Morning around here

Wondering how I find time to blog? Yes, it's a busy life, but lucky for me, I'm a morning person -- and my beautiful children are mostly night owls. Dan usually gets to bed earlier than Andy, but still can be counted on to sleep until 8:30 or 9 many days.

Other than lovely early morning rain, here's what been going on while I blogged today..

Not sure why Andy spent the night on the couch, but a few moments ago he mumbled something about how hard it is to stay up all night.

Nothing like spending the morning snuggled in bed, with a devoted dog at your feet.

Garden Show

We spent last evening at the Botanic Gardens concert. More accurately, we spent our evening watching two shows by We spent last evening at the Botanic Gardens concert. More accurately, we spent our evening watching two shows by We spent last evening at the Botanic Gardens concert. More accurately, we spent our evening watching two shows by Clan Tynker. The boys love Clan Tynker. They're a semi-local (from Santa Fe) Old World style performing troupe. The costumes are great, the magic tricks are cute, the comedy sweet and silly and the juggling truly phenomenal.

I took lots of pictures.

Clan Tynker opening the show.

Elijah with his unicycle. He rode it, too, but this was more impressive....

They juggle.....

They spin Diablo.....

The boys love watching Marygold & Rebekah with the 'Diablo' spinner. Now they want their own.

There's comedy and audience prompts.....

Elijah walks on the tightrope -- very cool!

Mostly, tho, they do this.....

Completely enchanted children!

Andy especially loves the show!

Clan Tynker travels around the country, performing everywhere from Rennaisance Faires to libraries and private parties. When you check out their website, have a look at their calendar. If they come anywhere near you, get out to see them. They are great fun!

Down on the farm

Finally, pictures again! After what seemed like forever!

This past month, we've spent a lot of time at Ironwood Farm helping out and hanging out. I first saw Ironwood Farms a little over three years ago, when the straw bale home Chris & Jenny built was near completion. I'm amazed at how much has changed in that time!


These pictures were taken the past two weekends.

Andy & Jenny with the two little piggies. They are the sweetest little pigs, and follow Jenny around like little puppies. Their names are Aelita and Yumi (from Code Lyoko). The kids named them.

Will and Chris out in the corn field. It was very hot yesterday (95) and they were irrigating which only added to the monsoon humidity around here. The guys worked very hard, hoeing and preparing the corn for watering. I don't know what was happening in this shot, but I liked the way their stances contrast. I think by this time, there was already water on the field, which makes walking interesting.

Irrigation at Ironwood Farm, like virtually all farms and some homes along the Rio Grande is done by opening gates that let river water flow into ditches run thru and around the farms (an acequia) which floods the fields. Growing up in New Mexico I thought that was how all farmers watered, until I moved to places where rainfall exceeds 2-5" a year!


Andy is helping Will & Jenny move an A-frame chicken tractor (housing for the chickens). One of several built by Chris, they're moved daily, allowing both chickens and grass to have fresh food daily.

I included this shot to show Jenny over at the other end of the show.

I know I had some pictures of kids chasing chickens -- a regular activity at Ironwood Farm -- I printed them, but can't find them now on the computer.

Even with the heat and hard work, we all love our time at the farm. Dan's best friend Scotty lives there of course, and we all love the whole feel of the farm.