Family Farm Fun

Pumpkins (corn, sugar beets, edible beans, soy beans, wheat) aren't the only things growing on our farm. So are our sweet country kiddos. Each of the Bieber babies was born in the spring and was 6-7 months old for his/her first pumpkin patch season. What better way to document than a baby in a pumpkin picture. Bah Boo Bubs

The weather is a breezy 68 degrees at Pumpkins and More A-maiz-ing Farm today, so we are a little extra bundled cheering on our Denver Broncos. To keep everyone warm, Boots made his special chili. Ingredients for a 16 quart roaster full: 2 lbs. Hamburger 2 lbs. Hot Italian sausage 1 large green bell pepper, diced 3 Anaheim peppers, diced 3 jalapeño peppers, diced 1 onion, diced 8-9 lbs. beans (mixture of pinto, great northern, kidney, and black to your preference) 4 cans stewed tomatoes 48 oz. Spicy V8 3 cupa Pace picante sauce 2 Tbs. Garlic salt 2 Tbs. Pepper 2 Tbs. Chili powder 2 Tbs. Cayenne pepper 1 Oz. Worcestershire sauce 2 packets chili seasoning 1. Brown meats, peppers, and onion in a sauce pot 2. Add all other ingredients to the roaster 3. When meat and veggies are ready, add to roaster as well 4. Bring to boil 5. Simmer for 2 hours at 275 degrees 6. Serve with Frito lays, cheese, and a dallop of sour cream!

Happy first day of fall everyone! We are celebrating with some work on the farm. Last night, our high school helpers took apart all of the irrigation pipe, and today we will load it up to put away. On our farm, the majority of the fields are watered with sprinkler irrigation that looks like this: Photo credit: Taylor Shea Goldenstein However, in the corner areas, we use irrigation pipe that runs from a well. The water runs down the rows and must be set to alternate every day. This process is done by hand and is one of our favorite summertime activities as you can see: Setting water on soybean field 2016 Checking the rows in a corn field 2015 Playing in the mud 2014 The weather here was cool and misty - this morning - so I planned on eating potato soup for dinner. By day's end though the weather heated up too much for soup, but I am sure I will get the chance to make it soon. Instead, the kids enjoyed some time playing. 

An old classic craft is one of our fall favorites. All you need is a piece of paper, paperless crayon, and leaves. Usually, we go leaf-hunting together but Bah planned this craft all alone. She said she needed something out of the pickup,  grabbed some leaves, and was at the table before we could join her. Since she is six, this is a perfect craft for her to do all on her own. In fact, she finished it while sister made a puppet, brother was playing, and I cooked dinner. Her final product was pretty cute too. When we do it again,  the younger kids will need a little more guidance.

I are excited to begin my blogging adventure. My goal with the blog is to share our family's love of all things fall and passion for farming. The intent is to cover topics ranging from educational activities to recipes to crafts. Most information will center on our family's farm and seasonal pumpkin patch and corn maze (Pumpkins and More A-maiz-ing Farm in Holyoke, CO) and activities involving our favorite season. Stay tuned as I blog about our 2016 season adventures! Cousins in a corn maze