Grandsons are awesome . . . and strong!

We had a project planned for the weekend. Lucky for us we were able to recruit some help. With summer coming sooner than later we really need to get a garden planted. We decided to build a couple of raised beds to get us started. Two trips to Lowes to pick up rough cut cedar for the boxes, wired mesh to line the bottom to keep the gophers away, and 54 cubic feet of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil . . . we're ready to go!

Our two grandsons from Simply Country spent the night with us and were anxious to give us a hand. Check out what was accomplished. 

The first day CD and Ken worked together to build the garden box.

Cd would listen carefully while Ken explained each procedure.

He learned quickly and soon took over.

It was a pleasure to watch him easily adapt to working with the tools.

They had fun working together.

The second day JD joined the team. After breakfast I told them we'd pay them each ten bucks to unload the truck for us. A nice deal for them, an even nicer deal for us.

There were 27 bags of soil, each weighing about 50 pounds. It would have taken us an entire day if we had to do that chore by ourselves.

The two boys and Ken, with the help of the tractor and trailer, were able to get the job done in an hour.

They even filled the first box.

One box all ready for planting.

CD grinning as the last bag is added to the stack.

Life is good!

Catcher CD and the Yankees

What a difference a year makes in a ten-year-old's baseball skill level. This year CD plays catcher often for the Yankees in the Oakhurst Little League here in our mountain community. He is getting to be quite an accomplished player compared to four years ago when one would often see him "dancing" out in left field . . . or looking down at his shoelace to make sure it was tied correctly! Here are some shots I took the other day as CD played catcher. Needless to say it was an exciting game to watch. Yankees won 8 to 7 — go Yankees!

Warming up the pitcher.

Got it!

Always on the ready for an out from third base runner coming in.

Waiting for the fast ball.

Here it comes!

Taking his turn at bat.

Yankees 8 - Dodgers 7!

Life is good!

A Special Night for a Super Sophomore

Last night we had the privilege of attending the Annual Spring FFA Banquet at Minarets High School. It was an evening filled with pride for our granddaughter, Karah, who has worked extremely hard this year participating in the FFA program. Being born and raised as a city girl, I had no idea until I moved to the country what a fantastic program FFA is. I always thought that in FFA one could learn to be a good farmer . . . PERIOD! 

Well, that's just not the case. Yes, indeed, one can learn to be a good farmer through FFA, however everything from Public Speak to Parliamentary Procedure to Judging Horses to Leadership Skills to Banking to Floriculture—you name it— can be learned in FFA's program.

If you click on this image you can see the plethora of opportunities FFA offers. The program, including diner, lasted three hours, however to see the smiles on the hard-working award recipients was well worth it.

This is the first of several awards Karah received, including "Farm Records"-"Point Award Level 4"-"Outstanding Sophomore" - "Academic Excellence" - "Parliamentary Procedure" - "Horse Judging" - "Prepared Public Speaking"

Some awards are framed, some are plaques, and some are in the form of pins which are worn with pride on their FFA jackets.

But what Karah was most anxious to hear was whether or not she made the "Leadership Team." And of course that was the last award of the evening. She had prepared and delivered a speech over twenty times the day before to get the student body to vote for her. Fourteen students ran for one of nine spots on the Leadership Team. She is pictured here, far right, standing as the 2011-2012 Treasurer for her FFA Chapter.

The evening was filled with pride and joy!

Life is good!

One Week Old

They are growing so fast . . . day by day their little pin feathers on their wings keep getting longer and longer . . . it's just amazing! We're starting to get to know their infant personalities and have given a couple of them their names.

"Hannah Penninah" named after my Great Grandmother Hannah Penninah McKee, who came to the states from Ireland in the 1800s!

This chick is the unique chick in the group. We chose to name her Alice, a dear old family friend who was a unique character.

The chicks are so fun to watch. They keep very busy running back and forth from the feeder to the waterer. No wonder they are growing so fast. Next week we'll have to move them to a larger brooder-box if they keep growing at this rate. There are 16 "feed-holes" for the chicks to share . . . but there seems to be a few chicks waiting in line for their turn!

Life is good!

Introducing . . . Daisy, Katie, Myrtle, Alma May, Hanna Penninah, Eleanore, and Alice

One day old . . . we'll have our own fresh eggs by fall!

Life is good!

Welcome "May Flower"

Born on Cinco de Mayo, this latest addition to Karah's dairy herd has been given the name "Maya Flor" or loosely translated May Flower. She is the daughter of "Cover Girl" and the little sister of "Missy Moo!" All are doing well.

Last year when Cover Girl was in labor for the first time in her life (and in the life of Simply Country Farm) there was quite a lot of anxiety and stress going on between Jen, Karah, and a few of their goat-loving friends. But with their help Cover Girl got through it fine, however the babies (twins) had to be bottle-fed. Quite a different picture at Simply Country Farm this year, however. Cover Girl was in labor in the afternoon but hadn't delivered when it was time to call it a night. Jen was in the house and her youngest son came out of the bedroom and said "Mom, I think I heard Cover Girl cry out." Jen, 20 minutes later after finishing up watching a program on TV, ventured out to the barn . . . and lo, and behold, Cover Girl managed to give birth to her baby girl all by herself and is nursing and loving May Flower beautifully.

These pictures were emailed from Jen's phone. May Flower is number six in Karah's herd.

Life is good!

Spring Green

When we moved into our new home there were no leaves on the trees except for the Manzanita. What a difference there is now that spring has sprung.

This picture was taken just a few days before Christmas . . . the naked Golden Oaks sprinkled among the fully dressed Manzanitas.

Now the same fully dressed Manzaniita and Golden Oak share the hillside.

Seems we have a couple of Lavendar patches!

What a beautiful day . . . blue blue sky!

We knew we had a rose bush on the side of the house, however we now can see what a pretty red rose it produces!

Life is good!

This n' That

Since we've moved into our new house I've been anxiously awaiting for spring to come so that I can figure out what this bush is growing under the kitchen window. Now that it has bloomed, I am still clueless as to what it is. Anyone??

Close-up of the beautiful clusters of tiny white flowers.

There seems to be two kitties scoping out our place. This is one of them. We've left food out for them hoping they like this place. It would be nice to have a "mouser" in residence. Here she is stalking a gopher . . . she had more patience than I did. I gave up watching to see if she ever snagged it!

I love this time of year when artichokes are at their peek. Anyone who knows me well is familiar with my fondness of them. One of my childhood memories is that of my mom cooking one for me for my birthday every year. I picked this one up at the grocery store the other day. It is the prettiest and largest one I've ever seen. I swear it was six inches in diameter! And we shared it for dinner last night . . . delicious!