Farmgirl Follies

Hay you!

Posted by Farmgirl on May 31, 2009  |  2 Comments

P.S. I love the new camera!

Saturday night lights …

Posted by Farmgirl on May 31, 2009  |  2 Comments

… camera … action!

The girls and I spent Saturday night in the barn with Papa. The experience held their attention for a couple of hours. It required stillness and utter silence. (If only I could get the same reaction at church!)

What is it?

This.

They’ve seen this happen before, several times. Just never so close.

This was a big calf. It required just a little assistance from Papa. I was unable to photograph the main event. Mama cow had signed a confidentiality agreement.

She did,  however, want photos of the newborn.

Breaking news:
I’d like to interrupt these events to philosophize that the “birds and the bees” talk doesn’t have to be uncomfortable for any parent or child. Just take ‘em to the barn. Don’t have a barn? Find one. Let ‘em watch. Answer their questions. Explain a thing or two. The mystery is removed, the awkwardness is gone. And if you start them out learning this stuff at ages 5-6-7-8 or so, it will be completely NOT awkward.

Zero weirdness.

We’ll return today to get a photo of baby frolicking in the pasture.

Have a joyous Sunday!

Frankly, my dears

Posted by Farmgirl on May 29, 2009  |  2 Comments

This is a story about our very first [weiner] roast of the summer.

But first, may I be frank? I despise the word weiner. Around here, we say hot dog roast.
For some reason weiner just makes me itchy. Like the word maneuver. Manooooover.

I know … very odd. I’ve been told that before. Anyway …

Preparation is key to a successful [frankfurter] roast.

Precision is priceless when it comes to sticking your dog.

Patience is imperative.

Remember these tips and your crowd will be pleased.

A word of advice, though, if I may.

Never ever, under any circumstances take your eyes off your dog.

If you do, your dog may disappear.

It may run off with the real dogs.

Your dog will be lost forever.

Tears won’t do any good.

A broken heart won’t bring it back.

Luckily, we have lots of dogs around here.

And smiles. Lots of smiles to keep everyone happy, no matter what.

Peonies, please

Posted by Farmgirl on May 29, 2009  |  3 Comments

Do you prefer white?

What about red?

Or do you like pretty in pink?

Chicken scratch

Posted by Farmgirl on May 29, 2009  |  No Comments

This is Punkus.

She is the sole survivor of a batch of chicks delivered two weeks ago … the chicks wrongly abandoned on a porch step by the mail lady.

Though she lacks peer pressure, my kids ensure she receives daily stimulation. In fact, this little Punk fits right in with Us. She scatters feed everywhere … she escapes from her box … and every once in awhile she chirps [wails] until someone pays her attention.

Punk and Us — we’re made for each other.

Bright lights, big savings

Posted by Farmgirl on May 29, 2009  |  No Comments

Do you have one of these?

Then you should make one of these …

Perfect in a vintage kitchen — above the sink or add two or three above the bar or island. It would also be cute hanging above a small table on your back porch. 

Ohhh, and think about color! Wouldn’t a couple of these in red, blue, yellow or green look cute hanging in a kids’ play room above an activity table?

Yeah, red or brightly colored pendant lights in the kids’ room. Very cute. Only not like this one. THIS ONE retails for $119!

A cute colander pendant light? A few bucks for the colander plus an inexpensive light kit. Super style doesn’t have to be expensive. Remember, primitive and even vintage style is all about make-do items. This cute little light is recycling at its finest. Enjoy!

Tip: Buy frosted light bulbs to prevent glare.

Space invaders

Posted by Farmgirl on May 28, 2009  |  2 Comments

Do you have personal space?

You know … a spot you go to unwind, relax, count to 10 or just breathe. A quiet space. A contemplative space. A place you can go to be alone.

Where is yours?

These are photos of my sister’s personal space. She never realized how relaxing weeding and deadheading could be until her twin boys arrived. Now she sits out here when she has a minute — not very often.

Isn’t it lovely? She’s very talented. She should be a garden designer after the boys graduate high school. That’s only about 18 years away. Lots of time to perfect her skills.

Wait until the boys are old enough to go-a-fishin’.

Snail’s pace

Posted by Farmgirl on May 28, 2009  |  No Comments

My new camera is not in a hurry to meet its owner. I can’t wait to say it’s “not in Kansas anymore!”

Service Type: FedEx Home Delivery-Indirect Signature Required	Ship Date: 05/27/2009
Scan Activity:	Date/Time:
Departed FedEx sort facility J LENEXA KS US	05/28/2009 09:13
Scanned at FedEx sort facility F LENEXA KS US	05/28/2009 03:00
Scanned at FedEx sort facility S LENEXA KS US	05/28/2009 02:54
Arrived at FedEx sort facility K LENEXA KS US	05/28/2009 00:05
Loaded onto trailer at FedEx facility T TOPEKA KS US	05/27/2009 19:47
Scanned at FedEx origin location Q TOPEKA KS US	05/27/2009 19:42
Customer-Loaded Trailer Picked Up ! TOPEKA KS US	05/27/2009 16:26
Package information transmitted to FedEx ~ TOPEKA KS US	05/27/2009 16:25

Progress

Posted by Farmgirl on May 27, 2009  |  No Comments

I wish I had a bunkroom. When the kids and all the cousins plan a sleepover I could growl in my best mean mommy voice, “To the bunkroom, all of yins!”

Alas. I do not have a bunkroom. I thought it was an awesome photo, however. And since my new camera is apparently still on backorder (Grrr!) I have to put something here for you to look at, right?

Today it’s a bunkroom. If you’re handy and you have a bunch of barn wood laying around, build yourself a bunkroom. I’m sure you could complete such a simple project in a few hours …

The real reason for this post is to tell you how excited I am about the new store. My personal electrician (farm guy) spent his Memorial Day weekend running electric, putting in light switches and lighting up my life. Oh, how I love a project (said with utter glee while hubby sighs heavily)!

I can’t wait to put the new pieces in place. You’ll love the finds I’ll have in store! See you in a couple weeks!

Sloppy Joes, kid-style

Posted by Farmgirl on May 26, 2009  |  No Comments

Sloppy Joes on Soft Pretzel Buns

1 pound Certified Angus Beef ^® ground chuck

Favorite Sloppy Joe mix

Soft Pretzel buns (recipe below)

Brown ground beef over medium-high heat until a meat thermometer registers 160ºF.. Mix in Sloppy Joe seasonings and heat through. Serve on pretzel bun.

Soft Pretzel Buns

2 packages active dry yeast

1 teaspoon sugar

1 1/4 cup warm water

4 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/4 cup baking soda

2 cups hot water

Pretzel salt

 In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 1/4 cups water; let stand 7 to 8 minutes until creamy.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in the center; add oil and yeast mixture. Mix together to form dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough about 5 minutes until smooth; adding flour as needed. Dough will be slightly sticky.

Lightly oil large bowl. Add dough turning to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 450ºF. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and form into fun shapes.

Combine baking soda and hot water. Dip each pretzel into water mixture and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly and slice in half lengthwise for sandwiches. Makes 8 buns.

Recipe and photo provided by Certified Angus Beef LLC.

The Certified Angus Beef ® brand – Angus beef at its best! ®