Tanks

This crazy get-up is the anhydrous rig. I snapped this picture on the one day in April the weather cooperated enough to allow Brian to apply the fertilizer. They ran several acres in the 24 hour dry spell. But now it's raining. Again.

So what are they up to now? Swiping tanks. That thing that looks like propane on wheels comes from the local Co-op, as does the anhydrous. In order to run you need (well, first you need dry weather) a steady stream of tanks being pulled from Co-op to the field. I have actually known my husband to set his alarm clock for 4:00 or earlier AM to be the first in line for tanks of anhydrous. If you have to wait in line at Co-op, or Co-op runs out and you have to wait for a new shipment, you are accomplishing nothing in the field. As we are now several weeks behind schedule it is imperative not to sit twiddling our thumbs should the sun ever shine again.

So we are swiping tanks. There are several tanks near the shed, more in the next field, and some more sitting in the field planned after that.

Now we just need to store up some sunshine!

Just a Little Bit

Brian is in town purchasing chemical and fertilizer for the planting season. While he is there he will be getting some Respect.


Shouldn't everone?


But apparently this is a brand of fertizlier. Who knew?


Suppose they sell it at Wal-Mart?

My Farmer

You've probably never heard of the North Missouri Agri-Life magazine. Don't feel bad; until recently I hadn't either.

However! If you should stumble across the spring 2009 issue, you should turn to page 27 to see the best lookin' farmer I know! (That would be my husband, not my father-in-law. Although if anyone asks, he is adorable.)

The two page article is mostly about my father-in-law's move from teaching high school math to full time farming. It talks about choosing to pass on a family tradition etc., etc. It also discusses the risks involved these days in row crop farming. But I just like the photo. Brian and his dad are standing in front of the STX Case IH tractor (think big red tractor.) wearing coveralls, Carhart coats, and frayed farm hats. Hubby has that really adorable smile I love.

That's my farmer.

If Only

If we could just hold out for a few more days it could actually happen.

What could happen? you ask.

Farming.

Real farming. The kind that involves more than eating hot dogs at the local tractor dealership and looking at lawn mowers. (Although we do need a lawn mower, so I'm glad we went.) But I'm talking pulling tanks and disking corn stalks. Running the anhydrous bar and repairing terraces. Mopping the dinning room and making dinner. Oh. Scratch that last bit.

The weather is finally warm, and with the wind we have going here the ground should dry out in no time. If only it would stay dry!

Promised Pics

Terrible Twos

It's official. The little guy is two. Terribly two. Right now he's sitting on my lap screaming at me because I will not let him play with the electrical outlet. What a mean Mommy.

The fun part about turning two was the Birthday Party. I had tons of fun planning and scheming to make it just right. And I think it turned out really well. I created a dump truck cake, "birthday zone" sign, and CAT truck center pieces. With yellow and orange balloons it all came together!

His birthday present from Mom and Dad was a swing set (see old post here!). We invited his Sunday School class and they broke the set in nicely.

I'm working on a picture trails slide show, so I'll post more later. Right now my screaming toddler has fallen asleep in my arms.

Two is not completely terrible.

Share

It certainly does not feel like spring. Spring should be warm (or at least not snowing) with cheerful tulips and magnolia trees in blossom. Instead we have frost advisories and rain, rain, and more rain. Which, naturally, puts a bit of a damper on the farm's plans.

Brian would like to be done with anhydrous by now, in reality he has hardly started. Corn could be going in the ground within a week or two; I count us blessed if the ground dries out by the end of the month!

They are hauling a lot of grain to town on a somewhat miraculous contract. The Chicago Board of Trade is not paying much of anything for commodities, but the local markets still need corn and beans. Brian and his Dad worked a deal with a local plant to deliver corn now at a great price! It meant locking in prices for next year-- which is an uncertain business-- but for the moment it appears to be a great deal, both now and next year. The other plus, the little guy can ride in the semi as Brian hauls the grain. Provided he doesn't scream in his car seat for pancakes all the way to Kansas City and back that is!

So if you are reading this from some sun drenched plain or scorching desert, please. Share.

Glad You Asked

Soon it will be spring time on the farm and I will be able to entertain and enlighten you about all matters agriculture.

But not yet. Brian is still hauling grain to town (prices are down, down, down) and fixing things here and there. They ordered chemicals the other day, but nothing too exciting.

So what is exciting? So glad you asked. The answer-- watching bread rise.

Yep. It's my new favorite pastime. Yesterday I got one of the best loaves yet! If you haven't heard about my obsession, check out No More Bricks at http://www.breadclass.com/. If you have heard about it-- why aren't you baking bread!!! Last night I made bread bowls and Tuna Chowder. It. was. so. good.

Seriously. Join me.

ENTIRE HOUSE

I really am still here. I have just been... busy.

Which is everyone's excuse, I know. But to prove it I shall now list all I have accomplished in my bloggy absence.

Cleaned: every room, every closet, every drawer in my ENTIRE HOUSE.

Organized: every room, every closet, every drawer in my ENTIRE HOUSE.

Dusted: every shelf, every nick-knack, every book in my, well you get it.

Attacked: every cobweb, every dust bunny, every mouse dropping.

It feels WONDERFUL! Unfortunately I have a toddler, so it won't stay this way long. But at least all that deep down dirt is GONE!

Now, please send clean-up cure for typing in all capitals with exclamation points...