Before A Storm {Photography}

While hanging out at my inlaws' farm one Saturday evening, we were able to watch a major thunderstorm approach.

This produced wonderful photography opportunities!

The greenish sky did stay true to the old-wives'-tale and produce hail. We didn't get much at the home place, but several fields were hit a few miles north of here.

It was an evening that showed speckles of storms popping up in many places. We could see more clouds on the horizon.

A swirling cloud right before it started raining.

Just waiting for the storm to hit! Don't worry, we got E inside before it started raining :)

Part Time Farmers

We may have moved, and Dan may have gotten a new job, but that doesn't mean we're not still farmers!

We are still close enough to the family farm that we can go there on the weekends. In particular, he'll be sure to help out with harvest and planting.

I'll still enjoy documenting farm life... even if we're not there all the time.

So, we may have moved physically away from Frog Creek, but this blog is staying On the Banks of Frog Creek :)

Evelyn's First Skater Dress {Picture Heavy!}

As I was scrolling the internet one night, I came across this free add-on (free pattern pieces but no instructions) for the Little Skater Dress. I printed off the pattern pieces, and while I probably could have figured out how to sew it together without the actual pattern (by Kitschy-Coo), I decided to buy the pattern anyways. I figured I'd be making a lot of these in the coming years! And after sewing up this one, I truly hope I can get more done. It was a quick and easy project, and...

I LOVE THIS DRESS!!!

Isn't it adorable?! 

I love that the top is fitted and the skirt is slightly flared (but no gathers!). The pattern comes with several sleeve options... sleeveless, short and long. 

As I continue to sew with knit fabric, the more I like them (this was a craigslist purchase back in Montana). What's not to like?! With knits, I don't need to worry about zippers, buttons or snaps. Sweet bliss!!

My double needle worked really well, and I used a yellow ribbed knit from my stash for the neckline and armbands.

Lucky coincidence... Ev's cloth diaper cover matched the dress perfectly ;)

I love that the knit fabric makes this a no-fuss, comfy play dress. She can help feed the cows in it and I don't have to worry about her getting it dirty! Just keep playing, Ev!

She can help Grandma plant her garden and flower pots in it...

And just go for a walk around grandma's backyard...

There's always time to explore the playhouse and pick a dandelion...

And finally, it's time to check out the machine shed. No Ev, you're not quite ready for the trike yet! 

Thanks for hanging out with us during Ev's favorite time during the day... being outdoors ;)

**This is just a typical outdoor playtime for Ev. She just walks, walks, walks and explores, explores, explores... and I just follow, follow, follow. This time, I just decided to keep the camera handy :)

Glimpses of a South Dakota Spring

 Butterflies are starting to show up! I saw this one and a yellow tiger swallowtail butterfly on the same day. Little Miss Swallowtail wouldn't sit long enough for a picture, but this Mr. Red Admiral decided to pose for a photo shoot while hanging out on the garage wall.

 The pink flowering crab apple tree is almost in full bloom. I always love the smell of crab apple blossoms!

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More crab apple blossoms, a few apple flowers and one fern peony... the fern peonies are almost blooming! They are one of my most favorite flowers :)

 Not to overwhelm you with springtime flowers... here's another common site of Spring... farming equipment! We are completely done with planting corn, so now it's the soybean's turn! Above you can see a sprayer getting ready to go spread some chemical for weed control on a first year no-till field.

Evelyn's First Skipper Top

Ever since I had leftover fabric after making Evelyn her Comfy Christmas Dress, I couldn't wait to sew it into a Skipper Top (pattern by Sew Much Ado). 

Let me just say, I LOVED how quick and easy this pattern was! I was able to sew it in a few hours one night after Evelyn had gone to bed (I already had the pieces cut out). I'm sure it would have gone quicker, but I'm still getting used to sewing on knits and setting up my double needle.

I had her wear it the next day!!

I already have another top cut out, along with a matching one for her older cousin. 

I was busy sewing them during nap time one day last week and broke my double needle, so those are one the back burner until I have time to buy another needle. 

As you can tell, Spring has arrived! Admittedly, this week we're suppose to be a bit on the cooler side, but last week was simply amazing! 

And yes, the baby calves are starting to arrive! We even have a set of twins. I look forward to taking more pictures of these little cuties soon :)

March Goal - ALYOF

 My ALYOF goal for March is to take this quilt top that was pieced by my Grandma and to finish it... I hope to tie it, then bind it with the backing. Or I might burp it then tie it. Who knows, maybe I'll even do some random quilty lines on the machine before binding it. You'll just have to wait and see what happens! Grandma used to make quilt tops for the church donation quilts and Easter quilts for family members but has since had to give up the sewing machine. Since then, I have taken a few tops off her hands. I love looking at all the different fabrics. Most of the fabrics are scraps from making clothing for my mom and my aunt. Actually, Mom thinks she took apart some of those pieces of clothing to use the fabric. I'll get a picture of the entire quilt when it's finished!

Winter on the farm. 

Fencing.

Feeding Cows.

Hauling Grain.

That's all for now. Have a lovely day!

Corn Harvest 2013

 Corn harvest is almost done! There was sooo much corn out in the fields, and it took us several weeks, but we are finally down to the last 60 acres!

 But before we could get those 60 acres out, snow happened. We only got a few inches, so we are thankful for that. The snow came in half a day, and a few days later, it's almost all melted away already.

Wednesday morning was so beautiful, with the snow glistening with the rising sun, that I just had to run outside and snap a few shots.

 Pretty soon all of the fields will be empty and the machinery will be stowed away.

Snow will be a regular occurrence and this girl will enjoy more bundle up walks in the snow!

Just a Busy Time of Year

Only about one field left for soybeans! It will be a huge relief once the soybeans are in! We'll still have corn to harvest, but the corn isn't as weather dependent. Soybeans get hard when it's damp out, while you can even harvest corn in the snow. 

It's not ideal, but it is possible.

Last night was kind of crazy. I was sheltered from it all a bit since I was putting Evelyn to sleep, but I from what I hear, it was kind of crazy...

Not only were the men trying to rush the soybeans, but some cows got out.

Now, to be honest, that isn't that unusual around here (some of the fences need a little tender-loving-care).

However, having a grain truck's transmission just up and quit in the middle of the road while full of soybeans isn't a regular occurance. They had to get one of the tractors to pull it... until the tractor arrived, the truck was just stuck in the middle of the road... at night... full of beans... not fun.

Guess we need a new truck!

Let's hope today goes a bit better :)

First Day on The Job

Dan started his "first" day on the job yesterday, and it was full of driving trucks and tractors and of course, fixing things! 

 

In the house, we're still trying to get things put away and organized. Evelyn would prefer to spend her entire day outside, but she has to settle for several walks instead (isn't her new hat just adorable?! Thanks Grandma Kari!). 

I do hope to be craftily creative sometime soon, but until then, at least you have the 1960s Batiks Blog Hop to look forward to! The hopping starts Wednesday (here's the line-up), but you'll have to wait until September 30th to see my creation.


My finished September goal will be posted one of these days as well. Right now, I've got strawberries on the mind - I joined my first swap, and my package needs to be mailed out next week... I need to get stitchin'!

It Feels So Good!

It feels so good to be home!!

 We arrived early Saturday morning (we drove through the night, since Evelyn finally slept once it got dark out), and we unloaded the last item on Sunday afternoon. We are living with Dan's parents on the home farm, since we'll be in charge of the cattle - they're still deciding if they want to buy or build, but they wanted us home to help with the upcoming harvest.

 

 Here come the steers!

On Saturday, Dan's dad, Tim, was at a football game, so Dan was in charge of feeding these boys. Jumping right into the farm life!

 

Just while walking around this past weekend, I'm getting so excited to take pictures! Don't get me wrong, Montana had beautiful scenery, but I love the prairies and I love the farm scenes... especially in the early mornings. Of course, I haven't been up early enough yet to get really good pictures, but I'll get around to it :)