Happy New Year...and Friday's Hunt Week #1...

Happy New Year and welcome 2016!

I've been looking forward to writing 2016 on checks for a while now, because my "5"'s are always sloppy. Good reason, right?!

I've decided to join up with Teresa at Eden Hills for her new meme...Friday's Hunt.

This week we have...

Starts with "A"...

I'm going with Above Average...

You can't see a thermometer here, but our December temps were way above average.  In fact, it just might go down as the warmest December on record.  You can see the green (needing mowed in December?!) grass and the fog, and indication of the warm, damp weather we had most of the month...

This is my "Week's Favorite"...

My nephew Toby with Jolyn the cat.  She's never happier than when on someone's shoulder...after she's been fed, of course...

And last is "Celebrate"...

We celebrated my family's Christmas today, on New Years Day.  Anyone who went away hungry, did so because they chose not to eat.  We had numerous types of sausages, pork and sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, and much, much more...

My parents still usually host us all for our family meals.  I know they won't be able to do this forever, but we all pitch in and work together.  We are all thankful for their good health, and for a family that enjoys being together...

Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best in 2016!

New Years Babies...

It wouldn't be a holiday without something happening on the farm!

Last night two new calves were born...New Years Eve babies...

 And this morning, another one...a New Years Day baby...

Two Holstein bull calves, and a Holstein/Jersey cross.  They're enjoying their straw beds and their warm bottles of colostrum!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2013!

As I've been reflecting over the past year...and life in general...and reading  Facebook posts about New Years resolutions...and blog posts about the same...I've done some thinking about what is important to me...or more importantly what I want to focus on...

After losing a good friend this summer to a bicycle accident...and more recently watching friends lose loved ones, my thoughts have turned more contemplative.

I want to spend more quality time with family...with friends...and spend time building relationships with the people that I rub shoulders with.

Maybe it's taking time to play a game with the kids in the evening, even though I'm tired...(and always get beat soundly in ping pong)   :)...

Maybe it's learning to know the "new" neighbors who moved in a week or so ago better...the potential is there for our families to become good friends...

Maybe I need to finally have that neighborhood ladies' brunch that's been on my mind for only about 10 years...

Maybe I need to spend more time building my good friendships even deeper....not assuming that they'll always be there...

Maybe...

I'm looking forward to the challenge!

Happy New Year 2012...

Here we are again, January 1...  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It doesn't seem like all that long ago that I was traipsing out behind the barn on New Years Day morning with my camera to take a picture of the first sunrise of 2011.

I didn't have the luxury of a leisurely morning like that today...Sunday mornings here are a bit hectic.  Usually, Jim and I get up and get started with the milking and feeding, and the kids come out a little later to help with bedding up and calves before we all run for the shower and shovel in some breakfast before Church.  It's hectic but do-able.

Yesterday we had my family's big Christmas get together, and the cousins had a sleepover afterwards on our living room floor.  Of course they wanted to stay up to see the New Year in, so this morning it was a little harder to roll out of bed and head to the barn.  They did, though, and we made it to Church with a few minutes to spare.

Then we all gathered at my parents' house this afternoon for one last family meal before we had to begin scattering.  It could be a year until we're ALL together again...(but hopefully not!) Two families live out of state, and with young adult cousins who now have college and work schedules to juggle, our time together is limited.

We did manage to get a picture of us four milkmaids girls this afternoon...

It was a great way to welcome the new year today...how did you celebrate?