Gerdes Farm Bed & Breakfast?!

Grandma Ruth's First Four Wheeler Ride!

Hello Again Friends!

In the last week, it has felt a little like a B&B around here. The farm has been the vacation destination to 16 family and friends from ages 18 months to 89 years!! As ‘tour guide’ for the farm, I’ve kept busy prepping meals and frequently attending evening chores to escort our company throughout the farm experience.

My 90 year old grandma Ruth kicked off the B&B party with a visit all the way from North Carolina accompanied by my parents!! It was WONDERFUL to show them our new home for the first time since we moved here. We had an absolute BLAST with Grandma Ruth. Grandma Ruth’s spunk will give anyone a run for their money. She kept us all on our toes as she asked endless questions, explored the farm, investigated our construction zone house, toured the garden, picked apples, rode a four wheeler for the FIRST time and even went to evening chores! If you haven’t met my grandma Ruth – you are missing out! She is amazing!

The fun continued with a visit from my brother Nathan and his family, followed by a visit from my sister Beck and her family along with Joy, Jeana, Mary and my good friend Kristin! In my opinion, a FULL house means LOTS of fun!

In other farm news, we are officially done with corn silage for the year and we have started the fourth and final crop of hay! Will and Jonathan spent the week chopping and bagging 3 – 10ft x 200ft long bags of silage. Translation: That is a LOT of chopped corn stalks! I climbed the silo to get a better view. Check out the pictures.

We celebrated the completion of corn silage with a trip to the cow auction and customer appreciation day in Lansboro where we sell our cows. Talk about a fascinating experience!! As the young city girl in me involuntarily emerged, I found myself fixated on the experience going on around me. Surrounded by old farmers ‘fresh’ off the field, Amish men and boys of all ages, the distinct auctioneer drone, and cows flying in and out of the ring as they were purchased, I had stepped into a different culture. Thankfully, I narrowly escaped the accidental purchase of several different groups of cows as a learned to leave my hands in my lap while the bidding was taking place. :)

Between chores and field work, we’re having a blast leading the youth group at Calvary Evangelical Free Church on Wednesday nights. We’re playing lots of games and just recently started the book “It’s not about me” by Max Lucado. We’re hoping the students are having as much fun as we are :).

Sarah and Grace have also started home school again. I’m having fun getting a glimpse at the home school scene from an adult/teacher perspective. I’m also really enjoying helping Sarah work through her Math!  Thanks for helping me like Math so much Mom!

In house news… there isn’t much news :). When the farm is busy, the house gets the back burner. HOWEVER, we started sheet rocking the walls and my brother in law Arric worked some carpentry magic to get the back door installed. Thing are starting to take shape despite the extremely busy farm schedule. I think we’ll probably be painting in no time (maybe :)

Thanks for reading!

Blessings and Love

Gerdes Farm B&B - Jonathan and Liz

Mom, Dad and Grandma pre-farm tour after Church

Ready and Waiting to go to the Barn!

The whole Gang at the Barn

Touring Grandma around the Farm

My niece Auba and I 'finding where milk comes from!'

Picnic on the trusses with Joy, Mary, Jeana and Kristin!

Farm Fun with Kristin - Climbing the Silo - Way to go Kristin!!

I *heart* my "Twin" Sister Beck

 Bennett was SOOOO excited to ride with uncle Jonathan!!

Our group touring Schech's Mill near the farm where they still stone grind wheat/corn etc. with water turbines!

Jonathan and I at Schech's Mill sporting our bag of stone ground wheat!

Check out the Silage Bags! Our house is on the far left and Jonathan and Will are getting the last bag ready on the right. See the bare fields at the top of the picture!

Lanesboro Livestock Auction - Check out the Amish Hats!

Bathroom on Wheels at the Auction - Such an "adventure"!

And then there were 6! We rode bikes in Lanesboro after the Auction. This is the whole family at home now-a-days!

Biking by the falls in Lanesboro