Friends

It always seems that when we are getting really far behind schedule..beyond the normal crunch, some miracle happens. Last year, we met our friend Bob who brought over his big tractor and helped us plow and plant our first pumpkin patch in the nick of time (see "Pumpkins" post from last fall). 

This year, I rotated the pumpkin patch to new ground and was similarly behind in clearing the weeds, subsoiling, plowing, and pickin' rocks from the untamed soil. And, as if there wasn't enough to do, we threw our annual summer party right around the deadline for planting. The party was a blast and we really enjoyed having people join us to celebrate the summer season. 

This year's miracle came when two of my good friends from California flew out for the party and hung around a few days to help out on the farm. We had a great time and managed to prep all the new pumpkin and squash beds for planting...again in the nick of time. 

We owe a huge "THANK YOU" to our friends Rob and Matt for making the trip and helping out on the farm.

Big Rob tilling up the soil with the "Blue Bomber"

Matt deftly adding some greensand to build the soil.

Rob and Eddie "rock pickin"

Our son giving Matt a lesson on the finer points of cultivating.

It may seem kind of ridiculous to actually take a tape measure to the field but I really like to get my plant spacing "on the money"

Cooling off at the swimmin' hole

Phew! Thanks for the help!

Some well-deserved hammock time after a hard day's work