Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

Confused? I sure am. The tomorrow that I put off a few yesterdays ago is now here. That means the to-do list I didn't tend to is still there as well. I couldn't sleep last night as thoughts of chores whirled in my mind. I fought them back with reassurances that I deserve to take a day off every now and again. They persisted for a while as I tossed and turned before finally falling asleep.
   This morning I was up before the crack of dawn. Instead of the alarm clock, I awoke to the sound of a child's footsteps echoing in the hallway. Funny, once you have kids the slightest rustle from their bedroom can wake you from the deepest of slumbers. Somehow, though, you can sleep through the blaring alarm clock. I made it to the kitchen and the to-do list was waiting for me on the kitchen table, but I had other things to tend to.
   After getting the kids fed and off to school it was time to feed the animals.  Then, it was off to work myself. The list, I thought, couldn't taunt me there. As I was driving the tormenting list came to mind again, like some clattering apparition I had seen in a bad horror movie. Again, I attempted to dismiss the unwanted thougts and pulled into the parking lot of the school where I teach. 
   Finally, I had something else to occupy my mind with. The day passed rather quickly, and thoughts of the list remained hidden until the drive home. There it was larger than life taking up space in my brain. I pulled into the local grocery store to pick up what I needed for dinner. Try as I may my grocery list wouldn't come to mind. Clean the barn? No, that's not it. Trim the pony's hooves, no, not that either. Finally, I pryed my thoughts from the vice-grip that held them hostage. Hamburger, milk, bread that's better. I am in a daze as I pay the cashier and not exactly sure of what I've purchased.
 Back home I run through the afternoon routine; feed the kids, feed the animlas, do the dishes and finish up the laundry. I glance at the table and the list taunts me once again. Haven't I done enough, I think. By the looks of the list, I have not. I pick it up. The crisp,white-lined paper looks innocent enough, and the notes written in dark blue pen look harmless. It's what is written that pulls me in. I wrench myself free, flip it over and stare at the blank lined paper. Surely, I am stronger than it is.
   The paper feels light in my hand and without the words it has little power. I rip it vertically, the sound echoes in my ears. Then, horizontally and the sound of freedom is near. Finally, it lays on the table in tiny shreds rendered powerless. I smile. I am free and doubt I will have any problem sleeping tonight! 

Well, we've finally gotten the rain that we needed so badly here in Sugarcreek.  The past few days it has been raining and the garden has finally gotten the moisture it needs. The weeds though, they are another story. Yesterday, I spent hours pulling and tossing them by the bucket- full. Today I hear we are set for  more rain.

The rain keeps me inside more. Normally that would bother me, but I've busy with my latest endeavor. I finally finished my 1st novel and am hoping to get it published.  No, it's not a book on gardening which you probably would imagine. The book would fall more into the category of Native American Literature. I grew up in New England surrounded by the ghosts of the Nehantic Indian Tribe, and at one point our family lived across from an old Native American burial ground . I was always fascinated with the way that they lived so peacefully on this earth leaving only their footprints as a reminder that they had been here.

If that weren’t enough to get me thinking, my mother’s side of the family are decedents of the Heron Tribe. As a child I listened to my uncle and grandfather spin tales of their earlier childhood where they incorporated the many rituals of their ancestors. You might say that at a young age I was hooked. I only wish that they had been around longer to teach me more, or at least that I had paid more attention as a child.

 I will admit that I am quite the dreamer, and these dreams have taken me where I am today. A while back I started thinking again and dreaming about writing a novel that encompasses the ideals and ways of the Native American culture. Who knows where this one will lead?

 One of my husband's favorite movies is the "Field of Dreams." Growing up in Ohio the sight of a massive cornfield seems to bring him comfort. He is also an avid sports fan,so the thought of being visited by the ghosts of some of the finest baseball players to ever play  makes it that much better.

 Every year we contemplate planting a large cornfield in one of the back pastures. This year we decided to till a smaller one in a front pasture. I can honestly say that  just now that it looks nothing like a dream. It is roughly tilled with many stones and clumps of grass that need to be removed before we can finish.

Last night I was out working on removing some of the debris when I saw some movement in another garden. I had noticed some plants had been chewed and I had not yet begun the applying of natural repellents. As I walked over I saw this little guy helping himself to some red cabbage.He was within 6-12 inches of me, and  I had  hoped my mere presence would scare him off. As you can see he was not the least bit frightened. I went directly for the repellent as he hopped from the garden and sat there patiently watching me finish. 

We are a no kill farm, and many wild and domestic animals have taken up residence here. We try to plant a little extra knowing they will arrive just as the healthy young plants begin to flourish. One thing for sure if you plant it they will come.... now if we could just attract the ghosts of a few famous baseball players...

A few years ago we had the honor of escorting the traveling Vietnam Wall from Cambridge,Ohio to New Philadelphia, Ohio. The thunderous rumbling of  the motorcycles could be heard for miles. My husband and I joined a friend here in Sugarcreek, and caught up to hundreds more bikers in Cambridge. From there we rode side by side escorting the memorial to Kent State University. The photos below show the begining as well as final entry to its temporary resting place. After the ride we quietly watched as many people walked to the wall seeking out their friends and family who had been lost in the line of duty. 

Coming from a long line of military people we always find it most humbling on Memorial Day to raise the flag and salute those who have so unselfishly given their time and in many cases their lives to protect this great country.

A sincere Thank You goes out to all of those who have served or are currently serving.

Come with me on a morning walk through the some of  gardens on the farm. Just now the irises are blooming, and the summer garden is growing. It's peaceful here in Sugarcreek on this Sunday morning. The weather has been beautiful and the plants are reaping the benefits of the  many hours of sunshine. Here are a few pictures of what's growing today.

Here in Sugarcreek the irises are just now beginning  to bloom. Mother Nature it seems has been working extra hard this year producing these hardy perennials. I thought I'd take a minute and share a few with you. I only wish the computer had a scent feature for you to smell their heavenly fragrance!

It's hard to believe it is almost the 1st of June. Heavy frosts the past few nights have sent us scurrying out to cover the tender young tomato and pepper plants. We are working on additional plantings for the CSAs as weather permits. We have already planted many, many seeds and they are just now emerging. Thankfully the frost has not effected them.

Things seem to be finally waking up here in Sugarcreek. The weather they say is supposed to be beautiful from here on out. Last night we spied a somewhat lost oppossum in the shed, and this morning we saw a large skunk wandering around near the pond.

The irises and lupines are just now blooming filling the air with their sweet fragrance. Soon the lilies, peonies and roses will follow.Over the past few years we have been cultivating some older as well as newer varieties of many different perennials. We will be offering some new additions on our listing this fall.

 For now,  I"ll  leave you with a few photos of the spring garden.

I've been meaning to blog, but there seems to be an endless amount of work to be done on the farm. This is truly one of the busiest times of the year. With the tilling, planting, and constant weeding it's no wonder I haven't had time to blog. It is though one of my favorite times of year. A time when in the midst of all the activity I can take a few minutes to stop and smell the flowers. As I am cleaning the beds of the many perennials we grow, I can smell some of the sweetest spring flowers ever.

  There is a part of me misses the cold winter days that kept me indoors, and gave me more time to blog and catch up on other things. Now it's up before the sun, and outdoors as soon as the sun peaks over the horizon.  Then it's off to work, and outside again until the sun sets. Life seems so incredibly busy just now.  I wish I could tuck a few extra hours into each new day.I assume that once we have had enough warm weather and we've gotten caught up (hah!) the need to be outside will  not be as strong. The good news is ....it wil be well worth the work when the flowers are in full bloom, and we can begin to harvest the wholesome veggies that we've raised.

Just now the spring garden is getting the benefits of a gentle rain. The strawberries are blooming and a host of irises will be soon.

Until the next time-happy gardening!

Here in Sugarcreek the weather has been a bit crazy. It warmed up, cooled down, and the other day we even had  sleet and hail! It's almost May and many of us still have our heat on. Very unseasonable weather for us.

 It's also has not been the best weather for planting and growing, but the weather this weekend is suppossed to be glorious with temperatures reaching in the 70's-80's. Plantng season is upon us, so last weekend we managed to get a cultivator to help with the tilling. We normally have an Amish neighbor do the tilling for us, but we decided to till an area 2-3 times larger than usual. We hope to accomodate the additional requests for  CSAs and get more veggies grown for the markets.

We have seen a steady increase in requests for naturally grown produce, and a greater interest in the farm.I imagine that  with every new food scare that is announced more and more people are worried about how and where their food is grown.I can't say I blame them. I like to know where my food comes from too. The more natural and local the better.

Honestly, I was begning to think the sun would never shine here in Sugarcreek. After many days of rain, drizzle and grey skies the sun has finally come back.It is a warm and welcoming sight.

The next few days are supposed to be nice as well, and then well, back into the cold rain again. We have a lot to do in those few days. Some roofs need mending, and more spring veggies need to be planted.

We are looking forward to the nice weather to get started on tilling the soil so we can begin planting for the summer harvest. Before we know it the crops will need to be harvested, and that first juicy home grown tomato will be ready.Mmmmm..I can taste it already.