Monday, December 1, 2014

Dear Heather

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Well last week's Farmer Fridays didn't happen quite as planned with the passing of my Gramma, but we survived the events of last week and as I said then, I find much comfort in the fact that she is no longer suffering.

That being said, almost every day I get asked some sort of question about our farm, our crops, our pigs, etc...  Many of those questions I have answered over the years with past Farmer Fridays so I thought I'd get them organized all in one spot for you as part of this "Dear Heather" post.  I hope this answers some of your questions, but if you still have some, I'd love for you to contact me or leave a comment and I will answer them in future Farmer Fridays.

So here's some of the past "Dear Heather" questions I've been asked and answered:











Thursday, November 27, 2014

My Gramma

This Thanksgiving is going to be a little different than in years past.  Earlier this week my Gramma was called home after a long battle with Alzheimer's.  On Saturday, we will say our final good byes for now, but I find much peace and comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering and in remembering and sharing the life lessons and loves she taught and gave me.

My Gramma taught my mom to sew and bake and together they taught me.  Although the Alzheimer's prevented my Gramma from teaching the next generation, together my mom and I with the help of an amazing mother-in-law are teaching my kids to do both.

My Gramma introduced me to soap operas, the CBS soaps to be exact, as we would watch them together on sick and snow days when my parents had to go to work.  As she got older she was more protective of what she let my siblings watch, but I have fond memories of watching them with her and using many of the names for my dolls and such.

My Gramma also used to make me eggnog from scratch.  I can't seem to find a recipe just like hers and of course it was in head not written down so I don't make it from scratch myself, but I always buy a half gallon as soon as it is available in the grocery stores each year.  My kids don't seem to have the same love for it, but I can't drink a glass of it without thinking of her.

My Gramma could play the piano by ear.  Till this day, I can still hear her playing The Battle Hymn of the Republic like the best of them without a piece of music in front of her.  I can only wish that she had passed this talent down to me.

My Gramma was a competitive and fierce card player.  She had her poker club and I can still remember her playing Euchre with everyone at my high school graduation party.

My Gramma was very devout in her faith and thankfully passed this down to the generation after her.
My Gramma was an amazing lady that loved the Lord and her family more than anything else.  She was so talented and I can only hope that I can share a small part of what she taught me and my siblings with my children and future generations.

Until we meet again, Gramma.  I love you!

http://www.esslingfuneralhome.com/notices/Beverly-Olson



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Friday, November 21, 2014

7 Reasons Farming is like childbirth


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Well it's official, I just survived my 15th harvest as The Farmer's wife.  Normally we would have a small little celebration of sorts, but I think this year everyone is just looking for a good night's sleep as this has been one of the longest harvest seasons I can remember.  This got me thinking... farming really is a lot like childbirth and here are my top 7 reasons why.



1.  It can be short.

Whether we are talking about planting or harvest season, it is all dependent on Mother Nature so it can be a short season or defer to #2.

2.  It can be long, as in never ending like this year.

3.  It can be a false alarm.

 Just like some women experience early contractions only to be sent home from the hospital, planting and harvest can often have a false alarm thanks to Mother Nature.  You know where you get everything ready to go to the fields and then it rains and rains and rains for days.

4.  It can be painful.

As a farmer there is not much worse than a broken piece of equipment, tractor, or combine during the planting or harvest season.

5.  It might require medication.

There might be a few nights during a long and painful planting or harvest season that some adult beverages are needed after many hours in the tractor or combine.

6.  It is all about family.

One of the best parts of being a farmer is getting to share our love and life with our kids each day.



7.  You can't wait to share the news.

At 6:32pm tonight I got the text from The Farmer that Harvest 2014 was finally done and I couldn't wait to tell all of you.

You see farming is a lot like childbirth because in the end we don't remember the bad parts of planting or harvest season.  We just remember the good, our love for the land, and doing our small part to make sure our family and all of yours have food to eat.  Just like my experiences with labor and delivery with these 3 amazing children.



So here's to the end of Harvest 2014 and looking towards Planting 2015.
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Thursday, April 3, 2014

My baby's growing up...

So many words and thoughts have ran through my head with plans of writing a blog post the last several months, but finding the time or getting the words to flow when I have time in front of a computer has been harder said then done.  But leave it to my baby AKA Little Sissy to get me back to blogging.  You see today our little girl turned 5.

It is such a bittersweet moment with each child as they grow older, meet new milestones, and achieve new accomplishments.  But I must admit it is even just a little bit harder with the baby.

When Big Sissy was born over 11 years ago, we didn't even own a digital camera.  Flash forward to when Little Sissy was born, 5 years ago today and essentially her entire life has been documented by some form of social media...



From the announcement of her arrival on Facebook




to the sippy cup wars,


her first swim lesson,


her first day of preschool on Instagram,


and her assistance at Farm Girls Freeze.

It is all there which makes access to quick reminders of the memories a little bit easier.



So here's to Little Sissy turning 5 and my hopeful return to blogging to help document the memories!


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