Early Spring Roundup!

Yeehaw, buckaroos! Spring is in full fling!  We have had a lot going on around here, much more than the dearth of blog posts may suggest.  Here's a compilation of blurbs and photos-- the Early Spring Roundup, if you will-- of the goings-on.

Seeding Has Begun

Using the air drill for the first time to seed yellow peas.

Jeff recently planted yellow peas on our rented farmland. Jeff had been stewing the idea of peas and other legumes around in his mind for some time and was recently encouraged by another young couple we met and got to know at the Young Ag Couples Conference back in January, and also by personal research (never stop learning, people!).  Peas help restore nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil and are a nice rotation crop.  Any time we can naturally augment the land, I am happy.  Seeding of barley and spring wheat will follow within the next few weeks.  Our winter wheat (planted last fall) is filling in nicely, as well.

Sewing Projects
Speaking of dearth of activity, my sewing corner had been feeling neglected until this past weekend.  I finished a set of curtains and completed a prom dress alteration.  For the dress, the task was to take out the zipper and convert to a lace-up corset style back.  Upcoming projects include a commissioned project to create some apron and pot-holder sets for Mothers Day gifts, some fabric collage notecards, and re-stocking SweetGrassSewing.

Prom Dress!!

A close up on the curtains.  

Two of the more recent pairs.

Calving
The last heifer calved on Easter, right as Jeff and I were preparing to sit down to our Easter Dinner.  We ate rushedly and hurried back to the corral to check on her.  When we got there, she was cleaning her newborn, TINY calf as if she were an old pro. At this point, there are less than ten cows who are still preparing to calve-- just the stragglers.  It has been a great calving season of warm weather and relatively few issues thus far.

And What About the Men?
The bulls Jeff and I purchased at the BULL AUCTION back in February were scheduled to arrive this past Tuesday evening.  They ended up arriving a little after 10:00pm.  We unloaded them and the new young bulls joined their more experienced brethren, bringing the bull count back up to six.  Soon, the time will come for them to join the cows out in the pasture and the birds and the bees shall run their course.

A recent sunset.

One Hundred Photos
Thank you to everyone who checked out my 100th post slide show.  It was a pleasure to create and share with all of you.  Many have shared comments of appreciation.  Thanks for taking a look!