A cool summers day on the farm

Hope everyone is enjoying this fine summer here in the Midwest ! My heart goes out to those suffering drought and wildfires. It has been a perfect summer here just waiting for the tomatoes to ripen!

Little lessons

Well one thing I've learned over the years, restoring this 100+ farmhouse is this .... Please Sharon look at how much you've done ( progress) not at what you still have to do! This can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. 

And with starting my newest project I must remember this even more. I've started my largest project for the summer  of 2014 I have about 38 of almost 400 pickets on my picket fence painted. With the siding done a couple of years ago it's time I tackled this one myself. I don't have a lot of cash this summer. ( not that I ever do ) but this project had the capability to truly make an impact of the look for the whole farm. With farm camp being over, the mega yard sale over, the mega cleaning of barn and out buildings being simi over. Well it's time. The weather has been so nice. Next week threateneds to be hot! So why not. Here goes nothing ! Did I forget to say some of said fence is covered in poison ivy? Perhaps this is why it had taken so long to start this project. I got the paint right after school was out thinking I'd do it a little each day. No didn't happen so here are some pictures I'll keep you posted. I did the little gate this morning, and getting ready to go out and try to get another section done before noon. Have a wonderful week end friends !

A yummy rainy morning on the porch

Ahhh farm camp is over. It's a very nice quiet rainy morning here on the farm. Enjoying a cup of coffee on the front porch with the company of the pups, the bees, humming birds, cardinals , and jays, morning doves! Perfection! 

First day of farm camp 2014 July

Wow never ceases to amaze me how terrific kids are! Yesterday I got to hang

out with about 13 mixed age group of kids! We took today off because of storms in the area but will pick back up tomorrow ! Ellie dug up the mole in the picture! Well that was a first! 

Trees

One if the most special things about this farm is the trees! Not just any but the very very old, very very huge trees. They provide wonderful shade and accent the farm in a way only old trees can. Today we lost another huge branch of one today. Luckily it was early in the day and I could get someone right away to come and bring it the rest of the way down so no one would get hurt. Farm camp starts on Monday ! And why always before a holiday weekend do I need the services of a professional? Thank god it wasn't the vet this time! So now this brings the crucial question to my mind again. Do I have them cut down? I am sure they are all around the same age. It's very expensive to have this done. Not to mention the replacement trees I would like to have. But I know I won't live long enough to see them to this size. Someone who ever it was when this house was built over a 100 + years ago planted these trees. Silver maples. I am thankful for it. It will so change this farm when they come down.