season for deer), Jenna and Seth are 'paying the piper' AKA The Farmer, for mischief they got into with the friends who were over to play yesterday and they are cleaning their rooms. I am cleaning and cooking for the family birthday lunch that is tomorrow celebrating their 10th and 8th birthdays, and The Farmer, I am not sure what he's doing, but looking at the clock, he will be looking for lunch soon, YIKES!

Jumping up and scrambling through the pantry looking for inspiration,

From Tulip~

KH

:)

Thankfulness Thursday

Okay, so like about EVERYONE, except my mother and my husband, I am on facebook. (actually they are both closet lurkers on the facebook of their spouses, in case anyone wondered) And those on Facebook know that with the turning of the calendar page and probably so we won't all delete our accounts because we are sick of political posts, comes 'The Thankfulness Posts'. Thankfulness posts are something that many of my friends do, most do it all month long, I always attempt to and generally don't miss to many and try to add 'make-up' posts when I fall behind. It was so refreshing to get on there today when I got home from work and see so many of these posts. Since its so close to the election, I generally skim the 'news feed' pretty quickly, avoiding all political posts, cartoons, etc........at this point in the game, I think EVERYONE is so sick of those, there would be no changing anyones mind anyway.
To me the Thankfulness posts show us a little window into the souls of our friends. We have so much to be thankful for in this country, in the time that it is so easy for all of us to take for granted what all we really do have. If we can pick out 30 things (30 days in Nov) and say thanks for those things or people, etc........... yay for us.
In my endeavor to be a more regular blogger, I am going to attempt to start posting 'Thankful Thursdays' I will pick something or someone that I am thankful for, tell you what it is and why. So besides the 30 posts on Facebook, hopefully my readers will get 52 more things that I am thankful for via this blog.
Since today is Jenna's birthday, today I am thankful for Jenna.

My little doll baby. You were the first of two surprises to come into our lives. At one point after struggling to get two kiddos, Dad and I figured we were about done having kids, boy were we wrong. You came into this world in sort of a 'whirlwind' and that should have been our first clue, but sometimes Dad and I are a little slow on the uptake. From day one, you have done things your way. Some of the best traits in adults are the hardest ones to deal with in children. I have no doubt that anyone will take advantage of you or ever wonder what you are thinking or how you feel about anything. I always say my boys are physically demanding, and well JH you are mentally demanding, but that's okay, because while somedays I am ready to ship you off to Aunt O or your 'other' momma, MelB, it is pretty great having someone in the house who thinks like I do. I love to be able to communicate 'like a girl' with you. Very rarely do you need the detailed instructions that the guys need. You just get it. Thank goodness. I feel blessed that while The Farmer has 'his boys' I got to have my girl. Even though my girl wouldn't be caught dead in a dress or playing with dolls, I still look forward to the day when we will be BFF'S, like I am with my mom and grandma. I know that we will be that way since none of us have sisters, these intergenerational 'friendships' are the greatest blessings in my life.
I love your compassion. You feel so deeply for so many things, most of them are four legged, but that's okay. You have the most beautiful blue eyes, you remind me of your great grandpa Garrett, yours are the same color as his and just bright.
You are growing into such a great young woman, while I desperately will miss the little girl that stole our hearts, I do definitely look forward to the woman who I know will always be my girl. I love you sis.
Getting ready to have 'birthday supper' with my household to celebrate a decade of 'The Cattle Whisperer,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

PS--this was my 200th post, kinda exciting, had I realized it, I would have planned something cool, sigh, well, keep reading, maybe I will do something at the next milestone! <3>

I love Fall!

After such an intense summer, heat and drought, I have certainly looked forward to fall. I always do. It's my favorite time of year. My babies were all four fall babies, so I have the greatest excuse to regularly entertain, many birthday parties at our house during the fall.
Fall means school starts and YES I was one of THOSE kids who looked forward to school starting. Now as a mom, after the chaos of summer, I like the routine-ness of the school year, but not necessarily the hours, being a night owl sounds like such a good idea until the next morning when I am dragging myself out of bed to get the kids ready and YIKES if I have to sub, start really rethinking that 2am bedtime which is my fav time to go to bed.
This fall, thanks to summer hasn't been as exciting on the harvest side of things. The guys are shelling corn, but they aren't pushing real hard to get the job done. I think the numbers are just depressing them. It does look like there will be some beans though............cross your fingers!

One of my newest fall loves is football. Having a senior this year makes that love affair a bittersweet one. Cody has a group of buddies, some of whom he's been buddies with his whole life, I will miss him next fall and I will miss them. I guess while this year DH is kinda bummed about fall, guessing next year will be my turn.
While some things about fall lean towards the 'end' of something, there are many things that 'begin' in the fall. 4H for one thing. All four of our kids are in the club this year, with it being Cody's last year and Seth's first year. Soon we will get the calves weaned and the kids will start picking out their next beef projects, with that in our minds, as it gets colder, we have the warm thoughts of summer to come filled with fairs and friends.
Seems I have been busy with many projects and haven't turned my home into the 'fall spectacular' that I usually do, thinking tomorrow sounds like the day to do that. Maybe tomorrow night I will add some pics.
Typing while wearing a hoodie and my fuzzy slippers,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

Friends

The world is getting smaller all the time. With the help of social media, FACEBOOK, I have made farm friends all over this country. A couple that come to mind off the top of my head, Kansas Farm Mom and Faces of Agriculture. These are blogs that I follow regularly. KFM is just another farm wife like me. She's juggling those same things that I do everyday, farm and family, husband and kids, trying to find a moment to share her passion with others. FOA is put together by two young women who are compiling information shared by farmers all over this country. I have been lucky enough to be a part of both blogs recently. I have posted in Faces a couple of times, first telling our farm story and a second time telling Cody's story. Recently, Nicole, KFM, asked me to share a recipe on her blog. So I did, it posted today. Here's the story, What's for Dinner? Wednesday. While I struggle to get my own blog posted regularly, here I am posting in others......... I have decided that I am going to start trying to add posts, maybe having special days, Nicole I may steal your idea on regular food post, also thinking of an 'Around the Farm' Friday, maybe a kid day, or a sewing day. I have been reinspired to 'rattle on' more regularly........... we will see how it goes! :)
Waiting for the Farmer to come in from the field while listening to kids heading towards bed,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

Twig

There's my kid, #83, lining up on the football field, tonight, in the rain. Just another of the things that he gets done in a day. In five short days, he will turn 18. Absolutely and totally mind blowing how quickly time has flown by. It really seems like only yesterday that we brought him home. That he was my little 'Linus' with his blanket (which he called his 'Bobby'---yes he will be thrilled that  I told that little secret!) Didn't he just start school, join 4H, become a big brother, become one again, and again. Wow! This has been a busy week, everyone running 40 different directions, trying get things done. Somewhere in amongst this, I think at the end of last week, I worked on a blog post for the 'Faces of Ag' blog that is a collaboration of some central Missouri gals, who showcase people involved in agriculture from a million different perspectives. Today they choose to showcase Cody's perspective, at least my view of it.
Here's the post:
http://facesofagriculture.blogspot.com/2012/08/cody-of-h-farms.html


Enjoyed digging out some pics of him 'farming' through the years, especially now that most that I am currently taking are in a football jersey. It was a great reminder in savoring the moments, which I am trying to do each and every day. Mother's Day/Graduation will be here so fast!
Just wanted to share the blog for those who hadn't already seen it, oh and BTW the way, we won tonight in double overtime, 18-12. Of course the most important statistic from the game I have to wonder is how much rain did we get DURING the game?
Still trying to warm up and dry out, but loving that rain,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

Summers Grand Finale

 Montgomery Gentry Concert---AWESOMENESS!

 Seeing our buds, Hollow Pointe rock the house at Goodtime Charlies, more AWESOMENESS!

 My kids showing their steers, not only AWESOMENESS, but PRICELESS as well!!!! Go Sam!

 Cody is at such ease, with a stick and a steer in hand, so proud of his top 15 finish! Way to go!!!

Even though she struggled some with Red, Jenna had a pretty good State Fair as well, we are blessed!



Okay in case the title didn't offer any clues, we have just wrapped up our 'end of summer' family time/vacation, whatever you wanna call it. We have returned from the Missouri State Fair. So much fun, good stories, good times, good friends, will I get them all in this blog post, quite likely not, but here I go:
This year, 3 of our 4 kids showed their steers, I think Seth felt a little left out, but next year, he's in too! Cody's steer got 5th in his class, but more exciting, Cody made top 15 in the Senior Showmanship. We don't have much control over where the steer ends up in class, but what we've taught and exposed Cody to over the years has paid off, he does such a great job showing and seems so at ease doing it, makes us proud. Sam's steer was in the lower end of the same class that the steer that won it all was in, so to say he had stiff competition is an understatement! Jenna got her confidence shook by Red being such a smart animal and predicting what was next and heading that direction one day when we were leading them before the fair, so she struggled some this getting through that. We were thankful that the steer show team jumped in and helped her out, always great to have others teaching our kids when we can't.
Again this year we camped with the Sharp family. It is so amazing to me that while Christy is literally one of my oldest friends, we grew up on the same block, our families get along so well together, we are state fair family, its way deeper than friendship, and like those relationships, it doesn't matter that we don't get to see each other much the rest of the year, for our time at the fair, we have each others backs, we catch up on each others lives, tell old stories, make new memories, how blessed we are to have such good friends.
At the fair, we have so many friends, walking to the barn sometimes takes an hour, because there's always someone to say hello to, generally there is more than one someone to do that with. Gonna list a few of the friends we saw, I will probably miss some, but here goes, Bagnells, James', Reinerds, Morgans, Edwards, Heaths, Bastians, Curtis', Nelsons, Martins, Hudsons and MANY MANY MORE!
Seeing people from home is always more fun at the fair. Saw Kelly Dickerson at the concert, wasn't Montgomery Gentry great?!?!?! Saw the OBannons, Dycus' Francis' Rhoades' and Schmidts throughout the fair. Random people from my hometown. Saw old friends, like Pam and Scott Breid. Saw family, cousins and many more.
Notice how little of this is actually talking about exhibits? I have to say the fellowship enjoyed with like minded people is probably my highlight of the fair EVERY YEAR.
This year the fair included a concert for the parents, we saw 38 Special and Montgomery Gentry. It also included celebrating the birthday of our friend Andy Hudson. We celebrated it while enjoying the music of some other friends, Travis Petersen and the Hollow Pointe band. Danced and Partied it up with my friend Wendy Cooley. Shows were great, food and fun was great as well!
This year I got the oppportunity to 'Agvocate for Agriculture' probably in the way I know best how to do it! By COOKING! I got to demonstrate a recipe in the Beef Showcase. I made 'Kickin' Cajun Dirty Rice' it was fun, wonderful chance to meet NEW friends! I look forward to doing it again and thinking that I would like to get more involved in the Missouri Cattlewomen.
Saw cousins at the fair and got to tell our kids and theirs how not only David and I have special stories to our past that are linked to the State Fair, so do they. We shared the story of me having car trouble going to college on what would have been the last weekend of the Missouri State Fair 1989. Since my parents had taken my brother and friends to a concert at the Fair and David had the chores to do, since his parents had taken his sisters to the same concert, when I called him not knowing what to do, he made the comment that Dale, his cousin was a lot closer than he was (I was about a hour from Maryville) so not knowing how to get ahold of Dale, I called Kem, my roommate from college. She had to go to Dale's apartment and talk him into coming and rescuing me! Well they drove to get me and after a few hours in the car, well we can say the rest is history, they will celebrate 19 years of marriage this Dec. Okay I know, I know, kind of a stretch to call their story a 'state fair' story, but I am on a theme here and we retold the story AT the fair this year, doesn't that count?!?!?! I love how when we saw them one of the times it was at a Farm Credit customer luncheon, between friends and family we filled a table, there was us, Beth, Jason, kids, Dawn, Darren and Robin Reynolds, Dale and Kem, their kids, Judy, Kem's mom and Sam's friend Dustin, we weren't sitting in groups we were one big group, didn't matter who was sitting by who and we were sort of mixed up, I remember looking up and down the table, watching my oldest talk to Darren and Judy and have something to talk about, Dustin and Sam BRIEFLY playing with Lynzie, Kristin teasing David........ have I mentioned in this post how blessed I feel surrounded by the love of friends and family particularly at the fair? I think I have, but I like saying that over and over.
We all have special days in our family lives, birthday, holidays, etc........ but for our family State Fair just almost tops the list. With Cody getting older, I have had alot of momma guilt lately about things that I wished I had done differently, things we haven't done, but this last week renewed my confidence, I think we are giving our kids great growing up years and I love that the Missouri State Fair is woven into their lives as one of the grand things.
Enjoying the quiet of the house on the night before school starts,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

Twig

18 years ago this summer, I couldn't wait to see you......... 18 years later, I am always glad for another day, as I know they are numbered. Your Senior year of high school is upon us. As emotional as I am about it, can't even imagine what next summer will be like, you going away to college. But like everything from the beginning, you will do it all in your own time. I remember wanting you for many months before actually even getting pregnant with you. Then that long hot summer, or at least it felt long and hot. What did you do, showed up on the last 'unofficial' day of summer, 'Labor Day' When you were born I thought he's all arms and legs............hmmmm, I still think that. You used to be scared of the vacuum, maybe you still are, is that why your room is messy? We used to have to hold you down to cut your hair, today while cutting it, I almost cried, nope don't have to hold you down, but you asked me to trim your 'scruff' of a beard, when the heck did you become a man? Momma loves you, but those glimpses into the future make me sad. Tonight begins football season, which for my football player will certainly be among the highlights of the next 9 months. While I will love every minute of it, I will certainly savor every one as well. As much as I will miss being a part of your daily life I absolutely can't wait to see where your mind, energy and soul take you. Your journey will be amazing, there will be ups and downs, easy days and challenges. I know that you are ready for it, even if I'm not. Enjoy these last days of childhood and get ready to conquer the world, because I know you can.
First of many lumps in my throat thinking about Cody being a Senior,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

(p.s. that's another one of his senior pictures)

Honor Flight Update

 Cody presents a 'big check' to Shelley Becker for the Honor Flight

They hug---those two! :)

Our 4H club was able to send $600, enough to sponosr TWO veterans on the Honor Flight. We presented the check last night at our meeting to my good friend Shelley Becker, who volunteers with that program. Always feels good to help worthy causes!

Promise this might be my last entry today,

From Tulip~

KH

End of Summer

As much as I hate to admit it, yes  the end of summer is sort of upon us. Two weeks till school starts, a week till State Fair begins, days away from 2-a-day football. The garden has all of the sudden exploded, well what is left of it. I have watered all summer. I inspected things this AM and decided between weeds and grasshoppers four rows of greenbeans and a row of misc could be mowed down. Will continue to water I suppose since the tomatoes and 2 rows of beans ARE producing. Hopefully next year I will make a better effort to plant earlier, would have been nice to have been trying to can this stuff earlier when we weren't quite so busy. Yes I actually consider some days around this farm 'not so busy' ;)
By this point in summer most years, I have said the words 'WHEN does school start?' I haven't this summer, I am trying to savor the moments a little more. The realization that this is my last summer of having 4 school kids in my house has been a bit hard to swallow, wasn't just yesterday the only summer I didn't go to State fair because I was swollen up like a tick preggers with Twig? I should find one of those pictures, oh my could we smile at that?!?!?!
Well since I am lamenting the end the of summer, I should sing its praises as well, I think. What a wonderful summer this has been. Yes there's a terrible drought, records are comparable to the Dust Bowl years of the 30's. We are thankful that the cows can eat the silage as there's next to no corn to shell at all, questionable if there will be beans. But there have been so many things to be thankful for.
This summer our boys have blown my mind. They have worked hard right with their dad and Uncle Jason basically every day that they could all summmer long. They've hauled hay, they've baled hay, they are helping with silage. Besides their usual summer things like football weight lifting, showing cattle, camps. Kinda have to wonder if they are thinking the school year could offer some 'rest' :)
We've worked hard and played hard. We have our summer grand finale yet to experience and then march into fall and all of its joys. I just wanted to drop in say hey this is whats going on today and wanted to 'write' it down so hopefully I will never forget how blessed our life is.
Typing with the shoulders of my shirt damp from standing in the rain,
From Tulip~
KH
:)

God Bless the Workin' Man

I sat and thought and thought about some cute title, many song lyrics came to mind, from Alabama's 40 Hour Week, to Brooks and Dunn's Hard Workin' Man and many of the popular 'farm themed' country songs............then I thought of ballads, because I do love that man A LOT!
I would like to take you through a day with my husband. His alarm goes off at 5:25am, I know this not because I pop right out of bed with him, I think anyone who knows me, knows that I can get to 5 am way easier than I can start there! He starts his morning off with weather.com and the markets, checking out the auction websites and craigslist while eating a bowl of cereal, I promise you this is his preferred breakfast. His stomach doesn't like bacon and eggs that early and eating cereal promises that no one else has to be involved, awake and talking to him. Out the door moments after 6 to start his day. Animals are fed. Sick ones doctored, currently there's a calf who injured its leg and redresses the leg each morning. Then on to maintenance, whether its a tire that needs fixed, equipment that needs to be adjusted or greased, he gets everything ready for the day. This is of course summer time when he doesn't have to make sure everyone else is up (slightly altered schedule during the school year, he probably doesn't go out till 6:15...... )
Once things are ready to go, and by this time Jason (brother in law) has done his morning chores, they begin their day. This last week it has been chopping silage. By mid morning (this week) Cody is back home from football camp, Sam has drug himself out (he's kinda like his momma about mornings) and they pack some drinks and head out. Several loads are chopped, hauled and packed before lunch. Most of the time work stops for lunch. After the meal a quick siesta is had, AKA 20-30 minute power nap.

(OMG----it's raining outside! YAY! Sorry to get off subject, but wow!)


After lunch its back at it, David does the chopping, Jason does the packing and helps with unloading the wagons and truck. The hauling is done this year by a combination of Cody, Sam, Beth, today me, and Luke helped over the weekend. We are about to fill our bunker silo, so there will be some adjustments to switch over to the upright, the blower will need to be gotten out, etc.......

Today as I helped, I couldn't help but mentally add up all the different jobs David does. He makes marketing decisions, considers upgrades on equipment, veterinary work, shop work, repairs, the 'skill jobs' (makes me think of Cody talking about skill positions in football) keeps in his mind what he planted when and where, the variety it was, everything you ever or never needed to know about all of our tractors, combines and pieces of equipment, what grain is in the bins, whether its been checked recently, when he mowed the alfalfa last and will it be ready to be mowed again, when to move the bulls to the summer pasture, which group of cows have calved, should be calving soon, etc etc........ he blows my mind.

He can fix anything, of this I am pretty sure. We broke a brace on the silage chopper that braces the blower. He stopped, got the pickup, pulled underneath it and monkey-ed up the thing, had it off of there and we were headed to the house before I much more than got asked the silly question of can you fix it? You would think 22 years and 12 days into this thing, I would know better....... measuring tape, piece of scrap iron, cutting torch, the grinder, a chalk mark for the bolt hole needed, another drill, little more grinding, then it was hold this, close your eyes, I am gonna weld............waaa laaa....... he fabricated a new 'end' to the brace and back to the field we went.

I know that when he proposed to me, I knew I loved him, when we got married, I knew I loved him, when we had babies---loved him........... I am pretty sure that I had no idea how that love would grow exponentially, year by year, day by day.........hour by hour. Heck I even drove for him chopping silage and while I could tell from the body language I was frustrating the crap out of him, stupid dirty windows, sun glare.........yeah I have excuses. He called me on his way to a meeting, that he was probably late to, trying to get 'one more 5 minute job' done, to make sure I had everything under control while he was going to be gone and to say he loves me.

(BTW, rain already stopped........sigh)

Waiting up for my sweetie,
From Tulip~
KH
:)