NoDak Herefords: July 2013

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Week 30/52: Andy checking the canola

This week for my Andy photo-a-week topic he got to check the canola.

Canola is one of the crops that we raise at NoDak Herefords. The canola seed is a small, round, black seed. Canola is related to mustard so the seeds are similar. As you see in the photo, it has yellow blossoms. The plants are blooming an especially long time this year. The longer they bloom the more likely to have a more bountiful crop. Canola likes the temperature to be a bit cooler than average (avg high this time of year is low 80's). Our temps have been low to mid 70's. So the canola and I are both happy!! We sure hope for a great canola crop as we did not get all of our acres planted due to overly wet conditions. After the plant is done blooming we will see long, skinny pods which is where the seeds are 'stored'.

Canola is mainly used to make oil. If you buy anything with canola oil it is possible that the canola came from our place! It will be a while until harvesting this crop, after all it is still blooming.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Week 29: Andy at the Park

This week Andy finally got to go to the park to play with some kids. Remember when it was covered in snow? Then he went back, but there was no one to play with. This time we went down during Vacation Bible School (VBS). The older kids were learning, while the younger ones enjoyed the playground equipment.

This boy, Mr. John Deere (JD), really had fun playing with Andy. Andy never had this much attention from our boys!! JD knew I was working on my photo project. I asked him what he thought Andy would like to do. We started with the swing.

JD thought Andy would enjoy the digger.

It was a little tricky, but he got Andy to help!

Our God-daughter was there too. She was too busy to play with Andy today!

JD went climbing with Andy. I think the thing JD enjoyed the most was throwing Andy up in the air! Andy usually landed "kursplat" in the sand, got brushed off and flew again. I understand that JD had a good time too. He told his Mom all about it when she got back.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Going Buggy

Oh, there could be so much read into this! I go buggy, riding in a buggy, but this time it is buggy as in bugs. The topic for this week's Sunday Stills.

Here are a couple of my buggy photos.

ant on a tiger lily

ant on Purple Coneflower

Oh, not just ants? Okay here's a lady bug on a log

linking to Sunday Stills

Friday, July 12, 2013

Andy: Week 28 - at the Danish Mill

This week Andy got to visit the Danish Mill in Kenmare, ND.

A little about the Danish Mill ...

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

An Andy Update (Weeks 25, 26 & 27)

YAAAAHH!! We have passed the half way mark with the 52 week project. Andy has been in quite a few photos already. I have missed a few opportunities (like the farm centennial celebration). AND, I will need to keep coming up with new ideas as there are still 25 weeks left to do!! Oh well, I signed on to this project because I thought it would be fun!

So, I have not posted all of my "entries" on the blog. Here are the last three submissions:

25/52: Andy took time to smell the Lilacs

26/52: Andy seeing the challenges of operating a tractor and all of the controls that his farmer has to manage in order to plant the crop.

27/52: This week Andy went on a little road trip with me. We had to take a different route as there is water over so many roads in our area. I (we) popped over a hill in the middle of nowhere (on a gravel road) and there was a stop light!! The road construction crew must not have been able to hire anyone to flag for them so they are using this. It made me laugh! There is a US Air Force Security vehicle in front of me.