Spraying the Beans

We had overnight company last night.  Jay and Heidi from S. Dakota were visiting family in the area.  Jay is the guy that takes Bill & friends out to the prairie dog towns when they go on their annual hunting trip in S. Dakota.  Heidi grew up here.

This morning we had a good breakfast before they headed out.  Overnight French Toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, juicy Missouri peaches and orange juice.  The Overnight French Toast was a big hit (recipe from Bill's sister - thanks Karen!)  I will share that recipe here soon.

Bill and Tim are spraying the beans fields.  Aphids have been found.  They got about 400 acres sprayed this afternoon.  We didn't have lunch due to the big breakfast so when Bill was broke down needing new fuel filters, he called for a snack and I took these pictures. 

On the way home I saw the rotten tree - looks like a good home for woodpeckers!  In the last picture, see what the last big branch left will hit when it falls!

 

Vacation Bible School

I remember going to Vacation Bible School (VBS) in our old church on the hill.  My favorite parts were singing and the good, homemade cookies we had.  Seems like we always had 2 cookies wrapped in a napkin - and lemonade or red Kool-Aid.  It's sad to me that now 1) they don't give kids anything red since it makes them hyper we now know and 2) they have "healthier" snacks/less sugar, no homemade cookies ever.   Everything comes from a box or bag and Walmart.

This is my church's VBS week.  We go from 8:45-noon.  I've been picking up our 2 great nieces and 2 friends in 2 locations in Pocahontas to go to VBS, and then when we get out, getting them to the summer free lunch at school in Pocahontas which closes at 12:30, then dropped back off at the 2 locations.  Kinda different for me!  Also helping with crafts at VBS which has gone very smoothly - we have lots of help.  I don't know the count for today, but we had 208 kids yesterday!   We had 52 at once in one of our time slots for crafts!   Lots of messy stuff that they love:  glitter, glue, paint, markers.

Here are some pictures from the week.  The older girls worked on their black canvases every day and got finished with applying 2 layers of Mod Podge today.  The girls were really creative with their pictures.    The older boys got to go out to the "shop" and make wooden flags with the men.

I think this was 5th & 6th grade

   

posing with part of the stage decor

Dad Would Be Proud

One of my Christmas gifts this year was a new dryer.  And we ended up getting a matching washer.  A couple weeks ago I noticed the lettering on the dryer was running or smearing.  Sometimes we hang a pair of Bill's dirty jeans off the top of the washer or dryer and spray all the oil and grease with Resolve.  So we figured the spray had gotten on the lettering and caused it to come off.   We could've wiped ALL the lettering off it was that bad.

I thought "oh no, brand new washer & dryer and messed up already".  But Bill thought I should mention it to our appliance dealer.  I remembered my new glass measuring cups I got last year and after the first run through the dishwasher the lettering was gone.  I e mailed the company (Corning?) just so they would know.  They ended up sending me a new one (I only told them about the 2 c. one and not the 1 c. too).  They have been through the dishwasher many times now and are fine.  Thought maybe that would be the case with this lettering.  Maybe a problem they have corrected.  Seilers, who have been in business in Pocahontas 39 years I think, said "sure, it's under warranty.  We'll get that panel and be out to put it on for you".

Dick came to do that today - at lunch time.  Bill had been trying to get a field sprayed before a bunch of rain hits later today so he was late getting home for lunch.  I was making boneless pork chops in the crock pot with a can of cheese soup like Diane does, homemade bread just out of the oven that was smelling good, green beans with ham, corn and peaches and happened to have just enough for three.  So I asked if he had had lunch and if not, would he like to eat with us.  He had not had lunch and was probably not going to and said "sure".  It was about 1:30. 

Dad always loved to have people over.  Mom and I are the types that want more notice and planning than this so I know Dad would be proud that I did this spur of the moment.  I'm trying to do that more.  It's supposed to be about the company and visiting right?  

Remember me mentioning learning good things from the blog "Reluctant Entertainer"?    

Busy!

It's been a long time since my last blog post I know.  We got done planting maybe two weeks ago at midnight before we started getting quite a bit of rain at 12:05 am.   With several days of rainy, cool weather ahead, everybody was contemplating whether they should try to get all of the beans in the ground or wait until warmer, drier weather or get them in quick in case it was going to be one of those springs when it keeps raining every couple of days with not enough time in between for the ground to get dry enough to plant again.

Turns out that is what is happening so we're very glad to be done.  Some here still aren't.  Now all of the fields have to be sprayed when it gets dry enough.  Bill says that may be tricky.  

My mom left today after being here for a week.  We kept busy while she was here.  I was finally able to take her to Carnegie Cafe in Lake City.  It's a very nice restaurant in an old Carnegie Library.  Diane and her girls, Diane's friend, Mom & I went to Storm Lake for pedicures or manicures and ate at the girls' favorite place, BozzWellz.  The little girls spent the night with us - Camry for 3 nights straight.  We made cards with my friend Deb and Bill's mom.  Mom got a lot done on her Christmas cards (lucky her!).  Trip to West Bend to the meat locker for Butter Braids (only $7 since they are made in that town and you can buy seconds at the grocery or meat locker), bacon, and steak & roast seasoning that's also good on asparagus.  Cookout here along with shooting practice for the guys and a Gator ride for the girls.  Church on Sun.  Supper and bowling at the bowling alley.  Mom was able to go to the last day of school for the talent show before she headed southeast.   

I have a P.E.O. convention to go to Fri.-Sun. in Des Moines.  Seems like we have lots of fun things on the calendar for the summer already.  

Trees are Blooming!

The crabapple trees have been blooming in our area the past week or so.  I think they are so pretty.  We've now planted three of them in our yard.  Unfortunately, the little red bud tree seems to have died over the winter.  This was the second winter for it.  The leaves of all the trees are just coming out.  We have cut the grass once so far, and it's really growing fast.

Yesterday we got just enough rain to stop field work before noon, but then the sun came out and we were able to get going again by late afternoon.  The weather looks good now until Sun. night and then rain for several days.  They're saying 1.6" for us. 

Happy May Day!

Did you get a May Day basket today?  I saw a friend post on Facebook today that it's too bad we don't still give May Day baskets.  Why not do it if you like that tradition?!  

Stampin' Up! came out with a berry basket die this year so I immediately got it knowing that I'd use it for various things for years to come.  All you do is put two sheets of card stock on the die and run it through the Big Shot and all the pieces (6) to make the basket, trim and handle are cut out in less than a minute.  (if you'd like to have one too, go to my web site - top right) Let me know if you have any questions. 

This first green one I dropped off on our neighbors' door this morning.  They have a daughter so want her to have memories of receiving May Day baskets.  The pink one is for Diane and girls.  I hope I can get it to their door before they get home from school, but if not, I'll do the ring the doorbell and go delivery.

We got a tenth of an inch of rain late morning which stopped our operation but the wind has been blowing and Bill and Tim think we can get going again now.  So I'll have to do the quick basket delivery and get back to the tractor.  We're close to being done planting corn.  Then we'll start beans but lots of rain in next week's forecast.

These are so quick and fun to do that I need to make up about 10 to have ready to give to several people next year!

sorry, blurry picture