Happy to-Town Tuesday! Any big project (like, say, putting a farm back into food production by hand) is like climbing a mountain - one foot in front of the other, in the dark, trusting the path, waiting for sunrise, to see how far down the trail you actually are. There are days of fun work (like land remediation or build days), there are slog days of household chores in the sub-zero, dealing with injuries that just won’t shake, & celebration days when you move the line on so

Spring is coming, I promise! Happy baking weather.

Good baking weather these days. If you have to wander around out there, scoot safely in our lovely brisk weather. Hopefully, more hunkering down fun time for most ; ) & sorted by Monday? 😁 We can hope.

It’s a rough week of “life” anniversary’s - but the memories of the most difficult times are fuel for the future, if you work to put it back in the ground, where it belongs. We lost my father Tom, 14 years ago. Time doesn’t take away the pain of voluntary departures (tomorrow is also 13 years for my brother-from-another Vince), but you did get better at carrying the lessons learned. And so, on this blustery, dreary, sub-zero day, time to mix up the seed start & go, because:

These short-light days, of yo-yo weather, can wear on ones gumption at times. Frigid days seem to have the sunshine, the warmer temps come with the clouds & … that breeze of course. I have mostly been working on the dead tree part of work - oh paperwork: business renewals, appointments, yay finally to doc soon? Not my first choice for the todo list, but progress takes action, right? That’s why, bumping into one of my bubbly customers in the grocery store parking lot yesterd

What fantastic yard time weather for Tucker Dog’s 6th birthday. He’s such a good bubba. I had to pop thru town today, so, they all got treat bones. Kept them busy longer than I thought they would. Farm house cats appreciated the sunshine.

I can’t help myself, when I get to Mitchell, I have to cruise main & check out the Worlds Largest Pigeon Feeder. I love the Corn Palace, inside & out. I hadn’t been over since before Corn Palace Days, and there was a parking space, so I gave it a go & managed to parallel park my mom’s space car to get a closer peek. I shouldn’t be so impressed with myself but, I haven’t had cause to try for a while & I have this history of backing into things, so wohoo! 😂 The little side p

All the USDA Extension programs are in full spring. Timing is nice on the “food is medicine”, with seed selection & starting time upon us More info & free online registration here: https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/food-medicine-webinar SD State Events to peruse: https://extension.sdstate.edu/events?page=0 UMN Extension Events: https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events Happy learning season!

I was deep in thought about plant stand placement, surrounded by parts, when my phone rang yesterday. A cheerful voice teased me when I answered - “do you know who this is Kristin? You still know anybody in that South Dakota?” 😂😂😂 Deano!! My favorite farmer ever. Lucky lady me got a phone call pep talk in return for my Christmas Card. And I got to tell him - no tractor yet, but when the day comes, I’m only going for it because what YOU taught me & THANK YOU! Back when

YES its that time of year where prep to turn on the lights is underway. And while my Beaver friends only have to track from one muddy entrance to the other (this weather oh my), I had to go to Town-Town & was rewarded with some beautiful scenery on the drive and - this years seeds out & on sale. Menards had all the standard (Burpee & such) starting at $1.99 & another company at 49 cents!! I couldn’t help myself - had to grab current cherry tom’s (still looking for the old s

Well, Heartland lost one of our friends today. I had seen ol Fred Jr hunkered down by the inlet a few days ago, one 1/2 of rack gone but seemed to be moving alright. Then today circling to grab the game camera, run into hunters on the prop line sending dogs too close, so circled through the outlet and found our boy unable to rise. Conservation Mason off today, so mom & I finally got to meet Derrick who we had spoken to years ago in an incident, but not yet met. Always delig

New year, college football winding down. Sounded like the Ole Miss game was pretty good, although, of course I forgot to watch. Georgia almost had it, but nope. Figures they couldn’t quite see it thru, to end right. Enjoying the last few peaceful bits before its lights on for the new lil sprouts & here comes spring. The last storm was certainly from the North & I love how trees are 1/2 & 1/2 frosted. Perspective in visual form. Happy last of the Holidaze.

Safe Celebrating. Goodbye ‘25. Bells On. Thanks for the bubbles Grandma.

Uncle Johann sent this to mom & had to share. Happy Slide to the New Year with Much Luck & Health! Giggles aways help.

I hope its good leftovers in the fridge. Cooking & packing & ice skating to dancing by the tree. Grandma ate well. Good enough for me. : )

20 years ago, I was spending my Christmas outside, with my favorite 4 leggers, Rocky Mountain High at 8,500 feet. Jeanne & Joann - good girls, always kept the sleigh between the berms, even when the moose joined the fun. ; ) Deann & Brian are down soaking up the Florida sun, and this particular sleigh trail is no more, but the rules stay the same: Keep it between the ditches Cinnamon Tequila is tasty in the hot cocoa And don’t laugh at the gal who is on ski vacay, taking a

I’m so grateful when the one we lost, was peacefully surrounded by family. Mom picked - we will be adding a mighty oak this spring, in honor of Uncle Myron. All Great Grandma Lakota’s kids, home with her in time for Christmas. And I’ll have to bring home the next few african violets I see.

Two years ago, just before sunrise, mom & I were trying to get a lil car road trip sleep, to make that last bit of my loooong drive home to the farm. We had decided a few weeks prior - our future was the Letcher way, at Heartland Acres, together. And we don’t dwaddle. Even when the weather makes departure… more of an adventure? So there we were, gas station parking lot somewhere south-eastern Minnesota. Tilly cat was happy we stopped but over her crate, Tucker dog & Tali pu

Wowza, here comes February temps in the forecast. What a start to winter. I hope it shakes out for all the critters. I also hope everybody has their heated water bowls out. I do love the excuse to tackle a little inside holiday chore time though. Nothing like a warm oven to take the chill off & the calories that come with it are handy. I can’t wait until its homemade butter. So worth the work. 659 days…

I love sharing from my Monarch News google updates: the kids are on it!!! Way to go - I hope its a fabulous spring for their planting. https://www.ktnv.com/news/milkweed-for-monarchs-local-middle-school-students-get-las-vegas-mayor-to-sign-butterfly-pledge No seeds left here : ). Yes - I’m still checking.