We Had a Birthday

Andrew turned 13 this past week. I can't believe he is that old already! He is such a caring, lovable and capable young man, who will soon be taller than his mother.

Andrew's requested brownies for dessert.

This was Andrew just a year ago, when we were processing venison. He certainly has changed a lot! Andrew is no longer a boy, but very quickly growing into a man.

This photo must have been at least 4 years ago, when we were given some sheep that had been someone's pets. Andrew would have been 9.

One of the first things Andrew did when we moved up to the Turtle Mountains was build a tree fort. We weren't allowed to have one when we lived in the city. Since that time he has built his own shop out of scrap lumber. Andrew also loves to tinker with engines, and is thrilled whenever Jim brings home a discarded lawn mower at the town landfill.

Happy birthday, Andrew! A man isn't complete without his own Leatherman!

New Job for Calliope

Peter thought Calliope should be doing something useful, so he built her a little cart. David was his right hand man in the construction process. The wheels came from old bicycles, and the rest was scrap lumber. So far so good, as long as he is leading her around. She needs to get used to the straps and also understand what Peter wants her to do.

Jonathan caught a ride! This is a close up of what the cart looks like.

I'm constantly amazed at what the boys can come up with. All it takes is a bit of creativity and a lot of junk!

Corn Season

Our corn has finally matured! Today was the first day to sell it in the parking lot of the local convenience store.


We didn't notice until noon that the corn was ready to be harvested, so it was a rush to get ready to leave by 5:00. Peter used an old door to make the "corn" sign, and Jim helped him anchor it to the top of the pick up truck. Jonathan picked, and Andrew and David did the husking. I was given the extra ears to can.

Andrew used an old wheelbarrow to haul corn out of the field.

Our family prefers frozen corn over canned corn, but we were out of freezer bags so we canned this batch. Besides, the boys love homemade corn chowder, and the recipe calls for canned corn with the liquid. This works great for the soup.

I thought I would also include some great photos that Andrew took tonight ... He has quite a knack in capturing some very nice scenery. I'm still amazed that it's September already, but here in the Turtle Mountains there is definitely fall in the air.

If you look closely, you can see the cow and horse in this photo.

Our view looking past the raspberry bushes to the left and towards the woods.

Looking into the big field where the Appleseed weekend was held. There is one lone tree on the top of the hill that has turned yellow already, but it's a bit hard to see when the photo is small.

Andrew also created the header for this blog. He does a great job!

Morning in the Turtle Mountains

We awoke yesterday morning to a heavy mist, and I took some photos because I thought it looked rather pretty.

I thought my clothes would finish drying overnight, but they were quite wet when I checked them!

Sunrise over what's left of the Canadian thistle.