the sights and scents

First, an update.. The corn harvest is going a lot better than we'd originally expected. We've been zipping through fields and so far (*fingers crossed*) haven't had but one mechanical mishap with our combine (the machine that actually harvests the corn off of the stalks). Even with this growing season's unfortunate circumstances, our home farm averaged 202 bushels of corn per acre. On a normal, non-drought year we are typically blessed with an average yield of around 250-270 bushels/acre, so thanks to our wonderful soil type we are sitting pretty compared to a lot of farmers around Illinois.

working into the night to finish a field of corn

We were at a cattle event a couple weeks back where we heard from a southern Illinois farmer that his average corn yield for all of his fields was 10 bushels. Pretty sad what weather can do to a farmer's livelihood. 

We're blessed to be living in an area that boasts some of the most fertile soil in the entire world and we thank God for that.

My view of Chris in his combine when I pull up along side him with my
tractor so he can transfer corn from his machine to my wagon

Yesterday, a cold front moved in bringing with it some storms and lots of rain  towards the end of the afternoon, allowing us to enjoy a birthday dinner with Chris's mother, Karen.
She turned 56 this year! 

Chris & his mom at her birthday dinner

Thanks to the rain, yesterday, keeping us out of the fields today, Karen and I made a trip a few towns over to an apple orchard called Boggio's in Granville, IL. Due to the drought and insect numbers this year, they don't have any apples of their own to pick or purchase.

pumpkins, galore!

The only apples on the premises were shipped there from southern Illinois.
 They did, however, have an abundant supply of freshly baked apple cider donuts and you'd better that believe we brought home our fair share of them. Few smells scream fall as much as apple cider donuts do and I cannot wait for Chris to get home so he can enjoy one for the first time. While at the orchard, we picked up a few pumpkins, potted mums, and some old-fashioned brined pickles.

some of our purchases

The weather was my kind of perfect today, with a light wind that brought with it a slight bite, hinting at what's to come. I cannot wait for temps to stay like this. It was nice to get away and have a fun autumn day that didn't involve the cab of a tractor.. not that I'm complaining! Honest! :)