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Spring Has Sprung

I stood in the yard last night and listened to a robin twitter a lovely tune. The crocus pushed past the snow last week and are blooming in my flowerbed. My kids run and play in the sunshine every day with the pup nipping at their heels. I saw meadowlark soaking up rays on their golden breasts while I brought a meal out to the Farmer in the tractor today. So in my book, it’s officially spring. We might have snow again soon, but it will melt fast.

“Spring has sprung, the grass has ris’, I wonder where the flowers is?”

Liz

Luke 12:27-28

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

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Frozen Stiff

13 Mar

March came in like a lion and it’s been a real bear. Am I mixing my metaphors?

We are grateful for all God’s blessings and provision no matter the circumstances; and events worldwide put our problems in perspective.

Still, there’s no doubt that the 6” of snow topped with 5” more of snow and subzero temps were troublesome to feeding cattle and calving. We got through subzero temps a couple weeks ago as well, followed by a GORGEOUS week, so we were grateful for that! But, during the frigid weather, diesel engines freeze up, waterers freeze up, and baby calves freeze to death. We do our best to prepare ahead of time and to be there in time to get a newborn calf into shelter if needed, but sometimes we areas not successful.

Ultimately, we just have to rely on God’s strength and provision. We do everything in our power and control; knowing that God is really in control and loves us.

And, like my Mom always says, “It all works out in the end. If it’s not working out, it’s not the end.”

And soon enough, the wind started blowing and the snow and ice started melting. And now there’s mud to contend with. So we will slop through, put out straw in the corrals and be thankful for the moisture because there are dry years we would ache for mud.

Liz

Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Tags: calving, feeding cattle, God's provision, ice, mud, Praising God, raising livestock, snow, winter

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Getting ALL The Good

4 Mar

I lost my Gramma Marcie last June and I miss her dearly. We moved back to my grandparents’ ranch in Chugwater, WY when I was 12. Not only did I get to finish growing up just down the driveway from her, but she generously invited me to live with her twice in my college/pre-married years. I didn’t realize how impactful that time would be and I am forever grateful for those precious days.

I was cleaning up supper leftovers one night this week when I had a “Marcie Moment”. I scraped the mashed potatoes into the container using the serving spoon. Normally it would have been more than adequate. But I flashed back to standing next to Gramma at her stove. We were cleaning up supper dishes and she saw what was left in the pan of which I had “finished” removing the contents. She fished a rubber spatula out of a drawer and handed it to me, directing me to get every last bit. Waste not, want not.

So Gramma, this one was for you. I probably rolled my eyes at your concern for that tiny bit of food. But I thank God for every lesson you taught me. Especially to make sure I’m getting ALL the good out of each moment.

Liz

John 6:12

¹²After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”

Tags: childhood memories, Depression Era Wisdom, grandma, grandma’s advice, lessons from grandma, waste not

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Holy Cow

25 Feb

It was Sunday and we worked with cows. Holy Cow!

Yes, I’m here all week! Tip your waitress!

Is this thing on?

I’ll be honest. I’m not out at the farm every day. What I’m saying is, I’m unreliable help. But on Sunday afternoon the kids and I ran out to tag along. We fed our mama cows who are due to calve in a few weeks. They eat in the bunk and then mosey back out to the field to frolic and play.

Or maybe just graze and chew their cud. They are really pregnant. I remember being really pregnant. There was no frolicking happening.

We also fed some bred cows in another field and doctored a sick one. Poor thing. I am so grateful we have the resources to help our animals when they are sick.

The temperature was in the 50s and calmer. The wind has been howling so it was nice for a bit of a break. Especially since it snowed and dropped to subzero temps this week. Who let winter back in? I want a name.

So we soaked up the nice weather while it lasted. The kids played on the ground corn pile and I’ll leave you with this sage advice from Ella.

“Don’t get corn in your underwear.”

You’re welcome.

Liz

Isaiah 6:3

³They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”

Tags: doctoring cattle, farm kids, farm life, feeding cattle, ranch kids, ranch life, winter farming, wyoming

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Sharing My Heart, Again

21 Feb

I’m starting all over. Trying to shake off the rust. Offering my perspective. A few years and another kiddo later, I’m looking forward to sharing my heart again.

If we haven’t met before, I’m Liz. A happy Christ-follower, farmer’s wife to Tyler, and mama of two kiddos, ages 6 and 3. We farm in SE Wyoming raising corn, pinto beans, malt barley and hay. We also have 200+ head of cows and a custom feeding operation. My life may be different than yours, but I promise we’re more alike than not.

Some of what I share might feel foreign. But I hope it’s mostly relatable. You might learn something new about a family farm, or maybe you’re out there doing the same thing in your part of the world. Maybe you’ve never stepped foot in a field in your life, but you know a sincere wife and mama when you see one. Whatever walk of life you come from, welcome!

Liz

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: ²a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Tags: farm blog, farm mom, farm wife, farmher, homestead, life in wyoming, wyoming, wyoming farm

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Day of Rest

10 Jul

I’ve been thinking this week about needing to take all of God’s commandments more seriously (see Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21). The one I neglect the most is keeping the Sabbath. This commandment was on my heart, and then my little girl got sick Saturday night and we took the Day of Rest very literally. I have no complaints.

Day of Rest

God Bless You & American Agriculture,

Liz

⁸“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. – Exodus 20:8-11

Tags: 10 Commandments, Day of Rest, Deuteronomy 5, Exodus 20, holding baby, Sabbath day, sick toddler

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Wyoming Wildflowers

1 Jul

As my birthday gift, my incredibly busy farmer husband took an afternoon off to take Ella and I for a drive. We drove up to Esterbrook (a little community of summer cabins) and back around Laramie Peak. It was beautiful and we even found a little spot to have a picnic by a creek. It made me nostalgic for the summers I spent at my Grandpa’s cabin in the high elevations of southern Colorado.

Much to my delight, the wildflowers were blooming away! My mom gave me the book “Wildflowers of Wyoming” by Diantha and Jack States two years ago for my birthday and I finally put it to good use. This book is so great for a novice because it has a color guide in the front. I did my best to identify these flowers, but if anyone has more knowledge and sees that I’ve make a mistake (or has a more specific identification) feel free to comment and help us all learn!

And one more thing. Before any of you go teasing me about these being “weeds” not “flowers”, I get it. I’m a rancher’s granddaughter. Grandpa Jim would tell me that locoweed is a dangerous plant, not a pretty flower. But, my definition (as taught to me by my agroecology professor, Dr. Wilson) is “a plant out of place.” And these plants were right where I needed them to be to lift my spirits…so that’s no weed.

Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Bluebell

This one I wasn’t quite sure of…my best guess was fleabane daisy…

Nuttall’s Evening Primrose

Common Harebell

Lambert’s Locoweed

Silvery Lupine

Wild Vetch

Wild Rose

Wild Geranium

Richardson’s Geranium

Indian Paintbrush

But the best flowers I saw on the entire trip were these beautiful gifts from God!

Ella and Black Eyed Susans | The Farm Paparazzi

Ella (holding Black Eyed Susans) and Tyler

God Bless You & American Agriculture,

Liz

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” – Isaiah 40:8

Tags: #thatsWY, beardtongue, black eyed susans, bluebell, common harebell, daisy, indian paintbrush, lambert's locoweed, nurall's evening primrose, silvery lupine, wild geranium, wild rose, wild vetch, wildflower identification, wildflowers, Wildflowers of Wyoming by Diantha States, wyoming plants

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Categories garden, report

Back to Blogging…I Hope

25 Jun

Here it goes. Another attempt at blogging. I’ve never been consistent, mostly because I didn’t want blogging to feel like a chore. But the last 18 months have been consumed by motherhood and I’m only now consistently showering, let alone contributing to my hobbies.

Being the mother of a toddler makes you really evaluate how you spend your time. I’ve been thinking a lot about the “point” of blogging. Although I’m big on communicating, I’ve never been a huge fan of social media for my personal life. I could go down the rabbit hole of why…but I’ll spare you. I know you get it. Real life is just more, well, real.

The main reason I started the blog was to share our life on the farm. Because after reading the twelfth article of the day about how evil/wrong we farmers and ranchers are, you just get plain fed up with the misinformation, misunderstandings, and flat out lies. And although I have doubts about my ability to make a difference and doubts about subjecting myself to criticism, I’ve concluded that it is worthwhile and I should forge ahead. We all have a story to tell and this is ours.

I’m looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family who’ve been readers in the past. And I’m looking forward to making new connections. So, onward and upward!

God Bless You and American Agriculture,

Liz

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Tags: AGvocacy, blogging, farm life

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Crawling Baby Photo Shoot

17 Oct

Each month I do a little photo session with Ella to mark her growth and progress. It’s what any good Pinterest mom would do.

In all seriousness, I just enjoy the creative outlet and it’s fun to brag about my kiddo.

The quilt was made by my Great Grandmother Helen and finished by my Aunt Mary. It’s called Pussy Willows. Adorable, right?

Ella has been very compliant (for the most part) as we do these photo sessions. But, three days after she turned 9 months old, she started crawling. It’s exciting and wonderful, but not conducive to these photo shoots. Allow me to demonstrate.

crawling-baby-photo-shoot-2 crawling-baby-photo-shoot-3 crawling-baby-photo-shoot-1 crawling-baby-photo-shoot-4