Today was one that was filled with delightful moments and frustrating hours. A combination that equals reality in our farm life. Our hope was to get the wheat field harvested that sits directly behind our home. It is irrigated wheat. We completed the normal morning chores and prepping. I did take the time to actually throw on some makeup and do my hair a bit. The day before had been an emotional one for me so I wanted to start this day with my best foot forward. I also knew since the farm grain storage bins were almost full I wouldn’t be out in the heat as much to sweat it all away!
My best friend offered to cook a meal for our harvest crew and today was the day she brought lunch. I have to say it was absolutely delicious and I’m not just saying that because she is my best friend. It was just delightful and it made it even better that I didn’t have to cook! She brought us Chicken, Chipotle Cole Slaw, Pasta Salad, Veggies, Cherries, Chips, and Brownies. The crew loved it! Since we were able to start cutting behind our home we all ate together on our back deck. They began cutting about 11:30 am.
Another delightful thing about today was that my middle daughter came out to take photos of our wheat harvest. We hopped in the UTV and was on our way! As you can tell the wind was living it up in our hair! This photo is crazy but it makes me smile because it was time spent with one of my kiddos and we were laughing! It’s all good! I can’t wait to share her shots from today!
The wheat that was harvested today was very thick straw. Milton had to drive the combine slower than normal. Shortly after starting, we did have a minor breakdown, but as a farmer he made due with what he had to repair the roll pin. After lunch we got back to cutting with the “fix”. Dad in law headed to town for a new one and then also beveled gears. We were able to harvest from 11:30 until about 5:30 pm. The reason we had to stop was due to the combine became plugged. Milton and our help began working on it to figure out where it was plugged. I checked on them periodically and it wasn’t an easy task from what I could tell. Finally about 2 hours later they were done with that issue. Milton decided to send the help home and he replaced the beveled gears. So the combine should be ready to roll tomorrow afternoon. We didn’t get the field harvested completely but tomorrow is another day!
My husband and I took a quick night drive on the UTV to check the row crops together. I am submitting photos on a weekly basis to Successful Farming that they place on their website to show progress. It’s been fun to document these crops for them! Fall harvest will be here before we know it! The sunset was awesome tonight! So glad we got this time together!
I have decided mornings are my favorite time during wheat harvest. It gives me the opportunity to spend time with my hubs doing various chores. It helps me feel included and gives us time to connect!
We will begin harvesting after lunch tomorrow as the morning will be spent at church. Although tomorrow is Father’s Day, I know the father in our house would only like a smooth day of harvesting as his gift. I hope that happens for him!
Be sure to check out my blog at www.farminggracedaily.com
Julie@Spring Valley Farms Inc
1. Be ready to go at the drop of a hat...sometimes without a lunchbox.
2. Has removed the word impossible from her vocabulary!
3. Can hold a baby, take care of a toddler and drive a tractor or combine all at the same time.
4. Must be able to cook for a crew - large or small.
5. Must be able to read minds.
6. Must be able to banter with a parts man until he realizes you DO know what you're talking about.
7. Must be the entertainment director for those rainy days.
8. Be a wife, mom, friend, helper, cook, problem solver, taxi driver or extra crew hand at all times.
9. Can handle the call that makes you react, "You need what? When?" Dropping everything you're doing to make it happen.
10. At the end of the day say, "I really do love this life".