Show n' tell

Not sure how many pre-school kids bring a bag of alfalfa hay for show n' tell. Perhaps just my Jersey kids, but I'll tell ya, it was a hit. The kids touched, smelled and some even tasted it! A great learning experience.

Winter Swimwear

We are far from swim season and even indoors swim lessons have been put on holt until the temps warm up, perhaps next spring. This lil' Jersey girl is notorious for going into her room and putting on her swim gear. She tells me "mom, just be cool with it." Seriously, she is just three.

Farm BOY

Tyler just LOVES for being at the farm, it was like he was born underneath the Jersey cow...or something like that. Pretty darn close. These photos were taken during Thanksgiving break. Tyler LOVED that he got to help move heifers and be apart of the choring process. I don't know who was more excited: Tyler or the grown Jersey men! I've been told, pretty soon, Tyler will be calling the shots, the foreman of the farm and it makes me smile! He is a farm kid through and through.

Gratitude

Simply grateful. Thanksgiving reminds me, as it should all, how fortunate and good life is. Daily reminders come easily: my kids genuine laughs that echo from deep down to their toes; my husband's smile when he finally gets home well after the sun goes down; the Jersey cow, who makes it possible for us to live better than many; for my parents, who are simply the most amazing people I know and who taught me appreciation, love, kindness, sharing and gratitude from a young age. Much more.

I remember stories and share them with my children of how as a young child my family and I would help stock food pantries, invite neighbors and others who had no place to go to our Thanksgiving dinner and simply appreciation for what we have. Love it. Isn't this what the day is all about? Sharing, giving and loving. I sure think so.

Today, we celebrated with the Bohnert family at the farm. We invited our farm labor, who are the core of helping us achieve our daily success. Good food, lots of giggles, especially from the younger crowd and true blessings. I sure hope it is contagious and continues to spread into the next year.

My Dad: One Year Later

What a difference a year can make. Thank God.

A year ago today, my father suffered a massive hemorrhage stroke, landing him in the ICU for five weeks. Today, he is doin' awesome! He went through many hurdles, but with his strong will, my mothers' stronger will to make him better, awesome doctors and the endless friends and family that supported him and our family allowed him to get better. And he did. It makes my heart swell beyond words. My family and I have been through a lot and I think that the one thing that we can look back and be grateful for, besides having our dad back, is that is has allowed us to unite and bond even stronger as a family. I live 2,000 miles away from my family, but with the help of modern technology, esp. the telephone, we talk to each other daily and the saying I love you is never not shared. We cherish each breath, each memory and each day and this Thanksgiving, you'd better believe that this is one thing that tops my list of gratitude.
Following is a letter I wrote to my father this summer on Father's Day. Today, no words are left unspoken. We wipe tears, happy and sad away and embrace each other. I love my family more than life itself.
xoxo!

Dear Dad:
Happy Father’s Day to a father I have always admired and looked up to. I have many good memories with you in it. From days of playing a game of pick up in the front yard, to racing you with the tractor in the back 40 to waiting up with Mary for you to get done milking, so we could get jelly beans. Awe, those were the days.
I know the teenager and early 20’s lasted longer than you liked with me. I was always one to push the bucket and cause you grief. Thankfully Pat was the one that actually turned your hair grey, but I am sure I added to the wrinkles and frustration. Sorry for all of that.
Looking back, I realize that I was so blessed to have you for a father. You grew up poor, but always had a strong soul and knew you would build a better life. You did just that. You joined the marines, graduated from Oregon State University (as did I) and dairied for nearly 40 years. Through all your successes, you are most proud of your personal ones. You married mom, an admiral’s daughter nearly 45 years ago. Together, you two had six children and fifteen grandchildren. You raised us strictly, to behave well, to respect our elders, to strive for our dreams, to be honest and loyal and to laugh. We all did just that.
Your story is quite known throughout the countryside. Your stories have been told and your lessons have been shared. People feel like they know you, as if you were their father or their friend. Your character, big smile and soul stretch for miles on end.
Life makes its uncertain twists and turns. You and mom know that better than most. Through it all, you have been able to hold your head high, laugh and carry on. Watching your strength and spirit has shaped me for the better. It has allowed me to face my own uncertainties and struggles with the same character and strength—and I for one am most grateful.
So here is saluting you, Robert Morris Davidson, a man who I am blessed and honored to call my dad, but also lucky to call my friend. I hope this Father’s Day you realize how much I love you.
Love you always & forever,
Your daughter, Karen

Nice Reminder

Reminder.
As many of you know, I'm pregnant with Jersey baby #3 and have been one sick mama. I'm excited about expecting, but its really hard to be totally enthusiastic when you are hovering over the toilet bowl more hours in the day than you care to tell.
Last night, I went to an Agricultural Literacy meeting, where I got to meet a fellow member's newest debut, 11-week old Addie. Then, I got to hold her and I swear, that it made any of my doubts, worries, etc. go away. I love how babies do that. It just felt right holding a baby in my arms again and now, let the count down begin because I'm nearing the end of the first trimester (woot woot) and hopefully the end to all day morning sickness and yes, soon the end of wearing normal jeans. I feel ready, I feel confident and cant wait to meet the next Jersey baby. Thanks for the reminder; I needed it.xoxo!

Great combo: Milk & Cookies

Temps cooled off, way off into the 40's and made me wanna turn the oven on and make some cookies with the five year old. He loves putting an apron on and yes, someday, he will ask me to burn the picture of him in it, but for now, I try to smile as flour flies across the kitchen! Brings back memories of when I was a child helping my mother. Love that I can share this with my children. The end result is delicious, as always, especially with a cold glass of milk. Cheers Jersey boy.

Jersey mama's birthday wishes

Another year has came & gone and I'm a year older. I will admit, I lathered on an extra layer of anti-wrinkle lotion, plucked a few grey hairs and smiled! I have a good life and each year, I'm kindly reminded of all the blessings in my life.
This birthday was a bit different. I started the day solo with no hubby, as he had left way before the sun woke up! The Jersey kids came in and gave me a card and flowers from Scott. The card was one of those birthday cards that sang. This one was "Your still the one," and it just made my heart smile. Especially when the Jersey kids danced with the tunes. It made me finally get up, dance with them and smile. I started the day, before they woke, hovering the toilet, due to this bun in the oven that just likes to make its mama sick! Ugh.
Make the most of your day. Many calls, text, FB messages kindly reminded me how many loved ones I have in my life that remember. Even at my ol' age, its a nice reminder.
The kids and I dolled up, okay, I got out of my jammies, put a dab of lip gloss on and we went to the movies. A kid flick, that w/ plenty of popcorn kept them entertained and this mama too!
We spent the afternoon soaking up the nearly 70 degree temps helping feed calves at the farm. I guess this is what we do best. Plenty of giggles and smiles and it surely made this birthday girl feel special.
We capped the evening with french dip sandwiches, one of my fave (easy & delish) and strawberry shortcake (my all time fave). The kids were on their best behavior and gave big hugs and told me "You're the best mom ever." I should of asked for that in writing! ha.

Atta Jersey boy

Awe!

Tyler has been doing so well in kindergarten. We just finish Parent Teacher Conferences and he is makin' such big strides! We celebrated Jersey style, with a scoop of ice-cream on a waffle cone. Definitely the Jersey boy fave thing "ever"! Ha, love him!

Don't get me wrong, there are times that he test me, smartly saying "I don't have to" or "Your not the boss of me". Not sure where he gets this flamin' attitude, surely not from me! :)

However, he told me today that he sat next to the new kid on the bus, introduced himself and told the boy that he'd place with him at recess the next day. It made me cry, love his natural ability to make friends and seek those that could use one!

Atta boy Tyler.

xoxo!

Life lesson: generation to generation

On Saturday, the Jersey kids grandpa Jim was showing them how to measure the moisture in corn. To be honest, I didn't even quite know how this was done. It seemed complicated to me, but Tyler easily figured it out.
The cute part of the story is grandpa Jim explaining to the children that he received the moisture test kit as a present from his parents when he graduated high school in 1973. He told the Jersey kids, who seems to be in total amazement how this work (and he had me very intrigued too)about how much that gift cost 35 years ago, a whopping $98.00 and his parents did not have that kind of money. Jim is one of eight kids. He explained how it was very important to take good care of your stuff and have pride in it and it can last a long time. 35 years seemed like a "very long time" to the kids!
Just a simple life lesson shared first hand from their grandpa. I love when generations share life stories. It touches the heart.

A Taste of Summer...a month later

We enjoyed this yummy salad with our dinner tonight. Delish, easy & figure friendly!

Strawberry Spinach Salad
2 bunches of fresh spinach
1 pint of sliced strawberries
1 small red onion thinly sliced
Handful of sliced mushrooms
1 bag of shredded Parmesan cheese

Toss the above together in salad bowl.
Place the following ingredients together in a blender until it thickens for a delicious dressing:
¼ c. sugar
1 T. Poppy seeds
¼ tsp Worcester sauce
¼ tsp. Paprika
½ c. vegetable oil
1/ c. apple cider vinegar

Pumpkin Stop '09

Fresh cool day with sunshine on our backs, we decided to take the Jersey kids to the local pumpkin patch farm. What a blessing to head out, watch the kids giggle as they find their very own pumpkin in the field.

Pumpkin crops were similar to the rest, slim pickin'! Wet, cool summer and fall made for few prize pumkins. Luckily, the Jersey kids were able to find a few winners to take home!

Chop. Chop.

Every year around Labor Day, this Jersey crew gets out our John Deere combines, tractors, wagons and head to the corn fields. This year we began chopping Labor Day weekend and finished the first day of October due to the cool and wet summer we endured.
I really do think the Jersey kids, both big and small look forward to this time each and every year. Don't get me wrong, it is a lot of work, I mean A LOT of work. We put up 4,000 ton of corn silage to feed our 350 head of milk cows. Our cows milk an average of 65 pounds a day, ranking in the top ten nationally for our herd size, so in ordered for them to produce a lot of milk, they have to eat a lot of good, quality feed. We feel proud to produce such great forages and feed for our cows, so they can reach their best potential.

The chopping process is the beginning of the fall harvest. We carefully go over all the machinery to make sure that it is in its best shape to endure the long hours. Next we set up our team of people to run the chopper, haul the wagons and fill the bags of corn silage. Next, we plan the meals for the hard workers, which is my favorite role. I always hear my own mother's voice echoing in my head to feed them with nutritious, filling meals. She says, "They work hard." That they do and I love feeding the hard workers that I love.


Of course, the tractor nor the men don't stop for this process, so whatever meal is fixed is carried out to the workers in the field and generally is wrapped in-between two buns! Today, we've made up two grilled cheeseburgers with the fixins', a piece of fruit and chocolate chip cookies with a cold drink for each worker. It looks like we are feeding a small army, but its the least we can do for all of their hard work.
The Jersey kids are grownin' up. They used to help this Jersey mama fix the meals, but now they ride in the tractors and choppers and the oldest is told to be the next foreman on the project, as he directs the new guy to which field to go to, where the bag is and letting them know when the wagons are full.
The grown men love the Jersey kids and my hubby adores when they ride with him. The kids are full of enthusiasm, ask a lot of questions and get the same satisfaction as do the grown kids from the hard work of making feed for our Jersey cows.

When we call it at night, lets just say everyone sleeps well, after clockin' way too many hours to report. Before my oldest, Tyler says goodnight, he lifts his head and begs to help out again tomorrow. This warms the Jerseys mama's heart.