I think we have a mini homesteader in the family.

She does a little bit of everything. The above photo is her 1st Place ribbons for the blueberry muffins she baked at 6:30am before heading out to load cattle. She wanted to do both things, so she got up extra early to bake so she didn’t miss out on working with the cattle. This is typical for her in any given day. Recently, she was helping me in the kitchen prepare some breakfast sandwiches and pancakes for the week ahead. On the way to the kitchen she stops at the window to check the cows in the pasture and gives me the full report of the herd as she begins cracking eggs.

We have gotten lots of reports on crop conditions from the back seat as we travel. She notices who has fields with corn that is starting to turn brown and soybeans that are beginning to look yellow.

This summer when her doll coat had a small tear, she asked me to help thread a needle so she could sew it up. Her stitches were small and neat and the coat was repaired.

I have crocheted for many years and this past year she showed an interest, so I worked with her on basic stitches. She made a small scarf for her doll and is now making one for herself.

When I am canning jam, she measures out the sugar, lemon juice and whatever spices we need. She can follow a basic recipe and has learned a lot about fractions by using measuring cups and spoons.

And, in the blink of an eye, she has on jeans and boots and is helping with the cows. She fills a bucket with corn and knows how to call the cows up. She is learning to drive the skid steer. She knows about electric fences.

She can do it all and enjoys it all. How proud the generations would be to see this girl who can be the homesteader and the homemaker.