I AM SO PROMOTING SPRING!



Nobody home yet....spring just isn't making it.



  There are two subjects stuck in my head, and it's mostly all I can think about.......   The first subject is spring and gardening, and gees why wouldn't I....after all it is April 1st (well, at least will be in a few hours).  Last year at this time Kurtis had already planted radish's and they were up.  We were well into mowing the yard already, and most of the fruit trees were trying to bloom, which ultimately was a bad thing.   I took a walk around the yard and the pond today.....other than a few pathetic looking daffodils trying to peek out of the frost laden muddy ground.....there is nothing even showing signs of wanting to grow.  I just occured to me, I should of went down and looked at my Heleborus, or whats known as a "Lenten Rose",  they are suppose to bloom in March no matter how bad the weather....hmm..will have to do that tomorrow.  I noticed things are returning to the pond.  The ice is all melted and several wood ducks and mallards are cruising around...a grey heron was scouting around for a toad or two, but there are no signs yet.....apparently they do have some small brains!'

  The second subject I am posessed with in the impending arrival of my new greenhouse.  I have ordered a western red cedar structure that will come off the east side of garage.  As soon as the frost is out of the ground we will be pouring a foundation wall and pad for it to sit on....I can't wait!  I keep reminding Kurtis how fortunate he is to have such a "grounded" wife.....I dont require shopping malls, shoes or clothes to make me happy.....but give me a nice big sunny area with plenty of room to play in dirt and seeds......and I'm content!  Every since we moved from the farm, I have been lost without my little greenhouse, so its been a long time coming.



Outhouse in my flower bed....



  Consider yourself warned:   Tuesday night I started a photography class.  I had been waiting for this lady to start teaching this series of class's again, and in the last catalog I seem she was back, so I signed up.  The first session was fabulous, she has been teaching for years and is a photographer by trade.  I suspect I will use this forum to test out some of my pictures and subjects.....so feel free to comment, I have thick skin..ha.

  Well, Kurtis went to bed a good hour ago, said he was pooped out from work today.  Guess I had better go join him.  Have a happy Easter.

Until next time...Love MOM.



    

YOU'RE EYES ARE NOT DECEIVING YOU!!!

      YOUR EYES ARE NOT DECEIVING YOU!!!

  
   MARCH 25, 2010, can you believe it??  How can it be that it has been three years since I have written on this blog site.  Just imagine all the things that have occured in these three years......

 - We have moved from the farm house to the log home on Morse Rd.  Jessica and her family, Rob and the three kids are living at the farm now.

   - In March, 2010 the twins were two months old......now, they are 3 years old!!!  Holy Cow.  Big sister is almost 7 now!

   - Kurtis is going on his 8th year with Scheels All Sports....8 years???  Wow.

   - Jennifer and Tom are all settled in their new home in Ankeny

   - I am still working at Lynch's Plumbing, gee..somethings never change.

   ......and by a absolute miracle, Kurtis and I are not one year older!!! 

   I have been absent from this site for one big reason.......FACEBOOK!  Because I consider myself a trendy and on the edge of the latest technology......I of course set up and began the craze of Facebook, right along with everyone else.   But, now after three years of participating, I think I have to admit I missed the fun and challenge of maintaining my blog site.  Although facebook, is a great tool for keeping in touch with people that you wouldn't necessarily take the time to do, I think a blog gives you more of a chance to go a level deeper and be more creative with the content......so, guess what....here I go again.  I am going to try to make a entry a few times a month, but won't make any promises, as time does fly by so quickly.



Ellie, Liam & Lennon playing on Grandma's bike.



  The biggest shock I get when I look at the last blog I did, is how much the grandkids have changed.  It is just a testament of how fast time is passing by, and how they are growing.  Lennon and Liam are growing into wonderful young men, and Ellie is a beautiful young lady.  Everyday is another adventure.  Jessica, Rob and family now live right next door at the farm, so we see them everyday, which is just great!  



Ellie taking everyone for a ride.



   So, here we are in March of 2013....and spring is on the horizon, although this past weekend we got another blast of winter, including about 4 inches of new snow.  I am very hopeful, however..that this is the last of it!   I am very excited about a new venture.  I have ordered a western red cedar greenhouse to be put up this spring.  More on this in a later blog.

   I hope you can all check back periodically to keep up with the fun and silliness I will try to bring to this blog again.  I am beginning a photography class tomorrow nite, so hope to get some nice pictures to test out here....

So, until next time.........take care.....  Sharon.

  

  

LIFE CONTINUES TO MARCH ALONG.....AND IT IS SOOO GOOD!!!

I know it's been awhile since you have seen an updated blog...and really, I do have good reasons...and for the most part..they are good reasons. I am so busy and enjoying life day to day...that I just dont take the time to sit down for a hour or so and update....but I promise..I will continue to try to dedicate that time every once in awhile,,afterall, I always have great stuff to put talk about!!
One of those subjects to talk about would be my great little grandkids!! Ellie continues to grow and get smarter and smarter and funnier each day. This past weekend was so much fun!! The kids all came home and we had a big family get together to introduce the twin boys to everyone!! Lennon and Liam just turned two months old and are growing quickly...they are so darn cute and big sister Ellie is very proud. We had lots of good food and conversation.....
In other areas of excitement.....the weather is finally trying to turn nice...I see for next week, they are predicting a full week of temps in the 70's!!! I think its time to kick the greenhouse into gear...but Im just not sure how this is going to work for me this year. Kurtis and I are somewhat in "Limbo"...we are staying on and off at the log home. Hopefully we will try to decide where we will be residing permanently soon. We cant decide if we remodel the farm house, sell the log home or what.....but we will decide in due time, and in the meantime....I guess I just have to be patient.
So, here are some pictures of the weekend with the kids........until next time....MOM


This is grandpa Kurtis playing the piano for Ellie....much singing and dancing was had by all!! For those of you who didnt know Kurtis played the piano.....well, um......isn't technology a great thing!!!

Here is proud Aunt Jennifer holding Liam and Lennon.....quite the arm full!

Four generations of Lynch's-Youngs. First Generation...Great Grandma Lynch. Second Generation Sharon Lynch-Voparl. Third generation Jessica Lynch and Fourth Generation...Liam and Lennon Young. So Cool.

Proud Daddy Rob Young and his two little boys Liam and Lennon.

Oh my gosh....since November??

I have to be honest with you...I have been weighing out the options with the blog. I have been considering dis-continuing this page, because it seems I spend so much more time reading and participating in Facebook these days....but after much pondereing, I have decided to keep making entries. This decision was especially supported after I realized in a wonderful email from Kurtis relatives in the Czech Republic that they have been using this forum to keep up with our lives in Iowa...so if not for that reason alone, I'll keep going...
So, what have we been doing all winter?? Trying to keep warm and productive. In the keeping warm category, Kurtis hooked up a cook stove in our basement....Yes, a cookstove, and yes this is the year 2010. We have had great fun doing some occasional meals on it and re-living what life must of been back then.....and it really is a great source of nice warm snuggly heat when the fire is going full bore! So, yes....Kurt has cooked several nice hot meals on his ole cookstove and I have done some great mexican casadia's...I know, not too traditional huh.
So the other thing I am enjoying doing this winter is baking my breads. I have completely swore off store bought bread and trying to keep with the more wholesome artisan style loaves...having alot of fun experimenting with great success's and some not so great.
We are so looking forward to the next gardening season. My coffee table is home to a good stack of the latest and greatest catalogs. Although we had determined last fall to cut down the garden size this year....that seems to have blown out the window as the catalogs begin to arrive. We have feasted all winter on our potatoes, onions, apples and all the canned and frozen bounty...and it really has been wonderful. Im still delivering potatoes to people...and I think we still have 2-300 lbs left to use....hmmm could it be we did get carried away...oh, what the hell.
So, I'll try to be a little more responsible with updating this blog....but I know that is a promise I have made before....but I always have good intentions ya know!!
Until next time......MOM

So, here is a nice hot loaf ready to come out of the oven...I think this is the sesame semolina. It was fantastic!!

Here is a loaf of Broule and a Baggett...proofing and waiting to head to the oven

The baggett all covered with garlic accompanying my spaghette dinner. This is my homemade spaghett sauce too....yummy

The Broule and Baggett out of the oven.....tasty

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Blog could be considered offensive by some..especially if you are a weenie, buy all your groceries in a grocery store, or are just plain boring.....If that is the case....do not read any further....and have a nice day. (It's my blog, I can be silly if I want to.....)
So, it is officially the start of cold, shorter and darker days and evenings.....the clocks have been turned back and by the time I get home from work now it is for pretty much dark. The gardens have all been cleaned off and ready for their much deserved rest over the winter. I picked the last of my carrots this weekend and think they will be the perfect ingredient for a nice pot beef stew or old fashioned potatoe soup.
Kurtis and I have been busy little bees (more like squirrels) packing things away for the winter. I am so proud of my newly founded fruit cellar we made in the basement. This was a room that we really had not used in years..so we started in cleaning it out and believe it or not..finished the project. Now, I have my freezers in there, all new shelving containing all my canned goods and all the onions and potatoes. I have a full refrigerator of the falls crop of apples. They will be so good all winter long. We have also managed to hook up a nice wood cook stove to play around with. I will have to get a nice picture of her in action...its not only a nice heat source, but does a nice job of cooking a big pot of chili too....yes, there is a good chance I am getting just plain silly, but we do have fun with it. So, I have loaded a few pictures for your enjoyment, or to gross you out....but just remember, if you run out of good food this winter...come see me....I am indeed a generous gardener and love to share!!! Until next time....MOM



This is some of the apple varities I stashed away down in the refrigerator in the basement, they were so absolutely beautiful this fall.....













I think this guy is thinking "Hmmmmm, something just isn't right here". This is a really nice crate, has a great view of the countryside...but something is just not comfortable.....and what is the guy with the sickening grin on his face doing???














I know, this is a terrible picture....but I couldn't help it...he seemed to be enjoying himself so much....which by the way..does worry me just a bit.

Now, folks here is a good looking couple of boys.....with a mornings worth of bounty! I think Aaron said he and Ryan had about 21 coons there in the bed of the truck and one nice Fox. Now, tell me, if you ran into these boys in a dark alley in Chicago.....would they concern you in the least bit???? Well, maybe if you were a coon....and I mean that in a politically correct way!!!!

There is a sure sign of Fall in the air.....
Kurtis and I have started this nice little habit of taking rides on the mule in the evening around the farm...the weather has been so incredible beautiful, it seems like a shame to not get out and enjoy it...So we snuggle ourselves in the mule, with the dog of course...and we head out to bounce around the fields...tonite I couldn't help but to notice all the obvious signs of fall in the air...you can just feel the change in the season, especially when you pay attention...so I took my camera and tooks some pictures of what nature is doing to get ready for the impending change.......
This is a little wildflower that grows down by the creek...I looked it up in my Native Iowa Wildflower book..it is called a "Touch me not" and is related to the impatient. It is so delicate and pretty..I had never noticed it before. It grows down by the creek where its shady and damp...


One of my favorite signs of fall....the bountiful apple crop. Looks like this year is going to be another good one. This is the snow apples. I have already made a nice batch of apple crisp and it was wonderful! We will have to get out the newly patented "Sharon apple picking box" and Kurtis will enjoy hoisting me up in the Bobcat again...Hey, it works!






Well, I warned you. I knew when we planted the potatoes this spring...it was going to be bad! So, this is one row. There are three...you do the math!
They are beauties...and taste great!! Kennebec's of course. Just place your order, I'll deliver.










Another nice harbor of Fall...the nice white oyster mushroom...I just didnt have the heart to pick it..It was nice and fresh and no doubt would of made a great mushroom gravy, but think I will wait for the prized Rosie Beretta (what the Czech's call the hen's nest) or at least that is what Richard used to say...







Attention: Allergy sufferers...goldenrod. When you see Goldenrod, you know Fall is close. I sat for awhile while photographing this and just watched the bees ...it was so pretty, they were just encased in yellow pollen...making up some wonderful honey somewhere imagine.

So, hope you enjoyed my little diversion....and "Happy Fall!!" Oh, and by the way...Kurtis and I celebrated our 9th anniversary yesterday...Happy Anniversary big guy!!
Until next time.....MOM

It's so hard to believe it has been two months since I updated this blog last....but it actually has. We have been absolutely snowed under with gardening, canning and just keeping up with day to day activities. As usual this summer has blown by way to fast, and I'm not sure I have alot to show for it. Lately I have been canning like mad and have put up green beans, pickles, tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. Still planning to do more....yes, its probably more than we can eat...but its fun to give to the kids too.
Despite the un-believable amount of rain we have had this summer...our gardens have done very well!! As usual we have way overe produced, but I'm managing to give alot away too. We have a rule that you cant come and visit this farm without taking home some tomatoes, potatoes or onions.....so far it seems to be working.
Kurt and I just got back from our fall vacation to Mt. Pleasant Old Threshers Reunion. We had a fabulous time...we camped for 8 days and it was wonderful. We had such nice people camped all around us and its really interesting to meet the people from all over the US. One evening we BBQ'd with our neighbor from Washington state. We brought steaks and they provided fresh caught Halibut from Alaska...it was some of the best fish I have had in a long time. As usual the time went fast..but we will look forward to going back next year....god willing.
Jessica, Rob and Ellie came down Saturday and stayed overnite....Ellie took in all the kids attractions and had a great time....Grandma and Grandpa rested Sunday...haha!! I had forgotten how much energy a 3 year old has....but she is a joy to have around!! I think we got her one step closer to having a pony.....well at least until she saw the sand pile and took off to go over and play with a dump truck....tell me..what am I doing wrong??? Grandma will get her to come around...just a matter of time...ha!
So, until next time.......MOM

MORE FUN AT THE REUNION......

Ellie giving a big wave to Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy!! The horses name was "Jack"

"Can you tell me the shortest direction to the dog-pottie? Millie was a big hit with the parade crowd!! She was a very good little campin' dog...

Just too much energy exerted at the log village, Grandpa had to lie down on the log for a little break!

Well, Miss Ellie....now, can you say "Grandpa....I want a PONY!! Looks darn good sitting in the saddle doesn't she....This is "Dolly"

Heading through the parade in downtown Mt. Pleasant.