What does it take to get the farmer off the farm?

Bonitos.

Corn

I wish I could say we grew it, but nonetheless, this weekend marked the eating of the first fresh corn of the summer.

I've been posting pictureless lately. I'm slack. I have no good excuse. So now for a raondom, captionless picture post. Enjoy.

Impatient

Yesterday I picked some peas and small carrots and considered picking some lettuce. I do enjoy the produce we are currently getting from our garden. There is normally something fresh at every meal (can you feel the BUT coming on), but I must admit, I am becoming impatient. I am really, really ready to eat cucumbers with every meal. I want a sweet, juicy tomato sandwich for lunch, grilled squash and zucchini for dinner. And I want all those summer flavors right now. I guess I will blame it on this hot weather that makes the farm feel like the center of summer and makes me crave all the sweet veg that just isn't here yet. So.... I guess I will have to continue to make due with the occasional store-bought cuke and with a lot of stir-fried carrots and snow peas instead. **sigh**

Happy birthday, Emma!

When we moved to the farm in 2006, it was just Allen and me. And a tiny bump in my belly. Today, that bump turns 4, and I couldn't be prouder to say I'm her mama. And somehow my sweet 4 year old has managed to wind up with a whole weekend of celebrating.... dinner out tonight night, Sat morning brunch with my family, and a small party Sunday afternoon with her friends (and sisters). Yesterday evening she and I threw together some cookies that I loved making with my mom when I was younger - peanutbutter with Hershey Kisses. I still can't resist those things... I don't want to discuss how many I ate last night. The majority of the cookies were packaged up for her to share with her classmates today, along with some other special treats.

Happy Birthday, Emma Louise Lowrance! You deserve all the celebration we can give you!

The Storms

Last night we got the first of what looks to be a week-long Thunderstorm event. Around 1 Allen and I were both awoken by huge crashes of thunder and strobe-like lightening. The power went off, so I sent Allen to check on our dark-sensitive child, Emma, who was already cowering in her bed scared out of her wits. Allen brought her to me in bed, where she promptly curled up with me then explained that she'd woken up and her froggy light was turned off. Next Allen returned with Mary Claire, who was still asleep, but given her bed's position directly under a window, we thought best to let join us as well. Luckily Olivia decided not to let a the huge racket get in the way of her full night's sleep. Surveying the damage this morning, we have some leaning/broken apple trees, the top of one of our pecan trees setting neatly behind both vehicles, a few random other trees down, limbs disbursed, etc. And winning most frustrating would be the wet seed packets. Yes, Allen did some planting last night and left the seed tray in the lean-to off the back of the house. Any normaly storm would not have bothered them, but this was no normal storm, and they got wet. They are currently covering my entire table in an attempt to get them all dried out and not be a complete loss (*sigh*).

Crossing my fingers that the rest of the storms this week will be kind to us (and to you).

Yard sale!

Tomorrow morning Allen and I will be waking up ridiculously early and dragging a ton of stuff out onto our front yard. Hopefully this will prove to be another step in the simplification process... out with the stuff we don't use or don't need, and boy do we have a lot of stuff we don't need or don't use. After the yard sale we have vowed to take the leftovers to the Battered Womens Shelter and/or Goodwill and not back into the house (or garage) as our habit has been in the past. It is amazing how attached we become to so many things. We have had no problem rationalizing keeping items that have not seen the light of the sun since we moved to the farm four and a half years ago. And now... it must go!

So, if you are in the area, stop on by! We'll even send you home with some of the oregano and mint that has gone crazy in the bed by the house! Wish us luck as we have to continuely explain to our girls why some of their stuff just has to go too!!

Farmer's market day!

Today is the first day of the Old Town Market , the farmer's market that will run Thursday evenings all summer long in downtown Rock Hill. Hopefully on some future Thursdays you will see the Lowrance family parked behind a table selling some produce, but tonight we will be there as shoppers and as supporters of buying local. We hope to see you out there!

Earth Day Birthday

Yesterday the big girls and I attended the Museum of York County's Earth Day Birthday celebration while Allen was off helping out with Habitat for Humanity. I definitely remember Earth Day Birthdays growing up and enjoyed sharing this with the girls. I did chuckle a little as they had no real interest in the "petting zoo" including 3 chickens, a duck, and 2 sheep. I guess when you have 60 chickens, 10 cows, 3 dogs, and 2 cats at the house, along with wild ducks and geese, the few caged animals have minimal appeal! Regardless of a few exhibits that were slightly ruined on the "farm" children, the girls definitely had a blast. We came home with freshly tie dyed shirts, a few free books, pencils, cups... and a slight pinkish tint from the sun. I don't think anyone in the Lowrance household had trouble falling asleep last night. And to not leave Olivia out - here she is doing her most favorite thing: standing up. There is no doubt in my mind she will be walking before too long. Look out, Emma and Mary Claire!