Our Fair Week {Picture Heavy}

I am still recovering from our fair {still lacking sleep and trying to get my house back in order...aka LAUNDRY}!!!  I think I am about to get all the dirt out of my ears and nose.  I tried to get in for a pedicure {I have only had 2 in my life} on Monday, but they were booked up.  Guess my nasty feet will have to wait for another day.  Enough about me and my toe jam.

I LOVE our county fair!!!  It is a county owned carnival.  The fair board members and the individuals in charge of the carnival are awesome in my book for the countless hours they put in.   It is A LOT of work for the community to make sure it is a success each year.  Each town in our community is assigned a night to volunteer during fair.   I am SO THANKFUL for those who volunteer so my kids and all the others can have a fabulous time and a successful 4-H year.  To me, it is ALL about the kids!!! 

Here is our fair week in pictures.

A beautiful sunset during fair.

My Dad {an electrician} and my Hubs getting things in order before fair kicked off.  Since Grandpa had his bucket there my son and his friend got to go for a ride way up high!

Then of course, we had the beef show, horse show, exhibit hall, midway, demo derby, and SNO-CONES!!!

More of the horse and beef show. Nothing like a little rodeo action for some entertainment.  I love the cowboy knelt down praying before his event.  

The beef sale always brings out some tears when the kids have to say goodbye to their animals, BUT it is nothing a glitter tattoo can't fix!!!

So there you have it, our week of fair!!!  Another year of great memories in the book!!!

If you haven't entered for the Bracelet Giveaway, you have until Thursday Aug. 2nd at noon to do so!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Creamed Potatoes & Green Beans

WARNING:  If you are counting CARBS, this recipe is not for you.  If you are not counting carbs then you must make this and enjoy every creamy bite of this side dish.

4 medium potatoes, cut into wedges

1 {10 ounce} package frozen green beans

1/2 package bacon

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp flour

1 Tsp salt

1 Tsp pepper

1 Cup milk

1/2 brick cream cheese

Cook potatoes until tender.  Cook beans according to package directions and drain.  Chop bacon into bite size pieces and fry until almost done (not quite crispy).  Add drained green beans to bacon and allow to slightly brown while the bacon finishes cooking (crispy bacon).  Melt butter in a saucepan, add flour, salt, & pepper.  Slowly add milk.  Bring to a boil; boil for a minute and reduce heat to simmer.  Add cream cheese and stir occasionally until cream cheese is melted.  Drain potatoes, add green beans and bacon.  Pour sauce of potato mixture and serve.  Enjoy!!!

I have FINALLY added a Facebook button to my blog.  Click on it and be sure to follow me.  I am also considering rehab for my Pinterest addiction, but then I quit considering it and I would love for you to follow me there as well.

{{{HUGS}}}  

Linked to: Chef In Training; Cowgirl Up

Bracelet Giveaway

The Farmer's Wife Facebook page hit 150 fans and as I promised it is time for a GIVEAWAY!!!  I love giving great things away!  It's so much fun!  I would give something away everyday if I could.

Are you ready?  The winner will receive this fabulous bracelet that I am....well.. in love with!!!  It is a stunning handcrafted African Turquoise & Leather Cuff!!!  Drool.....

My wonderfully talented friend Beth can make anything from jewelry to furniture.  I love talking "craft shop" with her while I browse at all her creations.  Beth is a mother to 4 boys {2 are twins!!!} and a wife to an elementary principle.  Her passion is creating crafts and jewelry.  Lucky for you, Beth has graciously donated this bracelet for my latest giveaway {THANK YOU BETH}.  You can find Beth on Facebook where she posts photos of her creations for sale.  You can simply leave a comment or send her a private message if you are interested in an item.  

I know you are anxious to head over to Beth's Facebook page and check it out, but first read how to enter the giveaway before heading over.  I don't want you to miss out!!!  

There are several ways to enter:

1.  Go to Beth's Facebook page and LIKE it.  Leave her a comment letting her know The Farmer's Wife sent you.   Then come back here and leave a comment on this post letting me know you did so.

2.  Follow The Farmer's Wife blog.

  Leave a fabulous comment on this post letting me know you are a NEW follower for one chance to win.  If you already follow The Farmer's Wife leave a comment letting me know if the toilet paper roll should go over or under.

3.  Follow me on Facebook.

Leave a separate comment on this post letting me know you follow me on Facebook for another chance to win.

4.  Share this post on your Facebook page.

Leave a separate comment on this post letting me know you shared the giveaway on your Facebook page for yet another chance to win.

5.  Do you have a blog?

Leave a separate comment on this post letting me know you shared this giveaway on your blog and you will have another chance to win.

That is 5 chances to win!!!

I will use random.org to choose the winner.  You have until Thursday August 2nd at noon to enter.  Winner will be announced on Thursday as well.  Winner must contact me via email {under the contact me tab} and provide me a mailing address by August 8th or I will use random.org to choose a new winner.  Be sure to check back to see if you won!  Winner will be announced in a new post.  Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Cucumber & Onion Salad

Well, I survived fair week.  It is so exhausting, but so worth it.  My kids did a fabulous job with their animals and projects.  My oldest will be headed to our state fair with her quilt!  Whohoo!!!

I have hardly cooked this week, but did have time to whip up some cucumbers and onions {and some Jumbo Blueberry Muffins}.  This is a great way to use up all those garden cucumbers.  I think my favorite cucumber recipe is my Cucumber Salsa.  If you have a cucumber recipe I would love for you to share it with me.  I am always looking for new ones to use up these cucumbers!!! 

Cucumber & Onion Salad

In a bowl combine.

4 whole cucumbers, peeled and sliced

1 whole onion, sliced

Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over cucumbers and onions.  Refrigerate for at least an hour prior to serving.

1 Cup sour cream

1/4 Cup white sugar

2 Tbsp distilled white vinegar 

1 Tsp dried dill weed

1/2 Tsp salt

1/2 Tsp ground black pepper

1/8 Tsp paprika

Dash of worcestershire sauce 

Be sure to follow The Farmer's Wife on Facebook!

{{{Hugs}}}

Sneak Peek

I have been busy painting and turning my house upside down the past week.  I think it might look so bad that they could film an episode of hoarders here.  Okay, maybe not that bad, but that is how it looks to me.  I can't wait to have this project finished and my house back to normal again.  Not sure we have normal here, but I am sure I would like it if we did..ha!!

My latest project has been switching bedrooms.  I moved my oldest daughter out of her room so I could move my younger two girls into her room since it is slightly larger.  I don't like using the term larger when I talk about the bedrooms in our house.  They are teeny tiny and only have room for a bed and a dresser...ugh!!  Currently my living room and hallway are full of what was in the bedrooms.  We haven't eaten at the table all week because it is piled high with junk my daughter's belongings.  She however, has claimed the living room to be a great walk in closet.  

Anyhow, my younger girls had a loft bunk bed {which meant they shared a full size bed} and they were ready to part ways and have their own twin beds.  I have their "new" room partially done and I can't wait to show you the completed project.  I will give you a sneak peek though.

On top of this project, we have been working on 4-H projects for our county fair next week.  We have been busy busy busy at our house.  You know the saying "if it weren't for the last minute, I would get anything done"....yeah, that sums it up here lately.  

{{{HUGS}}}

Happy Independence Day!!!

Wishing you all a happy and safe Independence Day!!!  

{{{HUGS}}}

Pivot

Pivot, Pivot, PIVAT...

Whenever I say or think of the word Pivot I am reminded of one of the funniest scenes from one of my favorite T.V. shows..... yes...F~R~I~E~N~D~S.

Ha ha!!  You think?!?!?


When my husband and I first started dating he asked me if I wanted to help move sprinkler pipe.  Me being head over hills for him I agreed to get up at the crack of dawn to help him CARRY sprinkler across his 100 acre hayfield.  My hubs started doing this a couple years before we got married and we continued to do it for several more years.  We would often recruit all the help we could get which turned into great family times because it was my father in law and two younger sister in laws that got wrangled into helping.  It was A LOT of hard work, but my hubs wanted to get his farm certified as irrigated so it had to be done!  

source

After we tore the hay up and planted row crops we only had to lay out gated irrigation pipe ONE time a year.  I still hated laying out pipe, but I loved seeing awesome yields on our crops so I "tried" not to complain when it came time to irrigate.

Fast forward 17 years from the first day I went and helped move sprinkler pipe and this is how we irrigate now.

Yes, it's a PIVOT, PIVOT, PIVAAAT {you have to say it like Ross from Friends ha!}

My hub's uncle purchased a new pivot and we were able to purchase his used pivot.  This spring we got it up and running.  It is such a beautiful sight to see the pivot shoot out the water and creep across one of our fields saturating the soil and plants.

Getting the pivot up and running has really made me reflect back in time.  All the hard work we put into irrigating all those years ago and now we are finally reaping the rewards of that work.  This is one of the goals we have hoped and prayed about for our farm and look HERE IT IS!!!  It has not been only my hubs and I putting our heart and soul into our farm operation, but many of our loved ones have as well.  They are just as excited about it as we are.  My dad, and electrician, shed a lot of sweat helping us get it up and running and we are so very thankful for his help. {Thanks Dad, Love you!}.

My hubs admiring the site of water on the field.

My favorite farming quote is "Farming is more than a job, it's a way of life".  Ahhh yes, this IS the life and I wouldn't change it for the world!!  I feel extremely BLESSED!!!   

{{{HUGS}}}