The Milk Mans Wife

Its a.....

2011-11-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

BOY!!!!!!!!! Yup, number 6 arrived on Spetember 23. He was 3 weeks early and we have had a really rough road to say the least. He was born with a numothorax, which is a bubble in his lung - but PRAISE GOD it cleared itself up and they didnt have to fly him to Rochestor to have it removed. I had my own issues and to be honest, I died twice in the span of 8 hours and had 2 major surguries in the same amount of time. All I can say is God is good and I dont deserve another miracle for the rest of my life. Got some pictures I will be up loading in the next few days - gonna try blogging again, but you all know how that goes. :) LOVE YOU ALL and Miss you too!

An addition is coming....

2011-04-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

SO - who is ready for number six?? Anyone? I maybe to old for this and I am surely out of practice. Any offers on coming to live with me in a few months to keep the craziness at bay?? IF its another boy - we have enough for a team of some sort I am sure. If its a girl, I will no longer be alone, dreaming of pink Easter dress and white gloves...

The Leg.... part 1..

2011-01-29T15:40:00.000-08:00

OH where to begin... busted leg boy - otherwise known as Milk Dud - is going to be getting his cast off this week... hip hip hooray!!! He scoots around on his little hiney and says, 'Mamma - Mamma... hold me... I see you.. you can hold me!' Not really sure why the - i see you - but whatever. He talks SO well. No swearing either - how impresive is that!

I will be putting up pictures in a few days I hope. Its blue and starting to look pretty ragged around the edges!

SO - ask me some questions. Its been to long since I really had a post about life - I have forgotten how to write one!

LOVE YOU ALL!

All the news from the world of farming....

2011-01-07T15:53:00.001-08:00

Hello - my name is Heidi and I am easily distracted. By such things as this..

This is Palmer.... wow - can you say farm hunk.. He is girl hunting and with that shirt - he will probably find one soon.. Anyone got any eligable, sweet, grounded young ladies that would like to farm with a hunk of man like that.. :) **wink wink** He is looking for a gal that has all the qualities she should and that things farming would be an adventure... cuz it totally is.

Anyway - enough goofiness....

So how have you all been the last few months? I have missed you all so great, my heart just hurts thinking that I have missed so much of your lives the last few months. So much has went on here that I dont even know where to start. I will update by person and that should help me and you keep it all straight.

Big Son - is now a Green belt with 2 stripes.. he is 1 belt away from getting his black belt.. He rocks at it! He is in 7th grade - in public school unfortunatly - and seems to be doing ok. Boy does he come home with some things that are very contrairy to what we live/believe. BUT - we are working through it.

Lispy - is in kindergarten and its not his cup of tea. He says its a waste of his time and that he has so much more that he could be doing on the farm to help out... He says his teacher is not that smart, cuz she cant milk a cow.... or drive a tractor.... or even make good sandwichs. We all know how important a good sandwich is right.. yeesh. He is in orange belt in karate, but thinks that he is Chuck Norris....

Milk Dud - well, he is SO BIG!!! Busted his leg because he sat on the dog backwards, the dog stood up and his leg went under the rocking chair, got stuck and snapped in the shin area. Poor kid - he is one tough little bugger though. He is talking a blue streak - imagine that, wonder where it came from - **eye roll** He is usually very good natured, but boy he can be hot tempered when he thinks he is right or doesnt get what he wants..

The Milk Man - is hot.. :) still...

Dale - not much changes with Dale - he is the same in every way.

Me.. well - I am working full time as an independant care giver/consultant for elderly. LOVE IT.

SO ask me some questions and I will answer whatever you all want to know! LOVE YOU and will be back soon!

Here I am..... Rockin' like a hurricane!

2011-01-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

WELL all my favorite folks in blogland - I am alas... not dead. Neither is anyone in my immediate family - although my sweet and precious grandpy went to be with the Lord in October.... Just a quick howdy how ya all doing - missing you all and wishing my life allowed me to blog daily. It just doesnt...

Updates will follow in a couple days - lots going on here. Lispy is in Kindergarten, big son in 7th grade and Milk Dud - has a broken leg.... woofda. LOVE YOU ALL!!!

The Birthday cake massacre - is a bust...

2010-08-04T07:21:00.001-07:00

OH BOY! Sorry everyone, but the birthday cake massacre is a bust.... the camera FAILED.. but through the sadness and tears I do have a couple of pictures that might be nice to see..

The boys are LOVING karate... Big Son is now a blue belt and Lispy is a yellow...

Then you have the cookie phone user.... he is a shifty little bugger...

Anyway - I have a nice post for tomorow.. Cherry juice - how to make it..

Talk to you all soon!!!

MILK DUD TURNS 2.....

2010-08-03T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hey there everyone! I just had to tell you that Milk Dud turned 2 on Friday July 30th.... I can't believe it either. How he has grown in the last 2 years... from my sweet baby that captured my heart to the little fellow that teetered around learning to walk - to the little man that now says 'tank u' after you hand him anything... They grow to fast. Wanna walk down memory lane with me?

Woof - look at that beehive on my head..that was really my moms purse... not to mention the protrusion from my mid section... Coffee man, one word from you about a wide load and I am taking those Cha-Cha heals back that I gave wifie poo for your enjoyment... got it???? Good.

To the stinking cute little feet

and baby buns...

Sorry - that last one was for purely my enjoyment - Ladies...he's taken......Paul L. cover your eyes, I am sure your becoming nausiated... :)

To my little man...

To a little boy that is INTO EVERYTHING!!!

Tommorow I will show you pictures of the cake massacre - I am sure you are all riveted to your seats in anticipation! Till then - watch out for dog poop, it sticks to the lawn mower tires... LOVE YA!

All in a days work.....

2010-07-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

Anyone here??? I am in the process of canning blueberry jam, cherry syrup for home made pop, watermelon rind pickles and canned shallots... Any one got somthing they want to share that they can? Like somthing that is out of the ordinary? SOOOOO Give me somthing new to try!

We now return to regular schedualed posting......

2010-05-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I am so sorry to have been MIA for a MONTH but with an early spring here, we have been busier than a skunk eating bumble bee's. The Milk Man is putting in longer days - not sure how thats possible condsidering he already worked from sun up to sun down, but he is. The kids are busy trying to get into trouble of course. Big Son is almost done with school - a month early thank you, Lispy - well we all know that not much changes with him. He tells it like it is and then some, not sure where he gest that from.... Milk Dud, is GROWING TO FAST! He is no longer a baby, but a growing boy... He is going to be - dare I say it - 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in July. It makes me weep at the thought, I would LOVE another baby - but my plate is so full now that I know I could not keep up.

As for the farm....
The oats are all in, the corn is almost half way done and the hay is growing fast, but the weather is all over the board. We had SNOW today - it acutally accumulated on the deck and cars. Then we had rain pellets..for about 10 minutes looked like those little styrofoam packing beads on the yard.
We have gotten some new milking equipment and it is DANDY folks..I will have to post about it soon. But dont forget that the word soon for me is well, relative. So please leave me a comment and let me know how you are all doing? I miss you so much and wish I could visit you all each day - at some point in time I am hoping that I can do that once again. AND my Florida friends....will you be stopping up this year?
Love to you all - Heidi

How to render lard...

2010-03-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

I know I have done this before, but a friend of mine wanted to see it - so please bare with me...here it is again!
div>Lard is not for pansies people – if you cant take the fat, get out of the kitchen! Rendering lard is not a hard task, nor is it really time consuming. A little bit of background on lard is in order.
Lard is made from pig fat and pig fat only. Beef fat is tallow and people use that for soap, bird suet and some people I am sure cook with it, but not this chica – no sir ree….
To start with you must talk to your local butcher and ask him to save you the best pig fat that he can get his greasy little fingers on. When procuring fat you want to be sure its ‘clean’, and by that I mean it has little or no meat particles in it. It is impossible to get completely clean pig fat, but you can get exceptional quality fat if the butcher gives a crap about saving it for you. Our local butchers are GREAT about this and know that if they butcher for us, at times we butcher our own, I will want GOOD fat for lard. They always are pretty proud of their accomplishment and say “See Heidi I got ya the good stuff’ – they’re proud of their trade. Not everyone can be a butcher and do a good job of it. SO, after you have gotten your pig fat – let the fun begin.

Here is what raw pig fat looks like right from the butcher....

You have to put it in a roaster in pieces.

I just lop pieces off as I go... I like to lop things off.... or just lop..

Then you must bake it on a low setting because it IS FAT - IT WILL BURN! So I prefer 225 but Granny Farmer does it on 200 and it takes her longer. I like to try to get mine done in a day if possible. When you cook it on a higher heat, you must watch it more carefully... I will show you why later...

After a little while you will notice a 'scent' in your house that smells a little bit like pigs, but if your butcher did a good job - it should be minimal. See the liquid fat in this roster? This is what you want. I check it and then put it back in until there is more fat melted off. HOWEVER - you dont want to just 'let it cook' you should check on it frequently because the liquid fat will cook the semi solid fat QUICKER than before. Its just like deep frying...if that example helps at all.
I continue to cook it until there is more liquid fat, then I take a colonder lined with a terri cloth dish towel and set it in a cake pan. I didnt get a picture of this because I am a one woman freak show people and the grease was FREAKIN HOT! Then I GENTLY pour the liquid fat slowly into the colonder and watch the small particles catch on the towel. You dont have to put the towel in, but I am very fussy and want my lard to be litteraly 'spotless'. The small amounts of fat that get into the liquid lard make specs in it - I like mine white like crisco.

See how clear this is - Milk Man happend to walk in and ask me why I had water in the pan... I screamed "YES" thats what I want to hear!! He cocked his eyebrow and said - Lard huh - he knows me well. I didnt use a colonder on this batch because there were not as many small pieces - so a spider works well.
I let the pans set to cool for a little bit on the counter. You can see that it is getting cloudy as it cools. Once it is semi-solid, I put a lit on it and set it out on the deck were its 13degrees and it will freeze for me.

Dont mind the corn - Milk Man was testing the moisture content and left it on the table out there for the birds...

See how white it is? Its a bad picture but it is white - pure like new snow..

Then I cut it, put it in bags and into the freezer it goes to be used for pie crust, bread or anything that calls for crisco.

Now some people cook fat until its yellow and the 'cracklings' are 'done' - I dont because it yellows and somtimes, not always, but somtimes has a piggy strong smell and flavor.

Now I had this batch get a little yellow, but it will still be used because its not smelly at all. If it had a 'smell' to it, I would use it for suet cakes, or give it to Vicki for her soap because the esential oils will cover the scent and not ruin her soap... SO any questions?

ITS HERE!! IT'S HERE!! Garden Porn!!!!!!!

2010-03-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOSH!!! I have to tell you that this post is short - cuz I have SO MUCH to look at right now. I will be back with all the dirty pictures and perverted mulch that I can get my hands on...

But till then....

Do you like my hair? Yes, that is a hotel bathroom...you can tell cuz its clean and the mirror can actually REFLECT an image unlike my water stained, finger print checkered, dust clinging to mirror in my bathroom. All these years I thought I was a red head - dangit - this mirror just blew that outa the water!
Talk to you soon!!

Lispy ask's a question.....

2010-03-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

Today I am home trying to get a grip on the shred of sanity that I claim to have....don't look at me like that. I swear there is one here somewhere among the dirty dish's, miss matched socks, cow poop on the floor, cheeto faced baby and the never ending piles of laundry scattered through the house. Needless to say on days like this, I make lunch that consists of .....a box....its shame full really - I don't take the time to make a real meal at lunch...but, that's life while working off the farm I guess. Anyway - as I was standing by the stove stirring mac and cheese from Aldi's, Lispy came up next to me and hugged my leg. Looked up at me with his beautiful eyes and the following took place....be prepared...there is no swearing...thank you God...

Lispy - mom

me - yes dear - (please don't forget that i was only half listening because I was making noodles for the mac and cheese and running the feed bill through my head and thinking about joining the peace corps and running away with the hippies that drove by in the love machine yesterday and a few other things)

Lispy - Does dad think your sexy -

me(after I drop the spoon and pick it back up) what do you mean Lispy?

Lispy - You know mom does dad think your sexy like Cinderella?

Me - I have no idea what your dad thinks about a sexy Cinderella.. What do you think sexy means?

Lispy - That you wear pretty cloths and dance around.....

Me - Yup, that's what it means - but we cant use that word till your 20....so from now on just tell someone you think they are pretty not sexy ok..

Lispy - Ok mom...mom - your pretty sexy like Cinderella....

and that is was the end of it... until he said that his Big Son had told him that sexy meant pretty with nice cloths - Big Son is not home to interrogate, I mean question at this time....

You all have a nice day and remember - I think your all sexy people!!!

My aching leg....

2010-03-03T12:26:00.001-08:00

Well my dear readers - the Milk Mans Wife has had a health issue. I had lipo-suction... **giggle** ok, not really - but I wanted lipo-suction. The dr. took off a mole and I politely asked if he could take 10lbs off each thigh while he was at it. He was not amused....I told him I would make him supper, but no go. So I am now lesionless, with chubby legs....and flabby arms...and a roll in the middle where my waist used to be...with a 1 inch cut on my leg, that when the stitchs ripped ended up being closer to 2...I found 6 gray hairs today so as soon as I wake up from that coma that sent me into, I am going to town to buy hair dye. If you have any questions, ask the children because I will be drinking the rest of the cough syrup....and they are smarter than me anyway.

Be back soon- no, I didnt/wont take pictures of my large, bruised chubby thigh - so dont ask!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Here I am, Rock me like a huricane!!!!!

2010-03-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

I am such an 80's child!!!!! Beef teaters! I have to put that off for a few days, cuz I dont have any pictures of beef teaters... **hangs head in shame** I am SO sorry...

Anyway - here is a picture of the baby farmer....

He is getting SOOOOOOOOOOOO big! I cant look at these pictures anymore without wanting a baby....

What a difference 18 months makes!!

Beef teaters will have to wait....

2010-01-29T05:12:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone, I have to work this morning so the post about beef teaters will have to wait till later...

But I did find somthing interesting in my milk glass this morning.....

see the floater?

ice pick?

Thanks Lispy....

Frozen teater's.....

2010-01-28T05:20:00.000-08:00

OH it is EVER so cold today!! This morning it is -12 here with a minus 25 windchill. I have frost on the inside of the windows this morning and that is never a good thing. Cold weather is here for sure! Uffda... The Milk Man is already in the barn and I am getting Big Son through his homework. Lispy is with his dad and Milk Dud is still tucked in under warm blankets with snuggly jammies on....I go kiss him every few minutes, I love babies....does everyone know that I love babies... I mean is it totally obvious or what? I love baby toes almost as much as their little hinders - pronounced hind-er with a long i.. as in kite...get it? got it?? GOOD... but this is a post about frozen teaters... as in cow tittie's... or cow titters.... no, I am not being vulger - its what we call them. Well, to be honest we call them...... tits. There, I said it and I feel SO much better now that I am no longer in the closet about using the word tit. In the winter around here, we need to be careful with our dairy herd because of frostbite on such things as the teaters.

This is a picture of a cow that is close to 'freshening'. Her 'bag' (udder if your not up on your farm slang) is engourged with colostrum.... I used this picture for 2 reasons. First to show you that there is NO hair on a cow's tittie and that the skin is very tender and soft. Dairy cows are the Diva Princess's of the bovine world... in other words - they are a bunch of pansies...

They need constant care if you are going to maintain a good, healthy, productive herd - you MUST take care of your cattle.

This next cow is a half breed. She is part Angus and part Holstien... personaly, these are my favorite cows. They are hardy because of the beef blood, yet produce a bit more milk than a beef does because of the holstien blood. This cow is is named.... Mamma Jugs. You can see by her back end and 'bag' that she is a half breed.

These are Mamma Jugs - jugs.. If you look really close, you can see that she has more hair on her 'bag' AND her titties are not as tender skinned as a holstien. The hair on her bag lays against it and really keeps it warm. Tomorow I will do a post on a beef cows udder so that you can all know your stuff when it comes to cow teaters. I know you all want to pass the quiz on Monday.... **snort**

To prevent frost bitten teaters we do 2 things. At times when it is bitterly cold, like today - the cows are left in the barn. This is harder on us because it requires more cleaning and feeding, but it way better for them, at least for a couple of days. We dont leave them in more than 1 full day before we have to let them out for some exercise. Can you imagine being tied for 24 hours only being able to stand or lay.....There are times when its is cold for a week with below freezing temps. Those days we have to let them out for 15 min - just to move around and they go right back in the barn. Cold weather on a dairy/beef operation requires lots of animal manegment. We are fortunate to have RARE occurances of frost bitten teaters... These next pictures are from the web, not our farm.

Nasty huh... there is more wrong with this cows bag and teats than frost bite though...she looks like she is on a 'big operation'.... Her teats are in more trouble than just being frozen, but I dont want to go into all of that now. Just know that large farms - with lots of hired help, dont do well with cattle care.

SO - I have to get going and get to work. Thanks you guys for sticking with me - smoochs to you all and eskimo kiss's!!!

Summer time and my 'rig'....

2010-01-27T04:43:00.000-08:00

OH, how I am missing summer. Mowing, gardening, picnics, mud, blood sucking vermon, nights around our fire pit - blood sucking vermon - and the best of all the smell of fresh cut hay and freshly plowed earth and watching the boys play in the water... Summer is more work in ways, but so enjoyable to. Any season on a farm is busy - but the work trades off. In the Winter its to get all the cattle fed, cleaned and watered and keeping the snow at bay, plowing and shoveling pens etc - in the spring the fieldwork, plowing, discing, planting, fencing, planting etc. Summer haying, dehorning, castraiting, fencing, building upkeep, painting and just maintanance that cant be done in the winter. We try to give each piece of machinery a good 'going over' in the summer so that its less in the fall when its put away for the winter. Fall - is a swear word.... harvesting, harvesting, harvesting, harvesting, harvesting.... for weeks on end - day after day - hour after hour. Corn, oats, hay, barly, rye and corn stalk bails for bedding, straw for bedding and the list goes on. The things that I mentioned above are things that we have to do on top of milking morning and night, feeding morning and night, cleaning for all the cattle one time a day. Also, any vet needs that we have to take care of. We do all the things, other than surgury's, ourselves. The Milk Man is ver proficent in 'veining' a cow to give her IV meds, foot care on a dairy herd is a MAJOR nessecity and not to mention breeding programs. We have a bull for our beef herd and our dairy herd, but we look for 'heat cycles' in our cattle to make sure the bull gets a good chance at her... *wink wink nudge nudge* When a dairy cow is bred, the date that she is bred needs to be kept track of. This is done because she needs to 'dry up' at about 7.5 months. The gestation for a cow is the same as a human - 40 weeks. Drying a cow up before freshing (giving birth) is done so that she is in the best possible shape when she calves. (gives birth)There are several steps to a dairy cow 'drying off'. She has to have a gradual change in her feed intake - what she eats and how much of it - and how 'dry' you get her when she is milked. Its a science really - not for the faint of heart. SO - thats it for the that lesson.. I started this post wanting to show you my 'rig'... what I drive in the summer when I have to haul stuff.

This is what I drive when I need to haul 'stuff' - like mulch, rocks etc. Yes, I can back it up and 'run' it.. it is really a feather in my hat when the guys at the lumber yard where I get mulch - tell me to 'move over so I can back it up' - and I smile and answer them 'Where do you want it'.... and back it up - myself... **giggle** Last year when I went to get mulch, I had all 3 kids with me, the guy that told me to back up asked if I was single!!! LOL He is a guy that we know and he was TOTALY kidding, but did mention that its hard to find 'a gal like that'.... SO - I had better get going. Here is a couple of pictures of summer that make me feel good... enjoy!

This is a cutting job we had to do that was on the edge of one of our fields. You have to keep the edges of the fields clean or they get so overgrown and when you drive the tractor close to it the branchs hit the cabs and scratch them up or chip the glass in the windows. Also, we use the wood for our stove in the winter - waste not, want not. Beautiful view isnt it.
My best friend, Lispy in the corn. This picture was taken in early July - knee high by the fourth of July is the rule in our area. That means if your corn is knee high at that time, it will make it to maturity before the first frost.
AND - our Beloved Schnitzel and The Trout. Those 2 are SO special to us and we hope they will be able (and willing *giggle*) to stop by for a visit again this summer. We love having them and let me tell you they are the MOST special couple. They are like a second set of parents - I just LOVE THEM!

Ok, time to get going - love you all!

I owe, I owe so off to work I go...

2010-01-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Well friends - its happened. I am working 3 jobs, all part time hours and trying to keep the Nut House running.... I am the head nut - any questions? Things are going - but money is always a problem on a farm. Let me rephrase that - a family farm. I have to work off of the farm to be able to afford the needs of our family, small as I try to keep them - we still need toilet paper..dang it. SO - I am at it needless to say. I work part time for the ag dept doing farm surveys, but they dont always have work for me so I must supplament that. I have been working doing some dog grooming, but I am only getting a couple of dogs a day and that is NOT enough to supplement - SO I am also trying to take care of an elderly lady 3 days a week for 4 hours per day. That should help - that and I am going to stop eating, that should be about half of our food budget. The Milk Man is doing well, but his fibromyalgia is really hitting him hard this time of year. We have had such funny weather..cold, damp, rainy and he suffers terribly when the weather changes. The boys are good, naughty but good....what do you all expect from my spawn... **naughty grin** Big Son is doing good with school and karate. He LOVES karate. Milk Dud is going to be 18 months old you guys!! WHERE did my baby go..... he says Mamma, please, thank you and shut up...nice huh... Lispy, well - what can I say about him. He told his grandpa the other day that if he didnt start being nicer to one of the calves..(his words) "Grampa - if you dont sthart being nicer to that calf I am gonna kick your asth... you hear me grampa? You listhening? GRAMPA!! dammit listhen" My father in law heard every word, but was bent over the calf pen laughing his head off and trying not to let Lispy see him....such is life on the funny farm.

So how are you all? How is the new year treating you? I miss you all so much, whenever I think of my blog my heart breaks because I dont have contact with some of the most wonderful people that I used too... Sue The Farmers Wife, Karen from Fresh Fixins.. Sadie...and so many others...Mrs. M, Mikey, Train Wreck, Spanky and I could go on forever... so ladies - and big brother, of course I didnt forget you... :) LOVE YOU please drop me a note and tell me how you all are, or leave a comment. Talk to you all soon!!!

Honey corn bread....

2010-01-02T06:40:00.000-08:00

Hope you are all warm and well fed this fine morning.. I have a question for all of my southern readers. A few years ago I had the pleasure of working with a black gentlman that was an WONDERFUL cook. He laughed at my northern naievty when it came to southern cooking. One night we were at work and he brought in greens with ham hocks, red beans, dirty rice and the most amazing honey corn bread - the only honey corn bread - I have ever tasted.... I drool at the thought of it right now!!! SO - I was wondering if anyone has a great recipe - I dont want an internet recipe I would like something that was a family recipe. I promise not make a cook book.. :)but I want a recipe that is special because those are the best taisting!

Talk to you all a bit later today!

Happy New Year - Welcome 2010

2009-12-31T19:45:00.001-08:00

Well, I am to old to bring in the new year at midnight - so I do the second best thing... I bring it in when I go to bed. Milk Man gets a kiss - the kids get an extra squeeze and I get some shut eye.. What are you all doing for the new year?? I plan to loose some weight.. Milk Man wants me to gain some if you get my drift, but I am getting to OLD for this...I dont know if I can handle another little one, as much as I would LOVE ONE!!

For this post, I want everyone to describe their first memory of New Years. What was the first New Year that you remember. My first one I was about 5 or 6 and my folks had people over. They had a '6 pack' of Pepsi and 2 tombstone pizzas for 7 people.. that was such a treat! What happened to things being simple? Why do we think that we need to be so over indulged? That little things like a couple of pizza's just isnt enough... ok, I will shut up. This is not ment to be a speech about economics!! Do any of you remember Christmas's when you were very young? I remember lots of things that most people dont.. dumb things - like the tree topper on my grandma's tree..her old ornaments that at the time I thought were SO ugly but now cherrish them dearly. SO - I am going to bed my dear friends!

May God the King of all bless you in the new year with all of the best!!!

Winter wonderland.....

2009-12-30T20:27:00.000-08:00

There is so much going on around here that I dont know where to start... first there is this...

We have had so much snow - it is so pretty yet its SO MUCH WORK when you farm. We had a beautiful Christmas. The kids had a great time, of course the Milk Man and I had a great time.. **snicker snicker giggle giggle** We are still farming and thanks to all of your prayers - we may be able to stay doing so...Thank God!!! its going to be very hard, if it happens - but we are working for it pretty hard. So thanks for your prayers and gifts and love and support and more love.. Thank you Dean and Amanda for the WONDERFUL gifts that you sent to our boys when they needed them. There will never be enough thank yous given to you for that. Tina - your a God send - what you did for me and my family is more appreciated than you can possibly know. Your the kind of gal that I want on my side if there is ever a fight.. your a true friend in every sense of the word...

SO - I am going to go to bed and try to warm up. I may have some hot chocolate and snuggle with the dog for a few minutes first and I like to watch the tree at night and right now the house is REALLY quiet! That is something that doesnt happen to often...

Anyway - I have to get to bed - getting more tired by the second. Here is a Christmas shot for you all...

Does this look like a baby??? me thinks he's a little boy now - but I am not admitting to anything!

Where o where have my readers all gone...

2009-12-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

Away... I have pushed them all away... dang nab it.. BUT, I hope they will stay with me just a little longer before completely pulling the plug! Things are looking up and I want someone here to share it with when it does!!

Is everyone ready for Christmas? I am.... NOT - SO SO SO NOT!
One thing I am ready for is this...

OOPS! Sorry - wrong picture! That is what the Milk Man is ready for.... me being 'ready to freshen' at any moment... for some reason he likes me barefoot and pregnant... ok, maybe not the barefoot..but defiantly the pregnant.

This is what I am ready for...

For it to be over!!

UGH... I am moving in with Mrs. Mom and the insanity crew... sis - hope you got a bed, heck I will settle for a recliner... maybe just a rug thrown on the floor.. It was warm today, if you call 13 degrees warm. SO - what is everyone doing for Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving my friends!!

2009-11-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

Nothing to write except this - May you all be as blessed this day as I am. That is my sincere prayer for you all - ALL MY LOVE TO YOU!!!!

Good Morning - Chicken sandwichs...

2009-11-25T04:55:00.000-08:00

My sister who lives in Michigan - HI JULIE - is going to be making these for supper tonight, so I thought I better get some instructions up here for her.... she's not my 'blood' sister - but she is like Mrs. Mom.. My sistah from anotha motha - did I spell motha right? Is there a right spelling??? don't, know - me neither..

So here we go...
Homeschooling my kids is a great thing and I love it - but there is a draw back - singing all the songs that I did when I was a kid again and loving them. Is that wrong? This was always one of my favorites..

One of these things is not like the other, which one is different do you know, can you tell which thing is not like the other - I'll tell you if it so.... I love Sesame Street...

Your right - its the yellow pepper!! What do you mean the onion....oh - well your right! **turns 5 shades of red***

I slice these little hummers up very thin and they look like this.

Then I mix them up in a bowl just so they go into the pan as friends...

Usually I have a red, yellow and an orange one but the they were all out of orange ones. I do it for the color, there is no flavor difference as far as I can tell. However, I use only sweet onions like Vidallia's- THEY ROCK THE BEER GUT!! I don't have a beer gut,so I guess I am missing out.

The next photo is pornographic, Willow Witch - cover Coffee Mans eyes...thank you..

They are mutilated chicken titties.... sorry..

My turkey was giving me the evil eye the whole time I was cutting them...

Then he did this to me...and said something about Aaron Tippin's song Kiss This???? not sure about that..he was hard to understand ya know, with the gobbling and all.

So, the next step is to throw them all in a skillet and cook'em up. I make them in 'batches' because they don't all fit in there at once...

First get your pan warm, but not to hot because the chicken will stick... you MUST use butter or, well.. they are just not the same without it. I put on my cast iron skillet, I would sell my children before I gave this baby up... ok, not sell them but maybe rent them out, perhaps lease them to some circus - they would fit right in let me tell you... sorry, digression runs deep in my family - what Veggie Tale is that from??? hhhhhmmmmmmmm

SO, here is a picture of my skillet warming and melting the butter - delicious BUTTER... support your dairy farms....

and the butter melted...sorry, I milking this for all it is worth.. **Snort**

Then I add about a Tbls of this life saver...I don't have time to chop garlic for every meal. To many people to feed, to much luandry to do, to much schooling to do and to much of - well, I am lazy...

Then I let that brown a little bit, cuz it smells SOOOOOOOOOOOOO gooooooood.

Then I add the chicken meat and the pepper, onion mixture.

Let it brown a little, till the chicken is done and if it is sliced nice and thin - it doesn't take to long. I like mine to have a little color to it because I am freaky about my chicken being done well enough. BUT NOT DRY!!!

I make this in 'batch's' like I said - put however much will fit into your skillet at a time. I always put in more butter and more garlic at the beginning of each batch. If it will be a little bit before supper time, I throw it all into a warm crock pot. WORKS WONDERFULLY and helps to save on the rush of supper.

This doesn't look so good, cuz it was in the crock pot till late last night and had overcooked.. sorry... Do as I say and not as I do...

Then I grab some great buns. At times I make some rosemary herb, or my own Cheddar bread ones, but these looked to good to pass up.

Then I toast them under the broiler just a couple of minutes, till they are like...toasty... I hate slimy bread, so that helps it be crisp..... do both sides...then fill them and add a bit of ranch dressing, salt and pepper to your taste. LOVE THESE. And let me tell you - men will kiss your toes to have one.

> THE END....

OH - one more thing... this is what you get when a 5 yr old brings you breakfast in bed... well, when he forces you to go back to bed at 8 am so he can bring you breakfast in bed....

As we all are well aware - anything pertaining to Lispy, needs a post of its own...

I am loosing...not weight either.

2009-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello to the world I have not left behind! We are winding down with harvest, but still have a little bit to do. How is the rest of the world doing? I have been cooking a lot, cleaning...ok not so much cleaning and the house shows it - but I have been trying to motivate myself to do a post. I got nothing people, not sure why. I am not feeling sorry for myself, but I am feeling sorry.. SOOOOOO I am going to post about random stuff..

We had snow on the 9th of October...sad huh.

a>

I got a hair cut... this is before.

This is after... I got my layers back and the natural curl springs up like a pogo stick...
NO there is no picture of the front, a haircut doesnt help your face any.. LOL

This is the Saur Kraut after it is 'crocked'. This is how it looks when I put it in the basement to cure. Yes - thats a rock.

SO - thats it for today. I am going to be starting Christams cooking/baking this week. The Milk Man said I wont get any loving, unless I post daily.... SO, I hope you guys like reading cuz you all know how much I like loving.. *snort* wait, you do know right.. do I have to exlpain it? Why are you all shaking your heads no? I mean who could resist this...

ok, the baby too...

Lispy's finger from the devil....

2009-11-02T08:47:00.001-08:00

I had to share this little story today, because its Monday. AND, I want you to all wet your pants while your at work. Sorry, I am a sick person - but that means you must be too, because you come here by choice...I on the other hand am forced to live this life. While AGAIN discussing his vocabulary, Lispy came to me and said "Mamma - my boys have always called me that, its never been mom... its Mamma or Ma. - sorry, digression runs deep in my family...

Lispy - Mamma..

Me - Yes Lispy..

Lispy - look at me mamma..

Me (not looking) what Lispy...

Lispy - Ma, is this finger from the devil...

Me (still not looking) No Lispy, God made all of your fingers, toes and the rest of your body.

Lispy - Ma! This finger here!!

Me (still not turning around) No - all of your body parts were made by God.

Lispy - MAMMA!!! YOOT AT ME...

At this point I turn around in disgust and find my little cherub flipping me the bird and shaking it at me like driver with road rage.

Lispy - SEE MAMMA - THIS FINGER!!! (again waving it in the air) I try to explain that the finger itself is made by Jesus, but that people have made that finger mean something naughty. He then proceeds to tell me it means.... Piss off.. From what I understand he saw it and whoever was doing it said to piss off. We were in a store from what he said, but I remember nothing about it. I carefully explain that he is NOT to use that finger no matter WHAT! Fast forward a couple of days... boys are outside playing and the baby is getting in Lispys' way - I happen to look out the window to see my little 5 year old angel flipping the baby the bird...I jump all over him about it and he looks at me in complete sincerity and says - Jesus made my finger and it doesn't mean anything naughty....

Hello from Busytown!

2009-10-30T06:32:00.001-07:00

Sorry guys - I made yet another promise that I have not kept. We are getting snow here off and on making it SO difficult to get our crops in, buildings and animals ready for winter. Not to mention the boys having been sick. They have been diagnosed with asthma.. YIPPEE!!! we now have a nebulizer machine - and a puppy.. I dont know wich one is more work to be honest...

So much is going on - we are still farming but not sure in what direction we are going yet. This is such a long process... I wish it was just over one way or the other. However, in Gods time as He knows best. I had better get busy. I am truely sorry that I have not been a better friend/blogger/person etc. But, I am still appreciative of all of your love, prayers and support. THANKS FRIENDS!!!

Sue from the Farmers Wife - this is for you!!

Good Morning neighbors!

2009-10-16T04:42:00.000-07:00

I am having some trouble loading a video for some friends of mine... Amanda and Dean!!!! I tried to send the dog gone thing - no luck - tried to load it here - no luck.. SO - I think I will have to send up smoke signals and pray for rain.... what does that have to do with anything, I have no idea. Willow and Coffeeman - you 2 are some of the best friends a girl could ever have.. *sniff* SO - I am going to try to post a recipe later today. Milk Dud has a bad cold and I may have to take him into the dr, so we shall see...

Until then - here is a couple of pictures of summer... you remember summer right - when the weather is warm and you can actually see green grass? It SNOWED here on the 12 th of October, I immediatly went into hibernation.

Obama and Mother Teresa have NOTHING in common.

2009-10-09T14:11:00.001-07:00

What the heck already... If I said I wanted to end world hunger, that I wanted to stop female circumcision in Africa, if I said I wanted to stand around holding hands and singing Koom-by-ya while drinking blue kool aid served by Oprah and the rest of nutty Hollywood - maybe JUST MAYBE I would win an award I don't deserve too!! You have got to be TOTALLY FRICKING KIDDING ME!!! Obama won the noble peace prize.... When they had to debate whether Mother Teresa deserved it or not? Are these people really worth being on the panel? For the sake of decency I hope he defers it to the other guy.. I hope he knows he is SO NOT WORTHY!!! The other fellow had at least spent HIS OWN MONEY working for others in other countries and trying to better the world with his own 2 hands and not his LIPS!!! I hope he is a one term president because 8 years of this is going to RUIN our country. Its on a downward spiral right now that is TERRIFYING. To me, this tarnishes and degrades the prize itself. No its not because he is black, no its not because he is a democrat - its because he has done nothing BUT TALK about what he wants to do..... If he had done anything at all outside of the country other than apologize for us being a sovereign nation, then I would think about the fact that he may have stood a chance in the running... but good grief..he is nothing but lip service and threats.

A Fresh can of worms.....

2009-10-06T13:32:00.001-07:00

Yesterday one of my most favorite blog people wrote something that hurt me deeply, yet I can understand where she is coming from. Rechelle from My Sisters Farm House, wrote a very harsh post about homeschoolers... go take a read.... http://mysistersfarmhouse.com/

I only ask that you not be rude - I consider her my friend, even though we differ greatly on this subject. She is a good mother and has her children's best interests in mind also. However, I will not tell you what to say - you are all entitled to your opinions....

The last hurrah!!!

2009-10-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I am done.. done... done... done... done ... done... stick a fork in me - D - O - N - E.... NO more pouting, no more weeping, no more crying, no more nashing of teeth - unless for some other reason I cant think of right now - but this is it for me. I will NO LONGER be mourning the changes that are coming in my life. Whatever happens is gonna be GOOD! All good and nothing but good!!!

With that out of the way!

I would like to ask everyone to tell me what they want me to post about first. I have a couple dozen of them thought up in my head and pictures for them all, but would like to know what your all thinking! I will post about anything and everything that you want to know about. From cooking, to canning, to farming, to haveing babies....not making babies but having them... ok, making babies to - you twisted my arm *snicker* to cutting wood, to how our homeschooling is ROCKIN THE BEER GUT.... to whatever turns your crank, zips your fly, or stubs your toe.

but till I get some answers man your stuck with this.

This is my favorite person on Earth..... What do you mean you would rather see cow titty's, naked kids? Your a bunch of sicko's... No wonder I love you!

Hello, my name is Heidi...

2009-09-30T03:34:00.001-07:00

and I am a dork - dont worry I know it and have been seeking treatment for years. However, nothing has worked.... I still do very dorky things, daily... for instance leaving the washing machine door open after loading the cloths, putting the soap in, turning the dial to on and walking away, OR driving with my Amish friend and seeing a septic truck, wanting to be funny I look at it and then down at my shirt that has come unbuttoned partially exposing my Ba-zooms and sayin 'oh thats a titty sucker' when I am meaning a TURD SUCKER... good thing she is my best friend or she may have never went with me again...otherwise all is happy in the world of Heidiville.

Thank you to those who have emailed me such loving letters. You have all made my life a much lighter and brighter place these last few weeks. Things have not changed, but we are coping better with it. SOOOOOOOOOOOOO - how are things in blog land? Can I still come back and you will all be my friends still??? **does best puppy dog eyes***

Here are a couple of pictures to tide you over...

The Milk Mans back went out. This is a RARE picture - he never sits down.
Lispy in his Harley biken hat... his words not mine...

and cottage cheese butt - with grass clippings.. what ya cant see is Lispy is in the buff - Dean and Amanda we are family arnt we? LOL

SO, I here by vow to do better at blogging. I just needed to get through some things before I could get back to being me and I am almost there thanks to all of you great people!!! Your prayers, thoughts and gifts have sustained my family so much more than you will ever know.

All our love - Heidi

p.s I will be back tommorow, I PROMISE!... dont look at me in that tone of voice....

Peek -a- boo! I see you!

2009-09-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

SO sorry everyone that I have been gone for a week! I was trying to tie up loose ends, canning, schooling and just living. Palmer is MUCH better and things are slowing a bit - except for the garden and canning.. That is in full swing. Next are the tomatos - more pickles - then....pumpkin.. ya, pumpkin. There is somthing else that I missed I know, but that's ok, it wont come to me later either.

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to those who have mailed me, called me, sent gifts, sent love, prayed and for all of you who read here and keep comeing back!!! I LOVE YOU! Thank you for your words of encouragment, your thoughtful emails when I REALLY needed them and for just being my buds...

I dont have anything profound to say at this point, but things are progressing here - slowly. Not sure what is going to happen in the next couple of weeks, so I am preparing for just about everything that can happen... cuz it usually does.

The Milk Man and I took a little ride today and I will post on it tommorow - Suzanne at The Farmers Wife - its JUST FOR YOU!!! since I doubt that you are going to be coming to see me.... I have given up on that - cuz, I am afraid there is someone else in your life now and just cant handle the rejection anymore... **sniff sniff** I dont understand how you can go on a trip with your husband, instead of coming up here and seeing ME!!! ** fans self while biting bottom lip** anyway - you know I am pulling your leg!!! SO, this next post really is going to be for you. I have NOT forgotten the other posts and I promise they will be along shortly!

Guess who those are for???? sure aint no darn girlfriend! Thems for his Mamma!!! :) cuz I took good care of him he said.. I love boys... what a statement that is... could that be why I have so many kids, cuz I love one boy so dog gone much? Bet it has somthing to do with it!

Talk in the morning!

Always remember.....

2009-09-11T04:55:00.000-07:00

John A. Hofer
Index View Print Entries Most Recent to Oldest Entries Most Recent to Oldest Entries Oldest to Most Recent Entries September 10, 2009
It has been 8 years since the tragedy.I did'nt realize John was on the first plane. I was told later by my best friend that he was gone! To this day he is missed by all of us that knew him. I wear my braclet that was given to me every year.I miss his laugh and hanging out at the places we used to visit. My thoughts and prayers are with him,his friends and family. He is truley missed.
~ Julie, Seal Beach, California September 11, 2008
I used to work at Homerun Pizza, in Lakewood Ca and got to know John and his daughter very well. I think of him every year and miss him dearly! I remember all the life lesson he taught me, and his great jokes!!
~ Sara, Lakewood, California September 11, 2008
My boyfriend, Ken Chandler knew John well and to this day, he still sheds tears and can't talk about it. He was greatly loved by him and he misses him still. He is now an angel watching over his family and friends. God bless you, John, and your family. T
~ Teri Heatley, Long Beach | Contact Me September 08, 2008
I don't know you but your name has always remained in my memory when it comes to September 11th. As a fellow Bellflower resident, your untimely loss has always hit me close to home although I never met you. May god be with you, and you will never be forgotten so long as I live.
~ Luis L., Bellflower, California June 06, 2007
In memory....
~ P Tabbernor, Victoria, British Columbia

This Man was killed on September 11, 2001 - I joined a site and of course forgot to link it, that was wanting people to write down a tribute to the fallen. This was all I could find about this man... Rest in Peace John and I hope that next year I can find more about you and make this a tribute worth writeing in your memory!

What makes us stronger....

2009-09-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

Do you ever see a picture that makes your emotions raw? I am sure its of sick children, aging loved ones or the horrors of war. We all have those feelings about pictures like that I am sure, but I mean ones that are just personal. Ones that would only make your heart ache or weep? I do - this one....

I want this to be his future and so does he. I know and belive that God opens windows or door with all my heart.. I also believe that everything is in His time for the betterment of His kingdom. I dont doubt any of that, it just seems unlikely that a childs heart breaking could fit in the picture He is painting for our lives. BUT, I dont claim to know the answer and am happy resting in the truth that He is our caretaker and loves us completly. Big Son is having a hard time with the fact that we wont be here farming next year. It heartbreaking to him that he 'wont be able to pick up where dad leaves off' - those are his words. Is it bred into a farm family the need for a mulitgenerational task? To pass on what your fathers before you have littlerly bleed for. I am not going to go into any more than that today. I am NOT going to be depressed over this, nope nope nope nope.... but I am going to grieve and be sad at the result of hopes dashed. I have often wondered if people who have money, by this I mean people who would not miss $500,000 - if they knew that they could make such a HUGE IMPACT on a family that works hard - if they would some how help those people. There are people who remodel or build 'summer homes or guest homes' for more than that and dont bat an eye at the cost. That amount would buy our farm and all the machinery that we need.... I am not jealous of these folks, nor would I EVER want to be rich. I just wish there were some way to show some of these folks how the food that they eat, comes from the sweat of my husband brow and causes the ache in his back....

I am not complaining, just putting my thoughts on 'paper'! :) My kraut post is near done, but the video I had wont load - so your getting still shots instead.. back later.

I am ALIVE!!!

2009-09-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hello, Hola, and HOW-DEE... I miss Minnie Pearl. Just a quick post to tell you all that I am alive, so is my family and I busier than a cat trying to bury poop on a tin roof.... what a mental picture that is. Anyway, I am in the middle of drying sweet corn, freezing sweet corn and have been conned into makeing 'just one more batch' of - SAUR KRAUT... **stares blankly as left I twitchs wildly** I am starting to drool from lack of caffine - I need about 3 I.V ports for coffee, Mountain Dew and Jolt...that should take off the edge. I have 3 lugs of peachs comeing to the local store tomorow and I am hoping that they are not quite ripe yet so that they can sit till Friday. I have to take Palmer back to Rochestor on Wednesday to have his fingers seperated. They didnt do it last time, so this should be fun. Frigin 2.5 hour trip ONE WAY.. then sit there all day, then drive back - about as much fun as shoving toothpicks under my fingernails.... SO - thats it for the moment. I have so many posts to do that I am starting to have a panic attack. There are 2 people that I need to thank specially becuase of HUGE blessings that they bestowed on my family. But I have to ask permission from them first before I say names or alias's (that was an awsome show - Alias - Jennifer Garner is SO HOT) did I just say another woman is so hot.... ok, break out the cough syrup this is worse than I thought. Jennifer Gardner is beautiful, is that more appropriate for a woman to say? thanks... **wipes sweet from forhead** Ok - talk to you all later... anyone ever made chuttney?

Is it bedtime yet?

2009-09-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

I am working on my post's I promise! Have a great weekend!

Palmer and farm update....

2009-09-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Morning everyone! Hope you are all fine as frogs hair this morning. Just wanted to let you all know that Palmer is doing better. His skin graft is healing better than it had been before. Last week when we went to the specialist, it was looking pretty bad and they thought they may have to redo the whole thing or take off the rest of his finger. They were able to save it at the middle knuckle thank God - so he is able to grip pretty well with his hand.

The farm update is this - there has been no change in plans. Just trying to sort out the details and go from there. Prices took a dive again but cost's did'nt - hope I have my apostrophy in the right place Jennifer, I know how important they are. *snicker, giggle, snort*

Now for the 'homeschooling' - we are going to be doing what they call the Connections academy. I will be Big Sons learning coach, not his teacher. It's a virtual public school through a local school district so he will be having a teacher. The reasons we chose this vary for several reasons, one of which is that we have more say in what he is taught. He can have more free time, which a child with his energy level needs, no hour long bus ride one way and no overload of school work. The amount of time we are doing 'school' here at home is about the same amount of time that we did homework.... how is that even possible??? So, that is the jist of my nuttiness'ss' ss'sss LOL I have to say that I love this, because it brush's up my skills - except for spelling - and it is fun to watch him learn. We are also able to tailor it to his likes a bit more than a traditional school. He still has regular assignments, but we can do things within those to make it 'just for him'... Grammar is my favorite subject... **snort**

Anyway - thats things for the day. I have to try to freeze some homemade cream corn. Palmer is going to watch the kids for me this afternoon so I can post my kraut experience. Talk to you all soon - much love and adios, goodbye SO LONG SUCKA'S..... sorry, I was having an attack of some sort. None of you are suckers, that I know of at least - except coffeeman, he's not a sucker either really. He is more of a snicker - as in dooly. When I was little we called farts snickerdooly's.. LOL

I heap hot coals on my head....

2009-09-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

I am a gluton for punishment, we are homeschooling again. I did this a couple of years ago and LOVED IT - SO - we are at it again. Can anyone say 'your nuts'? Thank you....

How is the world treating the rest of you? Its getting cool here, only in the 60's the last 4 days. My kind of weather.... be back soon!!

Anyone...

2009-08-31T04:30:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else having trouble loading video to blogger???? I want to pull out my hair!! I have been trying to load a video for 2 DAYS and it wont go! The dirty BLEEP BLEEP BLEEPER!!!! If anyone has a suggestion, other than the Coffeeman because his will be 'Dont load the video' please let me know... thank you! Coffeeman, get to the bus NOW - window licker has her tounge stuck in the latch of the window and I am NOT helping her. This is the 3rd time this week and its only MONDAY!......

Thank you! there will be a longer post just as soon as I figure out this frigin video BLEEP! Granny and Pam C... I didnt swear, did you see that?

I am done...... in.....

2009-08-29T19:13:00.001-07:00

Sorry, no post tonight I am just to POOPED to pop.. Hope to write my adventures in the morning! Hope you all have a great night and weekend!

BUSY - BUSY - BUSY.....

2009-08-29T07:25:00.001-07:00

Well good morning my friends! Today I have a respite from milking, shoveling crap, unloading straw/hay and all that jazz. However, I am not getting a spa treatment, my nails done, nor my hair cut - Milk Man cuts my hair.... has for 17 years. Last time I had my hair cut by someone else.....I dont remember! He's pretty darn good to! not just at cutting my hair either... **snort** but, I am making applesauce today and crocking my kraut AGAIN - second and last batch of the year! PRAISE BE! Tommorow I have to do the corn and beets, tomatos are not doing very well this year at all so I may have to buy some or trade a table dance for a couple buckets.... I am SURE I will get a bunch thrown at me if I try to dance on a table! LOL Anyway! Things are the same here, but the Milk Man and I have decided not to let this steal our joy.... I try to not have a bad attitude and not to let things get me down, so I am sorry for unloading all that on you guys! I know in my heart what ever happens is for Gods greater plan and I accept that - always have just dont always like it... **grin** SO - I will post later tonight about my kraut and sauce... PROMISE!

LOVE YOU ALL and thank you for your support, prayers, gifts and love. There is no greater love than the compasion for others through Gods love and care. LOVE YOU GUYS....

later....

A new day....

2009-08-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone - WOW - is all I can say. Thank you all so much for your prayers, they have lifted me and helped me to cope with today and look forward for tommorow. It always amazes me how you can literally FEEL people holding you up in prayer and the strength that is drawn from that!! Your offers to help have made me feel loved beyond words and the encouragment that has been given has helped me to be strong for the Milk Man. He is hurting, nothing is written in stone as far as what will be sold - but big changes are on the way. I believe in miricles, I truely do and its going to have to be a large one for us to continue. We are not WAY IT DEBT - however for us to continue there are financial changes that have to be made and with the prices as they are......it wont be feasable. There are SEVERAL other things weighing on this also, that I wont get into because its personal and I wont write about those things because its not my 'place'..... I know I have written about several things that are pretty personal, but they are about my family, myself or the Milk Man and this involves others - so I feel the need to leave it at that. You guys are wonderful and I cant imagine my life without being able to blog. Before, i wasnt sure this was somthing that I wanted to continue, but now I cant imagine if I dont.....

SO, thank you again and I hope to have a fun post up in the near future. Till then, here is a little some thing for you to hold you over.. :)

Ya know how a 10 year old boy show's his mom how much he loves her?????

By walking through the damp morning grass, getting soaking wet from the waist down, carrying his precious treasure about 1/4 of a mile through thorns and brush, to bring her the best little treat in the world... cuz he has payed attention and knows they are her favorite....

Black Rasberries - better known here as black caps....

My nerves......

2009-08-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well, where does one start at times. Needless to say its been hectic lately and I am on the verge of guzzeling all the cough syrup, cooking wine, after shave and sucking on the alcohol swabs that come with our dry cow treating tubes..in other words - my nerves are S-H-O-T.... I'm tired, I stink, I have not time for baking, barely time for cooking and my boys are starting to show signs of fungus growth on parts of their little smelly bodys, cuz really I dont remember the last time I bathed them.... stop shaking your finger at me or a I may bite it off....

Palmer is doing well, he has little pain and that is a prayer answered. We are going to be going back to the dr sometime soon to have his skin graft looked at, but not sure what day that will be.
Now to the serious stuff......
On my blog I have always tried to remain at least upbeat and made an attempt at being funny, but right now I have some serious things that I need to ask of you all. With Palmers injury and many other things our income has went into the toilet. We dont have a savings, because in farming its always being used and replentished and used...right now, there is no way to replenish it. I have not been able to work this last week and for at least 3 more because its harvest time - I do ALL the milking and a major part of the barn chores because the MilkMan is so busy trying to keep the machinery going and helping me with the sick or newly fresh cattle. Not to mention fixing all the things that break, combineing Barley, Oats and cutting our hay. We have at least 3000 bales of alfalfa hay that needs to be gotten off of the field today, becaues rain is coming tommorow, we also have about 1200 bales of straw to get up for the same reason.....

So I come to you with a request for prayers for our family - to pray for our needs to be met, as they always are...but the Lord hears all our prayers and I am hoping that I can find some strength that is God given, cuz I am wearing out fast. I know I am not a spring chicken anymore,but I am tiring way faster than I should be. In my heart I know its because I worry about money - not for the love of it but only for our needs to be met. I know that they will be because God has promised those who believe that they shall be sustained.... I dont doubt that for a second, I guess what I am asking for is for you all to stand with me in prayer for my family. That you would pray for a windfall of some sort for us, that would not require death, further dismemberment or anything illegal... Its one of those times when EVERYTHING is needed.... kids need socks and underwear - baby needs diapers, I need lyposuction and a face lift... :) But, really its the bills needing to be paid that gets me the most. I dont like not having enough to pay bills -let alone buy the things that are 'needed'... Our income is based on so many things and we never make more than $15-18000 on a good year.. well this year has been worse than bad...LOL I dont like to cry on anyones shoulders cuz I know there are far worse off folks then me. I have healthy kids, a loving husband and my faith.... as a christian we are expected to lean on each other for support so I guess that is what I am asking for - support, not sympathy... dont feel sorry for me, just try to understand where I am coming from . SO - as I said before I would appreciate any prayers this way. You guys are great and I love each of you with all my heart. Thank you for praying for Palmer, I truely believe your prayers are the biggest reason for his steady increase of strength and decrease of pain.

I gotta go - hay is waiting and cows are calling. We are probably going to have a new calf before this evening. I am taking the camera with me for close ups... later dudes.

p.s. If you know anyone who has an extra $15,000 laying around... I know RIGHT where it can be put.... :) lyposuction is expensive...

p.p. s anyone want to come help me with canning, crocking and freezing my garden... I have a room for you to sleep and all the work you want..... thanks..... over and out...

There has been an accident....

2009-08-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

Hi guys - sorry I have been absent, but things have spun a bit out of control the last week. Palmer, my oldest got his hand caught in a grain auger and has lost his middle finger and crushed to others. I am trying to juggle, cleaning, cooking, laundry, nursing him back to health, I am now back to milking full time and helping the Milk Man with all of the chores and field work. Take one man out of the game and it turns everything on its head.... Thank God and I do mean God - he is going to make a full recovery, minus his middle finger from the middle knuckle up... could have been his whole arm or death had the belt not slipped and the Milk Man walked in the shed the minute that it happened. Jesus is amazing isnt He....always taking care of us when we need it the most. :) SO, I am hoping that I will be able to post a bit tonight. Please stick with me and dont delete me from your blog rolls..... I will be back with pictures of all of my trials and tribulations .... and possibly really blood shot eyes... and a snotty nose... and crap on my shirt.

Love you all..... even you the bus driver and the window licker... they know who they are... ***giggle - looks at Coffee Man and Willow Witch****

later dudes....

Hello from - where am I?

2009-08-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Wow - it has been SO long since I posted that I have forgotten who I am... fat chance, no one lets me forget that. Especially when they are hungry, dirty, crying or wanting me to 'watch this mom' and then apply bandaids. I have been busy with several projects the last few weeks, most of which I have learned new things. We have had one of our dearest friends up to saw lumber for us.. truth be told - he and his dear wife are basically our only friends in real life.... except for my former employer - he loves me cuz he says I can cook..... he's old, it nots true. Anyway - I have been doing a bunch of stuff for work and like I said sawing lumber. I am going to be loading the pictures tonight - my camera is in the car and I am to tired - read here LAZY - to go get it. So after the kids are fed and in bed, I will be posting.

A bit of news to share..... I have been dumped, outdone, replaced, washed up, set aside, put on the back burner, I have been.......... topped...... Schnitzel has replaced me...... my hopes now remain with The Trout, that he will continue to love me for my - well I dont know why, but just that he will - ok! Hope you 2 are having a great time!!! Big Son says go get em Trout! :) We have not gotten anything lately, because of the rain but we have hopes for the weekend. See ya later tonight.

For Heaven sake....

2009-08-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

I cant find the camera.... this has been a public service announcement - please hold for further instructions, or programing or whatever may come next cuz I surely dont know what I am doing.....

thank you.

oh, these were for me... compliments of the Palmer and the hay field water run...

So sorry!

2009-08-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

Hey guys - I am SO sorry that I have not been here. We are sawing logs and I am the off loader! The first day we sawed over 2000 board feet, yesterday 1720 and today, well we are not done yet today!! SO - I will have pictures of the whole thing tonight!!! LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

Cherry juice.. do you make it?

2009-08-01T04:13:00.001-07:00

This year our cherry trees are finally producing like gangbuters~~ or is that busters, - shhheeeeessshhh... short fingers - anyway, I am going to try to make cherry jelly - and to do that you have to boil down lots of cherries to make cherry juice. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I will try to post about that later today and I may even get a couple of pics up of Milk Dud face planting in his birthday cake... it was priceless, frosting up his nose and the whole bit.

The last few days have been damp and chilly here in the north. We have not had a hot summer, I dont mind that, but the cool weather doesnt make the corn grow or the oats and barley rippen. It was so damp, that I actually started a fire in the wood stove... My basement smells like, well wet basement - I HATE THAT!! so I ran the dehumidfier and the stoked up the stove to dry it out...it helps so much. I better run, cherries dont cook themselves. I have 4 1/2 gallons of berries right now and the tree is only 1/2 picked, no I am not kidding..

And the public service announcement for the day is this - you MUST wear an aproved helmet when you are karate-judo-taikwondo-boxfigtkicking.. as Lispy is demonstraiting..

My Mornings...

2009-07-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

I was wondering this morning as I fried eggs - why do mornings start out with a cage match between the old school wrestlers - Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior???? Boys must have a special gene that requires them to stand on each other and pull apentages i.e. arms, legs or anything else that can being pulled on...... Just a thought - the ref is a little guy that has a big mouth.. He looks much like this....

Then there is beaver boy... yes, he said he was trying to be a beaver...
Then a Walrus....
>
Do I have funny offspring or what... Big Son is SO not interested in being any type of animal. He wants to read about WWII and guns - I love my boys, as wierd as they are!

Happy Birthday Milk Dud......

2009-07-30T04:14:00.001-07:00

One year ago today I was looking like this.....

Then there was this.....

Then....

oh - I cant bear this anymore.... so here are just a bunch of pictures.. *SOB*

See how dirty his tshirt is after his daddy held him..

The worlds bestest babysitter - is what we call this one....

LIke a baby bird waiting to eat..

What is it about baby' s feet and butt???

and these.... are you getting bored yet... what a stroll down weight gain lane.. I mean memory, MEMORY lane....

Dont forget Lispy...

How do they grow so fast.....

not sure I can take much more of this.....

Thats it... the rest are going to have to wait till after the party tonight. My mammery glands wont take any more.. sorry.....

I will post the rest after his party tonight - your ALL invited!!!!

HE'S HOME!!!

2009-07-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you all SO SO SO SO much for your support. Dad is home resting right now, they are not sure when he will be going to back to work. He had an alergic reaction to some plastic that they use daily where he works. One of his co-workers forgot to turn on the ventalation system and he inhaled some wicked fumes. He is still having a hard time catching his breath - but he is home with breathing treatments. Thank you SO much for your prayers - I honestly believe it was the Body of Christ's prayers that helped him....when he first got to the cities - they thought they may have to put him on a ventalator....but they didnt - PRAISE GOD!

Well, amongst all that the Milk Man and I made 8 gallons of Saur Kraut today.... can anyone say its BEDTIME yet! LOL

Thank you again my dearest friends - I can never thank you all enough for sharing my life with me and letting me be part of your day and life. May you all be richly blessed!!!!

Love - The Milk Mans Wife

Good Morning everyone!

2009-07-28T03:28:00.000-07:00

Thank you SO much for all of your prayers!! My dad is still in the hospital in ICU, but they are pretty sure that he is going to be fine. Does Jesus heal or what?!?!? He was still on oxygen, but they didnt have to put him on a ventalator to help him breath and thats GREAT!! The last I heard was about 11 last night - so no knews is good news! If somthing would have come up they would have called me... Thanks to for the prayers for our family - it is so appreciated! I will let you all know later whats up - but right now I am off to bed.... I am so tired right now! :) Thank you all again -I truely beleive that when Christians pray together that all of heaven sits quietly and listens - and that Jesus rejoices in our unity! Love you all -

Heidi

Can I ask a favor???

2009-07-27T21:53:00.000-07:00

11:05 - update - Thank you for all of your prayers!!! Dad is in the ICU, his breathing is better. They did a chest xray, his lungs are ok but his bronchial's arent at this point. They are inflamed and irritated but dont seem to be burned. They are going to scope him next to see for sure whats up. He is on oxygen, but concious and responsive... They have called in a toxicoligest because of the type of fumes he inhaled.... I will update when I know more - again - THANK YOU for your prayers. The Lord hears and answers! Thank you for lifting my dad up to our savior in your prayers - I firmly believe He hold us all in His mighty hands!!! talk to you all soon!!!

I hate to ask, but would you all be willing to say a little prayer for my dad - he was at work tonight and inhaled something. They are not sure what it is, but he is in the hospital now and are going to transfer him to Regents hospital in the twin cities.... If you would add him to your prayer lists I would REALLY appreciate it.... his name is Mike... THANK YOU and I will keep you all posted.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

Heidi

Mr. Obama's so called health care...

2009-07-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

First - I have got to say how thankful I am for each of you and for the comments you leave for me when I post. When Schnitzel and Trout were here, it truly made me realize that you have let me be part of your lives and I NEVER EVER want to take that for granted. SOOOO, I hope you understand that when I write about things like this, its not to change your mind or devalue your opinion - its because there are things I either don't understand and need to research OR its because something slaps me in the face as being COMPLETELY insane, ridiculous or down right wrong. So goes this current nonhealth plan.

First - I worked as a W-2 worker in our great state for 7 years. If you are not familiar with W2 look it up. Its called Wisconsin Works - don't be fooled, its still welfare but under a different name. Anyway - W2 itself is not the only assistance programs there are. Medical Assistance, from now on will be referred to as MA - is also a part of public assistance in general. To qualify for public assistance you have to meet certain criteria for each program to be eligible for said program. For MA - there were 17 different categories you could fall into - you had to either have children or be disable and/or elderly. The income limits for these programs were VERY low when I first started, but Wisconsin was in the middle of revamping our whole welfare system - thank you Tommy Thompson - when I first started and the state was billed by the doctor/hospital or clinic directly. At that time each facility had its own billing dept and certain people would handle the MA billing - most facilities are still this way (Willow Witch - any insight on this would be great - thank you) Soooo the clinic/facility would bill the state directly. When billing for MA there are certain codes that need to be used so that the $$ is ear tagged and they know how much $$ was spent on what illness's etc. MA coding is a big deal, HOWEVER, the state had specialists to help the clinic or facility if they were not coding correctly. It was a good system and it WORKED well - very cost effective with little issue about payment. Fast forward about 8mo into my work as a W-2 specialist- enter HMO's, or in other words - come on in and lets throw money into a bottomless pit so we can raise taxes, get poor service, have chaos in billing and payment practices and basically spend $$ NEEDLESSLY!! Before HMO's were allowed into the MA world you had direct bill - direct pay... so if you had a $300 bill from the doctor it was billed to the state and the state payed $300 simple right - right. So if the next month you didn't have any medical expenses the state paid nothing.... sound good so far? WELL, when the HMO's were allowed to come into the picture this is what happened, I hope you can follow this....its kind of confusing. The HMO's would 'facilitate' the billing/payment process of MA but to do this each person on MA had to be enrolled in the HMO and the state had to pay the HMO for EACH PERSON that was enrolled in it. getting this so far? Not only did they have to then pay for the service that was provided they had to pay for the HMO to 'handle' the billing for each recipient. The state had to pay for the MA recipient EACH MONTH regardless if they used the MA or not. The state has to pay on an average of $150 PER PERSON PER MONTH - whether they went to the dr. or not.... stupid huh? That 'premium' is on a sliding scale, but that is the 'average' - so a family of 4 cost the state $600 per month whether they went to the dr or not.... now how dumb is that???? There were no jobs lost or gained in the process of allowing HMO's into the scheme of things - it was purely for the benefit of HMO's - friends of politicians... Wisconsin had 5,900,000 people in it and in 2004 there were 800,000 people on MA JUST IN WISCONSIN.... so for 1 month of HMO premiums the state paid $120,000,000 - for the year it was $1,441,000,000 - from one state...... Now it could be more, but it wont be less. People that are ill more often or have chronic issues its more - but for people who never or rarely use it - it is still paid.... Fee for service worked and saved SO MUCH BETTER. The HMO's argue that people were abusing the 'system' because they were going from one dr. to the next or going to the ER more than needed... well - I really doubt that they were spending $120,000,000 per month of frivolous medical expenses.. how does this equate into the current nonhealth agenda - well, it would just be on a bigger scale.

Secondly, in the new nonhealth care plan - people who have chronic illness could be REFUSED treatment because it was/is not cost effective. Excuse me? I pay taxes and you will not give me the health care I am paying for? Also, if you are over 59 you will not be allowed to have heart stents, open heart surgery etc because its not 'cost effective' - Tom Daschel stated and I quote
"health-care reform will not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them." Now remember, that doesn't include Tommy boy or Mr. Obama OR ANY representative that has ever been in office... They have free health care and pension FOR LIFE regardless of how they got into office or how long they stayed there and that includes their spouse....

Well, that is enough of my rant for now. There are other things that I want to write about and I will in the future, BUT I think this is enough to digest for the moment. Let me know if I have any information that you feel is incorrect.. I have fuzzy math syndrome sometimes.. *snicker* but I promise it is not with the intent to deceive - it has to do with 3 children pulling my hands as I type or try to use the calculator...

Love to you all - The Milk Mans Wife

Obama's healthcare plan...

2009-07-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

I would LOVE to know how you all feel about it, if you have read about it or have any ideas' as to where it will lead our country. They want cost efective, to reduce spending - yet we are spending MILLIONS on 'same sex marriage issues'.... where are our prioritys? seriously? Is it not discrimination to with hold healthcare because of age??? yet, we cant discriminate about MARRIAGE - lest someone be offended.. let them die but dont offend them right???? You are all welcome to leave comments - but no name calling...

Ed Freeman...an American Hero

2009-07-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

I got this email tonight and had to post this to my blog.. whoever started this email and whoever the picture belongs to - please for give me for using it without permission. When I start to read things like this, my heart aches with pride for them and hurt that they are not remembered nor acknowledged for what they have done for us. It angers me so badly that young kids - not including mine - don't give a crap about WWII/Vietnam/Korea etc. They are NOT taught the worth of these people, nor do they learn from the experiences that these wars brought. I wrote about Michael Jackson and now feel horrible that I don't take more care in honoring those who TRULY deserve it - SO this is just the beginning, I want to try to honor those who have served when I can.

This is how we can know the depths of Gods love for us, by seeing it in other people. This man showed his love for his fellow man in such a way that I cant even describe. When I read this, I literally sobbed.... If there were some way that I could personally thank these men - I would do it in a heart beat...

This was the email..

Michael Jackson dies and it’s 24/7 news coverage. A real American hero dies and not a mention of it in the news. The media has no honor and God is watching

Ed Freeman

You're a 19-year-old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray, Vietnam . Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac helicopters to stop coming in. You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day. Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter and you look up to see an unarmed Huey, but it doesn't seem real because no Medi-Vac markings are on it. Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come. He's coming anyway. And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire as they load 2 or 3 of you on board. Then he flies you up and out, through the gunfire to the doc tors and nurses. And he kept coming back, 13 more times, and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died on Wednesday, June 25th, 2009, at the age of 80, in Boise , ID. May God rest his soul.
Medal of Honor Winner Ed Freeman! Since the media didn't give him the coverage he deserves, send this to every red-blooded American you know.
THANKS AGAIN, ED, FOR WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR COUNTRY. RIP

Guess what Milk Dud is doing...

2009-07-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

how hard is this to watch?

My New BFF's S & T......

2009-07-15T06:13:00.001-07:00

That sounds like a type of electric company doesn't it? Well, here is the story of how the Milk Man and I met our new BFF's.... Schnitzel and the Trout - they are like family already - wait they are better than family cuz, well, truth be told sometimes ya just don't like your family - but mostly you do....or not - or, well - never mind..... I can honestly say I had the most joyous time visiting with these 2 sweethearts, I cant remember when I have enjoyed company more. However, we don't get much company - but that should NOT reflect on how much fun we had with you two stinkers!!! My mom came over to wrangle the boys so we could have a few minutes of uninterrupted conversation with our new friends. My granny came over to supervise of course - in complete honesty, she came over to make sure I didn't break out the cha-cha heels and start dancing on the table....she's dependable like that. Big Son was tickled to death that The Trout wanted to look at his frozen trout - we caught it a few days before they got here. Milk Dud was very receptive to all the love he got - how many times have I said he's a lover not a fighter - and Lispy.... well, what does this tell you?

See, he's a very gracious host - he treated them just like family. He wanted to make them feel so comfortable that he even stripped to his undies and did his Water Welcome dance for them... I got great kids don't I? Big Son joined him of course and well, the picture perfect family fell apart right before the eyes of our guests... but they were gracious and didn't flinch..... I swore I saw them drinking on the way out of the driveway - I am sure their nerves were a complete frazzled mess..... glad they were not driving to Montana from here!!

Now to be serious - what a wonderful couple. I cant wait for their return trip and wish they could visit us weekly. Trout is great fella and Schnitzel - she is one of the sweetest woman I have ever met - truly!
This was take at our farm and that short German lady on the right is my mother in law - Betty. She is as much fun as she looks, if she couldn't laugh she choke to death. Schnitzel is next, then my hunk of burning love, I, I, I mean the Milk Man then the Trout... he's a keeper too! Ya know what I loved the most about his couple... I hope you guys don't mind me saying this out loud to the world but here it goes... They have been married for 40+ years and you can see that they are still VERY MUCH IN LOVE with one another. I hope that the Milk Man and I can be that way when we are at that stage of life. We miss you guys already and Milk Man said that on your way back from Montana - ya better stop back!!

NOW, before I close I have a couple of things I MUST show you. One of my favorite people sent me something that was made by another favorite person of mine..... isn't this gorgeous???

Karen from Fresh Fixins had this sent to me and Suzanne, the farmers wife made it and sent it. You guys are to much!! It is beautiful and I LOVE IT... so does the Milk Man - that apron and my red heels are now is favorite outfit for me.... did I just say that out loud.... sorry granny.... bleach your minds eye if you cant handle it...

AND - when S & T came she brought me these....

She made the dish towel and the cookbook is from her family - what thoughtful gifts. Milk Man was only disappointed that I couldn't wear the dish towel like I could the apron - then he said maybe I could just hold it up in front of me.... He's thoughtful like that...

Love to you all... Karen, an extra thank you to you. I don't think you realize how much your friendship means to me. When I have a downer day - something usually comes in the mail from you that makes it all better - for me and the boys.

Gotta run - Milk Man just called and needs help with cutting some brush along one of the fields.. and away we go!

Good Morning Everyone...

2009-07-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

I know you are all waiting with baited breath - but I have been busier than a cat trying to bury poop on a tin roof..... I had to work yesterday and today - left the camera in the car and I am to lazy to go out and get it before I post... really, I am THAT lazy. But, I wanted you all to know that I LOVE you guys and I cant believe the amount of friendship that you guys have poured out on this backwards country girl. Schnitzel and the Trout are WONDERFUL people. I felt like I had known them forever and that no matter what we would be fast friends. I dont know that I have mentioned before that The Milk Man is 1/2 Norwegian and 1/2 German - so that is a HUGE part of our lives. What I mean by that is how we live, what we eat - right down to some of the words we use - like Uffda.. SO - later today and I promise! I will post about our little get together, pictures included. Lispy didnt go on a swearing binge praise God, but he did strip down to his undies in celebration of our new friends arrival...thank the Lord he kept them on... Big Son was on good behavior also and Milk Dud - he's a lover not a fighter.... OH - and in my next post I have a short video for you all to share in. SO, I shall see you later my dear friends. Have to get the kids to VBS this morning, work this afternoon, dr. apt this afternoon and karate this evening.... I hate days like this will all of the 'running' about... love to you all!!

An Update..

2009-07-13T03:26:00.000-07:00

Just getting my post ready - will be back later today to tell you of the adventure of meeting Scnitzel and Trout - No Coffeeman its NOT a german fish fry. *rolls eyes* so simmer down and get my breakfast ready.... pancakes would be nice, and juice, and bacon - have I mentioned I love bacon... I have, well live with it cuz I am telling ya again.

be back later, I have to start my bread for the week and get ready for work. I have a bunch of stuff to do today that I need to have done by Wednesday.... wish me luck!

I'M so EXCITED part II...

2009-07-12T10:17:00.001-07:00

I am SO excited and neverous, but excited, but terrified and scared, but excited!! I am having company today and I have never met them before face to face.... They are 'internet friends' as wrong as that may sound!! *snort* dont telly granny - she will disown me.... Schnitzel and Trout are coming to visit us in less than 3 hours! GAH - I hope I dont disapoint them, I am SO SURE they think I am a 6 foot blonde with rockin legs in 4 inch heels - and a Body like Tyra Banks. AND that I walk around in a french maid uniform making bon-bons for my family while whisteling Dixi... GOSH - what are they going to think of my SPAWN... I mean Lipsy, come on we know his vocabulary consists of words that are less than Sunday School material and Big Son is getting the 'back off mom' attitude - and Milk Dud, well he's just a lover not a fighter....

LOVE YOU ALL - You may never hear from me again... Schnitzel and Trout CANT WAIT for you to get here!!!

I'm SO excited...

2009-07-12T04:03:00.000-07:00

My aching thalimus.....

2009-07-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone know what your Thalimus is? I DO!!! Just wanted to say hello and that I am working on a post that is going to knock your socks off... Talk to you all Soon! Promise - girls scouts honor, even though I was never a girl scout.. not that I dont like the girl scouts cuz I totally do. Its just that we lived in the country, 2 miles from town and no one had the time to run me in to the meetings.. gosh I guess this has bothered me for a while.. I never got to sell cookies or wear the cute little berret or the sash... BUT, I did get to wear a sash when I was the town's princess.... Uffda - now I feel better about that... so, what was I talking about?? my post... ok - I will be back later with a post..

Wait - one more thing.. Remember when I spoke of garden porn earlier this year? I was in the sheer delight when my Gurneys catalog showed up? Well, here is more garden porn...cover the childrens eyes - they should not have to see this....

See ya later!

What I know for the day....

2009-07-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!!

First I want to thank everyone for the wonderful support of my post a couple of days ago. It was just one of those days.. I don't have them very often and I was'nt in the throws of a deeply troubled day, but I was SO NOT feeling good about myself. Anyway that has passed and I am on to new things... like dieting... **snigger**

I don't know much today in the way of anything really - save one thing... I KNOW my boys don't have clean underwear on.... I am not sure they have underwear on at all......

Have a great day - drive sober and safe - eat till your satisfied and love life!!! It can go by so fast!!

All my love to you guys!!

The Milk Mans Wife

P.S - this is what we are doing.....

Houston, we have a problem...

2009-07-01T04:31:00.001-07:00

HELLO!!!!! My name is chubby.. They call me chubby because, well, I'm chubby. It all started in 1998 when I weighed a svelte 137lbs - mostly muscle, seriously. I helped cut wood through my whole pregnancy, that included swinging an 8lb maul to split wood.... I was in good shape. Big Son was born c-section on Sunday night at 9:20 - I went home on Wednesday night and started milking again on Friday morning... no kidding. After Big Son was born I was thinner than when I started.... BUT, I added a little bit of weight on, but not to much to be worried about... forward about 6 years.... I was about 143 when I got pregnant with Lispy - I walked 12 miles per day, no I am not lying I am serious as a heart attack... I wore a pedometer and worked in a parts warehouse at the time. I had to walk several different rows and pick parts for shipment. I was in GREAT SHAPE. He was born on a Friday morning c-section - and on Monday I drove myself home from the hospital... don't tell the Dr. they REALLY frown on that... BUT not much weight went off and he weighted 8lbs... I had gained 17....After that I put on some weight and it seemed like I would NEVER be thin again.. BUT I was in 'good shape' - I have always been pretty muscly - if that's a real word... SO, I told myself I'm buff, yeah that's it I'm buff cuz ya know muscle weighs more than fat... THEN I got pregnant with Milk Dud. All bets were off at this point - I gained about 23lbs but when he was born NONE OF IT LEFT!! What the heck already... I had a baby and it doesnt even look like its gone!!!! NOW, I am left with a poochy belly that seems like bread dough.... Anyone who has had a c-section will understand what I am talking about. YOU HAVE NO STOMACH MUSCLES!!! I am writing this today, cuz I am......... depressed ................. I have tried everything from vigorous exercise to tempting the Milk Man to make a small incision, start up the shop vac and suction that fat away.... BUT, then I look at this

and realize that a the weight is worth every army man in the carpet that I step on, every 'Mom I am hungry - FEEEED MEEEEE', every 'He hit me first', every 'What do you mean we have no graham crackers', every 'I wanted fried eggs not boiled', every pair of stray stockings, under ware and mud caked bedsheets (don't ask)..... The other night Lispy was so tired, that when he got home from the farm he went straight to his room... usually Palmer or MilkMan help him shower while I get supper ready. Some how he snuck by me in the kitchen, it could have been when I had my head in the fridge singing - Lynard Skynerd, Sweet Home Alabama - at the top of my lungs. Anyway, I went looking for him when it was time to eat.... he was curled up in his bed and was filthy dirty...he had dried cow poop on his feet and his face was full of grease...but he was completely zoned out - I let him sleep, poopy feet and all. If you want the Children's protective services number, I am sure its in the phone book.... What I am getting at with all of this is - does anyone have some good ways that are not OVERBOARD with just taking a few pounds off. I work all day at home here, but have realized that I don't do as much as I used to. I don't do all the milking anymore, with all the house work, yard work and child rearing - I truly don't have the time. I do help out with other things that need to be done, but I am just not as active as I was a few years ago. Much to my surprise to say the least. I feel that I am always busy doing something and I am, but I guess its just not enough to loose much weight. ANYWAY!!!

How is everyone else doing? I have a couple of more posts to put up today or tommorow which ever comes first....

I leave you with this - please control your laughing if you are at work - your boss WILL hear you.. AND - PUT ALL LIQUIDS DOWN - you have been warned...

Big Son and I made a bet... underwear or no underwear....

We have a winner!!!!

Michael Jackson....

2009-06-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

How sad this is. I know he was a bit odd - but if you look at his life, as a whole - I feel really bad, to an extent, for him. I feel he was in an abused home AND that he was used all of his life. He could never trust anyone and I cant imagine living like that.. Truley a sad thing.... His poor children and I cant imagine what kind of life they are going to live now.. From what I understand he had nannies, BUT that he was the major care giver... There are no words...

He was the Elvis of my generation....

Happy Fathers Day....

2009-06-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the dad's in the world who have stuck by your kids and raised them to the best that you can. I honestly believe that there is no more important role in a child's life than a father....they need moms for things too - but I really believe fathers have a special kind of place in a child's life. Dad's are needed for guidance and discipline - moms can do that too, but if you are honest... Dad's do it better and get better results - at least for boys!!! As for little girls...they need a good example of what a man is so she has something to compare to for a husband... Now, I am sure there are lots of people who don't agree with me BUT - pa-shaw!!
My dad is a great feller - if there is a weeny roast he's there - if there is a tractor ride to be given - he's your man - if there is teasing to be done - he is SOOOOOOOOOOOO willing to be the go to guy... But, all kidding aside - my dad has done his best to be good father and has done things for us that most guys wouldn't. When I was little my dad worked a full time job as a lumberjack AND farmed. He milked cows before he went to work, worked a 10 hour day and came home to milk again - then he did field work at night..... Dad, I love you more than you can ever know and I don't always say it - but your the best!!!! Happy Fathers Day!!

Now onto my father in law....'Dad' - thank you for all the things that you and 'ma' have done for our family. From the constant supply of advice to the endless work you have done to help our family succeed in farming. Your a blessing, even though you wouldn't admit it.

To my lover - There are no words to tell you how much you mean to me on this day. Your the father that I always wanted any children that I had, to be blessed with. Your patient, kind, thoughtful, loving and yet are able to keep them all in line. If there was one word to describe you it is devoted - completely and utterly devoted to your family and our well being. Thank you for being the rock of my world, there is no one I love more than you - except God Himself.

But whats not to love.... I mean come on people....

I also just have to say - Ree - as much as I appreciate all of the pictures of Marlboro Man's chap wearing posterior and his muscly (muscle - eee), vein bulging forearms and although I agree he is verile.... I have to say..... he's got nothing on these baby's....

Ok... Ok - glad you see it my way!

Happy fathers day everyone!!!!

btw - CoffeeMan - your a great dad... and shortie is a lucky little girl!!

Lispy at the Nursing home....

2009-06-20T05:04:00.001-07:00

Mornin' everyone. I was running through my pictures this morning trying to think of what to post. SO - I found these from our trip to the nursing home. My sister in law works in the activities dept. of one of the local 'old folks home' and I was asked to make Rumagrot for the Syttende Mai celebration. So these are some picures of that day.. Lispy loved the old people and they loved him and Milk Dud... These ladies are making Sandbukkels... for you Norskies out there, please dont mind my spelling, its bad. These are just ramdom things - but Lispy was helping one of the activity people plant flowers... it was chaos... really.

Last but not least an ole farmer sang to Milk Dud... his name is Arnie and I wanted to scoop him up and bring him home with me. I worked in nursing homes when I was younger and I LOVE OLD people... they have so much to offer and are so under appreciated. so here is Arnie singing....

He is the sweetest ole feller you could ever wat to meet. SO, I leave you with that and I want to say thanks for being my friends. later dudes....

A dear friend...

2009-06-19T07:56:00.001-07:00

Ya know we all have those people that we have met bloggin. They seem to be family the second that you get to 'know' them. I have had such an oportunity since I started blogging. People have sent me and my family WONDERFUL gifts, cards, food and most of all wonderful friendships. They have allowed me to be part of their lives and I am so thankful to have them.. Each of you are so important to me, even though we have not seen each others faces at times - but you have all been wonderful to me in so many ways. Today a friend of mine needs a little nudge of support - things are tough all over for farmers or farm workers etc. SO, do my friend a favor and stop over to her place...

http://www.athomewiththefarmerswife.blogspot.com/ I cant get the dang link to work!!

Go there and read what a great gal she is, how AWSOME she sews and what a true friend she is. Suzanne wants nothing more than to be a friend and she is truely that in every sense of the word - SO GO THERE and give her a big hug while your at it!!!

In news around here..... I am putting my children up for sale... The Milk Man says I will have to pay someone to take them.

Sunday Lovin -

2009-06-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Not THAT kind of Sunday lovin....well, maybe it should be **snort snort** Anyway, the Milk Man took me on a cycle ride on Sunday - Have I ever mentioned he's a biker dude...no - ok well he's a HOT BIKER DUDE!!! His chaps are a bit differant than a cowboys, but JUST as tasty, I mean functional....ya functional. I am going to be wrighting daily from now on - What do you mean I have said this before - oh pishposh, you must be thinking of someone else *snicker* - BUT, I want to write about the things I love and biking is one of those. Now, I dont mean biking like this....

The first thought I have when I see those is - get a motor on that thing you poor bugger...

No, I mean THIS type of biking...

MM and I try to go every other Sunday for a couple of hours - when we can get someone to watch the passle of kids we have spawned...brats the lot of them... BUT, in honesty we get to go MAYBE once a month. When we do go, its just for a short jaunt - but it really helps keep us 'hooked'....
While on our rides we encounter people of all differant types... ones who wave, ones who scoul and shake their heads - biker trash ya know - ones who try to get as close as they can to you with their car and then pull up next to you talking on their cell phone and weaving back and forth in the lane they are in... Those people, are MORONS.. sorry - its a fact... NOW, one of the reasons I am writing this is because there is SUCH a sterotype about bikers in general.. When I was little living on the farm we would make a trip to town MAYBE 1 every two weeks and that was a town of less than 500 - when we went to the Big Town (it was less than 8000) we were culture shocked EVERY TIME WE WENT - at least I was.. My folks or grandparents took us to Big Town once every 3-4 months and that was mostly to get clothing becuase we needed it and to stock up on 'sale' items that the grocerys stores had.... gosh, I am getting way to long winded, but you know that by now right.. ANYWAY - the reason I bring that up is because when we would go to town, we would sometimes see Bikers... My brother and I were SURE that they were Hells Angesl because ONLY Hells Angels road Harleys... No one BUT Hells Angels road motorcycles and if you rode a bike - you were 'bad'... LOL that is so funny to me now because knowing the people that I do who bike, they are the FIRST ones that would stop to help an old lady on the side of the road, they are the FIRST ones that would stop at an accident and see if they are needed, they are the FIRST ones to donate their time for local charity's etc. There are tons of 'rides' that go on around here for charitys etc.... yet they are a scorned group of people - what a bad sterotype. Bikers have a 'code' that they follow on and off the road...

1. Always wave at another biker - no matter what they are riding they are your commrade.

2. Watch out for each other. There can never be to many eyes looking out for each other on the road.

3. Be a good citizen because it reflects on the rest of us.

4. Be safe and have a good time...

#2 is VERY important. So many people dont see bikes and dont care if they do. When I say there is a 'stigma' about bikers - there is.. the first thing ya think of is topless bimbo's at Sturgis.. Right???? Or the biker that picked a fight in a bar and beat the crap out of a bunch of people... Well, let me tell you there is SO much more to people who ride cycle's than that.
I am bringing this all up because I have a favor to ask anyone who reads my blog to WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES... To be more aware of what they need to do while riding and to GIVE THEM ROOM!!! Just because they are small, doesnt mean they need less time to stop or less room to move over - it means that if they dont have enough room and get hit - they will be hurt beyond repair or dead - helmet or not.... The other reason I am bringing this up, is because on Sunday - I was almost hit... we were on a2 lane highway that had a third lane coming up as an on ramp. There was a truck coming up that ramp and didnt even look to see if there was anyone coming. I started to down shift and was watching in my left lane to see if I could get over before he got to me, but there were cars that WOULD NOT LET ME IN!!!! The Milk Man was right behind me and when I looked in my rear side mirror I could see he was worried...there was NO WHERE TO GO! 2 of the cars to my left sped by - on their phones.. oh How I wanted to grab those phones and beat them with them.. OH I MEAN - I wanted to make them pay attention!!! sure pay attention, thats it... anyway - as we went along this guy kept coming and was NOT LOOKING for any vehicles let alone a bike. When I wasy there was no where to go I MEAN NO WHERE - if you are ever in a situation to give a bike some room, please do it - give them lots of space to get out of your way and anyone elses... As this guy got closer, 2 differant cars moved in on the left and totally boxed me in - then the guy started into my lane - he did put his blinker on, but never looked... This all happened in about 7 seconds. The 2 cars that were on my left could have either sped up or dropped back to give me a way out - but didnt... When i tell you I was 14 inches from the trucks bumper please know I am as serious as a heart attack... He didnt see me till I was looking at him in his side mirror, then he about crapped his pants. No, he was NOT an 'older' man - he was someone who knew better and should have been more attentive. I sure hope no one thinks I am making myself sound like the best driver in the world who always does the right thing cuz I am not, BUT I do pay attention and make sure I drive safely so that I dont put someone else in danger.

Well guys, I hope I havent over loaded you at this point, but I really needed to get that off my chest. Most people who ride love to ride for the sake of feeling free for a little while - I cant speak for the speed bikes however - One other thing if you see a biker dressed in all leather - with or without a helmet - they probably NOT Hells Angels.... Oh - and if they are wearing a 'skull cap' its to shear the wind and save the hair that they have left, if they are going bald... ya know...

later....man....

Fried bread....

2009-06-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

How many of you have food from your childhood that you make for yourself today? There are so many that I want to make yet, I am afraid they wont taste like the used to... and I dont want to quash that memory.. That being said, there are a handful of things that I DO make that have turned out pretty good and close to the memory that I have of them. Fried bread is one of them.

Its just fresh bread dough fried in butter.... I often brown onions and fry it in that butter OR I fry it in just butter, then sprinkle either salt, white sugar, brown sugar or jam on it.. IT ROCKS!!!
Here is what it looks like and you are gonna have to make your own bread to see what it tastes like!!!

Sometimes I use dipping sauce with it.... yummmmmmy.....

So try it - I know you will like it! We do this everytime I make bread and its still a treat!

In other news Lispy had an ear growth the other morning....

The other night he had a cough, got up and got himself a mint because they seem to help his cough...

And Big Son is now in....

Milk Dud - well, he's tired cuz its hard to be a baby growing into a boy...

Till later.....

Snapin' turtles...

2009-06-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

OH Ladies! Thank you from the bottom of my belly for all of those wonderful recipes. I am going to try them one at a time and post on each one of them! *claps hands* this is almost as exciting as catching the Milk Man in the shower... I, I mean ------ oh forget it. SO - yesterday I had to finish my work for NASS... I only work VERY part time except for 2 times per year Feb, March and 2 weeks in April and the first 2 weeks of June.. those are our heavy hitter months. Anyway, yesterday was my last day to get my June area surveys done so the boys and I were on the road by 7.... figure this feed 6 other people, get my work organized, pack lunch's, pack diaper bag, pack book/activity bags for the boys and be on the road by 7 am - YES I SAID 7 AM!!! Today I am bald, in case you were wondering. The reason I am sharing all of this information, yes I finally have a reason and continue to ramble, is we came across a snapping turtle on the road yesterday. We were on a back road that was to die for gorgeous and he was in the middle of it. He is not as big as some I have seen, but he was big enough to take off a finger if he would have gotten a hold of it. Here is a short video - ok its not real short, but its not going to win awards for focus on a subject either..... in other words, you may get motion sickness from watching it. The point was, I wanted to show my boys that you DONT PICK UP A SNAPPING TURTLE!!!! This ole guy had been in some fights by the look of him. He was missing his left eye, his tail was mangled and his shell had marks on it. So here it goes....

This was the most gentle snappin turtle I have ever seen.. I have seen them literally chase someone, not like race horse mind you - but they can move pretty fast for a couple of feet and the second you think they wont snap THEY DO!!... They are much faster than you even begin to imagine..... A guy I went to school with had the end of his finger taken off by a snapping turtle - yes he was old enough to know better - but not sober enough to remember he was old enough to know better. They have also been known to bite people while swimming in the creeks the we have around here. Where I grew up we have the most beautiful creek in the world flowing through our pasture - it has 'mud banks' on it - in the summer you could see dozens of turtles laying out there sunning themselves. Growing up, I saw a snapping turtle that was the size of a large serving platter. Or about the size of a Pappa Murphys family sized pizza or bigger even... not that I love Pappa Murphys pizza or anything... cuz I only buy them when I have coupons... and I love their coupons...

SO, that's it for today.... hope you still want to be my friends after hearing me on that video..... I sound scattered don't I? of course that's not normal - I had already been in the car for about 6 hours with those kids I spawned... wouldn't that make you shaky?

Some help please....

2009-06-09T04:36:00.000-07:00

Hey guys... I have a favor to ask you all. Not sure if I have posted this before, but I have a meal planner and try to make a variety of meals. In doing this, it helps me be able to plan what I will need to have a 'well stocked pantry' for the meals that I have planned. Yes, I do stray from it on nights that things have been hectic and I dont want to make my version of Chicken cor don bleu or lasagnia and go with brats on the grill.... BUT, I have noticed that I only make 2 yes I said 2 dish's that I use rice in.... yet I love rice. Do you guys have any dish's that you would'nt mind sharing with me? I wont claim them as my own, I just want somthing differant in my menu.... If you dont mind I would like to post how they turn out though, but giving you all full credit for your creations. OK? I promise not to publish anything without telling who/where it came from. Sound fair to you all...

So I leave you with this....

The garden pose off... more pictures to come later...

and this one is AALLLL for me.....

Next time we talk I will probably be pregnant.....again....

Cover fire...

2009-06-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

How-DEE Minnie Pearl style! So sorry I didn't get to write much the last couple of days, but I have had to do my 'job' and will be done for a while again on Thursday. I just wanted to share a little bit about raising boys - which is becoming more interesting everyday. Yesterday after about 4 hours in the car and a trip to Mc'D's we were all getting a little bit pie-eyed... To pass the time in the car we often play 'tanks' or 'army' and such. Boys are like that ya know - violent. Anyway, about half way home and three quarters of the way through one of Big Sons talks about different WWII guns, when I asked for just a couple of minutes of quiet because I had to think about my next stop...aka - my ears were about to fall off because of the constant chatter.... about 45 seconds into the quiet break I hear what sounds like some one farting the Star Spangled Banner.... I look in the rear view mirror to see Big Son with a surprised look on his face. I didn't even have to say a word when he blurts 'Just laying down a little cover fire mom'..... I just nod my head and open the vented windows in the back - as the little motor is pushing the fresh air into the car, Lispy adds, with a completely straight face mind you, this... 'I thure (sure) don't vant to be around when you thop (drop) that grenade'...... needless to say the quiet was over with immediately.

When Milk Dud starts to talk, I am afraid it will be all about farts, war, guns, ammo, dirt, cow poop, how big the boogers are and so much more. I have been lulled into believing that he wont be like that - but, I want him that way I guess. They would be 'my boys' if they weren't.. so imagine those words coming from these little mouths.....

Don't mind the Milk Mans shirt...he just got done eating and the pork chops dripped on his shirt....

I love that picture.... I often picture us (meaning people) in this place. Each of us a babe being held by strong arms that love us, yet are at times unaware at what is truly going on .

Now this picture is my favorite - as a woman of course....

or better yet... his woman.

Send help, I sprung a leak....

2009-06-04T05:13:00.001-07:00

Well I did spring the leak, my sink did and its ALL over the place. Say a prayer for the shred of senility that I may still have, yes I said may have... you can never be to sure about these things with me. *snicker* SO - today is day four of the Puke -n- Poop Fest, its really more like day 6...just the last 4 its been 2 people puking and pooping instead of 1.... now, a leak of other sorts. At least I have running water, just wish it wasnt running everywhere!! *does the hula* anyway... what are the rest of you fine folks up to today? Please tell me what I am missing..

BTW, I am making bread in this mess....

Some one hand me the soap as they paddle by please....I need a bath..

SO - who thinks this is cute...

Guitar Hero...

2009-06-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

My sister left her wii here and I am playing guitar hero for the first time...

I AM ROCKING IT LIKE THE FLINSTONES BABY!!!!!

Just call me the Milk Mans Guitar Playing Titty Pulling Milk Maid....that lisps.. or not - or is so good already that I can play with my freakishly long toes...or not...

But I can tell you THIS IS F - U - N in capitals...

Yes, know the rest of the world has played this for a few years, but I like being differant... in a differant kind of way... *** runs out of the room flashing the rock on sign - with sun glass's on**

What 'star' am I....

2009-06-03T06:05:00.001-07:00

I took a little quiz the other day, ya know the ones that say you are this or that. Well this one was on what movie star/tv star are you most like.... Guess what mine said....

No, its not Ethel either...

June Bugs... shudder

2009-06-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! So sorry I have been lax in my duties here as a blog writer, but... forget it, I have no excess's... er, um, I mean I have a ton of excuses just not any that are good enough..

I was looking at my stats counter thingy this morning and found that a couple of people had visited this post....

http://themilkmanswife.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-got-award-actually-2-of-them.html

not sure why, but they did - however I went on to read it again and realized - ITS JUNE!! Time for those horrible June bugs.. See, I know for a fact that they are Satan with wings. They must rule Hell because I cant think of ANYTHING a more disgusting or horrifying creature than these....

The only other thing that ranks right up there is this.....

For the love of GOD - WHY WOULD YOU TOUCH THIS!! Seeing this makes me want to rip my arms off and beat it to death.... My granny says when she see's things like this or anything odd... "Don't let that loose, it'll suck the cow dry".... I love her sayings...

In truthfulness - I hate bugs..with hard shells and sticky legs. I can hold snakes, toads, frogs, worms, mice, rats, fish, spiders, moths butterfly's - you name it... no problem. You stick a bug in front of me and I promise I will crawl you like a tree in July baby.... clear to the top and sit on the rim of your hat. Now, don't get me wrong I don't walk out in the yard and freak out at the thought of all the bugs under my bare feet nor do I get obsessed about the fact that they are everywhere... BUT - when I hear that sound, if you have seen and heard a June bug you KNOW the sound I am talking about... I crap my pants right there.... then scream like a banshee on the prowl. When I was living at home they would land on my screen at night and I would spray Aqua Net all over them buggers through the screen. Thank God I didn't smoke and light up by my window, cuz that screen would have went up like a well lit Christmas tree or uncle Bud at the punch bowl... I am not sure where this deranged fear comes from, but I think it has to do with having one caught in my hair as a child. It was such a traumatic experience that I don't remember it - but I am sure it must have happened cuz that's the only reasoning I can think of for this morbid, brain freezing fear...and that is because my hair is to my waste now, so getting one out would be like rebuilding the Egyptian pyramids....

Anyway - as I read my list from that blog... I laughed at number 4 the most. I truely LOVE shoes - heels to be exact and I have dreams about them. Vivid dreams of knee hight boots and a shiney sivler pole.. WAIT.. sorry thats not what I ment.. I mean, um, er - crap - well here is a pair of my shoes that I bought for my sisters wedding rehersal supper... Dont they yell 1947 to you...

These are my favorites - dont they just scream - STRIPPER POLE - OOPS, I MEAN dont they scream Wizard of Oz at the top of their lungs...

Pam C. not a word about the stripper pole...shhhh I'll borrow you my shoes someday. *snort* Holly you too..... *double snort*

I love old looking fashions - none of this stuff for me....

http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/307/filter/categoryFacet/%22Shoes%22/gender/%22Womens%22

not only are some of them ugly (not all of them, there are a few in there I would wear )- but WAY to pricy for my blood and ugly, did I say ugly. I have heard they are comfy, BUT I am all for breaking my ankles and toes to look good on Sunday mornings or at night for the Milk Man....what do you mean you dont wear just heels to bed for your man.... prude...

See that chair they are on - $20 bucks at a garage sale tootsie... and its not stained its the fabric -its posh, or plush.. whateva

SO today I am going to be baking bread again and laundry again - When I have to work at my outside job the laundry sits like a bird on a wire...so the laundry will call me - probably swear at me. When I am working and trying to run things here, somthings got to give and its the laundry. Naked is an option out here in the country. OH and I have 2 sick kids - Big Son is throwing up his shoes and Milk Dud has the poops from another world....they smell like.... I dont know what they smell like - I have a clothspin on my nose.... Will hopefully write more later.

Over, under and outa here....

Please do this...

2009-05-29T17:07:00.001-07:00

HELLO! Please go here http://tinyurl.com/pkyq5n and vote for my friend at Finding yourself despite yourself... she is great and I want her to win!!! Thank you, the has been a public service announcement of great meaning... oh, and send her some toe nail cutters...

Lispy's revenge....

2009-05-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

We all know how Lispy has a problem with his speech right? Well, lately we have REALLY been trying to get him to enunciate his words.... for instance - lemonade has always been lemnee.... lem - nee... got it, good. SO, we are trying the 'split the word in two' method of speech... like Lemond - aid... and it has been working pretty well. He has asked me several times about different words if he has gotten them right. I always try to make a point of saying what a wonderful job he has done and praise him for his effort in doing it correctly... That all came to a screeching halt a couple of days ago.... here's why... put your liquid down and swallow...done, good...

Big Son is in the bathroom with the door closed and locked, this is unusual as he tends to leave it wide open while using said toilet, which is truly a conflict of interest being he is SUCH A PRUDE!! I don't know, you figure it out. Anyway, I knew he was done in the bathroom and Lispy had to go, of course he did because someone else was in there... by the way, we have 1 biffy for 7 people - you do the math... this is the conversation - oh we have also been working on not swearing or should I say were working on the swearing lisper.

Lispy "Big Son, I have to go can you hurry peaze'

Big Son 'Go pee outside, your hose works out there too'

Lispy 'Big Son, you done poopin tum (come) out NOW'

Big Son giggling uncontrollably 'No I'm not' more giggleing right behind the door, you can here him holding the handle...

Lispy 'Ifs you dont tum out sthoon (soon) I donna (gonna) thit (yes thats what you think it is) my thorts, then mamma's donna (gonna) det (get) pithed (pissed) off..'

Big Son 'I am NOT DONE YET' he yells at the top of his lungs.... at this Lispy gives up and runs through the kitchen to the front door - I am about to stop him and make Big Son come out of the bathroom when I here Lispy mutter somthing under his breath. I no more than get his name out of my mouth... 'Lispy' he stops, swings around, faces me square on and says 'I said asth-hole - did I say it right mamma?'....I shook my head and waited for him to get outside before I broke into tears of laughter. I finally got Big Son out of the privy and Lispy ran back in to the house to poop.... later that night Lispy is getting ready for bed after his bath. Big Son is already washed up and waiting for prayers to be said, however he has a bad habit of ALWAYS waiting till the last second to get something to drink. As he walked by the bathroom Lispy yelled to him (Lispy is totally naked at this point) and Big Son turns around and peeks in the door as Lispy turns his bare butt to him and yells - "Moon STHINE"... This is where I look at myself in the mirror and ask 'Why me'....

YOU PEOPLE!!!!

2009-05-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

YOU PEOPLE ARE SO FUNNY!!! I am not scared of ANY of you!!! and There are NONE of you guys that I want to block because you dont comment - GOOFBALLS!!!! There is one person that got to my blog by looking up showering with son and this IP has been here 2 times for the same thing.... I dont want them coming back!! THATS ALL!!! LOL I think I will take CoffeMans advice cuz it seems like the smart thing! I fibbed(sorry) when I said that I had visited their blog... they dont have one...I just didnt want to get into a discusion about it or say what it was - SO that is my confession, please forgive me and dont hold it against me. I dont want ANYONE to feel paranoid for not commenting, wait maybe I do and then they will comment more!! *snort* JUST KIDDING - Please ALL of you keep coming and dont you dare feel like I am talking about you! OK?!?!?!?

Thanks to you all, your great and I appreciate each of you! Your all my BFF's!!!!

IP address blocking.....

2009-05-21T11:01:00.001-07:00

Hey there guys! I have a quick question - does anyone know how to block someone who is not a 'follower' on my blog.... I dont know how to do this and want to possilby block someone from reading...... any idea's? I need all the help I can get cuz I am not computer savy at all....

Just for helpin me out - here is a picture of my love...

youtube popping a boob...

2009-05-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a tutorial on baby wearing and differant types of baby slings. I found this and LOVED her comments on breastfeeding. GUYS - sorry, but I had to put this up here - her accent is a killer and I LOVED the way she just said what she was thinking!! LOL April Showers - TITTY!!!! LOL *snort*

I made a sling for Milk Dud and its a life saver for sure! It makes things so much easier when I need both hands free!

An Award..from a man...

2009-05-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a couple of fellers that read my blog. We all know Coffeeman and his antics and Bob from "The Ranch" out in South Dakota. I was SO tickeled to find out that Bob has given me an award!!

These are his words....
Here are the rules for this meaningful award:

The aims of this award:

* As a dedication for those who love blogging activity and love to encourage friendships through blogging.

* To seek the reasons why we all love blogging!

* Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it

* Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.

* Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.

* Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.

* Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

The reason I love blogging - well there are 2 reasons. The friends I have made while blogging here are SO cherished. I cant even begin to explain the feelings I have had from being able to share my life with you all. There are so many of you who have sent me gifts - Karen D you are the BEST! - Willow Witch - those cards send me into histerics... I love you guys as true friends....except the guy that googled sleeping with the milk mans wife and came to my site to see what I had here.. yish - anyway - the second reason that I love bloggin is because I truely love farming and want to share with the world what it is REALLY like to be a farmer - a REAL farmer by my own definiation of course. Not a factory farm with 100's or 1000's of dairy cows - nor a huge grain farmer running 10,000 acres and hireing all of his work done and never breaking a sweat nor a ranch/farm that has so much other income that they dont have to be in agriculture to make a living... I want nothing more than to share everything that I can with you so that you know and understand how life really is on a family farm a TRUE family farm. One that is run by family, not hired help.... One person said to me a short time ago that I must want people to feel sorry for me because of the way I write... not even close buddy. I choose the life I live and even if I complain or feel passionate about somthing or angry for that matter - I dont want your sympathy, I want your understanding - nothing more. SO with that out in the open, does anyone want to learn about what I call a kitchen garden? Does anyone else out there have one or call what they have one?... did that make sense..
Now for those who are tagged...

Suzanne the farmers wife

Horsefeathers - Mrs. Mom my sistah from anotha motha!

Karen Deborah - Fresh Fixins

Peggy from Hidden Haven

Domestic Diva - go for it baby!!
Oh - Thanks again Your a true asset to the ag community and I LOVE to read your blog!!!

Home again Home again - jiggity jog....

2009-05-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

We made it!! I am SO glad to be home and making supper - remind me of that in a couple of days when i am complaining about the opportunity to care for my family! LOVE YOU ALL - will post in the morning or later tonight. Got lots of pictures of the city!

On My Way HOME!!!

2009-05-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!! This is just an update that I am ON MY WAY HOME!!!! YIPPEEE!!! If you havnt guessed by now, I like to be home.... I miss the Milk Man and dont sleep well at all when I am not in close vacinity to him - in others words, snuggled up in his strong embrace and breathing in his freshly showered skin. SO - It has went well, I am SO NOT a city girl and would never be able to be here for long. In the summer of 1990 I lived in Torrance California for 3 months - 8 blocks from Redondo beach - Its a 'part' of L.A. - it darn near killed me. I mean, you can only shop so much and lay in the sun for so long or surf in the ocean for so long before this country girl missed the smell of cow poop.... man, does this sound like a homesick post or what? Anyway - the big city is not for me. I have missed going outside to water the cows the cats in my nightgown... *snicker* yes I have done this - or going to check on a cow in the barn at midnight with a housecoat on and barefoot...yes I have done this too - OH dont look so suprised - its me we're talking about here ya know! Anyway - see you all soon and I have SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO missed you all!!!

LOVE YA's

The Milk Mans Wife

Hello From Training!

2009-05-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

Well everyone we are here in the Holiday Inn - hillbilly in a high rise.... I will to write more later, but right now - I have to sit on my butt and listen to our trainer talk..... This is harder than a full day of work! Love you all - HI PAM C!!!! not to be confused with HI C... *snort* Later Mater --

To All Mothers....and everyone

2009-05-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

Good Morning to you all!!! First I want to say HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of you wonderful women who stop here and bless me daily. I truely love each of you as much as this internet will let me. For you men - I love you too, but hey you'll get your day to....

Milk Man wanted me to share how I feel about being a mother to this pack of wedgie giving, poop wearing, fort making, 4-wheeler driving, food munching, cow loving, horse riding, dirt loving - mother lovin.... children we have together. How much more can I say than I love them..... and want to spank the living daylights out of them in the same moment. Seriously, I cant imagine my life without my boys - it wouldnt be life. I dont understand how anyone can not want what is best for their kids every second of the day or not want them to do the best they can every day. I love to have Big Son make me his famous (or not) Chicks in a blanket - or Lispy makeing me coffe that has so much sugar in it that it more like milky syrup. But, Milk Dud...his smile does it for me, the smell of his little body snuggled up to me is more than I can take sometimes.
The 2 older boys are great too - they help me with the garden when they have time, or help put cloths on the line or sweep up the basement for me. They are pretty busy and dont get much time to do much here, but they are good hearted and loving boys - I love them too. SO thats how I feel about being a mother...NOW...for my mother..

I know you all love your moms and all, but I have to tell you that none of them are as great as mine....sorry they just dont cut the mustard people. My mom has the market cornered on how to love her family and tommorow I am doing a post just for my mother - I have to get the kids to church this morning or I would do it now....

Till then - Love you Mamma!!!

How to make home made bread....

2009-05-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

I started this post last night and finished about 6:30 this morning...but I would not load.. frigin thing...

Ok everyone - here goes nothing...
When a person starts to learn/teach themselves how to make bread, a person must realize that its a task that takes time to perfect. Trust me I am SOOOOOOOOO still learning! The 2 main things are good flour and yeast - both of which vary extensively! There is quick rising yeast, regular yeast, yeast cakes, wet yeast etc. I have used all - and depending on what I am makeing will vary using each. For the white bread I make I just started using this one - because my Amish friend told me too....

Its fool proof... it really is. Most yeast is used in warm water - this you put straight into the dry ingrediants baby... I encourage you to use the trial and error method when teaching yourself to make bread. Get a couple of differant recipes and just adlib, I truely feel thats the only way to learn somthing try and try again. SO, for this recipe I used this yeast - ok?? Next comes the flour - again, there are so many differant kinds of flour - unbleached all purpose, bread flour, high gluton flour, enriched flour bla bla bla.... Flour has all sorts of differant purposes but the one flour that I NEVER EVER USE - is the enriched flour and this is the reason. The way this is processed, from what I understand - this flour is bleached there for all the good stuff is taken out and added back in later...right... I am not one for all the processed stuff, shut up about the ramen noodles ok - but you can never get all the good stuff back into it. For this bread I use this flour - but again, try differant things for yourself. I use this too, because my Amish friend told me to....

I do everything my Amish friend tells me too.... Fidget, you cant use this flour my friend...

Now that I have explained these two things, I think we are ready to start.... first take a large bowl - this one is mine. Got it at a thrift store for $6!!!!!! I did the Elaine dance right there in the store. The clerk called 9-1-1 because she thought I was haveing a nervous breakdown. SO - here is my bowl...

What is that little speck on there you ask? Oh, thats Bob the sandtrooper -I do everything Bob tells me to do....

What do you mean thats weird? Dont you have a sandtrooper that guides you? No, well you cant have mine - I need him......

Dont mind the spots on the bowl, this was the second batch of bread for the day and I didnt wash the bowl very well....so dont eat bread at my house ok....thank you

Next you put the baby in the bowl..

no you cant have him either.....what is it with you people. Uncle Bubby was the instigator in this one.... Hi Uncle Bubby!!

Now for the serious stuff....please keep in mind this is a trial and error process and it is somthing that you can all do, but it takes some learnin' and experimentin'...

This is the recipe that my Amish friend gave me - I have several recipes so this is just one that I have used.

White Bread

2 Tablespoons yeast

3/4 cup sugar - I use 1 cup

2 Tablespoons salt - Kosher of course

12 cups flour

I put the flour in, then sprinkle on the yeast, salt and sugar....

While I am doing this I melt my lard...it calls for oil, but I use lard of course....cuz its GREAT stuff...Its seems to be a little thicker than oil and holds the bread together so well!

The recipe calls for more flour, but I put about 12 cups in to start with and add more as needed while I stir it. I have used up to 16 cups of flour for a batch of bread. Before I pour this in I stir the dry ingrediants so that they are well mixed. Then I pour it in along with 5 cups of lukewarm water - NOT HOT - hot water will kill your yeast therfore bread will not rise. This is where you start to stir your bread and add more flour - this will build muscles people. After I get started with the spoon most of the time I use my hands to work the rest of the flour in, sprinkleing it as I go...you want it to be a bit sticky - but not mushy and NOT TO DRY! This is where the trial and error comes into play - just work with it and keep trying.... at this point you start to kneed your bread. I take it out and work it on a counter top that was made for makeing bread...its great, but I forgot to get a picture of it... dang it - Bob did'nt tell me to, so dont blame me...between you and I, he gets a little disorganized and confused. I did get this one...

and this is when it has been mixed completly and kneeded...

Kneeding is also a trial and error thing - you can over kneed it and get tough bread or under kneed it and get huge air pockets... This should be soft and elastick -e..... like this....

When you tug a piece out like this it should 'bounce back'...Now cover it and let it rise in a warm place till its 2 times it original size.. at least that's what Bob the Sandtrooper says...and my Amish friend....

When it has doubled, it needs to be punched down again to get the air out...

Then it must raise again till its doubled - at this time you make loaves and put them into tins...
You dont need to punch it down before you make loaves. When you cut it up and form the loaf that takes care of the air in it. I just take a knife and start wacking pieces off and adjust them later to make same size loaves...

Then let them rise till they are over the pans....

Then bake them on 350 for 20 mins, turn them in the oven and bake them for 15-20 more. I didnt get pictures of this, sorry - but when they are done take them out and put butter on the top, leave them in the pans for about 10 minutes on their side on a cooling rack. Then take them out of pans and leave them on the rack for another 1/2 or till completly cool - then bag them! Your done -

The whole time I am baking bread this is what is playing in my mind......

I always wanted to be a dancer... *dances with the broom around the flour strewn table*

bread baking...

2009-05-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I am putting together the bread baking tutorial - however I have to finish folding 5 loads of laundry that I just didnt do yesterday...... I have insomnia, at least I think I do... I am not able to sleep for more than a couple of hours. That is not new, its been 10 1/2 years like that but now I am waking up and not being able to get back to sleep for at least another hour. it truley sucks... SO, I dont know what to do - I tried a weeeeeeee bit of the cough syrup, nothin.... and thats NOT because I drink often so I am used to it. I dont drink, period.

I just looked out the window and realized that I have Christmas lights on the 2 of the fruit trees still....good grief - I need to get those off and put away.

So where is this post going - who knows! Sure I dont! BUT - I will be putting up the bread post in a little while. Milk Man is needing help picking rock today, that is if is doesnt rain to hard - SO who's up for a little manual labor!??! any takers?!?! *crickets chirp loudly* thats what I thought. Well, I have to feed the Milk Dud. He woke up an hour ago and has only eaten chocolate chips that were on his tray from last night... yes they were clean! I fell to an all time low yesterday wanna hear about it.. I'll tell you if you really want to know what I did....

later mater... Like Ta- mater without the Ta....

jug job....

2009-05-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, I guess I need to explain myself a bit. I dont want an 'enhancer' I just want a
'make them so I dont have to use duct tape and a small tarp to keep them in place and out of my belt line'- job. The Milk Man - he's happy one way or the other as long as I am comfortable. I would wait till I am done with having kids, So I can start saving now and wait 20 years.... I will probably never be 'done'.... I was thinking the other day about the post I put up a while ago, about haveing one more. To be honest, I dont think I will ever be able to say - and I quote April from Coal Creek Farms - Stick a fork in my butt and if the juices run clear your done, if you bleed keep going.... unquote..she's a nut for sure. Anyway - How can anyone tire of the little buggers snuggling while they nurse, or the little squeeks they make or their soft breathing. Who can tire of the little feet that really have a foot smell shortly after they are born - I love that. Who can tire of the baths where they squeel like a baby piglet or the slurping sound they make while they nurse - see, now I am getting all emotional. Anyway - just had to clairify where this was going, no where! *snort* SO - I made bread and took pictures so hopefully I can get a post up shortly. The yard needs mowing and my herb garden looks like a hayfield, the car needs cleaning, laundry needs washing and the cats in the cradle with a silver spoon.... remember that song? See ya later!!!

Good Morning ...

2009-05-02T05:03:00.000-07:00

Well it is BEAUTIFUL out today - I am going to be doing some yard work and baking bread....again.... its at least a 2 time a week job. Does anyone want to see my task in pictures or does it not interest anyone? How many of you still make bread every week? Does anyone read my blog anymore? Do I have toe fungus? Is my butt getting bigger - Coffee Man, not a word.... Can I have a Mt. Dew I.V. - What is breast augmentation? Is it the same thing as a boob job? Or a jug job as my friends says..... When do I get a vacation? How long till I can have a tummy tuck - do I want a tummy tuck? How often do you shave your legs? or your back? Where am I going with this? Don't know - but I know I am now gone.....

Be back in a little bit - please answer the above questions quickly as I have lost all focus and need some help.....not sure with what, but just neeed help.

Here ends my stupidity - at least for now...thank you.

I am a flower...

2009-04-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?
"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

I thought this was kind of a fun thing... go try it out!!!

For the love of R A M P S!!

2009-04-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

OH People - Suzanne from chickens in the road sent me RAMPS!! from the beautiful state of West Virginia!!! THANK YOU SUE!
Guess what a trip through the woods found for me this morning?? RAMPS RAMPS RAMPS RAMPS RAMPS RAMPS!!! I jumped with joy and giggled with childish glee!! SEE - I have an addiction and well, to be honest, it started with Sue sending those tasty little pieces of heaven. The aroma of them simmering in my kitchen is almost to much - I had NO NO NO idea that they grew here in the cold north tundra country! NO IDEA - and I consider myself to be at least of average knowlegde of the local fauna and fare.... Guess I was thinking to much of myself!!! SO - thank you to Sue again and thank you JESUS for the ramps that are growing in the woods behind the barn!!!! LOVE THEM!!!

Ok, Who's doing what for supper this evening? I am So out of ideas and ramp crazed that I don tknow what to make???? Does anyone else ever get into that kind of slump?

Here is a ramp post!!! http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2009/04/13/a-garden-of-ramps/

The Milk Marketing Board..

2009-04-28T03:16:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I get off on a rant, today is one of those days... so if you don't want to hear this - come back tomorrow!! First I am going to explain what the board is suppose to do. It's their job to promote the dairy industry - by organizing events, advertising etc. I have been of the mind set that dairy products promote themselves, just because most people eat cheese and drink milk. However, I do feel that they have a place in the ag industry, but I don't know to what extent they actually help the farmers. I am not trying to make them the bad guy, but I would sure like to know why the feel they need raises at a time like this. Here is the whole story - please read it because maybe I have a jaded point of view because of my profession.

http://www.thecountrytoday.com/story-news.asp?id=BJP6V1VHIQU

However, here is my thoughts on it....

The way the MMB (Milk Marketing Board) gets paid is that for every 100#'s of milk they get paid $0.10 - pennies I know. Before I get into much more of how they are paid, I should explain how we are paid. Farmers are paid per hundred weight for their milk. They have what is called the 'base price' which is what they are guaranteed to make per 100# of milk sold. Got it so far? Then they are paid 'premiums' based on the quality of milk that is sold for each category the dairy or creamery has. The creamery/dairy is who we sell our milk too. The category's are butterfat, protein, somatic cell count and other solids. There may be one more, but I don't have a slip in front of me so I cant be 100% sure I have all of the categories. However, I have the ones that count. The higher the first two are and the lower that last 2 are decides how much of the premiums you will be paid. The butterfat and protein are good things, the other 2 not good. Other solids is a conglomeration of different 'things' they are looking for and I am not sure what all that entails - its really not bad, but it doesn't help either - its kind of neutral I guess. However, somatic cell count can throw your whole milk check into the gutter so to speak. If its high you are docked your premiums - they still use the milk, but they just don't pay you as much for it AND they haul it in the same truck as the 'better' milk that has a low SCC...stupid huh? On a side note, there is grade A milk and grade B milk - the pay is different but the same milk hauler picks up both..... figure that one out - the milk ALL GOES TOGETHER. Anyway, the SCC needs to be low. What the SCC is, is cells in the cows bag (udder) that protect against infection - they are white blood cells really. The 'theory' is that if there are a high amount of SCC's than there must be an infection or a pending infection - mastitis in the cows udder. If I am honest, I think that the theory may have a foundation but it also is necessary for a cow to have this to fight infections... It's a double edged sword - its a way to control what we are paid - like I said, on this subject I can see both sides. HOWEVER, here we go again with the however's, in my opinion this can be skewed by the creamery. Every time a load of milk is picked up there is a 'test' sample taken by the milk hauler a.k.a. the other milk man not to be confused with MY Milk Man..*snicker* the creamery tests that milk and pays according to THEIR test results. We have the option of testing with a private testing company, but that costs us a little over $1 per cow every time you test and you have to test 2 times per month.... anyway, the creamery has all the cards if you don't test. We figured on testing at one time, but when we figured out the cost of testing with a private company, it would eat into anything that we made on our premiums if not all of it. SO, they have you by the short hairs. They can get test samples mixed up and have! In my opinion - MY OPINION ONLY -but I know others share this opinion.... the creamery will 'switch' tests with bigger dairies so that their cell count is lower and ours is higher... why you ask, because its much easier to pull up a semi-tanker to a huge dairy than it is to send out 3 drivers on separate routes to pick up the smaller farmers milk. However, big dairies will milk anything with tits....and 4 legs of course. *snicker* The creamery will 'work with' a bigger dairy for the simple fact that they make more milk - not because its better milk, its all about the volume and cheaper. Keep the big dairy happy and they stay with our creamery - make the big dairy do a better job I say - have better animal management... but when your running 600 head of cattle, IT CANT BE DONE! Do I think that 200 head is manageable, probably if done well - but more than that and the animals and milk quality suffer....SO - this got out of hand for gosh sake...sorry to be such a downer... Does everyone understand how we are paid now? No? Me neither...LOL

SO on to the MMB - they are paid with what is called a 'check-off'. All farmers, regardless of type pay some sort of a 'check off ' to the various 'boards' that advertise/promote the type of farm they run. Ours is $.10 per hundred and this is the point I am getting at through all of this. The current check off price was set up in 1984 - when milk was selling for base price of $13.14... Base price on our current milk check is $12.30... stunning huh - sure it has not went up when milk prices were high either, BUT - how ridiculous to give themselves raises now? One of the members of the board stated that with inflation the check off should be at $1.85 per hundred...ok, I understand that but then milk should always being going up too - right? We are getting less than we were 25 YEARS AGO PEOPLE!!!! With our expenses on some things being tripled!!! Please go and read that article that I posted the link too - and ask me questions about it would you? I don't want to write much more, but will answer your questions. The article was well written, but in my opinion the people on that MMB are out of touch with small farmers, but that should not surprise me should it. Oh btw, we have no choice about being part of that organization - if you produce milk you are FORCED to pay the checkoffs regardless if you agree or want to be associated with it. They gave themselves raises with 'uncommitted money', what the heck is that??? Should that not be put away if it's not NEEDED!!! They have a budget increase of $400,000 and a quarter or almost a quarter $119,000.00 is going for raises, but not ALL employees are getting raises, so that $ is going to a FEW of them.. HOLY CRAP already... I bet the ones at the top are the ones getting the raises - and as far as the position that was cut, I am pretty sure it was a part time one.... anyway, go read it will ya - I will feel better if someone else can give me their opinion/view on it.. Thanks guys for letting me get that off my chest! Here's a gratuitous Milk Dud photo....

Thats for you Karen and Goat Girl - I sniffed him too... LOL

The Milk Marketing Board...is giving themselves raises...

2009-04-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Again... a local ag paper reported that our states milk marketing board has decided to give themselves raises... Do many of you know how the states milk marketing boards work?

Home made potato soup...get your bibs ready..

2009-04-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

< OOOOOOHHHHHHHHH MY!!! This is one of my favorite things to make - I heart soup. This is a soup that will stick with you, but is not heavy. Its a soup that is filling but not to the point of nausea AND its got flavor like no other. Well, that's what the Milk Man says but I sleep with him so he's kind of biased, but make and figure it out for yourself.

Heidi's Potato Soup... yes I am taking all the credit for this, cuz I thunked it up meself. Take a pot like this one... its older than I am but it works perfect.

Then I take ham... I usually use ham left over from a meal, but I didn't have any so I used this instead... I don't like anything that is 'lean', but this worked ok..

Most times I use the left overs from a meal that we have ham for, this is if I don't make pea soup with the left overs. When I do that I take the bone and whatever ham is left over, put enough water on it just so its covered and boil it until the meat is off of the bone. Then I take the bone out and add potatoes to that water. I think a bone in meat makes more flavor, but that's just the cough syrup talking-don't listen to me... anyway...
Cut up your meat into little pieces, just as much or as little as you want. You will find out the I measure very little, if anything when I make it - sorry if that throws you into convulsions but I am allergic to measuring cups.. its a well known fact, me being allergic an all...

Also cut up as much onion as you want/like and throw that in there as well - I use a whole nice sized onion....

Then I start with the potatoes... I peel them, cut them up and put them in until I have as many as I want... again no measuring but I have a picture that shows how much I put into the pot if that helps... I hope it helps...

When this is done, I cover them with water - but only enough to cover them. DO NOT FILL THE POT UP WITH WATER!!! Your eyes will swell shut if you do - I promise... not really.

While this is cooking I fry a pound of bacon till its crispy and save the fat.

Then take your mushrooms, wash them, dice them and get ready to fry them in your bacon fat..

Before you fry them, take some minced garlic - fresh or jarred - and throw that in the bacon grease and warm it up, then add your chopped mushrooms.

Now, when your potatoes are done - when I say done I mean DONE. Not just forkable - then I add some of this liquid gold...

After I add the cream, about 1pt I let this simmer for a while - then I add the bacon or not - Sometimes I don't add the bacon till the very last 1/2 hour because is gets mushy - but sometimes I do.. just depends on my time frame and my mood... BUT the secret ingredient to this is this little herb that I have never been able to find in a store. I grow this myself so that's why I have it. Its called Lovage - I am providing a link because I think its VERY important to read about what you eat before you eat it. Especially herbs and various 'natural' things. When you first go to this link, it looks like an ad and it is, but scroll down and READ IT ALL! Then decide if its something that you want to try to use. Its delicious that I promise - its a little bit like celery, but not as 'woody' as celery.. You don't need a lot of it for the flavor to take over, just a couple of little leaves and it enhances the soup without over powering it. The stalk is usable also, but like I said I only used a tiny bit, less than 2 tsp chopped and i dried the rest of what I harvested.

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_lovage.htm

After you add this let it simmer for about another 1/2 hr or more. It will get thicker the longer you let it simmer - Its truly a delicious thing - one of my favorites for a rainy day. I make onion cheese biscuits with it most times and they are GOOOOOD too. I have also added roasted red bell peppers and its to die for... yum...almost as good as a Sunday afternoon nap.
Here is the end result...
These pictures are in the wrong order sorry...adding bacon
adding lovage..
Its nice an creamy and thick.... but not over cooked.. I used to use 'thickening' but found doing this much more tasty and satisfying..and pretty, its very pretty in real life...

I'll be putting up a post..

2009-04-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

As soon as I get up from my nap.....yes I am taking a nap - its gonna feeeeeel goooood... :)

Big Son the prude...

2009-04-25T03:27:00.000-07:00

I have to share this with you all because I laughed myself sick yesterday, only after I was mortified because of somthing Big Son said and did.. Big Son and I went to town together. He was home from school not feeling very well and I needed to go to town for some parts for the farm - we're in the field now so things are breaking left and right - anyway... We stopped at the store. I have to explain to you all that we are a loud family, yes THAT family. The ones who talk loud even for no reason, or the ones that yell down the aisle such things as - Do You Here Me? or the favorite - JUST WAIT TILL WE GET HOME!! yup, its us... BUT, in our defense I think it comes from working cattle, around loud machinery and distances from one another. Ya have to yell back and forth to be heard while working cattle or running machinery OR because you have only so much energy and walking 200 yards to tell someone something while your picking rock, is just to much work. Rocks stink in case anyone was wondering... now that I have explained that, here is my story.

It all takes place in the produce aisle of the local mega-store that I wont name.... I am ogling the fresh produce, because honestly people I don't get out much. Other than a parts run, I shop very little. Big Son takes off a few steps ahead of me in search of a couple of items that I needed while I stop to fondle the artichokes - they are neat little buggers arent they - a few seconds later I hear this "HEY MOM" He's about 25ft away from me and there are at least 6 other woman standing around groping the produce - of course we ALL look because, well we were all moms.....need I explain that? I doubt it.. the only other person there was a 'produce guy' and he was stocking the grapes. The produce guy keeps stocking his grapes as the women all turn to Big Son. Big Son stands holding 2 huge white onions and says the following "These are as big as Fritzie's nuts" (Fritzie is our Angus Bull)..... *crickets chirp* all the women turn to look at me and the 'grape guy' - turns to look at Big Son. I am SURE he had to see just HOW BIG they are. I wanted to crawl UNDER the tile but no go - I just smiled and shook my head at him like I completely understood, which I did but that's beside the point. Thank God at least 1 of the women must have been a farm/country wife/mom cuz she started to smile then laughed. The other woman gave me the - what do you teach your kids eye-roll and kept shopping. The grape guy, well - I think he must have been comparing the grapes to the onions, cuz he had a grin on his face too.. it's a guy thing.
After the onion incident, I don't think I will be able to shop for onions again without laughing my head off. I know every time I cut an onion I will think of Fritzie... What is so funny to me is not only what he said and did, but the fact that he is a PRUDE! I believe in being modest, no short shorts, no 'crop tops' or low rise jeans that your butt crack hangs out like Earl the plumber - but Big Son is worse. He wont go in the ladies underwear section with me, but he will talk about bull nuts. He hates bra commercials and says 'That is disrespectful, you never see men walking around in the shorts (underwear) and lets not discuss 'feminine' commercials - he leaves the room. He wont look at girls with cleavage hanging out, but likes a well dressed woman and will comment on how nice/pretty she looks.I know most of that is his age, but it's funny how one child can differ so much from the other. The other day Lispy was watching an old movie that we taped, it had commercials in it and one was a Hanes commercial with the lady in her bra, undies and a mans shirt on like a house coat. He said 'Mamma, does that yady (lady) have a baby?" I said I didnt know and asked why - He said "Cuz her thirt (shirt) is open an her tidder's (titter) is sticking out".... good grief.... I guess I must have done that at some point in time, but I sure dont remember it...

Anyway, enough body talk - I have an informational section too...

This is what a staff meeting looks like at the farm....

The CEO is on the right and the VP is on the left... I sleep with the VP in case you were wondering....

This is our bail wagon. We haul big round bales on it. The Milk Man made this himself, yes he IS good at things other than makeing beautiful little boys. He can weld a mean bead.... for those who dont weld, a bead is what you call weld after its cooled...

We can haul 17 bales that weigh 800-850lbs on this bugger. There are unloading chains on it and the running gear is heavy duty to support the weight. Its our own design and he did ALL of the work himself. It works great and saves lots of time. When it unloads you have to drive ahead slowly as the drive chains unload the bales - pretty neat huh?

Well, I have to get the boys up for breakfast so I better call this good!!