Caleb learns to drive a tractor

He may be only 8, but Caleb was moving some dirt today. Too bad the tractor is borrowed....I know what's on his wishlist now.

A new quilt for Ashlyn

A four year old girl's room sometimes needs a little boost. I made this fun floral quilt from a bag of scraps I bought from the nice girls over at Marie-Madeline Studio. I backed the quilt with an old sheet, so the total cost on this project was about $25 and it only took one rainy Friday to complete. Not bad!

Fun FREE Phonics Website

Did I mention FREE?  You can check it out for yourself here.

The pigs have names!

Just in case you have been wondering, our pigs are now officially Churchill and Knightley. If any of you know about my oldest daughter's obsession with Jane Austen, this won't surprise you :O)

School on the farm

Some days are just too nice to be indoors.  We did all of our family work outdoors this morning.  Allie and Caleb did their personal readings among the animals.  Allie seems to have found the new piglets more interesting than her books :O)

Our farm family grows

Two little boy piglets join the mix. No names yet, but I'll post soon. We are waiting to see their personalities.

Washin' Day

Allie has been enjoying a few Tasha Tudor books.

However, I think she may be taking the ideas she is gleaning a little too far.  :O)
Hand washing her skirts in a washtub outside is not required by me.....but it's cute anyway.

Praise for my Allie

Today I enjoyed a nice lunch out with friends. I left the kids at home, with Allie in charge. When I came home, the kitchen sparkled, the dishwasher was humming, and fresh baked bread was *in process*.

What a delight it is to leave for a few hours of refreshment and return to a home in better condition than I left it. It is such an amazing blessing to watch my daughter grow into a young lady that is so responsible and downright likable. It almost makes the idea of her growing up okay - almost.

Here is the bread.....wish you could smell it. MMMMMM!

A sewing lesson

Allie has been wanting more skirts, but when we have gone shopping, we are more than a little disturbed by the length (or lack there of) on the ones we find. So today, Allie and I spent several hours sewing. She is a beginner, and I'm not far above that ;O) so we chose a very simple pattern. She was a wonderful student and completed three adorable, modest skirts to add to her wardrobe. I'm sure she will post more at her blog.

A Saturday on the Farm

It was a lovely, sunny day on the farm today. The animals around our place are so happy that it's spring and the kids are pleased too.

We enjoyed grilling out for lunch and dinner, because we just got back our very own tasty beef from the meat market...delicious!

Henry on the hay.


Chickens foraging for goodies.


Allie taking scraps to the chickens.


Willie, our young steer.


Ashlyn going with Daddy in Old Red.