Vacation, Berries, and MORE!

I'm WAY behind on my blogging!! And we've had some fun things going on, lately!

Last week Nick and I went on vacation. Since a nine hour drive wasn't realistic this year for our usual trip to FL, we headed just a couple hours south to Lake Barkley State Park. It was a wonderfully relaxing trip, despite the heavy rains that fell the weekend before we arrived. We had a nice room with a lake view and a pair of bluebirds nesting just off our little porch. I tried to get a good picture...but wasn't very successful in my efforts. While there, we spent most of our time at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. We got up close and personal with bison and elk, enjoyed going back in time to a farm set in 1850, hung out with wild animals native to Kentucky at the Nature Center, and took advantage of the indoor pool in the evenings. It was a nice relaxing trip... just what we needed so we came home refreshed with energy to work on berries and landscaping!

I picked my first few quarts of strawberries on Friday...by Sunday there were a few more... and with the start of the work week they are coming on like crazy! They taste so delicious and sweet!! Thanks to Nick, Nancy, and Melvin who are helping me pick all the berries! I hope they don't curse my name by the end of the season!

It's all about the scale.

Want to feel thinner at 30 weeks pregnant? Have your picture taken with a tractor...

Chore Kitty

We have several cats on the farm. Most are only friendly when they want something- like dinner. The exception is Chore Kitty. Chore Kitty was one that until this winter, we couldn't even get close to. He wasn't even friendly for food. Then, one day, one of us was able to sneak in a pet when he wasn't paying attention and he decided that we weren't so bad and has been the friendliest cat on the farm ever since. He got his name from his enthusiasm for chores. He LOVES to help with chores. He follows me into the chicken house to "help" gather eggs and eats feed out of the chicken feeder. He follows me when I fill the water bucket to water the chickens and is right there as I refill the waterers. He also "helps" clean out the chicken house.

Thanks for the help, Chore Kitty! We don't know how we'd get them done without you!

Farm Toys

Nick and Melvin did some wheelin' and dealin' this week and are proud owners of some new farm toys. The disk is gently used, but the harrow is new...

Makes my shopping trips to Kohl's not seem quite so bad...

Peanut Pic Update

I tried to scan the most recent ultrasound picture of Baby H. with mixed results, but I think that you can still see that Peanut has some seriously adorable cheeks! Also still has those hands right in front of the face.

Got Beef?

Melvin had 2 steers butchered a couple weeks ago and Nick and I picked up the meat Saturday. I think this will keep the Held Family well fed for quite awhile!

Up Pops a Dainty Strawberry Flower!

The first flowers on my berries said hello this week!