Boots on the Ground

Sunday's Breakfast

2012-02-15T18:59:00.009-06:00

Repeat as needed.

We Have a New "Daughter!"

2012-02-14T09:01:00.002-06:00

Minah is from South Korea. She is 16, and attends school with Mary. She is here on a student exchange, and will be here with us until January. You can bet she'll be popping up on this blog from time to time!

Leaving Home

2012-02-08T10:50:00.003-06:00

I've been spending this week pretending to be an English/Literature/German teacher. It's a good gig; a small, private school, great kids, great staff. But I still have to leave home each morning. Even though we're not there to mess it up, it's amazing how our house is falling apart, little by little, each and every day.

Obviously, no one is there to leave trash, etc, lying around. But there's also no one there to pick up the clutter and put it away. And, when you're up and at 'em early in the morning, heading out to the great adventure of the day, it's easy to leave a trail of clutter behind you. A spot of toothpaste and water on the bathroom sink, an unmade bed, a rejected outfit. Breakfast dishes, coffee grounds, a dirty knife that was used to make a sandwich. Each of these is an itty bitty mess, but, gathered together, they make a house look tired. And, when the people of the house arrive in the evening, genuinely tired, the itty bitty messes grow. A stack of lunch containers. A receipt from a quick stop at the store. Mud on shoes, dirty travel mug, cooler (for lunch) which needs wiping out. Add in the little bits of bone the dog chewed during the day, and some tufts of cat hair, and, oh, my, we're heading toward a big mess.

It's obvious, in this world, that work needs to be done in order for a living to be made. But then who handles the living? Who is home to clean the home, organize the home, and make the home fit for those who will return to it in the evening?

I guess that's the BIG question.

Sunday

2012-02-07T08:18:00.011-06:00

Sunday, sadly, we faced the return to reality, to our homes and "real" lives. Before that, however, we had a visit to make. We had an appointment with one of our former Presidents.

Saturday

2012-02-06T08:37:00.009-06:00

We shopped. We ate. We shopped some more. We ate some more. We headed back to the hotel, where we ate yet again and watched a movie.

Friday Night

2012-02-05T15:42:00.004-06:00

I went to Galena with some friends this weekend. We stayed here, a place I heartily recommend.

This was our collection of yummy beverages.

Is it any wonder that we closed the movie theater? Yeah, we went to see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which we liked. We went to the 10 o'clock showing, and were the last people out. We felt like such partiers!

Well, we are. We also had one of these in our collection, as proof.

Saturday Farm Report

2012-02-04T18:24:00.003-06:00

Dang.

I'm out in Galena with friends. We spent the day wandering through shops and eating wonderful foods. (Thank goodness I'm here with other food lovers. If I were with some high maintenance girls who thought a pea for breakfast could hold them through the day, I'd be sunk.) We took some fun pictures, some of which showed ME to be the Most Likely to Start Dieting Again Next Week!

But I grabbed the wrong camera cable.

So you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see my fun pictures.

Sorry.

Ramble

2012-02-02T20:10:00.002-06:00

I had a really great post planned, with research done and everything. Then I subbed at Mary's school, and caught some sort of virus. I've been snuffling and sneezing ever since, and my brain is too muddled to do much deep thinking. So you, gentle reader, will have to do that for me. Thank you.

Saturday Farm Report

2012-01-28T22:21:00.005-06:00

It was a long, exhausting week, but a few things did get done.

I started a new flat of lettuces. The first flat, which I pictured a week or so ago, is doing what all lettuces do in my breezeway. It's sitting there, looking at me. I plant them in good potting soil, fertilized with chicken and turkey litter, the room is 60 degrees, they're under lights, and they get the water they need. Yet they grow thin and weak, and I haven't gotten a salad out or any of them, ever. I sure wish I knew why.

I drove all over Chicagoland, as my dad visited two doctors and was hospitalized, briefly. Things are fine, but it was tiring.

We used up all the hay in our haybarn this week. It was purchased in June or July, we started using it roughly in August, and now it's gone. I picked up some more this weekend, but first I had to clean out the haybarn. We stack the hay on pallets, and loose hay falls in between and around those pallets. I rake out most of that loose hay because it rots and can cause problems when the rot spreads to the next bales. I give the hay to the chickens.

They peck and scratch and eat hay seeds and stems and turn all of that into lovely eggs with beautiful and tasty yellow yolks.

Today stalls were cleaned and chicken feed was purchased. Our grandchildren are visiting for the weekend. We've been having a great time!

January Snowfall

2012-01-23T13:34:00.007-06:00

So, I mentioned snow. I headed out during the beginning hours to get some pictures. I think I'll be retiring my point and shoot. Enjoy these as best you can!

The horses, walking away. you can see how the cold and snow have turned them into beggars, pleading with me to bring them in out of the weather.

Even though they have to paw through the snow to eat.

Henry found something yummy.

Here's where he found it. Can you guess?

Yes. It's a poopsicle.

Saturday Farm Report

2012-01-21T11:17:00.004-06:00

It's been a mild winter here on the farm, with temps in the 40s and lettuce still greening in the garden. Sadly, I'm so accustomed to closing the garden in November that I didn't realize there was still lettuce until it froze! But it was there. These past two weeks, however, have seen the return of Old Man Winter. Cold is here again, and snow. Yesterday we had about 5" fall here, thick and heavy. The roads were a disaster, and Mary's school closed at 12:45. It was quite the trip over to get her. But the nights have been lovely. It's clear and crisp, and finally cold enough to light a fire. Curling up in front of crackling logs and good movies! We've discovered Downton Abbey, so we've added a little Edwardian class to our evenings, too.

Little lettuces are growing well, and some new orchids have been added to the collection. I'm close to becoming a plant hoarder. OK, maybe I already was. John says the women in my family have that disease. But it could be worse, sweetie. I could be collecting cats...Oh, wait. we may be on the road to that, too! Another stray has adopted our chicken house as it's occasional home. We can't approach it yet, but it's been out there on various days when we go to feed the birds.

Today I've been struggling with learning to use Pinterest. I think I'm hopeless. So I gave up on that and got all reactionary.

Yes, when the computer gives you hissy fits, there's always snail mail to help you feel in control again. A friend recently retired, so her e-mail isn't available anymore. Can you imagine a modern woman without e-mail OR a cell phone? She had those through work, and hasn't decided if she's going to get them again. So, snail mail it is.

I have a full list of plans for today, mostly centered around organizing The Daughter's bedroom and The Office. A walk is also on the agenda, and the Youngest Son and his girlfriend are due for dinner tonight. Looks like pork schnitzel, spaetzle, sweet and sour red cabbage and mashed carrots and rutabaga. Auf Weidersehen!!

Winter Canning

2012-01-20T07:57:00.016-06:00

Various and Sundry

2012-01-18T10:18:00.009-06:00

Just some miscellaneous thoughts and photographs.

Breakfast. Home-grown eggs, cheddar cheese, cranberry relish. We've discovered this again this year, and it's become a favorite. Put a bag of cranberries and a peeled orange into a food processor. Pulse until ground to your liking. Add up to 1/2 c sugar and enjoy! We like a half cup or so with a large dollop of Greek yogurt and maybe a sprinkle of granola. It's replacing the boat-o-ice cream we used to eat at night, and, shockingly, we aren't missing the ice cream.

Pink Flamingo. Sometimes you just have to give in and get girly!

Two-week-old mixed greens seedlings, transplanted into a window box. Their younger sisters will be started later today.

Martin Luther King Day

2012-01-16T09:21:00.003-06:00

We have the day off. I was going to was poetic about how he would have wanted children in school, learning about American history, not in front of TVs, playing video games. I was going to talk about equality and freedom, but we live in a country that is losing both daily. I could talk about the faith that he lived and espoused, but, while doing some research this morning, I was surprised to learn that his Christian beliefs were, well, not so Christian. You don't have to take my word for it; look it up! I will say that he and I shared a favorite hymn

although this is not my favorite version. My favorite version is sung on Sunday in my church.

So today I'll be dropping some things off at the thrift store, spending time with my daughter and, later, heading to a 4H meeting where I will listen to kids learn about farm life and then support a local farmer by buying some of his milk. Hmmm...maybe I do get the point of this day, after all.

Saturday Farm Report

2012-01-14T23:36:00.003-06:00

Winter has finally hit here in northeastern Illinois. Thursday night we were hit with cold temperatures, winds, and snow (which means drifting.) The horses' fur is barely long enough to keep them warm, which means they burn more calories and lose weight. The chickens are acting like all the birds we've had in the past; sitting on the step of their house, looking out at that evil white stuff that is so cold on their little feeties, and covers up all the good stuff we throw out there for them. The dogs beg to go out every 5 minutes, rain, sleet or snow, and then beg to come back in, almost immediately. Such a thing.

I spent today at my dad's, cleaning out and organizing things so he can get ready to move. Yep, he's moving. He bought himself a little house in our town. He also bought a new car, which was necessary, after last Sunday's adventure. He's been busy this week.

I got home in time to try a new beer, make some homemade pizza, and bake some bread for tomorrow. Now, it's movie time!

Seriously?

2012-01-10T10:07:00.002-06:00

You have a beautiful baby girl, and this is what you're inspired to write and record for her? Seriously?

OK. Call me a fogey.

Monday's Chores

2012-01-09T07:40:00.005-06:00

He says he fell asleep. He took out 60' of fencing...

The car spun and was stopped by a rock.

He walked away with two cuts on his hand, and EMS said there was no reason to take him to the hospital.

An onlooker said he would go out tomorrow and buy a Saturn.

I guess we'll be helping my dad find a new car today.

Saturday Farm Report

2012-01-07T08:21:00.003-06:00

This week the weather has been amazing! It's been about 40 all week, and above 45 most days. The horses have been out at night, leaving me less cleanup in the morning. That may sound lazy to some horsekeepers, but they look cleaner, happier and calmer than when they spend nights in their stalls. It has helped with the cleanliness that it's also been dry, so there's less mud to roll in. I don't understand the rolling in the mud thing, but our horses love it. I was talking to our farrier the other day about that, and even he, the expert, couldn't explain why they roll in the cold, wet mud, even in the winter. We could both understand summer rolling, but winter? We're mystified.

I've been working on scheduling and planning this week. Last year, I talked about planning the garden. This year, I'll be doing that soon, but I am also planning horse projects, house and garden maintenance projects, and vacation scheduling. Our first planned trip away will be in February, when we go to visit cousins in Iowa City. We planned that for this month, but the silly Buick decided it needed new tires. Our trip money was invested in Firestone. So, next month it is.

Today Mary and I are headed out to visit two stables near us. At the first one, I am going to talk to a lady about lessons for me and my horse. I last took lessons about 30 years ago, and, although I am generally content with what Hope and I do, I am beginning to want a little more. If I can put a little polish on my meager skills and connect a bit better with her, it could be fun. After a stop for lunch, Mary and I will head to another stable, where one of her 4H leaders works. Said leader has offered her the chance to work with a young horse, and is going to show her how to do that. That's golden, and I'm going to make sure she gets that opportunity. So, since it's later than I thought, I'll be heading out now. Have a great Saturday!

Christmas Film Festival, the Report

2012-01-05T14:05:00.004-06:00

So, I mentioned that we do a Christmas Film Festival here on the farm. This year the theme was "Movies We Just Feel Like Watching." I thought I'd share some of what we saw.

In no particular order, because I didn't keep track and can't remember what we saw first, second, etc, we saw:

Sherlock Holmes 2: Game of Shadows.

It was entertaining, but missed something. Plot connections, among other things.

Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow

Yes, we'd seen it before. It was time to see it again, I guess. We like the filming style; very sepia/colorless, except for that WWII lipstick!

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Typical impossible mission, but fun to watch. Much chuckling at the absolutely impossible ending. I admit it. I couldn't watch the scene where he jumps into the hotel window. Too much vertigo!

127 Hours.

Seemed that long. Read about Aron Ralston online; takes less time, you get the same information.

Limitless.

Shoulda hadda limit.

All Good Things.

Not such a good thing.

Lest you think we sat around watching movies we hated...

Captain America The First Avenger

We hadn't seen this one before. It was fun, although it had the unsatisfying ending of the middle movie in a trilogy. But I'm a sucker for WWII movies.

The Adventures of Tin Tin.

Entertaining. I don't know if I'll ever get used to CG animation, but it does allow the filmmaker to defy the laws of physics. And that can be a good thing, right?

War Horse.

Beautifully filmed, amazingly acted...by a horse! I love the shot at 1:23. How did they get the horse to show those emotions to the camera? That look at 1:41 is just amazing. Oh, of course, the people were good, too. The expression at 1:58 captures just how it feels when your horse is hurting and there is nothing you can do.

Cowboys and Aliens.

C'mon, Mulder and Scully told us, didn't they, that alien abductions have been going on forever? Fun story, and another chance to see Daniel Craig in action.

Elizabethtown.

Our third time for this one. It's a favorite.

And last night we ended it with The Help.

I had read the (very good) book, and really wanted Miss Mary to at least see the movie. It did not disappoint. I wish I could say what Minny says at :54, just like she says it. I really think it's a physiological thing, and no white woman will ever be able to do it just that way.

We always enjoy our family film festivals. We're already planning the next one!

Hope Springs Eternal!!

2012-01-01T14:12:00.006-06:00

I am embarrassed to say how many times I have tried starting lettuce to grow inside, only to see it languish and die. It's just so doggone expensive, and I would love to have a flowerbox or two growing in my breezeway, under lights. So I tried again today.

I planted 5 greens; Bibb, spinach, two romaines and Tango leaf lettuce. They should make wonderful salads. So should have the lettuces from all those other times...

But I'm not giving up. Not this time.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-12-31T09:09:00.003-06:00

Today dawned bright and sunny, if cold. Since yesterday was drippy and rainy, with a few flurries thrown in, just for fun, we'll take sunny and cold. I am getting tired of this. If we're going to have precipitation in December, it should be white and fluffy. And we need a good freeze. It kills off most of the worms our critters shed. I know. Eeeewww...

Happy New Year's Eve! Tonight we'll have a houseful of family, eating and watching movies, playing board games and trying some of that beer we got on the brewery tour. Until then, we're going to be...shopping! Today we're having a thrift store adventure. I'll let you know of any awesome deals we find.

Beyond that, not much to report. The chickens are producing eggs like crazy, the horses are producing poop like crazy, and the dogs and cats cause us to laugh and holler in turns. Life on the farm is good.

Field Trip!

2011-12-29T21:37:00.003-06:00

We went for a ride in the country today. Along the way, we saw an eagle. We see bald eagles every once in a while. It always surprises people, including the people in our own car today, that we see them in Illinois, but they are native. Just not common.

We were headed here. Sadly, I did not take any pictures. But if you know Berghoff, or Lazy Mutt, or Huber beers, this is where they are brewed. Also made here are some really good sodas; root beer, cream soda (to die for!)black cherry and blueberry sodas that are really yummy, even a good orange and cream. There were bottomless samples, a free six pack to take home, and lots of fun besides!

This was followed by a great supper here. Ribs. Yum. Smoked and juicy...

Just a really nice day.

Christmas Giving

2011-12-28T07:58:00.024-06:00

A while back, one of our sons, while moving, cleaned out his t-shirt drawer. Having received multitudinous souvenir t-shirts from various events, he found his drawer overflowing, and decided to lighten the load. I couldn't imagine throwing away these "treasures," and, this fall, decided to make something of them.

I cut out the printed designs from the front of a few of them. I added strips of fabric taken from the shirts themselves. I sewed them together.

Some of the shirts were neat souvenirs. Some were interesting, especially since he wore them while attending a somewhat liberal community college.

I do have to admit, I was worried about this being a "lame" gift. I mean, most 21 year-old young men don't appreciate blankets. OTOH, his brother appreciated the Cavalry blanket he received one Christmas.

I added tan fleece to the sides, as a border. I was aiming for this blanket to cover him as a throw, and he's six feet tall. I was going for ginormous.

I backed it with a deep green fleece, his favorite color. I tied the quilt in several places, and it was done. On Christmas Day...

It got rave reviews. I told his brothers I could do one for each of them, also, but I need their old t-shirts...

Christmas!!

2011-12-26T08:22:00.020-06:00

The horses get a special Christmas breakfast.

The feeding frenzy that is gift-opening time began after dinner.

"Grandma, you blinded me!"

She says she wants a hat for "every Christmas, forever."

Handmade and delivered, not by owl, but by his dear sister.

Christmas jammies!

And then came the morning after...

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T09:42:00.005-06:00

From all of us at Pine Ridge Farm, including Frank, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Friday, Friday

2011-12-23T22:23:00.004-06:00

Hey, remember my plant shelf? Here, finally, it is.

We added legs to it so that, when beloved canines plant their feet on it, the shelf stays put.

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows disappointed. It was fun, but was missing something. Plot connections would have been good.

Spent today baking and shopping. Many coffee cakes were baked, some of which will be Christmas presents. Logs of pepperkakor dough are chilling in the frig; tomorrow they will be rolled in turbinado sugar, sliced, baked, and consumed with hot, rich coffee. Family will start arriving tomorrow for Christmas Eve dinner. I should probably figure out what that will be...

Can you tell it's been along day, and I'm tired?

Winter Solstice

2011-12-23T07:37:00.007-06:00

Many of our pagan friends are celebrating this week, too. Here's an excerpt from a pagan site I found, describing the holiday a bit;

Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia, occurs in mid December. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal.

Strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. Decorate your home with lights, greens, and holiday colors. Bless your home with a Yule wreath on your front door and sprigs of mistletoe inside. If you are part of a group, take up a collection of food and/or clothing at your Yule gathering and give what you collected to a social service agency to distribute to the needy (for example, Circle's Yuletide Charity Food Drive). Place sunflower seeds outside for wild birds to feast upon. Greet the Sun at dawn on Solstice morning by ringing bells. Do magic for a more peaceful planet.

OK, what's a good Christian lady like me doing posting about pagan rituals? Well, many Christians, and you know this, rankle at celebrating Christ's birth at the same time as a pagan festival. Many non-Christians point to this celebration as further proof that Christianity is just some made-up system that took advantage of existing holidays to supplant those earlier religions and grasp control over the masses.

Not so much.

God in Christ is in compete control of the world He created, and the Church shows this, wittingly or no, by adopting rituals and celebrations of past systems. We're taking back what's been ours since the beginning of things.

For example, the winter solstice. The pagan lady says the solstice celebrates the beginning of winter, and the start of a new solar year. OK. The Christian lady notes that, on the solstice, the day is shortest and the night the longest. That means that, starting on the winter solstice, the days, which have been getting shorter, begin getting longer again. (The season of Lent, which comes in about 8 weeks, is named for the "lengthening" of daylight.) In other words, light comes into the world. The light, the sunlight, and, also, the Light of Christ, whose birth we celebrate.

Coincidence? I, obviously, think not.

Do we have to do anything to have this happen? No. Just as the light comes to us without our bidding or help, so the Light comes into the world without any bidding or help, unless you count the work of labor of a young Jewish woman.

Is December 25 the actual anniversary of the birth of Christ? Probably not. Some people say this happened in the spring; shepherds would be out in the fields in spring, tending their sheep. Others have figured it at various different times of the year. My own completly uneducated self thinks that the celebration is more important to my spiritual health than pinpointing the exact day. For myself, I need to think in terms of Light returning to the earth, rather than nitpicking about December 25 vs April 2, vs whenever. (Although, having attended the births of various critters, I lean toward a spring birth. I feel for those shepherds, sleeping out in the open, waiting for some sheep to drop a lamb, or to need help doing so.)

So, long story short, Christ was born, bringing with Him light and life into the world. Was He born in December? Not sure. Lots of evidence for other dates. None of that, in my mind, is going to change the focus and purpose of the celebration. Focus on the "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing," and not on the conflict over when and where and how we celebrate. Enjoy the lengthening of days, and the steady march toward the light. Share this with your family and friends, with words and actions and feasting. Oh, the feasting. Be sure of God's love for you in Christ as you head into a new year full of promise and revel in His deliverance from the problems it will also bring.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Film Festival

2011-12-20T23:09:00.013-06:00

It started a few years back. We hold a family film festival during Christmas break. One year we watched all of the James Bond films. (When I said this was a family film festival, I didn't mean all the films were family films, OK?) We watched WWII films during the first festival. We spent one Christmas break devouring the first season of 24.

We started our festival on Saturday night, with Going in Style. John and I remember that one being a bit more hilarious, a bit less somber. Tonight we watched Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, one we've seen before, but these films aren't always ones we're seeing for the first time.

Movies mean popcorn. Even when we try to watch without food, about half an hour in, we all get a taste for popcorn. Here on Pine Ridge Farm, we make it the old fashioned way. We use this pot

which my grandmother gave me, years ago. I have no idea how old this thing is. I just know that it makes the best popcorn. She told me she used it for popcorn, too.

The heat goes on. I told you, we do things the old fashioned way here, even lighting the stove.

I put in some oil (1/4 cup, for you fussy folk)

and 3 kernels of corn. Once upon a time, my mom started popcorn this way, and now I'm imprinted. It's how I do it.

Once those 3 kernels pop, in goes 1/2 cup of kernels.

I shake the pan to cover the kernels with oil, but I couldn't take a picture of that. My hands were busy shaking the pot! Then the magic happens.

Yum.

Yum.

Yum.

Peanut oil. Salt. No butter. In case you were wondering. Our popcorn is purchased from several very cute Cub Scouts. We buy about 15 3-pound tubs in the fall, and it usually lasts all year. We finish it all.

Tomorrow night we'll be at the theatre, watching Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

Gardening Successes

2011-12-20T08:28:00.007-06:00

I'm not the most technical gardener in the world. (Wow. I have become the Mistress of Understatement!) I love to plant and grow things, and that's about where it begins and ends. I want plant X to grow where I plant it, not that I plant it where it will grow best. I've spent a lot of money and made a lot of mistakes over the years.

I am getting better. I've had a few little successes in the past year or so, things I am kinda proud of. Because of the weather, I'm going to share a few of my indoor gardening successes. I would appreciate it if those of you whose mad gardening skills far outstrip mine would just encourage me. I don't mind a little teasing about how excited I am about these little things, but telling me, "Well, honey, I did that in my teens" would just quash my little gardening personality, OK? Thank you.

My Christmas cactus decided to bloom. Again. Two years in a row. I rock.

My orchid, which I bought in bloom and managed to keep in bloom for 2 months or more, is, well, looky here!

Can you see it? I admit, the picture is of the notsogood variety. But my orchid is reblooming! I told myself that, if I could get it to do that, I would get myself another orchid. I really like them, so, off to the store I'll go. It'll have to live there, behind the sofa, with my African violets. Those I've been able to keep in bloom for a long time, by top secret methods. (Ignore them, watering only when they wilt. Seems to work for me, as long as they're in a north or east window.) (So much for top secret.)

I also managed a wifely coup. Last year sometime, I asked for a shelf to be installed along our east living room window. I put plants there during the winter months, and there's a grow light there as well. I've been able to keep plants healthy that way. Well, late last winter, Mr. Jip and Miss Skye got all excited about someone knocking on the door right outside that window, jumped up on the shelf, and tore it out of the wall. This weekend, I convinced John that he wanted to re-install that shelf. It needed to be done, as the plants need a home and the Christmas tree lives just in front of the shelf. So, in order for the tree to go up, the shelf had to go in. I'd show you a picture of the shelf, too, but Blogger is not letting me.

So much for my mad skills. Puny little gardening ones. Miniscule photography ones. Minor computer ones. Guess I'll go get more coffee. That I can handle!

A Little Saturday Fun...

2011-12-18T08:08:00.007-06:00

Saturday's Farm Report was delayed a bit by some socializing the folks here at Pine Ridge Farm needed to get done. So this is a Sunday edition. Which is fitting, as the Saturday Farm Report actually started on Friday...

When I headed to pick up Mary from school, I did some errands. Among them was a stop at the feed store, where I loaded up her little truck, Scout, with feed and bedding.

Now, it had rained for a couple of days before Friday. And Mary drove home. And she asked if we needed to put this stuff away. We did, as I had a hair appointment. So she drove down to the barn to unload.

Although I was in the front seat, I was distracted, and didn't even think of the consequences of such. If you've visited here before, you know of our drainage issues in front of the barn. Sure enough, there was water in front of the barn, and you may be able to guess the rest.

The weight of the feed and bedding, which dug us in, would have helped on the other end, to help us out. But she and I unloaded the stuff, partially because we needed it, and partially because the truck had to sit overnight. Dad was available to help us on Saturday, and I didn't want to take the chance of those feed bags getting wet, if it should rain again, or snow.

So, Saturday afternoon, we pulled and pushed and sat in the bed while John drove the truck out. There were some colorful metaphors uttered.

In the end, we got 'er out.

And drove away.

I didn't make my hair appointment. In case you wondered.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T21:07:00.003-06:00

A Miracle Happened Here

2011-12-13T19:30:00.003-06:00

Yes, that is Mary's Scout parked in our garage. It happens, sometimes, that a car finds space in the garage. Let's see how long it lasts.

(No disrespect is meant toward the celebration of Hanukkah. In fact, I hope that my Jewish friends and family have a wonderful time this year!)

A Housewife's Tale

2011-12-12T23:14:00.005-06:00

Is this MY kitchen? Say it isn't so.

Maybe from another direction.

Hmmm...I guess I'd better get off this thing and get to it!

Saturday Farm Report

2011-12-10T10:19:00.003-06:00

We've had another really busy week here down on the farm. But I still managed to get a number of things done.

I finally cleaned up the front and back porches. They still had summer lawn furniture and planters lying around. I cleaned and swept and put away and cried a little, because my foot hurt.

See, every so often I have toe issues. I won't go into them in detail, but, suffice it to say, I could probably spend a couple of hundred dollars at the podiatrist, and it wouldn't hurt so much. But, no, I decide to do a little minor nail surgery myself, and then hobble around for a week or so. It's lots more fun that way.

Today I was taking my horse out of her stall and putting her in the pasture when I let my guard down and she decided to take herself for a romp through the yard. Her romps almost always make a beeline for the pasture gate, because she's a creature of habit, but it's still a little nerve-wracking to see her gallumphing her way across the front yard. Even more nerve-wracking when I can't run, but have to hobble ever so elegantly over frozen ground and puddles to catch up to her and get a rope on her. She's very accommodating, standing there by the gate while I put her halter on. She's just not so accommodating that she won't take the chance when I let my guard down!

Today is cleaning the garage so Mary's little Ranger, Scout, can get inside. We're getting tired of scraping it when I take her to school in the morning. We've also been invited to Ethan's for dinner, and to meet the girlfriend. I'd also like to get some transplanting done, of the Aloe that Threatens to Take Over the World, or at least our yard. I planted one baby aloe in one 4" pot about 5 years ago. I now have a 3' windowbox stuffed with aloes. And that's after taking half of them out about 3 years ago! This fall, I left them in the yard, and, although the ground is freezing and the pond is, too, I still have a 3' windowbox full of aloes. So, if you know me...guess what you'll be getting for Christmas!

OK, if I'm going to get these things done, I'd better get to it.

In Which Our Daughter Gets an F

2011-12-08T12:55:00.005-06:00

And we are proud. She earned her letter in cross country this fall.

And she earned another award, which made us even prouder. Her coach chose her to receive the Outstanding Christian Cross Country Runner award, "For outstanding Christian leadership, Christian attitude and display of Faith on the 2011-2012 Faith Lutheran High School Cross Country team."

It made me cry.

Kudos!

2011-12-05T09:48:00.004-06:00

Our littlest soldier came home from drill this weekend with a shiny medal. He also was named -drumroll- Soldier of the Year. No, we're not proud. Much. Since I know he likes the "cheesy," well, here ya go, kiddo.

[And, yes, I am aware that we have three "only pride(s) and joy(s.)" I can dedicate a cheesy song to them, too, if they want. ]

Saturday Farm Report

2011-12-03T07:43:00.002-06:00

18 hours out of the house yesterday, mostly driving. Woke up to grey, cold drizzle and a throbbing earache. I love my so-called life.

We had our first snowfall yesterday. It's all gone today, of course, but it reminded me of this song. I used to love watching this cute little video in between Ray Rayner and his little duck, Chelveston.

I apologize in advance for the earworm.

Discipline

2011-11-30T17:18:00.003-06:00

Life can be complicated. You have to do all the right things; eat properly, exercise, love on those you love. But you also have to make a living, take care of the things in your life, interact with others. There are only 24 hours in the day (which came as quite a surprise to me the other day! I had been working under the assumption that there were 36! Explains a lot!)

Discipline helps get these things done. Eating properly assumes eating the right foods and the right amounts of those foods. Exercise means finding a workable regimen of exercises that need to be performed properly, to avoid injury that would keep you from exercising. Loving those you love can be the trickiest thing, because those you love may not always be lovable. Making a living often gets in the way of taking care of the things in your life and of interacting with others.

And there's that pesky 24-hour limit. -sheesh-

I've been trying, since Mary started school in September, to arrange my days in some sort of disciplined schedule. It gets tougher and tougher every year, as more and more things pull on me from more and more directions. Some of those things are frivolous; I missed a movie I really wanted to see. Some are not; my dad needed a ride to the doctor. In the end, some things get done well and some do not. I suppose that's part of the sinfulness of a fallen world.

This is all by way of explaining why, rather than losing 10 pounds between October 15 and November 30, which was my goal, I gained 3. Well, I gained 6, but lost 3 in that time. -sigh- I wonder if I'll ever lose weight again.

Advent

2011-11-27T11:41:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year! In the Church year, this is the beginning. This is when we wait. We wait, some say obviously, for Christmas. It's a time of preparation and building joy as we come closer to that wonderful festival.

But we also wait for the Second Coming. In church, we'll hear about the end times, about that mysterious and misunderstood time when Christ will come and take His faithful to Himself. It's a time of penitence, of renewal, and of hope.

And we sing really great hymns. Some of my most favorite hymns are Advent hymns. Yes, Christmas hymns are beautiful, and I have a list of Easter hymns that I hope someone will sing at my funeral. But Advent hymns. Ah......

Like this one.

(If you're interested, this is not a bad explanation of the liturgical year, especially in the Lutheran church.)

Homeward Bound

2011-11-26T08:19:00.003-06:00

Today we leave Grandma and Grandpa's and head home. It's been a relaxing weekend, and we've even managed to learn a few things.

The critter-raising, home-cooking, can-the-jam things that I do are apparently part of a movement. Who knew that I would start a trend? I was just trying to make good, healthy stuff for us, because buying the good, healthy stuff was breaking the bank.

Acid reflux, one of my demons, is aggravated by chocolate, peppermint, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Guess which of the four I could live without? Guess which of the four is the only one that actually helps my GERD? Yeah, me and peppermint. Quite the team.

My youngest two kids still drive me crazy when they get together. Can't. Stop. Poking, even at 21 and 16. But it also warms my heart. Aren't siblings supposed to hate each other?

Thanksgiving. It's not always about the turkey.

The Day After

2011-11-25T10:35:00.003-06:00

The first two minutes of this are my experience of Black Friday. This is why I am staying home today.

(See what I did there? The Day After, as in, The Day After Thanksgiving? And The Day After? Bwahahaha! Although, I suppose, if I have to explain it, it's not such a good example....)

Well, not really home. We're still at Grandma and Grandpa's, enjoying family time and some rest. This afternoon, Grandma is volunteering at a local thrift store; we'll be heading over there soon to visit her, and to find me a shirt, since I didn't pack well and forgot one day's worth of clothing! Tonight we'll head into Bloomington to see the lighting of the Canopy of Lights.

Enjoy your Black Friday.

T, or, Something to Do While You Digest Turkey

2011-11-24T15:12:00.009-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am giving thanks for a safe trip to Grandma and Grandpa's, and a quiet, restful day in which we are snacking through the time it takes to cook a turkey, after which we will stuff ourselves!

But enough about me. Let's talk Living Room. As promised, I'll share some quick photos I took of the poor thing. She's like the actress in A Star is Born, or a similar film. Good bones, but fading fast. She needs clothing; she's been living out of thrift stores for far too long. Something comfortable, warm and cozy, and tailored just for her.

Walking from my kitchen into the living room is this view. You're facing southeast. The large window to the left faces east; outside of it is our front yard, with trees and a little sidewalk. We plan to put sheep out there next summer; they'll graze on our septic field. Yum! The sofa is almost 20 years old. A sleeper sofa made by Englander, it's been sat on by too many Jack Russell terriers. Their little white hairs are so woven into the fabric that it looks more faded than it is. The back has worn spots where their claws, and those of our last 2 housecats, have left their marks. The sofa is headed for the curb. That wall on which the sofa sits is about 22 feet long.

Here's that south-facing window, straight on. This wall is about 13 feet long. Under that window was a shelf that held houseplants, until last spring, when Jip, our last JR, jumped up onto it and pulled it off the wall. I would like to fix the wall and restore it. I have also thought of a table under that window, but, whatever, that window is just too useful and looks too pretty with plants in it to not have something there to hold the greenery. The entertainment center is one piece of furniture that has really outlived it's usefulness. With flat-screen TV's, it seems like these things are really a piece of the past. But this one is genuinely pretty. The wood is lovely, and the finish is like satin. When the doors are closed over the TV screen, it looks a lot like an old armoire, but somehow not so bedroom-y. I'd like to use it for something. I really hate the idea of a TV in this room; it seems more of a "visiting" room to me. But the downstairs family room ceilings are too low for a tall person like me to do yoga and other stretching, so I have exercise videos and the Wii up here, so I can work out (when I lose my mind and decide that such things are important.)

This is the west wall of the living room. It's major problem is that end, with the half-wall. While it is nice to have light flowing through the living room and dining room, that little wall can be a bear to decorate around. In fact, I still haven't figure out how to do that! The chair is also on it's way to the curb. It's worn, stained, and leans to the right. It reclines, but isn't comfortable anymore.

And, lastly, the north wall. To the left is the hall to the bedrooms. Above the fireplace is Frank. He gets decorated for Christmas; he has a camo Santa cap and other assorted embarrassments to hang all over him. But it's all in good fun!

Now, all you home design types out there. What would you do with this room? I should remind you that I like the colors. The floors aren't going to change. I would prefer not to have window coverings; I like the unobstructed view. I would like a stained glass piece above the east window; something hanging like the rose windows over the south window. (Those were made by John's grandfather and served as sidelights for our front door in our last house. I couldn't leave them.) I think some rolling green hills with some pine trees on them; remember, this is Pine Ridge Farm. But, beyond that, I've got nothin'. Whadda you have?

T Minus 2

2011-11-22T18:14:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving Day is coming. The turkey is thawing, my stomach is grumbling, and not a thing has been packed. That's something to be concerned about, as we're heading out tomorrow morning,going over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house. Grandfather's, too, down near Bloomington, Indiana. And still, she blogs. Not moving from the computer.

I started my morning at the computer. As I sipped my coffee and checked the Book of Faces, I looked around my living room and almost lost my appetite for whole wheat Cream of Wheat with butter and cinnamon sugar. (Yum. You must try this sometime.) Our sad, pathetic living room, she of the lovely fireplace and gorgeous windows, but whose sofa and chair should have been hauled out to the curb 5 years ago....

But I was online! Surely there would be some help there, some way to find information that would help me design a fresh, new living space...Yeah, not so much. I mean, it's there. But it's basic-ness left me looking for more. See, I already know that stuff. I need the stuff I don't know.

Like arranging furniture. Like choosing furniture. Like finding the computer cable for my camera, so I can share pictures of this space. The tough stuff.

I'm OK with choosing colors; in fact, the walls are done. They have been for 2 years; shade of green, like the fields and farms around us. The floors were done just before them; wooden floors that "bring in" the woodsy view outside the windows. It just needs refining; furnishing, and accessorizing, and lighting.

So, if you're inclined, stay tuned. I'll be asking some opinions very shortly...

Why? Why?

2011-11-21T09:02:00.007-06:00

I'm going to try to tackle a subject about which I know very little.

Church-ness.

Yesterday I posted that we joined a new congregation. If you've been here for any length of time, you know that we are Missouri Synod Lutherans. Years ago, when I was a baby, my parents attended ALC Lutheran churches. I was baptized at this one, and remember attending this one when I was as young as 2. It was where I was confirmed, married, and we had three of our children. John was baptized there. When we'd been married about 6 years, the ALC ceased to exist, becoming part of the ELCA. Our congregation at Prince of Peace enthusiastically joined the ELCA, and we continued in that branch of Lutheranism for about 5 years.

Not long after our kids started school, we noticed some failings in our local public school system, and moved them from that system to a Lutheran school. In time, we realized that, theologically, our family agreed more with the LCMS than we did with the ELCA, and we made the leap to yet another synod. This was not done lightly, nor without much conflict. We actually lost friends when we did this, as they saw us, in their eyes, becoming "narrow minded" and "insular." It was not an easy time, or a comfortable one, but then, matters of religion never are. If they were, I've always figured, that would be a tip-off that we might be going the wrong way. The Devil never makes trouble for people who are heading in his direction, after all. The sticking point for us was the inerrency of Scripture. (How do you spell that word that means "no errors"? Spell check is no help!) When we started hearing, "Well, God didn't really mean this," we headed on down the road. And it's been a blessing for our family to have done so.

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, it turns out, has conflict within it's own ranks. Gee, there's a surprise. The Church is full of sinners. Whoda thunk? There are liberal theologians in the LCMS, very conservative ones, and everything in between. We've always fallen somewhere in the middle, influenced, no doubt, buy those years in the ELCA. (For the non-Lutheran, this "alphabet soup" of synods is really confusing. I am sorry, and you are to be commended if you've followed along this far!) Dealing with the conflict in the LCMS has been a point of growth for us, something that has pained us and nurtured us at the same time. The congregation in which we have been worshipping for the past 13 years is on one side of the conflict. We always felt that we should shop, worship, work, and "hang out" in the community where our post office is located. Over the years, it has been a joy to do so, to have the people ringing my groceries ask me about my church, because I'm "the customer," and not, "the church lady." Lately, though, we've been increasingly uncomfortable in this congregation, where worship seems something to be "gotten done with," some families seem more "worthy" than others, and, in the words of a 16 year-old, the pastor "doesn't have any respect for the Sacraments." When the 16 year-old is your daughter, you take those words seriously.

So, yesterday, we stood up in front of another congregation and promised to support the pastor and the work of that group of Lutherans. We're not silly enough to believe that this place won't have sinners, conflicts, and troubles of it's own. But the pastor has respect for the Sacraments, and that's a good place to be. Besides, he thinks our daughter is pretty cool. We do, too, and it's important to us that she see respect given where it's due. So a new adventure begins for us. Just when we were beginning to think we were old enough to avoid adventure....

Wake, Awake

2011-11-20T23:00:00.003-06:00

Today, just for grins, we changed church membership. It is the Last Sunday of the Church year, and we're starting something new. But not entirely new. John and I (he in 1981, me in 1959) were both baptized on this Sunday, also called Christ the King Sunday in the synod that baptized us (which doesn't exist anymore.)

So it's no wonder that I like this hymn!

Saturday Farm Report

2011-11-19T22:22:00.003-06:00

Yep...I'm back! At least for today.

Today was a busy, tiring day in which we accomplished many things. Our grandchildren are here, visiting their dad. We visited a bit this morning, and then Mary and I headed out to the feed store and a driving lesson. She's been through drivers' ed, and was planning to get her license this week. Last week, however, she told me that she doesn't feel as confident as she'd like, so we're doing a little more practice. She worries too much; she does fine! Even in her little Ranger, which is a stick, she handles herself well. She's a decent driver, and, with a little time, will be a very good one.

After breaking the bank buying horse bedding, steaks for tonight and lunchmeat, we came home to serve that lunchmeat and start our afternoon fun. Over the years, we've collected a nice collection of firewood. It was, however, scattered in various places around the farm, and I wanted it brought together. The boys, who were all home today, helped their dad with that, while I cleaned stalls, stirred compost and fed critters. After work, we all trouped inside for hot chocolate, nachos and salsa, and NAPS. I think the neat woodpile looks lovely, but the loveliest part of the day? That nap!!

Supper was steak, baked potatoes and veggies. After cleanup and jammies, we are now parked in front of Star Wars: Episode V. That's The Empire Strikes Back. It never gets old!!

At the Risk of Being Accused of Irreverence...

2011-11-01T16:52:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, of course, was Reformation Day. I know, I know, many of you thought it was Halloween. You were only partly correct.

As I was getting in the car to go to church yesterday evening, I remembered that I had been in those very same jeans when I cleaned stalls earlier in the day. I wondered if it was appropriate to wear the jeans used for barn cleaning to partake of the Lord's Supper?

Then I thought, "Well, yeah. Jesus was born in a barn, after all. It'll be OK."

And then I remembered the comment my dad made whenever we came into the house and left the door open. "Were ya born in a barn?" (He still says it.)

And then, it came to me. The possibly-irreverent thought.

Did Joseph ever say to Jesus, "Hey, kiddo, were ya born in a barn?"

And--here it comes--did Jesus ever reply, "Well, yeah, Dad. Doncha remember?"

Monday, Monday

2011-10-31T09:03:00.002-05:00

We made a pilgrimage into Michigan this past weekend, to take our grandchildren to see their dad. He usually visits them here, but we're decided that, once in a while, we will head there so they can see him in his natural environment.

It was quite the trek. We spent about 23 hours this weekend in the car, between the back and forth and a trip to a Halloween party in another city. I really don't want to drive anywhere for a while. Unless it's in a private limo. If I can stretch out, listen to the music I like, or have complete quiet if I want, then I would do it. You know it has to be bad, since I'm a big lover of the Road Trip

But we had fun during those hours when we were out of the car.

This morning, however, I coulda done without. The coffee maker, which has been on life support for a few months now, finally signed it's DNR. For whatever reason, it just didn't brew anything. That is a situation that, in this family, MUST be addressed. Any suggestions for a replacement? This one is a Bunn, very similar to this coffeemaker. It is our second Bunn. I have loved Bunn since I worked, years ago, as a waitress. Fast, good coffee; need I say more? But they are fussy about being cleaned, and I am silly about forgetting that. When they don't get cleaned monthly, they leak, and, once that starts, there really isn't anything to be done. I've also had difficulties with keeping ours plugged in 24/7, which it needs to keep the water hot for providing that fast cuppa. I could be talked into staying with The Brand, unless someone else has a better idea?

Enough for now. The horses have been in since about noon yesterday, and need to be turned out. I want to get garlic in the ground today, and laundry. Oh, the laundry.....

Announcement!!

2011-10-27T09:01:00.000-05:00

I am thinking about looking into the possibility of organizing some regular blogging time. Just in case you wondered.

Interesting ...

2011-09-08T19:12:00.003-05:00

Up the hill from us sits a pretty house. It's owners are in the Air Force Reserve, and are deployed at the moment. It's been sitting empty for about a year. They keep telling us someone is going to rent out parts of it, but that hasn't happened.

This morning, after dropping Mary off at school, working out, and hitting the fish market, I was sitting in the dining room, reading e-mail and doing some modest web surfing. I kept hearing conversation, music and other sounds. My initial thought was that someone was doing some work at the house on the hill. My secondary thought was that I wished they had picked better music to work by...

When I was done with the e-mail thing, I went out to feed the critters. I realized that the noises I was hearing were coming from our barn, where the radio was turned on. Hmmm...Odd...I hadn't been out there since last night. I asked around, and found that no one else had, either, except Mary, who tells me she didn't turn it on.

That leaves two possibilities. One is that she's not being truthful. However, our oldest son arrived about 1:30am from Michigan, because he left today for his National Guard drill and needed to be here bright and early. He told me that he didn't hear anything when he got here, so that tells me Mary didn't leave it on.

The other possibility is that some animal tripped the switch last night. They probably got the scare of their life! My money is on a raccoon, since the doggone things are always trying to make my life miserable. And that music went a long way toward doing that this morning!!

By Way of Explanation

2011-09-04T10:41:00.002-05:00

This summer was a fast and furious succession of trips and events. Europe...Wyoming...Fair...Wedding...We barely had time to breathe, or think, much less take care of everyday things. Now that Mary is in school (gulp) and I have hours of time to myself, I am decluttering, organizing, cleaning, streamlining and simply pulling it all together. I have the goal of using the month of September for this. So, even though I have only recently come back to blog, I may not be doing so on a regular basis for a while. I'm sorry. I'll post as I can and hope this apology serves for the times when I can't.

But I bet all that decluttering and organizing will make for some great stories!!

Monday Whine

2011-08-29T09:02:00.003-05:00

Why is it that, when life happens and things don't go as planned, it's always the mom's plan for the day that has to be shelved?

This weekend, after installing that raised bed, my knee began complaining. I had decided that today I would re-start my health/fitness plan, which includes walking. No problem. I have a health club membership, and the club has a pool. This morning, I decided, I would take Mary to school, then go swim, then do some more gardening, and some house-decluttering, as my knee allowed. Oh, and stop at the feed store, since we're out of chicken feed.

Our story begins with our car's brakes. They quit. Just plain quit. There's a leak in a brake line. No problem. We still have a truck, and Mary's truck, too. One vehicle can be lame for a bit.

But big brother borrowed Mary's truck last week. Seems an epidemic of bad brakes has hit the Petermans, and the parts for his were due in yesterday. He returned it last night. This morning, we discovered that he had returned her key ring, but the key was not on it. He had put it on his ring (he didn't like carrying his sister's "girly" ring) and obviously forgot that part when he dropped off the car. Dad was kind enough to wait for the truck while I drove her to school. Since she actually did the driving, in a safe and careful manner, we ended up getting her to school about 5 minutes late.

OK, but this means I had to give up my swim, as Dad needed the truck. And big brother's brake parts did NOT come in yesterday as planned, so he can't just drive the key home on a break. So I'm stuck here today, with no chicken feed and a gimpy leg. I can avoid the chickens for a bit, but they're going to need that food, eventually. I have arranged a ride to the feed store for later this morning, and a ride home for Mary this afternoon. Things are under control.

But it looks like my workout and moving the strawberries will have to wait. Life has gotten in the way.

Thank you for listening to my whine.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-08-27T14:33:00.002-05:00

Yes, I'm back! I've been languishing on the couch (HA!) for far too long now and had best get back to the blog-world.

We've been enjoying some very fine weather (quick; where's that from?) here on the farm. For too long this summer, we had humidities and temperatures in the 90s, and that wears on a soul. Especially this one, who really likes it in the 70s all around. But we've had 70s and 80s the past week or so. Although the humidity is still high enough to have me keeping the air conditioning on, it's not really cycling until mid-afternoon. (I keep it at 74.) Outside, I have been able to do some work in the yard.

Sadly, I drove our lawn mower into the pond, and we now have nothing with which to mow the lawn. We have horses, and they do eat it. But they have been known to take off for parts unknown when we leave them out together. So using our horses as lawn mowers requires a tricky blend of juggling (one out, one in) and timing (can't be going anywhere too soon, or else one gets out and then the other doesn't!) It's working, though. Although I have no pictures, the lawn is being held at bay. It's not what one would call "manicured," but it's not choking us to death, either. Buy a new lawn mower, you say? What, and miss all this "fun"? We have a new one on the list for next spring.

We've been eating broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, peas, berries and eggs from the farm. Yes, eggs. Our new chickens are beginning to lay. Their cute little pullet eggs barely fit in the cups of an egg carton, but they taste wonderful! The cherry tomatoes are overrunning the Romas, which vexes me, as I really want to can some of those puppies. The pigs came and went, and returned in little white packages. We've also taken some chickens to the butcher, and another batch is ready to go around Sept. 8. If you're reading this and want some, please contact me. I have a few extras.

Today #3 son has returned from college. You know he brought his laundry. He's here to do some work on his car, to go to church with us, and to do some weed whacking for me. Yes, you are, son. I just told you. We'll also be building another raised bed, where my strawberries will come to live this next week. I also have some new lilacs to mulch, a chicken pen to clean, and some horses to feed. Gee, I guess I'd better get to it!

A Little Saturday Fun...

2011-07-09T09:46:00.001-05:00

courtesy of my dad.

Independence Day

2011-07-05T08:50:00.002-05:00

On Independence Day, I helped move cattle before my first cup of coffee.

I sat on the shady porch, drank coffee, and chatted about nothing in particular.

I helped make guacamole, strawberry pizza, and pretty hair.

I sat on the shady porch, drank Bud Light with lime, ate guacamole, and talked about the Founding Fathers, our current government, and our responsibilities as citizens to keep it in line.

I sat on the shady porch, ate a phenomenal meal of grass-fed beef, homemade potato salad, beans and Texas caviar, and yummy desserts.

I sat on a chair in the grass and watched the Rancher help my daughter and the three Cowgirls light and enjoy fireworks.

I sat on a chair in front of the campfire.

I tucked myself into bed.

Did a lot of sitting yesterday. Best day in a long time!!

Back in the Saddle Again!

2011-06-28T08:07:00.003-05:00

I'm a Republican because people like this say things like this.

And this.

(Yes, I recognize the irony of linking to the second blog. No, I do not agree with his choice of words. But it is the only place on the internet I can find the video!)

June 6, 1944 Canterbury Cathedral

2011-06-06T12:45:00.002-05:00

Arrivederci!!

2011-05-01T15:51:00.002-05:00

Today we are sitting at O'Hare, waiting for a flight to our European adventure. I'll be blogging about the trip over here. I hope you'll stop by and see what we're up to!

I'll be back here at the end of the month. But it seemed right to let Boots take a vacation while I did!

I HATE it When My Dad's Right...

2011-04-26T18:24:00.003-05:00

He said I haven't updated my blog lately, and it has been a week...

In a few short days, I will be leaving on that trip I've talked about from time to time. I told myself last week, "Self," I said, "you may not leave home for the next two weeks. Unless it's on fire. Or there's a dire emergency. Or Cheryl decides to let you know when she can meet you for coffee. Which is almost the same as that second option, doncha know?" You know what happened, don't you? Three trips to Suburbia; one for lunch with the aforementioned father-person, and two to pick up some traveler at the airport. Well, I'll show them! That'll be me in a coupla days! I had a day at the doctors' office, and another I split between sitting in a library, waiting for Miss Mary's driving lesson to end, and sitting in the dentist's chair, waiting for the hygienist to finish. (My life is too fast-paced. Gotta slow down!)

Long story short, I've financed a small Arab country with my gasoline bills from the past week, and I've gotten very little done toward getting ready for our trip. I have a top and skirt which need to be sewn; ain't gonna happen. I have flower and veggie beds that need planting and weeding; ain't gonna happen. I need to attend that grammar class; ain't gonna happen. But the trip will!

I have scrapbooked past trips, and, although I love my friends who scrapbook and I love their scrapbooks, I would rather stick an icepick into my eye, repeatedly, than make any of my own. (Yes, Kristi, I will finish the ones for my grandmother and mom!) But I really would like to journal/chronicle this trip-of-a-lifetime. Would it surprise you that I'm thinking of blogging about it?

I've been working on a new blog, that will run while I am gone traveling, and will be my journal of this trip. I've been playing with fonts and templates and colors. Tune in Saturday, when I debut that puppy.

Or Friday. I can't decide which.

Maybe Sunday.

Rainy Days and Mondays

2011-04-19T10:29:00.003-05:00

Today is not Monday, it's Tuesday. Just as Marley was dead, we must make that fact understood.

Monday disappeared in a fog of fumes from an internal combustion engine. In plain English, I spent the day in the car, with short breaks to jump out and deal with something important. A doctor appointment, a trip to the pharmacy, and some grocery shopping. Mundane, housewife-y things. Except for the Italian class last night.

Today will be cleaning, and baking, and drinking coffee while writing pokey blog posts.

On the farm front, horses are confined while it rains, rains and sometimes, snows. April is acting as March this year, with cold rain and surprise flurries. Daily, baby chicks are being successful in their search for Death. 8 of them, so far, since Friday. This is unusual, so I'll be calling Sue at the feed store today to find out how many others are having this issue. Pigs are growing, despite the dogs' attempts to kill them. Veggies are shivering in the garden, although the Chinese cabbage seems happy that it's cold and wet. And all this rain is just foreshadowing the fact that, someday, we'll have to mow the lawn.

Well, someone will. I'll be in Europe.

Saturday Farm Report: Pinkopolis Edition

2011-04-16T09:48:00.003-05:00

That's the name of the color. Who thinks up these things? And doesn't it coordinate nicely with the scars? That's why I picked it! (OK, no.) I am thinking of decorating my foot further. I'm thinking I'll give the scars a bit of fading time, and then I'll get.......a tattoo. A sprig of lavender, my favorite. Between that and the pedis, that left foot will be durn purty. What say you? Maybe I'll make a movie about it... (obscure reference for my readers who are Daniel Day-Lewis fans)

Today is another grey, rainy day on the farm. I headed out to check the veggie garden, and learned that my greenhouses/bed covers are not quite as spiffy as I first thought. It's a soft rain today, nice for seedlings and newly growing plants. I decided to remove them to let the rain fall. Those puppies are doggone heavy! I also found a leak in our hose system, right at the spigot, so I couldn't even water the plants deeply enough. And I felt pretty silly, standing there in the rain, running a hose on them! Even after 28 years of this, gardening is a learning experience.

I have been informed that someone near here has a cow and heifer calf he wants to sell. The price is decent and I am tempted. So I'll be sorting through that whole thing these next few days. Calf is almost weaned, and turning Mom into hamburger (shut up, this is a farm, you ninny!) would net us enough beef to sell and make back the money we'd spend on them. Calf can then be raised as a pet (yes, you read that right; John misses having cows here) and could be bred for a yearly freezer animal (schizophrenia, much?) But...do we want another animal/two to care for? I mean, he's not letting me get sheep, for cripes' sake, because we're leaving for Europe soon and he doesn't want to be worrying about caring for them. Ah, well, the soap opera that is Pine Ridge Farm.

Hey, how many other blogs do you visit that start out with pictures of pedicures, discuss tattoos, and end the conversation with beef cattle? Bunny trails. Just one of the services we provide.

Cold and Rainy

2011-04-15T16:16:00.003-05:00

Well, NOAA has been predicting rain for a week, and, finally, it's here. But did it have to be a cold rain?

Mary and I headed out this morning, with my aunt, to be girls. We had manicures and pedicures. Finally, it was me getting the pedicure, not some horse. We intended to go to the garden center, to do some research on some plants I'm thinking of adding to the gardens, but not after we walked into Panera for lunch! The temperature had dropped since earlier, and the wind was just plain nasty. On the way home, the rain started. Awful weather.

Remember I told you about my friend, and how she says that baby animals are just looking for a way to die? Well, the meat chicks I ordered came in today. 28 little critters that will someday be barbecuing on my grill, unless they manage to kill themselves first. (See what I did there?) Starting out on this cold, rainy day is a good attempt. Another attempt was made by one who decided to jump into our terrier's mouth shortly after they arrived. Set that bird straight right quick, I did.

Our new little cat, Burr, gave Mary a bit of a scare. Burr was heard meowing at the window in the itty bitty tiny hours of the night, but did not show up for breakfast this morning. While I headed out to pick up birds, Mary headed out to hunt down the cat. She was found in a prone, slumbering position, toasty warm, up in the hayloft. No dumb puddy, that one; she holed up for this nasty day.

Have I managed to convince you that it's a miserable day today? Good. Now you can go back to your more fun one!!

The Daily Brew

2011-04-13T09:00:00.006-05:00

For years, I didn't see feel the love for coffee that so many have. It was a great-smelling brew, but tasted nasty. I preferred tea; straight, sugar-and-milk-like-the-Queen Lipton's, but tea. Of course, this was back in the day when Lipton's was tea, unless, like me, you had Canadian relatives, who smuggled Red Rose over the border. (Years later, we learned that Red Rose was owned by Lipton. But that's another post.)

In college, I began drinking a little bit of coffee with my cream and sugar. That was for survival; I needed to be able to be wide awake while drawing geological sections, structural diagrams and maps late, late in the night. (I also smoked briefly at this time, because nicotine helped, too. Thank God I stopped that early on.)

When I married into a family that had attached coffee mugs to their hands surgically, I began drinking the stuff to "fit in." It was still more of a slurry of ground beans with my cream and sugar, often with flavorings like almond or hazelnut added, but coffee it was. About the time I grew accustomed to this, I was delivered harsh news by a guy with OB/GYN after his name; NO MORE CAFFEINE. Did he realize what he was asking? But I was sensible, endured the caffeine withdrawal headache for about 5 days, and entered the world of decaf. Remarkably, during this time, I still needed that cuppa. I think it was the ritual. Measure, pour, sit over the mug, inhale the delicious steam, drink. The health issue I was fighting disappeared. I endured the contempt of some waiters and waitresses, the most notable being at Dick's Last Resort, where my brew earned a huge DECAF written in marker on my placemat. Over the years, I've drunk lots of stale decaf. People don't seem to read. If they did, they would learn that decaf becomes stale in about half the time caffeinated coffee does. It needs to be re-brewed more often, which led me to ask before ordering, "Is it fresh?" Very few waitstaff will fail to offer to brew a new pot. After all, the tip-o-meter is ticking.

Then I went to Austria, and had my first cup of coffee. Sitting in Cafe Demel one fine afternoon, I faced a Sachertorte and a cup of steaming, fully caffeinated, Austrian coffee. Coffee in Vienna is almost a religion, and, after my first sip, I was converted. Legend has it that coffee was a gift from God after the Seige of Vienna. The army went out into the Ottoman camp, found bags of beans left behind after their hasty retreat, and brewed up a batch; ostensibly, to go along with the first croissants. Those were baked with the last flour and milk/butter left in the city. In gratitude for their deliverance, the bakers used the crescent-shape so important to the Turks, and, well, culinary history was made. But I digress.

Although my Austrian interlude was fully caffeinated, bringing back a resurgence of the medical problem I was avoiding in the first place, it was a blissful time of full-strength, full-flavored deliciousness. Coffee there is not a bottomless cup. Each offering came on a silver platter, with sugar cubes and ice water (My Viennese friend told me that coffee without the ice water is not good coffee.) and is meant to be savored, enjoyed with a little smackeral and good conversation with a friend (old or new, doesn't matter.) I returned home with a sampling and a new attitude. I did, however, switch back to decaf.

A couple of years later, I took a college class on coffee. Not realizing such things existed, I laughed when my son suggested it. But he told me the instructor was very good, and very enthusiastic about the topic. He'd even written two novels about the coffee trade in South America. The class was very informative; it was actually a geography class about the coffee-growing areas of the world. We learned about economics, politics, agriculture and gastronomy in 4 very different areas of the world. And I learned why some coffee is just swill. It's not coffee snobbery; it's how it's harvested and processed. See, coffee grows on trees like cherries. While we eat the cherry and throw away the pit, with coffee, we throw away the cherry and brew the pit! In this video, you see Brazilian coffee harvesters "stripping" the cherries from the trees. In the process, they take the ripe cherries, the underripe, the overripe (and rotting) cherries; they don't discriminate. In other countries, selective harvesting is employed. Only the ripe cherries are picked, producing better quality beans and yummier brew.

Try this. Brew a cup of Folger's, or Maxwell House. Place it side-by-side with a Starbuck's medium roast, (not Pike, which uses some Brazilian beans) or Caribou, if you prefer. That after taste in the Folger's? Brazilian overripe beans.

Now you know a little more about coffee than you probably wanted to. If you've lasted this long, you'll soon know what inspired this tome.
This article explains some of the health benefits of drinking caffeinated coffee, in fact, some of the reasons I started drinking it. I'm back to half-caffeinated morning brew, motivated by this information and also by my reaching "a certain age." Now my caffeinated morning is not necessitated by late nights studying and partying, but by desire to avoid certain nasty diseases. I want to die in my sleep, not screaming in fear, like the other people in the car.

(By the way, our "house blend" here is Starbuck's Espresso blend, half- caf. In case you're wondering.)

Homeless No More!

2011-04-12T20:25:00.007-05:00

Last night, as I snuggled in to watch Lost, the phone rang. Heidi said, "Melody, do you think you'd like a hen?"

Seems a friend of a friend of hers had found this hen walking down a city street. Not a small town street, but a Chicago street. (Melrose Park, to be specific.) These friends worked together, and had asked a Chicago cop what they could do. "Put it in a box, and toss it in the dumpster." Well, that did not sit well with them, so they called Heidi.

"Sure, Heidi," I said. But how would I get it? I'm a nice person, but I was not driving into the city for ONE hen. (Although we did that once for 8 Black Java chicks hatched at the Museum of Science and Industry...but I digress.) Heidi said, "Well, she works there, but lives here, so she'll bring it home tonight. Except she won't be here until after 11. Is that a problem?" "Nah. I'll just stay up and watch more Lost."

So, about 11:15, Erma arrived. Erma is most likely a meat bird, not a laying hen. In fact, she was found with her wings tied; most likely trussed for butchering, which she probably fought vehemently enough that she managed to escape. When found, she was walking down a street, and, when the finder called out, "Here, chicken," she walked right over, as if they were old friends.

So now she has a new home, and a new job. Remember these guys?

Well, I moved Erma into our chicken hut today. Shortly after, I moved the chicks in with her. She looked at me as if to say, "What the heck am I supposed to do with them?" I told her, "They're yours to take care of. Don't let me down."

About half an hour later, I went to check on them. She was helping them find some yummies along the wall.

I think she figured out what to do with them.

You know, Erma could be an Edward. I'm not good at sexing chickens until they crow, which this bird won't be ready to do for a couple of months yet. Someday I'll tell you about my rabbit-sexing fiasco.

Amaryllis By Morning

2011-04-10T21:53:00.002-05:00

Despite my discussion of plants, my green thumb is very pale, and is a recent development. So, imagine my surprise when my amaryllis bloomed off a second stalk this year! If this is normal, please don't let me know. I'm basking in the thought that I may be a Gregor Mendel. Or a Booker T. Washington. Or some other Super Gardener.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-04-09T10:31:00.003-05:00

It's a grey, damp day here at Pine Ridge Farm. The sun is brightening up the clouds, but a cloudy day is predicted.

This week I made a little progress on the garden and kept the pigs and chicks alive. My friend Wendi likes to say that young animals "are just looking for a way to die," and I've come to see that that's not too far from the truth. Case in point; our little chicks started making a ruckus about 10 minutes ago. For now, they're living in a small trough/tub in our breezeway, until I can get them securely outside in the coop (before the end of the month.) When I went out to check, I found that two had managed to get themselves out of the tub, where the cat was eying them. They were not unaware of their predicament, hence the ruckus. We caught them and put them back. So to say that I kept these little critters from doing themselves in is saying quite a bit.

I've been putting broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower starts out in the "greenhouse," the cattle panel/plastic cover I showed you on Thursday, in a process called hardening off. My plan was to plant them outside for good today or tomorrow, but we've had some rain. Although the ground in the bed is dry, the ground in the paths is wet, and I just don't feel like tacking that today. I think I'll stay inside and sew.

If I can. Although I had some help in getting my sewing skills hauled out from the dark recesses of my brain, I'm still not the most skilled seamstress. Despite measuring, trying on, readjusting, remeasuring, trying on again and making what I thought were final adjustments, when I put my newly made black skirt on for church last week, it was still about 3" too big for me. So I'll be making some further adjustments to that today. It won't turn out as nicely as I would like, as a result, but, it is what it is.

And tonight I'll be meeting my sisters and our men at Olive Garden for dinner and a discussion of our European itinerary. -squee- It's now 23 days until we enter that slim metal tube to be hurled across an icy ocean and hopefully land, not on some mystery island, but on a runway outside of Rome. I thought it might be time to discuss some particulars. And if there's garlicky breadsticks, gorgonzola sauce and merlot to help the conversation, well, all the better!

Garden Notes

2011-04-07T15:58:00.010-05:00

If every day started like today, I'd spend many more days crawling back into bed. Good thing they usually don't!

But there were errands to run (more milk, some tires I scored on Freecycle, gasoline to buy, bank deposit to make.)

The tires? I requested them because I want to hang another tire swing in the yard. I also want to plant mint, and it's really invasive. That creeping Charlie you fight in the lawn? Mint. I don't want to put it in with my other herbs, but I want to have it available for Thai and middle Eastern cooking, and for tea. I've tried growing it in pots, but I end up with too many pots inside for the winter, anyway, and it really doesn't overwinter well for me, inside or out, in a pot. So I am going to try and use an old tire as a planter. I'll fill it with compost and plant it with mint. If it works really well, I'll have to keep pruning it so it doesn't escape. If it doesn't work as well, then I won't have the work of pruning. Talk about your dilemmas...

Once I was home, I tackled my morning routine. It usually takes about 2 hours to eat breakfast, feed critters, check in with my people, (I have people) and work out. I started at 10. At 1:30, I had had enough, even though I hadn't worked out yet. I ate lunch, and headed to the garden.

It's that time of year, when I work compost into the beds and try to jump the gun on getting things into the ground. About two weeks ago, I took PVC tubes and plastic sheeting and tried to make hoop houses. I wanted to warm the beds and have a place to harden off seedlings. The PVC worked OK last year, but this year; major fail.

They don't look all that great. Last year, I use floating row cover, which was in 2 1/2 foot wide strips that blew off too easily. When I looked earlier in the season, I found this white plastic. I was assured that sunlight would get through, but I wanted clear, and it wasn't available. Well, for warming the soil, the white worked, but I recently found some clear plastic and wanted to switch. In addition, the tubing doesn't weigh much, so they flop over and blow around some. I finally decided to take them out and put up something else. I tied cattle panels together along one long end which became the top, set them over the bed in an A-frame, and covered it with clear plastic. My high-tech clips for holding the plastic on are binder clips from Office Max.

This appears to be working well, and I'm planning to put some seedlings in the ground outside under this one this weekend.

Right now they're spending their days in there, getting used to the cold, cruel world. I bring them in at night so they can be cuddly warm.

I also turned over another bed. Then I added a layer of compost, turning that over, also. Fertile soil is all about the mixing.

(That photo looks a little odd. The bed is one that is still under the PVC-and-white-plastic cover,and that white on the edges is the extra sheeting, tucked under to keep the rain out.) (Yes, it probably would have been easier to just go out and take a better picture than to explain this one!)

I guess I worked out today, after all!

I am so glad we switched over to raised beds. The soil is fluffy and wonderful to work with, partially from not being stepped on as we work it during the growing season. It has also helped to cover these beds since about March 1. It finishes off the compost we put on there last fall and keeps the rain off so things can dry out. No more waiting until the end of May to be able to till and get things started! I love it, even though my first crops of cauliflower and broccoli are going to be ready when I am still in Germany...

Spring Break

2011-04-05T10:40:00.003-05:00

Last week our grandkids had spring break.

"So, Sweetie, what did you do during spring break?"
"Grandma, I went to cheerleading camp!"

"And you, Punkin'," what did you do?
"Remember, Grandma, we were right in your backyard?"

You can bet we don't worry about gender role confusion here!

For the record, the girls had fun and got some good exercise every day. The boys worked with their dad and uncle for two days, getting a good education in gun safety, loading, cleaning, etc. (They made sure, for example, that their hands were off the triggers and the guns were unloaded while I took their picture.) Sean had shot before, but this was Justice's (orange jacket) first time. They both did very well on their targets.

Bwahahahahaha!!!!

2011-04-04T15:45:00.001-05:00

Hunting and Gathering

2011-04-01T10:22:00.008-05:00

Yesterday was a gorgeous, sunshiny, warm day. Well, warm for the last day of March in Illinois. So that meant it was a day to be spent driving around in a pickup truck. And, while I did that, I did some errands.

We were out of milk. So I went to a local farm and picked some up. (Yes, my refrigerator could use a cleaning. Are you volunteering?)

We have been running low on beef, so I had arranged to buy a half beef. (I have two friends who raise yummy, grass-fed beef. I admit to some guilt for not buying from them. But, ladies, this is local beef, raised a mile from my home. Am I forgiven?) I picked up the whole beef, conveniently wrapped and frozen for me, brought it home, gave half to the friend who "went in" on this cow with me, divided it into sorted boxes...and then had a moment of concern when I realized I might not have room for all this beef. We have a large chest freezer, a half chest freezer, and two refrigerators with freezers, so not having enough room is a high class, silly problem. But I was able to pack it all in.

And in.

By the way, here's a tip for you who buy beef by the half. The second major problem people have with buying beef this way (the first being paying for the beast) is ending up with a box of ground beef at the bottom of the freezer, having used all the "fun cuts" (steaks, roasts, etc) first. Maybe this idea will help. When I bring home the beef, I empty all the boxes and make a count of each cut. I then divide these into three or four mixed boxes, which I stack in the freezer. I use up the top box before opening the lower. That way I have an assortment of cuts available to me all the time. I have further refined this by making a "summer box" (heavy on steaks and ground beef for grilling) a "fall box" (more cutlets for frying than steaks) and a "winter box" (roasts, etc, for those comfort foods.) If that's helpful, you're welcome. If not, eh, you have your own style; good for you.

I also stocked up on some necessary items.

There's some new varieties in there; we'll be experimenting over the next few days. I also bought myself a special treat.

Today is supposed to be grey with a "wintry mix" falling from the skies. So far, they're half right; no sunshine to be seen. Looks like a shoe shopping day!

Pigs, Part 2

2011-03-30T10:51:00.009-05:00

So I went out this morning to check on our little piggers. They were alive, so we got them past that first night. They were cold; silly things didn't go inside for the night, even though they had a shed and a Dogloo in which to sleep. Hmmmm...I thought pigs were supposed to be the smartest farm animals?

We have found pigs to be very entertaining. Later in the summer I'll post about bathing them. No, I don't go out with soap and bubbles, but they do like being hosed down in hot weather. They run and play in the spray, and shake like dogs. Happy pigs--and pigs on Pine Ridge Farm are always happy--run and play together when they get the chance.

Although we raise them on the ground, John does not allow them to be fully pastured. They have a pen to play in and dig in, but he doesn't want to be chasing pigs through the pastures. We have done that; it wasn't pretty. Watching them dig and root for bugs and roots can be a relaxing way to while away an hour or so on a hot day.

But that digging makes them well-suited for other purposes, too. Pigs are nature's rototillers. Many people talk of putting their pigs in their gardens in the fall, to dig out the bugs and larvae, to turn compost over and till it in, and to leave a little extra fertilizer while they do that. I don't get to use them that way...until this year.

Last year, we raised 4 sheep. We meant to raise them on grass, but, somehow, their pasture didn't get fenced, and they spent the summer in a pen. They were very wasteful of their hay, and we ended up with a mound of trashed hay, about 3' thick, right under their hayrack.

I hinted, and ask, and, finally, offered money, to get anyone of my family to dig out that hay and put it on the compost. There it still sits. (Even money didn't motivate them! Not that I blame them; it's nasty work.) So when I came home with the pigs yesterday, I just popped them into that pen. An hour later, they had already made quite a dent.

In addition, they dug along the fenceline.

And their shed.

In fact, they hadn't touched their food this morning. I think they found enough old hay, sheep feed, worms and grubs in that pile that they didn't get hungry! I'm sure that will change. But they're better than the horses, in that they're grateful to be fed. Horses look at you like, "Yeah, it's about time, pinhead." Pigs say, "WOO HOO! Feeding time!" Makes them a lot of fun to be around!

Pigs

2011-03-29T18:34:00.004-05:00

As my faithful stalkers know, every year here at Pine Ridge Farm, we welcome some little pigs. We feed them over the summer, turning them into big pigs. In the fall, we take them to Eickman's, where they are turned into little white packages. I know, I know, it seems cruel. But the pork...Oh, the pork...You cannot understand when I describe the flavor and texture of home-raised pork unless you've had some. If you have, lucky you.

We usually buy our feeder pigs (that's what they're called, folks) from a family we know through church and 4H. Sadly, this year they had a bad farrowing (the process of piglets being born is called farrowing) and had no extra pigs to sell to us. So my friend Mike called around yesterday and found us pigs. He called me last night, and I agreed to go pick them up today.

I tried to leave home by 8:30. Those who know me know that that didn't happen. But I did leave by 8:50; not too shabby for me, especially in the morning hours. My first stop was Mike's house, where I picked up his son, Jason. Then I stopped at Tractor Supply for shavings (I did not want pig...stuff...in the back of my truck without wood shavings; they make it easier to clean.) Then we (myself, Jason and Miss Mary) were off.

Riding along with two teenagers is always interesting. Riding through the country to pick up pigs added another layer of interesting. These two have handled pigs for years before this, and, even for my daughter, there's no "Ick" factor. They surprised me with one comment, though. "Man," Jason said, "These people are out in the middle of nowhere!" I laughed out loud. "Jason," I said, "Firstly, where do you think we would go to get baby pigs? Certainly not suburbia!" He could only agree that such a trip would involve wide open spaces and rural routes. "And secondly," I continued, "it might surprise you both to learn that, for lots of people, WE live in the middle of nowhere!"

"Oh, yeah," they both said, mystified.

Then there was the...fragrance. We noticed it as soon as we returned to the truck after loading the sweeties. Eau de Pig. It was expected, but they both made comments like, "Well, you did make us do all the handling," and "Hey, we can't help it." Jason may also have commented that he saved his morning shower for after the trip. While we stood in Culver's, waiting to order, he did say, "Man, I stink!" I did notice something unexpected when, after we had lunch, I was checking on the pigs. I noticed that the smell in the back of the pickup, where the pigs were, was not as intense as the smell in the cab, where the people were! I guess those wood shavings really did the job! We should have had some in the cab!

Eventually, we made it home, the pigs were delivered to pens at both houses, and Mary cleaned up. I headed out a little bit ago to see how they had settled in. More on that tomorrow.

Yet Another Sunny Spring Day

2011-03-27T23:39:00.002-05:00

It's been lovely here. I spent it cleaning out flowerbeds, pruning shrubbery and generally getting things ready to pop up and bloom. The peonies are up, along with the chives and daffodils. Some of you are saying, "Yeah? And?" But I live further north than you! Tomorrow I'll tackle the big flowerbed between the house and the chicken coop, which is going to become a shrubbery bed this year. Except for a few annuals and some easy care perennials, I am switching over to shrubs so I'm not spending hours and hours playing with perennials. See, I already spend hours and hours playing with my food; you know, the veggie portion of the garden.

Then I ended the day with porterhouse steak, good wine, chocolate mousse and "The Social Network." Good day.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-03-26T19:24:00.006-05:00

Today was a gorgeous day, if cold. We had 22 degrees last night, about 35 today, and we're expecting 23 tonight. It's cold, but beautifully sunny. We got the housework done this week, so we had today--almost--to ourselves. (By "ourselves," I mean Mary and me. John was working at the library today.)

We headed out mid-morning to pick up some dress patterns. They were on sale today for $1.99. Regular price? One was $17.95, the other, $18.95. Who pays those prices? Seriously, I'd like to know. Doesn't everyone wait until Hancock or JoAnn's has them on sale for $1.99? We also picked up some fabric for two dresses, both for Mary. One will be a sundress, with a red bandanna theme. The other is likely her Easter dress; a flippy, pretty skirt and fitted bodice made from a peach/orange/green floral.

We came home and I headed out to garden. Two of my raised beds are now covered with plastic, which I am counting on to help the soil warm. In about 2 weeks, I'm planning on putting out broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, so let's hope it works!

My pretty pony has been looking pretty nasty these days, mudbug that she is.

I swear, this horse could find the only spot of mud in the Sahara, and, regardless of size, she'd roll in it and cover herself with the stuff. She's starting to shed, too, so I took a brush to her. Not much improvement, but it was more to get in touch with her again and move some muscles on myself that I did it, anyway.

Then I came in and did some sewing for me. I cut out a top to wear on our trip,

and finished the hem on a black skirt. I'll do that tonight, while I watch The X Files. We're almost done...

Tonight was pork schnitzel, red cabbage, spaetzle, fried pickles, broccoli and wine. Getting in training for that Europe trip, y'know?!

Sure Signs of Spring

2011-03-25T17:59:00.008-05:00

This came to the door today.

What, you ask, was in it? Certainly NOT penguins!

The first of our seed potatoes!

I saw these today. It was 22 last night, was 35 today, and is predicted to be 22 again tonight. These babies are cold!

I made a trip to Farm and Fleet today. Spring was bustin' out all over there! And here's the evidence.

These little darlings followed me home. In a box. On my daughter's lap. But they followed me home. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

5 months to fresh eggs. Lord willing and the creek don't rise!

Only about 6 weeks to cauliflower, cabbages and pak choi. Sadly, I didn't figure properly when I planted them. When they are ready to eat, I'll be in
Austria. Or Germany. Ah, well. John can eat them, at least until he gets on the plane to meet us in England.

Spring, spring, spring!!

It's Getting Closer...

2011-03-24T17:19:00.002-05:00

Today I marked, on my calendar, on the date April 17, the words TWO WEEKS. I marked, on my calendar, on the date April 24, the words ONE WEEK. Those mark those milestones before we leave to spend the month of May IN ITALY, AUSTRIA, GERMANY AND ENGLAND. No, I'm not excited. Why do you ask?

Family Time

2011-03-23T21:06:00.002-05:00

Back in 2007, Grandma came to live with us. My mom wanted to see her regularly, and Grandma would head to my mom's, about 50 minutes away, on Saturdays. I'm not sure how it came about, but my mom also started coming out to my house on Wednesdays. Grandma, my two kids still at home, my mom and I would meet my aunt, cousin, and, sometimes, her daughter, for lunch. Not long after this started, my sister and brother-in-law, who live about 10 minutes north of me, started joining us also. We called it "Grandma's field trip." We would often eat at Culver's, which is near WalMart, so, of course, we'd all head over to Wally World when lunch was over. Grandma would get one of those little electric carts, and we'd head off to shop.

As time went on, and my mom's health got more frail, she would also grab one of those carts. It got so that the greeters knew us, and knew that my daughter or sister and I would come into the store, grab two carts, and run them out to the car to help my mom and grandmother get into the store. Afterward, we'd tie up traffic in front of the store as we helped them into their cars with their purchases before we returned the carts and we all drove away.

It got to the point, also, that the Culver's people knew us well. Two of my kids worked at this particular restaurant; one before we started all of this, and one after. I remember one day the manager said, "OK, I knew you were Ethan's mom, but now he tells me you're Matt's, too?" (Why it would be so odd for two brothers to work at the same fast food restaurant in a small-town area is beyond me...)

Today is Wednesday. Grandma and Mom are gone. Only one of my kids is still around to go to lunch with us. Today my dad came out, and my sister was there, and my aunt, uncle, cousin, and her daughter. Oh, and one of my kids showed up again: Jay, Kris, and her son, Sean, came by for lunch. We ate at Joe's, our local pizza place (where Matthew had his second job in fast food.) It was a fun time, sharing jokes and news and sarcastic comments with family. We've been doing this now for close to 4 years. I hope it continues for a long time to come.

Grassa

2011-03-22T10:19:00.002-05:00

Statistically, those who lose weight will gain it all back within 5 years' time. Well, your blogger has become part of the statistic, regaining 30 of the 42 pounds I lost through Weight Watchers'. Things really aren't fitting me, and I don't like it, so I am back on the wagon again.

I dropped out of WW in the fall of 2009, because that debit from my checking account every month was relentless and became a problem. With the economy like it is, every little bit helps, and, between John and myself, "that little bit" was $85 a month. Just too much for us right now. But we would be OK. We knew we could handle ourselves properly now, having been trained in healthy eating, portion control and willpower.

Wrong.

Turns out that willpower was intimately tied to stepping on a scale week after week with someone else recording the number. Initially, one of us became the someone else for the other. But we're too forgiving of each other, and that gradually fell away. Then came the hectic time of my mom's final illnesses, eating hospital foods and treating ourselves to Starbuck's treats "because things are stressful." After that, 8 weeks on the sofa recovering my feet, and, WALLAH! 30 pounds back on, lickety splicket.

Not really. It took a little over a year of extra bites, licks and tastes to bring myself back almost to where I was. I suspect it'll take about that long to get back down there. I would have liked to have lost a chunk before we go to Europe, because I have a feeling I'll lose some ground in the lands of gelato, schnitzel and ale. John and I joined a local TOPS group recently, which has helped take off about 5 pounds. But it's slow going.

TOPS, for those not aware, is a weight-loss support program that meets all over the world, helping people lose weight sensibly. We have a place to go again where someone else writes down that report from the scale, and other people having the same love/hate relationship we have with food and exercise. The only drawback to TOPS seems to be what drew us to it; it's cheap. $26 per year for membership in the system, plus $1 week for membership in our local chapter, plus 10cents per tenth of a pound when we gain. So far, neither of us has gained, and John was even paid once for being the "biggest loser." So it's cheap. But that may explain why there are members of our chapter who have been members for 20 years and are still obese. No, I am not judging them, I am just saying that TOPS may not "hurt" enough to be beneficial. We shall see.

TOPS does not endorse any specific weight loss plan. Although they don't encourage binge dieting, and do offer (free) an exchange diet plan for you to use, there is no food to buy and the general idea is, "Get the weight off. Just get it off." Appeals to me, and to John.

So I'll be letting you know, from time to time, how things are going. If I can just keep my mouth shut and quit engaging in recreational baking.....

-whew-

2011-03-21T11:17:00.002-05:00

When I disappear from Blogland like I just did, it's often not because I just don't wanna be here. Sometimes, I just had too doggone much life to live, and visiting with you guys just didn't hit the radar...

St. Patrick's Day is also our daughter-in-law, Keri's, birthday. This birthday for her was really bad, as her grandmother had a stroke that day and has since gone on the Heaven. She and Matthew are out in California now, gathering with family and handling all of those things that need to be done at a time like this. Her Granny had a huge part in raising her from a pup, so this is going to be a tough time for her.

That night, also, Mary was nursing a fever, and we had spent a day or two helping her work through that. She spent this weekend in Springfield, at a Youth and Government gathering. I was worried about sending her after an illness, but she handled it well. They worked on two bills, had a good time, and you can read more about it at her blog, The Shurt'ugal's Post.

I spent the weekend doing some yard work and working on the England leg of our trip to Europe. Yesterday's weather helped; thunderstorms, torrential rains slowing down to constant drizzles, kept me out of the garden and on the sofa with my computer, researching B&Bs and train tickets. Fun times! I'm getting ready to launch a new blog, which will be sort of a travel journal for this trip. At the end of it, I should have a nice diary, complete with pictures, of our time overseas. And, at the end of it, I'll be back here. You know, in case you want to read about this crazy thing I call my life!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T09:57:00.002-05:00

Take your pick.

Here.

Or

Or, even,

The More Things Change...

2011-03-16T11:26:00.002-05:00

The more they remain the same. The Religion of Peace is at it again.

Find out what I'm talking about here (page down a bit, below the information about the Japanese tsunami.) Also here.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-03-12T10:32:00.002-06:00

I'm reporting off the farm today. Mary and I are attending a Regional Horse Bowl competition. Our group is small; about 7 girls, compared to the group next to us, which is more than 20. All the girls are busy cramming their heads with horsey facts. "A gene characteristic that produces only one kind of gamete is called?" "What are the two mounted riders called in a cutting competition that hold the herd behind the cutter after the cutter has selected the cow to cut?" "Where are warts usually found on young horses?" "What is the benefit of using a bowline knot?" "How many bones compose the forearm of the horse and what are their names?"

How would YOU do?

The prize for the winners today is representing our region at the State competition next month.

In other farm news, two garden beds are covered with tarps, warming for planting next month. Baby broccoli, Chinese cabbage, just plain cabbage and cauliflower are sprouting inside. Potatoes and a cherry tree are ordered. And, as always, compost is cooking!

Busy Week

2011-03-11T22:03:00.005-06:00

It's been a week for the books. Seems like last weekend was only 2 days ago!

This has been a birthday week. Last Sunday we became parents of a 28 year-old. You gotta wonder how that happens. After all, I don't feel a day over 40! And I sure didn't give birth at 12!

This

was the aftermath. But a good time was had by all.

Two days later, his daughter, Cindy Lou Who, had a birthday. Jannah turned 9. She opened presents,

sometimes having to search for them.

A week of partying takes its toll. But these kinds of parties are a blessing. They remind us of the gifts God gives us to enjoy during our lives. Children and grandchildren are among the very best of them, and we are very grateful.

A Bit of a Rant

2011-03-08T18:35:00.003-06:00

An e-mail list I belong to has been percolating this week. One of the women posted about something that was done at her church. It involved music, in fact, music that some of the others didn't like, and they told her so. Her feelings were understandably hurt. We've continued to discuss, and that discussion has broken off into a couple of tangents.

One tangent involved the role of music in society. One of the women commented that, back in the day, families would gather in their homes to play and sing music together. She laments the loss of that kind of musical literacy. I ranted back that some of that literacy is lost to my family because of the attitude of some of my kids' music instructors, who let us all believe that we weren't really cut out to be musicians.

I've been simmering about that for about an hour, and I want to continue my rant a bit. I've come to the epiphany/revelation that we, as a society, worry too much about being perfect. About "making the grade." About success. It isn't enough to learn about something; we have to master it, compete with others to display our excellence in the area, and, most especially, make gobs and gobs of money utilizing the skill.

One of my kids wanted to compose music, but was told that a 7-8 year gap in his musical education spelled the end of his musical career. Another loves to ride, but will never gain the respect of some of her peers (note I did not say friends) because we're just not in a position, financially or geographically, to provide her the advanced training she would need. Yet another cannot prove his excellence because he can't work using that skill because he hasn't proven his excellence.

What happened to the enjoyment of plunking at the piano or tootling with a horn? What happened to a girl and her dog heading out to hike? Now she gets asked, "Will you be showing her?" Why can't we just have interests and hobbies, and just enjoy them?

And don't get me started about being over 50 and having interests that society doesn't think you "should have at your age..."

Friday Fun, Haiku Edition

2011-03-04T10:00:00.003-06:00

I have decided that what separates the good bloggers from the truly great ones is the use of haiku. This is merely an observation: do not take it as gospel.

In an effort to attain greatness, I offer the following.

The mud has begun.
Coming Spring is often gross.
Melting manure here.

And:

Jip, you are trouble.
Without probiotic, vile.
We must buy some more.

See a trend here? March is that way. Very...earthy. (Bwahahahaha! I kill me!)

OK. Try again.

Mary's birthday vase.
Slimy, odoriferous.
Buy some new flowers.

Yeah. I'll keep working on it.

Wordless Wednesday, Rambo Edition

2011-03-02T13:18:00.002-06:00

Saturday Farm Report

2011-02-26T19:53:00.002-06:00

Winter plods along into March. I think March is my least favorite month of the year, despite the fact that my oldest child and my second grandchild were both born in March. The mud and the grey skies....-sigh-

But, then again, March is when spring starts. I don't just mean that the spring equinox comes then. March 1 I will cover my first two garden beds with tarps, so they can gather heat, thaw out, and be ready for planting at the first of April with the broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage I'll start this week. The first week of March, I will pull down all the greenery I had up for winter, and replace it with silk pansies. The snowmen will come off of the kitchen shelves, and bunnies and chickens will take their place. I'll change out the framed winter pictures for framed spring pictures. Days will get longer, and not just artificially, because of CDT, but because the Northern Hemisphere will continue to slowly, slowly, "point" more toward the sun. I always find it funny that that ends on the summer solstice. I mean, isn't summer all about long, hot days? Ah, well, let's not jump the gun.

So, all in all, March, despite it's mud and raw weather, is a good thing. I'll enjoy these last two days of February, but I'm looking forward to changing the calendar come Tuesday!!

The Eagle

2011-02-21T15:20:00.004-06:00

We had a very relaxed weekend, with only a couple of obligations. Miss Mary competed in the county Hippology competition; she placed fifth. I can't remember if there were 6 or 7 kids, so it wasn't a stellar finish. But, considering that this was only her second year, and that she competes with her age group, most of whom have been competing for at least 6 years, I'm pretty proud of her.

We had a small birthday party for her with a couple of friends on Saturday night. We planned to take the kids to see I Am Number Four, which Michael Medved had said he planned to rate "Number Two," but actually liked. But one of the party goers reminded us of The Eagle, and we changed our mind.

Back in junior high/high school, I read a raft of historical novels by British writer Rosemary Sutcliff. Many of her books are set in Bronze Age or Roman Era Britain; one memorable one for me was a retelling of the Arthurian legend. My kids read her retellings of The Iliad and The Odyssey.

The Eagle is based on her novel, The Eagle of the Ninth. Marcus Aquila is a young Roman officer of a Gallic legion posted to Britain. His own father served there some 20 years before, in command of the 9th Spanish Legion, which marched north and never returned. The consensus is that they fled to the other side, joining the British tribes and dishonoring the Empire. In the process, the Eagle standard of the 9th was lost. (The Legio IX Hispania/9th Spanish Legion actually existed; look it up.) Aquila is severely injured in a dramatic rescue of some of his troops, and, although honored by Rome, is discharged from the army due to his injuries. Having been disgraced in his eyes, and living under the stigma of his father's supposed actions, he decides to undertake a quest into the north of England/Scotland to retrieve the Eagle, which reports say is being worshiped by a very nasty tribe.

He takes along his British slave, Esca. Wacky hijinks, as my son would say, ensue, and both learn much about honor, friendship and themselves. I highly recommend this film, especially for young teens. It has all the action and adventure of films like Gladiator, with less of the gore and none of the sexuality or innuendo. The teens I saw it with enjoyed it, and, between them, they've seen tons of movies.

By the way, I am posting this from my new laptop. It is an inexpensive Gateway, but it was inexpensive and does what I need it to do. And, if I stupidly leave it on the Milan-Venice train in THREE MONTHS!!! no harm done!

Excuse me.

2011-02-18T21:29:00.002-06:00

I am not posting today because I am very, very tired.

I suppose that's a post.

Never mind.

Spring is Coming

2011-02-17T17:16:00.003-06:00

I went into my pantry the other night, looking for the sweet potatoes, which I wanted to bake. I found some that I forgot about. They had sprouted. So I did what I've often thought of doing...three days after I pitch the sprouty ones. I put them in soil.

And now they are sitting on a shelf in our breezeway, hopefully growing and getting ready for May, when they will go out into the garden.

Oh, and what do you think? Is my jasmine doing well inside this winter, or what? (Point of information; I trimmed all the sprouts back just after the New Year. This has grown since then.)

The Petermans Go To Springfield

2011-02-16T09:01:00.008-06:00

Long ago, in grade school, I would think, you were taught that one of the great things about this country is our participatory government. We elect people to head to Congress or the State House or the County building or wherever, and these people make laws that order society. Every once in a while, there's a disconnect, and one of these guys tries to make a law that isn't fair, or would cause problems in implementation, or oversteps boundaries. OK, enough for 5th grade civics.

Recently, in Illinois, such a law was proposed by a well-meaning state senator. The bill, seen in it's current form here, would require all parents of students not enrolled in a public school to register their students yearly with the state. Since 1950, Illinois has put the "burden" of home education on the parents of students, as explained here. Homeschooling in Illinois requires only of parents that we keep records of days of attendance for our kids/students; no registration, testing, curriculum reviews, home visits, teacher certification, or any of the like have been required of Illinois parents. We like it that way. Most of us who homeschool talk about the freedom of tailoring curriculum to our students' learning style, teaching appropriate subjects at the appropriate times, looking for the teachable moment. This bill is seen as an intrusion, a way of compelling us to "answer" to another authority when designing our curriculum.

Yesterday, hearings were held in Springfield to discuss this bill, where to assign it to committee for further study, and whether it was workable. About 4,000 homeschoolers (that statistic is an estimate from Capitol security) decided to show up for the "festivities," and let our legislators know that, no, thank you, we're doing fine and don't need any help from the state of Illinois.

We stood in line, waiting to get into the Capitol building.

We talked to others in the line, and noticed various levels of information about the day's events. Some who had arrived for a pre-hearing information session to be held at 9am were turned away; security at the building where the meeting was held couldn't handle the crowds. The Capitol building was much more capable, although they asked us to stay on the main floor. Seems the upper levels were already full to capacity. Four floors of our State Capitol filled with homeschooling families. Too bad I didn't get a picture of that. My journalism professor would smack me upside the head.

Some families were convinced that voting on the bill was happening yesterday. The Gub'mint, see, always lies and sneaks things past us when we're not looking. Yeah, well, we were looking yesterday, and this was just a hearing day.

Several folks we talked to spoke of taking the opportunity to meet their representatives and senators, "While we're here." One family told us that their senator was obviously in favor of the bill, although he insisted it was a "bad bill," and would be withdrawn, rewritten and re-presented. He couldn't understand their deep concern over something as innocuous as registration. Well, my friend, when the stated purpose is "to find the homeschoolers," people get suspicious.... This lady sums up my concerns about the bill. Although our daughter is about to leave our homeschool, and she's our last student, I want the flexibility and freedom we enjoyed during these years to be available to those who choose to homeschool in this state in the future.

We waited in line for a little over an hour before we got inside. It was cold, but the sun was warm. It really wasn't too bad.

We tried to meet our senator, but she was in meetings. We'll go back later the spring to do so. We tried to sit in on a Senate session, but they started late; we waited 45 minutes before we gave up.

We did sit in on the end of the House session, and were treated to the recognition of a fine young Marine who gave his life in Afghanistan last fall.

And then we drove home, stopping at the Cracker Barrel and Starbuck's along the way.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen!

2011-02-14T11:39:00.004-06:00

Yesterday Miss Mary, our baby, turned 16. Below, a picture of the birthday cake [three layers of Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate cake with Strawberry filling (and topping)] and a quick video of part of the celebration.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-02-12T16:14:00.003-06:00

It's warmer today; in the 30s. The horses are out and romping through the pasture. They've been in while wind chills were below -15 (no laughing at our spoiled ponies, please) but now they're kicked out to fend for themselves.

I got some shopping done this morning; sausage and cheese for pizza night, sugar for Mary's birthday cake. Too bad I forgot cocoa. I'll be baking tonight, instead!

She and I worked in the sewing/guest room; we're tossing around calling it the project room. It has so many purposes, it's hard to decide on a name! She finished a skirt she started in October, and I almost finished the one I started then. She started right in on another one; it has pleats which she is arranging to highlight a fancy Oriental dragon. It should be cute. We had a rough start, when the sewing machine just refused to work. After a day of resting it, and trying everything I could think of, we called an experienced sewing friend. We had that puppy figured out lickety-splicket. Whoda thunk that a needle installed backwards would cause so much trouble?

Pizza crust is rising in the bread machine, and our day is humming along to allow us to head to church this evening. Tomorrow is Miss Mary's 16th birthday, and we'll spend it with family, eating spaghetti and meatballs and chocolate strawberry cake. Somehow, I don't think I'll be losing any weight this week!

A Visit

2011-02-11T17:47:00.003-06:00

My two sisters and I went and visited our mom today. Yes, I know she's gone, but we visited her at the cemetery. Today was her birthday. We were so blessed to have her for so many years, and now we don't. So we went to visit.

Yes, we're well aware that she's not there. We know that where she is is a much better place than where we is. And, yes, I know the grammar isn't right in that last sentence. I know I should be more formal and careful in this kind of post. But our visit was just too doggone...hilarious.

See, going to a cemetery in February in Illinois can be very interesting. The weather can be anything, and usually is. Today there was snow on her grave that reached almost halfway to my knees, and I'm pretty tall. The red roses my dad left there in the fall had frozen into the vase. We took along hot water in Thermoses to thaw them out. They popped right out and we put yellow ones in.

The hilarious part? That was watching my sisters struggle up the little hill to the grave. Visiting a cemetery is supposed to be somber...respectful...quiet. But it's hard to be all of those things when your sister is lying on her back in the snow, struggling to get up from where she's fallen. When the three of you forgot snow boots, and, even though two of you remembered to ask for extra grocery bags at The WalMarts so you could put them on your feet, one didn't, and the oldest stole the middle (without realizing it until we were back in the car ) one's second bag, so Middlesister only had one bag for her two feet. And before anyone starts yapping at me about the grocery bags, please notice that I didn't specify which sister was rolling on her back in the snow like a beetle. Or which sister couldn't get herself out of the snowbank at the end.

I'm just saying.

But here's a picture of the roses.

Wow. Just, wow.

2011-02-10T09:22:00.001-06:00

My friend Cheryl shared this on Facebook today. I feel very ignorant and uneducated that I never saw it this way before.

Wordless Wednesday, New Toy Edition

2011-02-09T20:08:00.002-06:00

Crockpot Yogurt

2011-02-08T08:58:00.007-06:00

Put a half gallon of milk into a 2-quart crockpot. It's best to use one with a removable stoneware liner, but I think most of them have that now, anyway.

Heat on low for 2 1/2 hours. Turn off crockpot and let sit for 3 more hours. Although the cover is off in this picture, the crockpot should be covered for the entire 5 1/2 hours. You don't need to stand over your crockpot; I was out shopping one day while it was heating, and just ran in to switch it off after 2 1/2 hours. Then I headed back out and was home before the 3 hour time period was finished.

At the end of this time, take 1-2 cups of warm milk out of the crockpot. Whisk in 1/2 cup yogurt. I use Greek yogurt, because I like the flavors of those cultures.

Remove the liner from the crockpot. Leaving the lid on, wrap the whole thing in a bath towel. Let it sit for 8 hours. I put mine in a cold oven, because we have a cat. She's never gone near food on the counter, but I don't want to take any chances.

At the end of 8 hours, put the yogurt into the refrigerator.

UPDATE; Let sit in frig for about 10 hours.This will give the best flavor and texture. Sadly, I forgot about our yogurt, and it sat in the oven 8 hours, then overnight. It's a little thicker than I'd like, and the whey was beginning to separate. It will probably have a more tangy taste than I like.

I use raw, whole milk, straight from the dairy bulk tank. I have also used pasteurized, homogenized milk straight from the store. Both work equally well. If you're interested in such information, 1/2 cup of this yogurt has 84 calories, 7 grams of carbohydrate, and 5 grams each of fat and protein.

Enjoy!

Thinking About Rebellion

2011-02-07T11:20:00.003-06:00

Some online friends and I were talking this weekend about what we want to do to rebel. It was a good conversation, which led me to some interesting thoughts.

I've always felt so boring. Never edgy. But then I got to thinking...

I've been rebelling since I was 20-something. When I graduated from college in 1980, women (especially in geology) went on to a Masters', headed off to a career, and maybe got married in their 30s. I got married right after my Bachelors', at 22, and gasp had a child at 23. I settled into momhood. I did not work out of the home (full-time) after my kids were born, (although I earned my teaching certificate at 25) never sent them to day care (I ran a daycare in my home) and Oh, Good Lord (ironic that those who use that phrase don't honor the Lord) got active in my church. When the time was right, we bought a hobby farm and started growing our own food. Then I decided to homeschool. 'Nuff said, there. Now that my kids are older and almost launched, I am resisting the idea of heading off to work. I want to sew and grow food for other people and maybe be a nanny, because I can't get over loving little people.

We've raised a lot of eyebrows over the years, and lost many friends with the decisions we've made, but I wouldn't change a thing. Well, maybe I'd find a way to live closer to some of my really good friends. But not without land, a horse and some chickens in my backyard, and a view.

I do think I'd like to be the grandma that takes her grandchildren off on great adventures. I want to live in Hawaii, England and Tuscany for a year each. Maybe even Seattle, if I can handle the Left Coast for that long.

And, most rebellious of all, I don't want to settle in the South or Southwest when we retire. Too hot, no seasons. I'll hire a farm boy to shovel snow.

Saturday Farm Report

2011-02-05T08:55:00.003-06:00

Still can't get that song out of my head....Walkin' in Memphis....

Anyway, Saturday farm report...

Still snow-covered. Still cold. We haven't been as cold as other parts of the country, but it's cold enough, thank you. I learned yesterday that we probably had more like 20" of snow. The snowfall statistics I quoted the other day were not final reports, as I thought they were. The towns around us reported 20+ inches, so I'm sticking with 20. 4" may not seem like much, but, when it falls on bare ground, you sure do notice it!

I've been house-bound, therefore, and have been getting lots of little things done inside that will make life easier, long-term. The guest bedroom/sewing room, in which Matthew and Keri lived this summer/fall, had never really been reclaimed when they left. I've been doing that, little by little, this past week. I have tables set up for sorting things like pictures (I am making albums of my mom and grandmother; we have so many images and documents of them, and I don't want them to deteriorate) projects (some sewing things, some wooden things, all decorative things) and toys (I'd like to keep some toys available for visiting kids, but not in our living room. A small stash in the guest bedroom should work.) I also had, believe it or not, a small semblance of order and organization to this house before last year, and I want to regain it. So that is on my mind as February rolls on.

Today there's some shopping to be done; mundane things like bread and chicken. We'll be making pizza tonight, and, God willing, the three of us will agree on a movie to watch while we eat it. Tomorrow will be church, then office work. One area where organization has been thrown to the wolves is our office, and that will hopefully begin to end tomorrow. I'll lock Mary and John in the office with me, and I won't let them out until it's really usable again. Don't worry about this blog post warning them; they don't read my blog, anyway!

Just something to look forward to;

Walking in Memphis

2011-02-04T17:10:00.001-06:00

Just liking this song today.