The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. — Burton Hills

Mar 11

With its long neck, big eyes, soft, curly hair, and a propensity to hum the alpaca is a curious creature to behold. Though its history is quite short in the United States, the alpaca has a long and interesting story in South America. Read on to learn more about this animal and its treasured fleece.

Native to South America, the alpaca is a member of the Camelidae family and is related to the llama, guanaco (an undomesticated species of the llama), and the vicuña (an undomesticated species of the alpaca). It is believed the alpaca was first domesticated in the Andes Mountain region between 6,000 and 7,000 years ago after being developed from the vicuña through breeding measures. Gentle but skittish, the alpaca has been raised for millennia most often for its fleece. Alpaca fleece has many desirable qualities including durability, strength, insulation, moisture resistance, softness, and a light weight. This combination of qualities helped the alpaca thrive in the sometimes harsh conditions of the Andes.

Link in bio to read the full article!

☀️Before taking over the Morning Ag Clips MAC President Kate Ziehm and her family were the owners of an alpaca farm☀️

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Sep 25

I Love the Smell of Manure
It smells like home

I love the smell of manure. I don’t get to smell it every day like I used to.

Friday, when I was walking to the post office, I was caught off guard a bit by the familiar smell that wafted into my nasal cavity.

It was like an old friend. But where was it coming from? It is not a typical smell in the village of Greenwich. It was so pure.

We are a farming community and the hub of our county for ag business and support to our farmers. So it’s not entirely uncommon, but indeed not every day or every month for that matter.

However, it didn’t take me long to figure out where the smell was coming from. As I crossed over Salem Street, I did a quick little hop when I looked down and saw the trail of what was a stream of wet that seemed to have been falling out the back of a cattle trailer as it turned the corner and up a slight incline onto Salem from Main Street. Aha, the culprit, and fresh, as it still glistened with wetness in the middle of the road.

👍Tap the link in our bio and search "I Love the Smell of Manure” to read more about it!

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Sep 13

There used to be three little faces in this picture.

Like clockwork every year. All decked out in their new sneakers, shirts, and backpacks.

But this year, there was only one. Just one, on the first day of school.

As I sit back and think about the past summer and the launch of child number two out into the world, I am also thinking about the launch of child number three into the limelight and getting his parents’ full attention.

Here’s to Samuel! Now it’s his turn. Just like his brother, Tyler, all those years ago on his first day of kindergarten–the only child on the step

Many of my friends this year are joining the Empty Nest club. At a time of great change, excitement, and sadness, we must acknowledge what a feat it is to get our kids through high school and onto the next phase of their lives.

It’s not just a new chapter for them, though, as the focus may lead us to believe. It’s a new chapter for parents as well.

Read more about it here: https://justmekate.com/and-then-there-was-one/

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Aug 26

#flashbackfriday

Rainy Day at the Fair
But sometimes a gift

Sometimes it’s just quite cozy to be at the fair on a rainy day…
Lots of cards, lots of eats, lots of laughs.
No crowds.
In the background a steady beat from the concert being played up in the rafters of the old tin roof.
No heat, no lines, no pressure.
Just a rain heavy wind gusting in through the big barn door at the end of the alley.
Droopy, wet ears, cuds being chewed, damp coats not to be avoided. On this show day, it’s okay.

Mud spattered whites and wet sweatshirts. Trough bucket boats.
The overhead speaker is still, the chicken barbecue grates are cold.
Kids dancing, adults skirting the edges of all the newly formed lakes. Who is going in first?
There are twinkles in the eyes and smiles on the lips that are fresh.
Like a cleanse to the soul, it’s a reset for the rest of county fair week.

And a reminder that it’s okay to hunker in and just set for awhile, to enjoy the quiet contentment and kindred spirits that come together on a rainy day at the fair.

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Aug 21

A ticket to the fair
We need something
AUGUST 28, 2022

Showing the cows, showing the pigs, showing the chickens.

It’s volunteering to scoop ice cream at the 4-H milkshake booth, presenting art projects, and baking cakes.

Bringing flower arrangements, quilts, and photography.
All of it is a reason to go. A reason to be a part of something bigger.
The county fair.

It’s hot, sweaty, wet, chilly, and usually topped off with a torrential downpour.
Blue ribbons, red ribbons, and an award to go to the state fair.

Lots of dust, cows to wash, and bedding to keep fresh.
Tractor pulls, Demolitions Derbys, and best dressed sheep shows.
It’s laughing. It’s tearing up in the show ring. It’s a mess in the Showbox.

👍Tap the link in our bio and search "A ticket to the fair” to read more about it!

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Aug 11

Please disregard any messages that are about Jacob.

This is a reminder that there are a lot of scams out there. Be careful.. ...

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Aug 7

It’s Irrational… My Feelings for the Dog
They add so much to our lives

The kids say I take more pictures of the dog than I do them. It’s true.

I talk to her, and I find myself staring at her.

I hug her, I kiss her, I make over her constantly. She absolutely is the object of my affection.

My dog. Trixie.

Do you know we have a joke in the office about the dog having seasonal depression?? I swear, whenever we get silly about this during our work day, Trixie takes it as her cue to give us a more pathetic version of her sappy dog eyes. She milks it for all it’s worth and then longingly looks up at Margaret for a cookie..because, of course, she has seasonal depression…in July!!

She was the reason all three of my kids first fell in love. I can go back to those pictures on that day they met her, and I can see it in their eyes, pure love.

👍Tap the link in our bio and search "It’s Irrational… My Feelings for the Dog” to read more about it!

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Jun 27

Oh, how they grow
Graduation Weekend🎓🎉

In the blink of an eye, it’s high school graduation.

How did this happen so fast? Where was I?

I was changing diapers, doing laundry, and cuddling away a fever.

I was running crazy schedules around practices and games, helping with homework, wiping away tears, and enjoying the little kid’s laughter.

I was planning birthday parties and silently praying while watching them launch off of a bicycle jump in the driveway.

But I was also contentedly sipping coffee on those early mornings when my boys played in their sandbox before breakfast.

Life was so good.

I ran the roads between lacrosse games, AAU practices, and the golf course.

I was at the store buying school concert clothes at the 11th hour, sitting at well-child visits, and cleaning up after stomach bugs in the middle of the night.

Read more about it here: https://justmekate.com/oh-how-they-grow/

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Jun 20