Archive for the ‘Family - Martin’ Category

March 14, 2010 – Maple Syruping Season Begins

We’re a little behind getting our taps in.  The weather warmed up rather suddenly and with the heavy overcast, has stayed relatively warm.  Good sap run happens when nighttime temperatures drop below freezing, but we haven’t had that for a while, nor is it in the forecast, but it was time to get the taps ...Read more.

February 11, 2010 – Thingamajig Thursday #195

Here’s this week’s thingamajig Thursday. What’s Martin holding?
Also check out the last thingamajig answer.

As always, put your guess in a comment below.
Hold mouse over this sentence to pop-up answer.
one year ago…”10-0″

February 8, 2010 – Home DNA

Even though Linda started out her career as a gene jockey in the early days of biotech, I still never imagined I’d hear this conversation at home between my wife and eight-year old son.

Linda: “Martin, it’s time to get jammies on.”
Martin: “Can I just finish this base pair?”
Martin’s home DNA kit shows just how ubiquitous ...Read more.

January 11, 2010 – Winter Fun

Nothing says winter more than snowy/wet kid gloves rumpled in a corner.

Martin shows off his gloves after a session of tunneling in a snowdrift.  The weather has finally warmed up enough to be able to go outside.
one year ago…”PFI Conference Wrap-Up Part 1″

January 2, 2010 – Putting the “art’ in mARTin.

Over the week before New Year’s Martin spent three days at the Central Iowa Art Association “space” art camp where they used space (negative and positive space) as a thematic and theoretical basis for three days of creation.

Here he poses with his teacher with one of his creations.
one year ago…”Bonfire Remnants”

January 1, 2010 – Looking Back on 2009

Seems like everyone puts together some kind of year-in-review (and some decades in review this year). I’m not ambitious enough to sort through the last decade, but I will take a shot at the year in review. So without much further ado – the things we’ll remember most about 2009 in no particular ...Read more.

December 25, 2009 – Merry Christmas 2009

The family with the traditional pose under the tree.
one year ago…”Merry Christmas”

December 18, 2009 – Now this is A Christmas Tree!

This is the year we have been waiting for – the first Christmas tree grown on our farm. This summer Martin and GJ put an orange tag on the best tree after much deliberation.

On our way down to get the tree, we thought we might be in trouble when the snow started rising almost ...Read more.

December 13, 2009 – Snowbanks

I think the winter is here to stay – we’ve not been above freezing for about 10 days now and the cold weather continues.

Martin went to check out how our natural windbreak worked – and here are the drifts to show that it is working.  Years ago, we’d have to put up an take down ...Read more.

December 11, 2009 – Subersnow

As expected, storm recovery takes a while.  Hear Martin helps clear the snow off the Outback.

We bought the ‘96 Outback about 18 months ago as a car for our new drivers, Claire and Emma.  It remains our only all-wheel drive vehicle and has seen a lot of use this week.  I feel better with them ...Read more.

December 8, 2009 – Martin’s First Music Gig

Last weekend Martin had his first gig out of home/church.  He was invited by his piano teacher to play at the Mason’s Christmas party.

It was the first time for all of us inside a Mason Lodge, made more famous by Dan Brown’s latest novel.

Here’s Martin posing before his performance.
one year ago…”First No School Day of ...Read more.

December 7, 2009 – Kale for the Masses

OK. This is probably the last thing out of the garden this year – kale.

Here Martin samples the crispy kale. Just de-vein the kale if desired, sprinkle with a bit of olive oil and apple cider vinegar and bake for a few minutes, turn and bake again until crispy – a great alternative to ...Read more.

December 5, 2009 – Gift Box Assembly

Today is gift box assembly day. Tomorrow we’ll post photos of this year’s offerings.

Martin brings up the jam from the basement.

The products get labeled, wrapped, and boxed on the dining room table – Emma is wrapping the goat milk soap.
one year ago…”2009 High Hopes Gift Boxes”

November 29, 2009 – Putting Bees Away for Winter

It’s time to tuck the bees in for the winter.  By the end of this week, the highs are supposed to be in the 20s.

Martin and Linda add the insulated cover to the hive.

Here, they pose after finishing the job – the black cardboard has been slipped over the hive and we wait until spring ...Read more.