Vineyard puppy

Two months old . . .

And teething. I didn't know that was possible.

Beautiful August peanuts

Our first grape harvest

For you inquiring minds . . .

• This year we harvest by hand because the vines are still delicate. Next year we anticipate a mechanical harvest.
• The timing of grape harvest depends upon sugar and ph levels in the fruit. Oftentimes wineries dictate what levels they want based on what kind of wine they intend to make. Grape growers test the crops repeatedly waiting for the right levels, then harvest begins.
• Once harvested, grapes are trucked to their respective wineries post haste. The longer the fruit is off the vine, the lower its quality. So speedy transport is in everyone's best interest.
• These grapes beat the pants off the table grapes you buy at the grocery store. So unbelievably good.

Rain Day!

Our first of the year. We are thrilled.

Rain days mean Daddy's home and that means I get unanticipated hours to work on manuscripts. Score.

New normal

So this is what our life amounts to now: Evening walks in the vineyard with baby, Cotton and a .45. Not what I guessed back in fifth grade at career day.

Sophie by numbers

One month and four days old.

Eating up to eight ounces at a sitting. I'm told that's a Lake baby for you.

Traveled like a champ over fifty-four hours in the past two weeks by car.

Sleeping up to six blessed hours in a row.

First swimming experience at three weeks. She wasn't a fan.

July 22

The day Cotton discovers porcupines.

This was after several rounds of pin removal. Ouch.

This week . . .

The vineyard rows are getting a haircut.

We're doing a whole lot of snuggling.

The grape clusters are showing off.

Napping is plentiful.

The peanuts are gloriously green.

And Sophie was introduced to our evening walks . . . though I'm fairly confident she doesn't know it yet.

Independence Day

The holiday has taken on new meaning for me. Sophie arrived at 11:11pm declaring her independence from the womb. We are so thankful.

Evening walks

Ten days overdue. There's really nothing else to say so we just keep walking.

Gypsum

The gypsum was delivered last week for the peanut field. In layman's terms--which is the only way I like to traffic when it comes to farming--gypsum is a mostly-calcium mixture that helps the peanuts absorb the best nutrients for healthy growth by lowering the ph in the soil. The spreader will spread the white dust this week.

No word from the baby.

Due date

No, baby girl hasn't arrived. She is thoroughly ignoring all eviction notices. In an attempt to keep the home spirits up, Nathan started preparations for planting our yard (aka our sand dunes). I cannot tell you how unpleasant it can be walking through ankle-deep sand every time you need something from your car . . . especially when the only type of footwear that fits are flip flops. Not exactly protective gear against the sticks, scratchies and snakes.

Here's hoping the grass seed takes.

Basura

Trash is a funny thing. Its disposal is something I've sorely taken for granted living in my urban world. That has come to an abrupt end.

Rather than recycling trucks and city waste management, we are now the proud owners of one rural incinerator. Nathan built this beauty. Apparently, burning things is a task he did often in the military. That sucker is efficient for sure.

One of the many things I didn't expect living on a vineyard was how this country lifestyle would change the way I shop. Packaging wasn't something I ever noticed--unless it was graphically impressive. But now I not only notice the plastic-to-compostable ratio, it is a significant factor in my purchasing decisions.

Kitty training

You wouldn't know it from these pictures, but we're in the midst of training Salty to use the great outdoors as her new litter box. So far I think she's just really confused and bent on holding it.

Nathan is undeterred. 

Peanuts 2012

We're growing peanuts again in one of the circles. With the blessed rainfall we've received, Nathan's done a fair amount of pitching out to protect the germinating seeds.

And then all of a sudden the field starts to turn green.

Spring flowers

Even the weeds are prettier this year.

Family garden

Nathan surprised me last week. I've spent the vast majority of my recent days indoors scurrying to complete several book projects before D day. In the interim, he prepared and planted our family garden.

After it cools off in the evenings we walk over to the garden to do the watering.

It's a nice mile walk round trip . . . assuming we aren't swarmed by bugs. First it was moths, then bees, then flies, now some even smaller flying critter that can all too easily be inhaled.

We're often told how romantic it must be to live here. It certainly can be but I assure you the constant flying insects are less than optimal. We will be procuring insect repellant today.

Grow garden, grow.

A gift

Cotton has a gift for finding shade on our mostly tree-less plains.

Spring growth

After last year's drought I am just amazed by how happy and green the vegetation is this spring. Baby grapes are popping up all over second leaf vines.

You'll notice a higher guide wire has been added to the trellis system to accommodate this year's growth.

And the vines aren't the only ones growing. My midwife just commented that I have officially "blossomed." Ahem.

That's a very gracious way to put it.