So long … farewell 2009

Posted by Farmgirl on December 31, 2009  |  2 Comments

In 2009, we cooked up lots of great food …

Like mouthwatering brisket … spinach & mushroom chicken … blueberry buckle … Irish brown bread … mooncakes … and more!

We cooked up several kid projects, too …

My favorites?  Crayola cupcakes and wax fantasies.

We endured the thrill of deconstruction; the pleasure of reconstruction.

In March, we got to The Heart of the Matter. Whew! Am I ever glad that’s over.

In 2009 we endured lots of laundry …

… lots of orneriness …

… and I mean LOTS and LOTS of orneriness.

There were many unexpected surprises in 2009.

We used our thinking caps quite a bit.

We lost some very special, very beautiful people. And our hearts still hurt.

Like my Aunt Bernice … a neighbor and surrogate grandmother to everyone she met.

And who knew? A birthday party for my Grandma Sara turned out to be a celebration of her entrance to heaven.

FarmGuy’s grandpa — a quiet, jolly soul who shared great wisdom in simple tasks, followed soon after.

We feel their presence in everyday tasks. Memories of these beloved people warm our hearts, bring laughter to our lips and guide us in our choices, our work ethic and our love for family.

And I wouldn’t be surprised that they’re all up in heaven, rejoicing with those who have gone before and shaking their heads at the dilemmas that pop up in our daily lives. 

As is usually the case … life continues to overshadow death.

My little sister became a mommy.

And  no matter what happened in 2009, these wee folk made us smile. Oh, who am I kidding? Not only did we smile, we usually laughed uncontrollably.

To be honest, I’m happy to bid 2009 adieu.

A lot of stuff happened this year. It wasn’t all bad and it wasn’t all good. It was just … exhausting. And I’m hopeful that 2010 doesn’t leave me feeling so dramatic all the time. I’m tired of feeling dramatic.

I’m in the mood for comedy.

Hopefully I’ll be able to find it … somewhere!

A cuppa

Posted by Farmgirl on December 30, 2009  |  4 Comments

“I’m freeeezing!” I muttered, as he walked through the room. He eyed my fuzzy socks and then perused my form, swaddled in the thickest, fuzziest blanket I own. 

He didn’t say a word.

He dutifully checked the windows, waved his hands around the woodwork to ensure his spray foam insulation was doing its job in the cracks and crevices. He made sure the rolled up towel was tightly pressed against the bottom of the old front door. Then he checked the thermostat … and didn’t offer his findings.

I already knew. It read 66 degrees. And no matter how brightly the outdoor wood furnace glows, when it’s below 15 degrees outside, it’s impossible to keep the temperature of this beloved, creaky, windbag of a house in my specified comfort zone.

Again, not a word. It would have been pointless.  Instead, he offered the only comfort he could.

And it was very, very sweet.

FarmGuy made hot cocoa. With whipped cream. And a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. It wasn’t Swiss Miss, either. I could taste the difference right away. He said it was a concoction of milk, melted chocolate chips, vanilla, and a shot of bourbon.

Really?

“Really,” he said.

Isn’t he somethin’ ?

*******************
P.S. Those cocoa shots were taken with my 50mm Nikkor lens. I’m experimenting — what do you think? Lots to learn, but it’s really, really cool!

Paused, but not forgotten

Posted by Farmgirl on December 29, 2009  |  1 Comment

I didn’t forget. I may have been residing in the midst of stocking stuffers, sledding and kid central, but I did not forget that I am in the middle of a project. In fact … it’s on my mind every time I spy a decorating magazine on the coffee table.

The kids’ bathroom is not yet finished. But I did get a new toilet for Christmas!

After all, we’re a practical family. We like practical presents — thanks, Mom! Also residing beside the toilet on our porch — temporarily, I swear! — is a pedestal sink. I tiny little pedestal sink perfect for the tiny little bathroom.

The real show-stopping Christmas gift — thoughtfully acquired and lovingly hauled 50 miles — was that first item, back there at the beginning of this post. Remember … ?

Farmguy bought me a bathtub for Christmas. And not just any tub … it’s a rusty, chippy old clawfoot tub. The outside needs some sandblasting and a fresh coat of paint. The inside is perfect. Delightful!

At the rate we’re going I may have to soak in the back yard after filling it with the garden hose … but it will — some day — look lovely in my bathroom, right next to the shower.

That despicable shower!

I’m already planning fluffy white towels and a little bowl of pretty soaps. And bath salts … and bubble bath soap … and … raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm, woolen mittens …

*sigh*

I’ll keep you posted.

Snow buddies

Posted by Farmgirl on December 29, 2009  |  2 Comments

Is it just me … or does Oscar look too ornery to be grouchy?

Why would he, when he gets a free ride?

Free rides can be fun … unless you’re the one doing the pulling.

They say chivalry is dead …

Maybe, maybe not. Determination is alive and well, however.

And when someone is stuck in place, it’s nice to lending a helping hand.

Or two helping hands.

And maybe an added umph for good measure.

And when it’s determined that the snow isn’t quite right for sledding, the only thing to do is get down on your knees …

And build a snowman!

Navigating the new year

Posted by Farmgirl on December 29, 2009  |  No Comments

The days are flying by … 2010 is nearly here.

What are your plans?

What are your dreams?

What are your goals?

Do you know?

Time to make a plan.

Not that you’ll stick to the plan.

It’s hard to stick to something with so many variables.

You need one, though.

Because we’re people.

People worry. People fuss.

Having a plan is important.

If things come apart, a plan helps us get back on track.

So make plans for 2010.

Dream big.

Figure out what it will take to reach your goals.

And then …

Go for it.

With guns blazing.

Then all you need is some hope, a lotta faith and a whole lotta prayers … and you’re good to go.

No matter what happens.

And you can peer Through the Looking Glass with a happy heart.

Knowing that no matter what 2010 brings

You’re ready.

You’re prepared.

You have a plan.

‘How is it you can all talk so nicely?’ Alice said, hoping to
get into a better temper by a compliment. ‘I’ve been in many
gardens before, but none of the flowers could talk.’

‘Put your hand down, and feel the ground,’ said the Tiger-lily.
‘Then you’ll know why.’

Alice did so.

‘It’s very hard,’ she said, ‘but I don’t see what that has to do with it.’

‘In most gardens,’ the Tiger-lily said, ‘they make the beds
too soft — so that the flowers are always asleep.’

Whad’ya know, it’s winter!

Posted by Farmgirl on December 28, 2009  |  3 Comments

From state highway …

To state route …

To county road leading from nearest town …

To my county road that is less traveled …

The 60-mile trek home from work was quite interesting … but beautiful. Tense … yet entertaining. Ominous to others, yet almost fun for crazy people like us. Especially for folks who just get to sit and ride while someone else mans the the 4-wheel drive vehicle.

For that lucky girl, snow-covered roads are not so bad. And the person out for the joy ride home from work can take photos and lament the fact that she has only a crummy cell phone camera instead of the good camera.

Breathing a sigh of relief that they are home safe and sound after a 104-minute drive — normally made in 70 minutes — she can chastise her driver for careening through two-foot snowdrifts in the driveway, and then greet three happy children who shriek with anticipation. The sledding that has eluded them until now is within sight. Maybe even tonight!

The snow is beautiful. It’s magical. I want to burrow into my home with fuzzy socks and flannel pajamas and read a book and sip cocoa. Only I forgot to go to the barn.

Hey! Did you know that pink fuzzy housecoats are great insulation against winter wind when paired with a parka? Yep. They keep your legs warm!

What was I saying? Oh yes. Beautiful, wondrous winter … and it’s too early to pick seeds for next spring’s garden because it’s winter and I love snow.

And that’s why I just made online reservations for a week-long camping trip next August.

Hey … winter has arrived. Finally!

I’m cold.

Mid-winter veggie tale madness

Posted by Farmgirl on December 28, 2009  |  5 Comments

Good golly. I have received at least four seed catalogs in a week. I love mid-winter gardening planning … but not now! Not during Christmas and New Year’s. Must we rush into everything these days?

Sheesh. I have whiplash.

Gardening? I’m not ready to consider peas and carrots and beans. I’m not ready to confront daily crops of weeds. Give me a breather … let me want to think about planting season. Let me go a little stir-crazy with winter shut-in status. We need the annual frozen water fiasco … “The Farmer in the Well … the Farmer in the Well!”

Give me time to curse the freezing cold, frozen troughs and snowdrifts! And we haven’t had a snowdrift since last winter!

I am not ready to look at gardening catalogs.

Are you? Are you really? Here’s a test … take a look at Martha’s garden …

Are you filled with awe? Then you need to gather every seed catalog in sight and start making your wish list.

If, on the other hand, this design … laid out with rigorous geometry to yield maximum results and easy access … fills you with dread and disgust — join the crowd.

I need time to put away Christmas decorations and make a snowman … if we ever get enough snow. I need time to sit by the fire, read a book and slum in flannel shirts and wool socks until my dry, winter skin starts to flake off.

Then … and only then … will I be desperate to start planning my garden and outlining my plan of attack for dandelions and broadleaf.

Now… please pass the moisturizing lotion and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Jimmy & Jay save the day: a bean recipe

Posted by Farmgirl on December 27, 2009  |  1 Comment

There comes a point — usually after you’ve prepared an appetizer, dessert, breakfast casserole and side dish for four Christmas events in three days — that you just. can’t. stand. the kitchen.

Today is one of those days. Luckily, for this afternoon’s event, I’m to bring a vegetable side dish. When it comes to vegetables, the carnivorous folks attending think that means beans or corn. Excellent.

With a little help from my friends Jimmy Dean and Jay Bush, I can whip up a quick and easy appetizer in 15 minutes or less (if you don’t count bake time).

Depending on the size of your crowd, gather as many cans of Bush’s Baked Beans as needed. Here’s the sneaky part: use a variety of beans. I love the Grillin’ Beans. I love the original Baked Beans. Mix ‘em up for great flavors.

And here’s a tip: If you can buy cans of Grillin’ Beans at your local bent-n-dent store for 85 cents a can, you’re also being frugal. Yippee!

Next, brown a pound of Jimmy Dean Sausage HOT style in your favorite cast iron skillet. Do not be worried about the word HOT. It will not burn your tongue (unless you eat it straight out of the skillet). When all is said and done, the HOT flavors simply add some depth to your beans. Trust me. I do not condone eating painful food.

When your sausage is done, drain it and put it in a casserole dish or bean pot. Then dump in all the beans you feel necessary for your shindig. Gently stir it all around.

Note: See those chunks of red and green peppers? Those ingredients came from the cans of Grillin’ Beans — but the folks you serve this dish to will think you chopped ‘em up yourself. Brilliant!

Disclaimer: I love to cook. I love to chop and dice and mince and puree, make rouxs and mix and saute. HOWEVER, at this point in the holiday season I’ve had my fill. And I just want a quickie. Really.

So … don’t hold such a quick-n-easy idea against me. It’s not gourmet … although Jimmy & Jay may disagree, I did incorporate their secret recipes, after all!

Happy holidays!

Vibrant awakening

Posted by Farmgirl on December 27, 2009  |  No Comments

The dawn’s awake!

A flash of smoldering flame and fire

Ignites the East. Then, higher, higher

O’er all the sky so gray, forlorn,

The torch of gold is borne.

                                                  ~ Otto Leland Bohanan

Tales of Christmas past

Posted by Farmgirl on December 26, 2009  |  3 Comments

A Christmas promise.
Though the day began cold and slightly-snow-covered, it ended in a soggy state. Pouring rain all day long, with periods of blue skies, temperatures that rose to 41 degrees by 7 p.m. and … a rainbow.

It’s not often we see a Christmas rainbow.
(It’s not often I photograph fences in such disrepair … a new year’s resolution, perhaps?)

Blue skies followed the rainbow … Christmas in March?

It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at
Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.
                                                                                  ~ Charles Dickens

This is the immediate gaggle of kids … offspring, nieces and nephews, minus one niece.

The kids on FarmGuy’s side (minus a couple of cousins) … last time I counted there were 19 great-grandchildren. But I could be wrong. It’s nearly impossible to get them all to stand still for a head count. It’s pure chaos when we all get together … and it’s fabulous!

Board games and secret confidences.

Three generations of farm boys.

New generations of farm boys.

Food, fellowship, fun and watching as the boys …

… play with their toys. Though they were given to little boys, that does not mean they weren’t purchased by the big boys, for the big boys.

Another thing big boys are good for … instructions. I much prefer he reads the directions and just tells me how to do it. Anyone else feel the same way? Don’t be shy, raise your hand … stand tall, be proud.

 
And then there are the Wii Ones.

This is what happens when children who do not have electronic games are introduced to electronic games by their lucky cousins. It’s a fight to the finish … a battle to the brink … followed by begging and pleading and scheming to make it possible in our house.

And then the spouses take each other on.

Seriously … is it healthy for spouses to spar with each other in an imaginary boxing match? Is it good for them to be yelling, “Take that!” and “Oooohhh, K-O!” at each other? I’m not convinced.

But I will admit, it was fun. Even though I’m suffering from a sore shoulder, because I was really into throwing those punches.

I can’t help but throw caution to the wind … go for broke … give it my all … when I have such an adoring cheering section behind me.

Whether you say yay or nay to a Wii, one thing is for certain.

One thing we can all agree on …

Moments like these are heartwarming. Moments like these remind me of the true reason for the season. 

I hope you experienced a few heartwarming moments, yourself!