Hello faithful readers of my blog…. I have no excuses for not updating the blog …LIFE is what has prevented me from keeping up. Where do I start. We have successfully completed a month of vegetable farming and CSA delivery, managed to attend three shows…Midwest Folk and Fiber, Convergence in New Mexico and the Farm Days at Cantigny Park in Winfield. Did you ever have one of those months that you cannot imagine how you could ever accomplish everything. Well, that sums up July 2010. Guess something had to give.. that was my precious BLOG. Sorry. I plan to be more dedicated in the upcoming months. I really wanted to do a daily entry so I could watch my progress on the farm for a year and you could share the experiences with me. As a brief update by week: Week of July 4th; spent the holiday planting seeds and transplants. didn’t say out to watch fire works since it was too buggy and was really tired and sore from all the garden work. Sheep are doing well .Surviving the heat and rains!! Lambs are all growing up nicely. Sweetie is getting house trained and is such a cutie.
Week of July 11th: sent Natasha art piece off to Convergence, Albuquerque. Getting products ready for Midwest Folk and Fiber Fest as well as boxes to ship to New Mexico. Averaging 15 hour days!! Rewarding and tiring at the same time. Stayed up in Grayslake for the show. Did well, thanks to the volunteers that manned the shop!! We are so grateful to all those friends that made this month a reality.
Week of July 18th: Got back late SUnday night and turned around to pick veggies and get ready to present at Dixon-Murst Farm. Needing to package up and get ready for trip on tuesday. Off on Southwest to New Mexico first thing Tuesday AM. Landed and set up booth. A dry warm heat, my bones loved it!! Did well in the hotel, no heart attack symtoms like the last several times I stayed in a hotel at shows. I requested a hypo allergenic room, really helped!! Met lots of interesting artists from all around the world. Natasha’s art piece look terrific and her vest made the fashion show( model did wear it inside out, oops). As soon as I can figure out the photo’s I’ll get them posted. Maybe Natasha will get them up on facebook.
Week of July 25th: Actually had a chance to visit a Farmer’s Market and chat with local New Mexico Farmers. They have many of the same issues that we are facing her in Illinois. Amazing. Enjoyed lots of NEw Mexico cuisine and brought back CHILI. Had a chance to enjoy Santa Fe for a day. Really need a car and an extra week to see more of the countryside. Perhaps a trip when the veggies are not growing would be better.
Week of July 25th: Hit the pavement running, had to pick and deliver, little time to even think of the trip. Still haven’t even unpacked the suitcases. Did get a chance to enjoy the Kendall County Fair- Eric was voted in a KING of the Fair!! I had a rewarding day demonstrating at the Cantigny Farm Days. Came to find out that the sheep on the park ground a 100 years ago were Cheviots, just like the breed we raise!!! Small world.
Week of August 1st: Happy August… getting sentimental about how fast the summer has flown by. Actually, it’s a relief to have the wet and muggy part getting behind us( Good perspective, Mary). Lambs have been separated from their mothers.. it’s called weaning. I’m never good at this. They both cry until the are horse. Cannot do much about it. Some of the lambs really are fine with it and some of the moms are really happy to not have to nurse any more. Now the lambs will be able to eat in peace with out the competing for their food. We will be celebrating our 27th Weeding (funny typo) Wedding Anniversary on August 5th. Wow!! where did all those years go??? I am very grateful for the memories . Eric will be heading off to BlackHawk College in a week. I sure will miss him!! For all those moms and sisters that will be missing their sons, daughters and siblings.. please come visit the shop for a group hug!! For all those moms who will be senting their children back to school, let’ pray for a safe school year and a chance to be more rested . I just heard an interesting study that dementia is caused by sleep deprevation, lack of good nutrition and water. These are three critical factors that contribute to brain cell deteriorization. On a happier note… HAPPY August. Wonder what the month will have in store?? We will be at Stitches on August 19-22 in Schamburg, ILLInois in boothe 735/737 near the food!!
Cannot believe that all that activity could be condensed down to four paragraphs. Missing are the details of all the interesting people we meet and are thankful to come in contact with. We are truly blessed with great friends, helpers, family, and customers. Thank you Lord.
Love,
Donna the sheeplady is back!!!
