The Rainy Days

Although April brings us sunshine we've been deprived of all winter it also brings showers. I try to appreciate the rain after working all week and spend a day indoors. There's nothing better than a good book with some hot tea and a little bit of baking.
I love learning about local history and the Civil War so I settled for a classic,

~Gone With The Wind~

Homemade Bread



~5 Cups Flour (wheat or white flour)

~3 1/2 T. Yeast

~8 Cups Hot Water

Mix and let sit for 10 min.

Add:

~3/4 C. Oil

~3/4 C. Honey

~2 1/2 T. Salt

Add flour until it doesn't stick to the side ( I almost use a whole bag of flour). Knead for 6-10 min. on a clean countertop. Place back in bowl and let rise for 1 hr. Punch down and form into loaves, dividing dough into 5 greased bread pans. Cover and let rise again in pans (usually 30-45 min).  Bake

at 350 F for 35 min.

 

 

Work Days With My Farmer Boy

Calloway County's spring break was this past week, so bright and early Monday morning I put on my rubber boots, tucked my hand written " wish list" of things I wanted done in my pocket, and went to work with my farmer boy. The week was filled with many chores and spring cleanup jobs.
               Day 1 we loaded up the dairy cows and took them to the vet where we could trim their feet, this took all morning and we managed to experience a cow on the loose in the process, but we came home with a trailer load so no one got left behind. That afternoon we got my strawberries sprayed, and spent the rest of the afternoon at the basketball court.

 

Calving season is here so day 2 was spent fixing new pens for the expected calves soon to be here. The rest of the week consisted of cleaning out old metal, fixing his truck, painting his new gun cabinet                      
  and the daily milking.















 After the chores were done, we would spend several late nights in the shop, listening to the Willie and eating pizza while working on my strawberry sign and chalkboards I wanted built. After several hours spent and a couple trips to Lowes, my sign was complete. It made for a good week!  
                                                                               

 

                 

March Sunshine And Daffy Ducks

 

 

March is always an exciting time on our farm. Spring has officially arrived and new life springs up in many different forms. Daffodils (daffy ducks) are blooming and little hands bring in homemade bouquets for mamma. The vibrant yellow colors fill our kitchen with smells of fresh new life and sunshine.Our basement is filled with chirping of assorted poultry bought at the farm store. Buff Orpingtons are our favorites; a large fluffy golden blonde hen, laying large brown eggs. As the end of March/first of April brought 70 degree days, I finally got to test out my new saddle on a day ride to Soldier Creek with my little sister Rachel and sweet friend Audree Harper. My lovely, 16 hand, quarter horse Big'en decided to take a bath with me still on....lets just say we both came out wet. We picniced at one of my very favorite spots- primitive Soldier Creek Church. A mason jar of  lemonade and weeding the strawberry patch completed the day. 

Caden catching craw daddies in the creek



 

                                                       







Almost Spring At The Harris Farm

After enduring three months of the bitter cold, the end of February brings us a week of sunshine and warmth. Coats and overalls are shed and some of the youngster Harris kids even brave going without shoes. It's the beginning of a new farm year and farmers anxiously await spring and have high hopes for the season to come.
             

 

At the Harris Farm we begin taking soil samples to see how we can aid our land where our corn, beans, and tobacco will be planted. Contracts are signed, new parts and plants are ordered, equipment repaired, and a new calves are brought to our farm. I can't help myself from placing an order for chicks at the co-op store and maybe ordering a few new flowers for the garden, I guess it's spring fever.

 The strawberry plants have survived the winter and also call for attention. I start the "winter cleanup" process by removing the row covers, cleaning all the dead leaves, runners and weeds. We have thirty rows and after doing eight with only one other helper (ea. row taking two hrs) I convinced my the family to have what my mom would call a "family fun day" in the strawberry patch, needless to say, this speeded things up just a little haha

All the plans and details for the coming farming season are being finalized and we're anxiously awaiting April so we can begin our work on the farm.

Bundled Up For The Winter

 

As December and the cold months of winter approach, the barn doors are closed and the equipment is put back in its original place. The last of the tobacco has been hauled to Clarksville and our migrant workers return to their families back in Mexico. Winter chores consist of chopping wood, feeding livestock and catching up on some paperwork. I use much of my downtime quilting, baking, playing music, and making plans for the coming spring. This December we took a trip to North Carolina for a strawberry expo. where we met other growers and learned about the various tasks that must be done throughout the winter. One of those tasks is placing row covers over the strawberries to protect against the harsh temperatures to come. These row covers will stay on until late February unless we have a heat wave that would promote growth underneath the plastic. Much of my free time is spent over at the "PALMER FARM" with my boyfriend Logan. He runs a small dairy and keeps busy with his herd of Jerseys cows. He milks twice a day, cold, rain or sleet and I often join him for the afternoon milking. Sometimes if I have an abundance of free time, I'll take home some fresh milk and make butter or cheese which is always a treat! The winter months provide us with a good break from the summer work, and give us time to plan and come up with new ideas for the year to come.

Harris Family Traditions

As a young girl, I cherish the times dad and a bunch of us kids would bundle up on those cold December mornings, pull the old four-wheeler out of the garage, pile on and begin our search for the perfect Christmas tree. We would begin our scout on our farm, riding alongside the many meadows, woods and fence lines. We’d come across a couple but after studying them, we’d vote to hold out, hoping that perfect tree was still out there. We’d then head down to Soldier creek, driving in the creek bed and on some of our leased ground. Riding behind my dad, I’d tap his shoulder and ask “Dad, is that a good one?” pointing towards a good sturdy group of cedar trees in the distance. As we advanced closer, he’d reply “I think it might be Jordie.” For those of you who don’t chop your own tree, there are some special things to take into consideration when choosing one. First it has to have the perfect, strong, distinct smell. Secondly it has to have a dark rich green color, none of that brown stuff will do. Thirdly(and most importantly) it must fit in the living room. For some reason, tree’s always look smaller outside then they do indoors. Many a tree that has entered our front door has had to experience a major haircut. When we’d arrive back home with our prize tree, my mamma and a couple of my younger sisters would always have the lights out and ready. Walking in the door, the Christmas music would be turned up and a strong aroma of soup would fill your sniffer. Usually some hot cocoa would be waiting for us too. My mom would bring a wrapped up bag and sit down beside the tree. One by one, she’d carefully pull out the eight new ornaments she‘d collected over the previous months. Each one was different and unique, matching the many diverse personalities in our family. Some of them were farm related, others a cowboy boot or fishin‘ pole, there’d also be an assortment of sparkling fairies and ballerinas. As we decorated the tree, my mom would pull out ornaments from previous years, each one having someone’s name or some kind of special significance. After our tree was lit and complete, we’d gather around, each with a full tummy and a mug of eggnog. We’d listen to dad as he read Jotham’s Journey, a family favorite that we would read throughout the month of December, a very special part of our advent. It’s the story of a young Jewish boy that was separated from his family and then his adventure of being reunited with them, which happens in a little town called Bethlehem. His family is not the only thing he finds there… (we all know the rest of this story). Christmas is a very special time for our family. A time when we’re all together and treasured memories are made. It is also a time when we reflect on the greatest treasure of all, the birth of Christ. Merry Christmas! -From The Harris Family