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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

ANOTHER OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY IN THE VINEYARD BUT IT WAS NOT FUN...




Linked to A SOUTHERN DAY DREAMER, SUSAN as our host.



May I introduce you to my handsome son, DAVID KEITH, beautiful granddaughter, LACEY JEAN and my adorable and lovely daughter*in*luv, KATHLEEN..aka KATHY, grandmother of CATHLEEN, aka as CATE......
THE GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER..


i
It is looking mighty like a day of WORK....work in the beautiful West Texas vineyard known as BASO DEL SOL..
AND son, DAVID, has gathered all his family in to help....
even his daddy, MR. SWEET...he is the one that is going to be driving the tractor and.....
taking all these great photos. what a man!!
***
The implement used to apply these nets is pulled behind a tractor.
Large rolls of netting fit on the back of the implement and is pulled up through a pully type thing...
KATHY would pull and keep straight, the netting as it was fed out to DAVID.
This instrument cost several thousand dollars but, MR. SWEET, BEING ABLE TO LEAP TALL BUILDING IN A SINGLE BOUND, BUILT the implement for mere pennies......well, maybe a dollar...
using metal and such that he had on hand.
WHAT A MAN, I say !!
***

The grapes that were so GREEN just a few weeks ago are now turning purple ....
that means they are getting really sweet....
and THAT means........................
B.i.r.d.s.
***


In order to keep the birds out of the grapes....
netting had to be strung over every single row of the grapes and
everyone had to help...
Even the 11 yr. old twins helped this work day...
See all the RED Solo cups dotting the vineyard? The girls put these up on every metal post so that the netting wouldn't hang.
"Awww, DAVID...you're workin' hard and looking good while you're doing it !!"
***
Rows and rows of netting and rows and rows of beautiful grapevines...
This is only a portion of the huge, beautiful vineyard......
***
DAVID walked the rows, putting the nets on while KATHY kept the netting straight as it was fed out to the grapevines...
LACEY JEAN was on the other side, doing the same thing..
***

***

AT the end of this HARD, HOT day...
NO ONE was thinking of WINE...
NOSIREE...
All they wanted to drink was
ICE COLD BOTTLED WATER...
and PLENTY of it..................!!
***
Hard, hot, long day but take a look at those TANS, would ya!!
:O)
What a great job, guys....
***
Now, some of you might ask, "Did YOU work, bj?"
Remember...I am the one that sets up beautiful tables for beautiful lunches in the vineyard...
Surely I can't be expected to DO IT ALL !!! ??? !!!

29 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

This is a great post BJ, and I am so sorry that I missed some of the other posts of your son's vineyard.

How beautiful! And how hardworking your family is. The grapes hanging off the vine look straight off a wine or jelly label. And I never knew netting had to be hung over EVERY row!! And I never knew grapes could be grown in Texas. Boy, there is a lot I don't know, BJ! Maybe that is why my name is Blondie!! ;-)

xoxo
Janie

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Wow, that is a huge vineyard. Refresh my memory, do they make wine or sell their grapes to wineries, etc?

We have big vineyards in Missouri. Most of the wine is made in German style.
I remember you like blackberry wine, too. St James Winery, near Rolla Mo, makes great blackberry wine. I used to buy concords,from roadside stands, every August, when we traveled I-44 more often.

Even though it looks like lots of work, it also looks like a nice day together! Fun post!

Theresa said...

You are a hoot! That is very hard work and I just got a handful of cold grapes in honor of all those workers. Beautiful vineyards AND a good looking bunch spreading all that net. I can't imagine letting the birds have at those gorgeous grapes. Great post, I LOVE grapes:) Have a blessed day!

blushing rose said...

We've been to many vineyards but never noticed the netting before. This is a huge vineyard, BJ. Beautiful setting. Looks like a great family day.

Have a great week. TTFN ~Marydon

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Hi bj... :) I am fine. Just a wee upset but it's passing. The up's and down's of blogging I suppose.

Now...about you doing any work other than getting a lovely lunch ready...well..heavens to betsy NO you should not be expected to do anything else. I mean it takes some work to put on a nice lunch..or..actually :) any kind of lunch! Those vinyards are just beautiful..and the grapes...oh..oh..
So..do they have any wine? Nice..sweet yummy wine? Just askin'.. Hugs to you my friend!
Mona

♥Mimi♥ said...

Don't have a bloggie button...yet. Now you've got me in a creatin' mood. I think one of the reasons you like my cooking is because you can find just about all of the ingredients in your kitchen and don't have to spend a whole day cooking. I like things that are good, easy and fun!

Amelia said...

Thanks for showing us some pictures of the working of the grapes. I always enjoy seeing how different things are farmed.

Can the netting be used again next year...or is it a one time use only?

Bill said...

Beautiful, BJ ... the vineyard, your family, the photographs!
I really enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at the operation.

I grew up on our family farm, so I can relate to the kind of hard work they're doing ... mixed with family fun and wonderful fellowship!

See you soon!

Bill

Mary Bergfeld said...

How wonderful that everyone pitched in to help. You have a wonderful family. I hope you are having a great day.

squawmama said...

BJ, This was so interesting and I really enjoyed it... Yes I read all of your post BUT somehow I to missed anything about a vineyard... Wonderful story! Have Fun!!!

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Brenda Eason said...

I love the post and it is a beautiful place.

Claudia said...

I have never seen a vinyard up close and personal. Wow what hard hard work.

The netting is very cool and such a smart practice. Thanks so much for sharing your work.

When you are rested :) stop by-- would love to offer you a cold one. Even if only through the blogosphere.


TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

Regina said...

Awesome vineyard.
Wonderful outdoor post. Thanks for sharing!

Beverly said...

Wow, that does look like hard, but necessary work. The vineyard looks beautiful.

You certainly can't do everything. And, you are so good at the part you do. ;-)

Marcela said...

Hi dear BJ
I am back in bloggland!!!

What a beautiful place indeed!!!
And I agree with you... you can't do that..you have to set the table ;)

Kisses to you my dear
Marcela

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You never realize all the work that goes into making a bottle of wine. What a beautiful vineyard!
Hugs,
Penny

SmilingSally said...

How interesting! You're right to keeping on blogging away while the family works in the hot sun. I never thought you were stupid!

Stacey said...

Wow. The vineyard is so pretty. I think grapevines are just a work of art. That looks like a lot of work though.

Darlene said...

What a neat post. That does look like a lot of hard work but those grapes look gorgeous!

storyteller at Small Reflections said...

What a fascinating glimpse into the challenges of caring for a vineyard! It gives me a new appreciation for wine, but water is MY drink of choice most often as well.
Hugs and blessings,

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

This is a great post. It has wonderful photography and is informative. Thanks for sharing.

Barb said...

Hi BJ....awesome pictures and yes, indeedy, this looks like really hot and hard work.

Hugs, Barb :-)

Judi said...

Hi BJ
That is so interesting. I loved meeting more of your family and they sure do have their work cut out for them. Look at at allll those grapes! wow! Isn't it nice to have their daughters at an age where they can help too!
Thank you for sharing
Judi

Decor To Adore said...

What gorgeous land and helpers!

I imagine sweet memories were made on this day!

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Oh BJ, great post ~ but my that is a LOT of work!

It was so nice to "meet" your family, it's heartwarming to see the team spirit!

Your DH did a great job with the pictures! Please thank him for us. :)

Shellbelle said...

I know this was very hard work, but it is so great to see the family doing it together.

And honey, I remember that tablescape in the vineyard and you should definitely be excused!

Kathleen Grace said...

I can't imagine all the work that goes into acres and acres of vineyard! Thank you for showing us a little glimpse of vineyard life BJ:>)

Anne Fannie said...

Wow, lots of work! I can't even keep the birds out of my ONE fig tree! I can just image a whole vineyard of grapes!Great post!

~Ann

Justine said...

Holy crap, that's a lot of work for just a few people to do! Can't David hire out for that? I've never even heard of a vineyard doing this. Do they all???

Justine :o )