Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

The tractor project continued yesterday. I always have a good time with our friends, learning about tractor parts, listening to the guys find more problems, and better yet, find solutions. They love what they are doing! I loved hearing the tractor run.

Sunday was the day to begin removing parts from the old gal that need repainted. My husband, pictured above, finally got to use his new sand blaster. He donned a mask, then a hood, long suede gloves (his welder’s gloves) and went to town sand blasting.

Pictured below is the “before photo” of the tractor’s pull hitch (in an old water trough converted to a sand blaster tub) before it was sand blasted. The next photo is the hitch looking nearly new. Amazing. The guys then put the metal frame of the tractor seat in the trough. It came out beautifully clean, ready for paint too. The cushion part of the seat itself is on order. Expensive!

The ’56 Massey Harris model 50 is going to be really spiffied up!

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There is something about tractors that grabs my attention, almost as much as barns, especially old barns. An old tractor has history under its fenders. It might have helped to plow a field, clean out a dairy barn, or perhaps helped with the family farm chores.

This is the latest tractor project, a 1956 Massey Harris Model 50. Yes, I know all of that. How I went from my office position behind 4 walls to this wonderful life is beyond me, but I absorb everything I can get because I love it.

My husband was the “driver” of the tractor. She does not run, by the way. The prior tractor owner used the Bobcat to lead the old gal out (flat tires were sunk in the ground). She went up on our friend’s trailer with ease.

I was going to make goat milk soap today, but I like to freeze the goat milk in one particular way, and I was not prepared. Tomorrow for sure!

Another tractor pic:

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In May, 2008, a new lady entered our lives. She became the star of attention every Sunday afternoon, from noon until feeding time. Her name is Allie.

Allie isn’t like the rest of us ladies in the 50-year old range. She is a bright orange tractor, made in 1955, by Allis-Chalmers, a model “CA.”

For those of you that might have eyes glazing over right now, I would think that I would be doing the same. I got bit by the farm bug as a young child, but never was able to pursue my dreams until 8 years ago. Now, if it involves animals, tractors, farms, you name it, I learn, and absorb, like a never-ending sponge that will always be absorbant for more. Would I have ever thought I would be wet sanding a hood (still missing from the tractor), or helping to drain and pour in new oil, or sitting on the tractor seat (my favorite spot) to help test the brakes? No! But I am loving it! I want to see the guys get this one put back together, and I want to see another project started!

My husband (Bob), Mr. B, as they call him at our friend Bob’s house (the man in the suspenders), have had the time of their lives cleaning, painting, rebuilding, and making Allie run like a dream. The worst day, and I even was able to repeat that back today (unbelievable), was the Sunday they worked on the hydraulic control. Frustration ran wild that afternoon!

One of the best parts of this project has been the “giggles and yucks,” as we call them, with our friends. I’ll never forget the day the guys carefully drove the tractor down to the car wash. Somehow they came back with only 1/2 of the tractor washed. We are still laughing over that one! They washed the back end, but didn’t touch the front. Scratch your head on that one!

I have been told that I will sit in one of these seats in a parade at the fair some day. I am not sure about that…but I like sitting up there! Have fun…life is short!

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