Welcome Comfort Farm

Memorial Day.

It is my honor to chair the Memorial Day Parade and Cemetery Services in my town. With the support of the entire community, our parade takes approximately one hour to go a mile because the participation is so great. As you spend today with your families, please remember those who have served and are currently serving in all branches of the military. Many of these families are missing dear ones who are in harms way or mourning those who will not be returning home. For all the military families out there, Thank you.

The boys were pretty thrilled to get a ride on the husband's Harley Davidson today. Wearing Joel's old helmet and leather jacket, they tooled around town and caught bugs in their teeth!

Country TV.

Yesterday evening I pulled up a chair and watched the kids play ball at the neighbors. They ranged in age from 6 to 14 years old and all played wonderfully together. With improvised bases. they ran and giggled and cheered each other on. It was a good day. Weather perfect. Many jobs well done and a weekend ahead of us!

Spuds and buds.

This afternoon we planted seed potatoes, acorn squash, summer squash and watermelon. Last night we had a frost and freeze warning and had to cover things that we already put in, so I am hoping that this will be the last of the frost for the season now. I have a lot more seedlings to get into the ground this week, along with more seeds to direct sow, weather permitting. Today I bought the boys and I our own hand garden tools to weed with and put our names on them. A good indicator of what is to come for the weeks and months ahead.

The seedlings in the "potager" located up by the house are coming up nicely now. It won't be long and we'll have peas, lettuces, radish and spinach to munch on. I am also looking forward to the news of the first harvest from the CSA we joined. (Community Supported Agriculture) A CSA is where you pay a local farmer a "share" in advance of the growing season and you reap the benefits of his harvest. Every week we will get a bushel of fresh produce off the farm. A good deal for the farmer and a good deal for us. I was lucky to find a farmer only 8 miles away.

Momma kitty moved her babies to the hoop house (our plastic green house), so working in there means being very cautious not to crunch any of the six babies! They  are inquisitive and always under foot. They are also available to a good home, so if you are in need of a kitten, you know who to contact!

2 Years to Grape Jam.

You wouldn't think putting in three lowly Concord Grape plants could be so exhausting. Maybe it's just my nearly 49 year old bones, but I'm thinking this gardening stuff used to be easier. The husband put the posts in and declared he was done for the day as well. But not before he commented he knew where they got the phrase, "Hitting ROCK bottom. We'll put some fruit trees out to the east of the grapes yet and still have plenty of room for the pumpkin patch. A row of Roma tomatoes and red potatoes will find their way out there too.

Earlier today the boys and I pulled weeds in the regular garden and put down compost. We have a few more nights of frost potential to worry about and then everything else can go in the ground. The "potager" up by the house is now sprouting peas, beans, lettuces, radish, carrots and herbs.  Onion sets will go in tomorrow.

This morning my daughter and I took our kids to visit the police and fire departments in town. My daughter has two young foster boys, and one of them made an inappropriate comment about the fire department. These kids have had only negative law enforcement experiences with their original families, so we decided an up close and personal visit with the police and fire departments were in order. Officer Wilkinson was awesome and gave the kids quite a tour. I can't put photographs of the foster boys on the web site, but below are my two, in some fire gear.

Hello Kitty.

This little fella hangs out in front of Patricia's barn and loves his tummy rubbed. The rest of her barn cats wouldn't dream of letting us do this, so we are all over this little guy with love and attention. Patricia's barn cats have a heated enclosure, warmed soft cat chow on a daily basis and straw bales to nestle in. You'd think they'd all be falling into our hands!

Ka-Boom.

Despite the rain, there was no driving by this weapon of mass destruction. Parked in front of a VFW along the route home from Ferris, the boys were completely ecstatic that not only could they stop and see it, but climb on it as well. Enamored with all manner of weaponry, all things camouflage, and battles of any kind, this was too much for them to resist. When their behavior gets out of hand and I entertain thoughts of how military school for these two wonder children probably wouldn't be such a bad idea, I find myself thinking, "Watch what you wish for!"

Kristy Graduates!

Kristy graduated with honors on Saturday from Ferris State University. Summa Cum Laude. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Communication. We are so very proud of her! She is going on to pursue a Doctorate at Western this fall. I will be happy to have her closer to home. I know I am their mom, but my kids are THE greatest!

We took the boys along and I am hoping that college life rubs off on them!

Canine companions!

Sit down around here and in the shake of a puppy's tail, you have a dog on you. Used as human pillows on a daily basis, we do love our dogs. Our household has 4 inside and 2 outside and we couldn't imagine life without them. Their personalities are unique and as individual as children. With all being rescues from abandonment and abuse, it is surprising how they are still so willing to give their companionship and loyalties to you. Three of our four inside the house have physical deformities and while they were rejected by others, it just makes them all the more special to us. Despite their differences, they don't let it slow them down or keep them from enjoying life around them.

Spring Planting Time!

After a big family breakfast of waffles, eggs and thick-sliced peppered bacon, we borrowed the tiller from my dad and got to work. I picked out old stick weeds and raked up rocks while Joel tilled all 40 by 24 feet of space. This is our "pumpkin patch", however, we also have Concord Grapes, Red Raspberries and Melons going in. It was a perfect weather day, with the only downside the black flies! I looked like a true farm gal with a floppy straw hat covering my head to deter the pesky blood-sucking critters. They didn't seem to bother the husband at all!

Olivia takes a break from helping dislodge rocks from the soil. Notice her muddy nose! Madeline (our other piggy) and Olivia both love to help with anything you are doing in the yard. Pigs are masters at rooting around in the dirt, so they really are a big help!

Gracie was trying to help too, even though she was in the next pen. Chewing at my shirt, grabbing for the tie strap bags and pulling at my hair, she was my shadow anytime I was within reach!

This is one quarter of the raised bed garden by the house I refer to as my "potager", or "kitchen garden". Newly planted, here are things like lettuces, herbs, beans, radishes, peppers, peas and carrots. Last year I planted tomatoes in pots along our hoop house and liked the outcome so well that I am repeating that for this year. A busy day, I have all the seeds and transplants in that can possibly be planted and seeded this early. Our last frost date here is mid-May, so I have to be careful about what goes in the ground yet.

We joined a CSA this year and I am very excited about it. A CSA is "Community Supported Agriculture". For a yearly fee, we pay a local farmer up front for a "share" and starting in June, we'll get a weekly share of his crops for the entire growing season. The veggies are numerous and  sometimes your share will include additional items like jams and candles. So we're off to an exciting start on our growing season and we anxiously await our first veggie!