December: Friend or Foe

So.
Here it is again.
This time of year that I love, so very much.  And dread.  All at the same time.

December at The Farm is CRAZY busy.

I had grand plans of "being ahead of the game" this year.  (laughing uncontrollably)  Which is the same philosophy I have EVERY year.  But, this year I thought it might actually happen.  I thought I was on plan.
Nope.  Not so much.
I was wrong.  Again.

So here's a little run down of our insanity for your entertainment:

• Turkey day was here with a flash and a rush.  We ate like Kings.  Swelled like balloons.  Shopped like nuts.  There was oodles of Family to be had and enjoyed.  It was the first time, in more years than I can remember, that I shared Thanksgiving with BOTH of my parents (and in-laws) under the same roof.  For that I am very Thankful, among many other things.
• Clark Griswold has visited our house.  Its fabulous!  It is mellow by Clark standards, but "AWESOME" by Lil'Dude standards.  The structure is dripping in lights.  Things staked down in the flower gardens.  Lights wrapped around railings and posts.  Fake trees and antique sled are out for display.  And that's just outside.  Inside looks like the Christmas Gods puked on everything!  Its awesome!  The tree has been up since Gobbler day.  We have been slowly pulling out the interior decorations and getting them out & about.  Ribbons and Bows are up on the cabinets.  Fresh garland up on the stair railing.  Christmas dishes are out and in the cupboards.  The Rodolph nativity scene is on the mantle.  The noise-making-snow globes are up.  (ugh)  The clingy decorations are up on ALL of the windows.  Christmas books are out for reading.  The stocking are hung.  I think we are ready for the Big Guy!
• ELVIN IS IN THE BUILDING!  Our "elf" Elvin has officially arrived again this year.  Lil'Dude could hardly wait for him to arrive this year.  It is a rush out of the bed every morning to see where he "landed" from the night befores trip to the North Pole.  Its great!  Elvin has been pretty mellow with his mischief so far.  But I have a feeling that is about to change.  :))  (A look at Elvin and his shenanigans to come)
• CookieFest 2012 is about to commence.  Yes.  That's correct.  Let the baking begin..... at my house... this year..... with family.... and friends.... and kiddos.... and raw cookie dough..... and chocolate.... and frosting.... and wine.... and margaritas..... and peppermints.... and rock candy.... and brownies.... and buckeyes..... and cookies.... and cookies.... and gourmet pretzels.... and cookies.... oh and did I mention RAW COOKIE DOUGH?  Just checking!  I can't wait.  My oven might not be so excited, but we are!  (Pictures and post to come soon)
• Seven years.  How did this happen?  Our Lil'Dude is turning SEVEN.  7!  Holy moly!  Where does the time go......  This year there was a request for a "special" or themed party.  Ok.  We can do that.  Oh.My.Goodness.  Who knew it would be such a production, and of course my lack of planning has nothing to do with that.   Bwwwhahahahahahaaaa!  So LEGO Ninjago party here we go.  But finding the gear for this extravaganza has been interesting.  Some of my mommy friends have, over the years, recommended using Etsy.  So I gave in, dove in, and am in love!  I have communicated with some wonderful "shoppe" owners.  Found oodles of GREAT things.  Invitations, decorations, cake toppers, thank yous, pin up thingys, and stickers.  Awwwweeesssssooommmee!  So a Ninjago party he will be having with all the fixin's.  (I will post the who, wheres, wares, and hows with pictures after.)
• Christmas program at school.  First Grade is the first year that our Lil'Dude will be able to participate in the "All School Sing" program at school.  He's pretty excited.  We are pretty excited.  I will be sure to have multiple cameras charged and ready to go!
• Family EatFest 2013.  Well its actually "Christmas" with my dad's side of the family, the aunts and cousins.  After the New Year.  No gifts.  Just time together. Eating.  Yummy foods.  And desserts.  And I get to cook!!  For like 30 people!  Its AWESOME!  The requests have already been submitted, and are being prepared for.  I can't wait!

And then, before we know it, it will be time to start the festivities for Christmas.  FaLaLa La La La LA! 
We are really excited that Hubs' brother and his family will be with all of us for Christmas this year.  They are in Colorado, so we haven't seen them in almost three years.  And our newest nephew, who will soon be one!  We can't wait to have the  time to spend with all of them! 

Whew!! I'm thinking I might catch a break in February.  And a nap. 
Happy Holidays, for our Farm to you and yours!  The Farm Wife

An "Insta" Day with The Farm Wife

Have you ever had "one of those days?"
Have you ever had "one of those days" and thought, "man why didn't I take a picture of that?", because no one would believe you if you told 'em.

Well I did.
Here is an Instagram day in the life of The Farm Wife. 
Well or at least snippet of it.  It is a view of a typical day. 
So this is what I am doing at the top-of-the-hour for most of my day.
(It's not everything but its a bit of my day.  My normal hectic day.)

 First Light

The mornings start early here. (urggghhhh)   Lil'Dude will be up soon to get ready for school.

"Get out of bed momma, get movin'!"

Up and Running

After the Lil'Dude is off on the bus, I try to get a run in. 

Its too dark to be outside, especially in the "country."

Ok, maybe I am just that big of sissy.

So it is a "treadmill" day.

 



Waiting

Wonder Mutt is waiting for me to finish getting ready so he can go in for his "daily" snoozy.

On My Way

On my way in to the office.  "Are you sure I can't work from home?"

Setting Spec

Working on a commercial building project.  Making selections of flooring materials and colors.

Designing some "Eats"

Working on a Kitchen plan for a client.  This really make the creative juices flow!

Selections

Kitchen selections made.  Let's get this project movin'!

Dark

I hate how early it gets dark here.  Headed home from a busy day on the job.

CrockPot Eats

There is nothing like coming home to dinner that has been bubbling away while I was at work.  This is CrockPot Chicken Tacos.  The Hubs and Lil'Dude LOVE them.  Easy too. 

Yummy in my tummy!!

Second Amendment

We ENJOY and EXERCISE our Second Amendment.  

Hubs is working away at cleaning, while Lil'Dude is pretending to do the same.

I LOVE that he is learning firearm care, responsibility, and safety from Hubs. 

What a GREAT daddy!

 

Wonder Mutt

He is the source of daily laughter.  He is such a silly nut.  His personality is incredible.

He thinks he is the second child in our house.

Oh and did I tell you, he has some serious co-dependency issues with Hubs.  LOL

Well there it is a view into my day. 
Some calm.  Some business.  Some crazy.  Some family.  Some silly.

Much love,  The Farm Wife

And the sun goes down

Sunset at The Farm
The colors were amazing!
Sadly, this beautiful sight brought with it high winds, cold temperatures, and sleet this morning.
Thinking of all of our friends and family in the wake of Sandy. Stay safe guys!

Its a BUGGER

So its late October.  Technically we are nearing the end of hurricane season, and yet the US is facing a "storm of epic proportions," according to the Weather Channel.  As I write this, Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on the eastern seaboard.  She will impact an area from Florida to Maine. She is expected to make landfall near the Washington DC and New York City areas.  And have an impact zone of 300 hundred miles and affect 500,000 people.  YIKES!  The concern is not only Hurricane Sandy, as she looks like a doozie, but the fact that this lovely storm is expected to collide with a super charged jet stream of cooler air at the west and a high pressure system to the north and east.  They, the weather geeks, are saying that if in fact these three systems converge "this will be a storm of a lifetime."  They are saying that this convergence of storms could "create a storm more significant than The Perfect Storm" of 1991.

I told you all of that to tell you this....
I recently joined an online "moms community" on FaceBook, started by a friend of mine Kim (go visit her at Design Thoughts  she has a great site based on momma-hood and interior design) and a group of her momma friends, called Moms Just Being.  This morning on the Moms page a positive thought was sent out regarding all of the Mommas and their families that are in the "impact zone."  I, silly prepper me, made a statement about a Bug Out Bag (BOB).  I was surprised on how many people don't know about them, never heard of them, don't get it, etc.

So here's the skinny on a Bug Out Bag.

What is a Bug Out Bag (BOB)? It is a bit of the literal and a bit of the practical.  It is a bag, usually a duffel or backpack.  Something easy to handle, but large enough to hold everything you need it to.  Its meant to be something you can grab in a hurry, in an emergency situation, and know that it has everything you will need for you, your family, your home for a few days (at minimum).

Why do I need a BOB, we aren't like you weirdo doomsday prepper people?  It is about "prepping" but its more about being prepared in an emergency situation.  I ask What if you need to split at a moments notice?  Do you think you will grab vital information, medications, and clothes at a moments notice?  It isn't about the End of the World.  Its about hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods, and just in general "oh shit" moments.

Who needs a BOB? Uhhhhh, EVERYONE.  Literally.  If you are a single, couple, family of 4, family of 4 plus the dog, ALL of YOU need a BOB.  Momma needs one.  Daddy too.  Kiddos.  And our furry friends, unless you plan on leaving them behind.  (I'd be sad!  Very sad!)

OK, already.  What goes in one of these BOB's?  I say a little bit of everything.  But BE CAREFUL, you are going to have to either carry this thing or pack it in/on a vehicle with the rest of the families BOB's.  Pack smart. 

Here are a few widely recommended items I would suggest for you to consider:
Medications/First Aid-think about your family.  Do you use medications daily?  If you do, make sure you have a few days supply on your person AT ALL TIMES.  Thinks about pain relievers, antacids, bandaids (it going to be an even crappier trip with a cut that you can't cover), antibiotic ointment, etc. If you have medications that need to be refrigerated, consider packing some of the compression packs that you crack to initiate that cold affect, its not ideal but it would work in an emergency.
Personal Needs-nobody wants to be out of their home with Stinky Pete who has the worst case of morning breath in history.  So, travel size deodorant, toothpaste and brush, shampoo and body soap.  Ladies don't forget the tampons, not only for us and our lady needs, but they work great for other "what-if's" that could happen along the way (they are a great tool for stopping a bloody nose).
Clothes-it is recommended to pack for two to three days.  Again, pack smart.  You don't need 3 of everything, you can wash your gear when you get to a safe zone. Pack according to the weather.  If its winter, make sure you have extra mittens and hats. Summer means lighter weight shirts and pants.
Important Documents-use some caution here.  Be sure to pack necessities like copies of auto and house insurance policies and contact numbers, decrete bank information, proper identification for each person on/in each bag (take a photo of your kiddo, make a contact card with your contact numbers AND name and numbers of someone who is likely to be in an unaffected area.  Laminate them!  These should be updated every 12 months at minimum for kiddos.), basic medical information (who has asthma, allergies, etc), and anything else that you feel is relevant to your family.
Personal Safety-Ok depending on you, your views, and how far you may have to travel, and the specific reason you are "bugging out," you need to consider your safety and how you will protect it.  Whether its a firearm and ammunition or a knife or some other tactical item, at least consider it, and plan/pack for it.
Food-no need to pack the whole pantry.  Aim for healthful snacks like protein bars and meal replacement bars, jerky and dried fruits.  Things that are handled easily, and don't need special treatment (no refrigeration).  I know it sounds contradictory, but pack something sweet, a roll of lifesavers or something.  You don't want to find yourself on the move in a hurry and having low blood sugar due to anxiety.  Be sure to have prepackaged water bottles also.
Furry Friends-a Ziploc full of food, any medications, and a few bottles of prepackaged water.  Oh and toys.
Entertainment-deck of cards, small packs of crayons and coloring books, books for reading, travel size games, etc.  Keeping everyone entertained will make for an easier trip.
MONEY-depending on the situation and duration of your trip, you will need some CASH and COINS.  What happens if your debit and credit cards don't work? Or your need something to eat and there is no power at your stop, you can pay in CASH.  I would say a family of four should have $200 (at minimum), if possible.  Small bills, nothing larger than a twenty and plenty of ones and fives.  And at least $5 in coins. 
Miscellaneous Items- things like a small flashlight, sewing kit, baggy of laundry soap, safety pins, super glue, dental floss, boogie/wet wipes, maps, matches, etc.

WHEW........
I know its quite the list.  And it sounds like a HUGE task, but I guarantee you will be glad you did when the time comes and you need it, and its there waiting for you.

I hope you never NEED it, but hope you use this list to spark the thought of consideration to be a bit more prepared and create your own Bug Out Bag, however big or small.

Happy Prepping, The Farm Wife

I love that SMELL

Fall is upon us in the Mitten state.
And I LOVE it.
Bring on the sweaters, leggings, knit hats, sweat shirts.
I am ready.
Summer was HOT.

Here's what I love about Fall......  THE SMELLS.
The Hubs thinks I'm weird(er) about Fall smells.

I LOVE:
The crisp clean morning air
The freshness of dewy mornings
The bubbling of something cooking on the stove top all day
The warmth of a gooey baked treat in a warm oven
The smell of the Harvest
And my absolutely positively my most favorite thing about Fall is the smell of wood smoke.  (We burn wood in an outdoor boiler for our indoor heat source)  I love it.  I wait for it all Summer.  And no, its not the same as a bonfire.  Its different.  Maybe its because it cool outside, maybe it is the time of year.  I don't know but I LOVE IT!

Here is what Fall looks like at The Farm


Happy Fall Y'All!  Love from The Farm

Hey, Batter Batter!!!

This spring the company that Hubs works for, offered to their employees the use of their suite at the local baseball diamond for the home town team. Last week was out turn for tickets, high roller style. ;))

Lil'Dude had never been to a professional sports (of any kind) game. So seeing this opportunity through his gleaming eyes was awesome!

Here are a few of the highlights:

We've gone MOBILE

Ok. At The Farm, we are not terribly techy. We try. Probably more by chance than by choice.

However, Momma has herself a fabulous new toy. An iPhone!!!

I have been a smart phone person (android) for a number of years, but this little gem is dreamy. I am constantly finding wonderful new uses for it. I think I'm hooked. I have been lovingly told for a while now that "once you go iPhone you will never go back.". I think it's true.

Here are some of my new favorite things I've "app'd" and why:
- Nike + Running: it is an app that Nike created to work with select footwear to track your workouts, runs, walks. You can customize your tunes for pace, distance, route, etc. Aawwwssooommmeee. It TALKS TO YOU! I know, how cool is that. It tells you how far you have traveled and your pace. LOVE! (I have to admit, the first run, it startled the crap out of me each time. LOL). It tracks how long your workout was and how many calories burned This app is great, highly recommend to anyone, runner or walker or whatever. It's great.
- Pinterest: Yup. The Farm Wife is "one of those people.". I love it. But specifically on my iPhone because if I'm out shopping for something to do with one of my "pins," TaDa, it's at my finger tips. It has been very useful to me for that reason.
- MyFitnessPal: It is a food and fitness tracker. Ok. So I use it to count calories. I use it to track my water consumption. I use it to track my calories burned. But what I love the most about it is I get to SEE the stuff I am putting in my body, good and bad. It's incredible!! WHOA, who knew... YIKES!
- The Weather Channel: I am a self admitted weather junkie. I love to know where the storm is. When it's going rain. How miserable hot it is going to. How many layers to send Lil'Dude to school in. How much damn snow we are expected to get. How nice it is in all of the place we would love to be.
- Instagram: I haven't played with this one a lot, yet. But it looks like so much fun. It is a photo app. Changing your photo into retro or vintage, black and white, whatever you choose. Just plain fun.
- GasBuddy: This fabulous little gem tracks gas prices for you. No matter where you are, it will locate the cheapest price. I have to admit I have driven to the next town, an extra five miles, to save 15-20 cents per gallon. Have every penny counts.
- Blogger: Last but definitely not least. This is my blog publisher. Who?,what?? Yup. Maybe this handy little bugger will help me stay on top of posting to this little blog o'mine. Here's hoping anyway.

So Happy Techy Friday to all of you!!
With much love and big hugs, The Farm Wife

We are just a bunch of FRUITS

On a recent trip to the local grocer, Lil’Dude was FACINATED with the produce department.  By the way this is our normal, go to regularly grocer.

“Mama, what the heck are those?”

“Those are weird, what’s those?”

“Can we get some of these?”

As I would NEVER say no to trying something new and interesting, to broaden horizons, here is a glimpse of what we came home with.

So we came home with coconut, “cuties”, pomegranate, mango, peaches, kiwi, avocado, sweet cherries.  YUMMMM!!

Oh, and apples.

The only thing better would have been if they all came from The Farm.

Hugs, from the Fruity Farm

A busy HOT summer

Well summer is finally here. 
And its H-O-T!!  I don’t the facts, but I am fairly confident that we have had more days in the upper 80’s and 90’s so far this year, than we had ALL of last year.
I was hoping that when Lil’Dude was out of school, life would ease up a bit. Boy was I wrong. I think life has benn much more hectic. Probably because we have, with reckless abandon, lost our schedule.
We have been busy around the farm.  Putting in the vegetable garden, new strawberry patch, renovating the chicky-house/potting shed, putting the pool up, mowing the lawn, baseball games, blah blah blah.
Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to.

Stay cool.  Enjoy your summer.  Enjoy your family.

Junkin’

I think I could spend an entire weekend “junk huntin.”  Whether its garage sales, estate sales, resale shops, or flea markets, I love every inch of the hunt for some thing interesting. 

It had been a long time, I mean a looooonnnnnggggg time since Momma and I have gone on a hunt.  But back in May, we hit up the local flee market, which is just up the road from the farm. 

Here are some of the treasures we found, what do you think? 

This is what our “haul” looked like all loaded up. 

Momma and her find.  It is a wash stand.  Each side holds a “wash tub” and the top center rung holds the “wringer.”  (Which I have and she tried to steal.  “Keep your grubby mitts off my gear lady!”)

LOVE!  This is an old cultivator that the craftsman converted in to a “wheel barrow” planter.  I was in love with it the moment I saw it.  DELICIOUS!

“Planters” created out of part of an old step ladder.  Momma purchased this for me for my birthday.  I think she secretly wanted to take it home for herself.  :)

This was a MY spurge.  I HAD to have it.  There was absolutely NO way I was leaving with out.  (I wasn’t sure it was going to fit in the back of my SUV, but I would have strapped it to the roof if needed.)  It is a bench, loose term, made from an old solid six panel door.  It fits in to a perfect spot on the porch that was always an awkward space to fill.  Now its filled with something old, repurposed and useful.

And this…….

This is my favorite find.

Creative repurposing.

Yes an old wooden ironing board.

But it gets better, check this out….

Yes, the ORIGINAL Sears & Roebuck instruction sticker!!!

How damn cool is that??!!

Oh and here’s the kicker…..  I paid $5 for it.  CHAaaaaa-CHING!!!

Now here is how I used it…….

Kitchen before.

 

Kitchen AFTER!  I slightly rearranged the table and chairs.  And created an “island” by using the ironing board.

What do you think?

I love it.  We were never sold on an island or bar when we built the house.  But this works quite well.  I think it is because it fairly narrow, open at the bottom (so it does not consume the room visually), and can easily be moved.  I think Hubs HATED it and the idea of it at first, well still not in love with it, but I think he is more used to it and using it.

Happy Junk Hunting to all of you!!

Stink, Stunk, Stank. Damn Skunk!

Yup!  You guessed it.

Gus, the wonder farm dog got skunked tonight.

That is a stench that just doesn’t “wash” off.  <insert gag reflex here>

Now, as much as I hate to admit it, with life here on the farm, this is not the first time.  Ok, first time THIS year.  But definitely not the first time in the story of Gus, the wonder farm dog, to do the stink-tango with a skunk.  Last year, I think Hubs and I quit counting the number of “skunking’s” the big dope got.  <insert gag>  Or the number of bottles of dog shampoo we purchased.

Usually, I’m pretty lucky in the fact that Hubs does most of the “de-skunking” around this joint.  I just don’t have the nostrils for it.  BUT, he is out of town for work this week, so I am stuck to “de-skunk.”  <again, insert gag here>  So I “cowboy’ed up” and did the washin’ of the stinkin’ stankin’ stunkin’ skunked dog.

And, yes, I did put a clothes pin on my nose!

I will even share my secret, but it’s just between us.  I turned to my faithful, has never let me down, farm resources.  And no it wasn’t the internet.  My Storey’s Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance and County Wisdom & Know-How: Everything You Need to Know to Live Off the Land books.  I knew one of them would have a “de-skunking” recipe that would ACTUALLY work.  (I wasn’t about to waste a couple quarts of prime, out of my garden, canned myself, tomato juice, on that oldie-but-goody de-skunking theory)

Here’s what I found:

BCS gave this recipe: 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap.  Mix together, spread on pet, rub into fur deeply, rinse, repeat if necessary.

CW&K was a very similar recipe.  Slightly more diluted.  (I figured full strength was probably a better option at this particular point in the stink-party)

I used the peroxide, soda, soap concoction.  (I used Lemon dish soap for extra freshness.  LOL  So he will not only smell lemony-fresh, but be anti-bacterial as well.  AND have soft smooth hands and nails.)  And it actually worked pretty well.  He smells significantly better, except for one spot I can’t quite locate, that obviously I missed in the scrubbin’.  :) I think its on his muzzle. 

Dumb dog!

Oh and to put a cherry on the top of my wonderful stunk-cake, the stink is lingering outside.  It’s wafting from every direction.  So not only does Gus the wonder farm dog, idiot, smell B-A-D, but so does my HOUSE!  The candles are burning.  The Febreze is being sprayed.  Windows cracked in the hopes of some small breeze of fresh clean air.

Dumb dog….

Love from Stink-ville Farm

They are breeding!!!

Ok.  I am a kid from the 80’s.  Do you remember the movie Gremlins?  I do.  I don’t recall being crazy about it when it first came out, but grew to like it.  (I have no idea why)  Haven’t seen it in years.

The story line goes a little something like this:  Dad buys son a small, furry, singing creature called a Mogwai in an antique store in Chinatown.  The owner of the store explains that owning one is a great responsibility.  There are three specific instructions in caring for the Mogwai: never expose it to bright light (especially sunlight, which will kill it); never get it wet (which will make it multiply); and, most importantly: never feed it after midnight. He gives the Mogwai the name "Gizmo".  If any of the no-no’s happen, them multiply into these evil little creatures called Gremlins.  They are sneaky, naughty, trouble causing little monsters.

We think these little creatures live in our house and are multiplying.  LOL  They are breeding!  I didn’t feed them.  I didn’t let them sunbathe.  And I most certainly didn’t give them a bath.

I have managed to misplace, completely loose, and just plain can’t find multiple items.  I say its Gremlins versus admit I have a serious, incurable case of CRS. (Can’t Remember Sh!t, in case you didn’t know, or forgot.  har har)  And I (we) have been on the hunt for the following items since… well I can’t remember how long.  Here’s the list:

• My favorite pair of ear buds.  It is awful to run with out your favorite pair.  :( I’ve purchased a few other pairs since, and they are just not the same.
• Two sets of liners for my rubbers. (aka rubber farm boots.  Get your mind out of the gutter you sick-o!   LOL)
• Hubs lost his fairly new Leatherman tool.  Searched every where.  Gone.  He’s lost with out it.  Not literally, otherwise we would really be up a creek!
• My favorite pair of flops.  (aka flip flops)  Yes I realize that here in our Mitten state it is technically winter, bleh, and they are not a suitable choice of footwear, I do bust around the house in them all winter.  Easier on the feet than being bare. Again, gone.
• Mittens.  Don’t even get me started on how many pairs of those little devils my previously mentioned Gremlins have eaten this winter.  I think I should own stock in a mitten company.  Hats, too, for that matter.
• My favorite garden/farm book has disappeared.  Gone.  Lost.  Devastated.  I was so desperate to find it that I actually went out to the garden to see if by some crazy chance I left it in the garden.  As if I would miraculously find it buried under a foot of snow.  Well, duh!  It’s always in the last place you look, right?  Nope.  Gone.

That is just to name a few. 

This is similar to that little troll that eats the left sock in the dryer.  Only the left.  And always of your favorite pair.

Damn you Gremlins.  Damn you!

So what to do?  Well… I haven’t been able to locate an exterminator for this specific infestation.  So I guess it’s time to admit defeat, move on, purchase  new and put them in the SAFE.  OH, and buy my Gremlins some birth control.

Love and frustrations from The Farm

Michigan weather

We finally, and I say that with great hesitation, have snow.

We have not had enough to even say it “snowed” until last week.  A week ago, it finally snowed.  We got about 6 inches of lovely white powder. 

And here’s what happens when a boy, who has been patiently waiting, finally gets some snow:

The snowball fights, fort building, and speed sledding commence.

And then there is HOCKEY.  Hubs made a rink for him and Lil’Dude to skate on this winter.  FINALLY, we have some good ice.

Happy winter!  Love from The Farm