Tiago helps too.

Jed instructs the boys on how to fill the bottles. Tiago is only 4, but he enjoyed working in the milking parlor.

His bottle is only half fill so he has to fill it again.

Big brother helps Tiago feed the baby calf. When we left this barn and walked back to the parlor. Tiago took my hand and held it, how sweet!!!

Andre' works at the farm.

Not sure what he is thinking here, but he does know where milk comes from!!

Carries his milk bottle to the barn.

Jed helps the boys fill bottles.

Andre' at work!!!!

First time ever for feeding a baby calf. I think they past. The were a treat to have. They came as strangers BUT left as friends!!

The Netherland's help with chores.

A family from the Netherlands spent a few days here at Mirror Lake B&B. They took in a lot of local things. The boys love the animal auction and ate at the sale barn in Shipshewana, they stayed for hours. Enjoyed meals at Tiffany's and Emma's Cafe'. They told me how good the food was at the Red Skillet. They are going to take in Pumpkin Farm on their last day here. And yes they couldn't get enough of that "Gator" the boys liked just sitting in it.

This is a new experience for this Netherlands family as they watch the cows get milked. Marco lets the baby calf suck his fingers.

Mom helps feed the baby calves too.

Andre' says "this is the biggest tractor I has ever seen". Dad and Tiago sits in the cab while Andre' checks out the grain head.

Last but not least a wagon ride with Susie. They even went to the barn and helped unharness her. Andre's picture tomorrow.

Riding horses at Yorkhill Horse Park

We got a weekend that we could get away and go to Yorkhills Horse Park in Albion, In. This is a great place to ride horses and is 11 miles from our home. We can be home, unloaded and out of the shower in 45 minutes. HOW GREAT IS THAT??? If you don't have sleeping quaters and no way to camp. Ride here at Yorkhills and bring your horses back to Mirror Lake while you spend the night here at Mirror Lake B&B. What a good idea!!!!! I think we are at loop 1 here.

These pictures were taken on the "THE WOODS" trail. This area has some of the steeper hills.

Kathy and Bailey.

There are over 25 miles of trails and 600 acres of land, how nice.

Were at Gobbler's Pass this was Heath and Angie's first time to ride here.

Had a great time didn't get to ride enough,but never do. If only we didn't have to eat.

Tombstone Trail coming in october!!!

This is one of the tombstones here at Mirror Lake B&B. In the Rice-Brothwell family Cemetery dating 1832-1895 although the last obituary reads 1901.

The third wife of John F Brothwell dies Marilda (White) in Kendallville in 1901 and was buried at the family farm 5 mile west of Rome City on Northport rd.

This is the man who built and established our farm and home here at Mirror Lake.

All restored and looking good.

As we restored the cememtery we found a few stones under ground. Thanks for your help Jed.Joel helps put stones back in their place. Our courthouse burnt in 1890 so all records were lost. Stones laying on the ground or found underground were put back in place.

This is a first for Noble county as well as the state of Indiana. The month of October they're going to be guided and self guided cemetery tours. Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 4:00pm -8:00pm ( 1 hr. per cemetery). 3 in Noble county plus Gene Stratton-Porter and 3 cemetery's in DeKalb county.There will be maps available with all the cemetery's labeled. For more information on this you can go to tombstonetrail.com or John@visitnoblecounty.com

Flowers in bloom!!

That one Petunia that needed to be "deadheaded".

What a beautiful and bright colored Hibiscus.

Two large paper plate variegated pink Hibiscus.

From the house to the pool.

I took a few minutes the other day to take a few pictures. The flowers are so pretty and bright. They can cheer you even on your darkest days.

County Fairs Go On All Around Us.

Not the typical fair animal but I thought it was an interesting picture of what you might see at a county fair. Look at the size of those feet!! You wouldn't want him to step on your foot.

The elephant gets a bath before it's next show. The man washing the elephant said he normally gets a bath with a pressure washer and it takes 2 hours. But in between show he just got cooled off with the hose.

Having fun at Mirror Lake Bed and Breakfast

Fishing, horse riding, pony wagon rides, a chance to milk a cow, great food and more horse riding all in one day. How GREAT is that?

Greenhouses all around Mirror lake B&B

Rolling Acres is right around the corner from Mirror lake and has many nice annuals and perennials

Nature's Lane is an Amish greenhouse just out of Shipshewana.

The Clear Spring Produce Auction.

I love auctions!!

Last Tuesday I made my rounds to many of the greenhouses that are nearby. Looking at all the new flowers and grasses. Wednesday I went back and bought 10 flats of annuals, grasses and other 4in potted annuals. But today I went to the produce auction they are on Tuesday, Thursdays and some Fridays as well. I bought 14 potted baskets, 8 flats of flowers and 15 potted mums (4" pot) for $138.00. I think that is great, now the weather has to get warmer and drier before I can start planting. Happy day!!

Our new pony Susie and her cart!!

This is all very new to me I have never driven a pony before. Elsie my Amish friend helped me one day. But I think she was more nervous then I was. But maybe she knew to be afraid and I didn't. Every time we go out things just get better and better!!
This is our newest addition her name is Susie. She is 10 years old and is 11 hands high she is a sweet heart. This is our first day hitched and yes I had some learning to do. Elsie (my Amish friend) gave me an A+ in harnessing.

Susie still has to loose some winter hair. I just got her and brought her home March 28 . Needs some T.L.C. just wait!!

Our first trip back to the cabin April 29 and this is our 3rd time hitched. What fun it felt good things went well.

Susie stands like a soldier has I set up the camera. What a nice buggy ride to the woods and back to the barn.

NOBLE COUNTY SPRING FLING

This weekend May 1 & 2, 10-5:00 & 1-4 is our Noble County Spring Fling. Many places in the county are open for FREE and many places are giving FREE tours of their grounds. Come see what Noble County has to offer!!!!!!!!!! We are one of the GREENEST counties in the state!! www.visitnoblecounty.org

A spring day living around the Amish.

Working the garden getting it ready to plant.

One of the ways to and from.

The children play while mom worked in the garden.

Sowing Oats!!

Many greenhouses in the area and they all are getting geared up for the season.

This 6 horse team of Clydesdales disc the ground as the farmer guides the team.

And I worry about driving one single 42" pony.

DITTO