The last of the 8 puppies that survived Roxie’s 10 pup litter was purchased on August 13, 2017. However, the new owner requested the puppy, named Rylee, remain at the farm until September 9. They planned to pick her up after their trip to Disney World. We thought it was a good fit as our guests could enjoy her over Labor Day weekend.  However, a few days later, we received an email from the buyer stating,  “Having some things going on and it’s just not going to be the right time to bring a dog into the house. You can keep the money I gave you for her and use it for her. She’s a sweetie and I wish it could have worked out. ”  Well… since the puppy was paid for,  Isaac decided to donate her to a family who had purchased a puppy earlier but, through an unfortunate accident, the puppy was killed.  The new family  was not able to pick her up until September 5  so it gave the Labor Day Weekend guests a chance to meet her until she found a “forever home”.  As you can see, it did not take Rylee long to make up to her new family. Matt Ulmer, the father, was the only one able to make the trip to pick her up.  The Ulmers are a dairy farming family.  So there will be cattle to herd, children to love and protect, and fields to explore. May she have a long and pleasant life. The Ulmer family is grateful to Kyri Menacker who made it all possible.  

AND OUR GARDEN SAYS IT BEST!  In late fall Ashley notice the “sea” of lettuce seedlings covering the garden floor.  She and Isaac placed straw bales, like fortress walls, around the “sea” and topped it with some old window sash that Ken had in storage.   The sun warmed it by day and the bales held the heat by night.

In January we peaked inside to find the lettuce had grown slowly from the seedling stage but it had grown.  But it was appropriately at Valentines day that the garden showed it’s “Lovin’ ”  Ashley harvested the lettuce by removing the snow covered windows.

Freshly harvested lettuce.

It was and amazing sight.  Fresh lettuce from the garden piled high in a basket on a cold and snowy February day.  We enjoyed a fine Valentine’s dinner complete with Gram’s famous Cold Lettuce dressing topping the tender sweet lettuce.  A treat usually reserved for last spring months.

Freshly washed lettuce for salad February 14, 2017

Easter Sunday we had the next round of salad.  Since that time we have had a steady stream of lettuce from the garden.  The rain saturated bales have been torn apart and have become mulch between the rows of asparagus and onion. The window sash has been placed out of sight but ready for next winter.  God sets the seasons, gives us plants and seeds and the intellect to provide bounty when there normally is none.  What a gift!

We invite novice to seasoned dancer to join us.