Catch of the day

Saturday we had fishing and fun. My cousin Hayli, her husband Tim, and their son Michael were here from Tennessee (they brought shoes this time too, jk:). The guys went fishing in the morning, and they were having great success so they decided to start keeping them and we'd have a fish fry for supper. Since the fishing was so good, Josh parents and Uncle Mickey decided to join us too. We had plenty for supper, and each of us kept some to freeze too. Thanks Joy for cleaning the fish (next time I want you to teach me so I can help).

In the photo, Sam is pretending to cut his fish with his sword, but Cora is trying NOT to touch the fish. On the table is the catch from one of the ponds, the other half of the catch is already in the pot.

Our farm has 7 ponds. (I use the word "our" loosely. I was raised on this farm, and my grandmother, parents, and brother all have houses on the farm in addition to us. My brother is the actual farmer now.) These ponds serve many purposes.

• The number one use is for good land management. They collect water from the hay fields and pastures so the fields drain well and produce better. They also prevent too much runoff and soil erosion.


• Three of the ponds are set up as back up water supply for livestock (hogs, turkeys, and cattle). We used them last summer when our rural water lines were maxed out.


• Also, one of them provides all the water for outside hydrants so we use pond water on our flowers and washing equipment.


• One pond is also equipped to fill our rural fire department tanker truck if there is ever a need in our area.


• Best of all, for the kids, one of the ponds is our beach! We can't wait for June:) I grew up swimming in the pond, and still love it. (I know some of you are cringing, but imagine no chlorine smell or burning eyes...just don't imagine snakes and turtles.)

We stock our ponds with fish to keep them clean. We have bass, blue gill, and crappie. Each pond changes yearly. The pond with the best fishing last year, may be the worst this year. We usually have at least one good spring fish fry, before it gets too hot for us and the fish.

There are also LOTS of turtles and frogs. In fact, Josh got a big bullfrog to take his worm Saturday, so we had two frog legs to eat also. Sam has been keeping a pet baby snapping turtle, until today we found out he had escaped...or had mom and dad let him go?

We went mushroom hunting Saturday evening too. We didn't have much luck, but it was fun to get in the woods. The kids really enjoyed playing in the creek. Josh got wet too because he had Eli on his back and he got into thickets where the only way out was the creek. When it gets warmer we'll take the kids to wade/swim in the creek before it dries up for the summer.

I enjoy sharing farm life on our blog, hope you enjoy reading!