Summer is here....

 

 

I think summer has finally arrived on the northern plains.  Today we should reach nearly 80 degrees and we're going to get hotter as the week goes on.  So this heat-up means it's time to start cutting hay!  Thankfully, with all the rains and cool weather we've had, much of our hay is coming back.  The field pictured was one that did not get hit by the early June hail.  The hay is terrific.  Probably the best it's ever been.  The other fields are looking better and we're excited that we might actually get to cut those once hailed-out fields!  I'm anxious to get on the tractor to rake the hay.  I love that job -- riding in the open-air through the fields turning hay.

It's also the time of year when we are breeding cows.  The fellas have an AI (artificial insemination) program that they are following and so we've been working cows through the corrals quite a bit.  We've also been vaccinating calves against pink-eye and pouring insecticide on all the livestock to keep flies and parasites away.  Everything is looking so good right now.  The cows and calves are shiny and fat and this is a perfect recipe for a good breeding season.  The bulls are out doing their job too.

I've been fiddling around with a few sewing projects.  I made a maxi skirt with a fold-over yoga waistband for myself and I really love it.  I'd like to make a short version of it next.  I have also been dipping into the watercolor paints lately.  I saw a cool idea on Pinterest about lettering with watercolors so I made a few post cards.  I need more practice, but it was fun and simple to do.  I like to use the Pentel Waterbrush for this because the lettering can be made more sharp and clear. 

It's almost the 4th of July and that means our Hometown, USA will have a parade with horses and cowboys and rodeo queens.  There will be barbeques at home and fireworks too!  Yay!  We also have quite a few family birthdays this month.  The two youngest sons have their 22nd and 24th birthdays on the 2nd and 3rd.  Wahoo!