Heat, Drought, Rain, Independence Day, Etc.

So what should we tell everyone about, Elise? So much has been going on here since I've last posted, part of the reason why it's been a long time. Well, one thing that's been taking our time has been you, little girl, but we like giving you time. Other things we've been doing are harvesting garlic, making up our seed order for fall lettuce, broccoli, etc., and all the day-to-day work of running a farm - picking, weeding, mowing, irrigating.... So, Elise, let's give everyone a few photos to look at, so they can see a little what it's like around here.

For a period of 3 or 4 weeks, we didn't get any rain, except for 1.5 inches that mostly ran off. (We've been bless a lot more, though, than some other farmers who haven't had a measurable rain for a month.) Last week (7th & 8th), I got my irrigation system up and running. The dryness didn't effect all the crops, like potatoes, much because they're almost full grown, but other crops, like cucumbers, are greatly effected by lack of water. Things were really dry here, but...

...the Lord decided to give us rain, and He did so in abundance! Since Thursday, we've gotten close to 4 inches!

Patriotic red, white, and blue potatoes to celebrate July 4th with

We went to a gathering, some friends in Shippensburg hosted, on Monday, July 5th. Part of the event was a pie contest that I was selected a judge for, not a job I minded!

It was hard though selecting which one was the best; they were all good! It was an interesting experience. 

Life's been busy here! And the big question is: Who tired who out?

The Jonathan Einwechter Family

Thanks again for supporting our family by being part of our CSA! More than we can put into words, we appreciate it because it's giving us the ability to experience our dream - farming full-time for the glory of God.

True Producer/Customer Relationships!

Gift from CSA members for our little, darling Elise!

Now this is what I call a real producer/customer relationship!

Thank you so much everyone who gave us this gift! We very much appreciate you thinking of your farmers in this way. It's certainly not every day the supermarket does this for you!

The peas were very plentiful this year, peaking about a week ago. But now they are almost done, and are making room for more crops. There won't be very many, if any for today's CSA shares.

Samuel, hard at work picking peas

Last Friday, we started digging the first, new potatoes! And, wow, they are good when you fry them up with some green onions, garlic, and seasonings in olive oil!

Washing the green onions

Packing the CSA boxes (something I'll be doing later today)

Thank you everyone for your amazing support of us!

Jonathan, Monique, and Elise Einwechter

Everything is Growing - the Baby, the Vegetables, and the Weeds!

This last week has been a very busy one for us. It's been our new little daughter's first week of life outside the womb with all the adjustments she's had to make, family visiting, and a lot of work in the garden. But it's been a wonderful week, and we're enjoying life!

This is quite an interesting life out her, but I think I like it! ~ Elise

Grandpa Hoffman holds his new grand-daughter for the first time.

We've had some trouble getting her to feed properly, so she's been getting her Mommy's milk through a tube, while learning how to suck. Currently, she's doing a lot better, and we rarely need to use this method of feeding.

Weed Time!

Those weed's got to go!

It's amazing how many weeds grow in this garden!

So why do weeds grow again? Because man has sinned against his Creator - Jesus Christ. Even though the ground, to some degree, will always grow weeds, there is hope for our eternal souls if we believe on Jesus Christ to save us from our sin (Genesis 3:17-19, John 3:16-17).

The clover in the paths, between the beds needs mowed regularly.

But now it's time to take a break for some water and lunch.

Nothing like water on a hot day!

These onions (left photo) are ones that are going to be left grow until the plant dies and they are harvested as dry, storage bulbs. The little plants in the right photo butternut squash, and they're doing very well.

Cilantro

So far, the tomato plants are growing beautifully.

They're already blooming and have small, green tomatoes on them. It'll still be at least a month, though, until there are any ripe ones.

Purple beans have got their place up on the hill where they've got a good view of the garden.

But, I need to be done now with this post because I've got other responsibilities - such as going to the garden and working to provide for our new little one and reliving Mommy from time to time holding her. So that's all for now.

Enjoy you week!

Jonathan

It's a Girl!

We had our first baby yesterday (Saturday)! My heroine, Monique, after 9 hours of labor and less then 1/2 hour of pushing gave birth to our first daughter - Susan Elise Einwechter!

 Our new little family; the Lord is so good to give us this little girl to raise for Him!

We named her Susan Elise Einwechter, after her two grandmothers, and we plan on calling her most of the time Elise.

My precious little daughter....

Weighing the baby an old fashion, but reliable, way

 She weighted 7 lbs. and was 20 inches long.

 Your so comfortable to be near, Mom! ~ Elise

 It's amazing, when the Lord Jesus brings 1 man and 1 woman together in marriage, how He can creates a new life between them. Life is so precious everyday from conception!

 A very happy, new Uncle Noah!

 My wife had our baby at home, right in our own bedroom - something that was a dream of hers. And these two wonderful midwives where right there helping. They were such a blessing! 

But it's been a long day, and both mother and baby have been through a traumatic experience and are worn out. So, let's go now and let them sleep quietly....

Thank you everyone for your inquires the last few weeks about how my wife and baby are doing. We appreciate your support of our little family!

~ Jonathan, for Monique and Baby Elise