Planting 2014

 

        After a long, cold, and snowy winter, God reminds us that he hasn't and wont forsake us.  Spring is here and it's time begin planting.  My husband worked all morning field cultivating last year's bean field to prepare it for corn this year.  Then after Good Friday services I followed him to the field to get the planter ready. 

          My husband is anxious to get in the field to try out his uncle's planter.  Last fall his uncle purchased a newer planter.  We then purchases his 2003 Kinze 3600, which is basically identical to what we had but 10 years newer and in much better shape. 

       Since my lifting abilities are limited this year, I had plenty of time to snap a few shots while my husband did all the heavy lifting. First he unloads two Channel bags behind each planter box while I open both bags.  Then he will dump one bag in, add graphite powder, add the second bag, and a little more graphite powder.  Meanwhile I help gather all the empty bags up and put them back in the truck.  

 



        Even though the boxes are full now they will be empty before the field in done.  Time to close the lids and try out the planter. 









        Today the conditions are just about perfect.  The top of the soil has grayed off, but the soil just underneath the surface has moisture present.  You can tell by the dark line left by the marker wheel.  The marker tells a farmer where to drive on the next round so your corn rows have even spacing. 

 

 

       Once a few yards are planted, my husband likes to stop and check the seed depth, an inch and a half.  Guess that means all systems are a go. 

        Well I better go. It is now dark and he will be wanting a ride home.  The rest of the 80 acres will have to wait until tomorrow to be planted.  

 





Ocean Breeze

         A good friend of mine and her husband are having their first baby in August.  They recently moved to California and I thought this color combination was perfect for them.  The turquoise, orange, and gray triangles give off the feel of cool ocean breezes and brilliant sunsets. 

             Last winter I stumbled upon the owl print and fell in love with it.  After finding coordinating fabrics I started piecing it together.  Cutting and piecing all the small triangles became tedious and I found myself packing it away.  Then when I found out they were expecting, I dug it back out to finish it before the baby shower this weekend.  Seems I always need a deadline to complete a project.

         Upon completing the front I discovered there wasn't enough of the white with gray polka-dot fabric for the backing.  Since its been sitting in my closet for over a year, there wasn't a chance to get 1/2 a yard more.  That's when I decided to piece together strips of extra fabric from the front.  At first I wasn't sure how it would look, but I really love the interest it adds.

         Here's a close-up of the quilting. 
        

Our Gift From Above

For this child we prayed and the Lord answered our prayer.  1 Samuel 1:27

 

 

        With joyful heart we anticipate the birth of our first child in July.  We are 24 weeks along and interestingly enough baby is the size of an ear of corn.  Hopefully we will be enjoying some fresh corn on the cob around the time of baby's arrival.