** The sky that finally gave us some much-needed rain.**  Consider this post several!

Spring Sky in the evening…….

Spring must have arrived because it’s been crazy, busy around here on the Callens Farm!  There doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to accomplish our long lists.  But, we keep plugging away because we know that things will eventually get done one thing at a time.

We had  Gramma Charlene’s 80th Birthday party the other day in Minneota.  That was quite the occasion for her.    Then on Sunday we had our nephew Nicholas’ First Holy Communion.   Mario will make his First Holy Communion May 26!

Fred’s mom with two of her sons, some granddaughters and great-grandchildren, at her party in Minneota.

Gramma Charlene Callens with Anya, Cael and Kallie Jo at her birthday party.

Lambing season is just about over and that has kept us very busy.  The weather this year was downright nasty.  Here are the latest photos of lambs and mothers.

Part of our lamb and sheep herd.

Lambs and ewes on the hill.

Fred has been working some very long hours and we miss having him around.  He came home last night at 11:30 p.m. and had to be back on the road at 4:30 a.m.  The things we do to make a living:)  We went to the city-wide garage sales last week and that was really fun……….until my brakes went out in the truck.  Holy smokes, what an awful feeling that is and especially on a main drag in Marshall.  Thanks to my two VERY WONDERFUL SONS IN LAW………we survived that episode without a scratch.  I love you both Luke and Peter! Thank you for helping us out!   This ordeal reminds me of the very reason why we pray.

Father and son, fixing the brakes….what a great place here on the farm for boys to learn hands on.

Fred and Rowdy take a break for some Pasta Carbonara before working on the brakes. Rowdy was begging pretty good and ended up with some nice chunks of bacon for his efforts!

We took the canoe out for a test run on the slough, which is lovely this time of year and full of geese and ducks of all kinds.  There were beavers about as well and plenty of other folks  who were driving around our dirt roads looking for wild life and beauty in the evening.  The kids have been four wheeling plenty which can only mean that Spring has sprung.  Although it has been pretty cold out, too cold to put plants out……..we are hopeful that soon it will warm up even more. The gardens are all planted except for the tomatoes, peppers, and other such cold sensitive crops.

The front garden is planted with potatoes only.

Our second garden is planted with everything else that is able to be planted before the last  frost date.

The incubators have produced an abundant crop of replacement layers and last count there were 105.  We are getting several dozen eggs a day which is a sure sign of Spring and longer days.  Eggs now become a large part of our meals…….creatively hidden in dishes, baked goods and breakfast cuisine.

The chicks from the incubator are in their new home now. These are a mix from different hatches.

The steer and hog are in the freezer and we’ve been hoarding the best steaks for our company.  I should say, the beef is so tender you hardly have to chew it; I kid you not!  You can’t beat the flavor of Jersey beef in my opinion.

Home raised Jersey beef from the farm to the table.

Mario age 8, you do not work, you do not eat:)

This one is for you Mom~!  Two weeks and counting……………………………….

We have not yet started getting the barn ready for the BARN DANCE on May 31.  If you’d see it in there right now you’d probably question our sanity!  It is full of nesting turkey’s, ducks, feathers, hay, straw, equipment, coal, scrap lumber, tin, dust and cobwebs!  We’ll deal with that next week we think.  Yikes, and then there is the out house to make ready….I forgot about that:)

Our messy barn, soon to be cleared out for the dance!!

Yesterday, was the first day that we did not have our outdoor wood stove going.  Can you believe that?  It felt a bit chilly in here last night and the thought crossed my mind today to light that fire or possibly the wood stove in the basement, but I am holding out.  God is good and is sending us some much-needed rain now.

This HARDY wood stove kept us warm all winter and provided us with our very hot water. What a great outdoor wood burner.

I feel very blessed to have my five grandchildren living  nearby and we get to see them plenty.  It’s fun to help out with the kids when busy parents try to get things done or do errands and catch a date or two.  What a great way to live, really, who better to watch your children here and there than your extended family?  The kids are well-behaved and very easy to tend.  They actually listen!

Anya, Maura and Cael Dougherty, kids of Jess and Luke.

Me and Blase Weston Ryland son of Frenchy and Peter. I am a grandmother…….wow:)

Kallie Jo and Bella out in the barn.

Cael Dougherty, like his father, Luke, a country boy!

Caleb has been spending a good deal of time over at Clayton’s place.  There is plenty of work to get done there with fencing, building,  yard work, driveway fixing and some colt riding.   I love that he can gain some good experiences from someone whom he can look up to.   I love Clayton’s farm site and below are a few photos taken last week.

Clayton Callens horse training farm has a very long driveway!

Clayton’s house and our “new” pickup truck:)

One side of Clayton Callens training facility.

Caleb and Maggie hanging out with Apache at Clayton’s place.

Clayton’s arena and part of the round pen.

Shed that houses the horses he is training.

Horse stalls at Clayton’s place.

We made a very fun road trip out to Waubay, South Dakota  to pick up some special seed similar to alfalfa.  It’s a clover called Remont Sanfoin.  It is supposed to be great for bees.  On the way, there was road construction on Highway 75 and I ended up getting lost somewhere in Duel County, South Dakota.  I was trying to make my way to Watertown for some shopping and then on to our friends farm, when I realized I had no clue where I was.  It was well worth it though because it was absolutely gorgeous out in those hills.

This very odd-looking seed Remont Sanfoin is what we picked up in South Dakota.

Hurrying to plant a tiny plot of the grass seed before the rain last night.

Some miscellaneous photos taken on our farm last night, Wed. May 9, 2013

Nice pack of piglets staying warm.

View of the south side of our farm and some of the horses.  Luke and Jessi’s place in the background.

Our source of milk, butter, cream, ice cream, cheese and yogurt and many a good sauce or soup for our meals.

The milking parlor after chores, made ready for the morning’s milking. Wood chips are set in place for the cows front hooves.

Feeder pigs not quite ready for sale.

The turkey’s roosting for the night.  There are approximately 30 on the farm so far.

View of the quonset and the dirt being leveled.

Lonely boar, proud father of many! He’s a Poland China / Black Hampshire cross.

Isabella Angel goofing off with a steer.

Kallie Jo was hanging out with us last evening and is caught here climbing fences with her Aunt…….Bella!

Two peas in a pod,  the “sweet” variety of course.

That about sums up the last few weeks.  Plenty of work topped with just the right amount of play.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM………TO THE VERY BEST!!  I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.  What a great example you are to me.   We miss you and will see you in a couple of weeks! xxxoooo  Sandra