Family Pasture Hike

The weather here lately has been really nice, as in, not at all wintery! This past weekend, it felt downright Spring-like, so we tried to get outside and take advantage. It wasn't even windy! Sunday was nearly 50 degrees, so Jeff, Genevieve, and I packed up for a hike through our pastures. We really enjoyed ourselves and took a bunch of pictures!

Starting off! 

 Genevieve spent most of the hike in the backpack carrier, with Jeff. This was an old hand-me-down from a friend and, while it's probably on it's last legs at this point, it still gets the job done. I think Genevieve enjoys the vantage point for the most part, although she would really rather be walking on her on volition. Sometimes it takes a few distractions to keep her interested. She "helps" us look for deer and bunnies, or we sing songs, or encourage her one-year-old babbling.  It's just great to get outside as a family!

Snake Grass in Sage Creek.

 Despite the warm weather, Sage Creek is still iced over. This is near the natural spring, to the south of our house and yard.

Views!

Genevieve and me with the Sweetgrass Hills in the background.

 Little Miss Independent and Mama!  Genevieve got out for a little hiking on her own. She was thrilled!  What a lucky girl to get to have such a wide open space to grow up in!

Her very own Pride Rock!

 Don't worry- Harvey came too! He was just as thrilled as the rest of us to take a hike!

Harvey entertains Genevieve while we adjust her pack a bit.

 Seriously, what a nice day! 

Cow paths make great running and hiking trails!

That may be the end of our pasture hikes for a while. I think the weather is supposed to turn colder and possibly snowy later this week!  If I'm being honest, I love snow, so I'm kind of excited! Plus, I really like my seasons to be how they're "supposed" to be!!! It's supposed to be cold and snowy in January, darn it!  Stay tuned...

Hope you enjoyed this photo post from our hike!

Weekly Review through July 9

Whew! It's been a while since I've done a Weekly Review post! Time to get caught up. :)

Fitness
The bulk of my fitness has centered on training for my upcoming Triathlon on July 17. It will be here very soon! This most recent week, I began my official taper for the triathlon. Here's a breakdown of the past few weeks, since I haven't done a review since June 18.

June 19-25
Sunday- 10 mile hike in Refrigerator Canyon near Helena. READ HERE!

Monday- rest
Tuesday- BRICK WORKOUT: 14 mile bike, 3.2 mile run
Wednesday- 4.1 mile treadmill interval workout
Thursday- 2000 yards of swimming laps
Friday- rest/Drive to Red Lodge
Saturday- 5 mile hike in Custer National Forest. READ HERE!

This photo isn't from the hike, but Jeff, Tom and I drove to the top of Beartooth Pass and this photo was taken there. 

June 26-July 2
Sunday- 3.5 mile run in Red Lodge
Monday- 7 mile mountain bike ride in Red Lodge
Tuesday- BRICK WORKOUT:  10 mile bike, 3 mile run
Wednesday- I did a TON of yardwork outside today, and 30 minutes of yoga
Thursday- 3.75 mile treadmill tempo run
Friday- 1500 yards swimming, AND 12 mile bike ride

Saturday- rest.

July 3-9
Sunday- 4.7 mile run

Abby joined me on my run while Harvey chose to stay home.

Monday- BRICK WORKOUT: 10 mile bike, 2.5 mile run
Tuesday- 8 mile bike, 1500 yard swim
Wednesday- 60 Minutes of yoga-- loved it!
Thursday- 4.3 mile run outside with Harvey! ICYMI, Harvey wrote all about this run and you can read his recap HERE!

Friday- 7.5 mile bike ride
Saturday- 4.6 mile interval run on treadmill

Year To Date:
Running: 313.15
Walking/Hiking: 87.2 miles 
Yoga: 1190 min 
CC-Ski: 500 min / 14.1 miles *Done for the season
Alpine Ski: 3 days *Done for the season
Mountain bike: 156.2
Swimming: 9000 yards

Spring wheat heads are filling. 

Farm
Things have been very busy on the farm, which is partly why I haven't written a Weekly Review post in a while! We've been busy cutting and baling hay, spraying our conventional farm fields, plowing up the rest of our organic land, and cultivating some of our fallow fields. We also moved some of our cows to different pastures, and had a cattle rep out to work out a deal for our calves to be presented for sale in a video auction. It really just seems like it's been a blur.

This is a picture of Jeff driving the tractor and breaking up ground that will be seeded as organic fields.

Life
I can officially say now that I am part of the unemployment ranks. I got laid off from my job in June and my official last day (even though I hadn't worked since school got out) was June 30. The whole situation was a really big mess and I'm not going to go into detail, except to say that I've never worked for such a poorly managed, dishonest company in my life. Frustrating. But, as I've written about before, the school where I worked (the school contracted with my former company and was simply the site of my job)-- the school was fantastic. I'll really miss working there and seeing those kids every day, and the teachers and staff, who were also amazing. I still have my track coaching position in the Spring, so I'll continue to be involved that way.

In the meantime, I've applied for unemployment, which is a hard thing to rationalize in my mind. I've been working steadily since I was fourteen years old. I remind myself that it wasn't my fault that my job ended, I'm a good worker, and I'm simply taking part in a system that was set up for situations exactly like this. It won't be permanent. On the other hand, I'm thankful that this system does exist!

So, I have been looking for work locally and applying for jobs. There isn't a glutton of jobs in Almost-Canada, MT, so there's not a lot to choose from, but I'm hopeful that something will work out. On the other hand, as I've said, summer on the farm is extremely busy and I've found that I actually haven't missed working over the summer so far. I've had plenty to do to stay busy and feel productive around home.


This upcoming week my parents will be here for a visit from Iowa. Jeff and I are looking forward to hosting them on the farm, and they'll also be joining us in Helena to spectate my triathlon. It'll be a great visit!

This is some of our neighbor's winter wheat-- feels like harvest is right around the corner!

Lately

No where really to start except to acknowledge that it's been about four months since I last did a blog post. Between now and then, well, a lot has happened, both good and bad. There's too much to get into in one post. Suffice to say, for now, that Jeff and I are doing well and we're thankful for all the many, wonderful blessings we encounter on a daily basis.

It's odd, after such a long time off, to think about getting back into this again. Getting back into blogging. Thinking about putting into words everything that's happened between August 30 and now seems more than a little daunting. In due time.

For today, mostly to ease myself back into this process, I'm simply going to write briefly about one thing we have been doing lately: skiing. Specifically, we've been blessed with great snowfall this December--perfect snow for cross-country skiing.

Since Jeff and I purchased cross-country/Nordic skis a few years ago for our Christmas presents to ourselves, we've typically had a few opportunities each winter to use them skiing around our farm and in the road ditches near where we live. This year, I've already had my skis out three times and it's only December! Love it! The skis have been a lovely vehicle for deeper exploration of the pastures of the family farm.

Take a look at a few photos...

 We have to make our own tracks on the farm, but that's OK. It's great exercise and it's so satisfying to ski entirely within the borders of one's own land. My ski-in, ski-out chalet happens to be my own home! Just lacking a hot tub... ;)

Abby photobombed in the background, coming down the hill.

 I love the way snow piles among the sagebrush and other plants out in the pasture, and then the wind manipulates and carves into it. Dunes of sparkling snow.

 Lately has also been somewhat chilly. It hasn't been above freezing on the farm for a few weeks now. Sage Creek, which flows through our pastures, is completely iced up and is also great skiing as the wind has blown snow into the creek bed. I managed another selfie (below). No selfie stick required. Just propped the phone up on a tuft of grass and hit the timer.

 Anyone remember Iggy? He's still with us. He LOVES to go for walks, runs, and skis, especially in the pastures. With his shaggy coat, he was made for winter. He's a happy pup.

Old Ig, as we often call him.

 Jeff and I took turns breaking trail on a nice ski on the creek a few days ago. So peaceful and lovely down in there, protected from the wind.

Happy ski faces! 

I think I'll try to tackle some of the bigger events that have happened this fall one post at a time, including our health, the 5K On the Farm, and the big move. Be patient with me as I ease myself back into this!!!

Until next time, everyone! Let me know if you're still reading....