Knolltop Farm Wife (Melissa Hart)

Welcome to my blog! I'm a wife, mother of four and a self-employed freelance writer. In addition to writing, I am involved in producing several dairy magazines and am the editor of Dairy Agenda Today where I have a blog there as well! This is a place where I can get what's in my head, down on paper (the internet). I hope you find encouragement and maybe a giggle or two!
Follow me on instagram @farmwriter

Friday, August 29, 2008

God does it again!

Okay, now I'm convinced that I need to start a prayer blog...in all my spare time, that's what I'll do!

All you prayer warriors out there must have prayed up a storm because I just got an update on the Kansas lady and apparently she's had a 100% turn around. This morning she is back to her old self, demanding as ever and she doesn't even remember yesterday. So thanks to your prayers, God's grace and modern medicine....this 90 something wonder woman is doing splendidly!

Keep praying for the other lady with back trouble. She will see a doctor today to see what the next step is.

In the mean time, I've been out with the kids working with the show string, I'm a complete mess and ready for a nap. We were up late last night going to a football game and then out for ice cream with some friends. WE have no business gallivanting around like until 11 pm!

The real excitement began when we got home and Jake came running downstairs screaming about the bat flying around in his bedroom! I crept upstairs, shut their bedroom door and had everybody camp out downstairs. Except JW, he was asleep during the excitement.

The funny part was when I woke up to make the coffee and Jake was laying on the floor beside my bed and when I stepped over him to open the door he jerked up and said, "Where are you going?" Feeling like I was in a western with a gun held to my back, I said, "I'm just going to make the coffee." He handed me the Lacrosse racquet that he'd been sleeping with and said, "Here, take this, you might need it and don't forget to shut the door behind you!"

When I came back he asked, from underneath his covers, if I had seen the bat and I confessed that I hadn't seen a thing. He promptly shut the door behind me and fell back asleep. After the coffee and a little news, we went to the barn and left Jake and his Lacrosse racquet in charge.

As of this minute the bat is still in the bedroom.....I'm going to send JW up to get it, he has the best track record of killing bats. The other night I was awakened from a deep sleep to hear cheers....he had just killed the first bat that came to bother us in the middle of the night. Yes, as you might have guessed, we affectionately refer to JW as batman!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Another prayer request

Okay, while I realize this is a farm blog and I should start my own prayer blog.....you all are really good a praying....so I have a couple more requests that need your attention.

One lady in Kansas in ICU with pnemonia complications needs prayer. She was doing fine, but then went downhill, she's quite elderly.

And another lady in Michigan with back trouble who is going to see a doctor tomorrow about an on going condition.

Please pray for these two ladies. And as I'm updated, I'll update YOU!

Great night for football!

It was a beautiful evening for the opening football game last night. It's too bad the ending of the game wasn't as beautiful for our team as the weather. Luke's team lost 31-0. What's worse is his team is mainly made up of Freshmen who were undefeated as 8th graders last year. So these boys were a bit disillusioned when they walked off the field wondering to themselves, "What happened?"

Luke played fullback and tight end and then the third quarter he was the quarterback. He said his ankle felt fine...of course under 18 layers of tape....it couldn't move! JW was the go to guy for me. Bobby left the barn early to work the chains for the game and JW stayed home and finished up chores so I could get to the game on time. It's so nice to have an extra hand so I don't have to miss out.

The kids are out working with their heifers, Luke has gone to bale hay and JW went school shopping. Today is a writing day......that's why I'm not out helping Jake and Sarah with their heifers. Sarah has one less to work with today because Sandy, her 4-H project that was to become a cow any day now....became a cow yesterday when she delivered a bull calf. I sure was glad it was a bull since it came just four days before September 1st! Sandy is doing find....and looks good but will have a few days off from the show string workout.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A trip to Brookview

Good Morning from another cool Knolltop. It took me half way through the heifer chores to take off my sweatshirt...that's a cool morning!
Yesterday I said we would travel down memory lane....so here we go. While JW was on a judging trip in Ohio, they stopped at Brookview Farms where Bobby used to be the herd manager. They walked in and Eric Havens greeted them and apparently took one look at JW and said, "You're Bobby's son!" They visited for a bit and then Eric disappeared and came back with several pictures of cows they had bred over the years and all of them had Bobby and the halter. He thought JW would enjoy bringing them home to Bobby and then listening to a story about each cow.
And that's what happened. JW walked in the door and immediately took the pictures to his dad and they looked them all over. Here are a few of them.

This is Brookview Brightstar Hattie. I don't remember her story...but look at how skinny Bobby is!And this is Brookview Kit Danelle. I've heard this name quite a few times but if you think I remember what her story is....think again! I'm lucky that her name rings a bell. But look at those tight jeans on Bobby!This is Brookview Christopher Cheer. Her name doesn't ring a bell, I remember nothing about her. So that means she was just an average milk cow and must not have made it to very many shows. Look at that rump...who would want to take her to the show! (Sorry Eric)This is Brookview Valiant Honey-ET. I do remember Bobby saying he really liked this heifer. And I really like the guy in the picture.And this is Knolltop Aspen Honey. Yes, her name does ring a bell, I know her personally, I even take her for walks and give her a bath....she's Holly's daughter! We just got our pictures back from Frank and I had to share them...I'll share Pontoon's picture tomorrow!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Answered Prayer

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers for Sara! She emailed me this morning and said things went so well yesterday with their situation it left people scratching their heads wondering how it all happened. Well those weren't her words, but that's what she described! So things have calmed down a bit, but she still needs prayer. God is so good to us!

I have to comment about the wonderful breakfast I just had. After I cooked the bacon on the griddle, I poured some pecan pancakes on and they just fried up so crispy and nice. Oh my, pancakes cooked in bacon grease is so unhealthy, but oh....sooooo goooood! And wasn't I just saying yesterday how fat I was? I guess I'd better walk more!

Okay, this is what I want to ask today. Where on this blog does it state or even slightly imply that we have an organic dairy? Do I sound like an organic producer? Do I look like an organic farmer? Do I act like one? No, I don't think I look, act, or sound like an organic dairy farmer yet the man who hosts the farm blogs website wrote that I had an organic dairy farm. My friends....this is the perfect example of how rumors get started!

Well, I'm off to walk and then the kids and I will go work with the show string. Yesterday we had a new recruit working with the cows. One of Luke's best buddies decided he wanted to rinse all the heifers off. So he stood there with the hose in hand while we brought him heifers. This wouldn't be so funny if it weren't for the fact that he's not from a farm. In fact, he's the local athletic director's son and his life revolves around....what else but athletics! So to see him standing in the barnyard rinsing off the heifers was quite a sight.

Tomorrow we will head down memory lane with Bobby and Brookview Farms.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Prayer request

Hey everyone, Sara in Missouri needs some prayer today....actually lots of prayer. She is facing a very difficult situation and needs a miracle. I don't want to get into details, but I'll let you know how God answers when she let's me know. In the meantime, please pray for her! Thanks!!!

Why not?

It's a clear cool, almost fallish day here on the Knolltop. The sun is shining and it's only about 60 out.

I've finally got tomatoes! I picked a few yesterday and put some in our stir fry, along with the cauliflower I picked and some potatoes I dug. It's so much fun to eat a dinner made almost completely of things you grew in the garden.

This morning we had a surprise in the pasture. A calf was born from a cow that wasn't due for a few more days. She didn't even look like she was close to calving, but she did and I don't even know what it is yet. I'll find out when we head out to wash and work with the show string. It's time to get back into the groove of working with the heifers again. And this year we are taking a couple of cows to the fair as well. Sarah's 4-H project will freshen in the beginning of September and she wants to take her in the worst way. So I said, if we take one cow we might as well take two! So we'll have right around 9 head at the fair. Bobby says, "You're crazy!" I say, "Why not?"

JW will be working the Agriprize sale, a Burton-Fellers sale during World Dairy Expo. Because he'll be gone for a week, he won't participate in the fair with the cows, he'll have to go to school...bummer!

Well, it's time to head out for my walk...I've gained weight and I don't like it one bit! I guess that nightly bowl of ice cream is catching up with me!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Change in plans

Good Friday morning from the Knolltop. Bobby and Jake are off to a cow sale. Bobby wanted Jake to go in the worse way, I'm not sure why....maybe because Jake talks non-stop and if Bobby gets the least bit drowsy Jake will keep him alert. He even called from the gas station in town to see if Jake was up yet and if he wanted to go. So Jake got around in the time it takes to get from town to the farm and they are off to drive north to a sale. He's already called twice with instructions for me.

Did anyone see the comments from Pryorvu the other day? Oh my heavens....he makes me sick! With all the canning, preserving and freezing he's doing...and I haven't even gotten into full harvest yet with my garden! The worst part of it is, he lives in Montana...in the hills....where they get no rain! I'm sure he irrigates his garden.....FROM A RAIN BARREL! Here we are in the midwest with lush green surroundings, plenty of water at our disposal and I can't even come close to his pace!

And Shady Knoll: You're welcome for the memory...I think everyone can remember that favorite rocking chair from their past.

Well, instead of school shopping today, we are going tomorrow because Sarah doesn't have to babysit. So today I will catch up on a few things that I've let go and prepare for tomorrow. I'm waiting to hear from the doctor about Luke's ankle. They thought he might have a hairline fracture, so they took more X-rays and we will know more this morning. JW called from his judging trip and he's having a great time.

Better get to my "To do" list!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Sounding Intelligent

It's another picture perfect day here on the Knolltop. Although we need rain, it's been a summer to remember.

Yesterday I had the chance to be on Rural Route Radio with Trent Loos and Kyle Bauer again. It's so much fun when I get that chance to be on with those two jokers. Although yesterday I was the resident dairy expert and those of you who know me well....know that's a stretch!

We can talk about kids, farms, farm families, communication issues consumer trends or anything else relating to humans but don't ask me to sound intelligent about drug companies, land grant university research and dollars and cents relating to it. And that's what I had to do yesterday. Boy was it difficult. If you listen, you'll hear more of Kyle and Trent than me because no matter how I tried to wrap my brain around GMOs and research and the economic impact and public perception of those, I just couldn't do it!

It's always good to be challenge and no matter how I meet up with Trent, whether it's on the radio, the phone or in person, he continues to challenge me and he enjoys every minute of it!

Now I'm off to the doctor with Luke to find out how is ankle is progressing. Tomorrow is school shopping!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

A God rocker

I've got to share a God moment with you! Remember back a couple of weeks when I was complaining about not getting my rocking chair at TSC? I was waiting until the price dropped one more time and then I was going to snatch it up! But much to my dismay, my rocking chair was snatched up by another bargain hunter. I distinctly remember thinking that if I didn't get that rocking chair, God had another one in mind that was better and most likely because God knows I like my stuff for free(remember the treadmill?)....it would be free.

Yesterday I was at a lady's home and she was preparing to move into a smaller apartment. She's a matriarch of a family in our church and she has to be as old as Moses! And she's still has it together and was a pretty as a picture when I walked into her home!

Anyway, when I went into the room where I was picking up some things she had offered me, I saw this rocking chair. It was the rocking chair of my past... the rocking chair that sat in my childhood farmhouse kitchen. The rocking chair where my mom would comfort us when we had bumps and bruises. When we came crying(with earnest tears and everything) she would pick us up, sit down in that chair and hold us close. I can still feel that little chair rocking and I can smell her perfume.

I was amazed as I looked at this little rocker not ever thinking that there was another one in the world just like my moms! Not saying a word, I just kept loading some other things and then the Lady's son who was standing nearby said, "You can have that rocker if you want it" Music to my ears, I snatched that rocker up, loaded it on my truck and brought it home.

As I sat in that rocker this morning, drinking my coffee I thought about how God had blessed me. Did I need a rocking chair? No. Did I deserve a rocking chair? Absolutely NOT! But that's what's so great about God, he gives us what we surely don't deserve and absolutely don't need simply because He loves his children. He knew deep down, I wanted a rocker, but I could've lived without it. And when he saw how my heart sank when the rocker at TSC was gone, he put another plan in motion for me to get an even better rocker. A rocking chair that I could've never imagined was out there. And the best part was....it was absolutely free...like only God can give.

Well, today on the Knolltop we are going to move some calves around, vaccinate the cows and I've got to run a couple of errands and try to get some writing done before tomorrow.

The biscuits and gravy are getting cold!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Cathing up.

Where has the summer gone? We are talking about going back to school already! It seems like they just got out!

I've been busy this morning running errands and now I've got to stay home and do some laundry....it's piling up and there is a limit to how many packages of new socks I'm allowed to get before I have to start washing them. :)

Luke is gone to Archbold, Ohio with Mr. Kyser to look at farm equipment, JW is gone to see a friend and then will spend the night as Grandmas and head out on a three day judging trip to Ohio and the rest of us are just staying home to play catch up. It seems like all I've done is run around!

Yesterday the neighbor and I had a meeting and then we stopped at the horse stable where three of her horses are in training. I love horse stables...they are a bevy of activity with so many people riding and grooming and doing......stuff. One of her foals is not good enough for the big show and will come back home, the other baby will be trained and head to one of their big shows...she told me the name but I can't remember everything!

It's back to work now!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Another Monday

Good Monday Morning from the sunny Knolltop!

Let me start off with the bad news....Luke sprained his ankle Friday evening at football practice. He came home shuddering in pain and I gave him some pain medication and put him on the couch for the night. Laying there wondering if it was broken, thoughts raced through my mind, "Should I take him to ER right now? What if it's broken? My baby can't lay on the couch with a broken ankle all night...I've never seen him in so much pain."

The next morning he was so much better and my mind was put to rest. I let him relax for the day babying him as much as he would let me. People called to see if he was okay and everyone reassured me it was just a sprain. But in the back of my mind I couldn't erase the thought of it being broken and him suffering through it. So I finally took him into Urgent care last evening and after an X-ray we found it was just a sprain and we left the hospital with him toddling around on crutches. So, if you could please pray for him!

In the meantime, Jake has taken over Luke's spot at Walnut Lane Farms working for Mr. Kyser. That should be interesting to say the least!

I'm headed to a meeting today with the neighbor and Sarah will have to take over the house chores. Boy does she have the laundry to do!!!!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Did I mention the mom?

It's another beautiful morning here on the Knolltop where we are off to a busy start. I feel like I've been enslaved to this computer for the whole week but then again, when you make part of your living as a writer...I guess you can expect that. It's just not always where I want to spend all of my time on a 75 degree day. Let's all whine for me now...really, I should be so happy that I work from home and don't have to drive anywhere!
In yesterday's post I mentioned the lemonade stand by the young Kietzman entrepreneurs and I said they were Joel's daughters.....leaving out any mention of the one who gave birth to them, fed them, got up multiple times to feed them in the wee hours of the morning and who's body will never, ever be the same again after birthing three daughters (not that she looked bad, she's just a little thing who doesn't even look like she's had one kid much less three ...darn her!). Anyway, Melissa Kietzman was the wonderful, dedicated mom to these adorable little lemonade peddlers.

And I didn't mention who the customers were at the stand...boy I'm slipping! Donny Mayer and three Japanese interns who are working on neighboring dairy farms were bellied up to the beverage stand.

In fact, we toured Donny and Liz Mayer's place on our whirlwind Wisconsin tour. They have a nice herd of cows and it is so much fun to listen to Donny talk about cows. He has such a passion for the Holstein breed and much like my husband, he hasn't come across a pedigree yet that he can't remember!

Better get on with the day, the peaches aren't all done yet, they weren't all quite rip enough. So I think some peach jam is on the agenda for the day...along with a little writing, a trip to the extension office and the feed store and more detective work on some pictures I need.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Lemonade stand was a big hit

A sure sign of summer time is a lemonade stand. While touring dairy farms in Wisconsin, we went to Jacksons where these precious little girls had a stand all set up, waiting for thirsty customers. The two oldest daughters of well known cattle fitter, Joel Kietzman, who happen to also be the granddaughters of the Jacksons, had set up the stand at their grandparents farm and little did they know the visitors who happened to stop in to look at the cows would also be their best customers of the day.When we got done looking at the cows we headed for a tall glass of ice cold lemonade....okay, it was a short plastic cup, but it was cold and good. Besides, as cute as these little girls were, it could've been warm and tart and the men would've chugged it down and asked for more.
What a great memory for these girls to have been at their grandparents farm with a successful lemonade stand. They may never sell another sip of the cold drink, but they will forever think back to the fond memories on the farm.

Today on this farm they will be hauling more manure, cleaning out a couple of calf pens and I'm going to get Sarah started on peaches. I still have more writing to do with a bunch of other stuff that has piled up on me. Having spent the day goofing off at the fair yesterday, I'm not behind....way behind.




Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Blog of Blogs

Good Morning from the cloudy Knolltop! We're headed for Ohio today so Bobby can judge another show. It should be a fun day with the kids and I think I'll try to scrape up a story or two for the paper.

I really should stay home and put up the bushel of peaches on my front porch that Lori, from Knolltop Morgans brought home from her vacation. It seems she goes on vacation every year and brings home work for me....how does that work? :)

I have a new site for all of you to go to, it's a blog of blogs. That's right, a blog that lists farm blogs on the internet. You need to check it out. My blog was recommended to be listed on his site so now I'm there! The link is www.farmblogs.blogspot.com and it should be a fun place to surf!

For the first time in my life, I fried Okra yesterday and I can now claim victory in this area of southern cooking. The first time I tried to grow it was the first year we were married and I waited too long to pick it. It was big and tough and I burned it. I can smell the smoke even now. But yesterday I championed this southern dish and had the approval of my Rebel husband!

Better get...it's time to head south!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Odds and Ends

Good sunny morning from the Knolltop!
I'm sad today, football practice has started and that means the kids will be headed back to school and it seems like I just got them home! I hate these short summers! Luke had practice last night from 4-8...yes I agree, a little excessive, but then again, I think everything with high school football is a little excessive, but I"m not getting on that soapbox this morning! Anyway, Luke didn't play last year in Junior High, so he missed a year and is now back out on the gridiron. And his first practice they put him in as quarterback. Now, that makes sense to me because he's got the smarts for a quarterback and the arm for a quarterback. But I'm sure the parent's who's kids have played that position in the last couple of years don't agree with that move....it should prove to be an interesting season.

Now, on to the topic I've been waiting to write about and this might have to be my column for next week. But.....last week when we were out touring the countryside of Wisconsin we stopped at the farm of Eddie Bue's in Alma Center. He and his very, very, very special friend, Mandy (I think she's special because she's dedicated to those cows and she's a sweetheart) have a place where they own some cows and they also board some really good cows for people like Jeff Butler. Surely you remember Jeff, he hosted that record breaking sale, Parade of Perfection in March. And Norman Nabholz a Jersey breeder from Iowa who saw the light and is now dabbling in Holsteins has some high end cows there as well.


You can see here in the picture, Mandy, the blond and Eddie, the male(duh) and their two employees, I won't mention their names because I don't have their parents permission, but I will say they are pretty special too!

Anyway, Mandy and I were comparing notes about the life consuming work on a dairy farm. As we shared stories we found we faced the same obstacles on a daily basis....bad hair days, short, unpainted fingernails, no make-up and a masculine wardrobe that would make a cross dresser shriek.

A couple of days later I was sitting in the kitchen of Mandy Nunes..same story, different wife. And then again at the Summer Event sale, Annie Hulle, same story....different wife. Then yesterday I got an email from Amber Price of Jonesboro, Indiana. I had interviewed her and her husband Joe for a story I did for Holstein International. She emailed me to let me know how nice it was to be included in the story and that having that opportunity was like a "fresh drink of water" for her and Joe. Why? Because the dairy business consumes the men and women who rise every morning to milk, feed and care for the cattle that put food on their kitchen table. We breath, eat and sleep cows so much that sometimes we forget their is a world outside the farm that sees what we're doing, respects us for our hard work and it's nice just to have a bit of recognition.

Thus....I think I should start a blog just for women! Just for women who long for the fellowship of other women in the same boat(farm). For women who can just get a drink of fresh water on a daily basis. For women who need some encouragement. For women who need a fresh idea or who need to vent or who need a pick-me-up. Or for women who want more expertise on how to merchandise cattle or want to be on the cutting edge of the purebred cattle industry.

It's a work in progress and when I get it up and going.. you'll be the first to know!

Now, it's time for the real work of the day, feeding, cleaning, washing and nurturing.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Another Heritage Day

It was another busy weekend here on the Knolltop. On Saturday North Adams had it's Heritage Day celebration. The parade started at 10 am and yes, I proudly drove my John Deere A down town through the cheering crowds who gathered on the sides of main street just to see my "A" make it's Heritage Day debut......NOT!

I did drive it in the parade, but I was the only one who was impressed with my old iron that went "Putt, Putt, Putt." The boys want to restore it....I really don't care, I like it just how it is....operational.....paint is optional.

Which is more than I can say for Luke's tractor. You know the one, that always beats me in road races? Well, his old Farmall was sitting home that day because he couldn't get it started. Even though he always brags about how much nicer and faster his tractor is than mine, I still felt badly because he couldn't take it in the parade. But Mr. Kyser came to the rescue and by the end of the day it was running and hopefully he will be able to keep that piece of red junk going for the big Labor Day tractor parade in Waldron.

Bobby's off judging a county fair today, the boys are heading down to the neighbors to clean out one of his grain bins and Sarah and I are headed Knolltop Morgans to do their chores. I've got so much catching up to do today!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Another cow sale

We were off to another cow sale only this one was closer and had more surprises. But before I go there, I'd better identify the cute chick hugging my husband in yesterday's post. That cutie is Katrina Nunes, Matt and Mandy's second oldest girl. And when I told her and Bobby to get closer she reacted with hugging him, which gave Bobby quite a surprise. Being the southern gentleman he is, he would never touch another lady even if he were invited. I thought it was quite funny!

So on to the sale. We went to Graf's in Dansville yesterday and thought it would be a small purebred sale with a few cows flying under the radar. Bobby was sure he might find a bargain or two and had his eye on a couple of the better cows if they went cheap enough.

Everyone else had the same idea and there wasn't a bargain in the bunch! It was a tremendous sale which was great for the Graf family. There were buyers from all over the Midwest and even Arlin Buttke from North Carolina showed up to make a few purchases. There was a lot of interest in a contract cow and a couple of her calves. We ended up bringing one of those nice calves home for an out of state buyer. Not sure where her journey will take her next, but she's got a nice place to stay until her departure.

I snapped a few photos of some of the attendees, just for fun!

Dan Carroll from Select Sires was there to make a few purchases on behalf of some folks from Pennsylvania.Patty, left and Francis Palmerton, second from right of Hapleson Jerseys in Fowlerville were on hand. No, they weren't buying and black and whites, they were checking out the sale crew that will be on their place for their dispersal in September. Yes, these long time and world renown Jersey breeders will sell the milk cows and Patty said the first thing she's going to do is sleep in every morning for 2 weeks! These folks are from my homestead where I grew up and are a great couple. If you ever need a laugh, these two will fill the bill. They are great folks with great Jerseys and if you're looking for a good one be at their place on September 6th! The guy to the right of Patty is Matt Biermacher, a Semex salesman and college buddy of mine, and of course Dan Carroll was able to sneak into the shot as well. He loves the camera.And you can't have a purebred Holstein sale without Mr. Holstein himself, Max Dunseth, our Holstein Association representative. Chad Kreeger is in the center going over some last minute details with Matt Biermacher.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

okay...so I lied


Good Morning from a sunny, cool Knolltop! It's a beautiful morning and going to be a great day!

So I lied yesterday, I didn't post any pictures. To tell you the truth, after I went through the day, I came in from chores and almost.....I said almost....didn't go with Bobby and Jake to get ice cream because I was too tired. But, I managed to drag myself to the van and ride along for a scoop of Moose Tracks. Really, I don't think I could ever be too tired for ice cream.

When I got home, I fixed the coffee for the morning, prayed with my kids and said "Goodnight!" It was 8:30 pm when I fell into bed and it was a great feeling.

Now for a few pictures. I will just put a few in today and save some for tomorrow.

Bobby and his buddy Matt Nunes took time out to pose for me....they were on to important business!

And of course who wouldn't recognize that "Hostess with the mostest" Dallas Burton from Kansas.

And finally, Dallas' partner in crime, Ed Fellers, in the black, was visiting with potential buyers before the sale when I snapped this picture.

It was a great Summer Event Sale, I'll have more on it tomorrow~

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Farm is still standing

Good Morning from the Knolltop!

We've been gone for a couple of days and arrived home last night....no actually this morning just in time for an hour nap and then we were back up to milk the cows.

It was a great trip and I've got lots of pictures and stuff to say, but since I'm running on one hour of sleep, I'm going back to bed for a short nap!

I'll post pictures and news later today! But I'll just say we had a great time with the Nunes family and touring farms in Wisconsin. And the kids and Grandma did a great job taking care of our livelihood back home on the Knolltop!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Footloose and Fancy Free!

Greetings from Wisconsin!

I'm sitting in the kitchen of Matt and Mandy Nunes in Wisconsin waiting for breakfast. Yes, we actually left our farm, together, Bobby and I, and have been gone for 24 hours. We haven't done this in 10 years. I can't tell you how much fun this is....when I'm not worrying about what's happening at home!

My mom was nice enough to come stay with the kids and they are taking care of the home place. As of last evening they were doing fine. I guess the proof is in the pudding and we'll find out just how often we'll be able to get away when we get back home.

In the mean time we will be touring around today and tomorrow we will attend the Summer Event Sale at Fall Creek hosted by Our Favorite Holsteins.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Happy 17th Birthday JW!


Today is a big day for JW. Seventeen short years ago, he was born after what seemed like a week of labor, well, actually only 18 hours. In Goshen, Indiana our first son was born and I thought he was the greatest thing since.....anything! He was just the greatest! I'll never forget getting him home and not having a clue about being a mom....it wasn't as automatic as I thought it would be. Now that baby is 17! I don't feel 17 years older....but the wrinkles and grey strands give me away! Happy Birthday JW!

The female fitter yesterday stumped you all! I had no winning guesses yesterday for our "Name the Fitter" contest. So now I've got to give you the answer....her nick name is "Ace"! Her real name is Kristy Johnson from Minnesota and she did a whoppin' good job for Bruce Rendon and Craig Martin fitting up their huge Jersey string. I watched her haul cow after cow after cow back and forth to the wash rack!

Now for today's contestant on


"Name that Fitter"

You're choices for his nick name are:


"Triple Threat"


"Mo Boy"


"Jerseykid"


"Dino"


"Dude"

Today will be a busy day on the Knolltop. Celebrating JW's birthday is on the top of the list. That means caking baking and decorating and Sarah will be gone most of the day, so I will actually have to bake the cake myself!