Rachael Eliker's Blog, page 20

Kings Island

While driving around one day, I heard on a local radio station that they were running a contest for amusement park tickets to Kings Island. All participants had to do was submit a prom photo (to be crowned King or Queen winners...get it? Heehee...) and write a short blurb about why they should be considered. Since I have an old prom photo of Jack and me that I absolutely love, and I enjoy a writing exercise as much as the next author, I decided to go ahead and submit. I did, then promptly for...

Back at It

First, Third, and FifthSummer flew by. Between a family reunion to Michigan, a trip to Nebraska for Independence Day, cousins coming to visit us, and an unexpected trip to Kings Island, it was go, go, go for the entirety of the girls' summer break. Then, one day, we woke up, and it was time for school again.
My morning workload just became heftier.Though we LOVED our last school, which was a tiny country school that had a great principal, wonderful teachers, and a very relaxed, hands-on approa...

Retirement

If there's one thing I like to talk about on this blog, it's animals. I've always had a lifelong fascination with all creatures great and small and because Jack loves me, and we have the resources and space, we have had our share of a lot of different animals around the several farms we owned.
Hercules was an adorable kitten. ❤One of the most constant figures has been Hercules the cat, who predates everyone except Jack and Stoney, including having our own children. He was brought in with his s...

Best Dog

Way back in March was Raven's fifth adoptoversary but with Peter's impending birth and the busyness that comes with running a hobby farm, having a small clutch of children, work, and life in general, her special day was overlooked. Since she's not a diva and is the least demanding dog I've ever met, she didn't even let out a whine that we'd forgotten.
Raven is one of those special dogs that you come across and just know they're special. She rarely ever barks and if she does, it's out of concer...

Pacing

That's a tired-looking Claire.Now that Peter's a few months old and I've been able to get back to a semi-regular exercise routine (life is still chaotic enough that I have to be flexible. And by flexible, I generally mean exercise is the first thing cut out of my schedule), I decided to get started on my racing goals for the year. I don't have any visions of grandeur as a runner, but I do enjoy a race when I'm in shape for it, and when I have a race coming up, I make sure I'm in shape fo...

Partied 'Til You Dropped

Reunited with the twin cousins!This summer has been a whirlwind and the 4th of July was no exception. Barely a week after returning from a massive family reunion to Michigan, then witnessing some tangible miracles, we were back on the road, this time to our native Nebraska to spend more time with family, eat too much, laugh a lot, and blow up a few fireworks. And by a few, I mean a lot. LOTS and LOTS.
This is how we have to travel so we can fit everything AND Raven.It was our first r...

Four Miracles

It's hay time!When you live on a farm, no matter the season, you're always thinking about winter. Winter is all about being prepared--hay, wood, heating oil, buildings to store it all, and keep the animals warm and safe...even in the hottest months, I'm counting everything on my fingers, making sure we'll have enough to see us through the cold, dark months.
This spring was off to such a promising start. The cold winter slid gracefully into a cool spring and we had a generous amount of rain. Bu...

South Haven, MI

Zoey has HAD IT.

A Fresh One

Everybody loves Peter.It's already been two months since Peter has graced us with his presence and we couldn't be more smitten with him. I'm always amazed how much personality comes with a brand new baby who's barely had any experience here on earth. Peter is one of the most relaxed, go-with-the-flow, easy babies I've ever had. He's extremely observant (a skill that comes in handy a lot for him), intelligent and alert, happy, and cuddly. Seriously, nobody can help but love a guy like him. His...

Veggie and Ham Egg Bake

When we're getting ready to go on an extended vacation, I refuse to buy groceries until the food we have in the food is as used up as possible to avoid anything spoiling while we're gone (what can I say? I hate wasting). This recipe was great because it's healthy, a snap to assemble, and I had all the ingredients on hand. Bonus that everyone ate it...including the broccoli haters in the house.