Tap. Tap. Tap. Is this thing on? {Catching up on Life since 2021}

Hello? Hello? Testing...1-2-3. Ahem. Hello. My name is Lisa and it's been awhile. Three years to be more exact. And what a three years it's been! When I posted last, we were still in the throws of the national Covid crisis which caused all sorts of crazy.

But here we are now in 2024. I'd like to say that time has been good to my family...but that would be a lie. We've had some dumpster fires since I last posted in 2021. So I just thought I'd take a time to resurrect my blog with a *brief* life update on what's happened here on the farm in the last three years. 

Change is In the Air...

It is so hard to believe that it has officially turned into November for 2019. I cannot believe that the year 2020 is actually on the horizon! November signals the end of all our busy summer activities here on the farm as we shift to preparing for Winter, including separating out the calves. It never really and truly slows down--activities simply change.
But for me, I've made a decision that will help me slow down a little. 

Family Time {Wordless Wednesday}

We have been absolutely loving the intense family time we've been able to have while attending the Feast of Tabernacles. We don't ever get this much intensive time with my husband, so we relish the chance to fill our love tanks! Here are some of my favorite shots from the week so far!

 And lest you think we are too normal....

I will have more photos to post later, but I just wanted to share my fave family posts thus far! We have a few more days left, so we are going to continue to soak up the Word of God, the sunshine, and the love!
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Farm Science Review ~ An Agricultural Field Trip! {PHOTO HEAVY!}

My husband first went to the Farm Science Review nearly 20 years ago, when he was still in college training to be a John Deere Technician. He's never forgotten the experience, and for the last 13 years has been telling our children how he wished he could take them there. Well, it worked out that this year, everything fell perfect! And so we scheduled a family agricultural field trip to attend the 2019 Farm Science Review near Columbus, OH. 
What is the Farm Science Review?

Apple Heaven

We have a system in the family that if you get a bumper crop of produce, anyone who helps process the fruit gets to also share in the labors. Needless to say, I was thrilled to help my mom process some apples that she had been given. We made jars of sliced apple slices which can be used for pies or fruit salad. We also used my Ninja blender to turn a second batch into apple sauce.

A Pool Can Be Painful

So I know we are way late in getting a pool purchased and set up, but my husband was adamant he needed one, even if we only use it for like 4 weeks as the summer ends. Thankfully, a Kentucky summer can last into the end of September! So while others are closing theirs up Labor Day weekend, we will be praying for enough warm days to maximize our water bill for the 4500 gallons we filled it with! But with a pool can come some problems.

No.
Not a leak.
Not bugs.
Not algae.

Friendship Bracelets--a blast from the past {Wordless Wednesday}

As part of the Fibreshare swap for this summer, I'm participating in the theme of Friendship Bracelets. This means we have to send a bracelet representing friendship to our partner with the other things. I decided to take this into more depth and actually got in touch with my middle school self and did the old knotted friendship bracelets.  It was NOT like riding a bike. There was no instant recall. LOL. But thanks to YouTube videos from middle school girls (Bwahahahahahah), I was able to make my hands remember fairly quickly. My mom commented, "Oh I remember you making those all the time!" I loved buying up embroidery floss at the store and exploring designs on braceletbook.com and eventually made up three designs to send, and one to send later since it is taking me longer.

These were very fun and I think I'm going to incorporate them somehow into our co-op studies this year during art. Maybe as part of a weaving or handcraft study. I can't wait to finish that watermelon one and send it! Did you ever make friendship bracelets when you were younger?

Wordless Wednesday 7/17: Family Bonding

It's hard to believe that my sister-in-law's visit is already over. I'm going to miss my niece and nephew something fierce. But that's what happens when everyone lives in different places. So we cherish the time. We cherish the memories made.

My newest niece freshly born 💛

Uncle John reading bedtime stories to our niece and nephew

Quick photo of cousins

Cousin love

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Happy 4th of July!!

From our farm to yours-- Happy 4th of July!

We'll be spending it at a state park for the afternoon, and then come home for dinner, movie, chasing fireflies, playing tag, and lighting sparklers.  It's a wonderful day to be an American and able to celebrate our freedom! *****

Mother's Day at Fort Boonesborough {Wordless Wednesday}

We had the pleasure of enjoying Mother's Day at Fort Bonnesborough with my parents, my husband, and my brother with his fiance! We had a simply wonderful time exploring the former home of the American hero Daniel Boone. I love living so close to so many historically important locations!Here are some photos from our adventure!

Watching how an heirloom 18th century loom worked.

Measurements used during this time period

More fiber work! Learning how they used a drop spindle and did spinning

The blacksmith making a candle holder

I especially loved speaking with the women who specialized in fibers and medicinal herbs. I would have bought some of the handspun yarn if they had made the ones I wanted for purchase. But I loved squishing it. And I loved seeing them doing the natural dyes. The boys got hand made candle holders from the blacksmith. My mom and dad absolutely love it! It was the perfect day for Mother's Day!

Spontaneous Adventures {Wordless Wednesday}

We took a spontaneous trip to Cave Run Lake, KY for a day out on a Party Boat with my parents. It was the perfect day--hot enough to even go swimming! It was just what we needed before finishing our school year! :) 

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Family {Wordless Wednesday}

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Sorrow {Wordless Wednesday}

Sadly, I spent my morning comforting my boys. My oldest went to feed the cats and discovered one of them on the road. It was devastating to him. So we spent some time grieving this morning. 

Mama's lap brings comfort

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Happiness is...a new planner {Wordless Wedesday}

She's so pretty. 💙

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Adventures in Crochet: My Pretty Pink Sorbet Tee Top

Stop the presses! I not only just finished another actual crochet GARMENT, but I actually like it! Okay, I LOVE it! So today this post will be short. It will simply be me showing you the finished pictures of my Pretty Pink Sorbet Tee Top and chatting about how the construction of it went! So if you are a fan of crochet, or are just curious to see how the top looks--keep on reading!

The links on this blog and in the posts may be affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy for full details and thank you for your support!
Pattern: Peach Sorbet Tee Top from Expression Fiber Arts
Yarn: Cotton Fair "Pink Pop" by Premier Yarns (3 skeins)
Hook: F (3.75)

I snagged this top for free in one of the free pattern Fridays that Expression Fiber Arts offers in their newsletter. I looked at the design and thought it would be something I could see myself actually wearing. I am so glad I snagged it! The design is very very simple--two pieces. You make identical pieces for the front and the back, and then simply seam them together. It can't get much easier than that.

Mom of a Teenager...oy!

Just an announcement that I'm officially the mom of a teenager.

How did that happen?

How did 13 years just go by in a blink?!

Where is my little precious smiley bald toddler?

Who replaced him with this big half grown puppy caught between childhood and adulthood?

Oh, what kind of adventures I imagine we're getting ready to have...

Puberty.

(gulp)

Girls.

(Oy!)

Becomming a man.

(sob)

Oh my. Yes, the adventures are going to be fun (and a bit scary). I'm so glad that I get to experience them with you, my darling boy!

ps. I'm so sorry you got sick on your birthday! I promise to make it up to you next week!

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Adventures in Crochet ~ Project Updates and the Temperature Blanket

Time for an update for those of my fiber friends among you of my Adventures in Crochet! All of this winter weather definitely has me in the crochet mood. I just love sitting on the couch with a cup of hot coffee or tea as I watch a favorite on Netflix or Amazon Prime. I have a pile of yarn usually somewhere around me in some stage of crochet and boy, is that a happy place! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to crochet for a couple weeks because of horrible sciatic pain in my left hip. I'm a side sitter when I'm on the couch, so that puts pressure on my nerves...at least that's what my chiropractor tells me over and over. LOL. Regardless, I've still been able to work on a few things, as well as line up some others! I've also loaded it full of pictures so you can see all my projects!

Frogged...

Before...

Well one of the biggest things I have done recently is deciding to frog (aka. unravel) a top that I first started back in 2017. Yes, 2017! LOL. Needless to

Welcome 2019!

It's 2019! Can you believe it? I know we all thought it was going to be a year when we lived on the moon and had hovercrafts and robots! It's amazing how far technology has come--and yet how much life in general remains the same. With this new year, I'm sure everyone has plans or goals they want to achieve. I have friends who started Whole 30 and Whole 60 to kickstart their path to better health. Many people I know are taking the Marie Kondo challenge of decluttering and simplifying their home. We kicked off 2019 by doing a smidge of renovation--nothing major, just fresh paint on the walls of several of our rooms, and changing out fixtures. It has given new life to our home of 13 years! Isn't it funny how once you do it, you can hardly remember what it looked like before? I know we are loving the changes we've made.

Saying goodbye to 2018...and a peek into goals for 2019!

Can you believe that tonight is the end of 2018? This year seems to have just vanished like a cloud of smoke. 2018 had quite a few challenges, but also new opportunities. New decisions made. Changes. And 2019 is set to be full of them as well!

Adventures in Crochet: New Projects and Exciting News

It's officially December, and that means it's full on crochet time! I have so many projects that I want to get done or have started or have on deck. Today I figured I would share what I'm working on, what I'm finishing, and what I've purchased or snagged for upcoming projects. And then, I'll finish with some super duper fun and exciting news!

Finished Projects

I've knocked out a few hats in the same design. I love this Stacy Beanie with the puff stitch and slouchiness!