The Wedding - Part 2 - Cattle yard turned wedding chapel?

I'm back, promising photos from Part 2 of  "The Wedding" and we'll be sharing about the wedding site in our yard, actually our old cattle yard.  I'm hearing... "what?"...well, it was a cattle yard a couple of decades ago.  Yes, we really did have cattle in this area.  The cows, the bunk and the silos are gone, but the shed in the background is the "chapel" that served as the site for Danielle and Aaron's wedding!

It is really a pretty place in our yard and was quite beautiful for an outdoor wedding spot!  Danielle and Aaron had intended to use the corn field as a backdrop for their wedding but the corn was only a few inches high so it was decided that it wouldn't have made the cut for nice wedding pictures.  I'm sure that Great Grandpa and Grandma Satterlie (who lived here first) would have never thought that one day a wedding would take place in the yard, especially where the cattle use to hang out!

Once again, pinterest reigned and great ideas were formed about how to create a wedding place.  I remembered that I had two crocks (from the quilt shop days) that would work perfect to hold pots of flowers.  Randy had fashioned some shepherd hooks from re bar metal and they became a wonderful hanger for some gorgeous hanging baskets.

An aisle or should we say, path was inviting with hooks holding hanging canning jars filled with fresh flowers.

Danielle and Aaron love camping and campfires so they wished to use logs in their wedding decor.  We scavenged some from Grandpa Kay. Grandma Judy designed more canning jars filled with baby's breath that were placed on the logs to soften and add a bit of romance to the day.

Besides the shed (chapel), the other oldest building in our yard is the chicken coop.  Yes, it also used to house chickens and even after we bought the farm from Randy's grandparents, we continued to have laying hens and sell eggs.  Gratefully, the shed is now used as a catch all and no more chickens live in it or ever will again...don't ask...HAHA!  (and I'm really not joking - I love eating chicken and eggs, end of story on that!)
Sorry, had to vent a minute......the chicken coop made a really great place to write with chalk and in fact as I write this today, it's still there (even after all the rain we've had!)

One thing that I really wanted for the "kids" wedding were signs that made a love story.  Of course I had seen the idea on "you know where" and the fact that Danielle loves to read (an understatement), it was appropriate to create that for her wedding.  I found some old boards in a shed.  I wrote in paint marker "Once...upon a time....two people....fell in love....and happiness....ever after.....starts here!"  Randy screwed them crookedly (on purpose) to stakes and we placed them down our driveway!  Yep, maybe a little redneck, but we loved it!

We have enjoyed all the comments we've received from "The Wedding" Part One.  Several of you have suggested that we start a business.  First of all, we appreciate the very kind words, but no way is that going to be happening.  We'd love to give people ideas, hence this blog, but we were our own bridezilla, mom and her sisters...hee-hee!  No really, we all worked great together.  Once in awhile, we'd have a "arrh" moment but what mom and sisters don't - right?  It was truly a wonderful experience.  Secondly,  no one could afford us, because the moments we spent together were priceless and how do you place a value on that?

We look forward to sharing "The Wedding" - Part Three.  The actual day and event itself, once the photographers have worked their magic on the hundreds of pictures they took.  We found a fun online site to place photos, words and music together to create a slide show and God willing, we'll set that up and blog away!  Till we chat again....

Hugs- Julie

"The Wedding" - Part 1 - farm shop, reception hall?

Hello, Hello!!  It's been a crazy few weeks around here as we were finally able to finish our farm planting and start sprucing up the place to get ready for our daughter's wedding.  A year of planning and in one day it's over!! But WOW, what an awesome day!  We are thrilled to add another son-in-law to our family!  Please oblige and enjoy with us as we share Part One of "The Wedding"!

Our farm shop became the reception hall.  The walls are quite high so to keep the echoing at a minimum, we purchased some parachutes from our neighbors, the Martin's - (thanks guys!) and put them up using several hands, a forklift and a lift (that we borrowed from Anderson Electric - thanks Tyler! - by the way we still owe you?!) and we had a parachute ceiling. Cool, I say!

The tables, chairs, linens and backdrops arrived in a rain storm (thankful for a large shop door!).  The guys from Geyer Rental (you rock!) had everything we requested and unloaded in record time and off we were to decorate and turn a farm shop into a wedding venue that the newlyweds-to-be had envisioned.

"Ta-dah" and a wedding reception it is!

Danielle (the bride,) her sisters and I spent different times throughout the past year working on decorations for the reception.  It was fun to be crafting together and the results were fabulous!

We have to admit that Pinterest played a big part of the idea process, actually too many ideas.  We all had boards for the wedding, but it was neat to know that we had many of the same things "pinned' to our boards.

Table Centerpieces

An old ladder that we found in the garage served as a great place to display photos of Danielle and Aaron. The crocheted doilies that were made by Danielle's great-grandma Sarah many years ago, found a special place as well and added that family personal touch!

We loved taking some old bulletin boards and a display board and turning them into chalkboards.  Note: Buy yourself some chalkboard paint and just paint away.  The paint will soak into a bulletin board, so you'll have to do a couple of coats, but it works so cool!

Godmother/Aunt Deb created the awesome old window decoration that was used for a bridal shower and we borrowed to use for the reception.  It worked perfectly for the guestbook and gift table. (Thanks Deb!) Danielle and Aaron also had another great place to share photos of their special times together!  The kids (that's what we call them! hee-hee) wanted people to share marriage advice as their guestbook.  They will be placing the sentiments written into a scrapbook along with their wedding day photos.

Another great Pinterest idea!

Everyone loved the candy bar that Danielle and Aaron created.  They choose their favorite candies from their childhood and today.  The old dresser worked great for the "counter".  It was defiinitely a hit!

Don't you just love the pictures of the "kids" when they were little!!

How can you not "LOVE" using the large paper mache' letters.....they work so wonderful to fill in odd places, like this window well for instance!

**Thanks to Tom and his team from Zens Creative Catering for the most delicious meal. Thanks also to Elden's Foods/Bakery  for making the cupcakes - YUMMY!!

A big thanks to Mahrie and staff from Backroads Steakhouse for the cocktails, appetizers, BBQ's and keeping everyone in good spirits (literally) throughout the evening.  Thanks also to Karl and his son from Multiple Choice DJ  for the super music - everyone loved it!!
**ALL of you are AMAZING and we highly recommend you!

A very special thanks to our family for everything you helped us do for this special day. You all mean the world to us and we couldn't have made it be what it was without you!!

We were so thrilled with everything and how it turned out.  We told the kids that when we built a farm shop that they could use it for a wedding reception.  We really never thought they would take us seriously, but how fun for everyone!   Watch later this week for "The Wedding" Part 2 - farmyard, wedding chapel?

Hugs- Julie

Celebrating Earth Day!

It is with pleasure as a third generation farm family that we celebrate Earth Day today by working God's land!   Farmers tend to get a bad rap sometimes on their stewardship practices.  Everyone must understand that if we weren't good stewards, we would be putting our livelihood and future at great risk.  If we don't do the best job that we can to keep our soils intact and safe we would lose our jobs, basically our life!

This is the scene I have out my kitchen window.  It may not look like much to you, but to me it means food on my table!  The rich deep earth just yearning for a chance to shine by becoming a nursery to the seeds that will be planted, harvested and than shared with the world.  How can that not make me be proud to be a farmer's wife?

Every year, we are giddy with anticipation of what this land, that we call home, has in store for us.  Will it have the ability to produce a good crop?  Will the rains come in a timely fashion?  Will the temperature be just right?  Farmers play a chance of risk every time they set out to start a new year and we are ready for the challenge.

The seed is ready too!  If I could hear them speaking, I think they are saying..."pick me...me first!"

As farmers start this 2014 crop year, I pray that all will be safe and that their hard work will be rewarded with a good year!

Happy Earth Day!

~hugs~  Julie

A bit out of sync...

Okay, I have to admit, I've been a bit out of sync lately.  I haven't been following my own schedule for productivity with this blog, quilting, cleaning, you name it. My concerns were heartfelt with my doctor yesterday as she shared with me that I was finally (hopefully) in the "real" stage of...you guessed it - menopause.  You see I've been in the "stage" for about three years now and just when I think - yup - Done!  Not! - start again - Grrrrrr!

My lack of concentration, feeling more warm than usual, sluggish and according to my husband, moody - what? has led me to want to just curl up on the couch.  This morning I decided enough is enough - women go through this everyday, every year, I'm not alone....so it's time to get back in the groove.

We finished our soybean harvest at 4 am a few days ago.  The rains came again (trying to be positive - we need moisture in the ground for next year), just hard to have rain during harvest time.  We started picking corn and it's quite muddy, but going well.  We hope the major snow doesn't come too early or maybe, just maybe, we'll get an Indian summer?!?  One could only hope!

Soybean Harvest 2013 DONE!

I had so much fun working on this hat for my granddaughter ( yes, while feeling sorry for myself, sitting on the couch and waiting for the next "taxi" service call) that I just had to share with you.

I'm not the world's best knitter - I do it for fun!

Besides, she loved it and that's all that matters!

It all started with this wonderful ball of wool yarn that I purchased at the state fair this year - yes, this year! Can you believe it, and it's done! Amazing for me!

I found a really fun and easy pattern in this book from my stash.  There are many other projects that are calling my name!  I recently saw the book at our local JoAnn's Fabric store, so I believe it's still in print.

So...back to work crabby lady...who me?

Still lovin' farming...and cooking....and crafting....and etc.
-Julie-

Harvest 2013 has begun!

It's the end of September and we're finally in the field.  This is the event of the year for a crop farmer - HARVEST!  All your hopes come to light as you start the harvesting process and count your blessings that there is a crop to combine and you can be a part of feeding the world!

As we've been following the crop growth throughout the last few months, it's noted that we started out with good moisture and mild temps.  From the 4th of July through the first part of August, we received very trace amounts of rain and the temps were HOT!  This is where a farmer knows that he is truly the caretaker of God's land and puts it all in His hands.

Since we've only harvested three fields, we're not completely sure what the average overall yield will be, but we know it's not a bin buster - darn!?!  The guys just say "it's okay".  When we're done with all the fields, bins measured and elevator bushel tickets added, I'll know what "okay" is and how much we have to sell.  This is the risk part of our business.  Our crop yield is an unknown, so we are careful to manage our risks by our input costs and our marketing skills (which we work on daily!)

The soybean plants don't look so great when it's time to harvest.  When our niece was old enough to drive an ATV, she would drive around and around their farm.  One day she ventured out into the soybean field next to their house.  When her Dad asked her "why were you driving around in the bean field?" , she just simply replied, "it's okay Dad, they're dead anyway!" We still laugh about that every harvest, because she was right, they do look dead.  (You're right, we won't let her forget that!)

Driving a combine these days is supposed to be easier with all the new technology, but seriously, a joystick! and computer screen!  It's no wonder that the younger age can handle things a whole lot better, they are used to playing video games and being in front of a computer.  Yes, I'm putting an age on us, but we are learning and isn't that suppose to keep you young - well, we should be really young with all the learning we're doing. HA-HA!  It is neat though, the crazy things even make noises like computer games!  Geez!

Obviously, my learned hubby has mastered the computer and joystick because the beans are going in the hopper....

and into the auger....

and into the grain cart.  Job well done!

Still lovin' farming!!
-Julie-

On Farming Friday....

Last week I invited myself along to attend Big Iron with my husband.  I'm pretty sure he was thinking - "really, you want to go?"  I had never been and I know it's a big deal, at least it is in North Dakota, as the show is in West Fargo. I listen to KFGO, a pretty good ag radio station  from time to time and they sure made it sound like a big deal, so it was time to check it out.

I must say, my husband was right in saying "really?"  I have to admit that even though I profess to be an "Awesome Farm Girl", the whole adventure to Big Iron was not all that exciting for me.  Now, before you start to analyze my position and give me a hard time, in my defense, I stayed at the show the whole time with my husband.  (Even though, I was thinking seriously about abandoning him and going to the mall!)

 All joking aside, Big Iron is what it is - really large amounts of really big iron equipment.  Frankly, if you are in the farm market and you can't find what you are looking for at Big Iron, you just plain don't need it, because they had EVERYTHING you could imagine for the farm and than some.  There was a craft show in the adjacent Bonanzaville area that I checked out which was more my taste!

Even though I tired of looking at equipment, equipment, equipment, I did find a couple of interesting items that were pretty darn cool.  The 80 foot field cultivator was quite impressive.  The salesman said  "You can get 80 acres done in an hour"  Whoa - that's amazing!  (The price wasn't listed - imagine that!)

If you need to tile, please ask for the pink tile from Prinsco.  Cancer awareness - treatments and cures - have a special place in my heart after losing my Dad to pancreatic cancer 2 1/2 years ago, so I was really touched by their way of sharing hope!

Since I do have a bucket list and Big Iron was on it, I can now cross it off - mission accomplished (forever!)

Still lovin' farming!!
-Julie-

The Great Minnesota Get Together Part Two

On Farming Friday, we're taking you back to the Minnesota State Fair.  Two of our favorite things at the fair are the Miracle of Birth Center and Little Farm Hands.  What great ways to tell the world about where food comes from.  Of course, all the new baby animals in the birthing center are "oh, so cute" but are raised to become a meal on our tables.  The Little Farm Hands not only is a great place for kids to hang out (or adults for that matter) but teaches how food is grown and than sold with information along the trail.  It was quite exciting for us farming folks to know that the fair still has some major agriculture backing now that machinery hill is pretty much lawnmowers and garden equipment.  (can you imagine how many more acres it would take to have the quad tractors and combines on display? - the major implement choices would have to take turns from year to year).  Enjoy the photos from our favorites.....

Baby farm animals are born here everyday during the state fair. 

Baby calf  4 hours old!

Baby sheep about 8 hours old!
(How would you like to watch your babies be born in front of large crowds??)

This is just the neatest and coolest idea ever!!!  Way to support farming MN State Fair!!

Kids can wear an apron if they'd like to start their "mock" farming adventure.

Display boards were all around the "mock" farm to share information about the different aspects of farming.

Volunteers sitting in a grain bin (cute!) filling bags of corn to feed the animals.

Information about tractors inside the tractor shed.

This is one of the cutest ideas I've ever seen!!

Where are the red tractors?  Well, John Deere is a major sponsor of Little Barn Hands - come on Case!!

Doesn't it look real?  The kids had to "feed" the chickens and pick an egg.

Vegetable Garden sponsored by Butter Kernel vegetables.  The kids picked "mock" vegetables - there were real vegetables growing in the garden however - it was pretty neat!

Love these "did you know?" facts.

Even though is was a "fake" sheep, the kids could touch the wool.

More really good information display boards- I didn't know that Ottertail County (which is just north of us)
is #4 in the state for dairy production. (which by the way is where our son-in-law milks cows - Yeah!)

The kids had to feed the cow and than they could milk her.

This cow was at our local county fair this year and it stills milks water....."silly cow" as our granddaughter would say!

Don't you love the "trees"?

These boards were the best - especially the one on the right of the farmer's share of the money.
(If you are a pig farmer, you already know that from a $4.83 pound of bacon, you are making $.89,
the barley producer only makes $.06 on a $6.59 six pack of beer !
A family walking next to us made a comment "gee, farmers really don't make that much do they"
yep- that's the "real" story!

The kids gathered eggs, wool, vegetables, milk, and apples placed them in their baskets and "sold" them at the store where they received play money.

The kids took their play money and used it to purchase a cup of ice cream.

Main sponsors of the Little Farm Hands - way to go MN Corn Growers - woo-hoo!

There were more interactive things to do inside the barn from planting a field, to coloring pages of farming and more!

Local "real" farm families were showcased for their hard work and dedication to their life's passion!

An aerial view of the "farm" from the chair lift we took a ride on!

Wouldn't it be neat to do something like this at our county fair?
 How about it Douglas County Corn and Soybean Growers?

Hope you enjoyed "our favorites" - Julie -