Blogger Blessings

Have you noticed that my "Must Read Farm Blogs" list is growing?  Who knew there were so many blogging farmers, farmer's wives, beginning farmers, crop farmers, livestock farmers.... and the list just goes on and on.  Everyday I find at least one blog that I hadn't read before.  There are some really great reads out there.  I hope you are visiting a few of them.

Today's find...Lilac Cottage Goats.  Why would I read a blog that has anything to do with goats?  Maybe someday we will have goats.  Okay probably not.  The secret to this little Lilac Cottage is.... they have CHICKENS too!  Even better Kelly (the blogger) posted this.  You will have to scroll down past the really cool milking stand (She has an amazingly talented and loving husband) and see the pictures of the chicken tractor.  

I saw the picture of the chicken tractor and said "I can do that" I did, I really said that out loud.  Husker my faithful black lab looked up at me, probably wondering if I expected him to continue this conversation.  

I called KC into the room showed him the picture and then told him "Let's get busy we're going to build one of those"

He jumped for joy!  Ok not really, but it would have been fun if he had.

We headed out and got to work.

Look out world that is a power tool in my hands. 

KC and I pounded monster sized nails into board after board.  Sometimes we even tried to pound our thumbs through the boards, not something I would suggest.

We don't have a finished project yet but only because I need Rodi's advice on hanging the door.  It is on its way to being covered with chicken wire and will be finished tomorrow, I hope.

It is larger than the chicken tractor I had thought about building.  But my hens deserve a large and spacious limo (tractor) to cruise around the yard in.

After we hang the door and get the hens moved in I will post the update.

I promise it will be finished before that sweater I am working on.  I have to rip out several rows tonight as I somehow lost a few stitches along the way and now the edge is looking a little slanted. *sigh*  I will not give up though.  I will finish!

Family Fun

Fall is nearly here.  I love fall.  It has to be my favorite time of year.  The cool breeze, the windows open, jeans and long sleeves.... need I say more?

We aren't quite ready for long sleeves yet, but it was great fun to watch Rodi and the kids toss the football around the yard tonight.  

There is a lot to do around here between the horses, the cows, the chickens, and the various home renovations.  It is great to take time out every now and again for some fun and laughter.  Have you tried to play football in the yard with a lab and a standard sized poodle?  Laughter just becomes part of the game.

The poodle went back to her owners tonight.  The kids will miss her.  She made some great friends with our crew over the past month.  I am not sure Husker (the lab) is going to know what to do being the only dog in the house, it will be a big change for him.  

I worked a bit on my crocheting today.  Still not ready for the arm holes or sleeves yet.  That will be the true test of my crocheting skills. If I fail, I may have to leave the yarn to the pros and head back to my comfort zone in the kitchen baking breads.

I will finish!

I have been known to start many projects.  That's right, I said "start"...  many of my projects never really get to see the finish line.  I have a basket full of scarves and blankets waiting to be "completed", a shelf full of fabric for blankets not yet made, and scrapbooks only half full.  True to form, when I reached for my crochet hook today I also grabbed my newly acquired book of patterns. 

I should have grabbed one of the unfinished ones, but what fun is that?

If I had thought those patterns were fun I would have finished them right?  Exactly.

So in my spare time *she says with a laugh* I started a new project.  I am very excited to see where this one will take me.  I think I may even see the finish line with this one.

It may not look like much right now, but soon it will be the most adorable hooded sweater for an adorable baby. Just to keep me honest, I may post updates on this project.  If I keep talking about it, maybe, just maybe, it will be added to my "completed" list.

Saying Farewell and Welcome Home

Yesterday Rodi and I (wearing our most photographed t-shirts) drove about 3 hours up the road to meet up with his dad, Jim.  Jim had driven to Virginia from Iowa and needed to be a passenger for a bit.  Rodi took over the helm behind the wheel of the '85 Dodge pulling the stock trailer with our Zebu who had been on an extended vacation in Iowa.  Jim found his spot in the passenger seat of the mini-van while I acted as a personal driver navigating the way back to our place.

                         

We took the two younger ones with us for the drive and riveting conversation.  Did you know that an eight year old and a five year old can fill 6 hours with all kinds of interesting facts?  One right after another, without pausing to take a breath.  Oh it is true, it just might be why we love them so much. *smile*

If you read my previous post... you know that this trip didn't end as planned.  Nope, not at all.  Just a good half an hour from our place the '85 Dodge DIED!  Jim and I had to head home retrieve our truck, and drive back to Rodi and the Zebu.  We left the dead truck for the night, hooked the stock trailer up to our truck and headed home.

There was no rest for the weary today.  There was much to be done.  The truck had to be rescued from the side of the road and brought back to our place to rest in peace.  There was also the building of panels on our truck that needed to be done.  Jim would be driving away at some point in the day in his new truck (my truck o' memories) with 2 of our Dexter cows, Bertie Mae and Miracle.

Build it, and build it well boys!

Grandpa gives KC a hand

Well done... Almost finished

This picture cracks me up.  It would appear Koen is saying a little prayer as he sits on the chute. Something like "Heavenly Father, please let this work"

Here we go... Load 'em up!

SUCCESS!!!

One last family picture in front of our truck.

The new owner is heading off into the sunset and looking forward to a smooth travels on this leg of the journey.  Bye Jim, thanks for all your help this weekend!!!

Jack our one remaining dexter (brother to Bertie Mae, son of Miracle) would like to remind you to ....

Always be on the lookout!  

He is sensing something is up...

and it was!

OH MY!  What a meet and greet this was.

Tonka and Jack had a VERY SHORT battle to prove who was boss of the barnyard.

Jack is now sulking, stomping around, and trying to still look like the king of the hill...

but the title belongs to 

 

TONKA

I have tried to explain to Jack that Tonka is three years older making it a seniority thing, but I don't think Jack cares much about seniority. 

Celebration.....Hold that thought....

Early This Afternoon...

Rodebush Family Farms is getting ready to Celebrate the return of ...

Tonka

 (& his back-up dancers)

Make-up... Where are my stylists?  I have people waiting to see me and I am supposed to show up looking like this?

30 minutes from "Home Sweet Home"....

That's right folks... nothing to see here... keep moving along.  The party has been put on hold. 

*more details in tomorrow's blog, or should I say the second edition of today's blog since it is 1am?*

More Chicken Talk

Say Wha'?

You need to move the chickens AGAIN????

If the people don't have to evacuate for Earl, why do the chickens?

Seriously, would you like to travel upside-down? 

What ever happened to the chicken limo service?

Safe and sound I guess but this is just temporary right?

Shhhhh.... don't tell them I said this, but these people are crazy!

*the chickens may be missing their grass tonight and in the morning hours, but they have plenty of food and water (not seen in the picture). Plus they are being protected from the wind and rain that Earl may be bringing us, overnight.  Our narrator is the cutest little fella who comes to visit us often and yes we are crazy.... crazy about him and his siblings!*

"Good Bye Earl"

While I am not a huge fan of the Dixie Chicks, I can't seem to get their song out of my head this week.  Hurricane Earl is coming this way and has done nothing but complicate my world.  

Yesterday I went to the grocery store with my coupon book

to cash in on some good deals (like Quaker cereals for $1.39).  Being a family that is generally prepared for stormy skies I wasn't even thinking about the craziness Earl was going to bring me at the grocery store.  There were people EVERYWHERE!  Seriously it was as if an ant colony (of people) had broke free and were raiding the local market.  If is wasn't enough that they were in my way at every turn, they were all looking at me as if I was some sort of freak show.  How dare I take my time in each isle comparing prices, flipping through my coupons.  These worker ants obviously do not understand DOUBLE COUPONS!  I was never so glad to be done with my shopping.

Today Earl is forcing us to take a break from our school work (the kids are so sad, thrilled), we need to go outside and prep the barn and the yard for the winds that will be here tomorrow.  Even if Earl shifts a little to the east we will still have high winds, lucky us.  It is always interesting to watch us flip the trampoline over so it doesn't take flight.  I learned the hard way one year that a trampoline can indeed fly.  It can also land with a thud in the most inconvenient places.

We must also make sure our royal hens are given a luxury suite in the barn.  We have had to relocate the chickens more than we would like to talk about.  The first palace we built was too sunny, and they wouldn't leave the coop.  The current one is too drafty and they find their way out into the yard with the "common folks"  like Justice and Husker, NOT GOOD.  The new one we are working on will hopefully be the last one.  We will be fencing off an area just outside the barn with a door fit for royalty leading into the barn where they will find their castle (coop) all comfy and cozy just waiting for them after a long day of pecking at the grass and bugs.

Justice

Husker

So here we go, another day of news watching, yard prepping, and animal prepping, and school studies put on hold a day all thanks to Earl.  As we do our prep work today a certain song (at least parts of it) will be playing in my head.....

"Earl Had To Die

Goodbye Earl

We Need A Break..."