School Days

Because Kelsey and Hannah live next door we get to often enjoy their company.  They have been coming over for breakfast since they started going to school.  At first it was to help Malissa get to work on time.  I like to think that now it is because the girls want to spend a bit of time with their Grandma and Grandpa.  Either that or they like our food better. 
Yesterday was their first day back.  Kelsey is a senior and Hannah a freshman.  Finally they will attend the same school again.  Hannah has been a 20 + minute drive away.  Kelsey has been here in town for the past three years.

Cucumbers

This is my first picking of cucumber.  The onions are ready to pull and dry also.

One easy summer cucumber salad is to peel and slice them along with some onion and then add a bit of mayo. 

After they are refrigerated for a few hours the water in the cucumbers along with the mayo will form a delicious dressing.   Salt and pepper to taste. 

Blackberries

I went out this morning to harvest the first of my blackberries.

I have one bush.  Some years twice this is about all I have

harvested.  This year it looks to be my best crop ever. 

Sweet, juicy, berries from our own back yard.

More about Fair

Fair is over for this year. But there are still pictures to share. 

Kelsey took a pen of three chickens and another pen of one.  All her chickens got blue ribbons.

Hannah took her black blue ribbon bunny by the name of Herbert Ninninger.

 Kelsey is taking her bee project writeup to state fair.  Hannah has her Anzac Biscuits going.  Both girls had several projects that were considered.  They consistently do wonderful projects.  A lot of work goes into each exhibit.  Most of the items that go on to the Iowa State Fair have excellent write ups included with the project.  Unlike at the county fair where the kids talk with a judge, the only communication with the judges is done with the project folder at state fair.  Hannah also has a poster that was a state fair alternate.  For some reason this is going too.  The poster has to be redone as she had used chewing gum on it and because of the heat it melted and ruined part of the poster. 

The friends they stayed with in Australia introduced them to this Assie/New Zealand cookie.

Kelsey did the art work for this poster and made it a fun presentation.

I wanted some original art for one of our guest bedrooms.  This should be fun to frame and hang.

Fair Week

Monday was check in day.  Main morning activities were the judging of the non livestock entries.  Each girl had 10-12 items they had made.  They took food projects, posters, a place setting, home improvement items, and art projects.

This was someone's project.  I loved that it said Drew's little sister.

A pink paint job is not authentic but it is cute!! :)

Hannah being judged on her orange muffins.

 Kelsey with her poster on uses for vinegar.

 The waiting area.

 Both girls made baskets.  Kelsey's was an harder one to do called an egg basket.

Kelsey did this water color for me.

Did I say that this building is rather hot????

Did I say that the temperature was in the 90's??

Wisconsin Dells

As I sit with my iPad in a dark hotel room, Kelsey and Hannah are in the next beds sleeping. Warren is off to meetings at an ag conference. Teenage girls know how to sleep in. I on the other hand have been awake for some time. They spent most on yesterday at the water park here at the resort we are staying at here in the Wisconsin Dells. It has been fun having them along.
Certainly this place is like several (all) others in the area, everything is over priced. The frig and microwave in our room has been handy and a money saver. Warren is gaining from the sessions. With a free afternoon today we my go out on the river in a thing called a duck. Last night was a water show. The tickets were part of the resort stay. At the show I suddenly was not thirsty when presented with paying out three fifty for a small bottled water.

Bee Happy

Kelsey was selected to be part of a bee keeping program through Iowa State Extension 4-H.  This spring she got her hive and bees.  The program comes with a mentor.  Kelsey is off to a good start as her bees are multiplying and making honey.  We may not harvest honey this year but just knowing that bees are important for the pollination of most plants and we are a part of this is rather fulfilling.
Apprehension could describe my feelings about having bees in our yard.  To date there have been no issues with them.  Bees do best with morning sun and afternoon shade.  Best location was deemed next to the grove on the west side of our yard.

 The first thing that had to be done was the building of the hive and painting the outside of the hive.  Matt and Kelsey did that this winter and early spring.  There are lots of  brood frames inside the hive.  My guess if that it came as a kit.   A couple of weeks ago they added another box.

Bees need water so I moved a butterfly water dish to a spot by the gazebo for the bees.  I have seen some there so it must be working.  Our yard has a bird bath and another butterfly water dish that I attempt to keep filled.  On hot days this means it needs to be filled two or three times. Today it is raining so I am relieved of that duty.

So now we have added bees to the menagerie of chickens, dogs, rabbit, and cats. Life on the farm can be fun and interesting!!!