The Farmer's Wife Year End Review

It is hard to believe that 2011 is coming to close already.  Time goes so fast anymore...I can hardly keep up.  I don't know whether to look forward to 2012 or be scared for another bad year.  2010 and 2011 were not the best years and I remember saying I don't think we could have a worse year than 2010 and then unfortunately 2011 was worse.  2011 left us saying goodbye to my father-in-law when he lost his battle with cancer.  Last week, we had to say goodbye to my grandma after she was so courageous in choosing to amputate her legs in hopes to gain a few more years of life, but the good Lord was eager for her to come home.  I do have peace knowing that our loved ones had great faith and will spend eternity with Savior and that I will one day get to see them again.

The end of this year also marks the one year anniversary of The Farmer's Wife Blog.  I have truly enjoyed my blog.  I wanted to start a blog to ramble on about the happenings in my life and I thank everyone of you who take the time to read my ramblings!!!  I thought I would highlight the popular posts from the year.

When it comes to projects, printing on burlap takes the top spot.

As far as recipes go, the caramel mocha frappe seems to be the big hit here at The Farmer's Wife.  It is one of my favorites too!!

If you like to keep up on our life at the farm you probably remember when things got a little hot.

Here are my favorite posts from my blog in the categories:

Farm Life  This is my Valentine's day post.  I know I would not live the life I have without my hubs and I am so thankful for him everyday.  Plus, without him I wouldn't have these four precious individuals.

Projects   This is my ladder project and it was a close second to the printing on burlap.  I love it!!!

Recipes   This is my recipe for spicey sirloin kabobs.  I could eat them for every meal!!!!!!  You must try this recipe!!!!!!!


So there you have it, the year end review from The Farmer's Wife.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time from your busy life to read a little about mine.

{{{HUGS}}}

Broccoli Cheese Soup

When it is cold and snowy outside I love to make soup.  It just hits the spot when your tootsies are cold and you want to spend the day cuddled up under a blanket.  I made this soup the other day in the midst of a winter storm which dumped about 9 inches of snow on us.

1 stick butter
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 potatoes, diced
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. flour
8 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
12 oz. velveeta cheese, cubed
Salt & Pepper to taste

Melt butter over medium-high heat, add carrots, broccoli, and onion.  Saute about 6 minutes and then add garlic and continue to saute 2 more minutes.  Reduce heat to low and add flour and whisk until well blended.  Remove from heat.  Place chicken broth in stock pot and vegetable mixture, potatoes, and salt and pepper.  Cook on low-medium heat until the potatoes are done, add milk and cheese and simmer until cheese is melted.  I sometimes add a little cornstarch mixed with cold water (3 tbsp cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water, mix) to make the soup a little thicker.  Enjoy!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Bad Word

A quick story I had to share.

Last night my son was already tucked in bed, but he somehow got his sister to come get me and tell me he needed to talk to me.  I went to my son's room and asked him what he needed.  He began to say something with his quivering lip, but couldn't get it all out.  When he was finally able to sputter some words out he told me he said a bad word.  I did not get mad at him {he thought he was going to be in big trouble} and thanked him for telling me.  I encouraged him to not say it again.  About 2 minutes later he was asleep.

Fast forward to tonight.  I was preparing supper and he said he wanted to help {he is great help}.  I told him he could and he pulled a chair up to the stove.  While we were cooking his guilt got to him and he was again apologizing for saying a bad word.  I said to him "don't SAY it again" and we went on cooking.  A few minutes later he told me he didn't say the bad word.  Here is what he said to me "Mom, it wasn't me that said it.  I didn't tell my mouth to say it!!  It just dumped out, so it wasn't my fault!"  I had to turn my head and laugh.

Now, how could I be upset with a face like that?!?

{{{HUGS}}}

My "Model"

I decided I wanted to take some Christmas pictures of my kids in HOPES that I will get cards mailed out this year.  I am very far from a being a photographer, but I do like to dabble with it and learn as I go.  I made up my impromptu Christmas backdrop with some lights, bulbs, and snowflakes.  Since it is practically dark outside when the kids get off the bus I will have to wait until the weekend to take the pictures when I can utilize some natural light.  Because I am impatient at times I wanted to snap a few photos to see how it would look. I got the display ready, but was in need of subject.  Since the girls were at school I had my son be my "model".

All of these are SOOC and as you can see he was quite thrilled to be my subject.  I told him to just sit there so I could play around with my settings.  It was quite entertaining for me.

Then the final 2 pictures couldn't sum up our 10 minute photo session any better.  I can't decide which is my favorite.  One of these might even make it on the Christmas card.  Which one would you vote for?

Funny picture #1.... "Mom, pictures are boring and they are making me sleepy."

Or

Funny picture #2.... "Mom, I can't take it anymore!!!!"

My kids make me laugh!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Birthdays, Illness, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Backups

It has been awhile since I have been able to dedicate some time to the old blog.  This post does not involve any cooking, crafting, or cows.  Just when I think things will settle down around here.....well....that is what I get for thinking.  Life couldn't be any crazier, or at least that is how it feels.  Here is a little update of what has been happening on the farm.  I have been sick for 4 weeks now.  Today I am going to call it sinus infection {it seems to vary day to day}.  If someone would just drill into my head and relieve the pressure I would appreciate it.  

My middle daughter turned 10...YES...the double digits.  That is a big deal, just ask any 9 year old.!!! Her birthday falls right before Thanksgiving {she was actually due on Thanksgiving day}.  She shares her birthday with her Aunt which is another BIG deal.  She invited several friends over for her owl birthday party {insert picture of birthday party here that I haven't even downloaded off my camera yet....that is how far behind I am}. We played minute to win it games and had an absolute blast.  The other big hit of the birthday was suppose to be Just Dance 3, but due to a mess up with my order it didn't make it in time.  Nobody missed it....LOL!!!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving {insert pictures of family fun here that I haven't downloaded off my camera yet}.  It was a gorgeous day spent with family.  We really do have so much to be thankful for!!!

My Grandma has been in the hospital for several weeks.  She is a diabetic and has had infection in her legs.  Unfortunately, she had to have both legs amputated above the knee.  This is not what she originally wanted, but she also told me she would like to be around for another five or six years.  She is currently in a rehabilitation hospital learning the ins and outs of her new body.  Thankfully she has had a lot of family around to help her through this time.  I would really like to go see her, but since I can't get over the "crud" completely I can't go see here.  My mom took 2 of my girls to go see her which I think brightened her day.

Usually my mom and I go Black Friday shopping, but given the situation with my Grandma it didn't work out for us to shop this year.  Frankly, I think my mom and I were both exhausted and didn't care about going.  I did shop online and I and got some amazing deals.  I am not sure I will ever Black Friday shop in stores again.  Plus, I got to stay home and watch the Huskers beat Iowa.  Speaking of the Huskers, I have heard a rumor that Carl Pelini is going to go be the head coach at FAU????  The Husker volleyball team whooped up on Jackson State tonight too.  Go HUSKERS!!!!

To keep things insanely busy around here our sewer decided to back up.  It is NEVER a good time for "it" to happen!!!!!  My hubs and I woke up and stepped out of bed on wet carpet.  After renting a machine to suck up the river flowing in our basement and having very little success, we decided to take the carpet and padding out of the basement and have a professional  cleaning and restoration service come in.  They will be here first thing in the morning.  After a couple days of the cleaning service running fans, dehumidifiers, and sanitizing the basement we should be ready for new carpet.  Talk about a MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I love the movie Christmas Vacation and there is a scene in that movie that mimics this situation....LOL.

So that sums up a little bit of life here on the farm.  Hopefully, I will be back to cooking, crafting, and farm wife stuff very soon.  I'm too exhausted for all this other stuff.......

{{{HUGS}}}

Corn Harvest

We finished with corn harvest several days ago.  We had a great harvest and I along with my hubs are very grateful to be done!!!  It seems in the past we are still harvesting when Thanksgiving rolls around.

Corn harvest is my personal favorite.  One because it is not 110 degrees outside like it is during wheat harvest and two because I love fall.  Here are a few photos from harvest.  I will apologize for the low quality images....that's what happens when you forget to change your W/B...OOPS.

My son wanted to know where the rest of the combine was when he saw the green header show up...LOL.

My dad heading back to the field after taking the truck to town to dump.

A combine usually will seat 2 comfortably, but we made it work with 4 of us that night.

My hubs doing his thing!!!

My dad took our daughter in the tractor to give us a little more room in the combine.  It was quite entertaining to hear my son and daughter converse over the 2-way radios.

The bin of the combine when we are unloading corn.

The corn travels out the auger and dumps in the grain cart.

This right here people is how the cab of the combine looks during the end of harvest.  Obviously, Mt. Dew and Pepsi keep em rolling during those long days picking corn.  Maybe I should get him a trash can in there!!!!!

My hubs view for weeks upon end during corn harvest.  It's what he does, it is who he is, it is how he provides for our family....it is OUR LIFE and I wouldn't change it for the world.  Thanks for stopping by!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Printing On Burlap

I love all things burlap.  It has such an awesome shabby texture.  Did you know you can print on burlap {or just about any fabric}?  All you need is some burlap, freezer paper and a printer.

First, make your saying or design in whatever program you would like such as photoshop or word.  I used John 3:16 for my wording and made it fit on a standard 8½ x 11 piece of paper.  I used 2 different fonts and I stuck with bolder fonts since the burlap fabric is so coarse.  I don't think a dainty font would show up very well.  Once you are done with your design be sure to save it.

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Next, take piece of burlap a little large than a 8½ x 11 and cut a piece of freezer paper about the same size and place it on top of the burlap shiny side toward the burlap.  Use an iron on medium setting and iron the wax paper on the non-shiny side.  It will then stick the freezer paper to the burlap.  Next  use a blank piece of 8½ x 11 piece of paper and lay it over the top of the burlap and freezer paper that is now stuck together for a pattern and cut the burlap and freezer paper to an exact 8½ x 11.  Then place your burlap and freeze paper into your printer so it will print directly on the burlap side.  Print your image.

Once your image has printed your can peel off the freezer paper.  I waited for a few minutes to allow time for the ink to dry....just because I was being very cautious.....for once.  There you have it...printed burlap fabric.

I decided to make a picture with mine.  I used and old picture frame that didn't have a back.

I painted the frame with a light coat of white paint.  Then I cut a piece of cardboard to fit the opening.

I covered the cardboard with scrapbook paper using Mod Podge.  I glued some ribbon on to cover the seam from the two pieces of scrapbook paper.  I made some fabric rosettes {just like the ones I made here} and burlap flowers with coordinating fabric.  I used hot glue and attached buttons to the top of the flowers.  Then I glued the flowers to the covered cardboard.  I sprayed the back of the printed burlap with spray adhesive and stuck it onto the covered cardboard as well.

Voila, a cute little piece to hang in my home.

{{{HUGS}}}









Be Different Act Normal Sisters Of The Wild West Fun To Craft Finding Fabulous The Shady Porch

Funky Frito Fruckies

So the name of these delicious treats is a little odd, but that is what the recipe says.....so I am going with it.  Maybe I should have come up with an alternative name for these like....Fattening Fritos, but then I might feel even MORE guilty about eating them.  They are incredibly easy to make and combine the perfect combination of sweet and salty.  YUMMY!!!

1 10.5 ounce bag of Frito corn chips
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
11 1.55 ounce Hershey milk chocolate bars OR 4 cups Hershey milk chocolate chips

Place Fritos in a greased 10"x15" pan.

In a saucepan, bring the sugar and corn syrup to a boil over medium heat.  Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until smooth.  Pour this over chips and smooth level.

Place the chocolate bars/chips in a single layer over the hot mixture and wait a few minutes until the heat melts them.  Then smooth the chocolate out to form a thin layer.

Allow to cool and then break or cut into pieces.  I find a pizza cutter works best to cut them.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

With all my pumpkin I decided to make some pumpkin bars.  Let's just say you can't go wrong when cream cheese is involved!!!!!!!!  These bad boys are so moist and delicious....they are the perfect treat on a crisp fall day. 

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Here is the recipe:

• 4 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups fresh pumpkin
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

• 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

{{{HUGS}}}

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

I have a lot of people hopping over here from Pinterest.  If you are visiting via Pinterest welcome to The Farmer's Wife.  I would love for you to follow me here and/or on Facebook.   I have another mason jar project that is super simple you can check out here.

Mason jars are the greatest thing!!!  They have been around since 1858 and will continue to be around for many more years as long as people still raise gardens and can their produce.  Mason jars are a timeless piece I'm telling ya!!!

Around my house I use them for all sorts of things such as canning...duh, piggy banks, storage for crafts supplies, storage for q-tips and cotton balls, drinking glasses, and the occasional bug house complete with holes punched in the lid!!  I now have one that serves yet another purpose in the bathroom and that is a soap dispenser.

It was really easy to turn my regular mason jar into a soap dispenser.  My hubs used the drill press and cut the appropriate size hole through the lid.  The lids are flimsy so this can be a little tricky.  You may want to use a file on the sharp edges so nobody cuts their finger when they refill the dispenser.  Mine wasn't too bad so I let it be as it is {it's a risk I am willing to take}. Then I sprayed painted my lid and ring with the same stuff I used here.

To give it a little more character I added large river rocks to the bottom of the jar.

Then I took a pump from one of my old soap dispensers and cut it off at an angle to the appropriate length for the mason jar.

I used super glue to attach the pump to lid.  I held it tightly in place for about a minute.

Fill the jar with clear hand soap and place you pump in the jar.  You may have to move your rocks around to get the pump all the way down.  There you have it, a mason jar soap dispenser.

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You could fill your jar with items other than rocks to go with your decor.  I could envision lots of cute things for kids such as those little plastic dinosaurs, horses, cows, fish, etc.  Just make sure they are large enough that they won't fit up the tube of the soap dispenser.

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{{{HUGS}}}