The lavender is blooming! Thank you to everyone who came to our Open House! It was so nice to meet you all!

Spring has sprung! The grass is green, trees are finally starting to bud, spring flowers are everywhere, and baby goats are bouncing all over the pasture! The birds are wearing their Spring best, and serenading their ladyfriends in hopes of finding a mate. On sunny days the cattle all lay out on their sides, soaking in the wonderful spring sun. Not too hot, but oh so warm. It is a beautiful time of the year.

There are many brightly colored song birds that frequent our yard. They are eye-catching and beautiful, but I think my favorite is still the fuzzy, little chick-a-dee. These small balls of energy make it very difficult to catch them in a photo as they hop from limb to limb. They are always so cheerful and brave. Chattering at me just inches away as I refill feeders. It is pretty much impossible to not smile if you just take the time to notice them. Sometimes flashy isn't always best!

This is Michigan so I won't announce that spring is here. But it sure feels like it!!! A couple of days ago it was in single digits to start off the morning. Creating an incredibly beautiful wonderland of frozen fog. But now, it feels like spring! Most of the snow is gone, and the spring bulbs are already pushing little green leaves out of the ground. I am so excited awaiting all the baby animals and spring flowers. It is almost here!

Michigan's wonderfully unpredictable weather has ushered in the month of February. Two days ago I split kindling and stacked wood in a sweatshirt while the sunshine bouncing off the snow left me with a sunburned nose and cheeks. Yesterday it turned into blinding snow that made it hard to see a few feet in front of you. That then turned into a downpour of sleet complete with thunder and lightening. Then more snow. Fun, fun! But it has been an easy winter so far and all the animals have seemed quite content. The goats are already beginning to show a bit of a belly as we head closer to spring and bouncing babies. March will be bringing some special calves that we are excited to meet. For now it is seed catalogs, read in front of the cozy fire in the fireplace. With constantly changing plans of what new seeds to plant in the garden this spring. And enjoying those days when there is some warmth to the                                  sun even though the ground is still covered in white.

We are now one week away from Christmas and it is finally snowing as I write. It has been an unusually warm December, unlike last year with the brutal cold. I guess we can see were the "averages" come from. Things have been pretty quiet on the farm as the critters all settle in for the winter. Their fuzzy coats have not really been put to the test yet, but they will be at some point. The buck goats have been happily hanging out with does for about 6 weeks. We should have a good crop of kids in the spring even though we are in the process of downsizing the herd a bit. Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas season as we spend time with friends and family and celebrate the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas!

It is amazing how quickly the summer flies by and gives way to the brilliant colors of fall. Autumn in Michigan is a wondeful time of year. Farmers are in the fields busy harvesting their crops, and there are apples to pick, and cider to be made. Geese and ducks begin to head south in search of warmer weather. Their calls to each other as they begin their long journey can be heard as they fly high overhead. The deep blue of the sky makes a perfect backdrop for the red, orange, and yellow of the maple trees, creating a stunning display that only God himself could ever accomplish. On crisp, cool nights the smell of wood smoke floats gently through the air as a reminder of what is to come. It has been a beautiful fall with much to be thankful for. The pantry is full of canned fruits and vegetables, and the freezer holds sweet corn, beans, and broccoli. Baby Boo, a little jersey heifer calf joined us on October 31 bringing a lot of smiles. The gales of November whipped up amazing 15-18 foot waves on Lake Michigan creating an awesome display of power and beauty that I will never tire of. As I write this the first snow has covered the ground and puddles are frozen. We are headed into our next season which is sure to bring its own surprises.

This is the time of year when I always feel the need to sing the praises of 4-H, and how wonderful I think kids and cows are! I love the life lessons that are taught by entering the show ring with your carefully washed, and clipped animal. Hours of sweat and hard work have led up to this moment, and you can never really anticipate how your heifer or cow is going to respond. Sometimes, if everything goes as planned, you leave with a purple ribbon and a big smile. And hopefully learn to win gratiously. And other times everything goes wrong. It is in these times that you have to dig down deep, and keep giving your best effort even when you know you won't be standing at the top. This year showmanship at the state show did not go as planned for many of our 4-H'ers. But the pride I felt as I watched some of them hang in there, and give it everything they had, fighting until the very end, is hard to put into words. In my eyes they are all champions!

Summer is flying by as it always seems to do. All around us the harvest of summer crops is in full swing. The wheat is just about done, peas are being harvested, and sweet corn is showing up on roadside stands. The spring veggies in the garden are pulled, and their fall replacements are in the ground. Here in Michigan we just hit 90* in our area for the first time in 685 days, I could have waited longer for that! But after the -20's last winter I promise not to complain to much! So far it has been a beautiful summer.

Finally spring has arrived!! All of the baby goats have been born, and they are happily bouncing around. It seems a baby goat never walks anywhere. They are either bouncing and kicking up their heels, or running a 100mph. They sure are a lot of fun!

Farmer's are in the fields, putting in their 16 hour days to get the crop in. Soon brown fields will give way to green rows of corn, soybeans, sugar beets, potatoes, and numerous other crops. The garden is worked, and rows are already beginning to show there. Tender, little pea, spinach, beet, summer squash, and sweet corn plants are poking out of the soil as a reminder of the miracles that surround us daily. From a tiny seed, a plant. From a plant, to a food that can sustain us now, or through the cold months later. So much we take for granted...

Winter has finally begun to give way to spring! Exploring the shore of Lake Michigan in early March did not disappoint. Beautiful ice formations left behind by the frigid winter could be seen everywhere. The northern skies, not wanting to be outdone, put on a spectacular show as well. The baby goats continue to grow as the spring moms-to-be have started to waddle around with their growing bellies. Shouldn't be too much longer. A spunky, jersey heifer calf joined us in March also, and has brought a lot of smiles. As the snow and ice is replaced by rain and thunderstorms, I can't wait to see the changes as spring arrives!

The winter babies have arrived! And the last few days so has spring! There is a warmth to the sun now that feels wonderful to people, and animals alike. Five does have kidded with four sets of twins, and one single. Lots of little bucks this year, with only three of the nine being does. But they're a cute bunch! They will make good 4-H projects.

The extreme cold of this winter has made some interesting ice formations on the Great Lakes again. I've got some exploring to do before it gets too warm. I also have a lot of seeds to order if this years new and exciting project is going to happen.

So far the end of January, and the first half of February has been brutally cold. We are also running about a foot above average for snowfall. It appears that this winter wants to try to compete with last year, it's getting close! The good news is the animals on the farm seem to love it. They have all been healthy, playful, and quite comfortable. I should have known when it was warmer than usual last fall, and they were putting on unusually heavy winter coats what we were in for. A few days ago, with wind chills approaching -30, I stumbled through the growing drifts of snow carrying straw to all my animals shelters. I wanted them to be well bedded and dry for temps that were suppose to be in the negative teens with wind gusts to 40 mph. As the first light of dawn approached the next morning, and the thermometer read -16* fahrenheit,  I looked out my window to see a group of cattle...outside...laying around their hay feeder...completely covered in snow...happily chewing their cud! So much for their nicely bedded barn! So, next time there is extreme weather remember to say a quick prayer for all the farmer's who are outside, caring for their livestock, making sure they have everything they need. When the weatherman says stay inside, remember this isn't an option for them, as they brave the elements to provide their livestock the best of care. And when you sit down at your table, in your warm house, whether your meal consists of a salad, or a steak, or both, remember to thank God for creating the farmer!

2015 is here, and it is time to move on to new adventures! Two of our boer doe's, Sugar and Spice, were put in with Hot Tamali to breed for January kids. Both are starting to show signs that it won't be too much longer. Most of the kids are not expected to arrive until May. We are also anticipating the arrival of some very special calves this year. For now, we are under a rather deep blanket of snow as I watch more falling from the sky. But there are new, and exciting, plans for this spring. Stay tuned!

Summer flew by remarkably fast. This years crop of doelings and bucklings have been sold, steers have turned to steaks, and the rest of the crew is settled in for winter. Hoping for a little easier one than last year. The bucks will be leaving their bachelor pad next month, and hopefully next years kidding will be as successful as the last one. Added two jersey calves in September as Pumpkin Pie calved with a bull, and Candice gave us a cute, little heifer we named Cupcake. The colors are almost gone, hope you got a chance to get out and enjoy them.

"Exciting new beginnings are sometimes disguised as painful endings"

-author unknown

March came in like a lion, and left like one...that is not how it is suppose to go! But there are hints of spring now, the maple sap is running, and the meat goats are getting closer to kidding. We also got to enjoy a very magnificent visitor to the farm for a few days. So looking forward to the first signs of green!

There will be many changes here on the farm in the next few months. But there are some things that will not change. The love of God, our natural world, and the animals both wild and domestic, that we have the pleasure to share that world with.

In February all we could do is hang on, just like the squirrels. The cold and snow continued relentlessly. The extreme weather conditions did create some very unique and beautiful things to see here in Michigan. But animals and people alike are ready for spring!

Luckily it was a quiet month here on the farm without any babies being born. As the snow continued to get deeper, some of the cattle and goats were able to walk out of their fences.  That was something new to contend with!

January was brutally cold this year, and the snow just kept falling. Keeping the animals fed, watered and comfortable was quite a challenge. You know it is cold when you have to use hot water to thaw the handle on the water hydrant, and it freezes on while you are filling water tanks! It should not need to be rethawed before you can turn it off! But the animals handled the cold remarkably well, and everyone seems to be doing fine. Given proper nutrition, fresh water and a dry, draft-free place to lay down, they really don't seem to mind. One thing to keep in mind, if an animal is covered in snow, that means their hair is providing good enough insulation that it cannot melt. They are toasty warm under there! Cold or freezing rain with wind is what they really have a hard time with. Once their hair is wet to the skin it can no longer insulate them well. Given a choice, healthy, well fed animals often choose to lay down outside in the snow rather than to go into their barn. God has equipped them well to handle these conditions. Me on the other hand...I could use one more layer! Although I did notice when we hit 20* I lost my hat and gloves!

December was exciting! Snow, ice, more snow, more ice and more snow again.

Baby Bubbles continues to flourish and bring a smile every day. Puppies came the end of November. Australian Shepherd x Australian Heeler, should be excellent cattle dogs. They know how to make one smile also! And, of course, in December we celebrated the birth of our Savior. Always a special day, but this year we will remember as the Christmas without power. But with family, a wood burning stove, a generator with enough power to light a Christmas tree, and more good food than you know what to do with, what more could anyone want! 

And I think I know why God chose a stable for Jesus to be born in. One cold night I sat in a bed of straw and witnessed the miracle of birth as another little calf came in to the world. I could see it snowing outside through the open door to the barn, it was so silent and beautiful. The only sounds were the mother cow gently mooing to her newborn, and the sound of content cattle chewing their cud. It felt as if God Himself was there with me in that barn, and as I thanked him for another healthy calf I realized something. He had chosen a wonderful, beautiful, magical place for His Son to be born! There are just so few today that will ever be lucky enough to sit quietly in the dark and witness it.

November, a month to look back on the past year and all the things there are to be thankful for. The first and most obvious is the family and friends we hold dear, and the time we were able to spend together. Here on the farm we are also thankful the harvest is in for this year, for the livestock, and the fact that we get to live every day enjoying all the amazing things God has provided for us. We are grateful for Baby Bubbles, the little jersey heifer calf, born over a month early. She came unexpectedly, in a cold rain in the back corner of the pasture. For 2 days she fought for life on a blanket next to our wood burning stove. On the third day she stood. Today she lives outside in a hutch with a heat lamp, bouncing out to greet me everytime she sees she has company. We are grateful He is with us, every minute, every day. In every newborn calf, every sunrise, every drop of rain that nurishes our crops, in the birds singing, the flowers, the stars. We are blessed.

October is such a gorgeous time of year. Harvest is in full swing, the smell of wood smoke floats through the air on cool evenings, and the colors are incredible. You can see God's hand everywhere, from the vibrant colors to the bountiful harvests. I have always felt that the changing trees in the fall are one of the signs God loves us. He could have just made them all turn brown and fall off! I hope everyone got the chance to enjoy this unbelievable show before it was over for another year.

The last puppy left for her new home the day she turned 8 weeks old. Mission accomplished! I did attempt one more photo session with the little wiggler before she left. Looking forward to the next litter. There aren't many cows left, and the ones that calved in October all had bulls. That was a bit disappointing.

Time to get serious about getting ready for winter. By the time I write again the snow will probably be flying!

September is such a beautiful month! I love the clear blue skies of Michigan in the fall. Unfortunately the rains still didn't come, but the frost sure did! We chased after a little more hay, and downsized the cow herd further as the pastures dried up.

The beginning of September some of our 4-H'ers attended Sportsmen for Youth where they handed out over 1500 single serve milks. Mostly chocolate of course!  

By the end of the month there was only one border collie puppy left. Sure was sad to see them go, but happy they found good homes.

The rains we had begun to hope for in July still didn't come in August. The crops that had been planted with such high hopes in spring began to wilt and turn brown. Hay fields and pastures quit growing. We chased after what hay was out there, and hoped that the next cutting would be better. Living so close to a casino people always ask if we ever go there. Nope, we tell them, we farm instead!

On a brighter note, the border collie puppies came in August! Six wiggly, little bundles of joy! All of them females, three black and white and three tri-colored.

Another summer month on the farm has flown by. July brings Dairy Days Youth Show at Michigan State University, and the fair. Add in a trip to Ludington State Park, and some salmon fishing trips and it's just way too much fun to pack into one month!

When the cattle can't keep all the lush, green, spring grass grazed down we have a neighbor cut some of the pastures with his horses to be made into hay. Because we have the pasture broken into smaller paddocks, it makes it difficult to get tractors, and machinery in to cut. We do however bale it, but we cannot pull a wagon behind the baler because of the length, so they pick it up with horses. Works out well for all, more hay in both of our barns, and the pasture grows back much better after being cut. Just love watching the amazing horses work! 

Except for some hay to deal with things were pretty quiet on the farm this month. All the animals are happily grazing and life is good. Won't stay that way long if we don't get some much needed rain soon.

Wow! Did June ever fly by! It has been a busy month. We kicked off June as Dairy Month on June 1 by handing out chocolate milk and goody bags to the athlete's at Special Olympics. Later in the month, over 50 youth and chaperone's gathered here at the farm to learn all about dairy! Putting up hay was a bit difficult do to the weather, but we never complain about rain around here! Crops and garden look good. And all the cattle look sleek and shiny in their new summer coats out on the green pastures.  Not many babies were born here on the farm this month but the wild ones are everywhere. While sitting on a stump out in the cow pasture one day thinking how sad that a large maple tree was just about dead, I realized the holes in it were providing nesting for at least three different birds! Bluebirds, tree swallows and red-headed woodpeckers. How cool is that?!

We have been entertained by the mouse riding in the skidsteer with his stressed out expression by the, Caution! Avoid Death! sign. The family of baby raccoon's in the barn that are sure to cause trouble in the near future, but were so cute no one could do anything about it. Bouncing baby goats, and a gymnastic kitten. It's been a good month.

April shower's did bring lots of May flower's! The fruit tree's and flower's seem to be making up for the fact that everything was lost last year. Everything seemed to survive a couple of late frosts and the fruit crop looks to be outstanding. Now as long as there isn't a late freeze, hail or wind storm, or tornado we should see an excellent crop! Can't wait for those cherries!! May was also a busy month for babies, one holstein heifer and 4 bulls. Added 3 doelings to the meat goat herd, along with 2 little bucklings. By the end of May most of the corn was in the ground and it is time to start thinking hay.