Reflections...

As 2011 wraps up, it is interesting to reflect on where we have come as a couple and as farmers in this past year. To call it a rollercoaster would be cliche, but also remarkably accurate. I read through some of my past blog posts, and reflected on those things that I did, and did not cover. A lot of the positives I didn't take the time to write down, and some of the hardest moments I didn't write about because some things are simply too personal and hard to share. And other stuff, I was simply tooo busy! When it comes down to it, no one really understands our life except for Luke and I, but that's okay, because when it comes down to it, I wouldn't trade this life for anything. Maybe people don't understand why we would want to live this way - I hear that all the time, but it is a great and complicated life, filled with stories, tears, and bliss. Before I reflect on that, let's reflect on some of the things this year has brought. 

1. Banjo and Murtle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such amazing contributions to our farm life - these cute little kittens have grown into large outdoor cats who greet us as the door in the morning, and jump on the hood of my car when I get home from work. I typically say that I hate cats - then why do I like these two? Because they are more like dogs!!!!!!!!! They greet me all the time, they love affection and people, and they go on walks with us! Yes, when we take Tobshu on a walk around the tree farm - they trail behind us closely and cautiously - Tobshu gets a little aggressive out there. But they tag along - and I love it! They are so friendly - during Christmas tree farm season, Murtle even hopped in a customer's vehicle! They had driven for about 10 minutes only to discover a cat in the car - thankfully, they turned around to return her. These two were one of my most spontaneous decisions, but they were also one of my best! 

 2) The greenhouse. This greenhouse has been a whirlwind for us. What started as a "simple" purchase turned into a half-year project, countless bills, countless frustration, an incredibly muddy yard, but most important, and incredible and exciting opportunity. I absolutely love when it is grey outside, and everything is brown and dying - I simply head into the greenhouse and see all the wonderful greens, purples, and oranges that are characteristic of the veggies Luke is growing, and it warms me right up. It is wonderful - and so exciting that our business is growing in this fashion! The future holds great things!

3. The large walk-in refrigerator! We went from the refrigerator crisis of June, to having our very own walk-in fridge in July! And thank goodness - we needed it. I remember in the blistering heat of the summer - when it was 95 and muggy, Luke and I would dart into the walk-in fridge and shiver in there - but it felt so good. Now, it is ironic that when Luke and I are packing for market early Saturday morning and we are shivering - we go into the fridge to warm up! Luke's like it is multi-functional for cooling/warming.

4. The chickens. We have chased countless chickens this year - now we don't even bother to chase them when they escape - they make their way back to the coop! Not only have we chased countless chickens, we also butchered 100+ chickens this year!! That was quite the experience. I can't even tell you what it was like to look outside, see Luke butchering a bird, and then bring it in to me to cook up - while it was still warm! Odd, but delicious when it was all said and done!

5. The floods. In the course of the greenhouse project, we had over 100 dumptrucks of dirt brought in (thanks to the Pulaski round-a-bout project) but it tore up our yard! Literally, a dirt mess. Then, a few downfalls that delivered a couple inches of rain brought us to flood city. See below - we didn't put a pond in - it just appears that way. Muddy, wet, mess. Well, we have a dog - and he loves to play in the water. I think I had to give him a bath every day for two weeks straight. I guess it was worth it because we have the awesome greenhouse now, and I guess Tobshu had fun, but man, that was a pain!

So, we head into 2012. Luke and I said that in 2012 we would take a two week vacation, buy some cool toys (like a new vehicle or something of the like), will fix up the house further and make progress on our yard.We were dreaming big, and after a year's worth of reflecting, its easy to make change some of our 2012 thoughts. Some things we have already accepted won't happen - like the big vacation. Luke and I will never have the lifestyle or the money to do that, and when we finally do, we will want to have children - we already talk about that like every other week! But that's okay, because we don't need to travel to have crazy experiences. We have every kind of moment right here in our very own yard. We might get another dog, and we might venture into the world of turkeys. It will always be an adventure out here, and I can't wait to see what 2012 brings. Maybe I will finally talk Luke into that pool I've been wanting...
One things for sure - I'm going to try to make an effort to blog more frequently - so stay tuned!

My Dog, The Republican

I haven't posted in awhile, so I am going to update a couple different stories over the next day or two. I had to take care of the farm this past weekend, so I have a lot to say about that. But since I don't have time to sit down and type that all out right now, I figured I would give you a short little story for a laugh.

Last week was Luke's birthday party. He turned 24 on Wednesday! I had a dinner party for him on Tuesday night that consisted of his parents, my parents, and both sets of his grandparents. I asked Luke what he wanted to eat, and he picked Winter Vegetable PotPie, only one of the most difficult meals to make. You see, in my family, you don't buy pie crusts, you make them from scratch. They are delicious, yes, but time-consuming! And rolling out 4 pie crusts isn't easy! Fortunately, my mom helped out and made the pie crusts for me, so I was only left with the filling. Luke's mom made some delicious spring rolls and each grandma brought a little something to share as well, so we had quite a feast. Besides some initial lack of organization on my part, the evening was going quite well.

Well, we were all in the middle of enjoying the delicious meal. There was lots of laughter and smiles, and the evening was going wonderfully. Conversation was flowing and everyone was having fun. Then, out of nowhere, Harold (Luke's maternal grandfather) brought up something about Governor Walker. Let's just say that Harold is a staunch Republican, while Butch (Luke's other grandfather) is a die-hard democrat! The rest of us sat divided among our political views and none of us felt the need to share. Again, my belief is you don't talk politics with family. But, nonetheless, the conversation went there. We all tried to dispel that conversation with some jokes and laughs, so I said:

"Harold, you better be careful talking like that. Tobshu is a big democrat."

Harry was shocked to hear that our dog had political views, and I responded that we could ask Tobshu so that he could speak for himself. I had Tobshu sit down next to me, and I thought I had the plan figured out. You see, Tobshu speaks on command, so I figured if I asked him if he was a democrat and then said speak, he would bark in agreement. Well, plans don't always go as they are supposed to.

Tobshu was sitting nicely in front of me, panting eagerly. I said, "Tobshu, are you a democrat?" And then I quietly whispered "speak!" Well, as I'm saying "speak," Tobshu did the craziest thing! He shook his head back and forth so vigorously that my hair blew from the breeze of it! It was a very affirmative no!  Seriously, it wasn't just a no, it was a "hell no, I'm not a democrat!" None of us could believe it, there was about 5 seconds of silence, and then hysterical laughter. I have never seen Tobshu shake his head like that! I'm not joking, there wasn't even a delay! The second I asked the question, he was shaking his head no! We all roared with laughter, the kind of laughter that lightens people's hearts and brings tear to their eyes. The  best kind of laughter there is.

The wonderful laughter that ensued covers up one fact that I have to bring myself to accept - my dog is a republican. Gulp...how did that happen? I guess I won't focus on that end, and instead focus on the fact that my dog can answer yes and no questions now! Maybe that could get us on Ellen! Now, there's a thought!

Updates and Such

Well, it sure has been awhile. Times have been crazy and I just haven't gotten around to blogging. I think I am giving you all the seriously wrong impression that farm work is purely seasonal and stops at the end of September - I assure you, that is not true! Luke is still quite busy with all of his farm work, while life on my end has switched to focus almost entirely on school. I'm a bit of a workaholic,and spend ridiculous amounts of time at school or with a computer on my lab. Although I have a couple wonderful friends who are trying to work on that and getting me to relax a little. I caved and currently go to yoga and have a group dinner on Thursday nights (which I love), but otherwise, I spend a lot of time with papers on my lap.

The middle of September brought the end of the Wednesday night farmer's market, as well as the end of our summer CSA program. It was a successful summer and Luke and I have a lot to be thankful for. The end of October also brought up the exciting announcement that our 100 foot greenhouse was officially complete - electricity hooked up and plants starting to grow. It is a very exciting addition to our farm life.

Three weeks ago we started a winter farmer's market at Kavarna in Green Bay. Week one went awesome and really showed the potential for the market. Week two (last week), was a little rough for me. It seems I always have the strangest occurrences at Farmer's markets!

It all started right when the market started, right around 9 am. I wasn't done labeling the produce or putting out all the food. One woman, in her mid 60's, asked about the Wolf River Apples. I told her the apples were for sale and that I just hadn't had time to set them out yet. She laughed, looked at Luke, and said (in a very condescending tone) "She doesn't know what she is doing." I didn't really understand what she meant, so I just blew it off. She was looking over our food, and I asked Luke how much the leeks cost so that I could label it, and the woman said, "Wow, she really has no idea what she is doing." Luke looked at me like he was thinking "what the heck is this lady talking about?" and I just shrugged, a little irritated at her rudeness.

Well, then I asked Luke how much the Bok Choy was and the woman laughed and said "She has NO idea what she is doing." She then looked at Luke and said, "It's okay, you have the right to make fun of her, I'm giving you permission."  I was fuming - she was so rude. Luke was very confused, but he saw how irritated I was, and he realized I might slap the lady, so he quickly and gently shook his head at me. Don't worry, I behaved myself...

Towards the end of the market, a man came up. He was an elderly gentleman, and he looked like a sweet old man!  He asked me a question about the micro-greens. Typically when someone asks me a question I can't answer, I say something along the lines of...I will have to ask my husband, he is the farmer and he knows...Well, the man asked what I did for a living, and I said I was a teacher. Such a simple answer got so far out of hand. The man inquired what district I worked him, and I proudly replied Pulaski. Then, he pulled the pin out of the grenade when he said, "Well, let me ask you something about Pulaski teachers." I instantly thought, oh man, where is this going to go?!

The man asked me if I thought it was important to balance the state budget. I said I did think it was important to balance the budget, but that I would not comment on the way in which it was being balanced. He replied that he was glad to hear I thought the budget was important, and then he delivered the dagger. He said:

"So, you weren't one of those teacher that went and pissed on the walls of the capital?!" Such an out-there comment, I was taken aback. Now, I'm not going to make this a political blog - people have their own opinion in politics and I respect that...but seriously, I don't think there were any cases of teachers found "pissing" on the capital. I know a lot of teachers, and we all tend to prefer toilets. As a woman with a lifetime's worth of experience in urinating...I don't think it is even possible to aim your urine at a vertical structure - most likely you would just pee all over your shoe or legs....Regardless...I couldn't believe his completely distasteful comment!

Beyond those wacky occurrences, things are going really well, and Luke and I are very happy. Our kittens are wonderful-they are getting big and killing plenty of mice! Tobshu is doing very well - turning into a long-haired fluff ball again.  The cold weather is here, which means our house is officially like 50 degrees again, but other than that, I have enjoyed the transition into fall.

I will try to be better about updating - thanks for staying tuned :)