CHANGE IN THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

In my zeal for planning our First Annual Family Farm Picnic, I neglected to consult a most trusted friend. I have sought advice on when to plant, where to plant, what to plant, will there be rain, will there be snow, what will grow. I have lived my farm life according to the dictates of the  Farmers Almanac. Pish Posh you say!! Well more often than not it is right on the mark, or pretty darn close to it. The date of October 15 has an ominous forecast. Unless you are a family of ducks, it would  probably be a miserable day spent under severe thundershowers and cold winds. First rattle out of the box, we are changing the date to Saturday November 5, from noon until 3:00PM. The forcast for that day is dry and mild. We will plan accordingly. All of those who have already called for reservations, will be given a spot on the new date. If you are unable to attend, just let us know. All else will remain the same. Now if, by chance, we wake up that Saturday morning with grey skies, drizzle, or.....snow flurries, I will gracefully acknowledge that there is always a margin of error, and we will again reschedule. Updates and more information will follow, hopefully with only a minor change here or there. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

A VERY IMPATIENT PUMPKIN !!!

Just couldn't wait until October, tis way to far away. This little guy wants to make himself known  RIGHT NOW!!! Hopefully he will have lots of brothers and sisters!!!                             

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

We are finally making plans for our Fall Family Picnic here at the farm. The date will be Saturday, October 15, starting at 12:00 noon. We will continue the festivities until 3:00 P.M. There will be a charge of $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children,( babes in arms are free) which will include a picnic lunch, of a BBQ sand or Hot Dogs, Veggies, chips, lemonade, brownies, going hand in hand with bang up entertainment, a wagon ride, farm tour and more! As our space is limited we will plan for a certain amount of  guests. We will take reservations before the date. Families can pay upon arrival that day. We are asking all to bring an old blanket or spread to lay on the grass, on which to eat your lunch and listen to The Full Quiver Bluegrass Band. Call or e-mail us to reserve a spot for your family. Let us know your last name and the number that will be included in your group. We will contact you with a confirmation of your reservation. If all goes well, the pumpkins will be ready. Fall treats will be available for purchase in the market.... popcorn balls, caramel apples, pumpkin cookies etc. More detailed information will follow! We are so excited!!! From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

HINT OF AUTUMN!!!

REMNANTS OF A LONG HOT SUMMER!!!

THE NEVERENDING GIFT!!!!

I am convinced that 4 good rows of okra will solve the worlds hunger situation. The rows can be picked clean one day and loaded with pods the next.....and it is 110 degrees outside, with not a hint of rain in sight! The farm is weathering the heat wave, one day at at time. Our days have become a routine, water the animals, cool a spot on the ground for the animals, water the crops, water the animals again, cool another spot on the ground, water the pasture, water the animals again. Our efforts have been successful, as we have had no heat related casualties.(not counting some of the tomato plants) Lulu gave us a scare with her heat stroke episode, but she has survived, and she is basking in the extra attention she receives to assure her comfort. The market has not had cow milk for a while, due to the extreme heat, we are letting the calves get all that they can get from Mama. The goats are carrying the load for milk production. The girls are doing a superb job of keeping up with the demand. The chickens are still iffy. They lay just enough eggs every so often to keep them from the stew pot! I have got to learn how to tell if a hen is past her production years. The last time we gave away what we thought were our old hens, our egg production dropped by half.  Today will be the first time I am not in the market ( except for the holidays) as I am giving a presentation sponsered by the Fort Worth Organic Garden Club at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth on the wonderful world of goats. A series of different speakers will be there on various subjects pertaining to sustainable living. It is free to all, starts at 9:00 am. I am looking forward to sharing with everyone our Caprine Connection. Mostly, since I have been blessed with the "Gift of Gab". I am excited about a captive audience that has to listen to me as I rattle on about one of my most favorite subjects! Our daughter will be in the market today, doing her best to assist any visitors coming for dairy, honey, meat, etc. Our market hours are Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 pm. Thurs. are still set aside for the CSA, and because that one has been such a hit, we will be opening another one next Spring. More information on that later. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

THE RAINMAKER!!!

The nightly rain dancing didn't do it! The scathing insults directed to the weatherman didn't do it! So remembering the principle that the Lord helps those who help themselves, we decided to "create" some rain so that He would help our crops and pastures to grow! Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. Here you see my new SUV disguized as a Water Wheel! It may not get 34mpg, but it will sure drop an inch of " rain " wherever you want it to. The fields are dry, the crops are begging for more water, and the animals patiently await the daily water puddles. I would only feel guilty driving a new to me vehicle, anyway, knowing the dire need for water on every inch of the farm. ( I tell the Farmer, I just need wheels to get me from point A to point B without incident, doesn't matter what it looks like or sounds like, just let it get me to where I need to go and back!) I will put my fleeting desire for a vehicle with air conditioning, a CD player and windows that roll up, on the back burner, saving it for a RAINY day! Incidently, the market is open on Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 pm. The pantry shelves are getting stocked with pickles and preserves. The baked goods will be on the bakers rack again soon, and the honey is plentiful. The goat milk products and meat are still available. The produce and eggs are meager! The cows milk is nil! This is farming in Texas and we have learned to be inovative and patient. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!