Farmgirl Follies

Darling disaster

Posted by Farmgirl on February 28, 2010  |  4 Comments

We are big fans of Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. There is something about the costumes, accents and overall themes of these presentations that calls to my soul. The Jane Austen series was one of my absolute favorites … and my brother appreciated it, too.

He spent Saturday afternoon — writing scripts, perfecting accents, arranging costumes and practicing a performance of Sense & Sensibility …

He called it a presentation from Disaster Piece Theatre. I call it brilliant and hysterical … with a twisted plot, a darling, five year-old narrator, eight year-old diva, and an audience member rushing the stage.

Without further adieu …

Disaster Piece Theatre from The Farmgirl on Vimeo.

I did acquire their autographs … I’m sure they’ll all be famous some day!

Accidental delight

Posted by Farmgirl on February 25, 2010  |  3 Comments

I made delicious meatballs for dinner … by mistake.

I was planning to make meatloaf.

Then my daughters wanted to help. And well … here’s how things progressed.

“Mommy, can I help you?”
No, I’m making meatloaf.
“Please? I could roll them into little balls.”
For meatloaf?
“Well maybe I could make meatballs.”
Oh, why not.

I rarely make meatballs, don’t know why. I headed for my cookbooks and got sidetracked by a snot-nosed three-year-old who was streaking through my kitchen in socks … and nothing else. By the time I headed back to the stove, four little hands had made 57 meatballs and placed them in a large sauté pan.

No time for cookbooks, but with trial, error and general mismanagement, a tasty meatball graced our dinner table. Feeling brave?

Here’s how we made ‘em. I won’t call it a recipe, because it’s not.
It was accidentally delicious, I assure you.

Farmgirl’s Accidental Meatballs

Place 3-4 tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium-high heat.
In large bowl, mix the following (give or take):

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
2 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Roll into balls and place in the melted butter. Brown.
Drain liquid. Set meatballs aside.

Deglaze the pan with some red wine. When the alcohol has steamed away, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of your favorite barbecue sauce. I use Sweet Baby Ray’s. Then we added a few dashes of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce and a drizzle or two of maple syrup.

I don’t know why … it just seemed like a good idea at the time.

Add the meatballs back to the pan. Spoon sauce over them until covered, and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.

And then … enjoy.

They had a sweet, tangy flavor that my family really liked. Feel free to make your own adjustments. Like I said, it wasn’t a recipe, it was … experimentation. And sometimes it’s ok not to use a recipe. At least … that’s what I told everyone at the table.

I may have had a different point-of-view if a not-so-tasty outcome had resulted.

Happy accidental cooking!

Melt me a river

Posted by Farmgirl on February 24, 2010  |  3 Comments

The sun is shining.

The snow is melting … millions of tiny rivers running down the hill and into the creek.

The process began with a bit of freezing rain that smoothed and sculpted the drifts into perfect, glossy peaks. Now the 40+ degree temperatures and sparkling brightness are having an effect.

The once smooth hills are shrouded in wrinkled skin.

But not for long.

The four-day forecast features snow.

And why not?

If it comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.

At least that’s why I’m telling myself.

Cookie monsters

Posted by Farmgirl on February 23, 2010  |  3 Comments

Man of many talents.

Last night he got the skid steer stuck in the snow and muck. He recruited me to drive it while he tried to pull it out with the tractor. I wish I had photos. It was a muddy, miserable mess. Progress was slow and slippery.

And even though he rolled his eyes, shook his head and told me I was such a girl when I told him I envisioned the chain breaking, snapping back and smashing my nose into my brain, I suppose I like him an awful lot.

He’s a keeper.

Especially when he does things like this … and even though he told me I need a little practice before I can drive the skid steer again.

Not only did he make my favorite cookies, he’s being a great daddy.

That hits me in the ticker every time.

(Don’t worry about his fingers … it wasn’t yet plugged in!)

Farmgirl’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mix together on medium speed:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup packed brown sugar

Stir together in separate bowl. Slowly blend into batter mixture.

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Stir in a bag of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Chips.
Place by spoonful onto a cooking sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
Let sit on cookie sheet two minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Yummy!

Frozen bliss

Posted by Farmgirl on February 21, 2010  |  5 Comments

Did you know?

Have you heard?

Yes.

That’s right.

Enjoy.

White as snow

Posted by Farmgirl on February 21, 2010  |  1 Comment

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

 ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 ¹² You will go out in joy
       and be led forth in peace;
       the mountains and hills
       will burst into song before you,
       and all the trees of the field
       will clap their hands.

                                       ~Isaiah 55:10-12

Limb from limb

Posted by Farmgirl on February 20, 2010  |  No Comments

I began to worry when I saw him tie a rope to the chainsaw.

He got a ladder and climbed into the tree. Then he hoisted the chainsaw into the tree.

I feel I must point out that this tree is old, diseased, and covered in snow and ice.

It really wasn’t a good idea … but he didn’t really want my point-of-view.

So I called for reinforcements.

They were busy.

Have you ever noticed how men stick together?

They support each other through thick, thin and stupidity.

With feet planted precariously in the trunk of a rotting tree, he commenced with the sawing.

And I watched, ready to catch his sudden fall with my camera.

Luckily, that did not happen.

The only thing falling was the limb and some snow.

Thank heavens.

Then he gave me look that said something along the lines of … See, I told you there was nothing to worry about. You were just being ridiculous. Don’t you feel sheepish? 

Followed by a sweet smile and … Is there coffee? It’s cold out here.

Then he climbed down from the tree, put the ladder away and proceeded with the rest of his agenda. I stood at the window and stared at my poor hemlock trees. They didn’t handle the falling limb so well.

They were left a little one-sided.

Rather like my concern about this situation … one-sided, unfounded and ridiculous.

Or not.

Flat-out fabulous

Posted by Farmgirl on February 19, 2010  |  4 Comments

Meet flat iron.

It’s second in tenderness to the tenderloin, but costs half as much. Depending upon your region of the country, flat iron could also be known as top blade, petite steak, Butler or book steak.

I pan-grilled flat iron for last night’s dinner and served it with steamed veggies. It was a perfectly healthy meal featuring lean beef and loads of iron, protein and B vitamins.

Salt and pepper.

That’s the only thing I added. There was no need for anything else. Just look at that marbling. It was tender, juicy and honestly, it had a buttery taste that was out of this world.

Somebody needs to tell Emeril.

Sure, “pork fat rules” — but a perfectly prepared steak reigns supreme in my opinion.

Look for flat iron in your grocer’s meat department.

You won’t be disappointed!

Indoor snow fort

Posted by Farmgirl on February 19, 2010  |  2 Comments

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

Can’t beat the snow, although melting was accomplished during yesterday’s 40-degree heat wave.

So we  had a little get-together to celebrate winter and vast expanses of white stuff.

We made igloos.

I’m not sure if they used more marshmallows than they ate, but they had fun. I saw smiles, heard giggles and saw happiness oozing from their eyes and ears.

Supplies:

Styrofoam cups and small plates
Miniature marshmallows
Glue
Toothpicks
Construction paper
Scissors

1. Trim a couple inches off the top of a styrofoam cup (see the photo, above).
2. Squeeze glue around the edge of the cup and adhere it to the styrofoam plate.
3. Squeeze glue around the base of the cup and with one finger holding the cup to the plate, begin to gently place a ring of marshmallows on the glue around the base.
4. Squirt more glue on top of those marshmallows and on the side of the cup and make another row, repeating until the entire cup is covered.
5. Put a few marshmallows “out front” for an entrance to your igloo.
6. Glue a construction paper flag to a toothpick and insert into the top of your igloo.

The key to success is gentleness.

Use a light touch … and lots of glue! Note: We allowed our igloos to dry overnight.

Fun for all ages.

Everybody will enjoy this project.

Just be sure to have plenty of marshmallows for the crafting and snacking.

Happy Winter!

No photos, just words

Posted by Farmgirl on February 18, 2010  |  2 Comments

Because this time words are more important.

Handbook for Happiness

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games.

7. Read more books than you did last year.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:

11. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Don’t have negative thoughts about things you can’t control. Instead, invest your time in the positive, present moment.

13. Don’t over do. Keep your limits.

14. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget bygone issues. Don’t remind your partner of past mistakes. It will ruin present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum. They appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel: get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:

40. Please share this with others.