Random thoughts of this Dairy Farmer's wife. Knowing the blessing to be a Mom to 6; 4 in Heaven and 2 thankfully with me. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:42:00 -0500 Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:42:00 -0500 Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be a time (month) where each small cramp or twist of my uterus doesn't make me remember previous miscarriages.  I don't relive them as much as before, but I can't help but think how once upon a time, I was feeling these things and knowing I'd soon be miscarrying.  It's been 5 years since my last one now. FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/732614/ Fri, 2 Oct 2009 11:42:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/732614/ With all the talk of the 100 mile diet, we have been trying to grow some more of our own food here on the farm.  Admittedly, we do have a lot more space than the average person but considering that a) I'm really not an outdoors kind of girl and b) well, basically 'a' covers it.  So yesterday DS comes in with some of the bounty he found in his garden and in mine:  beautiful full big garlic cloves (thanks to the nice lady/friend at the farmers market who gave him a few bulbs and the instructions on how to grow them.  He's all excited about using some of these cloves to grow more for next year.), yellow onions, red potatoes (3) and lots of white potatoes plus some carrots.  Add that to the oregano he brought in from his herb patch and the tomatoes I picked from my greenhouse and ta da!  A wonderful harvest, oh, and did I mention this was all from our back yard?  We decided to try out our "from the farm" meal with all the above mentioned items plus a steak from one of our cows.  We could've topped it off with some milk from the farm but I didn't have enough for all of us (whole big story about being w/o a fridge for a month and only able to keep small amounts of milk in the wee little egg fridge we have). A whole meal that came solely from our farm!  I wonder how many potatoes we'd have to grow to last us all year . And carrots . . . onions . . . garlic . . . would be interesting to know!  Just to know, not sure if I want to delve completely into Little House days. FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/714438/ Wed, 5 Aug 2009 00:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/714438/ I think my whole life I felt somewhat unloved.  I knew I was loved by my mother but there's something about being abandoned by a parent, knowing that they are ever so close but refuse to support or even see you, does something to one's sense of self.  Well, at the age of 35 I'm finally realizing the depth of the love my family has felt for me!  My uncle pulled some of his trademark yuckiness after my great Uncle Pat died.  He chose to call me and rant about my grandparents (grandma and step grandpa that I have always called Uncle Bernie).  I dismissed his comments as they seemed quite unlikely and I'm aware that my uncle is a trouble maker.  Well, my grandparents were devastated that he spoke to me that way about them.  My Grandma even called me and we've never had such a serious family talk before.  She wanted to make sure I did not believe that my Uncle Bernie could do those things and apparently the thought that I'd believe those things was the most upsetting part to my Uncle Bernie.    I assured her that there was no way I could believe that my Uncle Bernie would be the least bit dishonest and she was relieved.  Apparently this came up again when my mom and dad went to see my grandparents and have lunch with them.  My Uncle Bernie talked about how he'd been around since I was a toddler.  I don't have any memory of a time without him. And that's when I knew how loved I was.  That it would even matter what I thought of him.  That my Grandma would even worry to clear it up.  Who I am matters and they love me.  My Grandma had told me a few years ago that she always thought of me as her last baby.  I was surprised - never had guessed.  And she's mentioned that lately too.  I try to call her more often to cheer her, especially now that I feel a role beyond just a granddaughter. I have mentioned this to my mom and, like she said, I was always loved - just had that huge shadow that hung over me.  I would like to be rid of that shadow fully.  I don't know if I ever will but perhaps these are all the steps to healing a gaping sore that festered all these years. FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/705414/ Sun, 5 Jul 2009 23:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/705414/ This morning my Great Uncle Patrick died.  He had a long battle with cancer and other things, quite the amazing man.  In these last 5 years, my mom has become quite close to him.  Although they say she wasn't named Patricia after him . . .well, I have to wonder! I hadn't seen Uncle Pat in a great many years, even though he lived close by.  He had always been the closest to my Grandma and I know it was hard for her to see him deteriorating.  I wonder about his character and who he really was.  I mean, he grew up backwoods with his 6 other siblings (including my Grandma), he worked hard, I imagine drank and smoked hard and married the love of his life in the '50s even though he knew she was dying.  I thought that was sweet enough but heard from my mom and Grandma today that he had hired an English nurse to live with them and when his wife died, mom told me, he stayed with her that night until they came to take the body away.  Apparently he was meticulous.  I wonder if that was a bit of that generation.  I mean, my Grandma is, my Grandpa is . . . and even some older people we know here are.  The nurses told my mom he'd be up at 5am to shave and wash up.  They were quite surprised by his standards.  Mom says his apartment is clutter free and tidy. Uncle Pat would send me coins and paper money (collectible) for Christmas.  He did the same for my mom (and I imagine her siblings) when she was growing up.  Writing this, I feel sad that I don't think I told him I've enjoyed showing my kids, especially DS, the coins.  But maybe I did. I know I wrote to him a while back, hoping for some info on his childhood.  I didn't hear back but I didn't blame him. So I talked to my mom today.  There's something special to being that close to an aunt or uncle, I think.  I know she cherishes the time they've had these last few years.  And I know she feels some comfort in knowing that like Uncle Pat did with Joyce, staying with her in her last moments and beyond; so she did with him. I also talked with my Grandma.  She is sad, I know.  Out of 7 children, only 2 remain.  The eldest girl and the youngest boy. It seems slightly odd that I had this experience a year and a half ago with DH's great aunt Mabel and that was my first experience with death and here's my mom experiencing it for the first time as well.  It puts it all in perspective. FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/702283/ Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/702283/ The fridge is looking great . . . looking empty . . . looking like I am saving money from not grocery shopping because I can't drive there so it's just not getting done.  On the upside, I still have some meat from #801 and we tried tenderloin steak last night.  OH MY GOODNESS!  They were soooooo good and tender!  None of us (well considering 2/4 were our kids) had ever had tenderloin before.  Soooo worth it.  Sooooo going to spoil us.  Anyway, I made sure to save about 1 1/2 for today, with no specific plan in mind.  Well, I had 2 tortillas left in the fridge and the lettuce is growing well outside.  I sent DS outside to pick 6 lettuce leaves for dinner, I cut up a tomato and DD cut up 1/3 of a cucumber I was surprised was still okay to eat.  I got out a package of pitas from the freezer, thankful for Costco and their mega packs.  Sauteed a bit of red onion for DH and myself and then warmed up the meat.  Spread some dill ranch dressing (thanks Costco) on the pitas/tortillas, added the veggies and meat and ta da!  A great dinner! I also made a smoothie out of some, um, er, VERY old yogurt - that still smelled fine (little containers I bought at 1/2 off), the mixed frozen fruit mix (I think this is a Costco commercial) and milk.  I also wanted to make DH a "round bale" dessert since he has gotten in all our round bales and that is no small feat!  THere would've been over 200 and considering he can only take 13 in a trip, well, you do the math.  I thought a rocky road type of square with mini marshmallows to look like round bales would be in order.  mmmmm, was so good - and easy to make!  Basically: 2 cups graham crumbs, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1/3 cup sugar.  Mix together, save 1 cup for the topping and press the rest into a greased 9x13 pan.  Next time, I'd not save the whole 1 cup, I think 2/3 would be enough. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Melt about 300g (I just guessed, maybe 2  cups) chocolate chips, spread over slightly cooled bottom layer and top with 2 cups (or so) of mini marshmallows, pressing into chocolate lightly. Sprinkle with remaining crust stuff and put back in the oven.  They had it go under the broiler for 30 seconds but I opted to bake it lower for longer. Let cool and dig in! I cut this recipe out of a parents magazine July 1999! FarmMom PS  Jodi, I can't drive because I had a seizure and after one, you can't drive until you've been seizure free for 6 months.  I'm 1/3 into it now. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/699491/ Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/699491/ We have been out of chicken for, well, probably 2 months or so.  This has been sad but since we have a freezer full of beef from good old #801, well, I couldn't complain too much.  But I had bought broccoli to make the "curry" chicken meal the kids love so much (a not-so-good-for-you, definitely not the curry in restaurants meal with 2 cans condensed chicken soup, mayo, curry powder, lemon juice, chicken, broccoli and cheese, served over rice) so I was feeling desperate to make something with the broccoli. Scene 2:  walking by the cooked chickens at Costco.  I am always hesitant to buy these types of items.  I mean, what IS in that seasoning?  And gee, I can cook my own chicken!  But this time, it seemed the answer to all my chicken problems.  I only buy chicken from the butcher and since I can't drive for 6 months, I have to rely on DH to get me there and this is, well, slowing me down.  I looked at the $7 chickens and the heavens opened up . . . oh the things to make with this already cooked meat! Scene 3:  we get home and there's a message on the machine from the dance teacher that she will swing by and pick me and DD up at 2:20 (see Scene 2 regarding not being able to drive).  It is 1:40 and we are starving and just back from Costco.  I whip out pre-cooked chicken and dive into the brown meat - planning on keeping most of the yummy breast meat for the curry chicken.  I had bought some pitas and the dill ranch dressing the kids like and so put a bit of the dressing on the pitas and picked off the chicken meat in little bits and spread it out through the 6 pitas.  I topped it with some fresh greens from my friend's greenhouse and we were good to go! Scene 4:  the family LOVES the pita wraps!  huh, who'd have thought they'd be such a hit?  Perhaps the near starvation helped   In any case, the guys each ate two and DD and I ate one each and were ready for our ride to dance.  DS proclaimed that meal to be the best lunch ever. Scene 5:  we get home from dance and, again, I attack the chicken.  Normally, when I roast a chicken, we eat it and then when I'm dealing with leftovers, I pick it apart and then boil the bones.  Since the dance class time crunch, I had to tuck the bird into the fridge to deal with later.  Somehow that's a bit ewie to me.  Anyway, I pick off all this yummy meat, shocked at how much there really is on the bird, after we all ate such a good lunch too!  So I make the curry chicken meal and we all eat a hearty dinner with lots left over.  I considered holding back some of the chicken meat in my normal frugal style, but decided against it, in case I didn't get to making something with it. Scene 6:  I boil the chicken bones, thinking that they'd be a nice addition to the sweet potato fries I had made the other day.  Sweet potato fries are very yummy but don't keep very well, so I thought I'd make a quick soup and blender the little suckers and make a nice cream soup.  Chicken stock would be a nice addition to that. Scene 7:  We come in from Dairy training and my pseudo teen-daughter/neighbour girl is over so I invite her for lunch so the 5 of us eat the rest of the curry chicken meal.  Scene 8:  In closing, today, I make the sweet potato soup, something different than I've ever made before and it is well received by all 4 family members   This makes me happy.  And alas, that is the end of my $7 chicken.  I could've dragged it out more but I feel pretty good with the convenience it offered me and the 2 lunches (meals for 8) and the 2 curry chicken meals (meals for 9). FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/689899/ Sun, 17 May 2009 15:52:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/689899/ I find that since DS is getting older (12 in 4 days!), he makes me laugh so often - and laugh so hard!  He has such a good sense of humour and oh my goodness, we have fun. That's about all I have to say about that.  He just gives my insides a good workout : ) FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/689811/ Sun, 17 May 2009 00:30:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/689811/ I like to play the, "Guess how old I'm turning" game with my Grandma.  I think it's losing its shock-value though and I'm not sure what that says.  Perhaps, "Gee, I'm getting so old even my Grandma isn't shocked at it anymore."  That's what I'm going with. Anyway, my Grandma called me because she wanted to drop something off for my birthday.  I asked her if she knew how old I was turning (and DH commented, "You love this game.") and she said she wasn't sure.  So I told her, 35.  She did not even feign being shocked.  Again, not sure what that is saying.  Turning 28, turning 32, turning . . . whatever was always greeted with shock and wonder at how I could have grown up (she once told me she thought of me as her last baby. aw.)  Her response to this new year of my life about to start was, "Well, you are almost ready for menopause then."  What????  Grandma!!!  And then the, "you just wait" sort of comments, rounded out by some vague encouragement how it is different for some women, just like getting their periods, being pregnant, childbirth.  I told her I remembered her going through it.  I remember cardboard pieces in various places.  In the bathroom, on the coffee table.  Periodically, she'd grab one and start frantically fanning herself.  I just did some quick math, she was probably 56.  Since when is 56 close to 35??  Since WHEN?  Am I in denial?  humph!  My mom'll hate this, but for heaven's sake, SHE'S 56!! But on that note, and a warning not to let DS go galavanting out there with hoodlums, she said she'd see me the next day as she had something to give me.  Fast forward to today, when she and my step-Grandpa (who I call Uncle Bernie and has been a part of my life, and hers, since I was about 2 - so forever - or at least when my going through menopause wasn't even thought of) came by to drop off 3 boxes and my card : )  Since I send them food sometimes, I usually get those containers back, so those were there along with some lovingly packed heavy items.  My grandparents didn't stay long, we had dairy calf training and it was time for that and my grandma really doesn't get around well at all so she stayed in the car.  My Uncle Bernie asked me how old I was turning and I told him and he cheekily said, "So I guess you're almost an adult now."  Yup, I said, "And maybe I could have a family, and run a household."  heh heh heh. And what was in those boxes?  My grandma's good dishes.  I remember when she got them.  We all sort of wondered why as it was evident she was outgrowing making the big family dinners anymore.  I have a feeling my Uncle Bernie wanted her to have them.  They weren't used too often and now they are mine : )  I feel very special and chosen and I will cherish them. I think I'll use them tomorrow, but I will make sure to break them out the day I get my first hot flash! FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/676323/ Mon, 6 Apr 2009 01:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/676323/ Believe it or not, I've been thinking how sad it'll be when the kids are grown and the homeschooling is done . . . this said with DS being almost 12 and DD 6 1/2.  But I just see how they are maturing and I know my days are numbered.  This also said by the woman who never wanted or intended to homeschool at all! We have decided to hold DS back a bit and call next year 8/9, for all it's worth, instead of straight grade 9.  This is because it all changes for grade 10 with funding and so on so it gives us a bit more time - while his peers are in grade 7.  Seven!?  How could that have happened!  We left school after grade 2 and I know I was really old by grade 7 - his peers are still just wee, I know it! DD will start grade 2 in the fall.  With her I'm struggling with the repetition monster.  She hates it like her brother did too.  I've ordered Saxon 2 math for the rest of this year but it's hard when they balk at repetition. Just do it!  For all the time we had to repeat things - sometimes it is worth it and helps cement things in your mind.   Anyway, if that's my biggest gripe, I suppose we are doing okay.  Spring break is over and today we had our 4-H Agriculture Awareness Project meeting.  We have 3 homeschooled kids doing that project so we can meet during the day.  We are looking at where our food comes from, starting with the meat group.  Each member had to research 2 meat items and I made worksheets for them to see if it's produced locally, how it is produced, what's required, what jobs are created, alternative uses for the animal etc.  We also visited 2 bison on a dairy farm and ended the day with a bison burger lunch.  A little macabre but the kids are adjusting quite well to DH and my tell it as it is lifestyle - and our fellow 4-H leader is just the same so there's no escaping the truth ; )  It's been really fun to watch the moms also figure out where the food comes from too! And on that note, while I don't want to go too overboard about food, I have decided to give myself a goal for my usually poorly maintained garden . . . previous years I plant w/o a strategy and hope for the best (including hoping I'll enjoy the outdoors and actually weed and water the garden!).  This year, while reflecting on eating locally and this sad little garden, the Farmers Market and 4-H, I thought about how 4-H members have to do record books and part is to write what they want to do with their project, what they want to achieve by the end.  Aha!  I decided that my goal is first and foremost to provide my family with healthy food that we grow ourselves.  2nd, I'd love it if I could provide our family with carrots and potatoes to at least January.  This'll require some studying on preserving the harvest as well. On that note, disregard the leggy veggies that are in a little greenhouse in my kitchen - who knew we'd have negative temperatures and severe weather mid-March?  DH set up a grow light for them but, well, they are kinda anemic looking.  Oh well, Spring is just around the corner - I know it! FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/671970/ Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:07:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/671970/ So, it's -2 outside and as I scurry to the grocery store, I see a mom with her two babes in a buggy.  Child #1 is a toddler who can talk.  Mom asks her if she's warm enough and the girl says yes.  Child #2 is a baby just sitting up age . . . and . . . only has thin socks on his feet!  Oh, but good thing he has mitts on.  I have never understood this.  When my babies were small, they wore socks and booties or shoes AND then a blanket around their little legs when out in the cold.  I wouldn't leave my feet hanging out in winter weather with nothing on them. And the other day I saw a baby with BEAR toes. FarmMom http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/648356/ Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:28:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FarmMom/648356/