Working weekend

One aspect of being on social media is learning about activities we should probably attend. Friday I read that cans needed to be sorted or rebagged at the kids school. I have done this for 12 years and was shocked by how much easier it has become. We used to have to sort by brand and even specifics like only beer cans in a bag, only dr. pepper in another. We had to know what company made what drink like sprite versus 7-up. IT was tedious and took some time. Now we simply dump the empty cans from the donation bags to the required blue bags. 

I worked with these two. They were pleasant and efficient we got a lot done. 

At home, we worked on cleaning up some of the garden. We cut down some ginormous sunflowers and removed the rotting vine plants. 

Bruce is up for any work that involves driving the 4 wheeler. We also cleaned out my tubs of dirt. And I planted some fall crops lettuce, peas and beets.

This kale is the most prolific long producing plant. I planted it in April have harvested all summer and it's still going strong. More water and care would probably help it quite a bunch, but I was shocked to see so much kale ready to harvest. I add it to smoothies its not bad all blended up. 

Bruce had the job of sawing down sunflowers. We try to leave roots in the ground to feed the microbes and hold the soil. 

Livy was pulling weeds to make space for the sprinkler pipes that need to be piled for winter.

Lia decided she was big enough to mow we are bagging pilling the grass for more composting and mulching beds for winter. 

On Saturday we were asked to help a family spread compost on their lawn. We found all the shovels we could and loaded up to go work. It's been years since we worked together as a family on a service project for someone else. It's always satisfying to see how much we can get done. 

The owner asked us to spread the compost thick and all over. 

Kids helped load containers to take to various places around the yard. 

Addie and Greg kept the wheelbarrows going back and forth. They are strong and focused workers. I helped fill empty barrows but these two drove them back and forth spreading and shoveling in between. 

After that was done we came home to clean the combine as a final step before harvest. Mark drove it up from the farm. He so wants to drive the combine and harvest the corn. Maybe he will find some time to do that this year. 

I'm really pleased with his effort he took the machine apart to replace and repair various problems. It was not easy and had lots of steps but he got it done. We are so thankful for his ability. I've realized lately that's a given at our house. Greg expects his kids to be able to do things. There is nothing he doesn't think they can do with some instruction. That's empowering and true. They can and do figure out how to do what has to be done. 

There was extra compost so we shoveled it in a trailer and brought it home. Reed and I are so excited. I'm working to add to the pile. 

Then we harvested for a while. I miss working with Reed. He loves the garden and is really good at finding produce. Here he is finding carrots. I pulled some more delicious beets. The cover crop rye has grown to be a nice mat. And the marigolds are taking over!

I'm so thankful for adjustments to meds and fine-tuning dosage and herbal supplements that I can work and stay active with my family. Not too long ago I would have stayed home and rested or died after just one of these activities. It's so glrogloriousious to have energy again and desire to leave my house and do things. I'm thankful for these resourceful kids who do so much and have so much energy and ability. We are blessed and life is very good.