Thursday 27 November 2014

Cookies and an Interview with the CBC!

The Annual 4-H Banquet is tomorrow night.

They asked me to make 800 cookies to serve for dessert.

I said "YES"....I can do that!  Easy peasy.

They asked me about 2 months ago....and they suggested I make them up in batches and freeze them.  This would make it easier....and cookies freeze really well.

That was a great idea.

Terry asked me on Tuesday morning....How many of those cookies do you have baked for Friday night?

Uuuummmmm.  None.  Could you pick up 9 pounds of butter?

He did.

He's my hero.

I've been emailing him the 'list' of the day....and he's been coming home with the goods.

Chocolate chips.  Oatmeal.  Eggs.  More butter.  More butter.

I baked 534 cookies yesterday.

And while I was baking....my interview with CBC Canada Writes Blogger Series went live.  LIVE.

When I got home and got the smell of cookie off of me.....I checked my emails and there were messages and tweets....people were tweeting about ME.

That's crazy.  And I don't even know enough about twitter to thank them.

But thank you.

Thank you for all the lovely messages and comments and 'likes' and 'shares'.

It's fun and exciting. 

And if you are new here, I'd like to welcome you to my little world.

The interview is here.

Now....back to my day....I need to make 266 more cookies.

Brenda

Tuesday 25 November 2014

The New Truck

I'm a driver.

I drive the kids to the places that they need to be at.

Sometimes it's a 4-H meeting or a dance lesson.

Or sometimes it's just to take them to a field so they can get on a tractor.

Or sometimes it's to pick them up at a field because they need to leave the tractor there....but they need to come home.

I'm needed a lot for things like this.  Just general pick ups or drop offs.

I'm pretty good at it....unless Terry says to pick him up in 40 minutes at some field and I completely forget....or I can't figure out where exactly he is.

Anyways....on Saturday night...it was late...I had just gotten home from the trivia night fundraiser for Johanna's mission trip to Peru....and it had a been a long day with making sandwiches and the 'shopping trip'....and I wasn't really thinking.....and Terry asked me if I would take him to pick up the 'new' truck early in the morning.  I said yes....I was thinking 6 a.m.

He woke me up at 5:30 a.m.....we needed to get going to pick up the truck right then.

Some things need to happen under the cover of darkness.....and picking up this truck was one of them.

When we got to the truck it wouldn't start....he was fiddling with wires...but he couldn't fiddle with wires and start the truck and rev the gas.

Yes.  That became my job....cranking the key and revving the gas.

I was scared out of my wits that the thing would actually start moving.

There were a few sparks....and I was praying that no one would drive by because they would probably call the cops....because it looked as though we were stealing this truck....in the dark, on a Sunday morning.

But honestly....who would want to steal it?

It ran for a few minutes and then it quit....and we had to go through the whole process again.

I prayed....because that's what I do.

And this time it kept running.  We were off.  He was heading home in the new truck and I was in the other truck.

I went ahead of him...and stopped every now and again to make sure that he was still coming behind.

When I arrived home at 7:30 a.m. the kids were eating breakfast at the table. 

I had told Johanna the night before that we would be going to get this truck...but she hadn't told the others.

And the others thought I was still in bed 'sleeping in'.

HA.  Sleeping in...that's a pretty thought.

They were excited to see Dad drive in with 'The Beast'....that's what I have named it.


Sophie couldn't wait to climb up into that big seat.


Brenda




Monday 24 November 2014

Work Boots to Heels

On Friday night, Johanna mentioned about the semi-formal that was coming up in December.  After looking at the calendar, I decided that we better go shopping the next day....if we weren't going to leave it to the very last minute.....even though Saturday was going to be a very busy day.

I worked in the kitchen with the CWL ladies making sandwiches for a funeral luncheon all morning....and I told Johanna to have the girls 'ready to go' when I got home.  And she did.

As we were going out the door, I noticed that she was wearing her work boots.  They were relatively clean.....and she told me the entire story of why she was wearing them and not something else....I wasn't about to argue.  I just wanted to get going....and get this done.

We had a 'look through' the stores before she started trying on.  Pickings were slim because she didn't want a black dress.....but it seemed that everyone else did.

We headed back into the store with the biggest selection of dresses....but she actually picked out a top and skirt to try on first.  The sales clerk was so kind and patient and kept bringing her more and more things to 'try'.

Even though I really liked the top and skirt best.

And Sophie and Lydia were getting a bit antsy.

I saw a dress that I really liked...and I decided to give it a try.  The girls thought that that was pretty entertaining....me trying on a dress.  And so they decided to pick out another for me to try.  Sophie picked out one with material that reminded me of old curtains from the 1960s.  Even though I thought it was hideous, I tried it on....buying some time of 'entertaining' these girls...while Johanna continued to try on more dresses.

It must have been close to an hour, when we all decided that yes, in fact, the top and skirt that she had tried on first was the best.  Even the sales clerk agreed.  It was between that and a dress....but I told her that she would get much more wear out of that skirt and top than that dress.  As for the price....the dress was the same amount as when you added up the top and skirt.

Meanwhile....I had decided to buy myself that dress that I liked.

When we got to the till....Johanna was happy to find out that the skirt was actually on 'clearance' and the top was on sale as well!  Lucky girl.

However....my dress was not on sale.

Then we went to search for shoes.

She picked out a pair of very high heels.  Remember...this is the girl wearing work boots.

I told her that if she could walk in them....she could buy them.  And she did.  Perfectly.  No roll overs.  I have no idea how she did it.

And she bought them.


From work boots to heels...this girls can do anything.  Looking forward to seeing her dress up on the night of the semi formal.

Brenda

Thursday 20 November 2014

40

I turned 40 this past weekend.

The BIG 4-0.

I'm not a big celebrator of birthdays.  They asked me what I wanted to do.

Nothing I said.  And I meant it.

Word got out before Mass that it was my birthday....and it just so happened that I was a catechist after Mass with the First Reconciliation/First Communion group.  So I had seventeen 7 year olds sing "Happy Birthday" to me....Sophie included.  It was actually quite adorable.

We went out for supper to the Ag hall where the Ag Society was serving a turkey dinner.  No one there knew it was my birthday.  It was perfect.

When we got back home, my Mom and Dad brought over a cake.  They sang.  We ate.  It was perfect.

Then I snuggled into bed and read a book.  It was perfect.

But turning 40 has made me think a little.  It feels like it's a beginning.  I've spent the last 16 years raising my children....and I still am....and they will always be my priority.  But they are growing up and I am finding that I now have more time to find out who I am and what I want to do next.

It's exciting and I'm making plans.

40 feels good.

Brenda

Tuesday 18 November 2014

Some snow




It snowed yesterday.

There is something about the first snowfall that just doesn't get old.

It's magical.

And the kids just get so crazy excited.

I love it.






After Sophie got home from school, they played until dark.  And then they didn't want to come in when it was dark.  Lydia was afraid that the snow would melt overnight....and that that would be the end of all the fun.




But it didn't melt.

And now the wind it howling today.

And it feels like winter.

Brenda

Thursday 13 November 2014

Chores with Lydia

Jack decided that he needed a few days off....for hunting...with his uncles. 

I thought that was a good idea.

So, it's just been me and Lydia.

Yesterday we went into town for groceries....but we also had to buy some more loom elastics and some golden nail polish....because it will match her hair. 

We also had to buy popsicles.  I don't understand how she can eat popsicles in November.

She really enjoys doing all the chores with just me....because usually Jack does some and I do some and she can't decide who to go with.  But when it's just her and me....she gets to do all the chores.

We watered and fed the sheep first.


There are three ewes separated with a ram in a pen of their own right now.  They need to be bred now....so their lambs will be the right size for showing at the fairs next year.  Jack has this all organized....I don't ask any questions.  He knows all things sheep.

The rest are free to eat at the feeder and go in and out of the barn.

Lydia showed me where Jack keeps all the twines off of the bales.  I'm always tripping over those if they are left lying around.


Then we were off to feed and water the hens.  We have them all staying the log barn for the winter.


Jack made this new roost for them a couple of days ago.  They are quite comfortable.


Lydia insisted on filling the pail with feed.



Then we had to throw out some hay to the calves that were just weaned.


They were happy to see us.  Lydia is always trying to pet them on their heads while they eat.  She was telling me that the black and white one is her favourite and her name is "Daisy".


But Daisy didn't want all the attention....and she kept stepping back.....all she wanted was breakfast.


Then we fed the horses and filled the furnace with wood....it's cold and windy today. 

"There was a skift of snow on the ground the smorning."

She has made some plans for today.....we will be shooting hoops, reading books and baking.

Sounds good.

Brenda 

Monday 10 November 2014

A typical afternoon....

Just a typical afternoon here.....


I have no idea why he crows all day long.

He just walks around and crows.....

But, honestly, we don't even notice the noise anymore.

Brenda

Thursday 6 November 2014

Buck Head Cookies

I 'flooded' cookies for the first time last night.

It was harder than I thought....I little too much messing around for my liking.

I did a stiffer royal icing for the outside circle and then a runnier royal icing for the flooding part.


I waited a little bit before I placed the buck head on.  I had made them a day ahead with dark chocolate melting wafers.


But they turned out good enough...for my first go at it.

The kids wanted to eat them all but I decided to give away a few on my Facebook page.  It's called 'The Farmer's Fork'....and you can find it here.

I think they would make great wedding favours for a hunting couple.

Brenda

Wednesday 5 November 2014

The Unwanted Rooster

On Monday morning, my neighbour, Mary Alice, heard 'cock a doodle doo'.  Only she didn't have a rooster....or hens.

Somehow, overnight,  she became the owner of a lovely barred rock rooster.

She put out the bowl of cat food...for her cats....and he helped himself.  The cats were not impressed.

She called around and stopped by at the Mennonite neighbours to see if anyone was missing a rooster.

But no one was.

And she really didn't want him.

So we took over our dog cage...that we use for transporting hens....and he happily got himself trapped in it....and we moved him over our farm where we keep the hens.

Yesterday morning, Lydia and I went over to do the chores.  As I was carrying a pail of water up to the hen house, he followed us.....and then he ruffled up his feathers.....and he jumped at me.

I screamed and dropped the water and grabbed Lydia and ran.

Because he has a sharp beak and claws.  And I don't.

But I think I might have kicked him.

I'm really not sure because it all happened so fast.

Johanna taught her fiddle and step dancing lessons over at the house last night.  He perched himself in the hedge right beside the door and she met all her students with a broom.....just in case he got any crazy ideas.  Luckily, he behaved.

And this morning he was good too.  He did ruffle his feathers at me but I told him that I was the boss.....and we all got along just fine.


But I'm still going to watch my back.


Because he always seems to be watching ours....


He was the unwanted rooster....and I'm not too sure if I want him either.

Brenda



Tuesday 4 November 2014

Happy Farm Girls

The girls have a new favourite place to play outside.


They run up and down the rows of round bales that didn't fit in the barn.


They shout and fall and tag each other.


I don't know what games they play but it looks like fun.


And it keeps them busy until supper is ready.

 
Happy Farm Girls.



Brenda

Monday 3 November 2014

Away at the Ruby Hilton

The boys headed to the Ruby Hilton yesterday.

I sent apple pies with them.

The girls and I stopped in to see them in the afternoon.  Johanna was disappointed that she was going to miss the hunt this year.  She just can't take the time off of school....her semester is really heavy....she has biology, chemistry, sociology and math.

We decided on Dixie Lee chicken for supper.  And I had made myself a raspberry pie.

The boys would be eating deep fried turkey....and other things....and apple pie.

Terry doesn't hunt....so he returned home for the night and he is off to work today.

But the boys are with the boys at the Ruby Hilton.

I had to call the high school this morning to let them know that Grady would be absent.  All I got was the answering machine in the attendance office....she would be a busy lady this morning!  Usually about half the school is away for the hunt.  The school is known for this.  There is even a plaque in the hall awarded to the best hunter....or something like that.....for the year.

Lydia and I were in charge of the chores this morning.

'Do you got a knife Mom?'.....she asked as she tried to pull the twine off of a bale.  I told her 'no'...and that I could manage fine without one.  But maybe I should get myself a knife.

We heard plenty of gunshots as we did the chores and then later when we went for a walk.

'I hope they get a yummy duck.'....she said.

I told her that they weren't hunting ducks.  They were hunting deer.

'oh. whatever.'

My thoughts exactly. 

Brenda

Saturday 1 November 2014

Halloween 2014

Yesterday morning as Johanna was eating her cereal, Sophie said, "UUUmmm.  Johanna.  I think there is blood coming out of your nose.  Or maybe that's a worm.  Or maybe that's suppose to be there."


I laughed so hard.  What a polite way of saying that she didn't look quite right.

It was Halloween.

Johanna and Grady were scheduled to milk for that evening so they wouldn't be going on the annual 'trick or treat'.....or should I say 'visiting with the neighbours' night.  But Johanna was still going to make the most of it and put on some special make up for school.

So it was just me and the three youngest for the evening.

They got on the costumes and we lit up the pumpkins.



The hunter, the cat and spider girl.....and Ruby insisted on getting in the photo too.  They said that she was Jack's hunting dog.


Spider girl decided that she didn't want anymore photos.



I sort of missed having the older two with us.

And the neighbours did too.  Some of them sent home treats for them.

There was an insane amount of treats.

People sometimes talk about what they do with leftover Halloween candy.

WHAT are they talking about?  What is leftover Halloween candy?

It's just candy.  Eat it.  Eat. it. now.

Sophie and Lydia have been going non stop all day.  There was snow on the ground this morning.  So they went out and rolled in it.  Lydia managed to make a snowball and she threw it at me.

And there have been dance parties.

Soon it should be gone.

There will be no 'leftovers' to worry about.

Brenda