Tim and I have taken trips before with the girls. We would say we want to go here and just do it. We had animals at home and always found ways for them to be cared for. Mostly separating them and then spending a day getting them all back. It worked for us because there wasn't that many. But, living on a homestead with a lot more animals and farther away is a lot different. We could say we are land locked, its not so easy to leave or ask someone to take in 70+ chickens for a couple of days. With careful planning we were able to get away for the weekend and go to the Mother Earth News Fair. Tim's mom and nephew stayed at our house to care for all the critters. What a huge blessing!
The Mother Earth News Fair was held in Topeka, Kansas. Not too far to drive. We left on Friday night and stopped in at Famous Dave's Barbeque. Tim has eaten there before, but it was mine and the girls first time.
The girls high-fived the bear.
The waitress brought out chips to sample all the sauces. It was all really good. I liked the rich and sassy one the best.
Our dinner came out on a trash can lid. I loved it. This place is awesome and the food was really good. Wished we had one closer to us.
This car was out front at the hotel while we were checking in. I really like the color.
Not decorated in the newest trends but will work for the weekend.
Check out the parking job. Tim had to squeeze us in.
Good job, honey!
Tim and Skylar reading some things that Kaitlin wrote before we went to bed.
We got to the fair early.
Some were still setting up and others were already done.
See this? This is gonna go home with us. Tim just bought it. It is a really cool stand for a miter saw or similar. It can be converted in different positions and folds up flat and has wheels on it. I was so excited for him. This will come in handy with all the jobs he does on the homestead.
Yep, Tim and his new stand, getting ready to put it in the back of the truck.
I thought this was really cool. I grow this stuff, now I just need to bundle it like this too.
After looking at lots of stuff and missing the first class we were gonna take. It happens, its our first time coming to this fair. We want to see it all and do it all.
We all took the class Top 10 Homestead Hacks for Beginners.
Lunch-time with some buffalo burgers, fries and root-beer!
This was really cool. Never seen this before. Things made out of wheat. The details and the time to make it was just amazing. Very patient and talented people out there.
Electric Poultry Fencing
We are looking at getting some of this cool stuff.
This guy from Farm 2 Fork Ranch gave us all lots of information about animals that we are now interested in.
These cuties were for sale.
I have never seen one do this for a long time other than just doing it to get up.
This area was really cool, so much hands on stuff everywhere.
I took a class The Marvels of Making Yogurt.
Of course we had to buy the book too. One of my next projects I plan on doing when we get back. Tim took a class Seed Starting Successfully, but left and joined me at my class. Skylar and Kaitlin did a class together Hopping for Fun and Profit with Heritage Rabbits.
Skylar and I took a class together Creating an Allergy and Toxin-Free Home. Knew some things and learned some things. Tim and Kaitlin took a class Beyond Razor Sharp: How to sharpen almost anything. The class only lasted for 30 mins.
Got back to our hotel room and grabbed a bite to eat at Subway.
We were chatting about the events that happened.
The next morning, Skylar was doing Kaitlin's hair for her.
Getting breakfast before heading to the Fair.
Our first class started at 9:30 am. We knew we needed to be early to get a seat. This was the only class that was a hour and a half long.
This is the Salad Bar Beef with Joel Salatin. Skylar and Kaitlin went to a class An Introduction to Heritage Goats.
We want to make something like this for our cows.
Grabbed some lunch to take to our next class. We enjoyed the Buffalo Burgers yesterday, so we got them again with curly fries. I got the buffalo nachos. Super yummy!
The Successful Use of Livestock Guardians.
We watch Wranglerstar on YouTube. So yesterday, we got to meet both Cody and his wife Mrs. Wranglerstar. They are so down to earth. We didn't get a photo with them but it was so nice just talking with them.
This class is The Modern Homestead: What we wished we would have known.
Our last class with Joel Salatin. This class is Benchmarks of Truth. We have watched his YouTube videos and have followed a lot of his ways.
Tim got to shake his hand.
And he took a photo with us.
They had several Portable Saw Mills.
Portable Saw Mill
Tim really wants one, one day he will. Maybe!
