THIS WEEKEND!!!

Mark you calendar - !! for the ODHBA annual plowing competition - I'll be out there with my boys this year! - at Champoeg State Heritage Area the weekend of May 1-2.

What: Champoeg State Heritage Area's Founders Day and the Oregon Draft Horse Association's Plowing Competition

When: Founders Day will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; the plow competition will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the exposition field preparation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Champoeg State Heritage Area, 8239 Champoeg Road NE, St. Paul

Cost: Free, but there is a $5-per-car parking fee

Info: Call (503) 678-1649 or go to www.champoeg.org

Founders Day

The plow competition is part of the annual Champoeg Founders Day celebration, with the theme "Farming Then and Now."

Champoeg is key to Oregon's history: In 1843, it was the site of the vote to form the first provisional state government, thus putting us on the road to statehood.

It also was the site of many of the first farmers, the first gristmill and one of the first towns in Oregon.

The day also will include presentations from farmers and Sons and Daughters of the Oregon Pioneers, costumed historical interpreters, a tool display, musical performances and refreshments.

more spring beauty!

I feel pretty darn lucky to live here this time of year... Ronnie is doing great nursing and running around... so cute I've picked him up a few times for various reasons and oh man so soft and warm and cuddly!!! the spring pigs are on new pasture and having a grand time!!













In wine news - the rose is getting bottled on Wednesday!! and the release letter will be going out THIS WEEK!!! for the rose and the '07 syrah (this is the first release of two wines that have been sold out for a while now so e-mail me if you're not on my list) This Rose is different (better IMO) than the '07 Laughing pig it's from a beautiful vineyard I'm super excited about it's the first organically certified vineyard in Oregon and is over 30 years old! - don't worry we made pinot from this fruit too!! (that will be realy in the fall!)

the video!

click here to see the video of haley's big day

full report and video tonight!

Baby is healthy and nursing perfect birth at 1pm mom was relaxed and did great!!

a watched cow

... like a wathced pot ...never - gives birth!! I've been waiting it's seems like an eternity since Haley started showing all the 'signs' of being about to give birth! and I think I've totally jinxed her she has seemed imminent for over 6 days now!! eshhh .. alright already the suspense is killing me.. cross your finger for an eventless birth!! and then for Josephine next!

new painting

This one is going to an auction in Carlton - more details to follow... it's 28" square

this weeks painting

love that man of mine

Brian made a simple diner earlier this week - 'ham and cheese sandwich' with some greens - the catch was it's was on his home made bread with lovely local cheddar our Farm raised and smoked ham, toped with our friend matt's homemade mustard and some greens from our friends at Square Peg Farm just sauteed lightly in the pan - humm that took the humble ham sandwich to a whole new level. I really tried to only eat half... to no avail!

a spring weekend!

Sunday Brian and I and the lovely miss clementine took a walk around and surveyed the lower field the grass , clover and vetch are all coming in nicely! look s like we will have some happy cows come summer! Speaking of cows they are DUE!! any day now we are expecting babies!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.. and boy do those girls look pregnant! ... cross your fingers for them!...

a perfect day

Plowed with Duane's teams today at the farm museum - Used the walking plow with three up and the kids were perfect!! and then was handed the lines by Duane for a pass with 6 horses on the two bottom riding plow! What a thrill - a great day of horses and farmers young and old... if you missed today COME to the plow day May 1st !!



all these shots are taken by my brother Joseph (except the one below ; )- My friend buzz ran the horses for him so he could put his hand to the plow - I think he liked it... : )