Ellis Family Farms

2/5/11 - Clear Skies = Frosty Mornings

2011-02-05T19:51:00.001-08:00

It is true, the wonderful clear skies we have been enjoying make for some frosty mornings. This is a picture of what our windshield looked like when we stumbled downstairs this morning to head to work.

Inspiring.

I can not comprehend the detail and pattern that surrounds us everyday. The Lord is truly creative and blesses us with the creativity. All we have to do is look around.

~Christina...who wishes she were more creative

2/4/11 - Good Evening

2011-02-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday it was sunrise, today it is sunset.

After a long day at work I run by the store to see my wonderful husband. Quick picture in the rearview mirror demonstrates what the end of the working day looks like for us.

~Christina...who is not fond of Fridays but does enjoy sunsets

2/2/11- Clearing Snow Farm Style

2011-02-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

Around the Ellis Family Farms when snow falls, which is very often, Mom clears it out with an awesome snowblower mounted behind the tractor. Shovels just don't cut the mustard around here...still getting used to that myself.

~Christina...who grew up with a shovel

2/3/11 - Good Morning

2011-02-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of stories and images and moments that haven't made it to the blog. I'm working on a few of them but before I get any further behind...

This morning I woke up on the farm. I spent the blizzard at Grandma Ellis' and when I got ready to roll this morning the sun was rising over the orchard. It was SO awesome. Had to snap a few before heading to work.

~Christina...who is in LOVE with the fact that the sun was up before I went to work

New Website!!!

2011-01-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

We have a new website! How much fun is that?

I will warn you that it is still very much in the construction phase but go check it out...

ellisfamilyfarm.com

~Christina...who hopes this site will be a fabulous as she is imagining!

11/21/10 - Talking to the birds

2010-11-29T20:52:00.000-08:00

I like this picture.

the end.

~Christina

11/20/10 - A toast

2010-11-29T20:50:00.001-08:00

At the end of a long season it is a tradition to have a party with everyone who worked markets. This year mom had all of the hard workers come to the farm and served dinner there. No end of the season party would be complete though without a toast.

~Christina...who takes pictures instead of toasting

10/30/10 - Gold Coast truck

2010-11-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

Mathew had to run over to the Gold Coast (Division) for something so I sent my camera along asking him to get some pictures of their market. He doesn't even want to know how to turn on my camera so he didn't snap any pics but Cliff did. It was dark so the images aren't fabulous but here you can see the back of their truck.

Way to go Marc, Maritta, Al and other assorted workers for rockin' that market all year!

~Christina...who unfortunately can not take pictures everywhere because she can only be in one place at a time!

10/24/10 - My siblings

2010-11-29T20:45:00.000-08:00

Thought I would throw a picture of my family on here, especially since over half of us in the picture work markets.

~Christina...love them so much!

10/23/10 - Through the raindrops

2010-11-29T20:42:00.000-08:00

Since it was rainy (meaning not busy) and I was exhausted from a long week and an early drive into the City I took a bit of a rest in the chilly (but not wet) truck. When I woke up I watched the action for a time through back window of the truck. It is an interesting perspective.

~Christina

10/22/10 - The road home

2010-11-29T20:40:00.000-08:00

This is the road we both travel every day. The road back home to our cozy little apartment. I love how beautiful it looks in the fall.

~Christina...who will likely one day live on the farm

10/18/10 - Wild grapes

2010-11-29T20:36:00.000-08:00

Sometimes in farm country grape vines will take over in places you do not want them. They are not profitable by any means but they an be beautiful.

~Christina...who is posting fall pictures while the snow is falling outside

10/14/10 - Out with the old...

2010-11-29T20:33:00.000-08:00

The landscape is changing at the farm....in more than one way.

This fall several older trees were dozed out but next spring new trees will be planted in their place. The "new" orchard will be more efficient and a good move overall but it makes me sad to see trees that are still living taken out.

~Christina

10/11/10 - Light and Leaves

2010-11-29T20:28:00.000-08:00

I love fall. This is one of the reasons why.

~Christina, who took that picture in the yard behind our apartment

10/9/10 - Politics

2010-11-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

Our market was suddenly crowded with people that seemed to come out of nowhere. Why? Rahm Emanuel was the why. He had just left Washington and come back to the city to campaign as a mayoral candidate and he was at our market. Complete with fans, onlookers and reporters.

Tommy went to tell him what he thought of the City.

Mathew tried to tidy up our stand because of the camera crews.

I tried to make the best of it by selling to the unexpected crowd.

Such excitement.

~Christina...who has shaken Rahm Emanuel's hand

10/04/10 - Rhubarb in the fall

2010-11-27T18:18:00.000-08:00

The sun hitting the rhubarb plants as they turn color in the fall was just beautiful.

~Christina

10/02/10 - Saturday evening

2010-10-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Cliff's awesome truck looking quite rural

My handsome brother unloading the egg cooler from the Green City trailer.

Dad tilling up the sudan grass with a big borrowed tractor and disk...green fertilizer.

I took these after we got back from market and used them for the whole weekend worth of daily photos.

~Christina

9/30/10 - Wild and Free

2010-10-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

This post was also queued up quite some time ago. The wild sunflowers made me smile every time I passed them during the fall months.

~Christina...who has a deeper love for sunflowers since they adorned her wedding with loveliness

9/28/10 - A boat...really?

2010-10-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

I have had this picture post in the queue for over a month and didn't even realize it. The boat picture was me wondering one day why so many farmers seem to have a boat in the back forty.

Since that time the boat has been taken care of and is no longer cluttering up the landscape...makes me super glad I took the picture when I did.

~Christina...who just doesn't get it sometimes

Catch up pictures

2010-10-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

I was sick and working and just gave up. I stopped taking pictures for about a week because I just couldn't handle one more thing. I felt really bad about it though...guilty and upset because I was letting the 365 Days project lapse. I really do want to make it through the whole year but I have come to a couple of conclusions.

There will be days when pictures don't get taken. This is especially true as the days get shorter and it is mostly dark out when I get to the farm. That is just part of our farm year and this project will reflect that.

I am also going to get sick sometimes and I will likely to continue to be overwhelmed by all I have to do. That also is a part of our life here and will be reflected in the final results of the project.

I may, when I have the opportunity, take several different images on one day and stretch them over several days on here. I will try and make that clear when I post.

This group of images was all taken on September 27th and will stand in for the week I didn't shoot. :)

Nothing like morning sun after a heavy dew. I cannot get over the wonderful scenery every morning as I drive to work.

Chestnuts are so intriguing.

Apple drops make us sad but they are just a part of farming fruit.

More of that awesome light in the field behind one of the apple orchards.

Because the temperatures have cooled considerably apples can sit in bins outside if need be. That is very much unlike many summer fruits that must be put in the cooler right away. This allows us to grow and sell a much larger quantity of apples.

~Christina...who needs to get going so she is not late for work!

9/18/10 - Cider Time

2010-10-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

A fall market picture. This was our second week to have cider...it is a great seller and fabulously delicious.

~Christina...who happens to enjoy apple cider

9/17/10 - Fungus among us

2010-10-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the small seemingly insignificant things in life can be important.

I saw this mushroom out in the grass and laid down flat to get this perspective. From a standing position it looks like nothing but a white spot.

~Christina

2010-10-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

9/16/10 - The fascinating change

2010-09-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

9/15/10 - Highway views

2010-09-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

I admit I forgot that I needed a picture until I was almost home. The sun shining on the foo foo grass actually reminded me. I dare say Michigan has some beautiful views from our interstates.

~Christina...who knows it is not a good idea to shoot from the highway

9/14/10 - Patriotism

2010-09-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

I felt bad for missing my opportunity for a patriotic picture on September 11th....because like the rest of the world, we do remember.

Farmers are generally patriotic anyway, after all we attempt to feed our countrymen.

This image is actually of the flag that flies in front of Grandma and Grandpa Ellis' house.

~Christina...who is very proud to be an American

9/13/10 - Sudan Grass

2010-09-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

The Sudan Grass is quite tall now and blooming. It is rather beautiful. Especially when the sun is hitting it like so:

~Christina

9/12/10 - Walnuts can be hazardous to your vehicles

2010-09-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

There are signs in the parking lot of our local public library that say

"Caution Falling Walnuts Sept-Nov"

They always made me laugh and were in fact the first thing I thought of when I noticed the huge walnut tree above our garage. Needless to say they have started falling.

Good thing I don't have to park there.

~Christina...who wishes she had an easy way to sell black walnuts

9/11/10 - Pure air

2010-09-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

THis year has been the worst for me as far as allergies and hay fever are concerned. Normally I just suck it up and move on but this year I haven't been able to keep up. I guess maybe moving to the country really did make a difference...

A week or so ago Mathew informed me that I needed to find a new air purifier for the apartment. I had completely forgotten that I had shared on with my sisters for years. When I got married my sister let me take ours for the winter but I had to return it in the spring. I researched them and then dropped several hundred on this lovely machine.

We are hoping that it will help me to breathe! We also hope that it will take care of the cigarette smoke that makes its way through the floor boards of our apartment...

~Christina...who is hoping it will not need to stay on the dresser once the air gets a bit cleaner

9/10/10 - The mower deck

2010-09-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

Mathew has informed me that he is planning on making our lawn mower last for at least ten more years. Considering it is as old as I am that will take some work.

This week he has been diligent in fixing the deck. I am excited that it has new, sharp blades!

~Christina...who loves it when her husband mows the lawn for her!

9/9/10 - Storing apples

2010-09-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

When I got to the farm after work Mathew, Mom and Dad were all busy organizing the barn and getting several bins of apples loaded to take to cold storage. That is very good news for those of you who like to buy honey crisp at the winter markets.

I told them they looked good in brown and navy.

~Christina...who climbed on the truck bed to get this shot

9/8/10 - Juice apples

2010-09-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

With cider officially being pressed this is not the only bin of juice apples on the farm.

~Christina...I like cider very much!

9/7/10 - Working Girl

2010-09-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

My life has changed A LOT in the last year.

I got married...love being married

I moved...even though I love my family, living with my husband is awesome

I switched farms...still miss the people at the other one but I am adjusting

Now I am beginning work full time for a local credit union.

I am currently in teller training, which is honestly not something I ever imagined doing.

I am excited about the opportunity and I sincerely hope that I will still be able to be a part of the farm. I love agriculture, I love photography and I like writing. I also love serving people and that is why I think the teller position will be a good fit for me.

I am transitioning over to "traditional" full time employment for many reasons that have to do with the goals Mathew and I have for the future...farming takes lots of capitol and experience you know!

All that said I am going to try really hard to keep up with the 365 Days of Farmlife project but it is proving difficult already. The posts may not come everyday like they did at first and a few of the images may not be from the exact day...I will put forth my best effort though. Oh, and more comments would really help! On the blog or on facebook I could really use the consistent knowledge that others are enjoying my work and my efforts are not in vain.

Thanks for your understanding and patience.

After my first day on the job Mathew and I picked some apples for a friend.

~Christina...whose wardrobe is transitioning from farm girl central to working girl

9/6/10 - Friends

2010-09-07T19:20:00.001-07:00

After spending a day shopping with my uncle, aunt, sisters and awesome friend Liz I came home and made tacos for Mathew, Cliff, Cynthia and I. It was a fun Labor Day for sure and even though I was nervous about starting training the next day I had a great time enjoying so many friends.

Mathew announced that we were going to Sherman's for ice cream, that didn't really fit in with my plans for going to bed early but then again...

We hadn't been to Sherman's all summer, it felt like our last chance...

Cliff was up for it and we love hanging out with our "best man" (missed you Chantel)...

It's ICE CREAM, I love ice cream...

Needless to say we went. We had a great time. Thanks guys.

~Christina...letting her ice cream melt while she tries to capture the moment!

9/5/10

2010-09-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

9/4/10 - Nested Crates

2010-09-07T19:18:00.001-07:00

Personally I think that crates are much more picturesque than all the lugs we normally use. Crates also mean lots of apples. Hmmm, my favorite.

You know my crate attraction may also stem from the fact that I was more accustomed to them at my previous employment. Not to mention you don't have to flip them around until you get them stacked correctly.

Yes, the wooden half bushel crates are awesome!

Don't you just love how you can nest three together when they are not full?

~Christina...who is a little silly about these things!

9/3/10 - Wind Blown

2010-09-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

On Friday the wind was blowing like crazy and everytime I tried to get something in focus it would move.

So I gave up and embraced the wind.

These are the leaves on the dogwood tree that are already changing colors and looking beautiful.

~Christina...I love fall colors!

9/2/10 - Rain

2010-09-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

The above picture is an image taken from my truck because I had zero desire to get out in the rain. Yep, sometimes I am just like that.

~Christina

9/1/10 - Honey Crisp

2010-09-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

'nouth said in the title ;)

~Christina

Pictures comming for Septmber

2010-09-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

I have been taking pictures.
really I have.
I just can't seem to find the right time to upload them...and unfortunately this is not that time.

I will be back sometime after Saturday's market with all the catch up and some news. Hope all of my loyal readers (and who might you be?) can hold on until then.

~Christina

8/31/10 - Honey is hot in here!

2010-09-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening Aunt Helga had us over for a wonderful supper. Mathew needed to help Micheal with his trailer lights and I had never before been to their home. In fact I didn't even know that it is less than a mile from the the farmstead!

Anyway, as we enjoyed the cooling temperatures outside and toured their absolutely gorgeous gardens they pointed out the beehives. It is actually too hot in the hive right now so many of the bees were hanging out on the outside. I obviously took a few pictures in the fading light and was surprised that I could even smell a few whiffs of honey floating on the breeze.

~Christina, who entertained some of the party with the 365 Days of Farmlife pictures ;)

8/30/10 - Asian Pears

2010-08-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

Mathew is a good one to go out and test the ripeness of fruit.

He checked the Asian Pears yesterday...

then he picked a lug of them...

took some to my sister...

and brought some home.

~Christina...needs to try one so she knows what they taste like!

8/29/10 - Supper at home

2010-08-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

Mathew and I have not eaten at home very much this summer (you know being at the farm and all so much) and we have even at our table together even less.

We miss it dreadfully and are looking forward to winter for that reason alone...(we tend to eat better in the winter).

But on Sunday Mathew said that I should make dinner for when he got home. Ummm...it was better than a date out.

Yum.

~Christina...just in case you didn't know, I LOVE Mathew Gelder!

8/28/10 - Consulting the market list

2010-08-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

When we return from market on Saturday's each market has to record what they brought back. Generally we do this when unload and count the lugs. Suzanne and Jim currently manage a market together so this is a shot of them consulting their binder on Saturday.

~Christina...who didn't feel very well and skipped her form this week, shhh

8/27/10 - Bountiful Harvest

2010-08-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Suzanne wanted some fruit promotional shots so we grabbed some shots real quick on Friday. The reason is simply because there was so much variety ripe at one time.

~Christina

Today - Golden Raspberries

2010-08-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

Remember yesterday? You know when I had my honey drive me out to the golden raspberries and then I ended up posting an apple shot.

Well today I had to go back. I was strong as I drove past all the chestnuts and apples and bins, have I mentioned that I simply cannot get enough of autumn/apple season and all of its picturesque views? Oh yeah, maybe a few times ;) SO I only took pictures of the golden raspberries. They were literally glowing. The light on them is just pure awsomeness.

Enjoy!

~Christina...who does like raspberries too, just not as much as apples

8/25/10 - Apple Season!!!

2010-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

On our way home tonight I had Mathew take me by the raspberry patch to take pictures of the golden raspberries. They were nice, I took some good pictures of them. But then as I left I saw a beautiful sight! Apples all picked and gorgeous. I LOVE apple season! I mean really, it is my FAVORITE time of year.

SO you get to feast your eyes on apples in bulk boxes...yum.

~Christina...who loves sunflare, in case you hadn't noticed yet!

8/24/10 - Scary...huh?

2010-08-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

Fruit has some natural predators. You know besides humans!

We must do everything we can to keep the bugs, mold, fungus, and BIRDS away from the ripe produce so that it can make its way to you. This funny looking beach ball type ornament thingy is one of the bird deterrents. It is currently at home in one of the blueberry patches.

~me

8/23/10 - 1000 Words

2010-08-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

So a funny thing happened on Monday.

Maybe funny, maybe not...hmmm...

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I guess I have to write at least that because I don't have a picture for Monday. Don't get me wrong I did take several, I was even at the farm and had a few that I liked real well. But I don't know how to post one on the blog. That's obvious you might think...she does it all the time why should one day be different from the rest?

Well it is because I took them on my cell phone. Yep. I have succumbed to the pressure and joined the hoard of young people who document their lives on a phone!

It wasn't intentional...I didn't realize...ah, it is no use, I cannot explain it away...

It just seemed so convenient.

A few years ago when my family was getting new phones my dad called and asked if I wanted a camera phone. "No!" I said "why would I want to take low quality pictures on my phone when I have an expensive camera that takes beautiful images?"

Now I am beginning to understand.

Several weeks ago a good friend gave me her daughter's used phone. My very simple flip phone was falling apart and dropping calls so it was necessary to suck it up and switch phones. For a girl who dislikes change that was borderline traumatic. Just so happens it was a camera phone.

So on Monday while I was waiting on my handsome man to unload and then load fruit onto the flatbed I decided to experiment with the camera on the phone...it seemed harmless enough, and even kind of fun.

I even gave myself an assignment.

And I did another common thing and took a self portrait of Mathew and I...you know, the kid where you hold the phone way up in front of you and hope you are actually in the frame. I love it. We are smiling so sweetly.

Then when I got home late that night I realized something. I had been enjoying the phone camera so much I never got out the big camera. So I got my phone and was going to download the images so I could post something.

One problem.

I don't know how to extract those silly pictures.

Really. This must make everyone doubt my competence.

I am still at a lose and since I refuse to spend enough money to have the internet on my phone I can't even email them to myself.

Maybe someday I will dig out the owners manual and figure this contraption out but until then you will have to be satisfied with my many words.

~Christina...who really does believe that the purpose of phones is to CALL people!

8/22/10 - Fueling Up

2010-08-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

With as much as we travel around we use a lot of fuel. This is a shot of Mathew fueling up the flatbed on Sunday.

*Note: This picture makes me especially happy because Mathew is wearing his wedding band...I love the weekends! He doesn't wear the ring during the week because it is dangerous to have on when working with equipment.

~Christina, happy farm wife

8/21/10 - Peacefulness

2010-08-23T11:16:00.001-07:00

Saturday was a crazy day for us. I was back on my North Center Market for the first time in three weeks and was excited about it. Unfortunately they were having a festival in our square! Everything was chaos. We were in different spots, people were confused, and they kicked us out early. We had to pack up an hour and half early and be out of their by noon! We are SO grateful for those of you who still found us! Next week I will be very glad to get back to our peaceful family market!

Anyway, when we got back home we were exhausted and my allergies were running amuck. We unloaded the truck and walked up to Grandma's to take a nap. We were supposed to go to the fair with my sister later so we rested. Got up took a shower and got dressed. When decided to watch This Old House before we took off I went back to bed. I really did not feel good.

He woke me up at 9:30 and said that I looked so bad he would just take me home...we were not going to the fair. That was wonderful, I am glad he takes care of me.

On our way to the truck I realized the camera had never made it out of the bag. Therefore I took this picture and it strikes me that it looks peaceful. So much more peaceful than earlier when there were trucks and people everywhere!

We went home. Went to sleep and slept as long as we could.

~Christina

8/20/10

2010-08-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

This is the birdhouse in Grandma's front yard. You can also see the apple orchard in the background...can't wait until apple season gets going full speed!

~Christina

8/19/10 - First Place Eggs

2010-08-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

It is fair week here in Berrien County...wait I am pretty sure I already mentioned that!

Anyway, Mary, my sister in love, took chickens and eggs to display and compete with.

We are very proud of her results which includes First Place on Mary's Eggs!!

So for all of you loyal egg customers, rest assured that you are getting the best eggs around!

*Note: Our chickens are not normally penned up like that...

~Christina, who was at the fair til late. Glad I got to see so many friends!

The Hayfever Blues

2010-08-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

I was asked the other day how I managed to marry into a farming family with allergies!

I laughed as I gulped down my Claritin and blew my nose. If you have ever talked to me in August you know that I like apple season a whole lot better than peach season, there are reasons for that and a lot of them have to do with allergies!

Every year in the second week of August I begin my miserable journey through hayfever time. The pollens are just too much for my sensitive immune system and I struggle to try and breathe through the heavy air of late summer.

For many years I have worked on farms without taking any kind of allergy medicine, choosing just to suck it up and blow my nose a lot! Last year I went back to taking Claritin and it helps some. My best bet is to just wait it out until the first frosts kill off my particular allergens. That normally happens in mid to late September so if until than I am in a bit of a fog you'll know why.

Kleenex, lots of water, Halls, gum and Claritin help me get through.

(Much of my hayfever is in my throat and nose so I feel better with something in my mouth)

~Christina, who did not even realize all of these things were blue until I set up the shot!

Supplies

2010-08-17T17:30:00.001-07:00

One of Suzanne's jobs on the farm is to keep track of the supplies and make sure all the trucks are stocked properly for markets. She normally works on this on Monday morning and Friday. But because the same truck goes to the Tuesday and Wednesday markets she has to switch things out right after the long market day on Tuesday.

This picture shows the jam boxes and supply box in the middle of transit tonight. It you look closely you can make out Suzanne in the truck.

~ a very tired Christina!

8/16/10 - Shade Cloth

2010-08-16T11:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, our happy chickens are free range but sometimes they need to remain in their pen for protection. The shade cloth you see in this picture protects them on especially hot days from the sun and provides safety from some wild predators.

~Christina...who had never chased chickens until she met Mathew!

8/15/10 - Shining tractors

2010-08-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

It is fair week here in Berrien County and that means another booth for our local New Holland dealership. ;) Mathew took me along early Sunday morning...before church...as he and his uncle and co-worker shined up the equipment. It looked pretty spiffy.

Berrien County has the largest youth fair in the Midwest!

~Christina

8/14/10 - Aunt Helga

2010-08-16T11:17:00.001-07:00

Corey was at a wedding on Saturday so I was shuffled over to the Oak Park Market for the day. I took advantage of the opportunity and snapped pictures while Aunt Helga waited on customers...she called me a name because of it.

Now that is service with a smile!

~Christina...sneaky photographer!

8/13/10 - Forklifts and Trucks

2010-08-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Forklifts and trucks make up a large percentage of our workforce. They are used constantly on the farm and there are generally enough of them to go around. Last week it was picking peaches and then rearranging for the help in the hot and muggy weather.

Just as a sidenote the "Brune" you see on the bin boxes stands for Brune' Farms which is owned by Bruce and Rene' and a part of Ellis Family Farms, LLC.

~Christina

8/12/10 - Pear

2010-08-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Somehow in my farm photography adventures I have never captured pears. How can that be? So my wonderful husband took me on a pear tour.

What do you think of the results?

~Christina....who will probably not post over the weekend, you can catch up on Monday!

8/11/10 - Sunshine

2010-08-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

I asked my mother in law what should be photographed on the farm...she said the strawberry plants. They were posted last week...she is a little behind on the pictures. We discussed what was happening and what you all might be interested in and now I have a few ideas stored up for "lazy" days when I don't know what to shoot. After she left I asked my husband if he would drive me to the blueberries for a evening shot. He did but I didn't last long because the bugs were eating me up!

I meant to post a picture of berries but this one was just so nice. I love sunshine. And sunflare just makes it even better :)

~Christina...who must have a high need for Vitamin D

;)

8/10/10 - Relaxing?

2010-08-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

Mathew has not been at home during the daylight hours in well over a week. He gets up and goes directly to work only to work on the farm, or go to a fair, etc right after work. This has been trying for us and add to that the fact that we were separated on Saturday and Sunday it was getting to us. With both of us exhausted and stressed I realized it is know wonder we were having a hard time communicating effectively.

Last night when I found out he was once again busy with tractor deliveries I decided I must do something! I was on my way to becoming either very angry or collapsing in sobs so I went to the beach.

Did you know that we have a beautiful beach not 5 minutes down the road? You wouldn't know it for the times we get there. I do believe that our last and only visit to the beach together was last Father's Day. No, not two months ago but rather Father's Day 2009. Bleak.

We have talked about going several times this year but never made it so last night I asked if I could just go by myself (I was never allowed to go alone when I lived at home). Don't worry I didn't go swimming.

It was the best thing ever. The lake really is relaxing and it caused me to wonder whether God chose those colors (blue green and tan) for the beach because they are soothing or if they are soothing because they are the colors of the beach.

I lay there and snapped a few pictures and listened and prayed and journaled. By the time I was finished I was in a much improved state of mind and ready to find my love. I still beat him home but he was home earlier and we actually got to eat together :) we also got to watch our favorite show, Dick Van Dyke, on Netflix and laughed some of our stress away.

Peach season continues and another fair commences next week but now I know that I should make more time to go to the beach!

~Christina...who is grateful a peaceful getaway is just 5 minutes down the road!

8/9/10 - Working Late

2010-08-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

After a long weekend full of festival and then a long City Commission meeting on Monday evening I spent a couple of nights working late. Unfortunately I was not up to running around the farm to snap some pictures so you are all stuck with images of other subjects for a couple days more. We shall return to our regularly scheduled programming soon.

The picture is of my late night work station...for I often curl up in Mathew's recliner with my handy laptop to go over my notes and try to make out a sensible article.

~Christina...who had to spend quite a bit of time moving photo files around this morning!

8/8/10

2010-08-09T21:31:00.001-07:00

Last day of the festival and while I was downtown gathering contest results I shot a few cruise in images. Not brilliant but kinda fun. I like going to the cruise in after church it is relaxing and everyone is socializing. I got to see some old friends and catch up a bit...it was nice.

~Christina...who then came home and wrote til 1 am

8/7/10

2010-08-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday started bright and early for those of us going to market and those of us at the festival...Suzanne took off as well and it was interesting to be spending the day with my family instead of Mat's family.

The festival folks were involved in the Bike/Run/Walk events. I volunteered and took pictures for work. My amazing mother ran for the first time pushing our friend who is in a wheelchair. They did the 5K in pretty good time.

She pretty much rocks!

~Christina...who wants to be more like her mom

8/6/10

2010-08-09T21:21:00.001-07:00

Beginning on Friday I took the weekend off from the farm. That means you will be forced to see a couple of images from my other life!

I cover my hometown's festival every year for the local weekly paper (I am a photojournalist/reporter for them) and really poured my heart into it this year.

Not only did I do my paper work I also volunteered at three different places! Yikes, I think that was too much. I am exhausted and afraid I am getting sick. Not to mention there is an early press deadline this week and this is my second night in a row up past midnight writing.

Besides missing my husband (he had a ton of other work) and getting so worn out I loved being involved.

Oh and the picture? There is just something about a color guard that I cannot resist photographing.

~Christina

8/5/10

2010-08-09T21:16:00.001-07:00

This picture is of apple leaves and a gorgeous sunset. Mathew picked peaches late that evening and Rene' was trying to rearrange the cooler. I had to deliver some Glads for my sister and this was snapped while waiting to go home. Needless to say the weed whacking at our house did not get done that night.

~Christina

8/4/10 - Sudan Grass

2010-08-09T15:36:00.000-07:00

No. We have not decided that grain is the way to go. And no, this is not corn...although it does kind of look like it when it starts popping up.

There were several patches of open ground on the farm and so they/we (I really had nothing to do with it) planted Sudan Grass. Now those open areas are turning green in a hurry as the grass grows taller.

The idea is for this grass to nourish the ground and add nutrients...like green manure.

~Christina...who so did not lay on the ground to get this shot

Picture for 8/3/10 - One Month

2010-08-09T15:26:00.001-07:00

So this picture was taken from my view in the back seat after a long market day last Tuesday. By the time I got home I was exhausted. Then my computer was having space and memory issues and I had to delay the we been at it a month blog post.

This was the August 3rd picture and I started 365 Days of Farmlife on July 3rd. It has been an interesting month and the picture everyday thing is an interesting journey. I have learned that those here on the farm have little care about what I post. I could pretty much say anything they claim they are too busy to look at the blog. Since my goal was for customers to connect with the farm I guess that is okay...I guess.

Keep watching please I will continue to play catch up post!

~Christina...who is sorry to be so behind!

A post without a picture

2010-08-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

I know that I am behind on posting the pictures from this week. Believe me I have been taking them but I have faced a few computer/Internet related technical difficulties...not to mention my hard drive is stuffed with pictures and does not want any more. I will post again as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

~Christina

Strawberries...?...in August

2010-08-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Okay so there aren't really any berries in this picture but to me even taking pictures of the plants in August is a bit strange. Some of our berry plants were mowed down already but this shot is of one of the new patches that were planted in the spring. We planted several acres of berries this year to better supply our need in the coming years. Hopefully next year the weather proves more conducive to strawberries than this year did.

On the horizon our peach and apricot trees. and if I had a fisheye lens you could probably see apples and cherries as well. Often fruit is not grown in huge blocks like grains but in smaller sections like a patchwork quilt using the same and varied fabric in a random but well thought out pattern.

~Christina...Strawberries are one of my favorites!

Man's best Friend

2010-08-02T06:32:00.001-07:00

He misses his puppy.

That would be because Digit is not really "his puppy" and has to stay on the farm instead of coming home with us.

Yesterday when we went to the farm to have a small birthday celebration for Mathew he made sure to cuddle with the dog. It's a good thing Digit is so awesome because I do get rather jealous.

~Christina...his other best friend

Sustainable Dining

2010-07-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

Our markets are AWESOME!

Our customers ate the BEST!

Today we had the nicest celebration at the North Center Market for Mathew's birthday. My mother in law once said that she hadn't met anyone who didn't like Mathew and that certainly seems to be the case. I am pretty sure he is a favorite there.

I will need to post more pictures later (All the vendors made it so fun!) but for now just this...

The fabulous chef at Brown Trout brought out a special dessert and even a candle! This was while we were all packing up so all the vendors were able to gather around and sing Happy Birthday. It was so nice...and the cherries are even from our farm.

~Christina...who loves her amazing husband, the well loved birthday boy

2010-07-31T19:11:00.000-07:00

We have a nice cooler. Well we do it is just a bit small for our current operation.

It is SO PACKED with fruit on Fridays so that we are ready to tackle our many Saturday markets.

As you can see there are several different containers that we use to pick, store and transport our fabulous produce.

~Christina...who didn't have internet at the farm last night in order to post

Preparing for the weekend

2010-07-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

It pretty much goes like this:

If you live on the farm you roll out of bed early on Saturday morning, get dressed and head to the barn.

If you go to markets but are not part of the family so therefore you live off of the farm you wake up even earlier, get dressed and drive to the barn.

When we got married I was used to the whole driving method but my dear husband was used to waking at the last second and being right there.

I would rather sleep in my own bed.

He would rather sleep at the farm.

We compromised and sleep in his Grandparents' extra bedroom. Okay so I gave in...that's compromise right?

There are a lot of reasons why that is a very nice thought and I do get some type of sleep at least. And we have less chance of being late. And spending time with his Grandpa and Grandma is important. He feels at home there and definitely misses being on the farm with the rest of his family...(not that we are far away or anything, we are there almost everyday for something).

So every week I pack up and head to the farm on Friday. We meet there, Mat and I after work.

It is a good thing my Grandma got me suitcases for my birthday last year.

This is our Friday/Saturday suitcase in the beginning stages of being packed. Actually I do believe that packing allows me to be more organized.

Oh and just so you know...I love our bed! Isn't it beautiful.

~Christina...who almost forgot to take a picture today, can you tell?

The King Berry

2010-07-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

So this is a picture of things to come! Red Blackberries means Black Blackberries very soon!!

The first berry to ripen is the biggest...the king berry from the king bloom...

~Christina

Perspective

2010-07-27T18:30:00.001-07:00

Our tents don't seem this small in the country!

~Christina

Tent Wreck

2010-07-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Tents.

Tents are yet another necessary, love/hate, tool that is essential to our life as market farmers. I admit, we are hard on our tents but we also try to make them last. When they are ripped, stained and worn out they are not near as helpful as we desire.

Today Charles attacked the problem and robbed Peter to pay Paul. Hopefully we will come out ahead.

~Christina, who will hopefully have cleaner tents on Saturday!

Tire Pressure

2010-07-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

So yeah that post about keeping the trucks up...this is why. I don't think this truck is going to pass the safety test this week. It blew out on the ride home Saturday but thankfully this truck has double tires on the back and the crew was able to make it home safe and sound.

~Christina, who is cheating because she actually took this picture on Saturday night!

Saturday's Picture - Rainy Market Days

2010-07-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

I must say, I am not as die hard as most Midwestern farmers...although I probably will be someday.

I woke up at 3:30 on Saturday, looked out the window and asked Mathew why we couldn't just stay in bed. It was stormy out and the torrents of rain were not thrilling to me. But alas we got up and got going.

It was a rough ride in raining almost the whole way. Between the wet interstate, the extreme darkness, pouring rain, and spray from other vehicles I was tense, stressed, and we were running late. Mathew slept like a rock which just proved to make me sleepy.

Just as the rain let up a little outside of Gary, Indiana Mom called and said "DO NOT take 94 in! take Lake Shore Drive" I am so glad she caught me before I tried to travel my normal route to our market. It seems that the massive amounts of water had flooded the interstate causing major back ups and many many market trucks trying to get into the city were caught in a mess.

Once we got to our market it was raining so hard that I drove across the parking lot to purchase ponchos from CVS...naturally they only had one adult one left.

We then tried to set up our tents while it rained and lightning streaked through the sky...I felt pretty much brilliant at that moment.

At our market we actually repositioned the tents to provide cover between the truck and the tables...they were leaking of course. We may not have looked quite so perky but we were so grateful when the rain let up and the customers came out.

For the farmer it goes pretty much like this:

A market represents more than one weeks entire income, if it rains we get to literally watch a lot of that income go down the drain.

We really appreciate the wonderful, loyal customers who put on their boots open their umbrellas and come out anyway! I gotta say I am not sure I would!

~Christina, who loves her cherry rain boots but can only stand them for so long!!

Friday's Picture-Transportation

2010-07-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

We put a lot of combined miles on our fleet of market trucks every week. Therefore maintenance is Very VERY Very important. Every week (preferably on Thursday) my brother checks the fluid and the air pressure in the tires on all the trucks. He does this on Thursday so that if he finds something out of line it can be fixed on Friday before the Saturday desertion of Michigan.

This particular truck is mom's market truck...meaning it is probably the nicest. It also makes three trips a week to the big city vs. the one trip most of us make. It has had some issues as of late so in this Friday night shot Dad, Mom and one of the store's mechanics are looking things over and making plans to fix it today (Sunday). Hopefully they get everything buttoned up so that the Tuesday crew can have a safe trip.

~Christina, who never knew the air pressure in the trucks should be checked before every trip!

Blueberries

2010-07-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

Fuses

2010-07-21T10:10:00.001-07:00

When you all of the sudden have no dash lights, you know those fabulous back lights that allow you to track your speed in the dark, and your tail lights are evidently out making it necessary to drive home with flashers on, oh and when you leave your keys in the ignition because the hand dandy dinging feature is not working you have a problem.

But not so big of a problem if you are married to an incredible, smart, mechanically minded farmer who just happens to know that it is likely a blown fuse. I was in good shape.

Unfortunately the fuse was not an easy find, cue the fancy fuse tester that I would have probably baulked at buying. Mathew was able to fix our truck and I was one the road home with 15 minutes to spare before his shift started this morning.

Oh and the fender problem? That was when his lovely wife met a guard rail this winter on a very icy evening. He was amazingly comforting that night but we haven't exactly had the resources (you know time, money, cheap parts) to fix it just yet. One step at a time.

Caption: Totally handsome man fixing his wife's ride, priceless.

~the obnoxious farm newlywed ;)

Fair Times

2010-07-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

Last night after work Mathew had to go to the LaPorte County Fair in Indiana. So I tagged along. This is where getting married can expand your horizons and make you go places you otherwise would stay away from.

I do not like fairs. Not really. It is a personal thing and growing up we stopped going to fairs all together when my 16 year old "baby" brother was 4 years old. What can I say? We had a bad experience. Which could explain why I clung to Mathew's arm last night as we walked through the crowd towards our truck.

My farm family however LOVES! the fair. They think it is like the best part of the summer and therefore are insistent that I will one day enjoy them. I am doubtful but I do like spending time with my husband so I go.

The LaPorte Fair is the first of three county fairs that "the store" has booths set up at every season. They take a bunch of tractors and lawn equipment to each event and a salesman stays at the booth and hands out literature and talks to the wonderful folks checking it all out.

In the evenings the rest of the employees/family head out after work and give the dedicated salesman a break. This is all very new to me...can you tell?

Anyway, Mathew was scheduled for last night and tonight so I am busy being nervous, bored, and intrigued all at the very same time.

Mathew's favorite thing is surprisingly not the food (he was very strong and continued to remind me that we do not have money budgeted for fair food) but all of the old tractors. We walked through them and Mathew dreamed of restoring his own machines while I took a few pictures. This is the front of an old Oliver tractor. The farm does not currently have one but I know that at one point they did. Normally we do not take pictures of anything with green and yellow paint!

~Christina (who is sorry this picture is a day late but it was a late night)

Lugs

2010-07-19T16:57:00.000-07:00

I have a love/hate relationship with lugs.

They are rather necessary on a fruit farm but they get so dirty and mismatched. Not to mention the fact that they make me feel utterly stupid when I can't stack them without spinning them around constantly.

Well the bright spot in this scenario is that mom and dad found an automatic dishwasher (a commercial one) to clean them!! No more cherry tanks full of bleach and water!

Today Suzanne and Charles cleaned the lugs. Yay! No more sticky dirty lugs to attract fruit flys.

This is Charles with music in one ear standing in front of dozens of handy dandy lugs.

~Christina

Worn out

2010-07-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

On Friday I was chatting with another farmer and I asked how his wife was. His response could easily encompass all of us who travel into Chicago to sell fruit: Tired.

Yes, Tired. That one word is very accurate in describing the state of all of us this time of year. It is hot out, we are busy and it feels like the marathon of work will never end.

Where I come from though we rest on Sundays. Almost always growing up my family napped and took it easy on Sunday. We needed it. Mathew's family is not so much that way but we as a couple desperately need the time together and the sleep.

Looking ahead we have a busy calendar this week, there is something scheduled every night after work. I am glad we caught up on our rest. It was wonderful.

~a rested Christina

Day 15 - Saturday

2010-07-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

Upon returning from market on Saturday I realized I had not yet taken any pictures. This realization came, of course, after all them market happenings had ended and I was in the truck waiting to go home.

So I got out and half heartedly snapped some pictures of the chickens that were flocking to my feet. It was not out affection that they were gathering about but out of hope that I would be the one to feed them that evening. So here you have it...hungry chickens.

~Christina

Egg Sorting

2010-07-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is something that has to be done every Friday to make sure that we all have enough eggs to sell at market on Saturday.

~egg sorter

In case I don't get back....

2010-07-16T07:25:00.001-07:00

I case I don't get back on the internet today (we are spending the night on the farm and the internet connection is less stable) I am leaving you with a plum picture from the other day and a link to a whole album of images from the last week!

Life is Just Peachy

~hope you are enjoying life

overcast with a chance of peaches

2010-07-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

Rainy morning. Almost ripe peaches. Farm photojournalist.

This is what you get.

~Christina

Perfect Timing

2010-07-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

This morning I decided that before doing anything else I would take pictures of the apricots. So I did and it was a good thing too because just as I was wrapping up my fruity shoot the help came to pick them. Being the opportunist that I am...okay not really...I stayed around and took some story telling images. So nice. More from this shoot will probably be posted on facebook...tomorrow...?....

~loving photojournalism

Yesterday's Last Minute Shot

2010-07-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make. Yesterday I forgot to take a picture...well almost. You see, I had thought about the task several times but did not jump on any opportunities and then before I knew it the sun had set. OH NO!

But Mathew and I were delivering a tractor and this farm meets 21st century plus a pretty sky and cool moon presented itself. Yay!

Sorry it is late.

~Christina

Gramps on the Road

2010-07-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes part of running a farming business means time on the road. Running here and there, picking up this dropping off that, going for supplies and parts (which is how my in laws met), etc.

I actually like to drive and am kind of glad when I get to hit the road for a few hours of the day all by myself. Today I took Grandpa Ellis to enjoy the ride with me and let me tell you the air was not working in the truck we were in making it a HOT ride.

I took this picture with my point and shoot while driving (is taking pictures while driving as bad as texting?) anyway I took it just for the memory. He didn't even know I got it...

~so grateful for my driver's license

Ice Cream!

2010-07-11T17:58:00.001-07:00

Today we had a combined summer birthday party at my parents' house. It was awesome!

I love presents...I know that sounds shallow but it is true...and I got some great ones!

My brother and sister each got me a pint of Snookelfritz Ice Cream! They even managed to keep it frozen all the way back from the Green City Market yesterday. You may wonder what this has to do with farming but you see that label (beat up from its long trip home!) Nancy bought the rhubarb from us! She is one of my favorite Chicago Chefs! What could be more fun than ice cream?

~ice cream lover

One week into 365 Days of Farmlife

2010-07-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Today I let Mathew choose which picture made the blog. I didn't have too many because it is hard to focus on selling and get great images at the same time but it can be done. This was the first week of the season that we had peaches on our market. Whilst other fruit comes and goes those along with blueberries and raspberries will hopefully be a July and August staple at our booth.

~Christina...who itches just looking at peaches

Who know what it is?

2010-07-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Can I get a comment anyone?

~mystery photographer

Yesterday's Picture

2010-07-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

We got home early this morning, therefore I did not upload the picture. But to make up for it I am posting two today!

This is a shot of a pile of ladders on the trailer, hooked up to a tractor and ready to head to the orchard.

~Christina

Fixing up a tractor

2010-07-07T19:37:00.000-07:00

Mathew and I began working on one of his tractor projects today.

I got greasy but at least I like the smell of Fast Orange.

This is a picture of the tractor's "good" side. I will of course leave what the front looks like to your imaginations for now.

~tractor girl?

My favorite for the day

2010-07-06T17:45:00.000-07:00

It occurs to me that with today's shot I risk loosing my entire readership.

You see, my life is really not all that fabulous and some days awe inspiring fruit/farm pictures are hard to come by. So I took a picture of what is important to me at this moment.

The window air conditioner.

Seriously.

It is hot today and when you live in an upstairs apartment the air conditioner is essential to life. My poor friend has had a rough time keeping up today and I while ago it started spitting water at me. I am not kidding...seems it had started raining outside...who knew.

Kind of wish I was at mom and dad's...they have central air...

~trying to stay calm, COOL, and collected

Christina

A surprise with pie!

2010-07-05T19:31:00.001-07:00

It was kind of interesting...for my first birthday as part of the family many of my in laws forgot or pretended to forget my birthday. It was strange and I was feeling quite bad about it. They were just SO wrapped up in farm work!

But then tonight I had a surprise party(planned by my very sweet husband). I am not good at surprises but after a dear cousin finally straightened out some of my confusion I felt better and enjoyed the fun time with some of Mathew's extended family.

Mom made pie. The pictures tell all.

~a happy and sleepy Christina